Good News for All

The angels told the Shepherds about 'Good News which shall be for all people'. One thought that I want to develop this Sunday is the idea that we can pretty easily get locked into a world that isn't very big. Technology makes the world small and we have to manage the amount of input we get, but we can easily start to hold the world at arms length and make it the world of our making. The bold proclamation of the angels is that this gospel is global and can never be something we have and hold onto as our own. It is for us and all our 'image bearing' brothers and sisters. Jesus is good news and that good news needs to be broadcast the world over. Just because we happen to live in Stearns County doesn't mean we can ignore the other 6 + billion people on the planet. They could use a little good news too.
May the joy of the season and the tender affections of family be a true blessing for you this Season. And may we consider together the Savior who is in fact the Savior of the World to whom alone belongs the praise of all peoples!

New Digs

Well now, that wasn't so bad! It was our third location in the past six months and it didn't feel all that different. It even has its advantages. I liked the lighting better than we have ever had and access to some of the 'behind the scenes' needs like water for coffee and such was easy. So all in all I would have to say that it was a pretty good move. See you in the Elementary Cafeteria next week!

Other End of the Building

This Sunday we move to the far end of the school. We started and stayed for 5 1/2 years in the Junior High Little Theater. While it wasn't perfect it did come to seem like home. I remember walking in for a swim meet one time and thinking for a brief moment, "what are all these people doing at church?". Then, due to some asbestos removal, we were moved to the Senior High cafeteria (in the middle of the school complex). That was OK in that it was temporary and it actually has had some advantages. I know as a speaker it feels nice to have people closer than they were in the auditorium. But alas, even this location in the building couldn't last and so we move again...to the third place in the last six months, and this to the north end of the school complex. Starting this Sunday, November 14th we will be in the Elementary cafeteria. It too will be a different experience but one I am sure we can adapt to readily. In it all it forces to think through our whole Sunday morning experience. What are we there for? What are we trying to accomplish? What is the real permanence of Harvest Community Church? Through it all the answer has always been and will continue to be that we gather in Jesus name, as Jesus people, to encourage and challenge one another and to worship and focus on King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That will happen again this Sunday. Even in the Elementary cafeteria. Hope to see you Sunday!

Get to it!

This past Sunday was a get to it Sunday. Birch Hills has been commissioned to go and they are gone to do what God has called them to in Melrose. The ceremonies are over, it is time to get to it! Here at Harvest Community Church we have a calling that is no less sure. We have a mission field that has been put before us and we are called just as much to get to it! With that in mind we have a couple of opportunities that will keep us on task:
Mathetes - our discipleship group for those in 10th-12th grades. Our first gathering is at Dairy Queen Wednesday night, 6:30.
The Training of the Twelve - a training group for those who are or are willing to be spiritual leaders. 6:00a.m. this Sunday is our first time with breakfast out at Trucker's Inn.
The cost will be high at times. Shoot, Jesus asks us to come and die. But He also said that His yoke was easy, i.e. the best path to follow. Let's get to it!

Send Off

Yesterday at Harvest Community Church was unique. There aren't many Churches that ever plant another Church, much less send 30% of its people to that new Church; and so it was quite unique that we would be able to share together in the sending out of Birch Hills Community Church to our neighboring town of Melrose. It was a meaningful service and one that I hope propels the group on to life and ministry in their community. May God get all the glory!

As with any send off comes the time when those who aren't going have to look around and get to the task of picking up and moving forward. May Harvest Community Church be about moving forward with the God sized task He has yet ahead for us. May God get all the glory!

The Last Supper

This Sunday, October 24th we will be holding a 'Last Supper'. Actually it will be a 'Last Lunch' I suppose. We will be holding a commissioning service to bless those folks that will be launching a new community of believers in Melrose. It is going to be a powerful service as we engage in Kingdom work by blessing the work of our/their hands. After the service we will share together in a meal. It will be great and I hope and pray that it is our largest attendance as we link arms and hearts together on this most sacred obligation.
The potluck meal schedule: Last name A-L bring a main dish & dessert, last name M-Z bring a main dish & salad.
See you Sunday!

Church Planting: Here and There

It was great to have Timo Heimlich with us Sunday and for some home visits in the afternoon/evening. I am always blessed to get a different perspective from someone who is in the trenches and in another culture. It is really a privilege to have someone of Timo's caliber in partnership with us and really interested in our churches working together to help each other pursue God's calling on our ministries. I was particularly challenged to 'do things together'; the idea that we take someone along with us whereever we go with whatever it is we are doing. How do you make disciples of Jesus? Bring them along. When you think about it is at once the simplest, and maybe yet the most difficult way to make a disciple. Simple for sure. It is really no different that how we parent our children. Difficult for sure. No one I've ever talked to says that raising children is easy...at least not those who have done it. It is certainly the same way with making disciples. And what they see is plain to them. It is a high calling on you and I to live before Christ all the time. In the seemingly more 'spiritual' times of life, but no less in the mundane. Jesus calls us to Himself all the time, and He calls us to 'bring someone along'. Let us meditate on that challenge together...and then go do it!

What discipleship is not...

I have always found the passage from Luke 9:51-62 that we looked at yesterday to be particularly convicting. I would have to say that over time I think I have bolted from being a true disciple of Jesus by being the antithesis of what He desires as expressed in the four vignettes described. To review, we see what discipleship is not:

• It is not Discipleship My Way - trying to conform Jesus to our expectations rather than what He is all about; doing the will of the Father
• It is not Discipleship Doesn't Count the Cost - we can say whatever we want to but unless we are going whereever Jesus is going then it cannot be discipleship. Discipleship equals followership.
• It is not Discipleship With Wrong Priorities - If Christ be God then there can be nothing that trumps following Him. He simply cannot be relegated to second place.
• It is not Discipleship Of the Tender Affection - Family is important yes, but we can't allow anything that we might cling to distract us from continuing firm and resolute with Jesus.

Those are no small challenges. Those are not the principles of a soft and compliant Jesus of our making, but rather a call to a serious discipleship that places Jesus in a place of utmost priority...because He must be.

Overflowing Relationships

We were talking about why we are pursuing the idea of Church Planting on Sunday and we were talking about one of our core values, Overflowing Relationships. One of the reasons we plant Churches is because it develops grows those kinds of relationships. It seems counterintuitive, and yet, when is it that you become most closely connected with other people? The obvious answer is that you become most connected when you are on task with like minded people. That is why Church is never a spectator sport and why great relationships in the Church don't happen just because people are in the same general vicinity. Rather we grow relationships as we labor together in the gospel. The gospel is the high calling, overflowing relationships result. But because the gospel of Christ has preeminence, we can take the great relationships we have and make the changes necessary to see many more partake of the gospel of grace...even if it hurts relationally.

Staying on mission/staying on task:

• Won't always be easy
• Won't always feel good
• Will bring glory to God

We have what it takes. Not because of anything good in us, but because everything good and necessary is in our Savior.

Responding to God

As we get closer to a launch of a Church Plant from our midst in Melrose, it seems that the concerns go higher as well. One of the things I would encourage us to see is that while things will be different, it will also be a time of blessing as we are obedient to what God has called to do. At the same time I want to encourage whatever questions there may be or concerns that you may have as it is different than anything you have been around before. Someday Church Planting is going to be the norm and we are going to have many different expressions of Church and they are going to look different, but for now it isn't normal and it raises concern. So ask.

Some thoughts on Responding to God from Acts 13 & 14:

• Church leadership needs to focus first on its devotion to God
• Church Planting is God's idea
• Listening to the Spirit's leading starts with God's Word
• When He says go it is only a question of obedience after that
• It has always been God's desire to see Churches multiply their efforts
• Obeying God's will doesn't necessarily make it easy (note Paul's time in Lystra)
• All the results of obedience are to be directed to God alone
• All glory is due Him
• The stories we will tell will source from actions of faith
• I have a dream...

Worship team was fantastic this morning...I love you guys!

Equipping Followers

I was encouraged to share a little more about the 'why' of Church Planting. We are in the place of privilege to be planting another Church so close by that is going to cost us so much. God is going to bless both here and there. Let's pray and believe God for it?

Some other thoughts:

• I loved the story of the guys who got jumped by the evil spirit. You can't fake ministry in Jesus name for long before you get called on it!
• I recently heard Tony Campolo say that the consumer minded church is going to be the reason for the continual decline of the Church. It is not about what you can get!
• The best place for learning to walk with Jesus will never be the classroom.
• The value of the classroom (the hall of Tyrannus) is as a place to come back to after being out ministering the gospel to people.
• Why do we get so concerned about the possibility of young Christians promoting a heresy?
• Heresy can be corrected in the context of a relationship.
• I would rather straighten out some wrong thinking than to have to light a fire under somebody to get out and do something.
• I am begging God to get us to the point of getting past 'polite' confession so that we can lay it all out before Him!
• That is going to require a move of the Spirit among us.
• Why is it so easy to 'talk tough' in the Worship service, and so difficult to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus in the marketplace?
• Lead somebody...don't tell me you don't know enough! You do!!!

Let's go Melrose, let's go Sauk Centre. The place for us to do the equipping necessary is in the battle and the battle is raging around us. Let's get out there and engage the battle!

Thoughts on Sunday

I have been thinking about our time together this past Sunday and wanted to make a couple of observations:

• I love looking around the room during the 'Fellowship Worship' time (crying, hugging, laughter, connections, appointments being set up...I love it!)
• It is always a thrill to open God's Word with you
• The time is right for our current sermon series "Why Plant Churches'
• Melrose is ripe for a fresh infusion of the gospel...go proclaim Jesus!
• I sense a recognition that it won't always be easy or feel good, but that we are heading in the direction of God's desire
• Our best days are yet ahead!

We have three more weeks of exploring the answer to the question "Why Plant Churches". I hope you can join us for the discussion.

That was fun!

I loved our time out at the Lake on the 11th. Loved it for a number of reasons:

*God's people near God's creation
*Watching people commit publicly to Jesus in baptism...awesome
*Great food
*Great weather
*I sensed God speaking through His Word...that is always sweet
*Wearing shorts and t-shirt while preaching
*We get to do it again soon

August 1st we will be more mobile than usual again as we head on over to the Stearns County Fair to worship with other Evangelical Free Churches and whoever else shows up. Remember start time on Sunday at the Fair is 9:00 a.m. It is going to be great!

Sunday July 11th

We have been meeting in the Senior High Cafeteria of the school this summer, but we are on the move again this Sunday, July 11th. While our auditorium is being renovated we have been on the move, and this Sunday will be no different. We will conduct our entire service out at Fairy Lake at the Lion's Shelter. Our time will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the shelter with worship in music and the Word. That will be followed by a time lakeside as we rejoice with those taking the step of obedience in the waters of baptism. Then a relaxing afternoon ensues with our picnic and hang out time. The Church is providing the hot dogs, buns, condiments, paperware, and drinks. Bring a salad or dessert to pass and we will have a great time together. You might want your camping chair, and you might want to bring the boat or a swimsuit...it is up to you. Hope to see you Sunday!

Get Baptized?

Coming up on July 11 we are going to have our annual baptism/picnic out at Fairy Lake. I love the setting. Out for the day on the lake; good food, people everywhere, and a public display of faith is what make it a great time. Have you been baptised? And why would you want to? Well, I think there are a lot of good reasons like it is commanded, to do so is to be obedient, to do so is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. And just like Jesus, it isn't to forgive sins. I think the main thing we do when we step into the waters to be baptised is that we say 'me too'! I too am a follower of Jesus. Look at my life because though I do it imperfectly I am seeking to be a follower of Jesus.

So if you haven't been baptised my question is, "Why not?". Let's talk about it further. We have plenty of time to talk it through and for you to be convinced of the spiritual benefit to not only you, but to the community of faith. I too am a follower of Jesus Christ...to God be the glory!

Bike Run!

The first annual BBB (Bicycling, Bible, & Backbone) run will be held over two days Friday May 28 - Saturday May 29. The Bicycling part comes from the fact that we are planning to cover both the Central Lakes Trail starting in Fergus Falls and continuing on to Sauk Centre the first day. Then on Saturday going from Sauk Centre to St. Joseph. The Bible part refers to our breaks along the way to rest and to get motivated to finish the race. The Backbone part refers to the fact that this is one of those 'giants' we are planning to tackle. 101 miles in all (you may want to get some time in on your bike before coming along...). Give me a shout if you are interested in coming along pastorcarlyn@harvestcomchurch.org (I will ask you how much time you have been spending on your bike!)

Moving Day

Change is good (See book of Acts) and we will have some changes this summer. First off we will be vacating our Ministry Centre office space. It has been a good place for us for something like the past 4 1/2 years, but we are exploring other possibilities while seeking to be fiscally responsible too. So this month is it as we need to be out by months end. I plan to put some pictures on our website, www.harvestcomchurch.org, to give an idea of things that we are wanting to find a home for, some of which is give away, some of which we just want to find some storage.
Our second move will be to the Senior High cafeteria at the school. Asbestos abatement requires the school to go through the building and this summer the schedule is for the JH auditorium that we use. So, starting June 13th we will be meeting in the cafeteria, and entering through the senior high doors until the theater project is completed.
I suppose it depends on your stomach for change, but I personally am looking forward to it. Nothing about how we do ministry changes, just the locations. It's going to be a great summer!

Motorcycle Run

The first ever Harvest Community Church bike run left from the parking lot this morning after the Worship service. Five bikes may not sound like much, but thanks to Greg Reigel for organizing and getting this idea off the ground! Maybe five will turn into fifteen next year! Greg got a hold of some biker New Testaments to hand out and gave a personal testimony and then I (Pastor Carlyn) had the opportunity to prayer a blessing over the riders and their bikes. A great time and a great start to a (hopefully) new tradition. Next year we need to pray for a little less wind...

Camp Lebanon work day

As a member church out at Camp Lebanon it is our privilege to be a part of making a great camp experience. On Saturday May 1 we had 14 Harvest Community Church folks out to make it happen! We did a lot of raking/removing leaves. Greg got the pickup stuck (couldn't handle a Ford). Jim and Pat made progress on a bridge. A serious thank you to those who came out and helped. It is a pretty small thing in the big picture. But, the accumulation of a bunch of small things makes a difference! To God be the Glory and may the slightly 'new and improved' version of Camp be an eternal blessing this upcoming year!

Easter Week

Easter is the height of the season for those of us who name the name of Christ, and so there are various activities available to make this season the most meaningful it can be. We are not nearly as scheduled as many, but I do think we have enough to keep the season meaningful while not becoming burdensome.
Palm Sunday will feature some palms and kids and a kids message.
Tuesday morning prayer for the men: Ministry Centre, 5:30 a.m.
Thursday evening prayer for women: Ministry Centre, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday service at the Melrose City Center, 7:00 p.m.
Sunrise Service at the school, 8:15 a.m. Brunch and Easter Eggs to follow.
Easter Service at the school, 10:00 a.m.

Hope you can participate in many of these opportunities not because you have to, but because the Resurrection is something to be celebrated as the key to our faith. As the Apostle Paul says, 'if He is not risen, then our faith is futile...but He has risen'!

Spring forward

All the rain has been good in that the piles of snow are noticeably less and less...and I am liking that. I got some garden seed this week and am hopeful that putting them in the ground won't be too far away!

The down side if there is one is that we have to move the clocks forward this Saturday night. Push those clocks ahead or risk missing coffee and donuts!

See you Sunday!

A Ministry Legacy

It is a fun phenomenon at Harvest Community Church. Whenever you look at the auditorium on a Sunday morning you see one of two scenes. Either the scene before we break for refreshements, or the scene after. They look different because we have such a nice group of kids and many of them are engaged in Kingdom Kids and Nursery after the break.
Here is my encouragement...leave a ministry legacy with those kids! It would be great from my perspective if our kids growing up around us were able to get input from the adults at church, and it can happen as adults volunteer a Sunday here and there to speak into these kids lives by being their 'teacher for a Sunday'. I know people oftentimes don't think of themselves as a teacher and it may in fact not be your gifting. However love is the trump card, and we can all do that! So rather than signing up to teach for a Sunday, why not sign up to 'love for a Sunday' and spend some time loving on those kids. Let me know or Lori Mynczywor know and we will put you in contact. You can give up a sermon for a Sunday, and both the kids and me will love you for it!

A Season of Preparation

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season for us in the West. There are of course many different traditions that try to give emphasis to this season, and we have some of our own. First of all, we will have Rice Bowls available this Sunday and through the remainder of Lent. The idea behind the rice bowls is to go without or go with lesser (a meal a week with rice) to remind ourselves of the passion of Christ and the coming celebration of Easter. You could fast and pray, observe special times of devotion...the point is to attune ourselves to the Savior. While that ought to be our continual goal, we do give it special emphasis and attention during this season. Also, we have some special times for congregational prayer this season. Thursday night for the ladies (7:00 p.m.) and Tuesday mornings for the guys (5:30 a.m.) both at the Ministry Centre. Hopefully you will engage the season and together we can prepare our hearts for the coming of Messiah. He is risen!

More fundraising fun!

My hair is blond! Actually some say yellow, others orange...whatever it is it is time for a change. This Friday it will change. You can get in on the change by buying a chance to either help make the change or direct someone in how you would like the change to be made. It works like this: we are collecting $10 per chance and then putting all names in a hat. The name drawn on Friday evening will either get to do the clipping or direct someone to do the clipping of my hair in any pattern or design desired! Penny Deters is coordinating this effort and can be reached at penny.deters@aol.com
So what's the deal? Another fundraiser for a poor church in need? Actually, we are raising the money to go to Beau Polensky for costs associated with his medical needs. A benefit was held in Alexandria Sunday January 31st, and the money raised for this segment of the hair challenge will all go to his benefit. So I would encourage you to get involved, have fun, and help Beau!

Fundraising Fun

It was very gratifying to me that we were able to raise over $700 for the Huston benefit (and that number is still growing) and to know that it only cost about $6 to get blond hair! Thanks to all who have participated and also be sure to mark your calendar for January 17th for the benefit fundraiser happening at Paul's Paradise in Albany from 10-2. We are praying for you Tim and Jen!

A New Year's Challenge

I have decided to have a little fun with helping to meet a need, and to try to make a different point at the same time. Sauk Centre resident and actually a neighbor of mine, Jen Huston, was in a serious accident that has left her needing ongoing physical therapy, and has left her and her husband Tim with the loss of their unborn child. Tough times. There is a benefit fundraiser coming up and of course we want to help. So, I have challenged the young people of Harvest Community Church to collect money with the top fundraiser having the opportunity to pick the color of my hair! Time is running out on the challenge as money has to be raised by Saturday afternoon, January 2nd. What color will win? Come find out Sunday morning! If you want to find a kid to join in the challenge, email me and I will pass on the names of those I know are trying to win pastorcarlyn@harvestcomchurch.org Another point I am making with the coloring of my hair is the radical/revolutionary message of Jesus. We are beginning a sermon series through the gospel of Luke this Sunday, and no, colored hair is really radical or revolutionary, but it is different (at least for a pastor) and can maybe jump start our thinking about the person of Christ and the absolutely revolutionary nature of His life and message. Hope to see you soon!