August 4, 2023
Hey Radiant,
“Do you want to make Ikea furniture or artisan furniture?”
This was the question asked by my spiritual director. Larry said that we can build quick and fast and formulaic but that stuff usually doesn’t last.
I know this from experience.
I am seasoned collector of Ikea. It does the trick — it is cheap and fast and looks decent. All you need is the factory supplied allen wrench — or if it’s especially complicated, a phillips head.
But eventually it breaks. It would never be called “heirloom.”
On the other hand, artisan furniture is like art — it is enjoyed and passed down through the generations. It actually gains value whilst being functional and beautiful. But it takes time, quality materials, and years of honed craft to make.
Of course, Larry and I weren’t really talking about expensive furniture.
We were talking about how to live well, how to parent, how to plant a church. How to follow Jesus in a microwave culture.
So much in me wants to resist the “slow-down” required to do things well, with care and intentionality. I am prone deny my limits, my lack of wisdom and experience.
Maybe I secretly identify with the credo of beast mode Mark Zuckerberg: “move fast and break things.”
But I know the way of Jesus is not like this.
Love is patient. Love is not hurried. Love is intentional and purposeful. More than anything, love is relational.
This way is better (and long-term more effective) than our breakneck pace.
ARTISAN DISCIPLE-MAKING?
To fulfill the commission of Jesus – to make disciples of Jesus — requires intentionality, patience, and relationship — all within the framework of love.
So we are starting a new teaching series on the multiplying movement of Jesus shaped discipleship. We will observe not just what Jesus did, but how he did it.
Like how he started with just a few. And how it was sort of slow at first.
And how Jesus unleashed a relational revolution of grace that is ongoing to this day.
One that we’re still invited to join.
First, to become (or again become) actual disciples of Jesus. Second, to share that life with others.
There is a whole lot to get into starting this Sunday at 5PM.
But before then, ponder these words, this beautiful invitation from the Master:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
EVENTS CALENDAR (see below for details)
8/9 – Men’s Morning Gathering 6-7AM (at ELC)
8/10 – Home Church Leader’s Meeting 6:30-8PM (at Riley’s home)
8/13 – Second Sunday Supper Taco Bar (following our worship service).
8/18-19 – The Missio Conference (a collaborative event with Covenant Grove and Modesto Covenant Church).
9/10 – Fall Kickoff Party
9/17 – Home Churches begin
9/29-10/1 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
MEN’S GATHERING 8/9
HOME CHURCH LEADERS (AND POTENTIAL LEADERS) MEETING – 8/10
If you are interested in learning more about hosting and leading a Radiant Home Church, come to this meeting at August 10 from 6:30-8:30 at Zach and Jill’s. There is a BIG need for those with a heart to journey with others in Christ. Email Zach if you are interested – zach@radcov.org
SECOND SUNDAY SUPPER – NEXT SUNDAY – 8/13
Two words: Taco Bar. Second Sunday Supper is back — next Sunday, August 13. We’ll provide food. Cost is $3 per person or $10 max for family. Enjoy a meal, enjoy people!
THE MISSIO CONFERENCE – 8/18-8/19
This is exciting. We are joining forces with our Covenant brothers and sisters at Modesto Covenant Church and Covenant Grove to go deeper in Christ and further in mission together. This will be a Friday and Saturday in-town conference shared across our three sites. This is all about creating space for the Holy Spirit to encourage, empower, and equip us for participating in God’s mission in Modesto and beyond. Click here to learn more about schedule, speakers, and to register.
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE AT MISSION SPRINGS 9/29 – 10/1
Registration for our conference’s Covenant Women’s Conference is now open. This conference will take place at the beautiful Mission Springs Conference in Scotts Valley, CA. This will also be a weekend of encouragement, fellowship, and rich memory-building, all with one goal in mind, that you leave Mission Springs knowing that you are loved by God and your purpose is to love others. Click here to learn more about speakers and worship and to register.
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and resources, and commit to pray for one another. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
MONTHLY GIVING UPDATE
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in ministry! We are making great progress.
July giving totaled $12,084.14. Over the last 7 months we have averaged about $12,900 in giving. The denomination’s target budget for us at year two in the church plant is $13,250 per month. We are at 97% of our year two monthly budget.
Here’s the online link for giving, tithes, and offerings.
Grace and Peace,
Zach
