Digging In

It has been a pretty intense 13 months for Velocity Church from the end of 2012 until now.  In October of 2012, we were averaging 31 people on a Sunday morning.  November of this year, we had a record high average attendance of 62.  The November attendance record was the 5th monthly increase in a row.  There is a great deal of things that have happened since my last post but the best thing were some things that God dropped in my spirit about "Digging In."  Looking back...I'm so glad I listened to what he had to say.  Did I know at the time that God was about to bring people in to Velocity Church right and left? No! Did I feel that by staying on task and focused on God's plan, that some incredible things could happen? Absolutely! So, when things get tough and chaotic, just dig in and leave the results up to god.


Galatians 6:9 (nlt) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  

Moving Forward

WOW!!! What a day today at Velocity Church!  Today, I wrapped up a series called Mirrors: Your Faith Reflected.  In week 1, we talked about the side view mirror of a car.  We all know what it says, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear."  I shared some truths about why we need to know that,  "Objects in mirrors are closer than they appear...So Is God." In week 2, I shared why we need to leave some things in the rear view mirror from our past, especially for people that have hurt us, through confession and extending forgiveness to them.  Today, it was all about looking through God's mirrors and not our own.  People were encouraged to stop looking through the mirrors of lies and start looking through God's mirrors, His Word.  This series has been a pretty intense one, especially for me and some personal struggles I have been dealing with concerning burnout and having to work a secular job while pastoring.  I came across a scripture today and the Holy Spirit put the following thought in my mind, "Now's the time for Velocity church and you as a pastor, and a leader, to begin "Moving Forward!"  This is extremely important because Velocity Church's mission statement is "Velocity Church exists to lead people forward in their faith in God." Apparently, God needs me to know that before Velocity can lead people forward, that as a church, we need to move forward as well. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ncv)  ¹⁸ The Lord says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. ¹⁹ Look at the new thing I am going to do.  It is already happening. Don’t you see it?  I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.

People Watching

For nearly 3 months now, my lovely wife, Amy, and I have been on a journey to create a healthier us.  We have changed the way we eat (not a diet per say, just eating less and not late) and going to the gym 4-5 days a week.  We have seen some amazing results and we praise God for those results.  As we have become healthier physically, we have become healthier emotionally as well.  As we are spending more time together at the gym or going for walks, combined with the fact that we keep each other accountable in our weight loss journey, we seem to have a new spark in our marriage.  Simply put...we just feel closer.  That in its self is awesome.  However, today while doing a workout on the seated leg press, I really began to observe the other people there working out, when a thought came to mind...Who is really committed to getting and staying healthy and who is just hanging out?  The cool part is that the Spirit began to share with me how others are observing believers.  As a believer you must realize that people who aren't saved are "People Watching" to see if you really are committed to the cause of Christ.  We are occasional example of God to others.  When they see you, do they know you are committed or do they think you are just hanging out?  Do you love the un-loveable, weep for the lost, help the helpless? Or, do you just go to church (the "gym") and hangout with other believers (committed "gym goers") hoping you may fit in.  Trust me...people know when you are committed and when you aren't because they will realize if you do what you do for God or for show.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Familiar Faces

This past Sunday (May 6), the family and I took a trip back to New Beginnings A/G in Tiffin.  A place where I no doubt learned the majority of what I know now and where I first served in full time ministry.  The four years of ministry in Tiffin was a tremendous time of learning and doing, often times taking on a task or role that I never thought I would be able to do.  This weekend was a special one for us.  As we walked in the church it was so great to see so many people that have impacted my life or the life of my entire family.  The kids saw friends they haven't seen in quite sometime and Amy and I enjoyed shaking hands and getting hugs from those that we were close to.  Even though time and distance keep us from seeing our New Beginnings family at times, I am excited for the day that I will spend eternity in Heaven with them and so many other "Familiar Faces."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (ESV)  ¹³ But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴ For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Checking In

It has been a ridiculously long time since I have shared some thoughts on here.  Fitting I guess since the last post talked about shifting gears.  Guess I finally down shifted, haha. It has been a little over a year now since I have been serving Velocity Church as lead pastor.  It has by far been a fast, fun, enjoyable year.  There have been some tricky times here and there and some decisions to make that I didn't expect to face in the first year but all in all, I would do it all over again.  The family is doing very well and things at the church are going just as good.   I'm just glad that God doesn't forget about us and that he isn't about "Checking In" from time to time to see how we are but that he is always there.  In the last couple weeks, I have been really evaluating my time with God.  I have been trying to focus on him more throughout the day and not just try to get in my 15 minutes in the morning and then never look to or think about God again.  God is always there and as believers, we need to always be mindful of that.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Shifting Gears

As I go in to my 8th month as pastor of Velocity Church, I have had some time to get a feel for things here.  I have taken most of this time to figure out the mindset of the church body and get a feel for how committed people are to the ministry of Velocity Church.  After visiting with some friends this past weekend and hearing a GREAT message while attending their church and meeting with two couples from Velocity, I have realized one thing...it's time we start "Shifting Gears."  Here's the thing, some of my ideas and plans that I have, I was looking to begin and put in place between January and April of 2012.  Hearing from the pastor of the church I attended Sunday "Now is the time to get started because prolonged idleness paralyzes initiative," and after having someone in the meeting share some of his thoughts, I know that we have to step things up...NOW!  At Velocity Church, we are about to kick things up a notch as we look to add to the Kingdom of God. What about you...do you need to shift gears in an area in your life?

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV) Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

Press On

As I approach the 7th month mark as lead pastor of Velocity Church, I can't help but think about some of the things that have went on.  I think about the messages that have been preached, the Bible studies that have been taught, the fellowship that has taken place and the hard work that has been done.  Not only my hard work, but the hard work of the congregation of Velocity Church.  I think about the time they have sacrificed, the ideas they have come up with, the physical and mental labor that has gone into many events and services.  My heart's cry recently has been for them to begin to see some fruit of that labor; to see people come through our doors on a Sunday morning and come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  I know it is all in God's time and His timing is perfect, yet, my hearts desire is to see people added to the Kingdom of God and I know that time is short.  At the same time, my prayer is that the people of Velocity Church would "Press On" and know that the harvest is right around the corner.


Philippians 3:12b-14 (NIV) ...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.