The Hardest Part

Today while I was working at my sister's apt. I went into the furnace room to turn off the water main. I noticed that there was an obstruction in the door jamb. I thought it looked out of place so I removed it. As I was turning the valve, the door closed. I went over and turned the knob, only to discover that it didn't work.

I looked all around for a screwdriver or something to try and pop the door open, but couldn't find anything. Finally I had to craw from the basement into a crawl space and make my way to a window to let myself outside, to come around.

Squeezing this much beef up into the crawl space, and across and squeezing out the window. That was the hardest part of my morning.

--Ben

The Old Days

Sinks installed. I thought my readers might not know that I used to do plumbing. As a teenager I worked for Mike Cocolin & Son plumbing. I worked summers and breaks. I learned a lot and enjoyed it. Not sure that I ever excelled at it, but I learned my way around plumbing.

It seems each time I do a plumbing job I remember just how long ago it was. Those good old days.

--Ben

Remember The Sink?

On Monday I posted that I was going to fix a sink, well in fact, I only looked at the sink, but am fixing it today.

For my day off, I'll do everything including the kitchen sink...

--Ben

On The Fritz

After 4 years of service my speakers are starting to go on my laptop. It is a Dell, and has been a good machine for me. I expect it to run another 2 or 3 years. We'll see :-)

BTW, if any of my benefactors would like to spring for a MAC, I'd be happy to make the switch.

--Ben

Board of Directors

SRC is undergoing transition. We have been overseen by PAG for the first two years of our church. In our third year we'd like to begin the transition of maturity, and move toward self-governance. The board at PAG has paved the way by agreeing to allow us to assemble a transitional board of directors. This board will offer direction in the move from dependant to independant. While the board at PAG still maintain legal oversight, we will begin dealing with things ourselves, and report to the board. They will serve to ratify our decisions. If they see something to which they object, they can overrule our decision. But this will serve as a means of bringing our governance online.

Nominations begin this week and continue till February 8th. Members will be contacted via internet and US Mail with details on how to nominate.

--Ben

Church Planting Task Force

I've been asked (actually I was told by my presbyter) to join a Church Planting task force that will have a primary goal of planting a church each year. We've been tasked with the area from Annapolis to Mt. Airy to the PA line and the Delaware line.

Today we're having our first meeting to kind of get the feel for what our task really is, and how we think we can accomplish it.

Should be fun.

--Ben

Prayer Group Cancelled

Due to the weather and personal liability, we are going to cancel prayer group tonight.

--Ben

The Thug I LikeTo Hug

My daughter Sydney.

New Development *Updated*

1/28/09 -- Last night I talked to Larry and it looks like we're moving ahead with the boxes. I am setting up an appointment for next week to go look at the carts. (Larry was appointed to help with the cart project at our members meeting.) I took measurements yesterday, and think they'll fit no problem. He and I are going to try and pick them up next week.

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As a mobile church we have come face to face with the blessings and curses of being a church in the middle of the marketplace. It is a huge blessing financially to steward our resources in a way that rents more than enough space for much less than any type of purchase or lease. We meet in a beautiful location that would cost millions to replace. People who are far from God find the location less intimidating than a traditional church building. So we're glad to be the church at the college. After all, it takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.

The curses are manifested in the setup/teardown week after week. Since we started the church there have been different phases that we've been through: everyone do everything, each on do something, limited people doing specific things, and (I think Rob can attest to) one person doing everything. We've setup on Sunday mornings, and we've setup on Saturday nights. We've had varying degrees of involvement. It ebbs and flows as sometimes we have more than enough people, contrasted by the times when we don't have enough.

We do have one recent change in our system that has made a big difference. We added a Large Metal cart on heavy duty wheels with a cage that carries our entire sound system (every piece). It limits the number of trips between the trailer and lecture hall to one, and delivers reliable transportation for our equipment. In fact, since we implemented this castoff from another church we have been on the lookout for more. Today, I found three more available. They are identical to the ones we have and though they retail for more than $800.00 a piece new, we are able to pick up three for less than $150.00 a piece. We have to take some measurements to make sure they'll all fit in the trailer, but that would enable us to put everything in the trailer into boxes on wheels. I'll keep you updated and if we're able to use them I'll be happy to post pictures of them in the trailer.

--Ben

Snow

There is snow falling. I'm not sure how much more my daughters can take. They have seen snow flakes three times since Christmas, but never enough to use the new sled they got from their grammy. Each time they get very excited, only to be disappointed. I hope we get enough for them to sled.

Here's hoping!!!

--Ben


PS. This morning Sydney got her bathing suit on and has been pretending that she is swimming too.

Members Meeting

We had another members meeting last night and enjoyed a discussion of several things related to the church. We covered:

• The financial report. (we finished the year in the black again. Praise the Lord.)
• Reviewed our benchmarks (Membership of 20+ members, Financial self-sufficiency, Working church governance.)
• Election of a board of directors.
• Calendar/Vision for the year
• Practical matters: Setup/Prayer Group/Vision Path

It was a good meeting.

At the meeting I collected questions submitted anonymously that I'll address here this week. So stay tuned.

--Ben

New Single Day Record

Today I was back on campus for my final day of CONTACT. It was fantastic. We set a new single day record with 90 surveys. Let me give you some of my reflections:

• Donuts Work!!! (Got in trouble for bringing them on campus without food services' permission, but once they approved me graciously, we reaped the benefits.)
• I now know the best location in the cafeteria.
• Being there three days in a row, definitely legitimized us to the students. We gained more participants each day.
  
• We've had a great increase in website traffic all around the county area.
  
• I met the campus missionary with the Baptist Campus Ministry. Nice guy, we're going to have lunch soon.
• I was able to invite several people to church.
  

It was by far a fantastic trip on campus, and I'm looking for more ways to get us involved there. I love the employees of the school. They really do put students first, and I even saw that in the way they treated us.

Thanks AACC!!!

--Ben

Again at AACC

I have just gotten back from another day at AACC. I think the interface with strangers all day really takes a lot of energy, but it is also very rewarding.

Today we had 49 people take the survey. That's about triple yesterday's. Today we changed our game plan a little. We made sure to bring a huge transparent box of candy. and also made a brief Powerpoint loop to explain what we were doing. Those things coupled with a better location of our table contributed to the difference.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

BTW, today I put in a request for a bulk rate. The table typically costs $50.00/day. I asked if we bought ten in a block would they reduce it to $30.00/day. We'll see. I would like to set up a regular presence there though. Pray with us about that.

--Ben

Finished Up For Today

We had a number of surveys filled out today. Not many, but a start. Definitely have a new game plan for tomorrow. Thanks for your prayer.

Speaking of prayer, I want to remind you that you're welcome to pray with us tonight at my house from 7:30-8:30.

--Ben

CONTACT AACC

Today I'll be on campus in the Cafeteria trying to track down more surveys for CONTACT. In fact, I'll be there the next three days.

I'd appreciate prayer for God's favor on me while I'm working out there.

--Ben

America, Still The Best

There is no other place I'd rather live and raise my family. I'm proud of my country and where I live. It seems that there is a mood of insecurity these days when it comes to the nationalistic pride. It manifests in questions of terrible things that have happened in our country, and have been perpetrated by our country. And for some the reconciliation that we can despise those things, and still love and honor our country is swallowed in the negative outlook that overwhelms them as they measure us against a standard of perfection that will never in any place be attainable.

I was disappointed today to hear rhetoric on the right about how they were uninspired by the President in his speech. Since when has the inspiration of our country rested in the words of any leader? The inspiration of our country is always found in the actions of her people, and the dignity of her values; liberty and justice for all.

America is still the best place on earth.

--Ben

LOST

For those who know me you know I'm a huge LOST fan. Well, it premieres this week, and I'm really looking forward to it. I saw this video today so I thought I'd repost it. If you're a fan you'll enjoy it, otherwise you may not appreciate it as much...

Go Ravens

Well, last night the culmination of the Raven's season ended in defeat. It's not hard to understand why. No team in the expansion era has had to play as many consecutive games and it's hard not to get run-down after 17 straight weeks of playing. Add to that the inexperience of our rookie quarterback, and a stifling Pittsburgh defense, and it adds up to a great season that ended just two weeks early.

I'm glad to be a Ravens fan. I had a great season watching these guys.

Just remember, Football is the ultimate reality show.

--Ben

SRC's Other Congregation

How many people would call me their pastor? If you attend SRC on the average Sunday you'll find about thirty people who would, but that is only part of the story.

Yesterday I had a chance to meet a new public safety officer at AACC. You might not think it's a big deal, but I think every chance I have to meet them is fantastic. I always try to stop what I'm doing and introduce myself, and learn their name. I think that if they are always on call to provide safety and stop what they're doing to come unlock the building for us and lock up behind us, then they deserve the respect that I can show them.

I met someone new yesterday, so I stopped the cart I was pushing and introduced myself and that Severn River Church met on campus and had for two years. He replied that he knew who we were, because he'd been working at the school for three years, but had never had this post. (I found that interesting. He knew who we were.)

Our introductory comments lasted maybe thirty seconds.

Then after service he commented on how quickly we cleaned up. I told him that we had two years of practice so we've gotten pretty good at it (BTW, way to go everyone. Thanks for the ministry you give every week with setup/tear down.) He, Rob and I had a short conversation about what kind of church we are and other questions about the church. This officer shared that others in the department had discussed our church from time to time, and wondered about what kind of church we were. (Honestly, I think there are people that attend every week that wonder the same thing ;-))

I directed him to the website to get more information. In fact, he may be reading and if so I'm glad to have made the friendship. AACC is blessed with a great Public Safety department, all of the officers I've worked with have been courteous and helpful.

But it made me remember that there are people that our church affects that we don't always think about, and may not see on Sundays. Our mission is not just to the people there, but to the community that God has placed us in. Identifying God to our people, and our other congregation.

--Ben

Brakes Broke

On Saturday night the crew was gearing up to head over to the school to set up. It was the typical drill, until I started the truck and put my foot on the brakes. At first the brakes felt fine, but then they went to the floor. I got out and discovered that a puddle of brake fluid was collecting under the right front wheel. So we had to regroup and do a Sunday AM setup. I'm thankful to have been able to use my Father-in-law's truck to pull the trailer.

So here's where I'd like to publicly thank God for watching over me. Maybe you'd need to know what it's like to tow 5000 pounds of equipment to understand how grateful I am that the brake line broke in the parking lot of our storage lot, instead of on Ritchie Highway. You can probably see why I'm thankful.

--Ben

A Tale Of Two Brains

My mind has been going back and forth over the last couple months. I have thought about journaling my thoughts here, but as yet have not taken the time for the deep reflection it would require. But it has been on my mind long enough that I thought I might pacify myself by mentioning it, even if it is at a cursory glance.

These days it seems like I have two brains. I think often about my present realtiy; about frustrations that I face related to my abilities as a church planter, the sale of my house, my father's health, and other sundry things.

The balance of my time is spent on thoughts of the future reality. I know that in the future our church will succeed, my house will sell, my father will be healed, and all the other stuff will be different as well.

Which brain wins? Honestly it depends on the day, but for the most part I can dpend time in the future brain. It's a place my wife calls "La La Land". It's a place leaders call "Vision".

--Ben

Sermon Update *Updated*

The sermon is up. For what it's worth, it is not a very technical message, nor very homiletical, but it is one of the best received messages I've ever preached. To hear it please Click Here.
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For those who've asked this week about the sermon online, I wanted to let you know that we are working on it, and hope to soon have them up. I have the sermons, and will post them as soon as I can. Thanks.

--Ben

Fun on Sunday

On Sunday we introduced some new songs to the congregation. One of the ways we introduced the songs was to invite my daughter to come and join me for a duet. If you'd like to hear the recording (albeit unmastered) check it out in our media section under the Audio Portal. CLICK HERE

--Ben

Getting There

This morning I headed out to Hagerstown to connect with my coach. There are times that it seems a month is too short. I spent a week and a half out of the office in the last month, and that'll really chunk away the forward movements of ministry. Leaving little to talk about. Thankfully, this month Patrick's brother is in town, and spent part of the morning talking with us.

The trick was getting there. I left early and got to I-70, but just the time I got on the interstate my gas light came on. I hate that. And I especially hate when it comes on while I'm on the run. At the beginning or end of the trip is not so bad, but when I'm on the run it really bothers me.

So I decided to see how far I could get. I have a digital read-out of how many estimated miles I have left, so I tracked that all the way to 13 miles out of Fredrick. At that point it said I had 28 miles left. I decided not to stop in Fredrick though because I hate that none of the exits are designed to easily get you off and on the highway. Which took me all the way up the Braddock Heights side of the mountains. When I reached the top I reached 00 miles left on my readout and had about 4-5 minutes to get to the Myersville exit. I have always been a believer that the reserve tank is more than enough after 00 to get where you need, but I admit that I was a little nervous this morning.

I did however make it to the gas station and beyond. Which makes this story's ending less exciting than it could have been, but that's not a bad thing probably.

--Ben

Cohort

I'm part of a cohort of 20 or so churches that are meeting throughout this year to learn the Church Life model of church ministry. It should pretty much be called the "oh yeah, that's what the Bible says" model of church ministry. It is a great experience. I'm really enjoying it. I'm looking forward to the impact it will have on our church going forward.

--Ben

The Announcement

Yesterday in a rare switch, my father beat me to the internet with an announcement. He announced on Facebook congratulations to Corie and I on our third pregnancy.

We are expecting a child in September, our third. So excited. We have two girls now, and since everyone asks, yes it would be nice to have a boy, but I really enjoy girls. So, I think I win either way. I told someone yesterday I'll just be happy with a baby that is born naked.

--Ben

It's Here, It's Here!

The new site went live this morning. We'll be showing it to the church tomorrow morning at our weekend service. But, as promised, my blog readers will get the first sneak peak. You can navigate over to the site by click the navigation tabs above.

So thankful to Drew Harrah for all his work on the make-over. Actually it was more than a make-over, he rebuilt the site from the ground up. Over 100 hours went in to it, and I'm very proud of the results.

--Ben

Relate Authenically

There are few metaphors for the church that carry as deep a meaning as the family of God. The imagery of a loving Father is precious to those who have known a good father, and hope to those that have not.

Every family has a certain set of customs, that is to say, rules for interaction. Growing up in my household we had a rule that there should be no singing at the table. That was because we all sang and once one person started then everyone would join in and it would get very loud, and take a long time to finish the meal. The family of God has rules too. There are family rules about the way we talk to each other, the way we talk about each other. Rules of family respect and honor. But all the rules are built on one foundational thing, love.

When we are part of the family, love should be real. Real in ourselves, let's just face the truth that we are all hypocrites. We all hold ideals that we wish were true about who we are, yet live lives that fall short of those ideals. We should be real with others. We don't fake it, avoid it, and we certainly don't hold bitterness or hatred between us. Instead, we love. We do the hard work of love. We love honorably in our small groups. We build strength among the family of God sitting around the circle. When we have difficulty and need forgiveness, and when we need to be forgiven, we come to the table and work it out. We need to relate authentically.

My final thought is on the growth of the family. God, our Father, is always looking for children to adopt. He loves adding members to the family. We need to express authentic love and interest in new people. People that come into our weekend service should leave knowing there is a place for them in our family. We need to relate authenically.

And that's all I have to say about that right now...

-Ben

New Survey Up

There is a new survey up helping to refine our preaching calendar for 2009. If you attend the church you should receive it via email, if you'd like to take it you may access it HERE.

--Ben

Worship Passionately

My first call to the resolutions of both church and individual was to pray fervently. Today I want to call for us to worship passionately.

Worship is about passionate expression. It is an expression of love and devotion. It can be found in every thought, word, and action. The question is, what do your thoughts, words, and actions reveal about your god? At one point in scripture we read about those whose god is their stomach. Selfish desires, words, and actions reveal that we worship ourselves. Insecurity and timidity reveal that we worship the opinion of other people.

But for those who live by faith we know the process of renewing our minds. We know what it is like to receive clean hands and a pure heart. Our love and devotion begin to be directed at God above all, and, in process, to God only.

Passion is proven by pursuit. The bottom line is that we prove our passion for God by how we pursue Him, and are not devoted to Him; plain and simple. If we think that inclusion of God as a part of our life is sufficient, or that we come as far as we're ready to go with Him, then we are not following Him.

I'm calling for a heart check, and inner evaluation. Do you passionately worship God?

--Ben

A Funeral

Today I attended the funeral of Roland Tayman. It was one of the warmest commemorations I can recall. Many family members and friends shared memories of a man who served in WWII (earning the bronze star), was married for 60 plus years, and served on the Annapolis Fire Department for over 70 years.

It was very nice to see so many that had such fond memories of this man. My heart went out to Amee, an SRCer, who had lost her grandfather, and the many other people that had heavy hearts of grief.

Mr. Roland attended the church I formerly pastored, and I remember when I came into the office and found out that he had given his life to Christ after many years of attending the church. We baptized him shortly after. He might be the oldest person I've ever baptized. What a joy to know that he is spending eternity with Christ.

--Ben

Pray Fervently

One thing I've come to bank on in the last year is that we are in a fundamentally spiritual business. It is all about our actions of faith, and His actions of grace. We can never overestimate the power of spiritual things in our pursuit of becoming what God intends for us individually and as a church.

That said, I think the whole shooting match rides on the spiritual hunger of the church. In the season that we just came out of we forget the feeling of hunger. You know what I mean? It is one party after another, and the food is so rich and delicious that we end up not really feeling hunger. (Maybe you're reacquainting yourself with hunger right now to make up for holiday eating.) Spiritual hunger is different from physical hunger. Spiritually speaking, the more we feed ourselves the hungrier we become. I want to challenge us to feed our souls through prayer. Put simply, pray fervently.

The things that come to mind in this area are:

1. Build a habit of prayer. Include daily times of prayer in your life.
2. Pray aloud. The scripture repeats itself from one side of the Bible to the other, God listens to those who cry out. Don't keep your prayers silent. Cry out.
3. Prayer should be a tool of exploring our souls. You should use your prayers to confess sin, claim forgiveness, ask for miracles, and also explore your life and interests. Try spending time each day conversing with God about the things that you do, see, and hear. Explore in prayer.

As always, we help people pray and we pray together each week at prayer group. If you haven't come yet, you are welcomed. Join with us to pray fervently together.

--Ben

Rest, Rest, and Rest

I'm back from vacation now, and I am excited to get back in the saddle. I'll be honest. The transition from vacation back to work is never accompanied by little angels playing harps in your head, but there is a real sense that God wants to do something new among us in 2009. Yesterday I shared with the church 5 things that I think are the resolutions of each individual as well as the church as a whole. Here they are in recap:

1. Pray Fervantly.
2. Worship Passionately.
3. Relate Authentically.
4. Grow Intentionally.
5. Tell Regularly.

Each day this week I'll unpack some thoughts about each one. I hope you'll join me.

--Ben

Party Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning Severn River Church is joining for a party at the Steach's house. Directions were sent out this week via email, but you can call if you still need them 410 491 4314. Starts at 10:00 a.m.

Looking forward to it.

--Ben