providence (
noun) - the protective care of God
We've recently felt the Lord calling us to change churches. This is huge for us because we *loved*
Gateway. I didn't have anything negative to say about it... other than the distance. But in a metroplex as large as DFW, it seems like everything is a fifteen to twenty minute drive, minimum!
It started when we were in Abilene with Mollie and Eric. During dinner, they were talking about the pastor of
Bethel Church, Bill Johnson. They had read
articles calling him a heretic. This shocked both Kenny and me, because we love Bethel Music. Kenny didn't care to get too deep into conversation but came home and started researching Pastor
Morris, from Gateway.
What we found was deeply upsetting. Yet for the first time, it caused us both to research (on our own) what we believe and why.
I've heard about the "
prosperity gospel" from John Piper, and have never been in support of it. However, I have a hard time deciphering what is and is not "prosperity" teaching. I know Joel Osteen is, but would never have put Robert Morris in the same category. Joel spoke at Gateway several years back and it bothered me greatly, but I couldn't figure it out. Gateway had also brought in speakers like Jimmy Evans and Max Lucado. How could they have such different speakers, with different beliefs, speak at their church?
We read many articles about Morris and how his teaching lines up with the prosperity gospel. After thinking about it, I realized how little he talked about the gospel and our desperate need for a savior. At the end of his sermon, he would encourage people to accept Jesus, but there was no clear explanation of the gospel - how we are all sinners, and by God's grace alone (and His sovereign choosing) are we saved through belief in Jesus Christ and the blood He shed for our sins.
I learned how to detect the prosperity gospel (see
here). And to not pick a church because of how I feel, but because of what we believe.
So we looked at several churches, reading line by line their beliefs/convictions, and tried to narrow it down. I then made a pro/con list, thinking that would make it clear. But no one church stood out to us. We ended up visiting a church a few weeks ago, but felt the preaching was weak.
The following weekend, I pressured (nagged, I'm ashamed to say) Kenny into picking a church for us to try. I finally realized forcing him was not right either. So I told him we could take a few weeks off to pray about it.
On Monday, I went to CG and asked a guy (Josh) who had talked about pastoring a start up church where it was located. He gave me his card and I planned to look it up, but the day got away from me.
On Tuesday, we were hitting a wall in school and I needed a break. I decided to look up the church.
It's called
Redeemer Church of Denton and they're located in South Denton... 8 (yes, EIGHT) minutes away from where we are building. My spirit jumped inside me and with each page I clicked on, I got more excited about it.
1. They teach exegetically - what I've longed for and missed!
2. They have a heart and desire to reach their city... not because
they have the answers, but because
Jesus does.
3. It is endorsed by Tom Nelson (pastor at Denton Bible Church) and supported by The Village Church. (these are the two churches we had narrowed it down to)
4. One service - 10:30 on Sunday. Kenny has always preferred the early service. But I'm wondering if this will be good for us... to intentionally make time for the Sabbath. I'm thinking big breakfasts, church, lunch, naps, and more family time.
5. It's small, currently 100 in attendance on average. I was reading Job 29 on Monday and felt the Lord encourage me to pray these verses over Kenny... that he would be a helper to the poor, father to the fatherless, give wisdom and council, and remain deeply rooted in the Lord. Janette has told me that a prophetic word was spoken over Kenny years ago that he would be an elder in the church one day. Because this is a start up church, I feel like Kenny has a lot to offer and more opportunities to be used however the Lord wills.
6. Because of it's size, Kenny was concerned for their lack of funds. But I feel like with our tithe God could do so much more and it will go so much further at Redeemer than it ever could at Gateway.
7. In our research, we learned that if no church in the area meets our needs, to gather people and meet in a home. With this church being so small, it feels like that.
8. Opportunities to start ministries are endless - choir, adoption, homeschool, youth, etc.
9. We were put in Hickory Creek "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)... being just eight minutes from the church opens the door for many gatherings.
10. Kids ministry is small - so our kids are in classes with multi-age children. This is a Montessori concept and I truly believe in it. It's so cool to see the older kids help the younger, and encourages the younger to be more mature.
The entire time I was looking at the website, I kept hearing the word "providence." This is
not coincidence. I was pushing, nagging, begging Kenny to decide. And once I let it go, and told him to take the time he needed, this literally fell in our laps. It never pulled up in my research. God perfectly planned me to start CG, meet Josh, and switch churches within a few months.
My prayer is that we would become involved, serve as a family, and reach our neighborhood for the glory of God. We long for people to do life with, and being part of a church that is so close makes that easier. I remind my boys often of our motto: "Wrights are lights." But it's harder to shine when everyone around is already a light. Denton is a lost city. And we've lived near Denton for most of our married life. Hickory Creek puts us the closest we've ever been. Since we are building our "forever" home, I think it's time we find our "forever church." Oh how I pray Redeemer Denton becomes that for us.
Lord, I thank You for Your providence. Your beautiful, sovereign, perfect providence. I thank You for leading us to this church. I pray Your blessings over the church, that they would reach the city of Denton and win many over to Christ. Help them to be Your hands and feet, to serve as You served and love as You loved. May they always be a bright light on a dark hill. Purpose their every step and move to align with Your will. Show us if this is where You want us. Continue to give us clear confirmation and direction. It doesn't matter how much I love it, if it's not where You want us, we don't want to be there. Prepare our hearts to visit on Sunday. Open our eyes and hearts to see this church and these people through Your eyes. In Jesus name, Amen.
