Dear friends,

Last year we learned what it means to be on a journey. In the first-half of last year, we explored the journey of faith that Abram began thousands of years ago; an old story that is a deep source of nourishment for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Then, at the end of last year, we studied what it means to follow Jesus on his journey, to live out his teachings through our everyday walk of faith.

We also spent time last year exploring our church’s values, hopes, and dreams, through a series of prayer meetings, brainstorming sessions, and visits to other churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Through these Mission Team travels, we explored what different forms of Christian mission could look like today.

Dear friends,

I’ve always loved road trips.

Early morning departures when the sky is still dark. Powdered Donettes, Nacho Doritos, and gas station coffee. Long stretches of the California desert, painted by the sunrise, scrolling past my window.

But the best part are the roadside attractions. Pop-up shops selling beads and moccasins. Burned-out husks of by-gone watering holes. Baker, California and the World’s Tallest Thermometer. Alien Beef Jerky.

Sometimes those stops-along-the-way are just what the doctor ordered. A chance to re-fuel, shake off the dust, and wake-up a bit from your road-slumber. Other times, especially at the end of a long trip, the compulsive stopping-and-starting become roadside distractions, a symptom of the weariness of travel that can actually drag out your trip far longer than necessary.

In December I wrote that with Advent we had begun the Christian New Year. Since then, we have experienced the power and drama of the gospel story through our celebrations of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and finally Pentecost – the birth of the church.

That is precisely what we are experiencing at First Christian Church: a kind of new birth.

I’ve officially been the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church for five months now and it has been a wonderful privilege!

So far, we have experienced Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter as a community of faith. Alongside these celebrations, we’ve journeyed together through a season of searching; asking God to reveal His plans for the future of FCC. That journey has followed the themes of the calendar: anticipation (Advent), joy (Christmas), seeking(Epiphany), preparation (Lent), and death and resurrection (Easter).

There’s only one more celebration left this year: Pentecost, the birth of the church. I believe the re-birth of FCC is where we are headed next….

At this time every year we all seem to be having our own private epiphanies about how we want our lives to be better. So we make resolutions; to eat better, to be more fit, to be more disciplined. To send our Christmas cards earlier next year.

It’s not hard to understand why. Thinking about the passing of another year, another season of life, naturally provokes the desire to be made new again.

Happy New Year!

No, this isn’t my January article, published in December by mistake. As you may know, November 29th was the first day of Advent and, as such, was the first day of the new calendar in Western Christian churches.

So for you, as a Christian, your new year has already begun!

The rhythms of our life shape us. We don’t always realize it, but our lives are very much like a song, complete with beats and rhythms, melodies and verse. The highs and lows of our daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly lives tend to make an impression on who we become.

When my wife Jenell and I first walked into First Christian Church of Oceanside last May, we were welcomed with open arms. You may know this, but not every church is like that. We noticed.

We soon learned that your hospitality stretches beyond Sunday mornings. On Tuesday nights you welcome homeless neighbors for worship and a hot meal. On Thursday nights you invite local musicians to share their gifts. Every summer, you welcome local children to a free Vacation Bible School. The list goes on!