Today, I’m sporting a T-shirt designed by my beautiful daughter Maggie - who, along with her sister Lacey, is my world’s favorite artist! It has a beautifully crafted rendition of our ministry name - Rebirth International - on the front, along with a wooden cross and spiraling vine. On the back it has our website clearly spelled out - www.myrebirth.org, along with her personal recommendation - GET INVOLVED!
Trust me if you saw it, you would be inspired by Maggie’s mature artistry. And if you had the privilege of knowing my Mags-a-million you would be equally inspired by the artistry of her sheer determination.
I wear it with pride. It represents more than naturally proud father sentiments. It also symbolizes the level of support I’ve enjoyed from this amazing family that I husband and father.
I remember the first economic downturn we endured. It was right after we built a $3 million facility across from the Desire Projects. Our budget tripled, as did our staff. Opportunities were bursting at the seams. There was more than we could handle - more than we could afford.
I knew of many other ministries that went under or were in the risk of doing so. We were vulnerable too. At the end of the summer I was staring at a $200,000 deficit.
I had two undesirable choices - either drastically cut staff and programs or hustle. I chose to hustle.
I remember coming home and sheepishly looking at my wife, telling her, “Honey, I need to travel.” What that meant was that I was needing to travel more - almost perpetually - that every invitation would be accepted - no opportunity ignored. I was determined. Our ministry was not going under, not if I had anything to do with it. Nor would any of my staff lose their jobs.
I’m now in the middle of our second major economic downturn. Everyone is hurting - feeling the pinch. I know that. Frankly, though I’m not an economist, I feel this one may last longer and cut more deeply than the first. So what’s a guy who’s committed his life to developing ministry among the poor to do?
We have now consulted with ministries and churches all across the eastern U.S. We are looking to launch new ministries along the I-10 and I-55 corridors - E. St. Louis, New Orleans, Mobile, Tallahasse, Orlando and more. We are connecting with my alma mater - Reformed Theological Seminary - around a partnership to prepare future urban missionaries for the unique task before them. There is a lot of opportunity. But there’s a shortage of funds.
Nevertheless we endure and press on. I am hustling. But I’m not willing to become the road hog I once was.
I am pursuing alternative possibilities for creatively funding the Rebirth vision. I’m not sure how the Lord is leading, but I’m listening and looking.
Despite the shortfalls, my sweet family is doing amazingly well. Ellen is a woman of tremendous faith and long-suffering - a woman of tremendous stature - despite her 5 foot frame. My children are, simply put, the best Christians I know.
I am thankful.
I watched my daughter Lindsay play in the championship game in her fast-pitch softball league last night. You’ll never see anyone more attractively determined than my Dee Dee Brown (one of her Daddy’s favorite nicknames for her - there are more). Whether she is running after overthrown balls, sliding into bases or swinging for the fences, I realize that my daughter Lindsay, like her sister Maggie, has been cursed with her Daddy’s DNA. She’s also learned, for better or worse, from my example. We all have reduced drive and determination to an art form.
And so the Leverett’s are pressing on. We are encouraging others to get involved - hopefully in the most artistic of ways!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Punting Perfection
I was a punter in high school and college. Nobody likes a punter. The punter only comes on the field when the offense has failed. Punters are most despised by perfectionists - persons who think failure an unacceptable option.
When we consider the men of the Bible - we get a picture of the nature of achievable spirituality. Often they fail. And yet it is wrong to hyper-moralize their failure. Their failures not only open the door for grace, it demonstrates what is non-achievable spirituality - perfection.
I think one of the most unbecoming features of the American evangelical church is the perpetual state of surprise with failure. And while it is good to strive for holiness, even perfection, it is not good what we do to those who naturally fall short of it.
Ironically and sadly the church is no longer a safe place for sinners. An institution who is a recipient of the Kingdom of Heaven precisely because it acknowledged its state of sinfulness, is now in the state of denial about that same spiritual state - as if her sinfulness was a brief episode, a bad moment.
The biggest surprise for the perfectionist will be when the sinners they once judged and condescended to, will be appointed to judge them. Perfectionism is among the greatest of sins, not only because the perfectionist assumes the place of God - but perhaps more poignant than that, they withhold the grace that God so freely offers.
Despite the fact that David, for instance, King David, was a murderer and an adulterer - he was also a man after the heart of God, the author of divinely inspired psalms and the leader of an incomparable army of men. And while he has landed a sacred place in the family tree of Jesus, so that Jesus, the KING of kings is called the Son of David - it is quite uncertain whether or not the American church would receive him, much less defend his right to leadership.
Despite the fact that Elijah brought down fire from heaven and was the greatest of the prophets, he was bedeviled by a single solitary woman, sank into a great depression, wallowed in doubt and self-pity as he was exiled in fear.
The American church tends to worship perfection, therefore its leaders pretend to be so. And as the church perceiving the men of God statuesque in virtue behind their fancy pulpits, it should be known that their wives could pull the chord on the curtain in a moment’s notice, unless they too have fallen prey to the Christian masquerade. Some pastor’s wives are expected to represent a level of spirituality that sweet Mother Mary herself wouldn’t aspire to - no offense intended to my Catholic brothers.
Perhaps we should become more like Paul, also a murderer, and glory in our sinfulness, and wear the title with pride - Chief of Sinners, not because we love our sin, but because we love what our sin has wrought - the precious and limitless supply of grace that flows to us through Christ.
And when one pretends that he is not a sinner, he prohibits the flow of grace. Rather that we cut off our own limbs than to cut off God’s grace.
True men of God are measured not by the sins they’ve avoided in this life, but by their authentic encounters with grace. Fortunately, access to grace is not restricted to those who have achieved perfection, rather to those who have rejected it.
I for one want to be in the fellowship of sinners when they encounter the final dose of God’s grace. Then and only then will we be made perfect. And until that day comes, we will fail, fall short and miss the mark.
Rather than surprised, we should be supportive. For until that final day, we need each other. And we need from each other the identical grace that has been so lavishly offered to us. Then the church will regain her beauty and irresistibility to a lost, dying and sinful world.
So will you join me in realizing that there are times to punt. And while we’re at it, maybe we should give some thought to punting perfection.
When we consider the men of the Bible - we get a picture of the nature of achievable spirituality. Often they fail. And yet it is wrong to hyper-moralize their failure. Their failures not only open the door for grace, it demonstrates what is non-achievable spirituality - perfection.
I think one of the most unbecoming features of the American evangelical church is the perpetual state of surprise with failure. And while it is good to strive for holiness, even perfection, it is not good what we do to those who naturally fall short of it.
Ironically and sadly the church is no longer a safe place for sinners. An institution who is a recipient of the Kingdom of Heaven precisely because it acknowledged its state of sinfulness, is now in the state of denial about that same spiritual state - as if her sinfulness was a brief episode, a bad moment.
The biggest surprise for the perfectionist will be when the sinners they once judged and condescended to, will be appointed to judge them. Perfectionism is among the greatest of sins, not only because the perfectionist assumes the place of God - but perhaps more poignant than that, they withhold the grace that God so freely offers.
Despite the fact that David, for instance, King David, was a murderer and an adulterer - he was also a man after the heart of God, the author of divinely inspired psalms and the leader of an incomparable army of men. And while he has landed a sacred place in the family tree of Jesus, so that Jesus, the KING of kings is called the Son of David - it is quite uncertain whether or not the American church would receive him, much less defend his right to leadership.
Despite the fact that Elijah brought down fire from heaven and was the greatest of the prophets, he was bedeviled by a single solitary woman, sank into a great depression, wallowed in doubt and self-pity as he was exiled in fear.
The American church tends to worship perfection, therefore its leaders pretend to be so. And as the church perceiving the men of God statuesque in virtue behind their fancy pulpits, it should be known that their wives could pull the chord on the curtain in a moment’s notice, unless they too have fallen prey to the Christian masquerade. Some pastor’s wives are expected to represent a level of spirituality that sweet Mother Mary herself wouldn’t aspire to - no offense intended to my Catholic brothers.
Perhaps we should become more like Paul, also a murderer, and glory in our sinfulness, and wear the title with pride - Chief of Sinners, not because we love our sin, but because we love what our sin has wrought - the precious and limitless supply of grace that flows to us through Christ.
And when one pretends that he is not a sinner, he prohibits the flow of grace. Rather that we cut off our own limbs than to cut off God’s grace.
True men of God are measured not by the sins they’ve avoided in this life, but by their authentic encounters with grace. Fortunately, access to grace is not restricted to those who have achieved perfection, rather to those who have rejected it.
I for one want to be in the fellowship of sinners when they encounter the final dose of God’s grace. Then and only then will we be made perfect. And until that day comes, we will fail, fall short and miss the mark.
Rather than surprised, we should be supportive. For until that final day, we need each other. And we need from each other the identical grace that has been so lavishly offered to us. Then the church will regain her beauty and irresistibility to a lost, dying and sinful world.
So will you join me in realizing that there are times to punt. And while we’re at it, maybe we should give some thought to punting perfection.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Keeping Perspective
I woke up this morning mostly focused on bodily weariness from the almost 30 hours of driving through the panhandle of Florida, consulting with churches in Quincy, Tallahassee and Orlando, Florida.
I know when I’m pressing too hard - I tend to get sick, overwhelmed, excessively forgetful and disengaged. My symptoms today are evidence that I’ve been pressing too hard.
I’ve been pressing, though, because of our present dire financial situation. My inability to make payroll was causing me to feel vulnerable, anxious and afraid. Money issues are larger than maybe they ought to be, but they loom large nonetheless.
What I failed to focus on was God’s perfect plan for my prosperity, my security, my salvation, my sanctification. I failed to remind myself that God’s mercies toward me have been renewed today, as it is everyday. I chose to think about the temporal instead of the eternal.
Even so, underlying every discouragement is the clear awareness within me of the call of God on my life toward this vision. I never really question it - never have, and I don’t now.
But this is hard, when you have a wife and children. Living in a state of total trust was easier when I was a young college student, living in my Volkswagen Rabbit, eating pimento cheese sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have been on the faith walk for almost 20 years now. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to the post office box on the day of payroll and SHAZAM - there it is! The fact that I’m coming up short has me looking into alternatives about how to make the vision of Rebirth work.
No matter what, I’m committed to this vision - because I’m convinced of God’s call. However, running all over the country, living off the last sold CD or the most recent honorarium is not going to cut it. This summer is going to be tough. I have very few concerts scheduled - no high dollar consulting or speaking engagements on the docket.
And so I need your prayer. But, no matter what happens, I am reminded that God’s love is steadfast for my orphaned soul, that He sustains through the times of drought and famine, that He is above it all and that this vision is HIS, not mine. He cares for me, and what more could I ask for?
I know when I’m pressing too hard - I tend to get sick, overwhelmed, excessively forgetful and disengaged. My symptoms today are evidence that I’ve been pressing too hard.
I’ve been pressing, though, because of our present dire financial situation. My inability to make payroll was causing me to feel vulnerable, anxious and afraid. Money issues are larger than maybe they ought to be, but they loom large nonetheless.
What I failed to focus on was God’s perfect plan for my prosperity, my security, my salvation, my sanctification. I failed to remind myself that God’s mercies toward me have been renewed today, as it is everyday. I chose to think about the temporal instead of the eternal.
Even so, underlying every discouragement is the clear awareness within me of the call of God on my life toward this vision. I never really question it - never have, and I don’t now.
But this is hard, when you have a wife and children. Living in a state of total trust was easier when I was a young college student, living in my Volkswagen Rabbit, eating pimento cheese sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have been on the faith walk for almost 20 years now. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to the post office box on the day of payroll and SHAZAM - there it is! The fact that I’m coming up short has me looking into alternatives about how to make the vision of Rebirth work.
No matter what, I’m committed to this vision - because I’m convinced of God’s call. However, running all over the country, living off the last sold CD or the most recent honorarium is not going to cut it. This summer is going to be tough. I have very few concerts scheduled - no high dollar consulting or speaking engagements on the docket.
And so I need your prayer. But, no matter what happens, I am reminded that God’s love is steadfast for my orphaned soul, that He sustains through the times of drought and famine, that He is above it all and that this vision is HIS, not mine. He cares for me, and what more could I ask for?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Pray for Rebirth
Rebirth International is an organization in a launch mode. We are still raising the awareness of our work to the general Christian community. And we are developing a new donor base.
Our purpose is to advance urban ministry initiatives in pockets of poverty stateside and worldwide. In service to that vision we are focusing on three primary objectives: 1) REVIVING indigenous ministry in post-Katrina New Orleans; 2) RESOURCING the church in urban ministry consultation services; and 3) REPLICATING incarnational ministry in specifically targeted communities across the country.
God has been faithful. After barely a year and a half in existence, we have consulted with churches and ministries across the country, and have thus contributed in a variety of ways, in a number of cities to the advancement of God’s cause among the poor. I have taught and spoken at colleges from North Florida College to Yale University. I have taught and spoken at seminaries including Reformed and Covenant.
I have performed dozens of concerts, produced a new CD, with others in the oven. God continues to use my music to keep the vision of Rebirth before the next generation of followers of Christ. Many who will make up the army of recruits for the future, will be reached through this vital aspect of my ongoing ministry.
Our ministry of Replication is well on the way. I have decided to narrow my focus initially to the I-10 and I-55 corridors. This Phase I focus will allow me to inspire the development of ministries from Jacksonville to Los Angeles and from New Orleans to Chicago. Already there are two ministries in the hopper and other interested parties scattered throughout these intersecting highways.
We have successfully recruited a highly gifted couple, Shane and Kristen Fast, to launch an incarnational work in one of the most challenged urban areas of our country: East St. Louis. We will continue to support and under gird this work in prayer and urban ministry coaching all along the way. We are on the front end of working with a potential couple to launch a new work in the Prichard community of North Mobile - another leading community of need in the Deep South.
The New Orleans staff of Rebirth, or REBIRTH ORLEANS, are not only working diligently to help give foundation to a widening and expansive movement, but we are also relaunching work here in our city, which still lies in ruin. We have started a strategic outreach in Clark High School and intend to expand our outreach into other resurgent public high schools. We are praying about God’s timing to plant a local church.
Our present staff - myself, my lovely wife, Christian Angeletti (who is handling all things financial and administrative), Richard Johnson (who is presently volunteering but giving effective leadership to the Clark outreach) are fully committed to the task at hand. I have a solid board of indigenous leaders and I’m working on finding Trustees for the cause. There are many others who are willing to join staff and help.
And while it is a sheer miracle to have not only survived during this time, but to thrive in advancing urban ministry, Rebirth is nevertheless sorely under-funded. I’m traveling as much as my heart and present circumstances will allow. As soon as I am done writing this blog, I will be driving to Tallahassee to do a concert and some further consulting, and then to Orlando to do the same. This trip will hopefully inject some much needed resources into our coffers, raise awareness of the vision of Rebirth and widen the network of friends for Rebirth.
Please pray for us. As we consider new strategies for developing the resources for this work, would you also consider how God might lead you to help us in that effort. If all that you are able to do is to buy a few CD’s to give out to friends, along with the gift of an accompanying Rebirth brochure and a note from you, this might help considerably. (I do have plenty of CD’s to sell!)
We believe in what we are doing. I know you do too! We’re seeing God’s hand at work. And we are thankful to be in service to Him for His glory!
Pray for the success of my upcoming trip and pray for my most ardent supporters and partners - my sweet wife and amazing children.
Many blessings…
Our purpose is to advance urban ministry initiatives in pockets of poverty stateside and worldwide. In service to that vision we are focusing on three primary objectives: 1) REVIVING indigenous ministry in post-Katrina New Orleans; 2) RESOURCING the church in urban ministry consultation services; and 3) REPLICATING incarnational ministry in specifically targeted communities across the country.
God has been faithful. After barely a year and a half in existence, we have consulted with churches and ministries across the country, and have thus contributed in a variety of ways, in a number of cities to the advancement of God’s cause among the poor. I have taught and spoken at colleges from North Florida College to Yale University. I have taught and spoken at seminaries including Reformed and Covenant.
I have performed dozens of concerts, produced a new CD, with others in the oven. God continues to use my music to keep the vision of Rebirth before the next generation of followers of Christ. Many who will make up the army of recruits for the future, will be reached through this vital aspect of my ongoing ministry.
Our ministry of Replication is well on the way. I have decided to narrow my focus initially to the I-10 and I-55 corridors. This Phase I focus will allow me to inspire the development of ministries from Jacksonville to Los Angeles and from New Orleans to Chicago. Already there are two ministries in the hopper and other interested parties scattered throughout these intersecting highways.
We have successfully recruited a highly gifted couple, Shane and Kristen Fast, to launch an incarnational work in one of the most challenged urban areas of our country: East St. Louis. We will continue to support and under gird this work in prayer and urban ministry coaching all along the way. We are on the front end of working with a potential couple to launch a new work in the Prichard community of North Mobile - another leading community of need in the Deep South.
The New Orleans staff of Rebirth, or REBIRTH ORLEANS, are not only working diligently to help give foundation to a widening and expansive movement, but we are also relaunching work here in our city, which still lies in ruin. We have started a strategic outreach in Clark High School and intend to expand our outreach into other resurgent public high schools. We are praying about God’s timing to plant a local church.
Our present staff - myself, my lovely wife, Christian Angeletti (who is handling all things financial and administrative), Richard Johnson (who is presently volunteering but giving effective leadership to the Clark outreach) are fully committed to the task at hand. I have a solid board of indigenous leaders and I’m working on finding Trustees for the cause. There are many others who are willing to join staff and help.
And while it is a sheer miracle to have not only survived during this time, but to thrive in advancing urban ministry, Rebirth is nevertheless sorely under-funded. I’m traveling as much as my heart and present circumstances will allow. As soon as I am done writing this blog, I will be driving to Tallahassee to do a concert and some further consulting, and then to Orlando to do the same. This trip will hopefully inject some much needed resources into our coffers, raise awareness of the vision of Rebirth and widen the network of friends for Rebirth.
Please pray for us. As we consider new strategies for developing the resources for this work, would you also consider how God might lead you to help us in that effort. If all that you are able to do is to buy a few CD’s to give out to friends, along with the gift of an accompanying Rebirth brochure and a note from you, this might help considerably. (I do have plenty of CD’s to sell!)
We believe in what we are doing. I know you do too! We’re seeing God’s hand at work. And we are thankful to be in service to Him for His glory!
Pray for the success of my upcoming trip and pray for my most ardent supporters and partners - my sweet wife and amazing children.
Many blessings…
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