"Patience is a virtue." This proverb has been highly touted as a wise sage through the centuries. It has been declared as an innate truth. It has been shared as a source of comfort and encouragement by many a well-meaning friend. For nearly a millennium we find it in higher philosophical thought and classical writings.  But, although we recognize it as a proverb, it is not in the book of Proverbs nor anywhere in the Bible. So really, is patience a virtue? In fact, why can't Impatience be a virtue? As someone who likes to move things along, I think there is a lot of potential virtue in "hey, hurry up!"

Well, although the phrase, patience is a virtue, is not directly found in the Bible, there is plenty of reference to the reality that our lives are lived out in time -- and time can be hard to live out. So we are instructed to wait upon the Lord. We are to lean on the Lord and not our own understanding. Even Jesus said there were certain times to come for which he himself did not know the details. In all this we are encouraged to place our confidence in God and his ability and good will to bring forth promises and blessings in our lives.

Yet, the questions continue to plague us.  How long, Lord? How long do I have to trust and wait when I see no evidence of anything changing? Am I doing something wrong, because this feels like struggle, not the blessing of a father? How long am I expected to hold out hope?

These questions are as real as they get. We believe in a God of unconditional love for us his children, and who has all power and authority to his name. We believe in a victory of Jesus our Christ who has ushered in his kingdom. And yet he instructs us to pray that his kingdom would come and that his will would be done, soon!  In the meantime we wait and hope, but sometimes the weight of hoping seems more than we can withstand.  Even the Scriptures bear witness to this truth. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing [a hope] fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

Sunday we will look at a story in the Bible where the Lord God introduces himself as El Shaddai.  What is this new name that he uses for himself, and what is he trying to reveal to us about his character? What does he want us to understand, and how can we apply this to our lives, especially under the weight of unfulfilled hope.  I invite you to come this Sunday as we hit this topic head on.  But don't come empty-hearted.  Bring with you any unfulfilled hope, and let's see how the Lord might want to deal with it.

Of course, also remember that our year verse for 2012 declares, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Better than new. That is a phrase we have all heard, maybe even said at one time or another. What does it mean? How can something be "better than new"? When something is new it is ideal and ready to go. It is not tarnished or damaged or worn out. It is as good as it can get. It's as good as new.

We understand the phrase "better than new" to mean that something has been restored, refurbished, and quite possibly improved upon. Not only has the original luster returned, but the purpose and function are calling out to be activated. When this thing was new it was really good, but now look at it, wow, it's better than new!

Revelation 21 declares a new world. In this end-time vision we get a peek at the great magnitude of the comprehensive transformation the Lord has in store for all creation and for all those who take up his invitation to align themselves under his Lordship. He declares that the earth is new, the heavens are new. The residence or the society of humankind is new (new Jerusalem). And, the dwelling place of the Lord himself will be among the people. We will be his people and he will be our God. A covenant the Lord established from ages past will be fulfilled when all is made new.

However, this newness is not simply a buffing and polishing from the outside which makes everything gleam and glisten again. It is a newness from the inside out. There is no more pain, mourning or crying because there is no more reason for it to exist. There is such a transformation from the inside that even our worst enemy, death, will not exist.

This declaration of the ultimate transformation of all creation is contained in the simple expression of verse 5. The Lord himself, who sits on the throne and has authority over all he has created declares, "I am making everything new!" He isn't throwing out the old earth. He isn't so disgusted with society that he is casting it into oblivion. He isn't turning his back on humankind, you and me, made in his image. No, he's not throwing it away. Behold, he is making all things new. Not only will his creation's radiance return, but it will be so transformed from the inside that it will be declared new. Everything is being made new. Thank you Lord for it will be, better than new!

What is the most difficult part of the resurrection story for you to believe? Is it that Jesus physically rose from the dead, not as a resuscitation but with a transformed body that would never die again? Is it that through the cross and then the resurrection ALL your sins have been paid for in full? Is it that God loved you so much that he would die for YOU? Is it that Jesus was fully man and fully God? Is it that Jesus was the first born of the resurrection and we too will one day experience our own resurrection? All these mind stretching truths can be a lot to understand and fully grasp.

What about this question: Does the fact that Jesus rose from the grave, his resurrection declaring victory over sin and death, actually impact our lives more than any other event in history? The facts do stretch our minds. Belief in them demand a genuine faith. But I believe the biggest hurdle we face is living in the "already but the not yet." This is a phrase that captures the era of history that we live. The resurrection and victory of Christ has 'already' happened. His power and perfect sacrifice has defeated the enemy and opened the way for the full redemption and restoration of all creation (for all who chose to receive the free gift). We also live in the 'not yet'. The fulfillment of the victory and it's rewards are yet to be fully realized. We still live in the battle of good and evil, both in the cosmic realm and in our daily lives. This fact stands in stark reality: ever before us, before our minds, before our understanding, before our faith. And we can find ourselves asking, where is the victory of the resurrection? This is the context for the sermon series that Pastor Rick began this past Resurrection Sunday. Together we will ask questions and pursue a deeper understanding and impact of the resurrection in our lives. Here is the introduction to the series:

Resurrection. More than just a topic to talk about at Easter and funerals, resurrection is a reality that impacts every aspect of the Christian's life. To Jesus' disciples, their Lord's resurrection changed everything they knew about the world. It meant, at the very least, that the Creator's world (heaven) was now bursting into their world (earth). Equipped with the reality of Jesus' resurrection and the insight and promise of their own future resurrection, the disciples and the early church forged into a brand new way of life. In this series we will face the central reality and impact of the resurrection, and how it impacts us today. In other words: The Resurrection, in real life.

"Overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15:13

What a great year verse. Who doesn't want to overflow with hope, specially when it comes from the Holy Spirit! Let's hang it on our wall. Let's print it on our T-shirts. We want it to encourage and even inspire us. There are enough other things to discourage us, so let's be encouraged. We are confident in the message of hope. It is neither wishful thinking nor blind faith. It is the word of God given to us and for us. For the year 2012, it is our banner verse.

However, the reality is that it is often difficult to be hopeful in all areas of our lives. Often there is a disconnect between the declaration of hope, and a genuine embrace of hope in a particular situation or circumstance of our lives. We can hope in general, but not in this particular aspect. We can be hopeful in some areas of our lives, but then there are those difficult situations. In fact, we label them "hopeless."

Let's get real. Real hope...in real life. Let's talk about the "hopeless" situations: when discouragement mounts, or injustice mounts, when we see no answers to our prayers, when things are getting worse not better, when hope seems to deny the reality of our lives.

Beginning this Sunday and over the next two months we will look at Hope, In Real Life. We'll take the declaration of God through his holy Scriptures and apply it to the reality of our lives and our world. We will ask the tough questions and face the answers head on. The difficult situations and circumstances of our lives are real. It would be false to deny that, but the message of Jesus and his Kingdom is always hope. In fact this is why Jesus came: to bring hope to the hopeless and the hopeless situations. A real God and Savior, a real Kingdom, and real hope applied to real life. We invite you to join us this Sunday and for the whole series. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Wellspring Lead Team has decided to end the Saturday @ 5 service. The last two Saturday @ 5 services will be this Saturday, Christmas Eve and next Saturday, New Year's Eve. The Saturday @ 5 services will not continue in January. We know a number of you have made Saturday @ 5 your primary worship service and many others of you have served in many capacities, from the bands to childcare to greeters and more. Wellspring has been blessed by your service and the Lead Team personally thanks you. Let us share some of the thinking behind this decision and thoughts about what we see emerging from the change.

A primary reason for starting the service was the need for more room, as our Sunday services, classrooms and parking lot were beginning to overflow. Currently we do not have this concern, and we will be able to accommodate all our ministries on Sunday morning. Saturday @ 5 was a small service, but that fact by itself was not really a concern. A small service can be wonderful. In fact, many Saturday @ 5 services were a blessed time together and with the Lord. The greater consideration was how much a third service was stretching our staff and ministry teams. Some of this stretching was valuable as it served to grow and include others in new areas. However, we witnessed that maintaining the third service required a lot of time, energy and effort. At times it limited our resources that would otherwise be available for other ministries. We had to take a serious look at the overall impact of maintaining a third worship service.

The Lead Team, the staff, and the congregation also have many ideas and desires for developing Wellspring's ministries further, many we feel are the Lord's promptings. We believe that ending the Saturday @ 5 service will actually allow us to advance our ministries. We now have developed teams and individuals who are ready and eager to serve. We have long desired to increasingly extend our ministry beyond our local church. By freeing up staff, a prime evening, and teams such as bands, we can envision ministry teams going out to other locations or hosting different worship events here. Basically, we are making room for opportunities.

Our desire as part of God's Kingdom is to be the best stewards we can of the resources and giftings the Lord has placed within us and our people. We trust that this shift will allow us to both steward well and better serve both this congregation and the Body of Christ at large. May we be an epicenter of the vibrations of the Kingdom.

The Wellspring Lead Team

Each December Pam and I review our tithes for the calendar year. It's very easy to miss some giving throughout the year, so we want to make sure we've given at least our full tithe and honor any other commitments we’ve made. As we were doing this again this year, I felt prompted to share our perspective with you. I also recently shared this with our staff and elders as well, as it is important that we lead by putting our faith into action. This is a personal note to share with you something extremely important to me, but it is also foundational to Wellspring.

Giving, and specifically tithing (giving to the Lord a tenth of our income), is much more than a percentage. It is a posture of humility and gratitude. For me, I know God provides all I need. More significantly, this means I truly have no fear or doubt about provision. I am always confident in the Lord and at genuine peace. There is nowhere else I want to be. There's nowhere else I'll choose to live.

I also know without a doubt that tithing (and giving in general) keeps my heart and mind in the proper relationship with God. It keeps an open channel to the flow of God's provision and his love. It allows me to be a steward of God's resources here on earth. There is no end to his resources and there is no better place than in the middle of his care. This is not a matter of how much we have, but how much we trust the Lord to be our provider.

As your pastor, I want the best for you. I want you to enjoy that same confidence of provision and the peace it brings. Pam and I have truly learned to rely on it. The challenge is to hold to this perspective on tithing and not let it slip from consciousness. The principle of tithing is not about being comfortable. It's about honoring God and recognizing he is our ultimate provision and peace. That is why, in a very practical step, Pam and I always use December to check our records for the year. We want to make sure we're staying true to our belief and make sure our giving honors God. Sometimes it stretched our faith, but whenever we stretch our faith, we always find God faithful.

I love the family of Wellspring, and I take seriously the responsibility to shepherd this ministry. We all know there have been financial challenges this past year. We are grateful that with committed giving, necessary adjustments, and most of all God’s faithfulness, we are ending the year covering all our expenses and maintaining all our ministries. For this we praise God and we thank you. We will continue to put our confidence in the Lord and his purposes for Wellspring. May your personal faith and trust in God continue to grow deep roots, so that your life in him will be full and complete.

We have spent the last two months focusing on what it means to be radical believers that God intends for us. We have shifted our focus to understand that a radical life is determined by the core, or root, or essence of that life. It is always God's intention that we would carry his likeness in our innermost being, not simply on the outside. In fact, attempting to be like Christ from the outside will always fall short. So we've looked at what it means to have radical hearts of faith hope and love. We've examined the call to have radical minds aligned with the Lord. We explored what lies below the surface of a life that is surrendered to Christ, a life defined as worship, and a life of holiness in relationship with our holy God.

Now the question is, what is the result of radical hearts, minds, and lives? Radical fruit! Fruit is the product of the tree and its roots. We don't find the fruit in the roots or in the trunk, but we define the tree by the fruit it produces. At the same time the essence of what is in the tree and its DNA determines the very fruit it will produce.

What is the fruit that we desire our lives to produce? At Wellspring we have come to desire, and even expect radical fruit from our lives when we walk with the Lord - fruit that we may even define as radical. Healing and wholeness, relationships restored, provision for all we need are expectations we believe in. Yet, if we step back and look, what we believe in is not considered normal to the rest of the world. It's radical. We also believe our lives can have impact for the victory of God's Kingdom come to the earth and the people around us. We believe we can be voices of hope, channels for healing, and beacons of truth. Again, this is radical to an unbelieving world. Yet, this is the very fruit we desire and believe is available to us and through us.

This weekend we'll shift our attention from radical hearts, minds, and lives to Radical Fruit. Jesus said we are to be salt and light to the world. How can we truly season the world as salt? How can we emanate light into the darkness? Are our desires for fruit, even radical fruit, realistic? Do we have the roots necessary, the core essence embodying the DNA necessary to produce radical fruit? I invite you to attend one of our weekend worship services as we continue in our series: Radical.

Pastor Wesley
(photo by Erik Johnson from our trip to Uganda in '08)

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

We are created in the image of God. We know that does not mean we look like God from the outside in our human form. Rather, in some way within our spirit we possess the likeness of God. The life that is within all human beings carries the essence of the God who breathed life into existence. (the original Hebrew language of Genesis makes a clear distinction between this God-breath in humans and the creation of all other living beings.)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Not only do we carry this essence of God in the breath of life within us, we are to live out of that wellspring. It will be the source of continued life! However, it is also clear that we have a choice. It's not automatic that our source will be pure. Guard your heart, we are instructed, because it is the wellspring of life. What happens if we don't guard our hearts? What life do we find coming forth when the likeness and essence of God deep in our spirit is not watched over and cared for, or guarded?

Are our hearts radical? As we discussed this past week, radical results are determined by the essence or root of something deep within. We all desire the radical results of a heart overflowing with wellsprings of God-breathed life. So what is our core? What are the roots or essence of the heart and spirit within us? Does it still carry the breath of God?

This week we will continue our Radical series by looking at our hearts. Join us for one of the weekend worship services, and bring your heart with you. The breath of God will be there to breathe his essence into our radical hearts.

Extreme. Intense. Beyond average. Beyond normal. Drastic. Crazy.
That's how we describe something or someone that we say is radical. We perceive their attitudes, perspectives or actions as not normal. They are "out there" in some way. Whether we like or dislike, agree or disagree with them, we recognize the extra measure of this person. It’s easy to identify: that’s a radical thought, that’s a radical thing to do, that’s a radical response, that’s a radical person. But what causes them to be radical? Are they simply extremists? Wild and crazy? Abnormal people?

What is at the core of a radical person? What inspires or motivates or causes them to think, feel, respond, and move in ways that we perceive as radical? What about the radical believer? The one who gives all she has to help others. The one who leaves his own comforts to comfort others. The one who’s passion is for something greater than and beyond themselves.

This weekend at Wellspring we will begin a new study that explores the core elements of the radical believer. We examine the radical heart. We contemplate the radical mind. We examine core elements of a radical life: surrendering our lives to the Lord, considering others before ourselves, living a life of worship, choosing to set ourselves apart in holiness. It is a radical life God calls us to.

The results are: thoughts that cut against the grain, actions that others observe as not normal, responses that are not self-centered or self-serving. Radical hearts, minds and lives cannot help but produce radical results. Our thoughts, choices, and actions will change us and change the world around us. Our lives and lifestyles will impact others and release God's transforming blessings. Our compassion and commitment will bring God's love and presence everywhere we go.

So let's go get radical!

Many of you are now quite familiar with our good friend and ministry partner Arnold Muwonge. Through our Uganda Bridge ministry, our extensive involvement with the Kampala Children's Centre, and the Destiny Africa choir we have all come to know and love Pastor Arnold's passion for the Lord and his heart for the children. And, we have been blessed and inspired by his preaching as well.

This coming weekend, we will have the wonderful privilege of experiencing the passionate heart of another Muwonge, Pastor Arnold's beautiful wife Josie. Last September I helped lead a retreat for Pastor Arnold's staff in England. As we explored one another's dreams and God-given gifts, it was very clear that the voice of the Lord stirred inside Josie, waiting for opportunities to be heard.

When I learned that Josie and a few of their children would be joining Pastor Arnold on a trip to the states, I immediately jumped at the chance to invite Josie to be our guest speaker. And, she delightedly accepted! I am confident that the Lord will bring a right-time word for Wellspring through Josie this weekend. I know we will all be blessed, so come expectantly.

I've titled this blog "Courage and Vulnerability", saying To be courageous requires vulnerability and to be vulnerable takes courage. But, what do I know...

Yesterday Pam and I toured the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. All was pretty nice until it got to the point where they described her capture and being dragged off to the camp. I seem to have forgotten that part of her story. THEN, I learned that she died a month before the end of the war and her opportunity for release and freedom. All of a sudden my whole spirit changed. The secret hiding place I was standing in, the story I was intersecting, my perspective, my emotions all changed in an instant. I'm not sure what I became, but I knew I was no longer a tourist.

Courage and Vulnerability. What do I know about that...

When I get home I'm going to read The Diary of Anne Frank. Maybe I can learn something.

We've all heard people say, "I think Jesus was a great man. I like his teachings. I just don't believe that he was God. But that's okay, because what he said was still very good." They may also question the story of the cross and the resurrection. It's too hard to believe that a man was raised from the dead. That sounds too much like Greek mythology. But that's okay, because his teachings are still significant.

We've all heard some version of those comments. Many of us may even have said similar things at times. It sounds good, doesn't it? We believe that Jesus spoke with profound wisdom. We marvel at his faith and his ability to instantly address the root of the matter. His questions confounded his accusers. His expressions of compassion blanketed the humble and provoked the proud at the same time. So it seems like a fair statement that even if someone does not believe that Jesus was God or that he raised from the dead, there is still value in valuing his teachings.

As the apostle Paul begins to conclude his exhortations to the church at Corinth, he makes this bold statement, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Corinthians 15: 17,19.

Really? Does that make sense? There has to be value in the teachings of Jesus, even if he did not raise from the dead, right? This weekend at the Wellspring worship services we will take a look at this passage of scripture. What does it mean? How do we apply it to our lives? Is our faith futile?

Hint: What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That is, what is the good news?

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend...come, let us reason together.

Pastor Wesley

Entitlement. Sounds good to us. After 10 stamps on our coffee card, we're entitled to one free coffee. Who doesn't want a free coffee. A free anything! AND, we've earned it by buying the 10 previous cups. We deserve it. We're entitled to it!

We live in an entitlement culture. Just listen to our media (which reflects our cultural values). We are entitled to everything from clear skin to a pampered, all inclusive vacation at a Sandels resort in the Caribbean. Of course, those entitlements come at a cost, but that's okay because we deserve it. Entitlement has permeated our language and our perspective on everything from politics (entitlement programs), to the workplace, to our relationships. We are simply entitled.

What about our relationship with God? What about the principles of his Kingdom, his reign and rule in our lives? Does this entitlement mindset influence our perspective on our faith? Do we feel entitled to blessings? To healing? To a good and easy life?

God does say that grace is free, that Jesus came to bring us life and life abundant. He does say ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Jesus said he came to set us free. However, Jesus also said the last shall be first, and the one who loves her life will lose it, while the one who hates her life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Grace, mercy, entitlement and freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. This weekend at the Wellspring Worship Services we'll take a look at our entitlement culture and the true freedom that the Lord makes available to us through his son and in his kingdom. Join us as we continue our look at I Corinthians and bring practical instructions for the culture clash in which we live.

Teaser: Who is the object of entitlement? Who is the object of true freedom?

Our weekend worship services have been quite inspiring so far in 2011. We have embraced a new Year Verse, Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." We are humbled that God's master craftsmanship is depicted in the heart and life of us, the believer. We are challenged to step into the plans and purposes he has for us and through us.

We have expanded our vision and vocabulary: BiHOGG (Don't understand? Click here) Do you have yours yet? Keep seeking your heart and God's voice.

We have been reminded of God's faithfulness, that he will honor his promises to us. Even when all we see is mistakes, disappointments, or even failure. God can reset the playing field and call a do-over.

Wonderful. Marvelous. Amazing. But what do we do now? Sit and wait? Demand of God that he fulfill his promises? Start measuring God to see if he lives up to his word? Let's remember the other message we heard this month, that God will be our God, AND he calls us to be his people.

This Sunday we will launch an in-depth look into what it means to be "his people". Using the book of I Corinthians, we will face the real challenges of living out the kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen world around us. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth concerning this very matter. Corinth was a prosperous pagan city, and Paul's letter was clear and pointed instruction to the believers who were called to live holy and wholly different than the world around them. In some cases their Christianity was simply a veneer layered over a worldly life. In other cases they were misinterpreting and misusing their new found freedom and faith in ways that were unhealthy to them and others.

So let's get real. Let's use the practical instruction of Corinthians, apply it to our lives and life's circumstances, and truly be "his people".

Cultures Clash at Corinth: Instruction For Living the Kingdom Life in a Corrupt World. (Click here for a preview of this series.)
Teaching begins this weekend in our worship services. LifeGroups will follow along with additional study that correlates to the weekly sermons. In addition, the pastors will facilitate an open discussion time on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30PM for anyone interested in going deeper or asking questions about that week's sermon. We are providing study guides for anyone and everyone who wants them. Pick them up this weekend in the café or Welcome Center.

Masterpieces. BiHOGGs. Do-overs. These are inspiring, and we are desiring. God promises to be our God. Let's give ourselves to be his people. May his highest and best for us bring forth the highest and best in us. May his testimony continue to resound.

"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.