Christmas Service

Well, we had our first ever public service this past Sunday and it was awesome! We held a Christmas service/preview service at a The Foundry music venue.

We wanted it to be laid back and simple, but we did have a few goals for the night:
1. Worship Jesus
2. Get our two Bible Study groups together in one place
3. Share the experience with friends and interested people
Mission accomplished we think.

All in all it was a success. It was really cool to gather, sing and celebrate Christmas as one large church body. It just felt good. As I walked into the room after spending some time alone it really brought a smile to my face.

Special thanks to our entire church for sacrificing their time and talents for the weekend and for the last six months. We have so much talent it's scary! Thanks also to Journey church for the childcare help.

Please join us in praying that God will provide a place to gather regularly next year. We are hoping to make this an every week event as soon as God is willing.

Jesus is awesome and He, not us, are building his church.

Shepherds vs. Sheep

On average, churchgoers feel 8% more informed than their pastors when it comes to cultural issues. Read more Here: Congregations Know More Than Their Pastors

ADVENT

Advent is the season Christians use to pause, ponder, and prepare for Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is more than just a story, it is the fulfillment of a promise that holds life transforming potential and world wide redemption.
"Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit our failures to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf. Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, we repent and believe that when He returns, He will give us eternal life."
Here is a way to introduce Advent into your life and family this Christmas season. It's a great time to share with friends, small groups children and family.Check out www.adventdevotions.net for more resources, info and ideas. This downloadable booklet is a good daily Advent resource http://www.adventdevotions.net/downloads/English.

Reminder

Our First Christmas Service is this weekend. There will be singing, a christmas message & cookies. Sunday Night 6-7:30PM at the The Foundry (located at The Bridge) in Joplin.

Get a printable flyer at Mysterychurch.com & also click the "Tack Action" link to find out ways you can live out Christmas Missionally in the City.

Bring a Friend and see you there!

Dreadful

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
- Hebrews 10:31

New Life

"New life is spread not only by mental acts like belief, but by bodily acts."- C.S. Lewis

Book Review

Here is a good little book by Steve Sjogren full called 101 Ways to Reach You Community of ideas for connecting with your city/community through servant evangelism. Its basically a big idea book for churches, small groups and individuals. Very practical. Buy, read, do. Pretty simple.
Click HERE to buy it now from Amazon.

Incarnation

God.

When He set out to bring His rebelious creation back to Himself knew it would be messy. The whole mystery of the Incarnation of Christ is God getting dirty. He CHOSE to enter a broken world and be subject to all it had to offer. He humbled Himself, lowered Himself down to our level. Its better that way you know.

When I talk to my kids, especially when its important, it means something to them when I lower myself to their level. When I get down and look them in the eye. When I get on my knees and play, laugh, cry, cuddle... the meaning increases, the moment is real.

Jesus did that. He came down. He got dirty. He played, He laughed, He cried, He suffered like all of us.

Incarnation is about moving forward. It is about pressing into something to better understand it, to better Help.

Christians are called to the same. The Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Spirit and the Spirit sends the church. Just as Jesus is the visible image on an invisible God, the church is to be the image of Christ in the world.

How's your reflection this week? Have you looked in the mirror lately? Have you taken a good long look back over the last 72, 48, 24 hours of your life? What's it look like? Who does it reveal?

Excuses

Well the Holidays are in full swing. As you see from the lack of postings everyone is busy. I am learning that this time of year is hard on church planting. People are just so busy. We are all traveling, spending, partying...you name it. Its just nuts. Not sure what will happen when our college students head home...wait and see I guess. This is all a learning curve for sure.

We are looking forward to pushing into 2007. We are hoping in late January to meet all together and begin building a regualr worship service for Mystery. Please be praying for us to find a place to gather corporately. Ideally a Free place is best, but God will provide the means for his provisions.

The whole thing is making me reflect on my own involvement in churches over the years. Its lead to repentance in thinking about others as well.

I would say that we should all step back and ponder how we understand and live out the gospel day to day.

How are we helping advance the kingdom?
In what way do we hinder the kingdom?
What opportunities is God placing before us and how am I pursueing his glory in them?
How could I be more involved with Jesus' mission in my city?
What sin keeps me enslaved to a self centered gospels which are not gospel at all?

Mission and the City

Here are some good challenging reads on Living Missional in our city. The challenge to find and frequent 3rd PLACES and the need for churces to Engage in Urban Renewal.

Thoughts? Post a commment.

Christmas Service

Mark your calendars. We are having a Christmas Service. This will be our first "public" gathering as a church and Everyone is Welcome! Bring a friend and share the season and excitement. Plan now to join us.
*there will be childcare but all older kids are welcome to join us for the service.

Seek the City

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."- Jeremiah 29:4-7

God has called us to fall in love with the city (see post "never" bellow) Not to avoid it. Part of the reason so many ministries fail is the ministers commitment to that place and people. The main reason for mission failing often is God's people failing to love, serve and seek the best for the city. People know if we are just doing the motions of religion. That's why it is so shocking to the world to see Christians actually being Christ. It is a beautiful thing, a attractive notion.

What could you do to live more for the city? What preferences, selfishness and sins keep you from mission? What would happen if you made your ways his ways, settled down, had kids, made a life, invested in, prayed for and blessed the people and city to whom you are sent.

We are not stuck here, we where placed here.

Repent, Rebuild, Restore & Reclaim

The Gospel As a Means

The Gospel isn't just the means of salvation, but it is the very way we grow in maturity as Christians.

One Punk

It's got me interested...
Click to view Commerical

The Sum of the Gospel

All problems, personal or social come from a failure to see the gospel in a radical way, to get "in line with the truth of the gospel" (Gal.2:14). All pathologies in the church and all its ineffectiveness comes from a failure to use the gospel in a radical way. We believe that if the gospel is expounded and applied in its fullness in any church, that church will look very unique. People will find both moral conviction yet compassion and flexibility.

Dr. Tim Keller

Hello Pastor

Oh man....way to close to home. MP3 recording of a message left on a Pastor's phone.
Give it a listen.

Never

"We can never reach a community that we do not love. We will never reach a people whom we are unwilling to love." - Breaking the Missional Code

Meaning

"Not only do we know God through Jesus Christ, but we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or death, or God or of ourselves."- Blaise Pascal

The Gospel vs. Religion

As Jesus lived his life & Paul modeled Jesus' life. So too are we to model Christ. Such is our Example. This is being a Christian. -1 John 2:6

The Whole Gospel to the Whole City with our Whole Strength.

Boring

"It is a sin to bore people with God."- John Piper

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!

We all know what today is....October 31st is “Reformation Day”commemorating the day in 1517 when Christian reformer Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses challenging the doctrine of penance, the authority of the pope, and the usefulness of indulgences. Dressing up the kids like Reformers and handing out doctrinal challenges, however, might not be the wisest form of cultural engagement. The period outfits are cool, though.

Missiology Pt 3

Here is a Link to an Excellent Talk by Dr. Tim Keller on the cost involved with living Missionally. It only 20 minutes. Give it a listen and post your comments.
Click to Listen

Missiology Pt 2

Bigger Things

"To rejoice in our forgiveness, teach right doctrine, and yearn for heaven are wonderful things, but God has much bigger things in mind for us." - Dallas Willard

Some Suggested Reading

Here is some suggested Reading for you. All of these revolve around Evangelism and Mission.
Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll, Celtic Way of Evangelism George Hunter, Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer and Open Secret by Leslie Newbigin

Missiology Pt 1

Definition of the Missional Church
The mission of the church is to be found in the mission of God. God calls the church to enthusiastically participate in God's mission in the world a world that has radically changed in North American in the last 50 years.
To engage today's world with the good news requires the formation of a disciple community - the church of Jesus Christ - to be a visible representation, witness and instrument of the sovereign rule of God in every aspect of our lives. A missional church responds to the changes in culture, the leadings of the Spirit, and the needs of the world as it attempts to follow Christ's mission.
- Scott Thomas
Acts 29 Network

The Cook Out

Last week we hosted a Cook Out at Landreth Park in Joplin. Despite the cold, gray weather we had over 50 people come out. Nate and Josh cook a mean burger and everyone pitched in for a great time. We say many new faces and hopefully made some new friends in the process. Looking forward to doing it again in the Spring with some sun shinning!

Colbert Report: Richard Dawkins

Who seems to have more "intelligence" here?

"If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be—a Christian.” - Mark Twain

LOST?

Our New Mid Week Bible Study continues this Wed Night at 6pm. Check the site under location for more info. We will be in Corinth This week as we look at the 18th Chapter of Acts. And we think church today has problems.
Join us on Wed for friends and study and then join one of the 10000 LOST watching parties that happen afterwords.

VISION NIGHT #2

Interested In Knowing More about our New Church. Well Here is your opportunity. We are hosting our second vision night this coming Tuesday Night Oct. 17th at 6pm. It is being held at The Foundry in south Joplin. Its located near The Hammons Convention Center at THE BRIDGE. Free drinks at the soda bar and childcare is provided. Email us for more information.

Disappointment

"One of Mahatma Gandhi's more famous quotes was supposedly spoken to a group of British journalists as they rode on a train through English-held India. He was asked, "Why is it that you speak so highly of Jesus yet you are not a Christian?" He quickly responded, "I would become a Christian... if I could just find one..." Since reading those words a couple of decades ago, I have been haunted by the cutting truth behind the observant eye of this Hindu world changer. There are many billions through the ages who have dared to glibly call themselves Christians - as there are many today who take on that descriptor. That term means literally "little Christ." If you stop to think about it, it's a pretty audacious thing to call oneself a "Christian" in light of the literal meaning of the term. As I write this I wonder if I have ever met a bona fide Christian in all of my thirty-plus years of seeking to follow Jesus. To say that this is disappointing doesn't begin to capture my feelings about this generation of the Church."

Steve Sjogren- Launching Pastor Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, OH and Author of Conspiracy of Kindness

The Word

"It is not the Word of God because the church says so...The Church does not make the Word, but it is made by the Word."
-Luther

Updates

• MysteryChurch.com has been updated. Check the Location section where you will find new times, lococations and maps for our Home Gathering-Bible Studies. Sunday & Wednesday evenings.

• Check out the Flyer below. We are having our Very first MYSTERY COOKOUT. Sunday Oct. 15th at Landreth Park in Joplin. Everyone is Welcome and Everything is FREE! Make some new friends, eat some food and get to know the men & women of Mystery.

Purposeless

"The Concept of Sin makes no sense if human life, taken as a whole, is purposeless." - Cornelious Plantinga Jr.

Substitutes

“Aspiration, resolution, morality
and religiosity are not substitutes
for faith.”- J.I. Packer

Dont Forget

Mystery Multiplies starting This SUNDAY. Our normal, Bible Study continues Sunday evening Oct 1st at 5:30 AND our new 2nd night will start this Wed Oct. 4th. So if you can come to Steev's on Sunday do. If Mid Week is better come to the Neely's on Wed night at 6pm.
Same Teaching, different night. More convenience. More people. More comfort.

See you Sun. or Wed.

MULTIPLYING

Stat

Americans ages 13 to 24 now spend more time online than they do in front of the TV.

God and Dollar$

Does God want you to be rich?


The Time article had a pole taken with the following results:

• 17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of a (prosperity) movement.
• 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous.
• 31% agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money.

A new Time magazine Cover Story asks this same question. So much of "christian hypocrisy" conversations I have tends to center around churches being about money. Jesus did talk about money a lot. He understood its weight, influence and temptation on the lives of man. It's important to remember Jesus himself was homeless. He had rich friends and He had poor friends annd consistantly while talking about money He made His life and work about People. He was concerned with the state of the soul and not the size of their wallet. If as Christians we are to live the example of Jesus, maybe we should try giving, serving and loving first. Maybe instead of asking how much do I have or can I make, we should ask what Jesus would do with the same amount.

Cultural Immersion

Lots of People ask what will make Mystery "different". One thing I long to see is Christians in commmunity loving Jesus, worshiping him as King and understanding his mission for us to the world. Here is a promo video for John Piper's Desiring God Conference by one of my favorite Pastors Mark Driscoll. It's a good commentary viewpoint on the subject of Christians needing to be on mission and living in and among culture for the purpose of accomplishing His Mission.

Watch Video Here

Faith on the Shelf

A new study by The Barna Group shows that despite strong levels of spiritual activity during the teen years, most twentysomethings disengage from active participation in the Christian faith during their young adult years.
Twentysomethings continue to be the most spiritually independent and resistant age group in America. Most of them pull away from participation and engagement in Christian churches, particularly during the “college years.” The research shows that, compared to older adults, twentysomethings have significantly lower levels of church attendance, time spent alone studying and reading the Bible, volunteering to help churches, donations to churches, Sunday school and small group involvement...

*Read the whole Barna Research article here.

FREE BOOK!

John Piper is one of my favorite Pastor, teacher, authors. A really good easy reading book I enjoyed was Don’t Waste Your Life. Simple, straighforward and honest.
It is being offered for free this month by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ! Thats right FREE.

Description: God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. In his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” John Piper challenges you to make the glory of God your singular passion. Request your free copy online now!

Safe

"The church is not a safe place because Jesus is not a safe leader."
Mike Farra (A good leader and a great friend)

JOY

Joy. Mystery has thre defining missional words: Live, Love and Enjoy. SImply put I believe as Christians today we have lost our Joy. Not hapiness per say but our Joy. We have lost what is is to be a Christ Follower full and Joy and Finding Enjoyment in our creator and king. Also I beleive that in this generation we have lost our understanding of what this joy looks like in the lives of those who truelly sell out for Jesus. I read this devotional thought last month and it stirred my heart. Hope it will do the same for you.

August 31, 2006

"My Joy . . . Your Joy"

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full —John 15:11

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— ". . . who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross . . ." ( Hebrews 12:2 ). "I delight to do Your will, O my God . . ." ( Psalm 40:8 ). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, ". . . the cares of this world, . . . choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" ( Mark 4:19 ). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you "will flow rivers of living water" ( John 7:38 ). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His "living water." Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live "your life . . . hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3 ). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.

Oswald Chambers from "My Utmost for His Highest"

Donate Group

Donate a Church Building

Are you a church looking to donate a church building? Donate Church Group will work with local Church Planting Networks to assess and assist your local church to determine if it can be replanted. If all partners determine it is best to shut the church doors, your team will work with the Church Planting Network to allocate resources and fund new churches. Contact Donate Church Group to learn more.

Twenty Somethings Struggle

Twenty-somethings Struggle to Find Their Place in Christian Churches. Only 3 out of 10 (31%) attend church in a typical week.

Full Article Here at Barna.org

Perseverance

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." -Spurgeon

Mystery 2.0

NEW WEB SITE IS LIVE: MYSTERYCHURCH.COM CHECK IT!

Book Revue

Breaking the Missional Code

By Ed Stetzer

If you are a church planter this is a must read. If you want a good book on Missional Living, this might be ok. I really like Ed Stetzer and this book really asks some good questions and brings up some good thoughts about how to think more Missionally and also how to ask better questions about the culture in which you are placed. The idea of code breaking is very relevant at the moment as I find myself thinking through the barriers and stories of Joplin to better connect and share the gospel with the people of my city.

Living among people is one thing. Knowing the people is another. There is some good insight for those who want to move their current church toward thinking more missionally and those thinking through contextualizing the gospel to the people and places God has placed you.

Steev

Sharpening

"Christianity is true, its truth saws against the grain of much in contemporary culture and therefore needs constant sharpening"- Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

From the book Not the Way it's Supposed to Be. Speaking in regard to the need for the church to retreive the awareness and doctrine of sin.

News & Reminders

> We are still meeting for Bible Study on Sunday Nights. 5:30 PM - Map & Directions on the web site.

> Pics from Last Sundays Bible Study Gathering. We had 32-33 people this past week. "And the lord added to their numbers..." Jesus is good. At this rate we will be a multi-site multi-service living room church..haha




> New Web Site [Mystery Church] Is up and running it is very Nice. Thanks Bart!

> We will be hosting a second vision Night sometime late Sept. Stay tuned and get your questions ready.

> Please keep praying for a place to meet and the funds to continue pressing on.

Success

Vision night was a good night. Thanks to everyone who came out last night. We had about 40 adults and a bunch of kids. The Vision was shared and already people are responding. Be praying for the meetings that will happen and people God wants added to this movement.
If you are one of those curious folks who came feel free to email any questions or set up a timew to meet. We would love to continue sharing what Jesus is doing through MYSTERY.

VISION NIGHT!!

We have a Vision Night Coming up this Wednesday Night.

Basically it is a chance for interested and inquisitive Christians to find out if Mystery might be a good church to become a part of. Church Planting is not easy, but it is necessary. If you or someone you know might think that joining a new missional church which exists to reach new people and parts of Joplin with an old old story come check it out this Wed. the 23rd. 6:30pm.
For more info check the Web site or click here for a FLYER and MAP.

p.s. dont forget we still have our Sunday night Bible Study in full effect!

Why Another Church Pt 2

Church Planting is biblical: God is a sending God. He sent Jesus. Jesus sent the church. (John 20:21) To Fulfill the Great Commission we are sent out as missionaries into the cultures God has placed us to express him fully to all nations, languages and tribes.

Church planting is a cultural necessity: New churches are designed to reach specific groups of people. These groups have distinct lives and languages making up their cultures. We must not simply view “missions” as something we support overseas in a forest and forget that our cities and neighborhoods are our first mission fields. New churches can more easily adapt to new cultures and reveal age-old truth in new and relevant ways.

Church Planting is effective: New healthy churches continue to be the no. 1 most effective means of reaching unchurched people in America. Statistically 60-80 % of people in new churches were not previously involved in any local church. People are more willing to step into new places with new people, void of traditions and history. They are welcomed to help create new customs; relationships and cultural expressions, Through lives changed by the gospel new churches become beautiful, God glorifying missions to America.

Why Another Church Part 1

Why Start Another Church?

“If the Great Commission is to be realized, all people need to hear the gospel and experience church in a language they can understand. One size does not fit all… churches must find their biblical expression in every culture.” – Dr. Ed Stetzer, Breaking the Missional Code

Some poles would suggest that as little as 26% of Americans are attending Church. In the United States 80% of all churches in America are plateaud or declining.

“Our research has shown that most of the influence on what people think and do comes from just seven sources: movies, television, music, family, books, law, and the Internet. That same body of research shows that the local church has virtually no discernible influence on people’s lives.” Barna, Revolution

According to a recent News Week article about faith in America 34% of the participants claimed to be spiritual, but not religious. Of these “spiritual” people, only 27% say they attended church at least once a week. George Barna reports that between 1991 and 2004 there was a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans.

In the Joplin metro area 42% of the population (roughly 70K people) claimed no religious affiliation.

NEWS LETTER

It's August now and our First Newsletter/Update shipped today. Look for yours in the mail. It's churck full of church and family news, pictures, thoughts and needs. Check it out. Theres an addressed envelope in it too if you feel lead to support this planting effort. It gets the design approval of the kids too.

If you are not on the mailing list and want to be added, please send us an email request at:
MYSTERY INFO

Connections

Read the book of Acts. Chapter 6 and 7 specificly and then Read Hebrews Chapter 9.

Join us this Sunday night 5:30 as we look at How to Get Stoned.



Jesus is the best and only way to cleanse or conscience from acts that lead to death.

Vision Night

Mystery Will Be hosting a Vision Night In August. It will be a chance for you to know what we are about, Where we are going and if it might be something God is callinng you to be a part of. We will have printed information and a Q&A time as well. More info coming soon.



Steev

Gospel • Culture • Church

I Highly recommend thinking through this image. Also reading Leslie Newbigin's "The Open Secret". See the link in my recommended reading section to the right.

Safety

"The Ship is safest when it's in port. But that is not what ships were made for."
Paulo Coelho

Following Christ is a call to set sale. To live how you were made to live. To love how you wish you were loved. To Experience and Express the person God has made you to be.

It is beautifully dangerous.

It is wonderfully frightening.

It is time for us as Christians to push out to deeper waters, to live dangerously once again. To subvert the worlds ways of thinking, to encourage revolution, to invest and invite without promiss of success. To live out blatantly exposed who Jesus hass called us to be. A ship...His ship...the focus of His love...His glorious bride.

"Come sail away, come sail away with me." - Styx

DNA

Mystery will be a church that plants churches. We desire to be part of a multiplying movement of Christ in the communities we are called to. We desire to see whole people groups and cultures redeemed for Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This church will plant multiple and diverse churches as people are called by God to reach out and express the Gospel to all tribes and nations. Church planting is our DNA. It is who we are and who we must be to be effective for Christ in his mission.


We have already started a savings acount for the next church we will help plant. With the little money we have raised I felt lead to step out in Faith and practice what I preach. 10% of EVERYTHING we have raised utnil this point was taken out of our general fund and put into our new planting fund. Right off the top. If we truely want to live out mission we will step out faithfully and obediantly and begin from the start to build who we are and who we shall become.

When you support Mystery you not simply supporting one church, but the next ones as well. Exciting? I think so.

Plant Churches & EnJoy Jesus

Steev

REVEAL • LIVE • LOVE • LEAVE • ENJOY

>The Mission of Mystery<



Mystery Exists to Make Jesus Known as we:
Reveal • Live • Love • Leave • Enjoy

Reveal Jesus
(The Gospel)
Mystery- The Gospel- the Man and The Message, The church. The Mission
Majesty- The risen and exalted Christ

Mysteries of Old Made New Again. New parables for new times.

Eph 3:3-6, 8-10, 5:24-32, Col 1:26-27, 2:2, Duet 29:29, 1 Pet 1:10-12, 1 Cor 2:14

Live Like Jesus Lived
Model- Power and Vision (picture)
Mission- Purpose and Plan

1 John 2:6, John 13:32, Phil 2:5, Mark 1:17, Matt 28:19, Mark 1:38, John 34-38, 1 John 2:6, John 20:21

Love Jesus & Love Like Jesus
Love Him- Spirit Filled Worship of God
Love Like Him- Commitment to Serve People

John 13:34-35, 15:17, 1 John 3:16, 18, 4:10-11, 19

Leave what Jesus Left Behind
The Holy Spirit
Disciples- Mature, Missional Followers of the Way
A Legacy- Stewardship, Inheritance, Obediance

Matt 28:19, 2 Tim 2:2, Acts 1:8, Acts

Enjoy Jesus
God’s Grace- God is both Holy and Loving
God’s Blessings- Common grace given for our enjoyment and satisfaction
Food, Drink, Work, Pleasure, People

Nehemiah 8:10, Ps 37:3, Ecc 2:24-25,5:18-20, 11:8,9, 1 Tim 6:17

Support

Its tough raising money. It's even tougher asking for it. But the Bible says we do not have cause we do not ask. We treat God like a coke machine all the while not bothering to speak with our friends and family about needs. Some people are just moochers. They should go hungry-the Apostle Paul said that not me. Some people are affriad which inn itself is a sin I think if you are called by God to do something. Somme people need to be challenged and your askinng them moves them forward in faith. I know lots of people who do not get the "big picture". You could share your heart, your vision annd your calling and they still dont "get it". THats faith. We do not always get it, but we step out in it annd in obediance and trust learn. I understand its hard to see. I pray for peace when people dont agree or support ouur efforts and thats where my faaith is challanged. Faith that Jesus will provide, faith that Mystery will move forward and that people (probably the unlikely) will provide at the right time.
We have a goal of raising $25K personally (outside any additonal church support raised) to get us through the end of the year. So far we have raised roughly $5K. If you would like to give to the effort of planting a new church to reach new people here in Joplin, MO would would surely appreciate it.
To those of you who have given or pledged to give I say thank you. And to those who have not, or even refused to support this movement...I say thank you for teaching me more about Jesus.

Steev

Revolutionary

"One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservative.
Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary. To be conservative today is to miss the whole point, for conservatism means to stand in the flow of the status quo, and the status quo no longer belongs to us...If we want to be fair, we must teach the young to be revolutionaries, revolutionaries against the status quo."
­Francis Schaeffer, 1970

Texas

Met with some local pastors here in Joplin last week. Beginning some new relationships, which i hope will bare much fruit for the Mystery and the community in the future. Good stuff. Have more meetings scheduled for next week. Please be in prayer for these.

Loaded up the van Wed. morning after a meeting and headed south. Spent the later half of last week in Texas. It was good. Family is all still down there for another week, but i returned and am hard at work. So much to do. Traveled to Lewisville, Grand Priarie and Austin all in three short days. Met with freinds, family and churches. Ate good food, raised awareness for Mystery, shared my heart and vision and came back with a sense of direction again. I wont kid it was a hard week last week. Spent like $300 annd raised about $250...haha. People are emotionallly draining, but for all the discouragement and frustration it was wonderful to have the support of friends and encourgament of trusted men in my life.


If you aspire to plant a church you aspire to a long and painful road. Make your calling sure. Run the race, suffer well and be obediant. There is not much more though that I have seen God work so challenging and lovingly in though. I think planting is definately in his plans for reaching the lost.

Grace and Peace

Steev

Faith

"Until we move beyond superficial faith, we will not experience supernatural living." - Ed Stetzer

“Scepticism is the beginning of Faith.”- Oscar Wilde

“Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to”- Unknown

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”- Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”- Unknown

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” - Saint Augustine

This is faith (trust)...being sure of what we hope for and certian of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1)

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.” - Mother Teresa

Amen

Mission

Just as God
Is a missionary God,
so the church
is to be a missionary church
~Craig Van Geider

Map

Here is a map to the house where we have bible study. I effectionately call it the "sanctuary". In reality its a living room.



Copy it to your desk top and print it off.

See you Sunday @ 5:30
Cook Out and look at Peter's Sermon on Values

2 weeks

had the hardest time trying to get this thing to post.....

We are two weeks into our Sunday night gatherings. Last night there were about 16 of us in the "sanctuary". It was nice. We are going through the book of Acts. SO MUCH information. Gotta narrow it down some. I am excited though. There were some new faces which is always nice.

Things are going pretty well. Got our first bill from the Hospital today for Lilly's surgery...lets say faith is what this will be all about. haha

Please continue to pray foor the Church and its Mission to Joplin. Pray for the people Jesus desires to reach and share his hope with.

I am in St. Louis again for some time with fellow church planters. No tickets on the way up this time :) I did some how forget my suitcase...yes you are free to make fun of me on that... If there hadn't been an impromptu puppet show brake out in my living room as i was loading my car I would definately have remembered my clothes!!

it's about what we do with all the little things.


Steev

2 Weeks

We are two weeks into our Sunday night gatherings. Last night there were about 16 of us in the "sanctuary". It was nice. We are going through the book of Acts. SO MUCH information. Gotta narrow it down some. I am excited though. There were some new faces which is always nice.

Things are going pretty well. Got our first bill from the Hospital today for Lilly's surgery...lets say faith is what this will be all about. haha

Please continue to pray foor the Church and its Mission to Joplin. Pray for the people Jesus desires to reach and share his hope with.

I am in St. Louis again for some time with fellow church planters. No tickets on the way up this time :) I did some how forget my suitcase...yes you are free to make fun of me on that... If there hadn't been an impromptu puppet show brake out in my living room as i was loading my car I would definately have remembered my clothes!!

it's about what we do with all the little things.


Steev

Bible Study

Looking like Fools

Video Link

Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland undergoing some "spiritualgative" reporting by Stephen Colbert.

I like humor and I like satire. This is most likely why i enjoy Stephen Colbert so much. He has a way of showing us what we are. all of us. There is something about toying with hypocrisy and ignorance that results in eye opening laughter. The abilty to see our faults, laugh at them and then seriously reflect on them is something that is genuinely human and potentially profoundly Christian.
There are definate times in my life when Jesus is a lot like Mr. Cobert. He just sits back listening to me whine and moan about my self. He watches me live and work out my beliefs and interact with people all with a slight smirk on his knowling face. And then at just the right moment he exposes me. sometimes to myself in private. Sometimes blantanly in public for all the world to see. I think sometimes I make him embarassed. Sometimes i make him very sad. Other times I think he just shakes his head and laughs.
We need to learn to laugh more. We need to learn to look more deeply at our lives. We need to weed out the hypocrisy and the arrogance of thinking we are better than we are. What we do and who we are reflelts who Jesus is in the eyes of a watching world. If we are no more than a joke we have failed. If we are fools for Christ then we can count all this to Gods glory.
This video clip was a good reminder to me. A reminder to laugh. A reminder that Christian trinkets do not make me a Christ follower, mandating laws do not change hearts and if you are going to scream about something know what you are screaming about. Proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin-not more laws. Proclaim freedom and hope- not more restrictions. Preach a new heart and transformed mind not a political party.
This hurts my heart, reveals my own hypocricy and stings.

Thats "truthlious" to the core.

Steev

Technology

Well here i sit in the hospital waiting to see myu little girl after surgery. seems technology is moving into Joplin quickly. FREE WIRELESS! I heard yesterday that the local McDonalds are now Hot spots as well. Hmmm. Joplin-you've come a long way baby. i have seen an increase in usage over the years by teens (the largest growing segment of population). I Have witnessed an increase in the effects of cable, internet and now wireless in everyone ones lives. When i moved here there was a definate lag in styles, knowledge and trends but in just the last year or two it has been cut in half or more as technology and information become so much more accessable. This new "glocal" invironment is even coming into smaller markets now such as Joplin further showing how our lives will come closer and closer together and the lines of urban and suburban will draw closer together creating all new cultures and changing dramaticly the current culture groups. Interesting. I wonder what the effects of all this new technology will be on people in the area. specificlly how will it effect the church as a whole. I wonder will we embrace and use this-redeeming it for Christ or run and hide from it adding technology to our "don't do it" christian bubble list.

Steev

Reminder

If you have received a support letter or email. this is your reminder that it is sitting on your desk or in your inbox waiting for a response. Please prayerfully considering supporting this church plant and our family. if you need another copy please email Steev at:
steev@mysterychurch.com

God Bless.

The Inges

Last Week

Well Well. Another week is upon us. I can't beleive I have been at this for Six weeks now. Sheesh. Seems like forever some days and others its like 2 days maybe. its FLYING by. So last week was an exciting week.
Lots happening and when i say exciting I do not mean great, I mean just that- exciting.
SInce starting this crazy journey my wife's car has been in the shop, my car is going in the shop, many extra expenses have come our way, sick kids, etc etc. Now my wonderful wife Ashley is having medical tests and my youngest daugher experienced a very painful hernia at the "should not be having hernias age" of only a year and half. OUCH!!!

Suffering.
Paul talks of suffering for the gospel in many of his letters to the church. Many Christians would have you think that to join Christ in his mission is to become healthy, wealthy and worry free. You will live like a pimp enjoying your riches while the goddless world stays at bay. You will have no concerns, troubles or hard times. Jesus makes it all better right? Well according to Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, and according to my own personal experience, when you have set out to truely follow after Jesus and the things of heaven Satan shows up and Hell breaks loose.

God is concerned about his people.
The Bible says he even disciplines those he loves. The devil may send much upon man but it is nothing that God has not allowed. Sobering thoughts. Jesus allows the effects of sin to enter my life and the lives of those i love. God permits suffering for the purpose of building us up in reliance of him and the pursuit of righteousness.
As i drove home from the hospital thinking about my little girl and my wife and all the concerns pushing in on my world I'll admitt, I was frustrated. I was tempted to ask "why?". Why if we are doing his will, planting a church and seeking to serve and save the lost would Jesus be ok with all this, even allow it? But a funny thing happened. Just as quickly as i begin to think upon all that was "wrong" the Spirit reminded me of this...Why? Because He Loves me. Because Jesus is in control even in the rough times. Because his glory comes before my comfort. Because he is sovereign in my joy and in my pain. Jesus desires our total commitment and obediance. Not some or part or what we dont like, but ALL. He will ask us to give up everything in the way of worshipping and serving him. He will cause us to lean so far into his divinty that we in our humanity can no longer stand upon our own feet. Jesus LOVES US so much that he will allow us to be tempted and to suffer and to be wronged for the express purpose of teaching us about his grace, his mercy and his control. "You are not God" he reminds us.
I should want for God to remove all these things (and i do) but i could also learn to suffer. I should learn to loose myself. I should be willing to take my child up the mountain of sacrifice. I should find peace beyond all understanding and perseverence in all things. In these moments I can truely understand, wholey worship and faithfully reveal the Mystery which is Jesus Christ. I can related to both his suffering sacrifice as well as the plites of man. I can accurately portray what it is to live as Christ and to gain in death.

May you learn to suffer well. And may you lean into Jesus and find Joy.
Grace and Peace

-Steev

p.s. As an update, my wife is doing well and we are debating our next steps, My daughter will be having surgery this week to repair her insides oh and my truck's check engine light went off! SWEET!

What is this Mystery?

Mystery is from the Father, Revealed in the Son, Understood through the Spirit and proclaimed by
the Church.

As a church Mystery is the continuation of Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles. We are here to reveal that
which was kept hidden for ages and generations (Col 1:26) and is now made known. Through the Gospel we are heirs and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:6).

We are servants of the gospel. Responsible for the proclamation of God’s ultimate plan of reconciliation through the atoning sacrifice of his only son Jesus.

The Greek word “mysterion” was used by the pagan mystery religions of Paul’s day. It was used to describe something that was hidden and obscured, available only to the initiated and elite. Paul, as he did in Athens with the “unknown god”, took this term, understood by the people of the day and redeemed it for Christ. As any good missionary would do, he revealed and explained the mystery. Instead of suppressing a false truth, he illuminated the real truth.

As a church we desire to do the same thing. To reveal The Truth to a world saturated in falsehood. To build a community encouraged in heart and united in love with complete understanding of the mystery of God, namely Christ. (Col 2:2,3)

Mystery, today as much as in Paul’s time, speaks to the people and religions of our day. It makes God’s Mission known and still embraces the unknown. Mystery nurtures faith, accepts questions and provides an answer. It is the kingdom and reign of God, both hidden and revealed, a parable and a paradox.

The mystery is Jesus, the head of the church, made known.
It’s the knowledge of this treasure, this wisdom and it’s glorious riches.

Business Cards

Got my new business cards done and ordered. Should be here soon. Maybe then i can stop writing on all sorts of random paper and things i keep handing out. Nothing says join our church or donate like my email scratched out on a Starbucks napkin.
Not like a fancy card says much more either i guess...


Steev