Be Well:  Connect  -  Fill  -  Serve
A simple plan for spiritual health and growth in 2010

Over the holidays I read a book called “Simple Church” by Thom S. Ranier and Eric Geiger.   I was impressed with their research on churches that are growing.  Their research shows that churches that have a simple plan for helping people become spiritually healthy in return develop into healthy and relevant churches.  This isn’t rocket science, but their point was that often we get caught up in programs, a clutter of activities, or one-time promotion and marketing events and we forget to focus on fulfilling the great commission:  making disciples.  

I felt it was important this year that we begin with a simple plan for spiritual health.  This plan works both for individuals, and for our community as a whole.   In a bit of a play on words, I suggest this metaphor:  Be Well.   A well was a gathering point for life and community in the ancient world, and in many places in the world today.   A vital source of water and life is essential for modern communities, even we don’t gather at actual wells today.  For a well to be viable, it must first connect to a source of water.   Whether this is an underground river, the water table, or a natural spring, a well must be connected to an ongoing source.  Similarly, we as people, and especially as Christians, must be connected to the source of Spiritual life if we hope to be healthy.  Jesus says in John 15, “Abide in me, and I will abide in you.”  As we remain connected with Christ we will naturally produce health and fruit.  

Secondly, a well usually contains or is connected to some sort of reservoir.  To effectively be a source of life and goodness, the well must be able to protect the water from other debris or contaminants that could pollute the water.  Sometimes this is accomplished through filters, a rock wall, or even a separate metal storage container.   Both a well and a geyser get water to the surface.  However, the difference between a well and a geyser is that a well’s reservoir is filled and stored for later use.   Likewise, the scripture compares us to jars of clay that are filed with the treasure of the gospel, the good news of Jesus.  (2 Cor 7).   We must be built up with the word of God, filled with the Spirit, and encouraged by one another to be spiritually healthy and to bring health to others. 

Thirdly, wells exist to serve a purpose.  They aren’t just there to look good, but to provide vital sustenance for animals or people.   If a well goes unused for a long period of time it can become stagnate or dry up, and actually become a danger to others.   Likewise, the church isn’t here just for our own sake.  In fact, God has prepared good works for us to do in advance  (Eph 2:10).   We are meant to serve Christ by offering a cup of cold water to those in need.   We also bless our community as we share the good news of Jesus, and help them get connected to Jesus as the source of eternal life. 

In the next several weeks we will be going deeper into various ways to connect with God, be filled spiritually, and to serve effectively in our community.


So, “Be Well” in 2010.

Advent is a season of longing and anticipation that precedes Christmas. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas we reflect on the need for hope, peace, joy, and love in the midst of the harsh realities that our world faces.

It is a time to embrace the tension of the kingdom of God. Though God is faithful, and promises have been given, we live waiting for the fullness of the kingdom to appear. Just as the Israelites were in bondage to Egypt, waiting for freedom, and just how the shepherds, outcasts, and oppressed of Israel waited for deliverance from Roman oppression; we wait for God to bring the fullness of His kingdom of peace, justice, and healing to our broken world. We mourn because so much of humanity experiences injustice, and because all creation groans for its redemption. But we have joyful expectation because the greatest victory for the kingdom has already been won, and we are equipped by the Spirit to spread the light of Christ, bringing reconciliation and healing to all we encounter. 

What to Expect:

Expect a time of prayer, contemplation, and reflection. Take some time to slow down and focus on what is important.  There will be scripture readings, poetry, a few songs, and the lighting of the Advent candles. The whole service will last about 90 minutes.   These services will be a great time to bring friends.  

Services start at 10 AM.

Week 1 November 29th  -  Hope

Week 2 December 6  -  Peace

Week 3 December 13  -  Joy
Aptos Christian Childcare Center children will be preforming at 11:00.  Please stay after the service to support our preschool.  Refreshments will be provided afterward. 

Week 4 December 20  -  Love
ACF Choir Ensemble will be performing. 

A few weeks ago I asked our Soularium Discussion group “If you had $100 a month to spend on ‘showing God’s love to others through service,’  how would you use it?”  I really didn’t get many responses.   Maybe I didn’t give enough room for you to dream.  

Say you inherited 3 million dollars, but were required to spend it on ‘showing God’s love to others through service’ in Santa Cruz county, what would you do?   Would you give everyone in the county $11.85?   Would you open a storefront in downtown Captiola offering free hugs and WWJD bracelets?  Would you open a free laundromat for the homeless?   Would you drop Skittles from an airplane and encourage everyone to ‘taste the rainbow?’  

Seriously though, what do you think would have a large impact in transforming Santa Cruz County? 

Feel free to respond to our email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our facebook page: 

I just wanted to send a shoutout to fellow pastor Dan Kimball across town at Vintage Faith.  I found a video of him online, and feel that it brings up some amazing questions that we should be thinking about.  I find his statement "Tradition that interferes with mission is a sin" to be quite though provoking.  What are the implications of this for the way we live out being the church?  Can we also tap into "Tradition that fosters mission"?  What traditions do you think hinder and foster our mission?  Register and login to our website to discuss, or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Oh, and Dan, because you are my brother in Christ, I will humor your PC Punk vs Apple comments.  :)