As I’ve journeyed down this road to start a new church, I’m often asked, “Who are you targeting?”

My response: People.

People who want to discover the lives they were meant to live. People who have honest questions about God, Christianity, and life in general. People who are dealing with real life issues and need direction. People who are fed up with plastic religion. People who want to experience authentic community. People who may be stuck in a rut and tired of going through the motions. People who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People who desire to be real with themselves, others, and God.

People just like you and me.

We’re not about religion. We’re not about picket signs. We’re not about political parties. We’re about Jesus and people. It really is that simple. We’re certainly not going to be the perfect church, but we will strive to do whatever it takes to connect the unchanging truth of Jesus to an ever-changing culture.

Starting right here in the Black Hills.

So I’ll let you in on the plan. Our goal is to launch Project Church publicly in the fall of 2008- right in the heart of Rapid City. In the meantime, we’re gathering people to help make this a reality- which we’re calling the launch team. Perhaps you’d like to join us from the beginning. If so, give us a shout at projectchurch@gmail.com

If you want to discover more, check out projectchurch.net

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Planting a church is like a yo-yo. In the same day I can be greatly encouraged and terribly discouraged. In the same day I’m told, “You can” and later told by someone else, “You can’t.” Ups and downs abound.

But I’ll tell you what drives me: The call.

• The call to help people live the lives they are meant to live.
• The call to see thousands come to believe and love Jesus.
• The call to ignite a movement that will turn a city upside-down.
• The call to shake the tree of complacency.
• The call to ensure that no child or adult in our reach goes hungry.
• The call to see others discover their calling- and answer it.
• The call to see young men be the most likely to go to church rather than the least likely.
• The call to see people be married and stay married.
• The call to help parents love and train their kids the right way.
• The call to help people discover that their talents are God-given and to actually use them.
• The call to show people that it’s never too late to become what they might have been.
• The call to see people freed from addiction, pain, shame, and religion.
• The call to change the way people think about church.
• The call to plead for no wasted lives.
• The call to see a generation arise from this city that will authentically and passionately follow Jesus.
• The call to love God and people recklessly.
• The call to multiply- Christ followers, leaders, and churches.
• The call to see dad’s become the pastor of their families.
• The call to be a church where no one stands alone.
• The call to do whatever it takes to see this happen.

I don’t know why God called me to this. There are many people who are far more impressive than I am. But the call is what drives me. This is why we’re planting a church. Not because I woke up on morning with a great idea- but because God said so. And I know this- I can’t do this alone. It’s going to take people who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

If you pray, please pray for Project Church to become what God wants us to be. If you don’t pray, now is a good time to begin.

We’ve only just begun…

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• Lots of emails and comments about my post on the American Idol contestants singing, “Shout to the Lord.” I like how they sang the song again last night and inserted, “Jesus” in the song (which was omitted on Idol Gives Back).  Did they sing that song simply to appeal to the wallets of Christians? Probably. But regardless, I think it’s great anytime Jesus is lifted up.
• My little brother Josh inspires me.
• I get to play virtual golf tonight on a double date with some friends. I’ve never done it. I will probably suck, but it should be fun.
• I’m very curious to read the article in our local newspaper tomorrow featuring Project Church.
• Speaking of Project Church, I’m hoping to more people will be a part of our launch team. People who want to make an impact and be a part of something special and bigger than themselves.
• I’m meeting with the management of the facility I hope our church will meet in when we launch in September.  The vibe really matches us. I wish I could tell you where- but you know how these things go.
• I’m preaching at a local church this weekend and I’m looking forward to it.  I will be on my best behavior.  I think.
• One of my favorite blogs these days- WalktheRazor.com Check it out.

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“Are you an emerging church?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions other Christians and pastors have about Project Church.

My response is usually, “Define emerging church.” Which is usually met with silence but sometimes a lengthy, incoherent explanation is provided which tells me they aren’t really sure themselves.

If by emerging church you mean doing whatever it takes (short of sinning) to connect people with the life-changing, unchanging truth of Jesus- then YES!

If by emerging church you mean questioning, or flat-out denying, essentials truths of Jesus just to connect with people- then NO!  In fact, any church that can’t even proclaim Jesus as God and Savior- is no church at all. Not even an emerging church.

Again, the difficulty with the emerging church is in it’s definition. It’s like an amoeba. The definition five years ago isn’t the same as it is today.

I’m not big on labels- but if people wanted to label Project Church I’d rather it be called a “missional church.” In fact, all Christians are missionaries- right where they are.  And as a church, we definitely want to relate the unchanging message into an everchanging culture. That’s what we mean by being relevant. But relevance doesn’t mean you change the message to relate to culture. Relevance means you reveal how the message relates to culture. Big difference.

So are we an emerging church?

Give me a clear definition and I’ll let you know.

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Project Church is an experiment that begins with the “What if?” question.

Tonight, it wasn’t just me asking the question, it was the team. One of my goals as the leader of this baby is for others to own the vision. That Project Church would move from an idea and dream God gave me to a mission and a passion God also ignites in others.

As we envisioned what church could and should be, we expressed it with post-it notes. Click on the picture below for a closer look.

We asked- If we center Project Church around the person and work of Jesus- the real Jesus- then what could and should a church look like? I love what the team, including the kids, came up with. I know the posterboard is a bit ghetto- but the hearts of the people are real.

These first steps go a long way in creating the DNA of Project Church. You gotta love it!

Next Week’s Gathering: 10 Lies/Misperceptions about Jesus, Church, and Christianity. It should be quite interesting. Don’t miss it!

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• What is church but a bunch of imperfect, flawed people gathering together to discover the One who isn’t?
• Planting a church is peculiar to the average person.
• The church was never meant to be an institution but a movement.
• Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing people settle for less than their potential. Why do they do it? Why do I?
• Authenticity is hard.
• Building a community of authentic people is tougher than a two dollar steak.
• There needs to be a detox for Christians to get the weird off of them.
• How do you change perceptions about church without ticking off other churches?
• No one should stand alone.  I knew it- but I’m just now getting it.
• If you stripped religion from church all you would be left with is Jesus.

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Last night we had our initial gathering for those interested in being a part of PROJECT CHURCH. In all, there were 17 people (including kids) who came to our home to eat, hang out, and discover more about the vision and mission of the church.

I referenced the film, “The Guardian” starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher and connected it to Luke 15: 1-6 and the parable of the lost sheep. Costner’s character was a legendary rescue diver who only kept track of the people he lost rather than the people he saved. Likewise, Jesus talked about a shepherd who went after the one sheep who was lost rather than the 99 who were not.

My hope and prayer is for that to be the heartbeat of PROJECT CHURCH because it was, and is, the heartbeat of Jesus.

This is why we want to be a church for people who don’t dig church.

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In three days, we have our first launch party for Project Church.

Even though we’re months away from a public launch- I’m starting to get that “I’m so excited but I want to throw up” feeling about this first gathering. I find myself praying the prayer that Astronaut Alan Shephard prayed shortly before the launch of Freedom 7 in 1961.

“Please, dear God, don’t let me screw up!”

When the conception of a dream takes its first breath of infancy, it’s really something special. I hope everyone has an opportunity to experience it at some point in their lives.

Sunday is just around the corner. Contact me if you plan on coming.

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This is just the beginning!

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