Pastor's Blog

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I will Build My Church

The beginning of the school year and the onset of fall may put us in mind to reconsider our priorities, refocus on our purpose and get reacquainted with our routines. Even if we have the privilege of being retired, the changing of the seasons affords an opportunity for reflection on our life’s direction and purpose. In that spirit, it seems to me to be a good time to reflect as well on the direction and purpose of our life together as Central Congregational Church.

In Matthew chapter 16, we find Jesus with his disciples in the city of Caesarea Philippi in the northern part of Israel – a strategic outpost of the Roman Empire, to the point of the title, Caesar, being appended to the original name of the city. It is not an accident that it is in this location that Jesus questions his disciples as to what the word on the street is about who Jesus really is, as by then Jesus’ teaching and miracles had gained him widespread notoriety.

After the disciples report on what they’ve heard about Jesus through the local gossip – including that Jesus is the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah – Jesus more pointedly asks his closest followers, “But what about you?... Who do you say that I am?” At which point the Apostle Peter unsurprisingly speaks out boldly for the whole group by declaring that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Then, after noting that Peter and the disciples didn’t come to this accurate conclusion by their own wisdom but rather by revelation from God, Jesus makes a bold and revolutionary pronouncement. In the very shadow of the Roman Empire, Jesus affirms that he is indeed the Son of God – which also makes him the rightful ruler, not Caesar – and that upon Peter’s confession of this fact and Jesus’ followers continued confession of his Lordship throughout the centuries, he will build his church, “and the gates of hell will not overcome it”.

Beyond Summer Reading

After months of rain, cold, and gloomy weather, sunny, summer days are finally upon us. I know a few of you enjoy the cool, cloudy days, but I think I speak for most of us when I say, Thank you, Jesus, for the sunshine!

Looking forward to a vacation, or at least a bit slower pace to our days, our thoughts turn to various forms of relaxation. For many of us, this includes a summer reading list, and there is no shortage of suggestions in magazines, newspapers and newsfeeds this time of year. If this is you, as you compile your summer reading list, don't overlook the ultimate treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration—the Bible. Whether you are a person of faith or simply curious about the world's most influential book, including the Bible in your summer reading can unlock a realm of profound insights and timeless narratives.

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Rumors of Revival

Revive v.: to return to life: become active or flourishing again.

On February 8th at Asbury University, a Christian school in Wilmore, Kentucky, a revival-like phenomenon broke out. At the end of a typical chapel service that some students attend mainly to fulfill their required chapel quota for the semester, many students felt prompted to return for an extended time of worship and prayer. This unplanned and mostly unguided spiritual gathering has lasted more than 400 hours, attracted tens of thousands of visitors, and become the topic of national and global attention and debate. I use the term, revival-like, in an attempt to tread carefully among the opinions of both the critics and the champions of whatever it is that is happening at Asbury. Whatever is happening at Asbury, I’m confident from the reports I’ve read and second-hand accounts that have been passed on to me that the ongoing gathering is genuinely spontaneous and seems free of manipulation and exploitation.

Ten Years and Counting

At the end of 2012 and into the beginning of 2013, after ten years of fruitful ministry, growing fellowship and meaningful outreach, our time at our previous church was coming to a rather unexpected end. I was the worship leader and the Associate Pastor for a small but growing congregation near what was then Qualcomm Stadium, and when it became clear that a change was coming, Rhonda and I found ourselves in a rather anxious state of Limbo. We knew it was time to move on, but we had no clear sense of where God was moving us to.

As we began to pray and explore options, the opportunity to interview for the pastorate at a church north of LA, in Agoura Hills, presented itself. At first, this seemed like an ideal possibility, as Agoura Hills is just twenty minutes south of Ventura, where Rhonda and I grew up, and where much of our family still lives. However, after dinner and a question-and-answer time with the church's leadership and their spouses, it became clear to them – and later to us – that after twenty years in the area, we were not ready to sever our San Diego roots.

During this time of searching and uncertainty, I was driving with my good friend, Don Brennan, through La Mesa and we happened to pass by Central Congregational Church. Though I had certainly driven by the church multiple times, I had never noticed it. Don had recently installed a new sound system for CCC, and knowing both the church’s situation and ours, casually mentioned, You should be the pastor of that church.

The Means of Grace

Welcome to 2023! Have you made any resolutions? Have you broken any yet?

While New Year’s resolutions may not be your thing, most of us seem to head into the new year with some intention to do and/or be better. This year I’m going to eat less and walk more; watch less TV and read more; spend less and save more. And from this list and the many more good intentions we could add, getting into shape seems regularly to come out on top.

Like many of you, taking better care of my physical body is an ongoing goal and a continuing struggle. And while I want to be a good steward of the body God has blessed me with, I am both comforted and challenged by Paul’s words to his young protégé, Timothy:

…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:7–8 (NIV).

First, Paul affirms the value of caring for our bodies. I think we could extrapolate that Paul would affirm the value of many of our new year’s goals and much that is touted in today’s self-care movement. Jesus himself when questioned regarding the greatest commandment, asserted that to love God with all your heart, soul and mind is the first and greatest commandment. It is not doing a disservice to this commandment to argue that loving God with everything we have and are involves taking care of our bodies and managing our time and finances well, among other disciplines.

Pastor's Blog

I will Build My Church

Beyond Summer Reading

Rumors of Revival

Ten Years and Counting

The Means of Grace

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