Living in the City

Moving to the Homewood neighborhood of the city of Pittsburgh has opened up a lot of conversations and interest about moving to the city. Just this past week, I had several people ask me about what it's like to live in the city. These friends asked me to help them think through what a move to the city might be like for them. These discussions usually involve things like safety, but at the end of the day moving the city has much more to do with calling. I grew up in the suburbs, but God called me to live in the city as an adult. I believe that God has plans for all of us in his mission to redeem the world, and for many of us those plans will involve living in the city. God is rapidly urbanizing the world. Over half of the world's population now lives in cities, and that percentage will only continue to grow throughout this century. Christians intent on making a Kingdom of God impact with their lives in today's day and age should really be engaged in urban ministry. Cities, even with all of their complexities, are where people are headed and where Christianity is growing like crazy. That is why I serve as a pastor in a city... because that's the best place to join God's mission to reach the world. When my suburban friends ask me if they should move to the city, I always encourage them to do so. Cities can be intimidating, but the pay off is huge in terms of God working through us to reach people with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with the suburbs or rural areas, and many good people are called to live there and advance the Kingdom of God in suburban areas. Still, by being intentional about engaging in cities Christians can really make a huge impact with their lives.

We Have Occupancy!

Today North Way East End passed our city inspection and we officially have occupancy in the ministry center. Tomorrow morning at 9am we are looking for volunteers to help with cleaning the theater space that has been under construction all week with the new technology equipment installation. Come on out and join the fun if you're in the Burgh.

Settling into my Calling

The past couple of weeks have been amazing! I'm settling into my calling as an urban pastor. I am loving connecting with all of the folks that God has brought into the new North Way East End church. To me, ministry is about relationships, and I am building tons of new relationships with people. Yesterday, I met with the North Way city staff and I was greatly encouraged by the people that the Lord has brought together to lead potentially thousands of people closer to Christ in many different ways. Today I'll be hitting the streets of Homewood. I'll be walking to meet with a pastor in Homewood to dream about how our churches may be able to partner to advance the kingdom of God in the East End. I love walking in my neighborhood because I never know what unexpected experiences God will bring across my path. That's the best kind of ministry! I'll be walking right through a corner close to where one of my mentees lives that is filled with prostitutes and addicts. Maybe God will give me the opportunity to show the love of Christ to somebody? I'll probably run into a bunch of kids I know from the neighborhood when I'm walking back from the meeting, and they'll catch me up on their lives and everything that is going on in the streets. Then I'll drive to Wexford in the suburbs this evening to meet with the LAMP leadership team, some of the most amazing leaders in the city of Pittsburgh. We'll be dreaming together about how we can work together to mobilize the body of Christ to make a huge impact in the city of Pittsburgh one child at a time through mentoring.

Suburbs or city streets. Addicts on the corner or bankers stewarding millions of dollars on behalf of Christ. Pastors or kids in schools. Church staff meetings or visiting with neighbors. The office or the open air. All things in life belong to God. All people are made to be in relationship with God, and I get the great privilege of leading people closer to God no matter where they live or what they are all about. Yes, urban ministry is filled with many challenges. But, I love the unexpected nature of my calling and the challenges that come with it because there is great joy in following Christ in the city with reckless abandon. I'll be giving up everything that the world has to offer today in order to embrace the radical message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's going to be a good day!

Grand Opening

The grand opening of the North Way East End church last Sunday was absolutely incredible! God showed up in amazing ways, and God was glorified! The worship experience was powerful, the biblical message really impacted people, and people really connected with one another. On a personal level, it was a meaningful day for me. I love to be a part of advancing the kingdom of God in cities, and I love Pittsburgh, so it was great to be a part of God doing something new in the city of Pittsburgh. Our church is going to be cross-cultural, and we will continue to contextualize the gospel of Jesus Christ in the urban context of the East End of Pittsburgh. We are a missional church congregation that impacts the world throughout the week. We are a church focused on prayer as a foundation for everything that goes on. We are a church of relationships, not programs. And most of all, our focus is on glorifying God in the city. If we keep our focus on God, then things will work out according to his purposes. I love this calling!

Launch Week

What's life like for a pastor launching a new church location in a midst of an urban environment? The week before the grand opening is definitely crazy, but it has been so much fun! Everyone has been scrambling to get the theater and ministry center spaces ready for Sunday. I've been to launch meetings, home meetings in different parts of the city, and individual meetings with people who are either a part of the launch team or interested in learning more about the new church. I've had meaningful interactions with many different kinds of people. I mentored kids from Homewood this week, and I've spent some great time with local businessmen. I've hit the streets to have conversations with people in the East End, and I've hidden out in my office to get a few minutes of peace and quiet. I've prayed with people in buildings and out walking the streets.

This week has been a good example of how the best type of ministry does not happen in sterile, predictable environments. Effective urban ministers are able to navigate the streets and the strategy meetings in an office setting. We learn how to connect with many different types of people because there is so much diversity in the city. When the kingdom of God advances through something like a new church, we expect that there will be resistance and we persevere through it. This is the fun part of ministry... when God gives us a difficult calling and we are obedient to the calling no matter the circumstances. The more things get tough in launching North Way East End, the more I know that God is going to do something amazing through his church. The adventure takes a big step forward on Sunday moring at 10am with the grand opening. I can't wait... don't think I'll be able to sleep between now and then. The excitement is overwhelming!

Grand Opening

The grand opening of the North Way East End campus is this Sunday, January 29th at 10am. We will be gathering at 5941 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 in East Liberty. I know that God is going to be glorified by this new church! Come on out this Sunday and check it out. Bring your friends! Bring your families! This will be a day to remember for a long time as God's kingdom advances in the city of Pittsburgh!

Final Prelaunch Service in the East End

Tomorrow morning the final prelaunch service for the new North Way East End church will be held at 10am at 5941 Penn Avenue in East Liberty.  Power will be out in the ministry center so that electricians can finish the electrical work, so we will have the kids in with everyone in the theater once again. It should be a great worship service with a powerful message. This is our last big step before the grand opening of North Way East End next Sunday, January 29th at 10am.