Seminar

You might remember that last week I was finishing up a seminar called HomeWorks. I just got it back from my professor with an A!!! Very excited about that. I'm trying to channel it into motivation for tonight I have another paper due.

--Ben

The Floor is Shaking

The crew arrived this morning and went to work moving everything in our basement to the center, and the trenching began. They've torn out all of the old drain tile and are fixing the trench the way it should have been done the first time. The noise of the Jackhammer and drills really disturbed Ellie. My girls ended up heading over to Mom-mom's house for the afternoon. Sydney on the other hand found the 6 men very interesting to watch and listen too. (Probably not a bad idea that she went to Mom-mom's too.)

--Ben

Displaced

Tomorrow morning the contractors are showing up to start fixing my basement, yea!!! But that means that I'll be displaced for a few days. I have wireless here at the house so I should be able to stay connected here, but it'll be challenging to be away from my desk with much of my stuff packed up and out of their way.

Stay tuned...

--Ben

Small Groups

Our C-Groups are getting ready to launch again. We've been signing up, and if you haven't signed up yet, you can still do so this week at SRC. We're starting our groups next week in February. See you then.

--Ben

It's Up

The State of the Church is now up. You can listen to it from our website www.severnriverchurch.com or download it from here. Next to it is a link that says PPT. That is the accompanying PowerPoint Presentation that keeps track of the charts and graphs. If you'd like to download that to follow along.

Thanks to Drew Harrah, our webmaster for getting it up so quickly. It is a long presentation, but full of information.

--Ben

Help Wanted

SRC is looking for a sound technician. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rob Noeth on Sunday, or email me at ben@severnriverchurch.com. It is a rotation position, which means it is not every week. We will train.

--Ben

12 Pages a Day

I tune in to 95.1FM on my way to church on Sunday's. They play contemporary praise and worship songs, and it helps put my mind in order for the morning.

I heard an advertisement that caught my attention. WRBS is hosting a Bible reading challenge. The ad says that a person can read 12 pages of the Bible a day and read it in 90 days. So on February 1st they are encouraging their listeners to read their Bible every day, 12 pages. What an inspiring challenge, and I really appreciate a radio station that is interested in helping people read scripture. I actually started today. Why not give it a shot.

--Ben

Encouragment

Each week we distribute Connection Cards, to collect information from those that attend SRC. I got this note with a request to publish it on our website. I wanted to share it here:

"I really like your music before you preach. I like all of the songs you sing, old and new."

Thanks, we'll try to keep it coming. By the way, it's that time of year again. If you have suggestions of songs you'd like us to add to our set, please let me know ASAP. You can leave it in the comments section, or email me. (ben@severnriverchurch.com)

--Ben

Weekend Reflections

Yesterday I gave the "State of the Church" address. It was much less pomp and circumstance than you might imagine from the name. No one shouted, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the pastor of Severn River Church." No one played Hail To The Chief. BUT, I had a great time. I'm very into disclosure and sharing what lies behind the curtain. I had a very supportive crowd to hear about the great things God did in our church over the last year. The recording can be heard on our website, check it out later this week. Drew (our webmaster) has also asked for the powerpoint which will be available there also to follow along with the presentation. All that said, let me give you some reflections.

• There was a statistic that I didn't share yesterday that I should have shared. Here it is: Last year SRC projected their tithe at $25,000, but gave $46,000. Awesome
• This year our projected tithe is $41,400.
  
• I thought that my method of tithe projection was original, but found out this morning that it is the practice of the Methodists as well. Oh well, I'll have to keep searching for that original thought.
• I was thrilled to see my friend Jesse at church yesterday, I just thought, "Man, you picked the wrong day to come to church here." (The meeting lasted an hour and 45 minutes.)
• I was also thrilled to share our initiatives: Serving, Internships, Location, and Office. And very happy with the responses.
  
• We did a Q+A at the end, and got some great questions throughout the morning. Some people came and asked if I was ok. I replied, "You guys were much easier on me than I would have been. ;-) "
  

I love Severn River Church even more after yesterday. Be Strong and Courageous!

--Ben

We have a great church that launched our church. They care about us and it shows from their giving to their acts of love and prayer. I love when we fellowship together. I received the following message from our partner church Pasadena A/G, and wanted to pass it on to SRC:


Dear Pastor Ben and Severn River Church: PAG is having a sweetheart dinner on Saturday, Feb 16th at 6:00 pm. in the Family Life Center. You are all most gladly welcome to join with us. Details and ticket prices will follow..

Also, Feb 22nd the Women's Ministry is having their once a year pj party from 7:00 pm - til the last one leaves. Food, fun, fellowship, jewelry making, scrapbooking, sewing, crafts, games prizes etc. More details and sign-up to follow.

Thanks Ben & Severn River Church.!!

What is a good report?

I'll be perfectly honest and say that I don't know how I feel about Sunday. The end of my work week has come, and the notes and graphs of what I'll share Sunday are in place. Saturday morning will be the last go through for me. It's typically at this point that rallying leaders say, "I'm so excited about what I have to share this Sunday." But this week I'm afraid I'm not much of a rallying leader.

Is it a good report if you say that we have more money than we did last year? Is it a good report if you say we have more people? Is it a good report if we baptized four? Is it a good report if we added the commitments of new members?

All of those things are indicators, measurements of intangible ministry in tangible terms. And we scored on the plus side of all of them. BUT, there's so much more.

There's the mission. The calling of Jesus Christ to bring his healing and life to the lost, and we've only scratched the surface. There's the weight on my heart that says we must find the voice of God in our church. We must hear the Spirit speak. We must make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey God's word.

The vision that the Lord has given me could be grand, but mainly it's frightening. Perhaps that's why the Lord keeps directing me to Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

I believe that God is calling us forward. It's as though there is the Jordan river that is waiting to be crossed, and land that is waiting to be possessed. We will cross through the river. We will possess the land. We will be strong and very courageous. For God is with us, wherever we go.

That is my rally cry. Pray up! We're on the move. See you Sunday.

--Ben

Rick Warren

I just got confirmation of an exciting opportunity that I'll get to take part in on February 4th. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback church will be in Washington, D.C. for the national prayer breakfast, and in the afternoon he is meeting with senior and lead pastors. It is being held at Ebenezer's coffee house on capital hill, and it's a limited seating deal. It's really exciting. I'm glad to be going with my friend Noah.

--Ben

Somewhere out there...

Among my readers I wondered if there is a copy of the NIV Bible on CD. Perhaps you could lone me a couple books to listen to. Please let me know.

--Ben

Mourning with those who mourn....

This week a family in our church lost a loved one. Janet and Jessica's cousin, Paula, passed away. I'm very sorry for their loss. I've been asked to participate in a memorial service being held Saturday at Pasadena A/G church. Those of us who have lost family members know the pain of grieving. Would you please pray for their family.

--Ben

Bargain Sale on Wall Street

Wall Street is running a Sale right now on stocks. They have dramatically slashed prices to make room for new investments/investors. This is not a financial website, so this is not advice, just gonna share a strategy that I use in my finances I'll tell you how it works out in 35 years or so. When the stock market has a big tumble (100 plus points on the Dow Jones), I figure out what money I have and I buy more shares of my mutual funds. I like this strategy for two reasons: 1. With things going down I'm buying low, and believe that it will rise again. 2. It is a catalyst event to make sure I'm contributing to my IRA. I have a regular, automatic deposit program, but it's good to think about it every once in a while.

So there it is, a part of my take on handling the other 90%. Happy investing.

--Ben

From the desk...

Here's the real deal. This is an intimidating time of year for me (and I think all pastors). It is a fact -facing time that tells the story of your progress. We all want to be progressing, but looking at the numbers, stories and picture of what is compared to what I wanted is a sobering task. I'd ask you to pray for me over the next few days (Actually I'd be really happy if you stopped now and prayed for me) that God would lead me in preparation for Sunday.

--Ben

Preparing For A Vision Meeting

Someone asked me the other day, "So is the Vision Meeting, really just the annual business meeting?" The answer is yes and no. This person was obviously familiar with what an annual business meeting is like for any corporation, but we find ourselves in a slightly different place. We are not an autonomous church, and because of that the church's business is overseen by a couple of other boards; firstly the oversight board at Pasadena A/G and secondly the board of presbyters for the Potomac District. So the business in this startup phase is actually handled by them, and will be until we're self-sustaining. (You'll find out on Sunday that as of right now we're not.)

The Vision Meeting though is really more than that to me. It is where we coalesce and align around a shared picture of the future, and if we don't we're in for a miserable year. Seen vision leaks and drifts. Vision is poured into an organization and from that moment on it is steadily leaking no matter how fast or slow. Because of this phenomenon it has to be refilled as often as possible. The Vision Meeting is a purposeful effort of refilling that vision.

Vision also has a problem of drift. That means that on the towards the bullseye we begin to drift of course ever so slightly. The problem is that once you start drifting you can't fight the inertia that pulls you off course. It's then that you need a course correction. The Vision Meeting enables us to correct our course.


--Ben

State Of The Church

I'm preparing the State Of The Church address this week. I have a meeting with our financial secretary this morning to get some final numbers, and fill in some attendance blanks that I have. I thought it would be good to explain what Sunday morning will be about.

On Sunday morning there will be no sermon. Instead, we'll have a discussion. I will present the vital statistics of the church. We'll cover Giving, Attendance, Ministry, and Vision. We'll cover those issues with perspective on the past, present and future. We will also take a time of question and answer, and expressing concerns.

I'm looking forward to it.

--Ben

Sparrows Point

I was invited to speak at Bethel Assembly of God church this morning. I was glad to carry the message of SRC to another church. They have made a commitment to be involved in financially supporting a church plant this year, and we were the church they picked. I'm so thankful for the way pastor Caris treated my family and me. We had a really good morning. The people of Bethel gave a $300.00 offering, and will be making a decision about what they'll do ongoing.

Meanwhile, I went over and helped set up this morning at SRC. It really was fun just to be there without the usual stress of a Sunday of singing and preaching. I'm so thankful for the volunteers who made it possible. Special kudos to Rob, who's done a great job of hosting the services when I've been away. Also special thanks to my sister Ariel Rainey, who hosted our missionary this morning.

Finally, thanks to Mike Henningsen. Mike is a missionary that we need on the field much more than we want him at home. ;-) I think the work that he is going to be doing is great. Mike I hope that things go well for you. We sent Mike $1000.00 a couple months ago as a one time gift. I'm looking forward to when we can support him monthly.

--Ben

Tomorrow Morning

I mentioned earlier this week that we would be hosting Mike Henningsen as our speaker this Sunday at SRC. I'm very excited for him to share his vision. Mike works to restore sight to the blind before they go blind. A startling number of children in Latin America go blind from preventable problems. Mike is going there to prevent it. In addition to the problem of physical blindness he is also concerned for the spiritual blindness of those who are apart from Christ.

Tomorrow's world need focus will be challenging, and I hope stir our hearts even more to give to help missions like this around the world.

Unfortunately, I will be away. I hope that you will represent me well, as I represent you well. I'm going to a church in the Baltimore area that has made a commitment to support a church plant financially, and has chosen our church. They have asked me to come and share what SRC is all about. Pray for me as I go. I'll be praying for you also.

--Ben

My Coach

My Coach, Patrick Grach, recently did something that he was very excited about. He took $6000 that he had saved and gave it in varying amounts to his congregation asking only that they would use it to help others in need. What he didn't expect was the response like this.

Click Here

I think it's pretty inspiring.

--Ben

This Week

This week I've been working on a seminar that is a requirement for a class that I'm finishing up. It's been very hard to get motivated for this one, but at least it's practical. It is a seminar for couples introducing skills that successful households need. It deals with Communication, Household Finances, and Parenting.

I've noticed there are a large number of couples that are young and need these skills, and have never learned them from anyone else. I think we have a great opportunity to help. Here's a sneak peek.

Housework

Corie and I are getting ready for a move. We'll be purchasing another house in a couple months; buying from family in the area. We're getting ready to sell this house and are having some work done to prepare it for the sale. Among the projects are a new roof, and waterproofing the basement. The journey has been fun. I get a kick out of the contractors who come in and try to sell me. Some of their tactics are so predictable. "Can your wife be there?" "Your children are beautiful it would be a shame for them to die."

Tremendous adventure!!!

For what its worth, the basement is postponing the roof. If you've heard the roof job is coming and I want you to help, you're right, it'll still be a few weeks out. I'll let you know.

--Ben

Fasting Question

"Ben,

Great message yesterday. I have been thinking about it all day. I disagree with your assertion that it was not your best on your blog...

So answer a question please. Is Luke 4 chronological? If it is then Jesus was tempted after he had broke his fast. To me that doesn't change a thing about the story, but adds another layer of thought. If Jesus could have eaten, why didn't he? Obviously he would have developed spiritual discipline not to be tempted by the devil during his fast, or at least we gain that perspective in study of the passage. If I hadn't eaten in 40 days and I rolled back into town, I would have hit the first Burger King I saw. Does that make any sense?"

Reader:

Thanks for your affirmation, and more for thinking about God's word and how to apply it to our lives. I'm not sure that we can determine, with certainty, the chronology of the text. Different translators with much deeper historical language experience that I have translated it to sound as though it were either a time of fasting and temptation, and a time of fasting then temptation depending on what translation you read. I believe that the temptation came during the fast, because of help from Mark who deals much less specifically with the whole story, but says that the forty days was a time of tempting (Mark doesn't really dwell on the fasting part). I think that part of the affliction of his fast was the temptation. The reason it appears to be subsequent (fast then temptation) is that Luke is using a writing technique for his polemic. Namely, he wants to make sure that people know it was a 40 day fast. That number has significance throughout biblical literature. It was indicative or lends credibility to Jesus as Savior sent by God. So clarity on that point kept Luke from writing something like, "Jesus went into the wilderness and began fasting, and on the 9th day Satan came and tempted him, and again on the 15th day he came yet again, and on the third thursday of the fourth house of unicorn...and so it was that Jesus had fasted, been tempted and now came back to call his disciples. Then thou takest thine holy hand grenade and countest thou to three...." :-) [Monty Python]

He instead states right at the front he went to fast for 40 days, and then tells the story of what happened during those days.

Now, as to Burger King. I do think you're right that if the temptation of stone/bread came at the evening of day 40, it would be real easy to succumb, and think "it's time to end my fast anyway." I think the temptation to eat would not have resulted in a sin of eating or breaking the fast, because those aren't sins. It would have been denying that God sustains us and provides for us. Taking matters into our own hands to see ourselves as our own provider (an act of pride elevating ourselves and our own priorities over God's is sin), thus "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Those who have done any extended fast know the feeling of eating again after the fast. It is a spiritual experience (and I don't just mean the ham is heavenly). You realize in a deep way that God is your source, His Word is what keeps you alive and has even provided the meal you're about to consume. It is a deep and soulful act to take that first bite.

Great thought. I'm really glad you wrote, and are wrestling with this. I'm thrilled that this week there are SRCers that are fasting for the first time. That together we're trying to become more like Christ, by doing the disciplines He did.

--Ben

Weekend Reflections

• I was so glad to be back after vacation. I really missed everyone and was glad to return.
  

• I really feel like Rob is doing a great job with FaithWorks. I looked around Sunday morning and saw volunteers not just pitching in, but taking on responsibility. That really feels good. If you'd like to volunteer please contact Rob, or indicate it on your connection card.

• Not the greatest sermon I've ever preached by a long shot, but I had a tremendous response from people who want to grow in spiritual disciplines. Lot's of questions from folks, and I love it when people are trying to apply God's word to their lives; I call it transformation.

• This Sunday we're excited to host Mike Henningsen missionary to Latin America. He is passionate about meeting the needs of the world. You'll be inspired. Also happy to host missionary Ariel Rainey who will be introducing our speaker.
  

--Ben

Weddings

There's an aspect of ministry that did not come to the forefront of my mind when I thought about church planting, but it is one of the most fun. Weddings.

This summer I have two weddings to officiate. I'm so excited to meet with these two young couples and help them prepare for this huge commitment. It's going to be a fun summer.

--Ben

Good Times

While we were on vacation we did a couple things that were very memorable:

• We split the trip from 8 hour days down to shorter days and made sure to stay at hotels with indoor pools. The girls loved it. Good times with the Rainey fam in the pool.

• I locked the key in my mom's minivan that we had borrowed. It cost me $60.00 to find out that if the van is running and you lock the doors and take the remote, it won't work to unlock the van. It was really cold and I wanted to warm the van up for the girls, but that turned into waiting around for the locksmith.

• I found out that vacation is not the easiest time to fast. SRC has called a fast for January 2-22. I thought going away would make it easier, but it's actually still hard. I fasted two meals a day, and ate one with my family. But it was rewarding I felt the Lord speaking to me.
  

• Ellie rolled over for the first and second times while we were there. That's a big accomplishment. She has been a little slow in that development, but I'm sure all things in good time...

• SRC had it's first service with me there. I can't tell you how it went for them, but it was a good thing for me. Thanks to everyone that made it possible.

Glad to have gone, glad to be back.

--Ben

• 
  

Honey, I'm Home

I'm back, as I like to say. I had a great vacation. I'll be posting some of the better memories later today, but I just wanted to jump on and say that I'm coming back to the community of the blogosphere.

Now it's catch up on some work for the weekend, touch base on messages and e-mails that I've missed, and back to life, back to reality.

--Ben

So I'm not gone yet...

Today when the girls laid down for a nap I ran out to do some drive-bys. I like to see and talk to people, so sometimes I just drive by their house and see if anyone's home. I have some friends I haven't' seen much over the last couple months. They have some big stuff happening in their lives, but I have felt really disconnected. I tried to go by several houses today, but no one is home.

Ah, well.

--Ben

LOST ARG (Alternative Reality Game)

Ok, I've admitted before that I really enjoy LOST, the hit TV series on ABC. I was not an early adopter, but once convinced by my sister Ariel and friend Matt (and a sneak peak of the show as my sister Sarah was watching on DVD) I became a follower. LOST is a serial drama which means you have to watch every show because it builds into the next one. So in order to be ready for season three I watched seasons one and two in a hurry to catch up. One of the things I missed though is something called The LOST Experience. The show is so intricate that their are details they'll never fit into the TV experience so they created a series of games around the internet that gave background information. That was done after the first season in 2006.

Today they have released a new Alternative Reality Game (ARG), which basically helps the adventure. It's great marketing, stirring up the faithful about 30 days before the show returns. I have already had fun working through the puzzles. I'm really amazed at how much they put into this with websites, videos, etc. It's pretty amazing. Imagine where entertainment is headed in the future????

As a public service to a few LOSTies that read this site, I thought I'd mention it and direct you to www.flyoceanicair.com and let you get in on the excitement.

--Ben