by David Docusen | August 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
A building has never changed a life. Beautiful architecture has no ability to transform a heart. Top of the line customer service cannot heal a broken spirit.
When God placed a dream in our heart to build Ebenezers Coffeehouse in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, we quickly realized that we were working on something unique. Memorable. Beautiful. Meaningful. Our desire is to bring a first-class coffeehouse and multiple-use venue to the heart of the city we love. We truly believe excellence honors God. However, as with every other area of our lives, the difference between a humble spirit and prideful heart is only a few decisions away.
I was so moved by reading Jeremiah 22 the other day. God sent a prophet (one who listens to God and speaks to man on His behalf) named Jeremiah to deliver a message to a King named Jehoiakim. This king had great wealth and a prideful spirit. He had chosen to build a magnificent palace. But this palace was not created to honor God. It was a display of temporary, human resources. This was the message, delivered by Jeremiah, that rocked my heart:
**Jeremiah 22:14-15 – “He (Jehoiakim) says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace with huge rooms and many windows. I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar and paint it a lovely red.'” (Jeremiah’s response) “But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!“
I couldn’t get that sentence out of my mind. It ravaged my pride, my perspective and my motives. Do we want to build something beautiful? Yes. Do we want to display excellence in all that we do? Of course. Will any of that make a lasting difference apart from the grace and goodness of Jesus? No. Absolutely no.
Jeremiah continues this message by reminding Jehoiakim of his father, Josiah. This had to sting a bit. He says,
“Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?“
God cares way more about your heart and a genuine relationship with you than anything you will ever build. His desire is for you to know you and be known by you. Your heart will always be more important than your talent. The hidden beauty of your spirit will always be more attractive to Him than what you do for him.
A beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king.
by David Docusen | August 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
“Work as hard for me as you would like someone to work for you in the future.”
Those words were spoken to me by my first boss, Pastor Ed Ivie at Calvary Assembly of God in Orlando, FL. I was 21 years old and fresh out of Southeastern University. I was all passion and very little experience. Mornings came late for me and lunch breaks were long. I hadn’t developed the skill of being a full-time, vocational minister. Quite simply, I didn’t know how to work.
Over the course of the next five years, I watched Ed closely. He displayed a genuine combination of work ethic, creativity, passion and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Ed taught me what it meant to truly work toward the calling that God had placed on my life. It wouldn’t just happen because I was called. I had to learn what it meant to use a calendar, be early, stay late, retreat, rest, etc.
Ed taught me what it meant to balance a healthy family and marriage. To work hard and go home to be with my new bride (this is back when the Docusens were just David and Dara…no Max, Mary, Jack and Ben).
I am forever grateful for Ed’s influence in my life. As I am now the lead pastor of a young church in Uptown Charlotte, I find myself thinking back these days on many of the lessons I learned when I was in my twenties, observing my mentor. Many of those lessons were educational moments that Ed wasn’t even trying to teach me anything. I just watched and tucked away for future use. I resolved back then to work hard because I loved, respected and admired Ed. He asked me to work hard, and I responded because he had earned my trust.
I believe that God blessed that season and, in turn, has now blessed me with the opportunity to lead an amazing team of talented, passionate leaders at Center City Church. The commitment our team displays to work hard, go above and beyond and live a balanced life is so humbling and inspiring.
I am so grateful for the season in my twenties to sit under such a great leader. I realize that I am now in a position to encourage, raise up and challenge young leaders that are now choosing to serve under my leadership.
I pray that my leadership is as effective in the life of my team as Ed’s leadership was in mine. I am so aware and so grateful for the foundation that I stand upon. And I’m grateful for the patience, love and care of my first boss.
If you are a leader, remember that your influence goes far beyond the words you speak to your team. They are watching closely, just as I was learning on the fly as a young, twenty-something pastor under Ed’s leadership.
I haven’t said this enough, so this seems appropriate:
Thanks, Ed. Your investment in my life lives on. I am a better child of God, husband to Dara, daddy to Max, Mary, Jack and Ben and pastor for Center City Church because of your influence. I love and appreciate you.
by David Docusen | August 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
We will be kicking off a new season for our church family on September 8th at 10am. This will include a new teaching series, small groups, community outreach opportunities and a path to becoming a Center City Church Partner.
Make a note that our gatherings will be moving one hour forward to 10am to give our families a chance to enjoy the service, get out for lunch. It also never hurts to be able to be home by 1pm kickoff for the Panthers game (or whatever your NFL team may be).
These are exciting times to be a part of our community. I hope you can join us and bring a friend on September 8th!
by David Docusen | August 25, 2013 | Uncategorized
Once upon a time, I could have been considered a blogger. On a daily basis, I would share the journey of preparing to launch into a new season of church planting (starting a new church from the ground up…for those not up on the lingo). I would share stories with friends, family and strangers wandering the interwebs. It was a great season.
That season lasted a few years until we started Center City Church (www.centercitychurch.net) in 2010. At that point, I became an infrequent blogger. I would share weekly stories of the life change that we were seeing in our community and funny little things that my kids say.
That season lasted about a two years. Then I became a person who had a blog. That was it. Nothing more. Nothing less. I was a has been blogger. Washed up. So much so, my domain (www.daviddocusen.com) expired and I didn’t even know it.
So…today is a new day. I’ve decided to start sharing the journey again. There is so much happening that’s worth sharing. At the very least – as a person who processes through writing – this is a great way for me to process this exciting season of life.
Blogger was good to me. But WordPress has now won my blogging affection. A new blog for a new season. Here’s to hoping I become a blogger again. I’d love to share the journey with you.
