When Steve and I first moved here we immediately began looking for for a restoration project…something that was not quite right in Crafton that we could have a hand in making right again. That project was found in our local park, which has a beautiful playground built by the people of the community, but has unfortunately fallen pray to a large amount of inappropriate graffiti.  Profanity, sexual references, suicide notes, and vitriol of all sorts were displayed in just about every little crevice of a park intended for 5 to 10 year olds.  We had one simple act of service planned…restore the park to its original beauty, just as Jesus does for us.

At first, it looked as if we would not be able to complete our project.  The day before the group arrived, the worst storm in 25 years hit Pittsburgh, with severe thunderstorms predicted for the entire weekend.  However, the rain held off, and our team worked so hard, they finished the two-day project in only one!.  During the process, several teenagers were loitering in the playground, some who became interested inwhat we were doing.  A few even volunteered to help – even one who was responsible for some of the graffiti.

The final stage of our plan was to have a community cookout to celebrate the restoration of the park, have a chance to meet people of the community who frequent the park with their kids, and share with them our vision and purpose in restoring the park.  About 50 hot dogs later, 6 pounds of kielbasa, and a HUGE bowl of pepperoni rolls compliments of Nannette, we were able to meet a whole host of people and hear their stories, and share with them ours.

We gathered, we journeyed, we restored, we celebrated.  We lived out the rhythms of the Kingdom.  As N.T. Wright says, we, “sketched out with pencil what Jesus will one day paint over in indelible ink.” The ultimate result…one of those families that stopped by for the cookout came to our community gathering last night.  We shared the story of God together.  They shared their story with us (and what a story).  We have already identified several ways that we can bless them, and treat them as part of the family, even if they are not a part yet.  In either case, they have stated that they will be joining us from now on, and DOXA church has gained a wonderful family thanks to the efforts of a small group of people from York, PA, and to the blessing of God upon an undeserving people whom he has chosen to love. It’s the story come to life before our eyes.

Amen.

First off, we spent some time just telling stories…stories of how we met our wives, stories of sports injuries, and stories that were both at the same time. We did the because stories are how we talk and communicate ALL the time…except inexplicably when we talk about Jesus or the Bible.  We convert to this entirely awkward way of speaking which tends to delineate a list of fact…like the Romans Road or the 4 Spiritual Laws.

the problem is that the gospel was not intended to be shared this way.  It is a story…the story of all stories that has significant and important features when re-told correctly.

It connects with us personally because we relate to the characters and arc. (Because good stories reveal human nature, of which the Bible has the most accurate depiction)

It conveys the rhythm of all good stories…summer, fall, winter, spring.  (This story just also happens to be true).

It shows that we are a part of the story, the chapters still being told through the 29th chapter of Acts.

For these reasons, after we told some of our stories, we encouraged our group members to each take a stab at retelling…not just the facts or a list of happenings in a story, but really telling a story that captivated our attention and connected with the deepest part of our person.  A few details were left out here and there, but the essence came through.  The rhythms were there, the trajectory was there, the POINT was there.  God is good and he is redeeming an unredeemable people because He is good.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Please pray for opportunities for us to lay the groundwork for the gospel in the lives of those attending through serving them.  We are trying to keep our eyes open for ways to serve the people in our group, and the community.  We’re in the beginning stages of planning for the two mission teams that our coming this summer.  We’re also trying to partner with some local churches to co-labor and expand the reach of the gospel.  

I got the opportunity this week to bless some of the folks over at Faithbridge community church with some free Pirates tickets.  It was a great opportunity to get know and learn from some folks who have been working here in Pittsburgh for longer than we have.  

We’re pretty sure our friends’ child is still having medical issues that are keeping them from joining us.  Please pray that those medical issues are resolved so that the child can go back to being a child, and so that they can join us.

Although excitement and direction have been positive, our attendance has ben less than expected, due to some emergencies and people backing out out the last minute. These things are to be expected, as a lot of people are fearful or skeptical of the gospel, and those who aren’t will certainly find some obstacle to overcome in joining our community.  Please pray for our one family who has missed both fo our first two weeks due to emergency medical needs.  Also pray for Rebecca’s “bus buddy” who may come in the next week or two if she can find a friend to come along.  Finally pray for my friend and teaching mentor, Jamie.  She has expressed interest in coming before, but is flaking out at the last minute because of some serious internal resistance to religion.

Some other prayer requests as we continue to build our community:

(1) Pray that we wil find ways to make it mroe of a community instead of a once a week meeting.  Thom Ranier;s new book identifies community as one of the key aspects of churches that attract and keep younger generations.  One of our key identities is being family, which informs us that we wnat to be far more than a church group.  We wnat to share life on an intimate level.  Pray that we might know how to begin creating this atmoshpere outside of Sunday nights.

(2) Pray for  our budgetary needs. We have established a workable budget that is going to require some outside giving to help us get started.  Right now we have two giving families – the aforementioned Russells and Heffners.  We need about $150/month additional to meet ouf monetary needs for the year.

(3) Praye for the TWO missions trips that we have coming this summer, that we will have projects for them, that we will be able to cast our vision with them when they come, that the work will be fruitful, and no one will go crazy.

(4) Pray for me (Andrew) to find a teaching job that starts this fall and is not too far from home!

Grace to you,

Andrew

Learners:

We are to be disciples of Jesus Christ.  This simply means that we are followers of Jesus, and as such we take responsibility for our own development and the development of others.

Family:

In Christ we are made brothers and sisters.  As Christians we need to really learn what it means to love each other and treat each other as the family of God.

Missionaries:

Evey Christian is called to be a missionary.  Jesus gave everyone the mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  This is not a message for a chosen few to share, but rather for everyone to share.

Servants:

We are called to express the gospel not only verbally, but in tangible ways.  We are to look for what is broken, for that which is not the way God intended and we are to seek to bring restoration.