Project Church Weekly Update (11.14.08)

Saturday Nights @ Six | Alternative Fuel Coffee House | 620 Main St. | Downtown Rapid City

Hello Friends!

We’re changing things up this weekend at Project Church and you don’t want to miss it!

The first thing we’re changing is this week’s message.  We’re going to pause our current series, “True or False” and this week we’re going to look at the vision of Project Church. Where are we going? How are we doing? Why do we do what we do?  If there’s ever been a week to check us out for the first time or invite friends/family who might dig us, this is it.

We’re also adding a new element to our weekly gathering called, “Stories.” It will be a brief Q & A between me and someone with a story to tell. This week, we begin with story from a dude who’s recently connected with Project Church.   We’ll chat and then he’ll share his story with a song.  I’m really looking forward to it. If you or someone you know have a story you think others should hear, shoot me an email.

Some other items to note.

• Be a Facebook Fan of Project Church here.  There are some special goodies there so check it out.
• This Christmas season, we’re taking part in something called The Advent Conspiracy. More to come.
• There will be no gathering on Saturday, November 29 due to the Festival of Lights parade downtown.  This is a great city-wide event and I hope to see you there. We’re back in action on December 6.
• If you’re interested in helping out this weekend, be at Alternative Fuel at 5:30pm on Saturday.
• Some have asked me to explain the term “missional church” because I use it so much.  For more information about the missional church (which we are), check out the notes from a message I taught a couple of months ago.  Also, read this post about common misperceptions about the missional church I wrote earlier this week.

So join us Saturdays night @ 6pm at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (next to the Firehouse Brewing Co.).  Bring a friend, grab a coffee, enjoy some live music, and discover more about Project Church.

Peace,

Jason Salamun

Stories

We all have a story and they should be shared - not wasted.

This week at Project Church we’re adding a new element to our gatherings that we’re calling Stories.   It will last about 5-10 minutes and will be a Q & A between me and someone with a story to tell.

This week, we begin with a story from a dude who’s recently connected with Project Church.   We’ll chat and then he’ll share the story in a song he wrote.  I’m really looking forward to it.

If you or someone you know have a story you think others should hear, send us an email at projectchurch@gmail.com

Project Church Weekly Update

Saturday Nights @ Six | Alternative Fuel Coffee House | 620 Main St. | Downtown Rapid City

Have you ever wondered why God would allow suffering? I know I have.  And this week at Project Church we are going to explore that question further as we continue on in the series, “True or False” where we are examining some of Christianity’s most common questions. This is an important message for anyone who has ever gone through difficult times (which is all of us).

Here’s what’s on deck for the rest of the series:

October 18 - Does God Exist?
October 25 - Is the Bible True?
November 1 - Why Does God Allow Suffering?
November 8 - Who is Jesus?
November 15 - What’s the Truth About Heaven & Hell?
November 22 - Why Don’t Most Christians Act Like Jesus?

Other News and Announcements

• This week we are going to have some special music by Shawn Michael Shoup.   He’s quite talented and I think we’re in for a treat.
• On Saturday, November 29, we will not have a formal gathering due to the Festival of Lights Parade downtown. There will be thousands of people downtown that night and I encourage you to be a part of it and connect with others in the city.
• We will be back on track December 6 when we begin our new Christmas series, The Advent Conspiracy.
• If you would like to help out at the gathering, show up at Alternative Fuel at 5:30pm and we’ll get you plugged in.
• If you’re interested in exploring Scripture further, I encourage you to check out this article I wrote for you titled, “A Divine Conversation.”
• Did you know we’re on Facebook?  Be a fan here. It’s another way to get to know one another.  We’re also launching a MySpace page if that’s how you roll.
• If you’re on Facebook, check out this cool video that Cory Church (one of our Projectors) put together for Project Church.
• Don’t forget to vote!

Missional Communities
Soon we will kick-off our missional communities.  This is the primary way we connect with others within Project Church and live our lives on mission together. These smaller groups of people (8-20) provide an opportunity to develop relationships with others and live out the rhythms of authentic community. If interested, reply back to projectchurch@gmail.com.   We will have more on this soon.

So join us this Saturday night @ 6pm at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (next to the Firehouse Brewing Co.).  Bring a friend, grab a coffee, enjoy some live music, and explore Christianity’s most common questions with us.

Grace & Truth,

Jason Salamun
pastor | Project Church
{web} projectchurch.net
{blog} thinkinginprogress.com
{email} projectchurch@gmail.com

A Divine Conversation

A Divine Conversation
You are in a divine conversation with God.  He talks to you through Scripture, you talk to him through prayer. And when God speaks something into your heart, it will never contradict Scripture.

The Bible is personal and is evidence of a relationship with God.  1 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that Scripture is breathed out by God. That through it, God prepares us for the life we are meant to live. He teaches us what’s right (such as loving God & people). And should we believe in something bogus, Scripture can set things straight, can contradict us when we’re wrong, prevent us from following lies, living like idiots, and even from following some nutjob false teacher.  We don’t make Scripture, Scripture is making us.

We don’t worship the Bible. We worship God. But we love the Bible because it’s God’s letter to us. And because of that, we study it.

There are two ways to look at Scripture:
1) You stand in authority over it.  You sit as judge and jury. You cut and paste what you like.
2) Scripture stands in authority over you because it’s God’s word.  It is your supreme court.  You are shaped by it.

There’s one throne.
Who sits on it?
You or Jesus?

I encourage you to search your heart and see who sits on that one throne. That center from which you live your life.

If Christ is the center of your life, and if Scripture truly contains the very words of God to us, then it changes everything.  We study Scripture not because we have to but because we get to. To not just know about God but to know God. That’s huge!

As you pursue God through Scripture, I urge you not to read it for information- study it for transformation! As you do, you might just find that it is God who’s been pursuing you.

With that in mind, I’ve compiled a starter kit to become a good Bible student. I hope you find it helpful in your divine conversation with God.

Essentials

• Humility (Okay, this isn’t a resource but it is crucial. If we don’t humble ourselves under Scripture, then our studies will be in vain.)
• A good Study Bible (ESV or NIV)  If you get nothing else, get this.
• A good notebook (I prefer a Moleskine) and a writing utencil.

Other Resources

• Word-for-word (ESV, NASB), thought-for-thought (NIV), and paraphrase (NLT, The Message) versions of Scripture.  In that order.
• An Exhaustive Bible Concordance (Helps to dig into the original meaning of words in Scripture)
• A Bible Dictionary (So you can look up words like wormwood)
• A Topical Bible (Naves NIV Topical Bible is a good choice)
• Bible Handbook (Good info about culture of time, geography, etc. paints a picture of the context)
• Commentaries from trusted and theologically-sound writers (Here’s just a few)
• Solid systematic theology books (ones by Grudem, Packer, & Sproul are sound and readable)

Some Free Online Resources

• YouVersion (Great Social Bible Study Tool from our friends at Lifechurch.tv)
  
• BibleGateway (Straight Forward, good for multiple translation)
  
• E-Sword.net (Downloadable resource with concordance, commentaries, and more)
  
• StudyLight.org (Lots of resources like dictionaries, atlases, articles, and much more)
  
• CCEL.org (Christian Classics from Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Edwards, and tons more)
• TheResurgence.com (theological resources from our friends at Mars Hill Church in Seattle)

Where to Start

• Start in the book of John
• Commit to read at least one chapter a day or you can follow a reading plan.
• Helpful study/devotional method: S.O.A.P. (by Wayne Cordeiro in the Divine Mentor)

S-Scripture: Write out the verse(s) that stood out to you.
O-Observation: What is this verse saying?  Why is it standing out to you? Write it down.
A-Application: What do you think God wants you to do with this verse today? Write it down.
P-Prayer: Write out your prayer to God.

The Best Question
When reading Scripture, always be asking this question: “How does what I just read point to Jesus?”
That’s the key to studying and understanding Scripture.  Jesus said it was all about him. (Luke 24:27, John 5:39)

Community
Finally, Scripture is not meant just for us alone but also for us as a community. None of us know it all, but others can help shed light or ask questions that cause us to dig further.  For Project Church, we are beginning Missional Communities.  These communities are just people coming together, forging friendships, eating, doing life together, living as missionaries, and exploring Scripture together.  If you’re interested in being a part of a missional community, let us know by emailing projectchurch@gmail.com

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” - GOD  (Jeremiah 29:13)

Project Church Weekly Update

Saturday Nights @ Six | Alternative Fuel Coffee House | 620 Main St. | Downtown Rapid City

This week at Project Church we explore the question, “Is the Bible True?” as we continue the series, “True or False” where we are examining some of Christianity’s most common questions.

Here’s what’s on deck:

October 18 - Does God Exist?
October 25 - Is the Bible True?
November 1 - Why Does God Allow Suffering and Evil?
November 8 - Who is Jesus?
November 15 - What’s the Deal with Heaven & Hell?
November 22 - Why Don’t Most Christians Act Like Jesus?

Missional Communities
Soon we will kick-off our missional communities.  This is the primary way we connect with others within Project Church and live our lives on mission together. These smaller groups of people (6-20) provide an opportunity to develop relationships with others and live out the rhythms of authentic community. If interested, reply back to projectchurch@gmail.com.   We will have more on this soon.

Join us Saturdays night @ 6pm at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (next to the Firehouse Brewing Co.).  Bring a friend, grab a coffee, enjoy some live music, and explore Christianity’s most common questions with us.

Grace & Truth,

Jason Salamun
pastor | Project Church
{web} projectchurch.net
{blog} thinkinginprogress.com
{email} projectchurch@gmail.com

Project Church Update

This Saturday night at Project Church

We wrap up our DNA series in a message titled, “No One Stands Alone” as we look at being an authentic community of grace, truth, mission, and meaning. Don’t miss it!

All Hands On Deck

It’s been one month since we went public with Project Church. And if I were to describe the general response so far with one word- it would be “curious.” Kind of like putting your toes in the water to test the temperature before you dive in. I can totally understand. When you begin a church for people who aren’t into being churchy, it’s different. A month ago I didn’t exactly know what to expect myself.

One thing we did different was start Project Church with plenty of needs yet to be filled. That was intentional.

Our church is a church for anybody but not everybody. The people who are most interested in us are those who are still exploring their faith, people who haven’t really been into church, or mature followers of Christ who aren’t all about themselves. Those who are most uncomfortable with us are consumer Christians who are looking for a church to meet all their wants/needs. We hope to help them see a better way to follow Jesus.

That said, for us to be the church we need to be, it’s going to take all hands on deck. We need you. So if you are a leader, there’s opportunity. If you have a heart for kids, there’s opportunity. If you have sweet band, there’s opportunity. If you are creative, there’s opportunity. If you like babies, there’s opportunity. If you’re into numbers and stuff, there’s opportunity. If you just like to help out wherever, there’s opportunity.

It’s going to take all of us to become who we are meant to become and to reach those we’re are called to reach.

If you’re interested in being a part of Project Church, we’re going to have a special after-party immediately following the gathering on October 18th. This will be your opportunity to discover more about Project Church and plug in and be a part of the team.

See you then.

Jason

Project Church Rundown

• This week at Project Church was the third week of our brand new church and it was something special.
• We’re in the midst of a series titled, “DNA” and looking at how we can be an authentic community of grace, truth, mission, and meaning. This week we dug into grace in a message titled, “Grace Uncensored.”
• Even though we can’t afford it, we are giving 100% of this week’s offering to help out a 17-year-old who was paralyzed after a fight with another kid last week.  His family has no medical insurance and we just felt that we needed to show grace, not just talk about it. You can read the story (and comments) on the Rapid City Journal website.
• I shared the “To Write Love On Her Arms” story this week.
• Grace is a truth that is simple and profound at the same time.  Charles Spurgeon calls grace an “abyss” and I completely agree.
• Josh played beautifully this week as he did, “Heart of Life” by John Mayer in addition to “Mighty to Save” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).”
• Every week, the make-up of who’s in the gathering looks different.  Looking forward to seeing who’s there next week.
• Speaking of next week, we’re taking a look at another strand of our DNA: Mission.  Don’t miss it!

Project Church Overview Presentation

Click on the image below to download the revised version of the Project Church overview in pdf format (6MB).

Enjoy!

The Idea Behind Project Church

The idea behind Project Church is to be an authentic community where people can belong before they believe. Where someone can wrestle with doubts, explore why Jesus is such a big deal, and take next steps in living the life we are all meant to live. We believe church was never meant to be an institution but a movement based on the biblical premise of “Love God, Love People.” This is the church Jesus had in mind.

Project Church is a non-denominational community of faith committed to being big on Jesus, big on people, and changing the way people think about church.

We envision a movement of countless people fulfilling Jesus’ mission (and ours) “To go and make disciples who love God and people” through various expressions of church spread throughout multiple venues of all types, sizes, and vibes around the world- beginning in Rapid City, SD.

Join us on starting on Saturday night, September 6 at 6 p.m. at the recently-expanded Alternative Fuel Coffee House in downtown Rapid City (620 Main St.).  The gathering will last about an hour and will be a time to connect with other people, groove to some live music, and hear a message that’s relevant to your life.  Childcare is available for children 3 & under.

Hope to see you there!

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