Why Fasting

Tomorrow, we will begin 3 day of prayer and fasting with two other churches in our city.  Join us over the next 3 days at the Fall Awakening and read below to learn more about why we fast.

Fall Awakening 2016 - Time & Locations


Why Fasting?
God uses fasts to increase our hunger to spend time with Jesus, to give us more time to spend in prayer, and to remind us that this world and its desires are passing away. I find at the completion of these fasts I am often more focused on God's kingdom and more filled with God's power simply because I have been spending more time with him!

Many heroes of the faith fasted including Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.  We follow their example!  Jesus expected his followers to fast knowing how good it would be for them, "They will fast in that day." (Mark 2:20)

Our fasting symbolizes are longing for God's kingdom to come on earth  and for Jesus' return.  It is a prophetic statement, "This world/food is not what satisfies it is you and your kingdom, Jesus." It reminds us we are living in the times between Christ's first appearance and the time he will return to place everything under his feet.

In Acts 13, the early church saw Jesus' kingdom coming on earth through working together to establish new churches in unreached areas. The early believers continually fasted and prayed as they did so.  Prayer and fasting was a key part of Paul and Barnabas' preparation for their church planting venture and was a crucial part of their tremendous success.

What Does a Fast Look Like?
First, please remember that if you have certain health issues a change in diet or a fast can be medically dangerous and should be avoided. As always, remember to drink lots of water especially when fasting.

Fasting works best if you replace the meal(s) or activity you are skipping with times of prayer, mediating on scripture, and worship.  Otherwise, it becomes a mere physical ritual instead of life-giving experience in which you are learning to transform your physical hunger into a hunger for God.  The Spirit will help us in our weakness - Romans 8:26!

A Fast
The phrase "fasting" in our context is typically used to mean fasting from all foods for a meal, day, week, etc.

A Water Fast
A water fast involves abstaining from all substances EXCEPT water. This typically should last for no more than 3-10 days.

A Daniel Fast
The idea of a "Daniel fast" is found in Daniel Chapter 1 where Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the king's fine food and instead embrace a diet of vegetables during their time of training in Babylon. A "Daniel fast" for me consists of not eating any meats or sweats or fine foods (define that however you want :). I generally eat fruits, vegetables, some breads, beans, rice, and grains. Some keep a stricter diet than that. I have used a "Daniel Fast" for when I am doing fasts of more than 2-3 days.

A Media Fast
A media fast can involve abstaining from some type of daily entertainment - such as facebook, tv/movies, internet, video games, etc. - for an extended period of time. I have found these to be very helpful for me when I have done them.

In fasting it is not the diet that matters, it is a heart that wants more of God and less of the world. Prayerfully, consider fasting.  There is a power in our unity and participation in what God is doing.

I look forward to gathering together as we do!

David W.

David W's Sabbatical (Summer 2014)

I am very grateful to have been given an opportunity at my request to take a 2-month sabbatical beginning May 25 and ending July 25.  

A sabbatical is a rest or break from work often lasting two months to a year. At the beginning of the year, I sensed the Lord nudging me to take an extended break from my normal routine to re-focus on him and spend extended time in prayer and thought. I have been hugely blessed by the supportive response to this idea from our leadership team, our church family, and my peers. So many of you have celebrated this opportunity with me and encouraged me to take it. Your response has been life-giving, honoring, and freeing. Thank you.

The purpose of my sabbatical is to create space for three things:

• Extended times away with the Lord
• Time resting with and focusing on my family
• Time with non-Christians in our city (secondary but one I am excited about!)

In the Bible, God called people away from their normal routines to focus on spending time with him and preparing for new seasons. Moses, Jesus, and John the Baptist spent extended times in the wilderness to prepare for seasons of ministry. After a fast start in the ministry, Paul spent an extended period away from ministry tasks before launching into years of church planting across Turkey, Greece, and Spain.

Last year, our church responded in obedience to several clear prophetic words from God to become a multi-site church with a vision for expanding beyond the Fenway to impact neighborhoods throughout Boston. Living out this expanded vision that seeks to plant multiple sites in the city will require new patterns of leadership and disciple-making. Those new patterns require apostolic imagination to form and develop. With the extended time and space my sabbatical will provide, I am looking forward to imagining those patterns and strengthening my own relationship with the Lord.

During my sabbatical, I will  be away from Boston for several periods of time and will cease from all of my current church responsibilities.  I am excited to see what God does in our church while I am gone!  

The following leaders will be serving in pastoral and administrative capacities and can be reached out to at any time. Their contact info will be available at our Sunday gatherings and via our weekly email. You are in good hands with these men and women who I trust deeply.  In addition, our community group and serve team leaders will continue to serve and lead us.

Pastoral Oversight

Jayan Koshy

Pastor Dave Hill (Abundant Grace Church)

Site Contacts

Paul McFarthing - Fenway

Casey Marques - Allston

Staff Contact

Betsy Slate - community@fenwaychurch.org

If you have any questions about this sabbatical, please feel free to contact our staff team at the email above. I really do appreciate your support so much, and I welcome your prayers for me and my family during this season.

Grace,

David W.

Re-Thinking Prayer

It is sometimes joked that even atheists pray when they are in real danger.  I can relate.  I'll throw up a desperation prayer too when I'm late for an appointment desperately trying to find a parking space on Newbury Street.

To many of us that is what prayer is.  It is a one-way plea for help to a God who may or may not exist and who may or may not be interested in our current predicament.  We will roll the dice when we feel the need, but we are not expecting a Yahtzee.

Is that what prayer is?  A crap shoot?  An app that lets us get a few words in with the guy upstairs?

When we limit prayer to just making a request of a higher power, we miss out on what prayer as Jesus taught it and experienced it is all about.

Jesus taught that prayer was like spending time with a good Dad who had a lot great gifts he wanted to give away.  Jesus taught that prayer looked a lot more like a relationship than a duty.

Jesus taught that prayer was not just about making a request of God but an opportunity to worship him.

Jesus valued prayer so much because it was when he got to hear from his Dad.  Prayer seemed to recalibrate Jesus as spending time with a person who loves and cares for you usually does.

Jesus talked to his Dad in front of other people, alone in the wilderness, and when he was dying on a cross.

Times with his Father in prayer reminded Jesus why he had come and helped him get back on track with his God-given mission.  Jesus knew that when he prayed, his ability to meet the needs of others greatly increased afterwards.

Jesus expected his Dad to hear his friends prayers because his Father heard his prayers.  Jesus expected the Father to answer their prayers because they'd spent time with him and come to know him (and when you've met him you've met Dad too) and joined him in his mission.

See re-thinking prayer involves re-thinking who you are (a child of God), re-thinking what you believe (Jesus is God's son), and re-thinking what you are about (being a part of Jesus' mission to bring people back into relationship with Dad).

It's about joining with Jesus, the ultimate older brother who came to find us and show us what Dad is all about.

Pray.  Enjoy the relationship.

Advent Devotionals

You can read some of the great Advent Devotionals that Vicky Griffiths, a member of our church, has been writing this December by clicking below.

DECEMBER 20TH: THE STAR

Standard

Lord, we worship you because you are a powerful God who brings out each and every star in the sky, calling them all by name, ensuring that not one is missing (Isaiah 40:26). Every time we look at the stars in the sky may we be reminded of your great works, and, like the wise men, may we be filled with great joy. Amen.

Moving to the Brighton Music Hall - August 25

Dear FenFam,

I have so appreciated the attitude with which you have greeted this big announcement. Your faith, genuineness, and willingness to join in with what God is doing inspires me to love Jesus more.

A few recurring questions have emerged in the last two weeks as we prayed for and discussed our move to the Brighton Music Hall. I want to answer them here and provide another context for us to be able to understand and run with the vision God is setting before us.

With you on the adventure!

David W.

Are we starting a new church in Allston?
No, we will continue to be one church pursuing a common vision and led and served by the same leadership team. We see our church as many community groups who gather together on Sundays to worship Jesus, hear gospel-focused preaching, invite others to see what God is doing, and encourage each other in a larger context. In the fall, we will become a church of many community groups who gather on Sundays in two different venues instead of one.

When are we moving?
We are moving our Sunday morning gathering to the Brighton Music Hall in Allston on Sunday August 25 with a new start time of 10:30AM.  We will re-launch a Sunday gathering with an afternoon start time in our current venue in Fenway on Sunday September 15.

Where should I go on Sundays?
Head to Allston! We want to launch at the Brighton Music Hall as strongly as possible. For a short season, we want our whole church family to gather together there to worship Jesus and help get the Allston venue humming. There is power in that type of unity and focus.

If you would like to be a part reaching out in the Fenway neighborhood specifically, please let us know at community@fenwaychurch.org and we can let you know how you can get involved with the Fenway re-launch.

What's my role? How can I get involved?
Sign up to join a Sunday serve team! Throughout the summer, we will be developing teams that will help us with the launch at the Brighton Music Hall - greeting, setup/breakdown, audio/visual, outreach/hospitality, worship and especially kid's church so we can welcome more families at the new Allston venue!

Join a CG.  Our leadership wants to equip you and your community groups (CGs) to be able to reach your neighbors and transform your neighborhoods. Much of that equipping takes place through sharing life together in our CGs and through our CG leadership training program. A great way to get involved and start getting equipped is to join a CG.

Give.  We will need to increase our giving to to cover the increased costs of going multi-site and reaching out into more neighborhoods.  If you consider yourself a member at Fenway Church, we encourage you to give regularly (monthly or bi-weekly) and move towards tithing (10%).

Why the move?
First and foremost, we believe God has spoken to us clearly and that this is his idea (see the video for that story). We are following him!

Second, the church is the people of God.  It is not just a Sunday gathering or event, but God's people living out their walks with Jesus Monday-Saturday as they gather in smaller groups, love their neighbors, and represent Jesus in their work places and classrooms. Adding the Allston venue will allow us to gather more people who want to be a part of this vision for church, allow our leadership to equip more members to reach their neighborhoods, and ensure more people in our city have an opportunity to meet Jesus.

FENWAY CHURCH - Loving Others, Transforming Neighborhoods, Serving Nations

For the extended version of this announcement that was given on Sunday June 9, visit http://www.fenwaychurch.org/media.php?pageID=5

Easter Sunday 2013 - Two Services

Two days ago, we finished our series Expect Great Things from God.  Over the last weeks, we’ve stretched forth in faith as a church family praying for the sick, welcoming those who have walked into our community, and watching God bring people to himself.

Much of what we’ve focused on has been about the work God has begun in us and how that work frees us to to love and liberate others.  In Luke 14:23, Jesus says: 

Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

Easter Sunday the past two years in our church has been a time where the club is filled and people come to faith in Jesus.  This year we plan to invite as many people as possible to experience Jesus and the authentic relationships that exist in our church community.  Why?  

Because we know Jesus wants his house to be full.

We want to make it possible for every person who has been attending our church to bring a friend on Easter Sunday.  To accommodate that size of a crowd, we will be hosting 2 services at 11 & 1PM.

As we stretch forth in faith as a church family, your expectation and participation are going to make this Easter a true miracle of God's grace.

Here are a few simple ways that you can get involved.

1)  Pray.  Pray Luke 10:2 that Jesus would send our church family out as his laborers into the harvest.  Ask God who he wants you to invite.  Make a list and pray for those people.

2) Plan ahead.  Know what service you are attending.  Your community groups will be helping to host a specific service.  Consider coordinating with your CG or other friends in the church you know to host luncheons after church.  Many of my own unchurched friends have enjoyed one of our services and a dinner after at our home!

3)  Volunteer to serve on Easter Sunday.  Ask your CG leader how you can help and/or email community@fenwaychurch.org to sign up to bring light refreshments for after the services.

4) Invite people.  Start inviting people now.  People tend to make their weekend plans in advance.  Let them know that there is something worth attending this Easter Sunday.

Love,

David W.

Great tips for inviting friends to church - http://confluenceblog.com/stirring-the-church-for-mission

If you know you will be away on Easter, we will have an Easter-themed service the Sunday before (March 24) that you may invite friends and neighbors to as well.

The Welcome

Last Sunday with Fenway Church, we looked at 3 priorities to embrace for the new year. You can listen to that message here. There is one more vital priority that I want us to embrace each Sunday and in our lives - the welcome.

The Welcome - Luke 10:20-24

And he (the prodigal son) arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And... said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate."

The son was a long way off, wearing tattered, smelly clothes and ashamed of his past. He was uncertain of what kind of reception he would receive in his condition and with his history. The reception he received was not what he expected.

In this story, Jesus reveals the power of a welcome. The father in the story never needs to say the son is forgiven or accepted - the welcome communicates that; and with this welcome, Jesus portrays what every person should experience when they come "home" to His family (the church).

When people come to church they often hear they are forgiven and accepted, but they don't always experience what that feels like. They are left wondering if what the preacher says is actually true. This should never be experienced in God's church.

How we welcome people into our church gatherings signals to them who God is, what his family is like, and whether they belong in that family. The reception they receive when they walk into church should surprise them as much as it surprised the prodigal son.

What should that welcome look like? Here are some practical steps you can take based on Jesus' story.

1) Look for guests or people who are standing or sitting alone (while he was a long way off the father saw him).

2) Go introduce yourself to those people with warmth and love (he felt compassion and ran and embraced him).

3) Give them your best (bring the best robe). We often want to reserve our time and energy for our friends or the actual worship service. Instead, let's give our energy, time, and best to those who are new or feel isolated in our midst in the following ways:

• Listen to them. 
• Offer to sit next to them. 
• Introduce them to someone else. 
• Make sure they feel connected and welcomed.

4) Clothe and feed those who need it (put shoes on his feet and kill the fattened calf). God may bring and has brought those who are literally in tatters or hungry to our gatherings. Let's be the ones who go get them breakfast and find them a coat to wear.

5) Celebrate their lives (let us celebrate). People's lives are worth celebrating no matter how different they may appear from our own. Let's get to know their interests and stories and find ways to celebrate their decision to visit our church and the life God has given them.

To my awesome Fenway Church family, let's make "the welcome" a top priority this year. As we do, many more will experience the tangible reality of God's grace, forgiveness, and love.

With you on the journey,

David W.

Top Messages from 2012

These are some of the messages/moments from 2012 that have stuck with me the longest throughout the year and have shaped how I think and act and what I meditate on.  It may be worth listening to some of these messages again before we move to far ahead in 2013.  Let's not forget what God has spoken to us.

You can listen or download these messages on our Fenway Church media player.

Living to Finish - Tom Griffith    1/8/12

The Father's Heart - David W.   2/25/12

'You' Is Plural - Jesse Sudirgo    3/4/12

Young Lions - Jeremy Jackson   7/8/12 (definitely listen to the prophetic word at the very end of the recording)

Keep on Keeping On - Casey Marques        10/21/12 (Steadfastness)

Your Greatest Enemy is You - Jan Horjus  10/28/12

Also, my good friend, Charlotte, says every new attendee at Fenway Church should listen to this message.

A Chosen Family - David W.  8/26/12

http://www.fenwaychurch.org/media

Hope for the City (Stories from Tell Week)

Here's a powerful and wonderful account of one of our Community Group's experiences last week for the tell portion of our "Pray, Serve, Tell" theme for the fall.

Our Community Group went out to do the 'Challenging Outreach' one night last week in Boston's busy Prudential Center.The more that I do this outreach, which involves asking people about the biggest challenge they face, the more I am filled with boldness! This is largely because I am so delighted and surprised by people's willingness to open up about the things that matter most to them, even to a complete stranger, and even in academic and largely secular Boston. God is moving in this city!

As we asked people about the biggest challenges they faced, their answers moved us. Here are some of them.

• 'Going to work everyday even though I want to quit' 
• 
  
• 'Overcoming my father's Alzheimers' 
• 
  
• 'Adjusting to life in a new city'
•  
• 'Telling people that I'm adopted.' 

This simple question allows people to honestly share where they are at and opens up the opportunity to pray and be invitational with people. Last week, we prayed with a young Hindu man who was visiting Boston for a conference, invited an Asian couple to church for our Christmas services, and exchanged email addresses with a Buddhist gentleman who has since been in touch to find out more about FenwayChurch! 

Our CG had fun together meeting new people and were thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Tell Week.

To learn more about the Challenging Outreach click here.

Questions About the Holy Spirit

Two questions were asked this week after my message on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. You can listen to that message here: http://www.fenwaychurch.org/media.php?pageID=5

Questions are not surprising!  When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in Acts 2, people asked questions (see verses 7-13), and Peter them.  In the same way today, when the Holy Spirit moves, questions often arise and they are worth answering.

For anyone but often people who have come from backgrounds where they have not seen supernatural things before, watching or hearing about some of the things that happen when the Spirit comes can make them feel uncertain or uncomfortable.  For example, on Sunday some people cried when experiencing the Holy Spirit. One young man was overcome by the presence of God and fell backwards.  While it is the person of the Holy Spirit that we are seeking, we acknowledge that certain signs and experiences often are associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

If you have questions about what you are seeing or hearing, ask your CG leader about it at community group or feel free to email me with questions - dwhill@fenwaychurch.org

For now, let's address the two questions that have already come up.

1) Does baptized with the Holy Spirit and filled with the Holy Spirit mean the same thing?  Are they interchangeable?

Yes!  Jesus promised the disciples in Acts 1:5 that they would be "baptized with the Holy Spirit... not many days from now."  This promise was fulfilled in Acts 2:4 when the same disciples were "all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues."

In Acts 8:17, people being baptized in the Holy Spirit (which I described in more detail in Sunday's message) was referred to as receiving the Holy Spirit.  All these phrases are referring to the same thing and are used interchangeably in the New Testament.

2) Is it Biblical for everybody to speak in tongues at the same time like Betsy experienced in Zimbabwe?

Good question.  In Acts 2, all 120 people were speaking in tongues at the same time when the Holy Spirit fell upon them so it is certainly not without precedent.

Paul does encourage order when we come together to worship in public as a church.  In those meetings, Paul states that if someone speaks out in tongues he should only do so if someone can interpret it so the whole body can be edified and built up (I Corinthians 14:26-27).

These instructions by Paul point to the purpose of tongues.  Tongues enables a person to pray with their spirit and not just their mind (I Cor 14:14).  Tongues builds up the individual that is praying but not the church unless their is an interpretation (I Cor 14:4).  I have founded praying in tongues to be hugely encouraging and empowering for me in my personal prayer life because of those reasons.

We do need to proceed with wisdom and with Paul's instructions in mind when praying in tongues corporately.  Here's how I attempt to do that.

I would encourage people in our Sunday public worship gatherings that if they pray in tongues they should do so quietly and in a way that will not be heard by others.  Of course if they sense their tongues if for the whole body and there is going to be an interpretation, they should then approach our MCs to see if their is space in the meeting to speak the tongue. This helps keeps order in the service and prevents people who don't know about tongues especially non-believing guests from being confused.

In prayer meetings and other gatherings where guests are not involved, I have found that as in Acts 2, Acts 10, and Acts 19 when the Spirit moves when we gather corporately it can cause many people to erupt in praise and prayer in tongues as Betsy experienced in Zimbabwe.  I have usually found these times empower prayer and build up the body as we all individually feel ourselves being edified by the Spirit.

With that said, we do want to make sure we are explaining what is taking place to those who may not have experienced it before and help them understand and experience these gifts as they desire.

Our Dear American Friends... (A Note from Across the Pond)

I felt this note from a friend from Germany (who is deeply involved in the expansion of God's kingdom in many ways particularly through simple church planting) hit the right note this morning. I need more time to weigh everything that he is saying here, but I sense much of it is from God's heart.  I post it this morning because I believe we need to hear its message and consider this man's conclusions with the election and the state of our nation still fresh in our minds.

David W.

P.s. I would welcome any questions or thoughts in the comments.

____________________________________________________

Our dear America – where do you go from here?

Today, Obama has been re‐elected; all the efforts of many Christian leaders, prayer movements, “prophets” and “concerned Americans” who have lobbied, written appeals, articles, books, letters ‐ some have even done films ‐ to warn not to vote for him have come to nothing. Many of them have behaved as if the future of the Kingdom of God is at stake. Well, it is not.

  

Can we, as foreigner who dearly love you as a people, say a few words into this situation? Because it is evident to us that God has a clear plan with your nation. But many don´t seem to see it, and therefore run the danger of fighting the wrong fight, wasting precious time and resources, and even endlessly call upon God to do what he just will not do.

The German weekly Der Spiegel, kind of a German Time Magazine, has a cover picture of Uncle Sam in bed, titled, The American Patient: The decline of a Great Nation. We think this is a prophetic picture. As your friends, we know, acknowledge and admire that America has had a great past. But how will your future look like?

God chastises whom he loves because he knows: pride will come before the fall, and humbleness and brokenness is the only condition he responds to. We personally sense we need to tell you: the destiny of your nation is in God’s hands, not yours. It is not at all about Obama or Romney, it is about God using all the nations in the world according to his global and unchanging plans. Did you ever allow the thought that God in his sovereignty is using Obama like a pawn on his chessboard to humble the US as a nation because he wants to show his grace to a nation gone completely self‐sufficient? A nation that is so full of independence, individualism, nationalism and trusting a greed‐ and fear‐based economy that there may be only one way open to heal it from its idolatry and re‐align itself with the Kingdom of God: a crisis beyond anything that America has ever seen?

In 2008, God has been challenged by a man standing up in public, preaching to the cheers of a huge crowd: “Yes we can!” We watched it; we saw the tears of excitement in the eyes of the people; the statements were received as if coming from the Messiah himself, and the electoral rallies had all the flavor of a religious revival. "Yes, we can" is the exact opposite of the King of kings saying: "Without me, you can do nothing!"

If God is the one who "deposes kings and raises up others" (Dan 2:21), does it really matter what are the names of the current puppets set in place by God that advance both the New World Order and the Kingdom of God? Neither Herod, Pilate nor Cesar were truly important for the development of the Kingdom. That is exactly why Kingdom people do not play in the Second League, but the First, the one that matters. The one that puts the Kingdom first, and everything else ‐ including their own nation ‐ second.

The problem of the current commotion and insecurities arises when even the people that call themselves after God keep confusing the Kingdom of God with the United States of America. And when that happens, especially through Christians with a public voice, then we have truly lost all perspective of the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the predictions he has made that will precede his coming.  

America is being publicly humbled by God; and he is going to use Obama – and those after him ‐ to further advance his agenda that will lead all nations to kneel before that one true King Jesus very soon. If any nation wants to become a tower that reaches up to high heaven, it will be humbled by a God who will not share his glory with people relying on their own strength.

America, where do you go from here? What does this mean for you? The future is going to be very, very rough. Your securities will vanish, the economy will go down, the education system will become even worse, the streets more dangerous, the churches even more divided, the youth even more disillusioned – unless there is a true movement that abandons all those idols mentioned above, and radically repents, makes a radical alignment with the King of the Kingdom of God and his constitution, live the Law of Christ in all areas of life, first and foremost in the areas of sex, money, power and how we “do church”. This is a defining moment for you as a nation. You could go down, as the German journalist of ‘Der Spiegel’ predicted. Or, America could be literally re‐invented by Kingdom people who are ready to implode the prevailing myths about Americas greatness, and replace it by God’s greatness (my emphasis - DW). The King has even greater things purposed and would fulfill those purpose IF those who call themselves after Jesus the King, would turn away from their self‐made religion, self‐made churches and religious factions, self‐made visions of success, and their self‐made, harmless God.  

Can we lovingly but urgently call you back at this hour to begin and initiate a movement to reposition and repatriate yourselves into the eternal Kingdom, by submitting yourself not only in theory but also in practical deeds to Jesus the King, starting to obey the King and his liberating decrees in all the areas that count? You might even want to write a declaration of dependence on God and each other, because by idolizing anything else before and over God, you will become illegal aliens in the country that counts, where we all are called to have our home: the Kingdom, the one place where our true citizenship, nationality and allegiance lies (Phil 3:20). This is the only one country that will not be shaken, as it has an unchanging King.  

If there is any way that we can help you in this great challenge and task – we want you to know we will.

Wolfgang and Mercy Simson, Germany

Serve Week @ Fenway Church – The Pleasure of Serving

In the spirit of our desire to engage our communities through prayer, service and telling God’s big story, our community groups (CGs) will be serving their neighborhoods the last week of October. Below is an update and celebration of what we’re up to and why we’re doing it. 

Why We Serve 

Standing in the bright morning sun last Sunday, surrounded by college students from our church and gardeners at the Fenway Victory Gardens, I couldn’t help but think two thoughts – “why did they come?” and “this is so fun!”

A bunch of students (who probably would have preferred to sleep in) got up early on Sunday to serve at the final Community Participation Day at the Fenway Garden Society, kicking off Serve Week at Fenway Church. Rather than hitting the snooze button, they chose to sort through and clean up compost piles, plant daffodil bulbs and build and repair fences (with and for people they didn’t know). And why? My guess is that they want to be more like Jesus, who came as a servant among us (Luke 22:27).

But, I think it’s also because there is a pleasure in serving. When we give freely of our time, energy and talents to others, we experience the same love that our Heavenly Father has for us and gives us unconditionally. When we serve, we act out a quality of kingdom living, characterized by giving freely of ourselves for the benefit of others. Through service, we embody a key component of God’s character and, as God’s children, that is enjoyable and fun! 

How We’re Serving

This week, all of Fenway Church’s community groups are serving the different neighborhoods in which they meet. Here are some of the ways we’ll be serving our neighbors:

• Getting the word out about family and community services by helping Operation Peace distribute their newsletter throughout Fenway businesses and residences
• Offering warmth and love by serving free hot chocolate to residents of Jamaica Plain as they head home from work 
• Completing random acts of kindness for our neighbors in Jamaica Plain, East Boston, Quincy and Roxbury
• Preparing and sharing a meal with people rising out of homelessness
• Partnering with Abundant Grace Church to let residents in Oak Square know about their new location
• Receiving and sorting through bikes with Bikes Not Bombs for parts that will contribute to overseas economic development and programs wherein Boston youth get active, make friendships and are empowered as leaders in their community

Looking at this synopsis, I am amazed at the impact we’re having on the city! Powered by God’s love, we’ll be serving many of Boston’s neighborhoods and, in doing so, enjoying the fun of becoming more like Jesus. 

Prayer Walking

This Fall all of Fenway Church's community groups will be taking specific action steps to engage the communities and neighborhoods they live in through learning how to pray, serve, and tell together.  September's action will be prayer walking.  Below is a how to guide on prayer walking.  Enjoy!

PRAYER WALKING

What is it?

Prayer walking is simply walking through neighborhoods, observing what God is doing and what the needs of the community are, and praying into those things.

Abraham was a man who enjoyed a conversational relationship with God in which they walked and talked through prayer.  Once, God told Abraham, “Look around from where you are… Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you” (Genesis 3:14-17). Like Abraham, we want to walk through our neighborhoods seeking out God’s hopes, purposes and plans for them.

Prayer walking uses the power of observation to understand the areas we live in so that we can more effectively pray for them.  It also gives us an opportunity to imagine and visualize how God might transform the lives of the people in a neighborhood.

This type of prayer moves us beyond our own concerns to praying directly for the needs of our neighbors.  This prayer is called intercession.

How do you do it?[1]

Pray with a Partner/Group. 

• You can prayer walk alone, but prayers are more focused when expressed with a friend. If you go as a larger group, plan to break up into groups of 2-4 so you are not disruptive to the natural flow of the neighborhood.
• Pray audibly for clarity and agreement. It may feel awkward at first, but praying aloud enables us to agree together for things. This is very important because Jesus said agreeing in prayer is vital to its effectiveness. (Matthew 18:19)
• Pray as you walk, but also find locations where you can stop to pray.

Seek to Observe. 

• Invite the Spirit of God to accompany you, guiding your steps and your words.
• Be attentive during moments of silence, allowing the Holy Spirit to help you see with His eyes and pray in accordance with His heart.
• Note the needs and demographics of the community as you walk through it.

Pray with Purpose. 

• Pray for the present-hour needs of people and places that you see.
• Pray God’s Word. You can read scriptures or sing worship songs.
• Sketch a map to focus on select streets, buildings, parks, etc.
• Pray quietly. You can be on the scene without making one. In confidence of God's unfolding purpose which includes your preparation prayer, don't look to initiate gospel conversations during your prayer walk.
• Explain what you are doing to inquirers: "We're praying God's blessing on the neighborhood. Are there specific ways we can pray for you or others?”

Review after.

• Gather your full group and write down the prayers, people, and places that seem most important before you leave or when you arrive back at your meeting place.
• Use these observations to continue to pray for the neighborhood and ask God how your group might serve the needs of the community.

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[1] These guidelines were based on “How to Prayerwalk,” http://www.waymakers.org/prayerwalking/howto.html

The Vision of Fenway Church - Intro

This Sunday, I was in the middle of preaching from Acts 2 on our church's vision and values when the fire alarm at the club went off! Since the church is the people, not a building or service, we had no problem moving outside to the Fens. 

Kinda the closest I've ever gotten to an epic Jesus outdoor preaching moment. I'm thinking we should do some outdoor services this summer... anyone down?

Anyways, the preach got me thinking about the vision of our church and how important it is. Let me take a moment (or two) to describe it (ok it ended up being three separate posts, don't worry links below), and I think you will see why. Here it is...

Loving Others, Transforming Neighborhoods, Serving Nations

Loving Others -> Click Here

Transforming Neighborhoods -> Click Here

Serving Nations -> Click Here

Part I: Loving Others

The first of three parts describing the vision of Fenway Church

Loving Others

At the heart of Jesus' ministry and the early church was the greatest commandment. Jesus said everything in life is based on it, “Love one another.”

In the gospels, we see the incredible love that God the Father and Jesus the Son have for each other. John put it simply, “God is love.”

People who have genuinely encountered the love of God, through understanding the love Jesus demonstrated in his life-giving death on the cross, cannot help but respond with a similarly genuine love for others: their church family, those who still remain lost in their sin, and their Savior, Jesus.

Everything we do as a church is motivated by the love of Jesus as we express the love he's given us through getting to know and serve others. This reality is why visitors to our church the last few weeks have said the following things:

“It was awesome. I definitely felt the compassion.”

“I fought back tears throughout the service because I really felt his love... people made a point to welcome us and introduce themselves (at least 15 people).”

A love like that can change a life, can change a city, can change the world. Which gets us to our next part...

Part II: Transforming Neighborhoods -> Click Here

Part II: Transforming Neighborhoods

The second in a three part series on the vision of Fenway Church

Transforming Neighborhoods
You can't escape it... In the book of Acts, the early church transformed the cities they lived in. These early churches fed the poor, cared for widows, and rescued orphans. They preached the gospel fearlessly (and in the midst of great persecution and push back) yet were held in high esteem and enjoyed the favor of the cultures that they lived in.

Why? It is because they didn't just talk about love, but they demonstrated love. How? By working for the welfare of their cities and neighborhoods.

Imagine! The early disciples lived with the images of Jesus ministry to the poor and his sacrificial death on the cross emblazoned in their minds. They had watched him heal the paralyzed stranger, hug the outcast, feed the poor, and minister hope to the “least of these.” They watched him give away his life and be beaten, mocked, whipped, crucified because he identified more with sinner and beggar than he did with the religious and political establishment. Whatever difficulties the early church faced, the example of Jesus' life and death would motivate them to keep giving until lives, cities, and neighborhoods were transformed.

We too aim to seek the transformation of our neighborhood, starting with those who need it most. That's why our church members volunteer at the youth program at a local non-profit called Operation Peace. That is why we host family days and participate in park clean ups.

It's why several of our young men return to Abundant Grace Church twice a month to help lead their outreaches to at-risk youth.

It's why we seek to break down barriers and be a church that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds. It's why our DTP interns this summer will serve teaching computer classes, loving seniors, volunteering at youth programs, and hosting events for kids. It's why we won't be satisfied with just a growing church. We will only be satisfied when we see tangible transformation taking place in the Fenway.

The job won't be done until every person in the Fenway knows that we are present not because of our loud, large services but because they see us investing in the lives of our neighborhood like Jesus invested his life into ours.

Well not quite done...

Part III: Serving Nations -> Click Here

Part III: Serving Nations

The third in a three part series on the vision of Fenway Church

Serving Nations

Since our church's inception, countless prophetic words have been given about our involvement in nations. Pictures of bridges being built between us and other nations mix with the words, “You will gather quickly in order to scatter.” It constantly rings in our hearts and minds.

The focus of God's purpose in this world is to make the name and power of His Son's Name, Jesus, known among every people group, tribe, family, and nation. Matthew 28 lays out clearly that God's intention-- from Adam, to Abraham, to Jesus, to us-- was to send his image bearers to the ends of the earth until the whole world was full of the knowledge of his glory.

Thus, we don't just live to love one another or to serve our own neighborhoods. We live to serve and love all the peoples of the world.  Specifically, those who have yet to have a chance to know the love of Jesus and who will not unless someone goes to them. They are the last unreached people groups of the world.

We not only support our friends who have gone to lay down their lives to love and seek the transformation of neighborhoods across the globe, but each year, we are involved in sending our own members to areas of the world where these last unreached people groups live.

It has taken several years to get to the point where we can truly say we are beginning to scatter, but I am excited to know that within the next year or two, we will be sending out eight of our members to other countries and six of these members to the unreached nations of the world.

They will carry the same commitment to love others, preach the gospel, and seek the transformation of the nations and villages they will adopt; our own hearts, prayers, and money will travel with them as they lay down their lives like Jesus did for the sake of his unreached children.

This is the vision of our church. This is a cause worth living for.

Intro to Our Vision Posts -> Click Here

The Gospel & The Kingdom

Yesterday, we started our Rooted Series in a packed club.  God was definitely present.  I preached on "The Seed" from Jesus' parable of the sower found in Matthew 13.  You can listen to the message here.

The Big Idea from yesterday's message was that the gospel proclaims that there is a Kingdom, a King, and a Way.

The parable of the sower (which Jesus called the key to all his other parables, Mark 4:13) begins first and foremost with a sower who is sowing seed.  Luke tells us that “the seed is the word of God.” (Lk8:11)

Jesus as he stands in the boat preaching this parable is the sower of the seed.  His words are the word of God (the gospel).

Matthew gives us additional insight into what the seed (the gospel) is.  “The seed is the word of the Kingdom.” (Mt13:19)  Jesus' gospel message was a proclamation of the reality of his coming Kingdom.

As we start this series, we want to understand what the gospel is saying. What is the seed, the word of his Kingdom, that Jesus is sowing into the world?

First, through Jesus' preaching, God is saying, "There is a kingdom!"  Jesus during his trial would tell the Roman governor Pilate, "My Kingdom is not of this world." The gospel begins with a simple proclamation that a Kingdom that is not of this world exists, and it is entering our present reality.  It is a Kingdom of among other things hope, healing, and freedom.  A Kingdom where there is no sin and death.

The second thing the gospel says is there is a King.  This statement makes complete sense for wherever there is a kingdom there must be a King who reigns over it!  The King that is proclaimed in the gospel is the man, Jesus.  A King who came to earth as a peasant, to live a selfless life, and die a brutal death. So that he might rise from death, in order to make life in his Kingdom possible. 

The third thing the gospel says is there is a Way into the Kingdom. The gospel proclaims not only is there a Kingdom and a King, but that the King has made a Way for a person to enter his Kingdom.  

King Jesus through his death made a way for us to be cleansed from sin and through his resurrection made a way for us to be freed from the power of death. Since sin and death have not part in the realm of the resurrected King, we must first be cleansed from sin and freed from death in order to enter into the life of the Kingdom.  

Jesus' death and resurrection made a way for those who believe his message to enter the Kingdom.  When we understand and accept there is a Kingdom, a King, and a Way, we are repenting (changing our way of thinking).  We end our old lives where we were our own rulers (and headed towards death) AND begin new lives with Jesus as ruler of every area.  We demonstrate this decision through baptism.

This new life is life in the Kingdom, life with the King Jesus, a life heading in a totally new direction.

As we continue this series, we will be taking an expansive look into what this new direction and life with Jesus looks like and how we can be firmly rooted in it.

Something I Learned by Investing in Others

ONE LESSON I have learned over the last 6 years is that when I invest in and disciple others, when I take the time to focus on others instead of myself, I learn and grow.

This week, I had the opportunity to spend time one on one with 3 young men in our church.  In our times together, we prayed, talked, assessed our lives, read scripture, and made decisions to take specific actions in the coming week in our journey of following Jesus.

One young man I was encouraging to come to Father daily asking for what he needed for that day. The next day in prayer, I thought - wow I should do that too - and I did!  Another young man I was encouraging to pursue the gifts and fillling of the Holy Spirit (I Corinithians 14 & Luke 11).  It reminded me to spend more time praying in tongues in my personal prayer times, and I did. Finally, a young man asked me whether he was teachable or not, and we had a fruitful conversation.  Today, the Holy Spirit started asking me if my heart was teachable.  Was my attitude the attitude I had encouraged him to have?

These relationships illustrate a significant principle.  As I invest in others, I become more like Jesus myself.

This principle is the beauty of discipleship - it is not just me teaching someone else - but through the relationship that is fostered in discipleship we BOTH become more like Jesus.

Daily Prayer Guide - Our Future Jan.7

"They shall build up the ancient ruins; 

they shall raise up the former devastations; 

they shall repair the ruined cities, 

the devastations of many generations." 

(Isaiah 61:4)

This week has been filled with many life giving moments.  Mainly, I believe because when I take the time to learn to walk with Jesus my life becomes filled with life.  Guess that's what Jesus was referencing when he said, "I want you to have life and have it to the full." (John 10:10)  Strange how in the midst of partially starving ourselves and saying no to our bodies, we can find fuller living then when we are indulging in all the world has to desire... that is the wonder of life with Jesus.

As we come to the end of this week, two things stand out to as having had the greatest impact on me this week.  

One is our corporate times of prayer.  I am so encouraged listening to and agreeing with the prayers of my brothers and sisters - what passion, what love for God, what incredibly compassionate hearts for those they encounter in their lives.  They make me want to be more like Jesus and through their faith make me want to keep coming back to the place of prayer.  If you haven't made it out to a prayer gathering this week, you need to make it out Saturday night just to hear some of our brothers and sisters praying (January 7 from 6-8PM at 874 Beacon Street).  

Two is the daily schedule of early morning prayer and fasting has produced a certain rhythm to my life that causes me to end up praying throughout the day as I go about various activities.  I have been so much more aware of Jesus' presence with me.  This awareness has encouraged me greatly and I am seeing God move and give me faith for things in ways I don't typically experience.

As we enter into this last day, Isaiah 61:4 reminds us of what our future will be.  We will be those, though once lost and wounded, who now build up, raise up, and repair.  Through our love and hope many will be encouraged and built up.  Through our faith and the Spirit of God, many will be raised from death to life.  Through our compassion and diligence, households, neighborhoods, and whole people groups will find their societies transformed into communities of hope, love, and genuine care for each other.

On Saturday night, we will pray into this future.  We will pray into this task that lays before us.  We will pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint us so that we may continue to partner with Jesus to build his church, raise sinners to life, and repair the lives of many.

Why not join us?  Or, let your amen be heard right now where you are as you join your spirit with ours in faith that God will do it.

Love and grace in Christ Jesus.  It is a joy to labor with you for the desires of the Father's heart.  I thank God for you and this week he has given us together.

Love,

David W.