2007 Gone; 2008 Here we come...

Calling and equipping men to boldly build God's Kingdom.

That's our mission, it's what we, at CalvarySLO KingdomBuilders, are here to do. We've seen great growth in 2007 and we look forward to God doing even more in 2008, but it's all about building God's Kingdom. First in our hearts so that it will overflow into the lives of those in our sphere of influence; Family, Friends, People we work with, etc.

Let's look at what happened in 2007 and what we are looking forward to in 2008.

BROTHERHOOD
This is the area of Men's Small Groups and MENtoring/Discipleship.

There are a handful of faithful, let me say very faithful, men who lead three Small Groups and those are strong in the Lord. Mostly they are teaching through God's written word, but there are also book discussions. Either way they are all about strengthening Men's knowledge of God's word and their relationships with each other. So thanks Howie/Tim, Rob/Kevin, and Larry!

MENtoring/Discipleship is less strong. Honestly, I'm convicted about this area as I have neglected it. Pastor James has taken the charge and we have 2-3 men matched up with a MENtor and that's about it. But he is too busy to take this on long term.

The KingdomBuilders leaders got together and brainstormed some really cool ideas addressing this and also other parts of the ministry for 2008...look for a blog article about it once it solidifies a little more, but I'm real excited about it. Please pray that God would confirm that this is him and not us.

WtS
Aaron Nesper, our leader over Worship thru Service, has given a great perspective on 2007 as well as a preview for 2008. This is a great area within CalvarySLO KingdomBuilders praise God. It gives men a chance to worship by being handy or worship through using their muscles and sweating. It's great.

We look forward to the Habitat build coming up. I know that you keep hearing about it with nothing tangible, but we are all waiting for permits and stuff like that. Once we get the sign up sheets we will announce it to church and our mailing list.

We look forward to broadening this ministry in 2008...it goes along with the MENtoring comments above so look for a blog/e-mail (if you are on our e-mail list) in the next week.

EVENTS
Part of our calling as leaders of CalvarySLO KingdomBuilders is to hold events that, well, build God's Kingdom. We had some great events this year; the first Super Bowl party, Father/Son campout, Married's vs. Singles Competitions, and of course the Men's Advance.

If you went to any of those events you know they were all special times with other men and God. I especially remember the Men's Advance evening service to this day, when Pastor Steve Stump Calvary Paso brought us God's message and so many of the men responded in a huge way. That is KingdomBuilding!

We have set plans for 2008, which we have given over to the Lord. In those plans are the annual Father/Son campout June 20th-22nd in Big Sur.

The big news is we are planning/praying about doing two Advances in 2008. We would do a mini-Advance in April that we are calling Spring Training and the theme would be Playing for Keeps. It's kind of like the Men's Conference we did a while back with the other Calvarys but we'll just do it with CalvarySLO. More to come on that, but the idea is spending a whole Saturday together. We have an application in to Paloma Creek Park in Atascadero for April 12th or any Saturday in April.

The full Men's Advance would be in the fall, in October (possibly weekend of the 11th). We have an application at Rancho Alegre, which is right off of the San Marcos pass in the Los Padres National Forest. The theme will be Putting Away Childish Things. Of course, more of this to come, but this will be the full weekend Friday night through Sunday morning.

One of the reasons for offering the two, Spring Training and Men's Advance, is to give more diverse opportunities (ie all day format and all weekend format) to grow closer to the Lord and the other men at CalvarySLO.

Josh Krumheuer has been a big help in this area. He has taken any task within events or even a whole event and run with it! He looks to be leaving for Vet school in the Spring so please pray for another helper to take his place in 2008. Thanks Josh and I can't wait to see what the Lord does in your life!

FoM
Aaron Wise has taken the ball and run with this area (pun intended). He too has posted his perspective on this. We've seen Men's basketball and softball teams compete in city leagues. The aim for this ministry is to be a witness to the other men that we'll be playing as well as grow closer to the other men at CalvarySLO on the team.

We look forward to continuing and expanding this ministry next year. I know that Wise wants to get a paintball day going so e-mail him if you are interested. I hope you'll consider joining one of the teams!

Last Word
I had the opportunity to visit a lot of church websites this last year for (mostly to invite them to the Men's Conference that didn't happen). The interesting thing was that Men's Ministry was not represented on most of them. Women's, Children, Youth Ministries they all had web space and prominent links on the main page as well as cool websites and things going on behind those links.

I'm glad the Lord has blessed CalvarySLO with not only a Men's Ministry but one that is strong with leaders that are serving and ministries that are...well ministering. I'm especially glad because I'm the first to admit I need KingdomBuilders more than it needs me!

So for 2008 I feel like God is saying more. He wants to bless us more, he wants more of his Kingdom in our lives, he wants us to bring the Kingdom to SLO and beyond. He wants us to find more ultimate pleasure in him...

I love this old praise song and I'll close with it.

More love, more power
More of You in my life
More love, more power
More of You in my life.

I will worship You with all of my heart
And I will worship You with all of my mind
And I will worship You with all of my strength
For you are my Lord
You are my Lord.

Year in Review 2007: Fishers of Men Sports Ministry

This year we kicked off Fishers of Men, a sports fellowship part of the CalvarySLO men's ministry. Our aim is to create a fun atmosphere of fellowship within the men's ministry where men can meet within the body of Christ, as well as minister to other teams through our words and actions.

We kicked off 2007 with a basketball team that played in the SLO city league. The word "domination" comes to mind when I think of our 10-2 season. Our team, mixed with strangers old and young, meshed well and had the skills to pull off some great wins. Though we didn't claim first place, we're hoping we can repeat the great playing in years to come.

Continuing into 2007, we had back to back softball seasons in the SLO city league. God decided to humble our teams after our great basketball season, with only allowing us to win a few games between the two seasons. Our team improved immensely as the season went on as we became more comfortable up to bat and out in the field. Regardless, we had a blast out there. These teams birthed new friendships between some men, and rekindled some old friendships with others.

This inaugural year for Fishers of Men will be a great stepping stone to many years of competition, fellowship, and fun. I encourage everyone out there to consider joining one of these teams in the future, regardless of how athletic you are. Come meet more men, be competitive, have fun, and sweat a little bit. As we begin 2008, I'm excited to see what God wants to do with this ministry. I'm aiming to have multiple teams per season, and maybe even add some new sports/events to the Fishers of Men line up.

Please let me know if you have any ideas for this ministry or if would like to get involved with Fishers of Men.

God Bless! See you in '08!

Aaron Wise
aywise@gmail.com

The Age of Manhood

I've recently been pondering the question, when does a boy become a man? Three things started this thinking, which I will describe below. Feel free to answer the (redone) poll to the right.

1. I recently heard a preacher say that "Adolescence" is not a Biblical term. He sited 1 Cor 13:11 where Paul only refers to 2 stages of growth childhood and adulthood (he says man in the verse but you know what I mean there's no adolescence.) The preacher further states that we in America, or the western world, made that term up. HHhhhmmmm...

2. I was reading an article in an online Hockey magazine and the writer referred the 17-18 year old players that would be going to the World Junior Championships as...boys. He was referring to how tough the media was on them and said something like, "remember these are just boys." I thought really? Huh....

3. I was reading a review on a book, I forget which one, but the reviewer described the fictional book as a beautiful picture of passing from "adolescence" to manhood at the ripe age of 34! I'm serious. And it seemed the reviewer had no problem with this, so I commented on the website asking when he thought the age of manhood was. He replied by saying something like, "whenever someone of the male persuasion gets married and has kids or turns 30; whichever comes first." Wow...

So I pose the question to you that come to this blog (which looks like it's getting quite a bit of traffic lately ;) Go ahead and answer the poll to the right and/or comment on this post. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

Nehemiah 3: Workers Are Few

And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. (Neh 3:5)

Last week we finished Chapter 2, where Nehemiah had unveiled God's vision for rebuilding the wall and therefore Jerusalem. He further sealed the deal with the people by giving personal testimony of how God's hand had been with him to secure the king's favor and resources for the job.

The people responded by saying they would join him in the rebuilding. In other words, they caught the vision and were enthusiastic to join Nehemiah in the hard work ahead. This is significant given the history of failed attempts at that point to rebuild the wall and Jerusalem.

Chapter 3 is interesting because it's basically a list of names, I think someone counted about 37 of them...that could be wrong, but is probably close. Think of this as a list of volunteers or lay leaders that have taken up God's cause to rebuild. Nehemiah has given them all assignments and each of these lay leaders have also given the vision to their families and servants to take up the task of rebuilding the wall.

It was great to see that assignments were given out by a person's passion or if that person had a stake in that section of the wall. The priests were given the Sheep Gate, because traditionally that is where the sheep given for sacrifice and their portion enter. So you know they will build that portion of the wall well. Towards the end of the chapter families were given portions of the wall near their home. Likewise you can see them building well there.

This is a beautiful picture of how the Church should function. God has given a Senior Pastor and Elders a vision and the congregation embraces that and according to passion and/or giftedness fills in the needs...aka goes to work/volunteers gladly.

Sadly verse 5 is too often true. There are those who will not stoop to serve the Lord for whatever reason. Pride? Sure just like the nobles. Past hurts? Sure just like the people who are volunteering here had heard it before, "Let's rebuild!" then "Nope we have to stop."

We finished the night praying:

1. First praise the Lord for those that have taken the call and work their portion of the wall with vigor and passion. May the Lord sustain each and every one.

2. That the congregation of CalvarySLO, especially the men, would rise up and lead just as the men listed in Chapter 3 did. And that the Lord would use KingomBuilders to call and equip men towards that end.

3. The good hand of the Lord would be upon CalvarySLO to spread the good news that ultimate pleasure can only be found in God's greatness.

Amen?

WtS: Year in Review!

WOW! What an amazing inaugural year for the Worship through Service Ministry!

Over the past year the men of Calvary SLO have faithfully volunteered their time to help people in need from our community. We got our first call to help from Family Care Network asking us to round up a group of men to help one of their clients move. That day more than 5 men showed up with trucks and, and most importantly, servants hearts to move the family of 4. Other highlights include moving Heather McMillan's mom into a new home, moving the Ramirez family into a new home, helping the Brennan's paint their home, painting the interior of another FCN family, painting the new prayer room @ the Pacheco location, fixing the plumbing and installing doors for other FCNI families, and also teaching a youngster how to fish!

Also as you may have heard, we've taken on a huge commitment with the SLO county Habitat for Humanity chapter in building 4 new homes in Atascadero. We are one of 12 "apostle" churches that are giving our time, strength, construction, cooking skills, and money to the building of the houses. As mentioned in a previous post, the ground breaking ceremony was last weekend which has risen our excitement to another level. The actual building/volunteering will be starting in early '08...I'll keep you informed!

On somewhat of a tangent, have you seen the old Harrison Ford movie "Witness"? He plays a cop that goes into an Amish community to protect a young boy who has witnessed a murder. The most amazing part of the movie (and why I write about it) is when Harrison is a witness to a barn raising. Basically, all the Amish community members come together as a body to construct a house for a newly married couple. I think it is one of the most inspiring events that I can imagine. What a perfect model for what this ministry hopes to accomplish...coming together as men to meet the needs of our community all the while worshiping our creator and all the blessings that he has given us! We're even getting to literally build a house this coming year!

Finally I want to personally thank every single person who has decided to put aside the normal weekend schedule to given their time and energy into serving our community and consequently, worshiping our Lord. As a church we often times focus our thoughts of worship to the playing and singing of music. While God certainly calls us to worship through those modalities we must also remember that God intended us to worship him by serving others. In '08 I hope to serve along all of you men! God's ambition in you has blessed our community more than we can ever know!

See you in '08

Nehemiah 2: 9-20 Let's Get Going

And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. Neh 2:18

I hope you like these synopses of the KingdomBuilders Leaders Bible Study. We go much deeper in the 1.5 hours that we have together than I can write here, but hopefully gives you the gist of what we discussed. This is actually the first time I've done an actual Bible Study. I usually do book discussions. It's been a real good learning experience for all of us!

Do you remember the old "Just Do It" campaign? I'm definitely that kinda guy and it has it's advantages and disadvantages. Yes things get started and going, but sometimes as far as the longevity factor it's just not there. So I've learned a great deal from Chapter 1 and the beginning of 2 about the wisdom of planning and praying.

In this passage, Nehemiah finishes up praying (for three days it seems) and planning (taking a recon tour of the wall).

Towards the end he finally unveils the plan to the people and gives his testimony of how the Lord's good hand has been upon him. This encourages the people because they've all lived a roller coaster ride of building the city/wall, stop building, build again, the king gives a decree to stop building. But hearing the miracles God has done through Nehemiah's life strengthens their hand and they start the work.

Praying and Planning is good, but some people get what's called paralysis by analysis and never act (or if we want to keep the P theme going they never Perform). I like the approach the Lord has given Nehemiah...all the Passion, Prayer, and Planning was all a prelude to and a focus toward Performing...actually getting started.

Praise the Lord he had a plan for our salvation and life...Jesus. Praise him still that in His timing he executed on that plan. With Christmas looming around the corner we celebrate the start of the salvation plan with the birth of a baby in a manger. I want to celebrate also by not merely being a hearer or planner, but also a doer.

Amen.

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Maybe you are like us in CSLO KingdomBuilders...wondering when we get to swing hammers and build those houses up in Atascadero! Well we are one step closer.

Today Aaron and Sara Nesper as well as my son Josh and I went up to Atascadero for the Ground Breaking Ceremony. The slide show is on the sidebar so check it out...

It was great to see how all four families were so blessed to have been chosen. It was really cool to see the Mayor of Atascadero there and representatives from various churches, businesses, and other government agencies.

I hope we, as CalvarySLO as well as the other Christian churches, shine the light of Christ not just to these four families, but to the entire community of Atascadero and beyond.

Amen...

Nehemiah 2: 1-8 The Good Hand of God

And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. (Neh 2:8c)

The KingdomBuilders Leaders got together again last night. We looked at Neh 2:1-8 and marveled at the exchange between Nehemiah and King Artaxerxes. Let me recap:

1. Nehemiah is sad in the kings presence and didn’t get his head chopped off
2. The king just gave Nehemiah probably a year to a year and a half leave of absence from his job, don’t forget now the king has to find someone else…good help is hard to find
3. The king also just changed a law he had in place for a long time and if we turn to Daniel 6:8 we see that the laws of the Medes and the Persians cannot be revoked, that’s why the satraps were so hot to get King Darius to sign the law that would trap Daniel into praying to God and then being thrown into the lion's den
4. King Artexerxes, not a believer by any stretch of the imagination, just agreed not only to give Nehemiah safe passage to Jerusalem with a letter and later we’ll see an army escort, BUT he is going to give Nehemiah all the lumber he needs from his own royal lumber yard

All this and what does Nehemiah say? "Yes, I am the most awesome servant that God has ever had!" or "Man I am just that good of a negotiator!"

No he says, "The king granted everything I asked for because God sovereignly intervened." No other reason...nobody else gets the glory. I love this Nehemiah guy.

Have you ever watched as someone took all the credit for a great idea or a task being completed? Never once acknowledging the fact that they got the idea from someone else or could never have accomplished the task without the help of their team. In the corporate world, it happens all the time.

This gives me a glimpse of what God must feel like, when in his sovereignty he provides for his creation and they take the credit...never acknowledging that God's hand was actually in it.

I was telling someone the other day about my career...how I went from security guard at a major corporation to Systems Analyst then went to another company and went to Project Manager and eventually IT Manager...blah blah blah. You know what I realized? I hadn't once mentioned God or the Lord Jesus. I told the story like I pulled myself up from my bootstraps...so lame!

This passage from Nehemiah came to me and I was so convicted. I told the person, "You know this story is not true. To tell you the truth the only reason I'm standing before you with any semblance of a cool career path is because God's good hand was upon me each and every step of the way."

Lord Jesus, I want to be more like Nehemiah. When major or minor things happen in my life I want to acknowledge you in my speech and in my heart. Thank you that your good hand is ever upon me. Amen.

New (Used) Trailer

Wow, this just in! The Lord provided us a trailer. The Kochs who go to CalvarySLO heard the announcement yesterday and tripped out. I guess they tried to sell the trailer last week and had no takers. Sweet...we'll buy it.

I post this not just to update you guys, but also to say to God be the glory. This kinda thing happens and I think ho hum praise God what else do I have going today? No this is major! The Lord provided.

Just another reason he most worthy of all of our praise, adoration, and devotion. Amen?!?!

Nehemiah 1: Passionate Prayerful Response

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. (Neh 1:4)

I started studying Nehemiah with the other CalvarySLO KingdomBuilders leaders a couple of weeks ago. We finally got into Chapter 1 last night.

It felt like the chapter hinged on the verse above. Nehemiah just heard news that his fellow Israelites were "in great trouble and shame" (v.3) and verse 4 was his response. See it so moved him that he wept and mourned...for days!

We reflected on what moved us to such a passionate response and we all struggled. Mainly because we were ashamed of what really elicits emotions from us...sports. Yes that hit us all right between the eyes.

Sports will drive me out of my seat and wake up my wife when my team wins a game. Sports will make an "unemotional" man cry when his team loses. Sports will make the quietest man all of a sudden become animated when you ask him about the last professional game he saw live.

Nehemiah? He wept over his people who were in distress and being slandered. The Israelites who were under foreign rule and told they could rebuild Jerusalem and then later told they can't because of some lies told to the king.

This was no game...God had promised in Deut 30:1-5 that if his people turned back to him he would not only restore them but make them more prosperous than their fathers. This is what moved Nehemiah to tears.

The fact is sports are fine, emotions are fine. I think we need to see sports as far less worthy of our emotional investment, though. There are many people who are in "great trouble and shame." People that are in our sphere of influence and beyond.

God give us a Holy passionate response to the things that move your heart. May that passionate response drive us to prayer, a prayer like Nehemiah's...a prayer that leads to action. (Even jumping out of one's seat and waking up one's wife for a Godlier cause than a puck going into a net.)

Amen?