hello friends.  this is shelli writing from gig harbor!  things are going well here, we have had alot of crazy wild experiences already and are excited for the ways we know God will continue to provide.  today, the five girls will move into ther new place (with the help of some strong men and a truck).  we are learning to get accustomed to life here and to each other.  it is a challenge and a joy.

we will keep you updated- again, please check out our individual blogs on the left side of the page for more individual updates and thoughts.

~Shelli

hello friends!
please check out our individual blogs, you’ll find more updates there…

(the links are on the right side of this page)

Many people have asked us, “Where are you going to plant a church?” To which we answer, “In Seattle.” Well that’s really not the answer they’re seeking. The answer that would make people comfortable would go something like this, “We will be on the corner of 88th and Wallingford.” But frankly that is really not an answer that we are going to give, because we are not seeking to be “located” on a corner but instead in neighborhoods.

Where is the new Church in Seattle going to be located? That will depend on where our home is located. Which is completely dependent upon where God gives us a home. The Church will be in the community that we’re placed. The Church will be in our surroundings as we serve, care and share with our neighbors.

What most people mean is, “Where will you meet for a time of corporate worship? Where will all of the home groups/churches get together and celebrate with music, testimony and a message?” The answer to that question can only be answered with a resounding, “We don’t know yet, but we’ll most likely be mobile for a few years as we go through growing stages.” We’ll meet together to worship. We just want to make sure Sunday morning isn’t the only place Church happens.

It’s kind of freeing to not have a building where Church is performed.

This is the third video in the four part series on Seattle and our Church Plant. It’s much different than the others, I don’t think we quite got the feel we were seeking but it turned out pretty good.

Financial Partnering has been a difficult process for us. There seems to be a pattern or process that we have been working through; although we as a team are all at different stages of this pattern. I think it goes something like this.

1. A stark realization that we need financial partners to make this possible.
2. Thinking that we don’t know enough people who would support us.
3. An overwhelming twitch that we will never raise enough money.
4. Wanting to make sure we have enough money to live on.
5. Fear that people will reject us.
6. Fear that people will reject the vision.
7. Believing the vision fully.
8. Fear that we won’t be able to minister fully unless we are funded.
9. Deep Faith that God will supply all of our needs.
10. Understanding that we will be able to minister out of our poverty. (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
11. Realizing that we do know enough people, only because God knows who he wants to be partnering with us and a dependence on him to bring people to us - to his work.
12. Understanding that we are giving others a chance to be blessed because they give sacrificially.
13. Confidently asking people to partner with us, not because we want the money to survive personally or even to minister with, but because we truly believe it would benefit our partners.
14. Understanding that #1 “A stark realization that we need financial partners to make this possible,” only works if both partners are working together and that God brings his blessings on everyone who sows generously - generous in finances, in prayer, in ministry, in encouragement, etc.

As we “travel” through these stages our faith progressively matures and we begin to understand one of the beautiful facets of Church Planting: Partnership.

Video Number two in a four part series on Seattle. 

We have been given the opportunity to share with Pleasant Valley Church for four Sundays in a row. We will have each of the four videos posted on YouTube. Here’s the first one.

Kristine and I traveled to Romania for a month with our two young boys, at the time, they were three and five years of age.  We asked a few people to help us make the trip financially to which several people from Pleasant Valley Church stepped up and met the needs in pretty major ways. One person handed us 5k, others, I am confident, gave in sacrificial ways.

That was eight years ago and we were only raising $8,000. One thing I didn’t understand fully was that as those friends blessed us with their finances God turned around and blessed them for their sacrifice. I didn’t fully comprehend the connection although we have seen it in our lives often.

Now we are in the process of raising $325,000/ year for the next three years. Quite the difference, but now I am fully aware of the impact this could have on so many lives; an impact that extends far into the lives of those around us and beyond. Let me explain with three short points.

#1 The impact on the recipient - The initially obvious blessing of the person who is receiving the gift. The finances that we are seeking are making it possible for us to minister, live while we minister, fund ministry entry points for the people of Seattle, basically enabling us to do what we are being called to do.

#2 The impact on the giver - The initially not-so-obvious blessing on the person who is giving the gift.  It goes without saying that what ever the dollar amount of a gift it is always a sacrifice of some kind. The level of the sacrifice could be argued but anytime we give money and don’t spend it on ourselves it is a sacrifice. God has shown Kristine and I that our giving has a direct effect on our receiving. If we give a lot we receive a lot. If we give little we receive little.  Basically Paul stated the same principle in 2 Cor. 9:6-11. The one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly. The one who sows in abundance will reap abundance.  I have come to understand that within our “asking” for financial support we are giving people an opportunity to be blessed in abundance.

#3 The impact on the others - The seldom thought of blessing on those who are outside of the giver/receiver cash transfer.  As we go into this journey to the heart of Seattle we are focused on Transforming Seattle within the habitat of Redemptive Christ-like Communities, communities that are real people oriented. In the core of ministry is the desire of life change and hence the lives that are changed are the true recipients of the original gifts. Like a farmer who spreads many seeds - he will not only receive a bountiful harvest to care for his family’s needs and to sell, but he will have an abundance of seeds to plant for the next harvest. That’s the thing about a harvest - it happens over and over, but only after the seeds have been planted.

So…in thinking throught these three points I have changed my perspective on seeking financial backing for the Seattle Church Plant. If I don’t ask people to help; I am refusing the blessing on myself, I am not allowing others to sow abundantly and therefore limiting their return, and I am limiting the greater harvest, the harvest of 100 times the amount sown.

I will boldly ask people to support this church plant, because it is the right thing to do.

Please take a minute to look at our updated giving page.

Also, don’t be shy! Shoot us an email if you have any questions or comments.

To send us an email, just click:administrator

Please pray for Keith, Kristine, and Brandon in Seattle for the week.
They are at a conference, ironically titled ‘boot camp,’ learning alot of good and challenging things about planting a church in the Seattle community.

We are getting closer to move-time, and we will keep you updated with our plans.
At this point, most of us are planning on moving out between May and July.

Please continue to keep the team in your prayers!