Good Things Have Occurred

A short time after the fiasco reported in the last post, the Vestry met and voted to raise my pay to $1,000 per month. That certainly helped. Not enough to raise Zoe and I above the poverty level according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but it did help.

Our first public Sunday meeting last July was enhanced by the presence of and sermon by our Bishop - Daniel Gimadu, Diocese of North Mbale, Church of Uganda, who was visiting his U.S. parishes. We had a great time. We also enjoyed having our numbers swell with the regular attendance of summer residents.

Don't get the wrong picture. In the house church we averaged twelve. Some stayed a few years and moved out of town, utilizing what they learned while with us to help grow the Kingdom of God. Many languishing Anglicans (from the Episcopal church wars) came and found safe harbor and some healing with us. The most we ever had in attendance was 24 at a glorious, freezing-cold, Easter sunrise service with the snow-capped San Francisco peaks in the background. Now that our summer-residence members have returned to the valley (Phoenix area), we're down to seven in regular attendance. We're just booming! :)

Relationships have improved with church members. And I do see growth in most of them. We're learning how to grieve our losses, lay down our lives for others, prayer-walk, prepare the soil (intercession), bear fruit, and practice hospitality (love our neighbors as ourselves).

My church planting coach explained to me that this church has a "remnant mentality", and that is incompatible with "church planting mentality". We really need help. I would have left a long time ago, but the Holy Spirit compels me to stick it out and trust Him.

It's never dull. Rather it's always an adventure. I'm adventurous, but I prefer outdoor adventure, like hiking down the Grand Canyon or up Humphreys Peak (the highest point in Arizona- 12,633 feet) and face those risks. The pain, suffering, and risk of this church planting adventure are not what I would voltarily sign up for if it were not God asking me to do it.