When the pieces of your life come together, be they broken ones or otherwise, hang on for the ride!
Everything in me tells me this is going to be wonderfully fun!
Fall 2011, St. Stephens Anglican Church & something Vineyard-ish
Wanting balance and fellowship I responded to an invitation to join a weekly study group. Comprised of local Pastors from various churches they are a solid group following the Liturgical Calender year. They discuss Scripture, Support each other and share ministry. I attend regularly and here I met Paul Orritt of St.Stephens Anglican Church.
Paul and I found we had many things in common. The first time I met with him privately at his church office I was stunned: He had row upon row of books, videos, teaching tapes and seminar syllabuses by John Wimber, Jack Deere, Wayne Grudem, Charles Kraft and every Wimber/Vineyard associate I knew of! As he states it he has been "fully Wimberized". Thus began an increasing appreciation for one another.
Unknown to me Paul and the Vestry (board) had been working to introduce a shift in how they were "doing church". Little did I know that over the next 8 months he was quietly "interviewing" me as St. Stephens was re-thinking, re-examining and re-assessing their "Spiritual DNA" and their way forward towards the next generation. They were looking for a person with the right skills set, personal understanding and experiences to help the body of Christ become more outward focused. With a heart to interact more fully with the broader community they invited me to be a member of their staff.
To my amazement at the same time, and unknown to me or St. Stephens (until final decisions where being made) Island Vineyard church was looking for a new place to hold services. Vineyard approached St. Stephen's about a month before my new role and asked if they could use it's fellowship hall for their services. As I pulled into the Anglican church my first day I saw a sandwich board sign saying "Island Vineyard Community Church!" I am not sure of all that God is doing but I keep getting confirmation that something "Old School Vineyard-ish is afoot!
Waiting on the Sovereign Lord
All of this confirms some things for me. Over the years I have seen much taking place in "the name of God." It often has been destructive largely because it has been carried out by authority driven ego's. In my own sinful reaction to the destructiveness I am responsible for my sin and the devastation that came into my life.
Yet, I also know that God is Sovereign and not one single event has been an accident. I know what it is to see arrogant men claim the voice of the Lord. I know for myself what it is to hear the voice of the Lord and to act upon it. I also know what it is to ignore and disobey it.
25 years ago God said, "I am Sovereign" and I can grasp only a portion of what that means. Jesus is my Shepherd and I know His voice and His calling. God is on the move. I watch. I listen. Most of all I wait on the Lord. Yes, I wait. No one gets us like God does. We are all sinners, we sin. He is our savior, He saves. Get it?
Some Whidbey Island Photo's
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