Category Archives: Church Stuff

October 27, 2008

Big news from Chris and Tabitha Lewis!

By Chris Lewis

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God confirmed over 3 1/2 years ago that we were going to plant a church (or churches) in a major unchurched city.  We did not know when or where, but we began making preparations at that time to be in a position to “GO” when God said it was time.

We sold our home in Easley and reduced our financial commitments as I left my professional career and devoted myself to full time ministry.  I had spent about 10 years in telecommunications and had a business partnership that was dissolved in April of 2006.  We moved into an apartment in October 2006 and our genuine attitude toward planting the church was “God we are willing to go wherever you send us – but there is NO WAY we are ready!!!”

Early 2007, God led us to Washington Avenue Church.  We made this our church home as we continued to proclaim the gospel and minister through Damascus Road Ministries.  In October 2007, I joined the full time staff at Washington Avenue, where I have served as the Executive & Worship Pastor.

One of my earliest conversations with Chuck Bridges (Senior Pastor at WAC) was about the vision God had given us to plant a culturally relevant church in a heavily unchurched major US city.  That was one of the primary factors that led us to WAC – the Kingdom minded vision of the pastor and the people.  Tabitha and I knew that this was a place that would support us and get behind the vision God had given us…without being territorial or competitive!

This past Sunday, we shared with our church family that God had given us some clarity on this calling to plant a church.  We believe we are being called to Boston, MA to plant a church that will reach people with the life changing message of hope found only in Jesus Christ!

While we do not know the precise timing or the exact launch date yet, we are diligently seeking to identify, assemble, and equip the rest of the TEAM that God is calling to join us in this effort!  Some will partner with us by praying with frequency and fervency.  Some may participate by providing financial support, while others will actually be a part of the team that relocates and invests their lives in the people of Boston.

It could take a year or longer to see everything come together and I will continue to serve on staff at WAC as long as I am able to fill my role and remain a benefit in the ministry of the church.  There will come a point in time (approximately 90 days prior to relocation to the mission field) where the demands of the church plant and the new calling hinder my availability at WAC making it impossible to serve in my current capacity as Worship & Executive Pastor.  Until that time, I intend to faithfully serve God and the people of Washington Avenue Church.

It is with the strongest sense of urgency I ask you to pray for God to clarify some of these details…as well as confirmation for some who are praying about being a part of this plant!

Here are some specific ways you can support us and keep up with all that is going on:

  • PRAY
  • Follow me on Facebook or join our Facebook Group
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Scouting trip to Boston on November 7-10
  • Support the plant financially
  • Plan or participate in a mission trip to Boston once the church is launched

I will periodically update about the status of the plant here on the blog, but will utilize the Facebook Group as much as possible to keep everyone informed.  Thank you for your prayers in this mission!  My family and I are so excited about this next step of faith in the journey God has called us to!!!

3 comments | posted in Church Plant, Church Stuff, Faith, Family, Leadership

October 7, 2008

Unexpected expectations…

By Chris Lewis

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I had an experience with my cell phone provider (who happens to be Sprint) a couple of months ago that completely blew me away.  I want to make an application to church culture, but first let me give you the basics.

I called customer service with an issue on Tabitha‘s phone.  We have a very old plan that did not include many texting minutes.  We received a bill that has an egregious amount of charges for texting Tabitha had incurred.  We owed like $200 over our normal bill!  I called Sprint to see what we could work out.

To begin with, it was a fairly painless process.  I was prepared to be on hold and on the phone for about an hour to get this worked out. That was not what happened!

I had a live voice within 45 seconds and she promptly took my information.  She asked if she could put me on hold and I agreed while I held my breath and figured this was where the run around would start.  After all, we did go WAY over on text messaged and my phone company did nothing that would show they were at fault.  They gave us the text messages that were included in our plan and then, rightly, charged us for the messages we went over.

The young lady returned from hold after about 2 minutes and what she did blew me away.  I was expecting several possible outcomes, but not the one I got.  I thought I had a pretty good idea of the words I would hear her say.  I was not prepared to hear her say:

“I’m sorry, Mr. Lewis!”

“You’re what?”, I asked.

“I am so sorry we have not called you before now.”

“Uh…ok. Why?”

“You sir, are one of our most valued customers. As a token of our appreciation for your loyalty, we would like to give you free unlimited texting on all three of your lines!”

I said, “You would?”

She said, “Absolutely!  And please excuse us for not proactively calling you and offering this to you sooner.”

“Well…just don’t let it happen again.” – Nah! I really didn’t say that!

I was blown away by this.  I was ready and expecting all sorts of things that she could have said, but I was not prepared for her to go out of her way to accomodate me.  It was not something she had to do.  I was not going to leave Sprint if I didn’t get it handled.  But because of what they did, I may be with them forever!  I can tell you this…

It will be very difficult for someone else to convince me to leave by telling me how much they care about me when these guys have demonstrated how much they care about me.

This is the application for the church:

People are not interested in what we say we believe about the gospel.  They only (care/feel/absorb) that part of the gospel that we demonstrate.  Telling the world Jesus loves them is good.  Showing the world Jesus loves them is imperative!

Most people expect hypocrisy in the church.  Most people expect our actions to betray our words.

When our acions positively confound expectations, it opens the door for the Holy Spirit of God to do things that are beyond comprehension and in defiance of expectations.

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, e3, Evangelism, My Thoughts - Chris, Personal - Chris

October 6, 2008

Heroes series kicked off yesterday!

By Chris Lewis

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What is a hero?

Defined by the world’s terms, we envision some larger than life, super human figures.  We expect something of the faster-than-a-speeding-bullet variety!  At the very least, heroes are something that most people would aspire to become.

Defined by Jesus, it’s a whole other story!

During Heroes, we will be taking an uncharacteristic look at the Beattitudes from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached in Matthew 5.  We will consider the contrarian view Jesus had of what made someone a hero and look at some modern day descriptions of what a real Hero looks like.  Should be awesome!

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, Faith

September 30, 2008

What about dreams?

By Chris Lewis

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We just finished a series called ‘Living the Dream’ at WAC and it got me thinking about dreams.

Now I’m not talking about the dreams you have at night, scary or otherwise interesting.  I’m talking about the visionary, God-breathed, Holy Spirit empowered dreams that He places within you to pursue and achieve a sense of purpose – God’s purpose – for your life!

That’s a powerful thing to consider.

And sometimes scary.

God’s timing is impeccable and I am never short of amazed at how he carefully crafts and executes things to reveal or accomplish his purpose.  In a couple of weeks, I am going to begin unfolding some of the most exciting plans I have ever been a part of!

It got me thinking about a question I read a couple of years ago.  This is not original with me, but I don’t remember where I read it.

What is the one thing you would do for God if failure was not an option?

Think about that a little bit.

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, Faith, My Thoughts - Chris

September 26, 2008

Random thoughts…

By Chris Lewis

Here’s some updates and stuff going on lately:

  • Thought this past week’s services were amazing at WAC and looking forward to this Sunday!
  • BTW…Josh Wyatt was able to get a new version of the home page up on the WAC website (click above).
  • Had several incredible meetings this week with some guys who stretch me in a HUGE way!  I love pouring into other leaders and having them pour into me.
  • The weight thing threw me for a little curve.  On Monday I had gained 2 pounds then lost three by Thursday.  Overall I am 11 lbs down with 24 to go.
  • Final results for the poll earlier this week are in (the poll is now closed). Pay It Forward won with 34.15% of the vote with Living the Dream coming in 2nd at 19.51%.  Thanks for participating and taking the time to vote!

Have a great weekend!!

Leave a comment | posted in Church Stuff, My Thoughts - Chris, Personal - Chris, Useless Information - Chris

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