Tent Making: Month 1

Today marks the 1 Month milestone of the Interim Lead Pastor position for Tripp as a tent maker.

There are many examples of Tent Making in ministry and international outreach. Generally the equation includes commitment to ministry with little or no pay + working a job to provide support. Tent Making is not superior to full-time or part-time paid ministry, we're just encouraged to see it's not inferior (or impossible).

Paul modeled Tent Making in Acts 18:1-5 (ESV)

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wifePriscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

In theory, we value this model. Time will tell, whether or not this model is advisable to a young urban family. For now you may ask...

So, how's it going? 

After once month, Tripp and I both see God's leading in his life. Tripp enjoys teaching on Sunday mornings and so far congregants have shared that it's enjoyable to listen. From here, it's going to be a temptation to judge Tripp's call by the amount of filled chairs. Pray for us. Pray that God would give us more faith to trust Him.

Romans 12:3 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

How is your family doing? 

We're doing pretty well! Thankfully, God has been providing people to lead where we should not, and they are excelling beyond what we could have asked. Yesterday, we officially called a break for Tuesday Root Group. It's going to be up to me to redirect energy back into my family during the day. Training and discipline needs to happen for both the kids and myself and I'm seeing this as an opportunity to refocus. This is not my favorite parenting area.

A weekend of answered prayer

Prayer has not been a notable priority in Tripp & I's relationship from the start. When we were dating in college, we each favored very different worship and prayer styles. I remember struggling so badly with social anxiety that I would lay on the floor of my bedroom crying out to God for internal transformation. I know Tripp had a passionate prayer life but couldn't tell you when or where it happened. We did pray together for friend's to be healed, wisdom on future and over food. However, for us both having such a strong belief in the power of prayer - we were ripe for change and leading in this area.

I would say our first year of marriage set much change in motion, but not yet in a good way. Setting aside alone time to cry out to God seemed awkward and therefore I remember more time spend reading quietly. Again, we prayed for food, for people and healing.

In moving to Rogers Park, and landing in Rogers Park Community Church, we were both able to press a reset button on our relationship as one in Christ. We followed leadership, glory to God, who prayed a lot. Prayer was first in the hearts of our leaders and it became first for us. Finally.

This weekend, Tripp and I both anticipated a lot of challenges. In addition to two very poignant church meetings, Tripp was preaching on Ephesians 5:22-33, 'wives submit to your husbands...'. We prayed as worries presented themselves.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. -Psalm 69:13

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! -Psalm 143:1

By Sunday afternoon, Tripp and I were celebrating the faithfulness of our God. He listened to the cries of our hearts, though we were not prostrate on the floor, and honored the prayers of His new creations at Rogers Park Community Church. Kids Club, our children's ministry, will be lead well and the covenant partners will be taking it upon themselves to prepare budget details for 2014. Tripp was able to look back over the day and also give God glory for the most positive feed back he's received yet for a sermon. Glory to God for answering us in His righteousness.

A New Grace Period

Today marks the beginning of a new season for many people in our closely knit community of Christ's followers at Roger Park Community Church. The Greenberg family of 5, whom we've come to know and love over the past 6 years, has been called on to Florida to live near family. While the parameters appear secure, they leave behind their Chicago home of 15 years for no job and no certain landing place. They leave behind a legacy of evangelistic teaching and example of gospel sharing without fear. I don't think Tripp and I will realize to what extent they've impacted our lives until we're walking more closely in their shoes. 

As of today, Tripp was unanimously voted in as Interim Lead Pastor at Rogers Park Community Church. This is the role that Pastor Keith Greenberg is trusting the Lord to pass on to his friend and Elder, Tripp. The term 'Interim' in this instance simply means 'Lead Pastor with a Grace Period'. Tripp will fulfill all the duties of Lead Pastor as a Tent Maker, keeping his current position at his medical waste company. Interim means that the commitment though complete is not final. We'll assess God's leading as a family and church in early 2014. 

Let's take a moment to look at Tripp in 2007, the height of his good looks. 

Thanks to that sweetie pie in my arms, Tripp and I worked as helpers in a VBS program at a church in our hometown in Taiwan. Her parents were Christians and invited us to come help. While helping, we were asked if we wanted to go receive prayer from a man that was well known for prophesy. Tripp was unsure of the experience but we felt it would be culturally rude to say no. The man prayed for Tripp and it was translated to English by one of the other helpers. The prophesy included a few life turns, one that has become heartbreakingly true, and another that we're seeing today. 

Fluffy headed Tripp was informed that he would be called to ministry. This confirmed a dream he'd had sometime before:

"When I was in college, Jesus Christ appeared to me in a dream, and showed me what he would have me do... Namely to be in the church, and point the people to Him. This is hard to explain, but it was the most vivid dream of my life, and has given me great confidence in my purposes.  This experience has had a profound influence on me."

I wish I could get Tripp to sit down and detail out his feelings about this current grace period we've now entered into as a family. However, he fell asleep on the couch watching football tonight. He falls asleep on the couch most night while I work on my laptop on the other couch. 

Today I feel that we're given a very unique opportunity to taste missionary toil for Christ. This toiling is not partnered with insecurity about whether or not we're following God or doing the right thing with our lives. This toiling, according to 1 Timothy 4:10 and Colossians 1:29, is married to teaching the Gospel, the living hope, to everyone that everyone may be presented mature in Christ. We toil to get the word out that Jesus is the Savior to all. 

This is good news for our family because regardless of whether or not the Lord calls Tripp to Lead RPCC beyond winter 2014, we will learn to toil here and now.