Why I Blog . . . and why other Pastors should too!

Ok, I have been thinking a lot about this blogging thing. I have been encouraged by the many at Grace and beyond who have found my blog in just a short week and a half. It's made me think, "Why am I doing this?" Here are five reasons I have come up with so far. . . .

1. Inreach: This was my original aim. I thought blogging could be another way to connect to the Grace Church, SLO family. Its working. Blogging has allowed me to reach into the congregation and connect with some I haven't before. I'm encouraged by this and excited about the potential. I want to encourage more posting by those who are logging on. Share your thoughts and reactions. My posts are meant to be conversation starters. A conversation goes two ways. Let's explore, contemplate and pursue about what it means to live "life together" in Jesus Christ.

2. Outreach: Beyond the Grace community, I see blogging as a way to connect to the broader community on the Central Coast and the broader internet community throughout the world. The blogoshere is definitely a weird thing. Other blogs know when you link to them. (I discovered this last week, when I mentioned Stones Cry Out with a link. The same day, Stones Cry Out linked to my blog. Blew me away!) From what I can tell so far, there aren't tons of bloggers on the Central Coast, but I think there should be. Start your own blog. Shout out to other Central Coast Pastors: Start blogging!

3. Outlet: As a Pastor giving leadership to a growing church, there is all kinds of information that I would like to share, but till now, I had no regular easy way to communicate it Blogging has given me an outlet and channel for that information. For those who attend Grace, you know that I am always tucking stuff into the benediction at the end of our worship services. Think of my blog as a "Virtual Benediction."

4. Exercise: Mental jumping jacks. Consistent blogging forces me to THINK. Thinking is good. What am I going to post next? What does the congregation need to know? What am I thinking about in the back of my head? In this way, blogging is sort of a jounal and stream of consciousness. Hopefully a useful one for you. Blogging is a good discipline for me.

5. Engagement: There's a big worldwide conversation happening here on the internet. The conversation is an expression of culture and multiple worldviews. As Christians, I believe we are called to engage culture, to enter into the conversation. Blogging is one of the many ways to engage the culture. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world. . . Let your light shine before men, in such a way, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Blogging is one way to let my light shine.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. . . Pastor Tim

Book Recommendation: The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos

At the Sunday School Teachers Luncheon last week, I mentioned the chidren's Bible we use around our dinner table with our family. Some of you have asked about it, so here it is. It's called the The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos. The reason I like and use this Bible, is because Mrs. Vos gets it! She understands that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the Scriptures. She ties all the little stories of the Bible back to the BIG STORY of the Bible, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just last night we were reading about Balaam and his donkey, and sure enough, Vos mentions Balaam's prophecy about "a star that shall come forth from Jacob" (Numbers 24:17) and rightly identifies this star as Jesus.

I want my children and the children of Grace to know all the little stories, but more than that, I want them to know and believe, by faith, the BIG STORY!

Ravi Zacharias at the Mormon Tabernacle

This will be old news for some, especially all you experienced bloggers who are coming from the Stones Cry Out link (thanks Rick and to the rest of you, thanks for stopping by) . . . . On November 14, 2004, Ravi Zacharias had the opportunity to speak at the Mormon Tabernacle! The longer I think about this, the more amazed I get. Here are links to two letters reflecting on the event, one from Ravi himself and the other from Craig Hazen , who also participated in the event. I have mentioned this amazing happening to a few here at Grace, but this needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

On the Whimsical Side of Life. . . .

One of the blogs I read is Stones Cry Out. This week they had this silly list entitled, 35 Facts You Were Perfectly Happy Not Knowing. Check it out. . . . Its Friday!

The Delicate Area of Biblical Stewardship. . .

Are you familiar with our growing set of Ministry Brochures? These brochures are a source of important information regarding the ministries at Grace Church, SLO. The Financial Trustees have been busily working on a new brochure entitled "Grace Stewardship" that will serve as introduction to our church's finances. I was asked to write the introductory paragraph. We want all to know and understand our commitment to this area. I want you to know. Here's what I wrote. . .

Welcome to Grace! We believe that living by faith in Jesus Christ involves every area of our lives including our finances, how we view and spend money. While God does not need our money, He does want our hearts. . . and our hearts are tied to our money. Jesus said "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Mt. 6:21). A biblical understanding of money begins with the truth that we and all that we possess belongs to God in the first place. He is the owner and we are His faithful managers.

What is true for us individually is also true corporately. Grace Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He owns us, our facilities, our resources and ministries. Here at Grace, we desire to be faithful, open and accountable in this vital area of financial stewardship. Obviously, it takes finances to run any organization and a church is no exception. We believe your giving to the Lord and His work here at Grace is an investment in eternity! We want you to be able to give joyfully, liberally, and faithfully. This brochure is intended to be your introduction to this important area of finances at Grace Church. We hope that it answers some of your questions and perhaps raises additional questions. Please feel free to ask those questions at any time. --Pastor Tim Theule

Congratulations to Kate & Travis Hasson

I'm discovering that blogs have all kinds of uses! How about New Baby Announcements here at Grace Church, SLO? Receieved this from Jim Jeffrey, one of our faithful elders. We rejoice with Grandparents, Jim & Donna Jeffrey, and Parents, Kate & Travis.

Hi, everyone!

We're grandparents! Kate delivered last night at 11:23PM (23:23 on the 23rd!). Her name is Suzannah Grace, and she is 8lb. 1oz.

Thanks so much for your prayers, and excitement. Donna and I love you all, and are so happy to have you as family! . . .

With thanks for you!

Jim

Bearing One Another's Burdens

"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." --Galatians 6:2

We found out this week about a family here at Grace whose child had to be hospitalized unexpectedly because of some illness. The problem was we didn't find out until the child had been there a couple of days. As a leadership team, this is an ongoing frustration and challenge for us. We are committed to bearing one another's burdens, but it is impossible to do so when aren't aware of them. Usually, the only way we will know about a congregational need is if YOU share it with someone. Do you have a need? Are you going into the hospital? Are you experiencing some difficult trial? Let us know. Drop one of our staff an email or a voicemail. Believe it or not, we really care!

Let me lead by example. Many of you are asking about Susie's pregnancy and our burden right now. Susie continues to battle "all-day" sickness. It seems to be worse this 4th time around. We're hoping this will all end in 2-4 more weeks. You can pray that it does. Pray, too, that God would encourage Susie's heart and give strength to persevere. Sage, Eden and Zeke are doing great considering, but they definitely miss their mom. Thanks to the many who have brought meals and for your prayers. We give thanks especially for the Valliere Family who have loved us in innumerable ways.

This, too, shall pass. . . . .eventually!

What is the staff at Grace Church, SLO reading?

Thinking more about reading lists, I asked our staff to tell me what they're reading these days. Below are their responses. . .

Pastor Al: The Rise of Evanglicalism by Mark Noll
Pastor Scott: Genesis in Space and Time by Francis Schaeffer, How to Lead Small Groups by Neal McBride, All You Need to Know About Prayer You Can Learn From the Poor by Louise Perrotta.
Pastor Ken: The Missional Church by Darrell Guder, The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel
Debbi Weeks: Seven Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Doctrines that Divide by Erwin Lutzer
Nancy Villa: A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George
Debbie Johnston: Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Robbin Mote: The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Dori Iunker: The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper, Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Steve Dauphin: Heaven by Randy Alcorn, The Pleasures of God by John Piper

Conclusions: Randy Alcorn is red hot. We all have lots of questions about heaven.

Piper & Gallup: A Surprise Endorsement for Doctrine

Randy Alcorn was great a couple of weeks back. My vision is that Grace would become a bastion of expository/biblical teaching on the Central Coast. I would love to get John Piper out here sometime down the road. Steve Potratz, the man with all the connections, says he can pull it off. Go Steve! I love just about everything that comes from Piper's pen. Here's a recent Fresh Words post that I thought was encouraging, entitled "A Surprise Endorsement for Doctrine". Read and enjoy! -- Pastor Tim

On the Reading of Old Books

One of my favorite, most memorable, and useful C.S. Lewis' pieces is a little essay entitled "On the Reading of Old Books" included in the collection, "God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics." It was originally published as the introduction to Athanasius' "On the Incarnation" (itself a GREAT book).

In it, Lewis recommends alternating between old books and new books in our reading "to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds." He argues that old books help us identify and avoid the "mistakes" of our own age, mistakes to which we ourselves are "blind." He says if we must read only the new or the old because of a shortage of time, "I would advise him to read the old."

In this day and age, when we are bombarded by the latest, greatest, newest fad and fancy, Lewis' advice has challenged me to move in a different direction. There is never enough time to read all that I would like to read, so I have recognized the need to be selective in my reading. I really enjoy reading New Books, but have also grown to love Old Books. I try to follow Lewis' advice and I want to encourage you to do the same. I am currently reading Dostoevsky's The Brother's Karamazov. What Old Book have you read lately? Hollar if you need some recommendations! --Pastor Tim

Our Great Children's Sunday School Teachers

I had an opportunity yesterday to attend one of our Children's Sunday School Teachers Luncheons. Dori Iunker, our Children's Ministry Director, puts these on once a quarter or so to nurture and build up our excellent staff of Sunday School Teachers. What a neat group of people doing such an important task. . . .folks who have found their position and are running their patterns here at Grace! There are few things as important as our responsibility to build God's Word into our children, teach them the Gospel and what it means to live by faith. I was asked to do an inservice and my topic was "Exalting, Explaining, and Applying Jesus Christ in our Ministry to Children." We desire to be Gospel-centered in our Children's Ministry as in every other area of our church.

I give thanks for these faithful folks and to Dori who is doing a great job giving leadership to our rapidly growing Children's Ministry. If you don't receive it by mail, be sure to grab a copy of our latest Children's Ministry Newslettter, available in any of our three Ministry Information Racks located in the church office, the ministry center or the worship center foyer.

This Sunday: The Compassion of Jesus

Did you know that by Thursday every week, notes and questions for the coming Sunday's message are already posted on the Grace website at the sermon audio page at http://www.graceslo.org/grow/mp3/ . Yep, its true! This week we return to our study of Matthew's gospel, looking at the compassion of Jesus in Matthew 9:18 - 10:8. This week we will also take communion at the Lord's Table together. Normally we do this each 2nd Sunday of the month, but with Randy Alcorn here last week, we pushed communion to this week. Friday is my day off and the kids and I are heading off to the library. I will not blog on Saturdays so I will see you Sunday!

Film Recommendation: Luther

Susie and I recently watched the DVD release of Luther a couple weeks back after missing it at the Palm in '03. I want to recommend this film to you and your family (probably Jr. High and above). The film does a good job of presenting the life of Luther, his soul struggle and God's power through human weakness. I especially enjoyed the "Here I stand" scene and the scene of Martin preaching to his people.

Click here for more information on the movie and trailers.

It is hard to overestimate the influence and impact of Luther's life and I believe that evangelicals of every generation must study it, because Martin Luther rediscovered the Gospel. If we neglect our history, we risk losing the Gospel again. "One generation BELIEVES the Gospel, the next generation ASSUMES the Gospel, the third generation DENIES the Gospel."

While I am at it, let me go ahead and recommend what R.C. Sproul calls the best written biography of Luther's life entitled "Here I Stand" by Roland Bainton. It's cheap and an excellent read!

How I would love it if hundreds of folks here at Grace would watch the movie and then read the book!

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."

From Ruth Salvador, long-time Grace Missionary

This is from dear Ruth Salvador, serving with husband Ricardo with Tecate Mission and a Grace Missionary for more than 50 years. News and good insights on parenting. Precious lady. Enjoy. P.T.

DEAR TIM,

I WAS SO THRILLED TO HEAR FROM YOU.  WELL, ABOUT THE FIRST MISSIONARY CONFERENCE.  MY FIRST REMEMBRANCE IS WHEN ARTHUR MOUW, FROM BORNEO SPOKE, WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.  BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER IF IT WAS A CONFERENCE, OR JUST A SPECIAL SERVICE AT THAT TIME.  THAT IS WHEN THE LORD FIRST TOUCHED MY HEART STRINGS, ABOUT MISSIONARY SERVICE.  I REMEMBER ALSO A COUPLE FROM SINGAPORE. SEEMS LIKE IT WAS ARTHUR GEE, BUT I COULD BE MISTAKEN ABOUT THAT.

SOUNDS AS IF THERE ARE SOME WONDERFUL ACTIVITIES COMING UP, THAT WILL INCLUDE A LOT OF PEOPLE.  THAT IS REALLY GREAT  I WAS REALLY BLESSED TO HEAR THAT THE CHURCH WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN HELPING PEOPLE IN THE TSUNAMI IN ASIA.  HOW DID YOU CHANNEL IT?  WITH SOME GROUP WORKING THERE OR WHAT?

SEEMS LIKE THE GROWTH GROUPS ARE COMING ALONG GREAT.

I GUESS IT IS WONDERFUL NEWS KNOWING YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE ANOTHER LITTLE ONE.  I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM, FROM GOING THROUGH ALL THAT VAY-VEN OF ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BOTH IN THE MINISTRY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE CHILDREN TO ATTEND TO THEIR NEEDS.  WE HAD FOUR AS WELL, AND WE DECIDED IF WE WERE TO HAVE ANYMORE, WE MIGHT AS WELL, GET WITH IT.   BEFORE I GOT TOOOO OLD.  I KNOW WITH THE BAD 3 MONTHS AT FIRST IT IS MISERY, BUT THANK THE LORD IT ISN'T THE WHOLE 9 MONTHS.  I WILL BE REMEMBERING SUSIE.....I CAN TELL YOU THAT " THIS TOO WILL PASS"  BE HAPPY IN THE EXPERIENCE, AND WHEN THEY ARE GROWING UP, IT WILL GET BETTER FOR A WHILE, AND THEN YOU WILL GET THE WHAMMY YEARS WHEN THEY GET TO BE TEEN AGERS.  BUT TRAINING THEM UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD REALLY PAYS OFF, BECAUSE FROM THAT DEPEND THEIR ATTITUDES ABOUT LIFE.  THE EARLIER YOU START WITH THEM, TEACHING THEM TO NOT MAKE NOISE DURING SERVICES.   RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE AND AUTHORITIES AND THEIR PARENTS.  CONSECRATE THEM TO THE LORD WHILE STILL FORMING, AND YOUR HEART CAN BE AT PEACE.  SOMETIMES THERE ARE HEART ACHES, BUT STILL IT IS ALL WORTH IT.  THE YEARS GO BY LIKE WATER, AND IF YOU CAN KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED THAT HELPS AS WELL.  WELL, ENOUGH ADVICE FROM GRANDMA.

WE KEEP REMEMBERING YOU FOLKS.  THE LORD BE WITH AND BLESS YOU CONTINUALLY.

I GUESS FROM THE PRAYER LETTER YOU HAVE SEEN THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OUR MISSION WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD ON JANUARY 18.  HIS WIFE WILL CONTINUE, WHILE THE BOARD LOOKS FOR A NEW DIRECTOR.  THIS COUPLE HAS BEEN SO LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, REAL PRAYER WARRIORS, ETC.  BUT I NOW THE LORD HAS HIS PURPOSE, SO IF CAN REMEMBER TO PRAYER ABOUT THAT, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.  THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HIM, WAS SUCH A BLESSING.  A REAL CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE.

WE PRAY THAT THE MISSIONARY CONFERENCE WILL BE THE BEST EVER AND THAT MANY WILL BE TOUCHED BY GOD TO SERVE HIM.  THAT THE MESSAGES WILL BE CHALLENGING TO HEARTS, TO PRAY AND GET ACTIVE, INSTEAD OF JUST SPONGING UP WHILE THEY SIT ON THE PEW. 

LOVINGLY,    RUTH SALVADOR

Email to Grace Missionaries

I sent the following email to our Grace missionaries today. I am trying to email them updates every so often. Many of them have described feeling disconnected from Grace. Email a missionary today!

Dear Grace Church Extended Missionary Family,

I am thinking about and praying for you on this cloudy February morning as we quickly move toward our Annual Missions Conference together. I have been wondering what year the first Grace Church Missions Conference was held? Perhaps, our longest missionary, Ruth Salvador, can tell us?

We are looking forward to having a number of you with us for that week beginning February 27. The rest of you we will miss, but remember, as we refocus on our global calling. I thought all of you might appreciate a preview of what will be happening that week, so I have attached our 2005 Missions Conference Brochure.

In light of this years conference, I am most excited about the four short-term trips that are taking shape for 2005. I believe that sending teams of Grace folks around the world is the best way to ignite a passion for missions in a local church. That's what happened to me when I travelled to Kenya on a Jesus Film Summer Project back in 1987!

I thought, too, I would throw out a few other things that are happening around here at Grace and in the life of our family. . .

1. Last weekend, we had best-selling author Randy Alcorn with us. Randy preached in our Sunday Services, but also was the keynote speaker for an equipping seminar entitled "Getting Ready for Heaven" that was intended to set the tone for a county-wide Evangelical outreach happening this Spring. Beginning Easter Sunday, nearly 50 evangelical churches will preach a 4 Sunday sermon series centered on the topic of heaven. Each pastor will use the same message titles, but prepare their own message underneath the titles as the Lord leads. The Heaven series will be promoted using a variety of media outlets. Steve Potratz, CEO of the Parable Group and a Grace Church member is spearheading the whole campaign. Be praying for a mighty work of God here on the Central Coast this Spring!  Randy's seminar and Sunday messages are all available for download on our website at www.graceslo.org. It is so much fun to minister in a community where stuff like this happens!

2. Grace Church has also been privileged to give more than $65,000 toward tsunami relief in East Asia! The Elders designated $50,000 from surplus funds and the congregation has contributed another $16,000+. What a privilege to help those in need and be apart of God's work in that tragedy-stricken part of the world.

3. We continue to experience slow but steady numerical and financial growth here at Grace. We are growing in every age/stage group from young families to older seniors. We are working hard to "make a large church feel like a small church." There are 15 sermon-based Growth Groups meeting this winter and in 2005 we are aiming to see the number of Growth Groups double to 30. We are evaluating our staffing needs as we move forward into all that God might have for us.

4. Personally, it is my joy to inform you that Susie and I are expecting our 4th child in September. As if our lives aren't crazy enough, the Lord is leading us to deeper water! His grace is sufficient. I have been reflecting on God's work in my life and I am convinced His desire has been to move me from order to chaos! Does that resonate with any of you? Someone, please say "yes!" We are excited about this new little gift from God. We would especially appreciate your prayers over the next 6 weeks or so. Susie is very sick and for the most part immobilized in her first trimester of pregnancy.

I think I will end this update here, because they tell me if emails are too long nobody reads them. I hope you've gotten this far and that the news is helpful for you in keeping connected to all that's happening here at Grace. We love you and give thanks for your ministry and your example. Thanks for taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth in obedience to the Lord's great co-mission.

Because of His Grace,

Pastor Tim Theule
Lead Pastor
Grace Church, SLO

Tim Ronda is to blame.

Tim Ronda is to blame for this blog. Last night at AWANA, Tim handed me Hugh Hewitt's Blog. I read with interest and curiosity and was challenged to think about blogging as a means of communication and one more tool that might foster community in our church family and beyond. I will use this blog as a way to communicate thoughts, musings, and important information that I think would be of valuable for the church family at Grace Church, San Luis Obispo. So let's see how this works. Let the fun begin!