by David Docusen | January 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
In a culture of rapid response and instant gratification, it’s easy to minimize the overarching story of the Scriptures. We have conditioned ourselves to lean on quotable moments instead of narratives that take time to develop.
While all Scripture is beneficial, it’s also important to remember that all Scripture is interconnected in an overarching story of God’s love, grace and mercy. The Old Testament is incredibly relevant because it’s a part of the story. The New Testament is easier to digest because it seems to better fit into our current world view. It’s easy to dismiss reading the Word because we don’t understand. But if we stay in that frame of mind, we will never truly grow. Just like any other part of our lives, we have to challenge and stretch ourselves to grow spiritually.
If you are following along with us, don’t give up when you don’t understand. Fight the urge to live off of moments that you can post on Twitter. There is a story that has been unfolding for thousands of years. It’s compelling, meaningful and ultimately beautiful. And the only way to fully appreciate this story is to settle in to the rhythm of reading the Word and slowly, methodically growing.
Choose to appreciate the story today. As I said this past weekend at Center City, this is going to take some time. Spiritual growth is not fast. It’s establishing a pattern of consistency one day after another.
If you want to join us in this reading plan, click here. We are on day 17 of the reading plan. Start with us and follow with us throughout the year.
You will never regret digging into God’s Word. Ever.
by David Docusen | January 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
I remember how excited I was to start learning how to play the guitar when I was 14 years old. I was going to pick up my ax and totally wail. That was the plan. I would write love songs for Lindsay (one of my earliest crushes) and she would marry me on the spot. The reality turned out to be quite a bit different.
Contrary to my plans of swooning Lindsay like a mid-90’s Dave Matthews love ballad, I sounded more like Animal from the muppets trying to impress her. It was a mess. Turns out I had to practice. A lot.
I wanted to just play the thing, but I had to work at it, practice, fight through frustration. After years of practice, I was able to write songs and travel all over the country leading people in worship. Huge honor. But I would have never realized that dream without wrestling with that guitar and fighting through the frustration.
The same can be said for our excitement to read the Word of God. We find ourselves so excited about the idea of reading the Word, but then we realize that we don’t understand everything. We have unanswered questions. We get frustrated. And instead of wrestling with the Word, many times the choice is made to just give up.
Don’t give up. If you don’t understand the Word, welcome to the club. The Scriptures themselves say that God’s plans are a mystery in 1 Corinthians 2:7:
No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God —his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.
The word of God is a mystery. In almost every other area of life, mysteries evoke feeling of intrigue, wonder and anticipation. My prayer is that your heart would be full of this same intrigue, wonder and anticipation. Allow those feelings to replace frustration, detachment and disappointment. You weren’t wired to understand everything. You were wired to go on a journey.
I never did end up writing Lindsay a love song. In fact, I don’t even remember her last name. But that’s not the point. I did, however, learn how to play the guitar and continued to grow in that gift over the years.
Dig into the Word today. You won’t ever regret chasing this mystery.
by David Docusen | January 8, 2013 | Uncategorized
I was reading Luke 8 today in our Life Journal Reading Plan at Center City Church and I found myself full of gratitude for all those that support the ministry of our church through their generosity in tithes and offerings. This is the model that God has set up for us to continue to do ministry.
Check this out…I had never noticed this verse before. Even Jesus was supported by the generosity of others, as shown in Luke 8:1-3…it tells the story of the many that were traveling with Jesus and this is said:
“…and many others who were contributing to their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”
How cool is that? By their generosity, it allowed Jesus to continue to do the work he was called to do – shepherding people.
My prayer is that there will be an increased spirit of generosity in the hearts of our people in 2013. The more people that we have supporting the vision of this church, the better we are able to carry out the vision of this church. Increased generosity will lead to staffing our church properly (I’m currently the only full-time, paid employee) and resourcing others to do the work of God in our community. Also, the more money that we receive, the more money we give. 15% of all of our income goes to missions locally and abroad. So exciting!
Thanks to all that give to Center City. We couldn’t do this without you. Want to practically respond and make a financial investment into our call to bring the Gospel to our city? Click here.
by David Docusen | January 4, 2013 | Uncategorized
Here’s a look at a piece that we designed that we are making available to our church family to show the different ways that they can support the mission and vision of Center City Church.
by David Docusen | January 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
We have just released our biggest, most unified initiative in the history of Center City Church. We are distributing journals to everyone in our church that include reading plans and examples on how to engage the Scriptures through prayer and journaling. We’re asking everyone to gather on a consistent basis with a handful of people and talk about what they are learning.
After releasing this plan to our community, we are now looking to the future to try to anticipate the needs of our community and the challenges that may arise as we move forward.
One of the role of pastors & shepherds is to stay ahead of where their community is at in each season. I am praying for wisdom (for myself and our leaders) to hear from God and to receive his directive as he leads us into the next season to come.
Leadership always includes a delicate balancing act. While I am appreciating the excitement and genuine joy of this season, I am already anticipating what is next on the horizon for our community.
This is fun.
by David Docusen | January 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
You were not mass produced. When God created you, he didn’t create you on an assembly like to look like every one else and process things like everyone else. He knows you. He cares for you. He designed you.
I have been totally enamored by the artisan industry lately. Artisans train for years to become masters at what they are making. They actually care about the product that will make it to the marketplace. Artisans are found in a variety of fields – bread, cheese, wine, clocks, etc.
If God is the master craftsman, what does that mean for us? What is our role?
We are called to be artisans of faith. To truly care about growing in our knowledge of God. Spending extravagant time with him. Learning. Growing. As we continue to grow in our faith, we naturally begin to make disciples around us by sharing what we have learned.
Artisan faith – unique design; genuine pursuit.
