the Low Down

I Walked My Block

I just got back from my Walk The Block prayer time.  I took 15 minutes and just …well, walked my block.  I started off asking God to give me a heart to care more and be more active in the lives of all these people around me.  House after house after house, I felt forced and kinda like it was an assignment until it clicked.  It wasn’t about doing more it was about Him giving me a clearer view of why it was so important and making me into the type of man that would just do it naturally.  So then house after house I wondered who lived there and what were their lives like. 

It started to get overwhelming because my life is already pretty packed and I neglect more people than I care to admit.  Sorry Family.  So I just started to ask questions. 

Me:  As a pastor and a member of Your Church God, what am I supposed to do? Here is what immediately came to mind:

God: intertwine your life with others.  Not just church folk but people living near by.  Become friends and take a genuine interest in their companionship and how I (God) has created them.  Get to know them well enough to know their story.  Their highs in life their lows.  Their likes and their dislikes. 

Me:  OK OK but there are like 500 people on my block alone, how can I possibly make a difference? 

God: be steady and take your time.  Its an investment.  These people will bring quality to your life.  Just see what I can do over time if you make this part of your lifestyle.  Oh and Low…  Train my people to do the same.  Pastor them to care about others and teach them how to do it naturally.  YOU MODEL IT!

Me: Ok but you have to help me figure out what that looks like.

The rest of my walk became a brainstorm session as I started to see a glimpse of what could be.  The truth is that we Christians posses the most incredible gift that we could ever recieve.  Forgiveness, salvation, relationship with an almighty God and companionship and all the power we could ever need in His spirit.  But other people dont seem to want it!  Why?  Well thats the question of the millenium and if I figure it out I’ll write a book and make more than you do! 

People dont want it because we dont have permission to tell them and most of us dont know how to explain Jesus in a way that is actually attractive to the average peson. 

People dont want to hear about sin and their failures.  People dont want to be told what they should do.  People dont even want to hear about heaven.  But I’ll tell you what people do want to hear.  People want to hear that they matter. That there is an answer to their lonliness. That they do not have to be ashamed of past decissions.  People want to hear that they are not failures.  That they are worthy of being loved.  That they are important not becuase of what they have but because of who they are.  People want to be showed that they are loved. 

As I write that I’m having an aha moment that maybe we need to show our neighbors that we love them before they will hear that God loves them. 

I want my neighbors to know they matter, dont you?  So here are some ideas of how to get started.  Bake cookies and knock on their door.  Plan an open house and invite people on your street.  Invite specific peopel to have a meal with you.  By the way I plan on doing all these things as well.  Find out what their favorite movie is and invite em over to watch it. 

Now here is something I cant believe I’m writing.  Dont go telling them all about Jesus.  Pace yourself.  Let it come up in conversation but you are not having a movie and popcorn so you can convert them by the end of the credits.  Enjoy their company and make new friends.  They will know soon enough that not only do you follow Christ but that you are a safe place to share their lives with including questions about your faith.  Start simply and plan for a long friendship where lives are shared.

Pastor Low

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One OF millions…one IN a Million

One of millions…one in a Million

 

The streets are bumpy, there is dirt everywhere.  It looks like a wind storm has blown through leaving a brown coat on everything from the streets to cars and even the wall of the homes.  It is dry and at times you have to be very intentional about taking a deep breath because the air quality.  We are driving through narrow neighborhoods made of brick cinder blocks, metal siding and occasional fiberglass rooftop.  There is garbage in the streets and the crumbled stone of broken walls lay crumbled on the sidewalks.  Rivers of murky water run down from the streets above. 

We make our way up street after street.  Then we stop.  We have come to the house of a teenage boy in need of a wheelchair.  We scale down stones to get to his front door and are met by his mother who looks excited but overwhelmed with so many people in her modest home.  Her home has wall of brick and a floor of cement.  The front door consist of pieces of plywood that swing freely on make shift hinges.  A curtain draped from the ceiling acts as a back door.  The space is cold and dark.  The roof is made of metal sheets that keep the weather out but it keeps the cold dampness in.  There is no furniture just pieces of various junk being used as places to sit or lean on.  In the corner there is a small figure who slowly stands up to cautiously greet us.  It is her father a man in his 70’s.  From a nook off the living room we hear sounds of a young man.  He is in his room which is simply a brick closet.  Just enough room for a cot.  There is no light except that coming from the one lamp in the entire structure.  This cot is where this young man spends his life.  Not just where he sleeps, not just where he hangs out, not just where he goes when he wants to be alone.  It is where he spends his entire life.  He has no control over his legs, he has advanced Cerebral Palsy.  He is too heavy for his mom and aging grandfather to take him out of his room.  He cannot speak or make eye contact.   When we lifted him into his new wheelchair it was the first time he had been off his bed since he was a young boy.  He was scared with all of us being there and he clung tight to his mother.  But he was excited.  His mother told us he was content and she began to see what is possible for her son now.

            This stirred up many emotions.  It seemed so overwhelming to make a difference.  This was one child of possibly millions of children in need.  He still will struggle with his condition and it will take enormous support from the neighbors to get this boy out of the house.  How many more like him are out there?  Where do you begin?  Then it hit me.  It may seem overwhelming to us but to them their world just became brighter.  It became more accessible.  We added to their joy by being a messenger of God bringing them the gift of mobility.

            Yes this young boy is one OF millions in need. 

But this young boy is one IN a million.

We were able to show him love and that is the gift we get when we go out and choose to be a blessing to others.  We are blessed.

 Pastor Low

$5 Can Go A Long Way

What can you get for $5 dollars?

• A matinee movie ticket if your lucky
• A cheese burger deal from In-N-Out
• A smoothie with a protein boost
• A venti Caramel Machiado
• A greeting card that you can brighten someone’s day with

 

I have another way to brighten someone’s day for $5. 

• Send me to Peru instead of a greeting card.
• We will help at a medical clinic
• We will give malaria pills and other vaccinations
• We will play with kids at orphanages and give them basic supplies
• We will work with abused women giving them so hope for tomorrow
• We will pass out free wheelchairs to the handicapped  LEARN MORE

 

God has blessed me with so many good friends and so many acquaintances over the past several years.  Rather than ask a few people to give much,  I want to ask a multitude to chip in $5 so we can go change the lives of those in need.

You can give online by filling out a form.  It’s secure, somewhat quick, and can be done right from your computer.

My total need is $2000 that covers airfare, lodging, food and supplies needed to care for our Peruvian neighbors.  The trip is 7 days long and our time there will forever change the lives of several people.  I look forward to coming back with stories of how your $5 changed lives.

Giving on line:

Click on this link:Online Donations  

Step 1:  Fill in your information

Step 2:  Designate Global Outreach – Trips

Mission Trip Name: Peru Fall

Team Member name: Low Norris

Step 3: Fill in your financial information

Step 4: In the Additional Information area, list again Peru Trip, Low Norris

Thanks for your help!

If you have any questions please write me at lnorris@marinerschurch.org

Pastor Low

Out Of Control

I have an ability, a flaw, a defect, a gift to be somewhere doing something but at the very same time be somewhere totally different.  Come on you know what I’m talking about.  For instance sitting in the living room talking on the phone with your friend or family member.  But at the very same time you are watching the game or your favorite makeover show on TV.  I know I’m not the only one…for the record I’m getting much better.  Or how about standing and talking to someone and you feel your phone vibrate in your pocket and you are trying to figure out when it wouldn’t be rude to grab your phone to check your messages.  Boy I’m not painting myself in the best light here am I?   

This week I have been going through the motions here at work but my mind has not always been fully present with what I was doing.  The dominant thought in my head is An Elder Board meeting happening this Sunday night.  Its not our Church’s board but another church who has a big decision to make. 

Will they let us lease a church site that they own that is available for weekend services? 

I have been mentally grinding for 4 months trying to locate and negotiate a place for our campus to meet at. At this moment in time I feel powerless, I feel helpless and I feel Out of control.  I’m trying not to get too emotionally invested or excited about this potential location because there is no guarantee we will get it.  On the other hand I want this site so bad I can visualize all the people coming through its doors to find community and most importantly Jesus. 

So I sit here feeling out of control but knowing even in the midst of the uncertainty that God is doing exactly what He has planned.  With that little pearl of truth I can be excited about whatever the outcome of this Sunday’s meeting. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 ⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Pastor Low

 

Makes It All Worth While

I sat in the City Planning offices for an hour the other day.  Everyone is there with the same goal in mind. ” To get their plans approved.”  Plans for building, homes, backyards, decks, you name it people are trying to get it approved.   The room is filled with a wide range of characters.  There are guys with work boots, guys with top siders.  Guys with dirty clothes, guys in suits.  Guys with hard hats and guys with comb overs. 

Now if you have ever been in the City Planning Department at Huntington Beach one of the first things you will notice is that they know their clientele and how to keep them calm. On the wall in plain site is a nice plasma TV with Sportcenter beaming in all its glory.  I didn’t watch it even for one second.  I was on the clock and working if anyone asks.

When it my my turn I walked up to ask some questions about parking and traffic restrictions for 3 sites that were are pursuing.  My questions were answered with percision and clarity that impressed me.  At first I was discouraged because I did not get the answers I wanted.  Again everyone is trying to get their plans approved, but sometimes I really would rather just get my way.  Is that too much to ask?

So I had to regroup.  With the occasional set backs its difficult to keep in mind why we are doing this.  Luckily God is a master at giving us just what we need just at the right time.  when I got back to my desk I had a voicemail from a lady by the name of Trisha.  Trisha’s message simply said that she had heard that I was starting a church in Huntington Beach.  She was so excited because her kids and grand kids all live in Huntington Beach.  She went on to say that she “really hopes that this new church is like Mariners Church because that is where she attends now” and she “just loves it.”

Hearing that voicemail from Trisha makes it all worth while.  It is an encouragement to navigate all the obstacles so that her family will have a chance to become a key part of our new community.  A community where kids can come with their parents and people can find God in a real way.  How fun is that?

So bring it on Planning department…we have more tricks up our sleeves.  Before I get too brave and macho I could use your prayers in this area.  Prayer that our minds would be sharp, our preparation would be thorough and that God would go before us and soften the hearts of people who have an influence in this process.  Till next time.

Pastor Low

Multi Site Churches: Trendy or Transforming?

     

There is a new trend in the Christian community across our country and beyond.  Some churches are calling them satellite churches, campuses, multisite locations, or even venues. Over the past couple months I have had the opportunity to get a first hand look at nearly 2 dozen churches that utilize this new model of church to minister to their communities.

I noticed incredible diversity during my travels.  I have attended services in Elementary schools, Middle schools, high schools, cafeterias, theaters, performing art centers, auditoriums, Shared churches, shopping malls, business parks, charter schools, gymnasiums, and even a library.  These congregations ranged in attendance from 200 all the way up to 1400 on an average weekend.  Some people wore ties others wore tee shirts. Some sported wingtips and others flip flops.  I saw pressed slacks, designer jeans, wranglers and everything in between.  And that was just the Pastors. 

With all the diversity there were many constants.  The teaching was strong, the worship was engaging, the people were friendly and the churches are growing.  More people are finding a spiritual home, and more people are becoming more fully devoted followers of Christ.  This was such an encouragement to see God stirring in the lives of so many people from so many different walks of life in so many different parts of this country. 

Multisite churches are an effective way of extending the message of Hope in Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit into neighborhoods that are desperately in need of the Love of God.  They are utilizing the giftedness of their church leaders to reach an entirely new population of people. 

Now it is not all roses when it comes to this new ministry approach.  In my journeys I did stumble across a few ineffective efforts.  I want to be clear that this is not as simple as opening up the doors of a School cafeteria and presto a Thriving God centered community is born.

 There are certain areas that are critical in the success of a Satellite campus:

It takes an acute awareness of our churches core competencies.  The question has to be asked. “Where is the Holy Spirit working in our church?”  Is it in the Plasma TV’s or in the stories of growth that are told through them?  Is it in the height of our ceilings or in the altitude of our prayers?  Is it in the number of Parking spaces or the number of Godly men and women who use them to gather with the body of believers?  Is it in the wide variety of ways we serve our local community or in the wide variety of gifts we serve our community with?  Is it the size of our children’s building or the size of the hearts of our adults who serve the kids who walk through he doors?  As we identify the DNA of our church we can have confidence in what we need to bring to the Satellite campus

It takes excellent organization and execution of ministry.  There must be a readiness for the flock that Jesus brings through the doors.  The weekend services have to be well thought out and Small groups need to be prepared to embrace all our visitors that are thirsting for a deeper connection to God and His people.

It takes genuine love and hospitality  Big or small, elaborate or simple, fancy or modest, humorous or reflective the one key ingredient to draw people into the congregation and God’s family was the welcoming factor of the people interacting with visitors and members alike.  All the bells and whistles couldn’t match the effectiveness of genuinely welcoming and loving people who petition for the people of that community through prayer.

It takes desperate dependence on prayer and the Holy Spirit.  No matter how well thought out our plans are or how bulletproof our research is, our steps must be guided by the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 127:1 reads “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless.” I have seen great facilities feel dead and lousy spaces overflow with life.  I have reviewed elaborate plans that never got off the ground and I have seen congregations thrive despite botched plans.  It is the Lords house to build and we need to rely on Him for each brick.

        This is an exciting time in the life of our church and in the Christian community.  In the months to come the leadership of Mariners church will be working diligently and praying frequently about God’s design for our Satellite Campus. We look forward to seeing how God will use our efforts to reach further into our communities and transform lives.

 

Pastor Low

Great People, Great Time

Last night we had some Great People gather for a Great Time at Kristeen and David’s home for a great time of sweets and supplication…Wow that’s cornier than usual.  Well it’s true we had a few tasty desserts but plenty of time in prayer as well. 

 

We looked at Matthew 9:35-38.  Most of our night was spent understanding how we need to plead to God that he sends workers into His fields.  We discussed what we can do to make sure we are in alignment with God to gather the sheep in this new ministry effort.  It was eye opening and encouraging to be reminded of what we are here to do.

 

We are here to Love, be in relationship and bring glory to God.   It is all about Jesus!!!! 

Here are some of the prayer requests that surfaced from our discussion.

 

Pray for wisdom

Pray for diversity of workers

Pray that we serve passionately

Pray for awareness of the sheep

Pray for the workers He will send

Pray that we walk with the Sheep

Pray that we walk with the workers

Pray for endurance and preservation

Pray for personal connection to God

Pray for humility and God’s direction

Pray for being teachable and guidable

Pray for good communication with God

Pray we surrender to His creative power

Pray we keep relationship a high priority

Pray for readiness to do the work necessary

Pray for openness to failure and the lessons in it

Pray for the Harvest time and our ability to be patient then diligent

Pray for the hiring of the staff (Worship Director and Childrens Director)

 

 

It’s Not About ME

Last week I was preparing for a message I was teaching out of Genesis Chapter 3.  I was thinking about what a raw deal sin is and how it seperates us from God and each other.  Then like a wave of reality it washed over me.  I’ve always looked at sin from the standpoint of what it has robbed me of.  But what about what it has robbed God of? 

I have people that I miss.  People that I have loved that now I don’t get to enjoy their company or even friendship now.  That annoying void in my heart can at times be painful and even draw out emotions that I didn’t realize were so close to the surface.  If I have such a sense of longing and pain about loss in my life, I cant begin to comprehend the sense of longing and loss that God must have. 

If His love is complete and immersurable, His sense of Loss must be on a level that is equally immeasurable.  Even worse that sense of loss and heartache is for billions of people.  I hope I can understand more deeply and sharply the effect that our sin has on God.  I hope that understanding results in a more passionate effort to reunite my fellow mankind to their Father who longs for their homecoming.

Pastor Low

Prayer Meeting Scheduled

Every few weeks we make an effort to gather together and share updates regarding the launch of our new Satellite Campus for Mariners.  We spend time praying about the vision and details of the site as well as praying for all of us who are involved in this exciting new style of ministry. 

People can get involved in several different ways.  They Can:

• Sign up to recieve Prayer updates
• Sign up for attending prayer meetings
• Sign up to help organize prayer effort

In order to create some momentum We have another time of prayer and connection scheduled for Tuesday night August 26^th from 7-9pm.

We are joining at the Home of Kristeen and David Espinoza. They live in Santa Ana near South Coast Plaza

If you would like to join us as we pray for God’s direction and protection regarding our First Satelite Campus please contact me at lnorris@marinerschurch.org  

Please bring a dessert if you can.  Please RSVP. I hope you can join us. 

The last few weeks have been moving very fast and I am poised and ready to connect with a dozen principals next week as they return from Summer break.  I am ready but anxious about those conversations but am leaning on Him directing our path.  I could use your prayers for strength and optimism.  Joshua 1:9 is comforting me and I draw power from His promise.  I look forward to seeing you all.