State Street Stuff
Jul 15th
There’s a ton going on right now at State Street so I thought I’d give you alls an update:
- Napoleon Dynamite this weekend during our “At the Movies” series. We’re going to be talking about friendship and community and why it all matters. ”You’re mom goes to college…”
- Next week we’ve got a booth at our 4H Fair. This excites me for a number of reasons. (1) I love festivals/fairs (2) I love our vision/mission (3) I love festival/fair food. If you want to help out, comment on this post or shoot me an email or facebook message. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
- When we were just starting many, many moons ago (less than a year ago actually), we had these times when we got together to talk about the logistics of the church, the future vision, and we prayed together and had a time of corporate worship. We called these times CORE meetings. It’s time to bring these meetings back. Tuesday, August 3rd at 6:30 PM. Come one, come all.
- In the next month or two we’re going to have another block party. At this block party we’re going to do a number of things. Two of those many things will be baptisms and child dedications. We’re waiting on finalizing a date to coordinate a whole LifeChurch.tv-wide experience. As soon as we know that date, we’ll let you know. If you’d like to know more about baptism or baby dedication, please shoot me and email or a facebook message. In other words, holla back at ya boy.
- We’re collecting school supplies for Lincoln school. Lincoln is OUR school. Most Many of our local kids attend Lincoln and some of the teachers at Lincoln attend State Street. The teachers, along with their time, invest a ton of money into giving out supplies to their kids. We’re going to do our part in helping them out. Go to Walmart or Staples or whatever else and buy these items: colored pencils, brightly colored spiral notebooks (not black or brown), construction paper, paint for easels, glue sticks, glue bottles, glue crayons, scissors, loose sleeve paper, jumbo crayons, colored rulers, dry erase board markers (NO regular markers), copy paper, hand sanitizer, and clorox wipes.
- I’ll leave you with the top-10 signs that you’re not the most popular guy in high school:
Children of State Street
Jun 16th
Today started the first time that we opened up State Street to the neighborhood kids for lunch. Now that summer break is here, it has left the kids around State Street with a ton of time on their hands and a place to spend that time. Julie Secor, our kid’s team leader, and Tyler Secor, our food pantry leader, came up with the idea of giving a hot meal once a week to our kid friends. The agenda is simple; feed the kids and have fun doing it.
On top of the once-per-week hot meal (with menu’s and all), anytime the church is open, the kids can come into the building for a snack bag. In the bag is different snack items (applesauce, crackers, etc.) that the kids can take with them or eat at the church.
I really love the people and the passion behind this ministry. They understand the importance of taking care of the “least of these”. As one of my favorite authors once said, “Our faithfulness will depend on our willingness to go where there is brokenness, loneliness, and human need. If the church has a future it is a future with the poor in whatever form.” (Henri Nouwen). This team gets it. They know why the church exists and what is our purpose.
Today as all the volunteers left, one young boy stayed behind to talk with me (he stayed the rest of the day, actually). As Julie left, he said, “I’m really going to miss her. She might be the nicest girl I’ve ever met.” Julie is going on vacation next week and this boy knew it. But, what I heard wasn’t what he was saying. What I heard was a deeper connection formed through someone that simply cares. Through a couple of pizza slices, some ice cream, and a few intense games on the Nintendo Wii, this group of people just showed a boy that he mattered.
He matters to Julie.
He matters to the rest of the volunteers.
He matters to the church.
He matters to God.
And THAT’S what it’s all about.
“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:13-16
State Street Serves
Jun 15th
On June 26th, from 9am-3pm, State Street Community Church will be partnering with the LaPorte Parks Department in helping to clean and beautify the parks around LaPorte. Because of significant budget cuts and financial problems facing our city, the Parks Dept has been left with a smaller staff and a great need. As people that believe in socially redemptive acts, we will be doing our part to help our community be a better (more cleaner) place.
Dean Heise, the Parks Superintendent, has been with the department for 35+ years. In all of his time, he hasn’t seen a more challenging time for the city and her parks. None of the parks in LaPorte have closed, but the type of care that can be provided has been diminished with the reality of a smaller staff. Today, I was given the chance to talk with Dean and to offer our help. Dean jumped on the offer and I’m excited about doing what we can to help our community.
The work that needs to be done is diverse; painting, cleaning, weeding, mowing, etc. If we get a significant amount of participation, we will make a serious dent into the improvements that need to be done. Teams will be formed that will come together at SSCC on Saturday morning and be sent out to accomplish certain tasks. We will have a sign-up at State Street this weekend. If you’re not able to make it, contact me and we’ll make plans on you attending. We’ll be providing lunch as well.
If you’re not a part of the State Street community and would like to help, you’re welcome to join us as well. If you’re able to provide lawn equipment, yard tools, painting equipment, or anything else in that realm, please consider helping us out.
Music That Moves Me | Johnny Cash
Apr 19th
My grandfather gave me my first Johnny Cash tape. He’s more of a Conway Twitty fan and thought that I could get more use of the cassette tape. He was right. I fell in love with Johnny Cash’s music personally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Johnny Cash has that rare type of vocals that truly make you feel ever word that they’re singing. Even when he hasn’t written the song, he emotes so much emotional and rawness that simply captivates me. To me, he’s honest vocally and knows how to tell a redemptive story musically.
Though I’m a huge fan of his earlier stuff, his Rick Rubin-produced American albums are my favorite. His second American album features covers of Soundgarden, Tom Petty, and Beck (among others). On that album is my favorite Johnny Cash song of all time. It’s a song called “Spiritual” written by Josh Haden of the band Spain. I remember listening to the song on repeat at least 20 times when I first heard it. I thought, “Now THAT’S spiritual, King David-like yearning.” Not only is it lyrically superb, it also showcases some of Cash’s strong vocal abilities. Take a listen to the song, it’s a good one…
If you’re reading this on facebook, you can click here to see the embedded youtube video.
The Spiritual Potential in Conversations
Apr 14th
I have a 23 minute commute to State Street every day from my house. We’re hoping to get our house put on the market and move closer to the LP soon but it hasn’t happened yet (my fault…). On my commute I usually spend time (1) catching up on phone conversations, (2) driving in much-needed silence, or (3) listening to podcasts. One of my favorite podcasts is one called Off the Map.
Off the Map has different guest speakers talk about various theological, church, or philosophical matters in 40-50 minute podcasts. One of the sessions that I just finished was led by a guy named David Kinnaman. Kinnaman is a researcher and President of the Barna Group (the mecca of sociological findings surrounding the church and people). He (and Gabe Lyons) wrote a book a couple years ago called UnChristian about the habits and personalities of the millennial generation and their spiritual lives. It was an informative read and the podcast really complimented his presentation given in the book. One of the quotes that stuck out most to me in his talk was one that, being a part of the millennial generation AND a pastor, I think really has some traction and weight. He said about the millennials,
They feel like we’re [the church] operating off of a talking point sheet, like we can’t engage in good listening. We can’t hear where they’re coming from. We can’t bend on any of the things that we’ve learned in life because we’re know-it-alls. It’s hard to think about that reality but we’re not known as listeners to a generation that says “We want to talk”. There is spiritual potential in conversations. – David Kinnaman, Off the Map Podcast
Our church community, State Street Community Church, is one that I’m blessed to lead and invest in. I was having a conversation with a fellow State Streeter and we were talking about our demographics. He said, “I bet there’s not 10% of our church that is over 50 years old.” We sat and tried to count the more “seasoned” people and couldn’t come up with more than 20 that were active parts of our community. Though the guy I was talking to was a part of that boomer demographic, he summed up our findings with, “That’s why we won’t reach certain people. We’re young and different. But, you know what, as an older guy, I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Why does it matter, though? It matters because people matter and people change. People have changed drastically in the last 20 years and the church, thus far, has went unaltered in a world that has changed around it. What my parents struggled with and their environments are far different than what my children will grow up with. The lives of children today are influenced and molded through things that were foreign to me when I was their age (Yo Gabba Gabba, anyone!? Holla!). The way technology has infused itself in our lives has changed us. The cultural normalities that were once taboo has changed us. The changed world has changed her people. People (especially younger people) have changed the way they think.
What we do in the church and how we do it matters. How the church adapts to a changing world matters. Kinnamon, in his book, writes this paragraph;
How common are these [negative] perceptions? It is one thing to encounter a person on the street who says audacious, brash things about Christianity, but quite another if these perceptions broadly define the Christian faith among young people. In our national surveys with young people, we found the three most common perceptions of present-day Christianity are anti-homosexual (an image held by 91 percent of young outsiders), judgmental (87 percent), and hypocritical (85 percent). These “big three” are followed by the following negative perceptions, embraced by a majority of young adults; old-fashioned, too involved in politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, boring, not accepting of other faiths, and confusing. When they think of the Christian faith, these are the images that come to mind. This is what a new generation really things about Christianity. - Kinnaman/Lyons, UnChristian
Most of my friends that don’t follow the way of Christ would gladly spend the day with me but don’t want to spend an hour on a Sunday in “church”. Granted, when they do, they often enjoy State Street but getting them to attend can often use all the relational clout that I have with this person. Why is that? Is it because of something Christ has done or something that the “church” has done? Or, is the problem on the person? Or both?
I’ve met people that have come to State Street and felt uncomfortable with the way we do our services, the people that attend, and/or the ministry philosophy that we employ. I’ve tried to be forthright and admit that we’re not a church for everyone. We’re just not. We’re a place to ask questions (by the way, we’re in a series called FAQ… all are welcomed…), seek truth, and to be who God is calling you to be. I don’t want to change you. That’s really the work of the Holy Spirit. I don’t have it all figured out. Most close to me really know what a mess I can be. I don’t have all the answers. I’ve got ideas about cosmogony, creation/evolution, the trinity, eschatology, liturgy, and other theological presuppositions. But, many of them are just ideas and I truly believe that I (along with my ideas and beliefs) are a work in progress.
The truth is, the church is just a place where we can take all of our flawed selfs and meet other flawed people that are getting blown away by the hope of Christ. I don’t know it all but I know the hope that I have. Maybe the church needs to stop being experts in everything political, social, and cultural and start being experts in grace and hope and love. That’s really what I know best anyway. Or, at least that’s what I’m learning most…
Music That Moves Me | John Mark McMillan
Apr 5th
David Crowder made famous the song “How He Loves“. But before Crowder was singing it, John Mark McMillan crafted (and sung) the song. John Mark is a folksy, artsy, hipstery musician who happens to sing worship songs. I’ve really gotten into him in the last two months. In all honesty, I find much of the “worship” industry can be very unoriginal and uninspired. His song “Skeleton Bones”, however, is beautiful and well-written. I hope to convince Greg Clark to do it at State Street one day.
“Skeleton bones stand at the sound of eternity
On the lips of the found
So separate those doors
And let the son of resurrection in.”
The Importance of Pastors (via Don Miller)
Apr 1st
I love Donald Miller’s writing. I thought about putting my interest in him in the “like” category but seeing that I own all his books and read his blog religiously, I’m going to use stronger language. I connect with him. What he thinks and writes are words that resonate deeper within me.
On his blog yesterday he wrote about his 10 reasons why he believes that pastors are important. I loved the list and thought I’d steal copy it for my blog. In my opinion, he’s spot on in his summation of the power that pastors have in our lives. Check out his site and see the list and the rest of his entry (and his motivation for coming up with the list). I’ve been blessed by some pretty incredible pastors that believed in me and were willing to speak truth into my life. Some of the most influential moments in my life have been shared with pastors. Much of my worldview and how I’ve learned to love Christ has been formed through the impact that pastors have had on my life. I hope to impact others in that same way.
Without further ado, here’s Don’s Ten Reasons Pastors are Important…
Here are ten reasons pastors are important.
1. They lead social movements that change the world.
2. They speak truths that create guardrails to keep us out of danger and stop us from hurting each other.
3. They introduce us and remind us about God, who redeems us and guides us in love.
4. They model good marriages and families (Your mind may have gone to an exception, but quickly list five who do. It’s an easy list to create.)
5. They bring people together to live and work in community.
6. They counsel hurting and broken people.
7. They bring the presence of God into the most dark and painful circumstances.
8. Most of them could be making lots more money doing something else, but they sacrifice to build God’s kingdom.
9. They put up with our crap.
10. Because without them the world would be unimaginably dark.
Worth It All
Mar 27th
Ema is still in the hospital. We’ll be here for at least another day, probably longer. There was some complications with her epidural that left her with too much air in her spinal area. For those of you that have experienced anything like this, you’ll know that it can be tremendously painful. Ema is on bed rest. Her bed is such that her feet are higher than her head to try and keep the air from getting to her brain. They’ve also got her on some pretty intense drugs to help with the pain. The doctors believe that time is the greatest medicine in this situation. When the air passes through her system or gets absorbed within, the pain will subside.
Ema’s in a tremendous amount of pain. But helping to mask the pain and giving her a glimmer of hope is our son; Finn. When he’s in her arms, the pain gets a little less and her demeanor changes. It’s almost as if he was born just so she could hold him in her arms. The way a mother loves and comforts her children is a love that is unique. It’s beautiful to watch. It’s incredible to experience.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isa. 66.13)
Finley Jay Loucks
Mar 25th
Coming up with names for our kids has been difficult for Ema and I. We’re fairly indecisive people anyway so when you add the stress of “this will be their name for the rest of their LIFE, don’t screw it up Loucks”, name-picking becomes an exercise of tense exploration. I resolved to just throwing my hands in the air and calling him “Brutus”. Ema didn’t go along.
My daughter (Nora Denise Loucks) was named after my mother; Denise. Nora’s initials match mine (NDL) and my father’s. We happened to be at a wedding when Ema was pregnant where there was a baby named Nora and my wife (and eventually myself) fell in love with the name. Two years after her birth, she’s very much a “Nora”. It’s funny how you can debate and stress over your child’s name and then it takes a certain evolution into being “them”. I can’t imagine her a Sarah, Rebecca, or Gwendolyn. She’s Nora.
Finley Jay Loucks. We first noticed the name Finley in 2007 when my wife was pregnant with Nora. As embarrassing as our discovery of the name might be, it’s the truth; we saw it in the movie the Notebook (Kevin Connolly’s character). Finley caught our attention and we decided that if we had a boy, we would keep it in consideration. Throughout the last nine months, we talked about different names but my wife was always fairly sure that she was carrying a “Finley”. I’ve always held the belief that one of the given name’s should have some sort of meaning behind them. Finley is named after my uncle; Jay. Jay and I have a close bond. He’s my uncle, friend, pastor, and my very own personal Mr. Magoo.
So, that’s the story behind my kid’s names. What about you? Any specific reason as to why you named your children what you named them?
Monday Morning Hangover | 3-8-10
Mar 8th
Yesterday at State Street, we talked about feeling abandoned by God. Jesus, on the cross, cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” I’ve gotten a few emails and had a some discussions after the services yesterday about abandonment. It’s a huge issue among many in our community. It’s an issue that I hold close to my heart because I lived in it for a few years.
Why God? Why go through this? Are you even there? Please God, I can’t deal with this any more…
God is restoring me and I’m learning about trust. This verse in Deuteronomy comforts me, “And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
The book Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning has been foundational in my spiritual development. In it he says,
The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of the pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise.
May we learn to trust the promises of God even more and follow His movement even closer and be His church. Amen.