As we surveyed the landscape of the North Brooklyn Vineyard, in early 2015, it’s evident that our community finds itself in a time of personal change and transition that is more significant and prevalent than any other time in the past 10 years. Take for example, the circumstances surrounding key leadership in the NBV: the growing impact and influence of the Main & Plain for Mike and Char, or the advancement of the Queens Church led by the Myers family, or the Martinez family moving-on to North Jersey. Similarly, many of us find ourselves in a job search, new relationship dynamics, or significant changes in our family. For many of us, there is an adventure ahead where we can ask for, and expect, God’s help and guidance to transition us well to this new future.
An adventure
Back in the day when someone or something was stressing us out, we’d say, “You’re putting me through changes, man…” Change often puts us through ‘changes’. Transitions can be confusing, unsettling and even scary since whatever is next is unknown and uncertain and we have to figure out what to do next.
But transitions and change can also be times of adventure. They can be accompanied by a sense of anticipation and excitement. Change can provide variety. Transition can inspire and bring growth. Often variety and growth are just the things needed to energize and spice-up our lives.
The point is, that change is a part of life and our personal or corporate transition in times of change can be done well, or it can be done poorly. We here at the North Brooklyn Vineyard, would like to learn how to face changing circumstances and transition well through them both as a church and to help you connect to God’s help and guidance in any personal change or transition that you’re facing.
Leap Of Faith
Each year, our church community embarks on an ambitious journey together,
in an attempt to see God work powerfully in each of our lives and in the life of our church. This journey acts as a
faith experiment during Lent that we call Leap of Faith. It’s a Leap of Faith because it’s a time where we put ourselves, our hopes and desires,
out there. We experiment with trusting God for something of deep importance to us, something of deep meaning that we know we can’t pull-of on our own – like our future. And then… we see what happens.
Since so many of us are facing a time of personal change and the challenging and exciting prospects of new possibilities for our church and our lives right now we’ve chosen,
“Preparing For The Adventure Ahead” as our theme for this year’s Leap Of Faith. This will include activities we’ll all be encouraged to take part in together in hopes of seeing God’s love at work in new and unexpected ways in our lives, in the lives of those we care about, and in our church.
We’re kicking-off Leap Of Faith next Sunday. We’ll have User Manual’s available at our services and online for everyone who wants to go on this adventure over the next six weeks. Somehow I have a feeling this is going to be the best and most life-changing Leap Of Faith we’ve ever done. Stay tuned...
Pastor Mike
