"Everybody, everybody wants to love. Everybody, everybody wants to be loved." Can anyone argue with that? It's a pretty broad statement yet with profound meaning. It also makes for a catchy song. But Carmax uses it as their jingle for their latest commercial. So, as the viewer I'm supposed to understand that using Carmax will fulfill my deepest desire to love and be loved.

Marketeers seem to know what the world wants. Just look at what they are selling: love, hope, joy. I guess the good news is that it's pretty clear what people desire. The question is, where are you looking for love, hope, and joy? Is your deepest love a Subaru? Is your highest joy a Pepsi? Does Tide detergent satisfied your hope?

Or should I ask, where are you finding love, hope, and joy?

Lovetc, Hopetc, & a side of Mcjoy from Wellspring Church on Vimeo.

The church is not called to make a name for itself. The church exists to build up the people (living stones) to take the Kingdom to the World. This is a preposterous goal if we view the church as an organization or even a collection of well-meaning people. However the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus himself as the head giving direction, wisdom, leadership, and anointing. If our mindset is to "attend church" or even "serve God by serving the church", we cut short God's call for the church to carry his transforming ministry to the world around us. We also choke the life out of the passions that the Lord has put inside of us. We have the opportunity and the God-infused giftings to be the body of Christ, alive and bringing life and hope to the people and needs around us.

This past weekend we launched a new series called Team Wellspring. Our desire is for Wellspring to be a vibrant ministry where everyone is an active participant for the purposes of God. The highlight of this series will be Team Wellspring Weekend, November 20th and 21st. When you attend any of the three Wellspring worship services that weekend you will be met with a transformed church building, offering you an interactive exploration of all the ministries and opportunities available to you. You will want to make sure you attend Wellspring that week, engage with all the displays and ministry workers, explore where you best fit and where your passions can contribute to the ministry of bringing good news to those in need. I believe Team Wellspring Weekend will be fun, informative, and even inspirational to many. I'm excited for all of you who will find where you can be an integral part of Wellspring, within the four walls or in the many ways we extend to the world around us.

Team Wellspring, come join us!

A missionary I met in India in 1999 described American Christians this way: They have huge heads – always seeking and soaking up more and more knowledge about God and the Bible. They have small hearts – despite all the knowledge there is very little love and compassion that reflects the heart of God and motivates them to care. And they have tiny feet – with little motivation to care, there is only a minimal amount of action that brings God’s love and life to the world.

As I heard this description I felt embarrassed. I knew there was plenty of truth in the simple description. However, did this accurately describe our church? Of course not! Here we were in the middle of India, ministering to those in desperate need of the hope of Jesus Christ. I wanted to believe that this description did not apply to us. We were better. We cared more. We walked the walk. But I knew the piercing truth. I am confident Wellspring cares and serves. We put heart and feet to what we believe. But, we are also a product of our culture. So, as the saying goes, if the shoe fits…

A couple years later I launched into a “redefining membership” teaching series by wearing a pair of huge red clown shoes. Wellspring was not going to have tiny feet. We had big shoes to fill and that meant we needed to grow some big feet. The bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus being the head. He desires us to bring his hope and his kingdom to the world. If we are his body, not only do we need the feet, but each and every other part as well. Then the body of Christ can be complete, and the hope and ministry of the Lord can be accomplished.

I am excited about the body of Christ at Wellspring. So many are connected and serve in such wonderful ways. Within the church, outside the church, formally, informally, as large ministries, and as individuals the parts of the body are alive and active. At the same time, I recall the illustration of the American Christian and I think, “What parts of the body of Christ are not yet activated, not even identified, and missing the opportunity to be part of the mission of carrying the hope and love of God to others?”

It is very disheartening when I hear someone express that they've been at Wellspring for a year or two but really don’t know where or how to get connected or more involved. There are so many wonderful ministries and involved people. Yet, with about 1000 people who call Wellspring their home church, there are many more who still want to be more connected with the ministry of Wellspring.

This weekend, we will kick off a new series entitled Team Wellspring. Our desire is to lead Wellspring into an environment where each and every one can be an active part of the ministry. God has created all of us for meaning and purpose. We are not created to be an audience, to witness church. We are the church, each one active in his or her part. Remember, Wellspring is not looking for more people to build up the church. Rather, the church’s mission is to build up the people to take the Kingdom to the world around us.

We have a number of exciting things planned for this series. We invite you to join us in redefining the American Christian. Just imagine the impact of a 1000 member team, active and on-mission with the love and life of Christ. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday or Sunday as we launch Team Wellspring.

Mike McKinniss and I were sitting in the back seat of the van, bouncing from side to side as our driver was navigating the boulder-size potholes that define the Ugandan roads. Suddenly, Catherine turned around from the front seat and spoke a word from the Lord to Mike. Bulls eye! A few miles and potholes later, she turned around and zinged me. A third word was for my wife Pam, then another Mike. Each word was divinely accurate and caused Mike and I to sit up and take notice, not only of the words spoken, but also of the one speaking.

It is Wellspring's privilege to have Catherine Brown minister to us this Sunday morning, September 26th. I have known of Catherine for some time, but we first met when we ministered together in Uganda. I immediately felt a genuine connection with her personally and with her ministry. So much so that last summer Pam and I visited her in her home in the picturesque seaside village of West Kilbride, Scotland. What a delight it was to spend a couple days with her and her sweet family. Pastor Rick also had the delight of meeting her on his last trip to Uganda as well. When we had the opportunity to invite her to Wellspring on her trip through Connecticut this fall, we jumped at it. Catherine carries a wonderful blend of the joy of the Lord (often overflowing in contagious laughter!) and the power of the Lord. I personally want to encourage you to attend Wellspring this Sunday and enjoy a fresh time of worship, joy and the presence of the Lord.

To see an interview with Catherine, click here.

Also, here is a excerpt from her website:

Catherine Brown was saved at age fifteen but after only two years of following Christ, she then spent twelve long wilderness years in the world, before returning to God her Father as a prodigal at the age of twenty-nine. Catherine was rescued by Christ from the ravages of domestic violence, addiction, abuse and hopelessness and underwent a profound revival experience just before her thirtieth birthday. Her personal revival was marked by deep repentance and resulted in a transformed lifestyle with a passion for holiness, a desperate longing to see souls won for Christ and an unquenchable desire for the church to fall profoundly in love with Jesus, her Bridegroom.

Catherine operates in an impacting prophetic/apostolic gift, with a strong revival thrust on her preaching. Catherine’s passion for Christ and His kingdom is contagious. Wherever she ministers people are envisioned and mobilised. She has spent several years working with young adults and children. Since the year 2000 Catherine has facilitated several national prayer tours and conferences. Catherine has also ministered throughout the United Kingdom and overseas in churches and conferences and the Lord has graciously blessed her ministry. Catherine has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptised, healed and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

We have been experiencing pinhole leaks in our water pipes ever since we moved into our house nine years ago. These are tiny little leaks in the pipes where the copper has corroded all the way through, and a fine spray of water begins to wet our basement or floor or wherever the leak may occur. Recently the frequency of our pipes springing new leaks has increased. After changing pipe after pipe and cleaning up puddle after puddle, we began digging deeper into the source of the corroding pipes. One theory was that electrolysis was causing the pipes to corrode at an accelerated rate. This could possibly happen if the pipes were not properly grounded.

Upon inspection, the electrician said the pipes are not grounded at all. How could this house have passed inspection? How could it have been built this way? He said that without being ground the whole house was "floating". He proceeded to properly ground the pipes, and now we will wait and see if this affects our corrosion problem and our many leaks.

We use the term well-grounded fairly often. We understand the term and its implication. Whether it's being well-grounded physically with a firm foundation, or whether it's well-grounded electrically completing the circuit, we understand it provides stability and safety. The scripture says without a firm foundation we will be tossed back and forth by the waves of the latest teaching or the lies of others (Ephesians 4:14). It was interesting to me that the election used the word "floating", which immediately reminded me of this verse. A portion of the infrastructure of our house lacked a firm foundation, and therefore was floating and vulnerable to whatever current came its way.

We have been living in this house for nine years. We have never felt or noticed there was anything wrong beneath the surface. Yet, the consequences continue to reveal themselves: a pinhole leak here, another one there. Eventually you have to look at the cause. What is not right with our foundation? In this case, our house was not well-grounded.

We can always spend a great amount of time and energy looking for the cause and problem behind every single circumstance or problem we experience. I don't feel this is a very productive or beneficial way to approach life. However, when a pattern persists, and the reason is not obvious, then it is wisdom to start digging deeper. What is not right in our foundation? Where are we not well-grounded? Where are we just floating, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to the waves of false teachings and lies? A problem is one thing, a pattern of the same problem repeated over and over should cause us to start asking the deeper questions.

Freedom. Think of true, genuine freedom. Our mind fills with words like limitless, boundless, ease, or even peace. Now picture an image of true, genuine freedom. What do you see? A child dancing through a field of wildflowers, a set of broken chains and shackles, an eagle soaring on invisible wind?

Self-control. What thoughts and images come to mind? Pushing away a plate of desert, turning your gaze away from what you really want to look at, choking back the words that are trying to squeeze their way out. In many ways, freedom and self-control seemed quite opposite. The very words we use to describe freedom (limitless and boundless) are the exact opposite that we use to describe self-control (limits, bounds). One definition of freedom is "the power to determine action without restraint", while self-control is all about restraint.

Here's the dilemma: The Scripture says it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. That is, upon setting us free Christ desires that we are to remain and live in freedom. The Scriptures also say that one of the fruit (or results) of a life in Christ is self-control. If self-control is restraint, and freedom is the absence of restraint, how do these fit together? Do they even fit together?

this Sunday I will take one more look at our year verse. "Of the increase of his government..." Is that government one of freedom or control? Is the fruit of God's kingdom self-control or liberty? What is the inter-relationship between societal freedom and personal restraint? Can we honestly be called to self-control and expect freedom? Is this religious jargon or can we effect the environments of our lives?

Ponder these questions and other ones that may come to mind, and we'll wrestle with them together on Sunday.

God's peace,

Pastor Wesley

p.s. - Here is another definition of freedom: "exemption from external control, regulation, or interference."

It is a delight to announce to you that Wellspring has hired Andrew Springman. He will be a full-time employee wearing two part-time hats. The first hat is Director of Technology and Production where Andrew will oversee all the technical aspects of our operation and activities. This will include the continued development and support of our website, database, and network of computers. For years Andrew has been assisting as a volunteer (most recently building our new website -- check it out) and now we will have the benefit of his full-time focus. This hat is also responsible for the production aspect of our ministries. This includes overseeing sound system, screens, pro-presenter, sound techs, training, and all the rest of what is included for the behind the scenes technical operation of our services and events.

The second hat that Andrew will wear is Director of Worship Life. Here he will be a support to all of our worship bands and musicians. Wellspring has a very large assembly of bands and individuals throughout all our ministries who help lead us in worship. In this role, Andrew will coordinate, oversee schedules, look for opportunities for training and developing leaders, and interface with pastors and ministry leaders to increase our breadth and depth of worship expression.

The reality is Andrew has been assisting in all of these areas since the day he began attending Wellspring with his wife Kimberly and sons Christopher and Ben many years ago. His servants heart and desire to advance the ministry of Wellspring have made him an invaluable resource to me and the whole ministry. The opportunity to have Andrew's dedicated time focused on supporting and further developing these two substantial areas of Wellspring is a great gift. Please welcome Andrew, thank him for his servants heart and years of service, and encourage him as he steps more fully into these areas of ministry.

Andrew, you are the (Spring)man!

Wednesday evening, July 28 is a milestone event for Wellspring Church. For years we have invested many prayers and significant effort to see the Lord bless the city of New Britain. In recent years he has opened a window of opportunity for us to minister at Mount Pleasant. Each time I have been there with our Big L sidewalk Sunday School, our Celebrate Mount Pleasant activity days, or a number of other engagements, I feel the favor of the Lord resting on our efforts. This housing project with such a negative identity and reputation feels welcoming, even uplifting. The kids are adorable, the people are friendly, and hope hangs in the atmosphere.

You may say to me, "Wesley, you are just saying that because you've invested so much in this outreach, and you desperately desire to see a positive result." Well, of course that's true. But I also believe that what I am seeing is accurate. First, no one desires the transformation of New Britain more than God himself. Second, we are encouraged to see with spiritual eyes. I believe that in some regard, the Lord lets us see Mount Pleasant with a spiritual perspective. As we act in the natural, we are also contending in the heavenly's. What we see and perceive is a growing favor with God and man.

Now on Wednesday the 28th from 7-8PM, we will hold our first worship service outdoors in the middle of Mount Pleasant. We are relocating our Summer Nights program from the sanctuary of our church to the outdoor basketball court in the center of Mount Pleasant. I invite you to join us for what I anticipate will be a wonderful time of worship. I also invite all who come to connect with our new friends at Mount Pleasant. As we continue to develop our relationships there, we will usher in the presence of the Lord and see the transforming work happen all around us.

Enjoy the ride!

- - for more about Wellspring and Mount Pleasant, click here

- - for a look at the last time we visited Mount Pleasant, click here

I heard a friend say recently, "Worrying works! 93% of the things I worried about never happened!"

There is some real truth in that statement. However, it is also true we have many things that concern us, that are a legitimate source of worry. For those concerns we have very clear instructions as well.

The Scriptures say, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

There are many things we should not worry about. For truly worrisome things though, we should exchange our worry for a peace that comes from the Lord. Notice that the exchange follows a few basic instructions. First pray about it. Don't just spin your worry in your head or talk to others but bring it before the Lord in prayer. Share with him your concerns, even your needs. Make sure that you thank him for all he has done. Remind yourself that he is good and good to you. Make your prayer request based on his goodness and holiness. As we thank him and praise him, we position ourselves with the proper heart attitude to receive his help.

If we have genuinely prayed, thanking the Lord for what he has done and who he is, and bring our concerns before him, we must then allow him to exchange his peace for our worry. If we choose to hang on to our worry, the exchange cannot happen. We don't have to understand the peace. In fact, the Scripture says it is beyond our understanding. We need simply to allow the Lord to make the exchange with us.

Enjoy the peace of the Lord!

The Wellspring Summer Nights got off to a great start last week. The evening was filled with praise, inspiration, and personal ministry. Thanks to Ben and Julie-Ann Toalston and the whole band for leading us in a wonderful time of contemplative worship.

Summer Nights is a service of extended informal worship and inspiration as the Lord leads. We gather on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM in the sanctuary. A number of others from churches in New Britain join us as well. If you would enjoy a midweek spiritual refresher, I invite you to join us. Each week is a different band and a different focus, but the same wonderful spirit of God. We look forward to seeing you there.

Pastor Wesley

Deut. 30
11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.
15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

17 “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

For further insight, look up Romans 10 and see how the apostle Paul applies this OT passage.

Lsst weekend my family and I went "home" to where I grew up. This is still 'home' even though I haven't lived there for 27 years. Then we traveled to Long Beach Island, NJ to our vacation house which is most definitely 'home' even if we only spend a few weeks a year there. After the upcoming 4th of July weekend, I'll head 'home' to Connecticut, while my wife and son stay 'home' in NJ. So what is home anyway?

Brian Cooke just returned home after 3 months in Haiti (so pround of you Brian!), but now he's already talking about returning 'home' to Haiti for a year. Our son Kyle wasn't even moved into his NYU dorm when he refered to 10th and Broadway as his 'home'. Our other son considers the Coast Guard 'home' regardless of what ship or base he is on. Of course, we always enjoy it when our boys come home, whether that's CT or NJ. So what is Home anyway?

I had the privilege of traveling to Concepcion, Chile a couple weeks ago. I went with Barbara LaChance who has connections with a few churches in Chile. My son Kyle tagged along as well. We went to minister to and encourage the churches there. You may recall that Concepcion was the epicenter of an 8.8 earthquake in February.

The earthquake was very violent. However, comparatively, loss of life was relatively minor and much of the city is getting back to regular life. A couple of nearby villages were not as fortunate. The earthquake actually shifted the entire ground mass 10 feet southeast into the Pacific ocean. The resulting tsunami completely destroyed seaside tourist and fishing villages. Chileans are familiar with earthquakes, so villagers knew to try to flee to the hills before the tsunami hit. Many lives were spared but homes and belongs no longer exist.

One of the churches we connected with in Concepcion has adopted a government provided makeshift "village" in the nearby town of Penco. 50 families are living in 8 by 15 foot one room wood shacks. There are no kitchens and only a common bathhouse like you would find at a campground. In addition, Chile is approaching their winter season, so Chile was getting quite "chilly"!

We decided Wellspring would provide each family with a large bag of charcoal. It would last a couple of weeks for cooking and heating. In so many ways it felt insignificant, but at the same time it was a privilege to distribute the bags of charcoal and pray for and with the families. I also prayed with the government coordinator of the village who was a Christian. I believe the Lord blessed her spirit with encouragement and strength. I will share some more with you this coming Sunday in the services. Thanks to all for your prayers for us and the trip.

Years ago the Lord began to stretch me in my understanding of vulnerability. It proved to be a very significant redirect of some core character traits of mine. I came to understand that the very courage that I desired required the vulnerability that I resisted. Courage and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin. The title of this blog articulates that fact.

My willingness to yield to a spirit of vulnerability was due in part to my observation that Christ was not asking anything of me that he had not done himself. A scripture passage that I know well and adore captures this act of ultimate vulnerability.

Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Not only does this description of the sacrificial act of Jesus represent vulnerability, but it charges all of us who follow him to have the same attitude (v. 5). What greater illustration or motivation do we need? It has served me well as I have pursued a spirit of vulnerability.

This week as I was reflecting on this truth yet again, I felt the Lord awaken me to an even deeper understanding. It was as if the Lord was saying, "My greatest act of vulnerability was not dying on the cross. It was leaving my kingdom to others to see it come forth."

Let's just say, the Lord got my attention. What does this new revelation mean to me as a believer charged with joining the Holy Spirit to see his kingdom come? What does this new revelation mean to me as a pastor charged with equipping and releasing the saints for life and ministry? What does this new revelation mean to me as a father entrusted with two young men ready to take on the world?

I have been mulling over this insight all week. I believe it is more than interesting or significant. I am logging it in the "Profound" category. I expect it will begin to shape and reshape who I am as a follower of Christ.

What do you think? Does it have relevance to your life? If it is true, does it change the way you think, act, live? What does it mean for the church? the believer? A profound word from God always seems to raise more questions than it answers, at least initially...

Phil. 2:12,13 says "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Here's my questions:

1. What does it mean to 'work out' our salvation? Isn't salvation a result of an act of faith, a once for all decision?

2. What does it mean by 'fear and trembling'? Shouldn't our salvation come with joy and peace?

3. What does it mean that 'it is God who works' when it just stated that we are to work out our salvation?

so there you have it...any thoughts?