The wedding was absolutely beautiful. Congratulations Mark and Trish! God’s continued blessings on you both.

As far as FUSSE goes, I absolutely love the early Beatles look! Quite dashing!

For a ton of free stuff that didn’t make it into the book, check out:

http://www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/fusion

Let me know if you have any questions!

Nelson Searcy
Author, Fusion
Pastor, The Journey, NYC

P.S. I just started blogging at http://www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/blog – I hope you find it helpful!

Reading your posting I am reminded of our own incredibly gifted Pastor Schmidt, I still get goose bumps with the memory of him performing his first Spanish baptism. He did not know a word of Spanish before coming to Chula Vista. He embraced this unknown and took classes then performed a baptism ! I am in awe just thinking about how God is going to use us in His mission field. we were put here right now for his purpose!

Salamapo Dorie !!!!!
(tagalog for Thank you)

As far as naming the new church, I have been giving this serious thought and prayer for some time now. Leaving “Lutheran” out goes against everything I love about my faith and church. HOWEVER, I was among those calling on the surveys to ‘feel people out’ about our new preschool in their neighborhood. I must say it was a learning experience and very enlightening. The most memorable man I spoke to, who was well educated and in a high income bracket, made it abundantly clear several times that he liked the idea of a private school, even a Christian school. BUT, when I asked him how he felt about the word “Lutheran”, he said it had a negative connotation. I don’t believe it was WHICH denomination that was important to him, but rather that his generic impression of Christian and private represented good moral values, quality education, teachers and environment. He didn’t seem to have anything against churches in general.
I believe he is representative of many people who consider themselves Christians (meaning ‘good people’), but are lost spiritually. If we expect to reach these lost souls, it is my opinion, whether I like it or not, that we have to meet them on their own ground. This does not mean we should keep it a secret that we are LCMS Lutheran if asked or when teaching, etc. On the contrary, we should embrace our heritage. But how will they hear the good news if we don’t tell them? And how can we tell them if we can’t get them through our doors because one word on a sign scares them away? Times do change, which doesn’t thrill me. But unless we are willing to be flexible and change too (without compromising God’s Word), we will stagnate. In summary, it is my opinion that God is more concerned with reaching lost souls for Christ than with the name on a building.

Secondly, I have felt for several years now that I know the family God has laid on my heart to connect with Him. But I have a hundred reasons why it will never work! Then I remember, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” and “anything is possible with God.” Just this week the husband of this family was standing in my kitchen saying, “I don’t believe in God.” Literally! But then I read Nehemiah 1:9 which says, “even if your…people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.” I figure he can’t get any farther than flat-out not believing in God. This seemed to be God hitting me over the head with a 2×4, again! I continually underestimate God and then am amazed at the ways he answers my prayers. So now that God has confirmed my family, I will pray more fervently and step up my walk on the path to my good intentions.