Have you ever had a moment when you knew something that just happened was a sign from God. I think of numerous violent crimes of murder that happen all around the world and the convicted criminal says, “God told me to do it”. Nope not God saying that! Can you hear God? How do you [...]
Author Archives: mattreece
Commercial Break
We are knee deep in our plans for moving to Richmond. This Sunday December 4th is Carrie’s last day as the Live Out Loud Children’s Director at EBCC. My last Sunday as the Lead Minister at EBCC is December 11th. Between now and then we are going to be packing boxes and saying goodbye to the friends we have in Bartlesville. So far our plan is to arrive in Richmond the evening of Sunday December 18th.
Once arriving in Richmond our main focus will be on developing a team of people who can help launch this new church. Until then we are on a commercial break. It is a break because I need to focus on moving and I need the next couple of weeks to debrief from my time at EBCC. One would think that starting a new church and serving as a Lead Minister in an existing church are very similar roles. It is not true. I need to have a couple of weeks to really wrap my brain around doing things differently. So this is a break.
This is a commercial because I am advertizing the need for people to help us move. If you are in Bartlesville and are interested in helping us load a truck let me know. If you are in the Richmond area and are interested in helping us unload a truck let me know.
Hello Jon and Jen
Planting a new church is not easy. It takes people of great faith who are willing to take on such a venture. In my last post (By The Way) I spoke of the big dreams and big hearts of the people who are on our team. I said, “Soon you will be introduced to these people who actually said yes and are part of team that pays nothing but has huge expectations.” Today I want you meet someone who said yes. His name is Jon and I’m excited that he will be part of the team. He and his wife Jen will be wonderful additions to the new church we are starting in Richmond.
My name is Jon, and my story is not one of eye-popping surprise. But it is a story of great adventure! I was raised in a Christian family and decided at an early age to follow Jesus. And, though the path didn’t go where I thought it would, God has led me through adventure to exactly where He wants me to be.
I have served as a youth pastor, a senior pastor, a worship pastor and an administrator. I currently serve as a hospital chaplain. There is a thread that runs through each of those positions. People. I LOVE people. I love to see people become what God has created them to be. Why? What’s the attraction? Because God’s plan for us is the best life we can have. I love seeing people living out their best life!
My wife, Jen, and I have 3 sons. Our oldest son, Drew, is a missionary in Brasil. Our 2 younger sons, Aaron & Sam, are students at Milligan College, preparing to study medicine. We have raised them to seek the life God wants for them.
For the past 5 years, I have been praying for the opportunity to help people who are far from God find that life that God wants for them. I am way more than excited to be working with Matt, Carrie & Michael and all our launch team to reach out into Richmond with Great news of the amazing life God wants for each person He has created. This is just another part of the adventure that is my life with God. Please join us in praying for God’s direction and His power!
By The Way
Hiring staff for this new church has been interesting to say the least. It’s weird because anyone who has committed their life to the mission of Jesus should salivate at the opportunity to serve in a church whose main focus, really is on reaching people who are far from God no matter the cost. I really believe that what we are going to do in Richmond will be mind blowing for our community.
When I interview potential candidates the discussion usually contains several parts. At first we just talk about life, passions and experiences. Then, at some point I ask the candidate to share their story. I ALWAYS, ALWAYS comment on their story because I believe our story (as it includes God) is one of the most important things we should be able to articulate. I share what this church will be doing and how it will impact the community. The candidate usually says, “man, that sounds perfect”! And I always say, “by the way.”
Now, let me stop for a moment and prepare you for something that I believe you have to really listen to. If you want to know the heart of these people who are on the team you have to know the story of their committing to this team.
So I say, “by the way…I am not going to pay you anything”. Stop and soak it in. You read correctly. Everyone who joins our staff at this new church has to provide their own source of income.
I have a friend in Florida who is starting a new church and he asked me how I ask people to commit to something so big and then tell them I am not going to pay them anything. I told him that if your dreams weren’t big enough that you think others would buy into it and raise their own financial support to be a part of it than your dreams are too small.
Soon you will be introduced to these people who actually said yes and are part of team that pays nothing but has huge expectations. Our dreams for our community are huge and “by the way”, so are the hearts of our staff team.
Time
One moment it seems that time is going so quickly and then the next moment time seems to stand still. Part of the reason time seems to stand still may be attributed to our anxiousness to get to Richmond and get started. We cannot get there fast enough. I think it seems like time is flying because we have friends here in Oklahoma and I also have things I want to accomplish prior to leaving. It just doesn’t seem like we have enough time. Either way we only have about 6 -7 weeks before we move. We are currently looking for a house to rent. Hopefully we can have one found before Thanksgiving so that we can bring a truckload of furniture with us during our visit then.
Update
First off let me assure you that no one got shot while we were out of town. I know you were wondering. It has been a pretty busy past couple of weeks though. Here are some of the things that have happened.
1. I went to Vegas for a church planting conference called Vault. I took my friend Jon who is excited to be part of what we are going to do in Richmond (his story comes in a later post). This trip was a time where we affirmed that we are on the same page. It was a great conference loaded with practical wisdom for starting a church for people who don’t like church. Every time I visit Verve in Las Vegas I get inspired to do whatever it takes to reach lost people.
2. I was in Richmond for several days and one of the first things I did was attend 2011 Smart Futures dinner at the Boys and Girls Club of Richmond. I was the 1989 Youth of the Year so it was really cool to be there and listen to the impact the Club is now making in Richmond. I had a chance to network with leaders in the community, one of whom already looked me up and wants to be of support as we move forward. I was also able to meet with the director of the Richmond Boys and Girls Club and share what we are currently doing with the Boys and Girls Club of Bartlesville and that I would bring that same mentality to Richmond. The question that will lead our conversation is this, “What is your greatest need?” From that question we will surely find a way to give back and make a difference in our city.
3. A couple, who are thinking of joining out team, visited Richmond to help them decide. It was great to meet others who are like minded about truly reaching lost people. When the time is right I will give an update concerning their decision.
4. We met with some of our family and friends. It is alway good to hang out with people in the area and build deeper relationships. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.
5. I met with two area pastors to share what we are doing. One of them is struggling with his current ministry so my agenda was more focused on better understanding his situation so that I can encourage him. The other pastor planted a church with a similar vision as ours seven years ago. We spent the morning together that was highlighted by checking out a property together. Who knows what may come out of this conversation…
6. I just got back from Chicago after having met with a group of people who have a plan to start 2000 churches. They are looking for 3 people to partner with as pilot church plants. We both shared out dreams. I don’t know if we will be one of the three, but it was a good time of listening to people who have big dreams of expanding the kingdom of God.
I am so humbled that I get to start this church. I have no doubt that this new church is going to make a difference in our community. Our dreams are big. Let me rephrase that. Our dreams are really big! I am very motivated to get started and I cannot wait to see lives changed in the community.
Let’s Meet Without You Getting Shot By My Crazy Neighbor
I am excited to be moving back to Richmond. Having grown up in Richmond we still call it home. It has been almost 12 years since we left but know we still have some great friends in the area. Hey if you are interested my family and I will be in Richmond later this week. I would love to meet with you and share what is happening so far with this new church. I have several meetings already but have plenty of time available. Who knows I may even buy your meal…or not?
Also if you are stalking my blog in hopes of knowing when our family is going to be gone from our home I must warn you of the alarm system and neighborhood watch that includes a crazy old man with a shotgun and pet rotweillers. The dude really is crazy!
Simple
Oct 7
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Why was I the first person in line this morning to pre-order the new iPhone 4S? Because I love the simplicity of Apple products. From the ease of use to the package and appearance simplicity is easy to recognize. It took me a few years to switch to the Apple products. Everyone that told me [...]
Praying
Richmond is not a huge city and I am not a nationally known leader, but I am encouraged to have people all accross the country praying for me and this new church. I am so grateful for the partnerships/networks and friendships that have been formed over the years. There are many tasks to be completed and relationships to be formed and all of these become easier when people are praying. I am inviting you to join the effort of praying for this new church. Here’s what I need you to do. I have set-up another site http://pray4richmond.com/ where each day I have a special prayer request posted. If you go to this site you can sign-up to receive the daily prayer requests by email. You will not be committing to anything other than prayer so please consider helping us make this new church one that accomplishes amazing things in the Richmond area.
A Favor Please
I have several friends who recently started a new church or will be doing so over the next year. It is funny that we all battle some of the same emotions. One minute we are stressed over the workload and the pressure of succeeding and the next we are like little kids on Christmas morning waiting to open up packages. I think these emotions are healthy because, while it is an honor to be able to start a new church, it is hard work and a very important one as well. Successful churches do not just appear overnight. It takes time and hard work. I also think it is healthy to be excited. I think starting a new church is exciting because of the impact we will have on our city. There are people in the Richmond area right now whose lives are a mess. We have the opportunity to help change everything for them. That excites me!
We move to Richmond sometime late this year/early next year. While leaving our current church provides certain emotions there is also a sense of anticipation for what is ahead. Will you do me a favor today please? Just pause for a moment and ask God to do something extreme through this new church. You notice I said “through this new church”, not “for this new church”. We are not starting this church for us, but for others. I mean I want you to ask for something so big that it could only be possible if God were leading it. We don’t want to start “just another church”. We want to take over a city. Taking over a city with God’s love is a big dream. With a dream so large I should expect to continue to bounce between stress and anticipation and that is not a bad thing.
