This blog is about our church’s story... but like I’ve said before; please allow me (Josh) a personal here and there.

My dad, Bill Allen, passed away on March 31st.

There’s so much that I could write to honor my dad. He’s worth it.

My dad, always the strong, athletic type (ripped, to the layperson)... had Parkinson’s disease for the last twenty years of his life. After a surgery in June 2025, he contracted pneumonia and was intubated for seven weeks. The atrophy during that time had him in rehab hospitals for the last nine months; he had just come home five weeks ago.

I can’t remember my dad complaining during this time. I sure would have if I were him; he lost so much. He worked incredibly hard just to have basic motor functions again. Having a feeding tube, he had just graduated to pudding and grits (not at the same time) (he loved grits) and I had promised him the first Jamocha Shake, which I hoped was only weeks away.

Saturday night, he complained of pain in an area he’d had two previous surgeries. We took him to the ER, and infection soon led to organ failure. Our family was able to be at his side as he passed.

For the sake of brevity, I’ll bring the focus to two things to honor my dad: character, and ordered loves.

The older I get, the more I appreciate character. Goodness. Who someone is when no one is looking. The people that do what they say they are going to do.

I grew up working landscaping with my dad. Thousands of hours talking in the truck about pretty much everything in life. On the job site together, him teaching me how to work.

My dad had this sense of duty, this integrity streak as strong as I’ve ever seen in anyone. He HAD to show up to the customer on schedule. He couldn’t not do it. He taught me to take a second look over the work I’d done to make sure it was quality, and to go fix anything that was missed.

I didn’t appreciate it so much when I was a teenager... but to have a key influence in your life to tell you: “you think that looks good? look at it again!” But not in a mean way... a constructive one. My dad taught me how to work. How to not settle and do your very best. That your signature and reputation is in the work you just did. You show up, you do the work with excellence, and you smile and wave at everyone while you are there. Now that I’m older, I can’t believe how much that’s helped me in life.

Character. My dad always tried to do what was right... because it honored the Lord, honored people and was the right thing to do. A man of integrity. You may not agree with him, you may get annoyed here and there... but you knew who he was and what he stood for. This was usually no problem, because of his genuineness and care for other people - he had a way of being present, and others knew they were seen. He was always investing in someone.

I say “ordered loves,” which may be, at first glance, an odd way of putting it... but my dad lived for the Lord first and family second. Genuinely. As committed as he was to work- we knew we mattered more.

My dad is a great example of the difference between someone who is a cultural Christian and someone who genuinely loves Jesus.

Being in the worship team as a teenager at the church I grew up in... meant my point of view in the room was different than most. I recall we played this song, something about “I Stand in Awe” - and the crowd was seated. My dad would stand by himself and worship. Soon after, the rest of the room would join him. Now, you could push back and argue that “stand” was figurative language. That’s fine... but you’ve gotta appreciate that heart. He loved Jesus and cared about an authentic response to Jesus more than what people in the room might think about him.

I grew up knowing when his time was in the day when he’d read Scripture and pray. He’d kneel beside his bed and pray, and he always did it. Everything to him was worship; everything to him was mission. Life is about building the Kingdom of God; the rest are just the details. My dad genuinely loved Jesus and gets to be with him now. I’m sad to lose my dad, but I’m happy for him.

Have fun, dad. Enjoy Jesus.

Ordered loves- after Jesus came my mom, and my sisters and I. Jen and my kids. Our family.

My parents would have been married 50 years this June. They had a great marriage, and my dad always said about how once he met my mom, he was never lonely again. He loved my mom by serving her. I remember when my mom got cancer, how difficult that time was... he was amazing. I saw sick seasons where my dad served my mom... and my mom served him faithfully at the end.

As his son, I knew I mattered. And mattered even more to him than work (which was a lot). My memories are filled with wrestling with him as a kid in the living room - and once in the front yard of a favorite client when I was 18 :). We were mulching a bed in the front yard.... somebody playfully pushed somebody, I don’t remember... but I remember us putting down our shovels and going at it, full bore, ending up laughing hysterically.

Father-son camping. Time together.

Coming to my band concerts and sports events. Playing basketball with him in the driveway, with his running hook from the free throw line he always made which mystified me. Lifting weights with him in the basement.

I can remember my first roller coaster with him, the “Big Dipper” at Geauga Lake. I was just big enough to get on it, and had my eyes closed and head buried the entire way up the first incline. We got to the top, and he said: “look, you can see Cuyahoga Falls from here!” “Really?!?” I asked, looking.... he tricked me and cracked up.

My dad was fun. As he’s struggled for awhile now, my kids will occasionally ask at home “what Pop was like.” Jen usually says: “you know when Dad is goofy? That’s Pop.”

That one is from before I came around... but looks about right.

That’s better.

My dad loved Jen like his own daughter immediately. As far as he was concerned, she was his.

My dad loved my kids. He used to come over on my day off and spend the morning with them when they were little.

One of my favorite memories - we went on this church Father-Son weekend at a cabin in Cooke’s Forest, PA. I was probably about 8. The group of men were going on a walk through the woods, and we happened upon a stream with a bridge. The bones of the bridge weren’t terrible... but the walking area was so decrepit we’d barely make it. I was too young to try that; so he sat me on his shoulders and held an ankle in either hand and walked me across the bridge.

Yep. That’s the bridge. A true story, but a metaphor for a lot.

He’d work these 12 hour days, I’d be home in my room “asleep” (yeah right) and he’d pop in and check on me. Still being awake, he’d come in and sit down... and talk to me about Scriptures he loved (1 John 4:4), talking things like taking “systematic theology” and “hermeneutics” in college... sharing the Gospel on the streets of New York City and people trusting in Christ.

He also eventually told me several painful church stories. Most of which were before I was even born. I don’t want that to be the focus here, so I mention that minimally... just to say that there was something in me from an early age that wanted to make a church that helped people, not hurt them. Justice and redemption.

With what God is letting us do in our church plant... make no mistake, it’s God’s doing. I don’t have the ability to make this happen. But the vision of church how it’s supposed to be, that helps people, is healthy, and right here in the city I grew up in...

in some ways, I’m still riding on his shoulders over the bridge. He did hard things to give me a chance to take it further.

He was weeks away from being healthy enough to visit our church for the first time. He was so excited and getting so close.

It’s so good, Dad. God came through and is still doing it. The story of how it’s come together HAS to be a God thing. They are wonderful people who are loving on us so well. This has a chance to become what you would have dreamt of. You would love these people. I’m gonna be good to them and love them, Pop. I’m gonna take care of them.

Thanks so much Dad for all the investment in me. There’s so much of you in me. I hope.

I love you, Pop. I’ll really miss you.

Tuesday begins a brand new offering at Burning River: Alpha.

In our culture currently - when you are forming beliefs and/or asking questions - it’s tough to genuinely find a safe space.

Where discussion is both content-rich and not group-think... people are free to go at their own pace...

Ideas that people are chewing on- How do I know that God is real? What did Jesus dying actually accomplish? Is eternal life really in the balance, and how does belief in that make that possible for me? What’s life really all about? What’s the purpose of all this?

These are deep questions! We can have kindness and charity with each other. We’ve all wrestled with these ideas.

Alpha is such a great thing, I’ve been through it myself -

and it’s great for folks who are considering faith but haven’t decided to jump in yet. We’re not going to read you two verses or hand you a pamphlet and consider the world’s deepest issues to be solved. But it’s also not a shallow free-for-all... questions with no end. You’re free to keep considering... but there’s legit stuff to share.

It’s also great for folks that have already decided to trust in Christ as Savior, but aren’t really sure where they land on some of the issues of faith.

Want to know a bit more yet? Watch this.

What it’ll look like: we’re going for 7 weeks, Tuesdays starting March 31st, 6:30, at my (Josh’s) house in the Falls. There’s not much more of a safe place out there than my living room. I’ll even make you some snacks.

Each week there is a video on that week’s topic that is approximately twenty minutes (they are really well done), and then Courtney Steinhauser, leader of Alpha, will guide a group discussion. It’s not asking questions before people who think they have all the answers... this will be healthy, genuine, and respecting of people’s autonomy.

We’d love it if you came! The catch is you have to sign up before Sunday (29th) night.... and you can sign up here.

Come over to my house and hang out. I’d love to see you!

Sunday was another iteration of our “Worship that Works” series: this one about worship culture at Burning River.

As a Pastor, you love to preach the Bible texts that are neatly wrapped and presented in such an easy way for everyone to read.

Then, sometimes... you pick the other ones. Where there’s enough context needed, and assuredly some “I’m sorry what was that?” from the people as you read through it.

Hey, it is what it is. But some awkwardness doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Sunday was in 1st Corinthians 14, about corporate worship gatherings.

Where most church-folks and armchair theologians like to camp out here is on the spiritual gifts described. Usually their bias shows quickly in the way they interpret what’s there. A generality, but predictable.

I enjoyed preaching this one to our folks because I knew that would be at a minimum. And, while the spiritual gifts content is certainly there and a sermon (or series) all in itself... there’s another question (or two) we focused on implicit in the text:

Who is the church for?

and from there: “who is the worship gathering for?”

Again, it’s interesting how theological worldview can make for quick answers.

For some: “well, the church is us. Of course it’s for us. It’s worship. It’s our thing. And besides, worship is to God, so this is for Him.” (it's funny how God always likes the same things that we like, huh?)

Others see all church things through the evangelism lens: everything is an effort to reach out.

At Burning River, we land at: they’re both right.

To borrow a Vineyard phrase, there’s a “both/and” to it.

Reading through that text, you see (even if there is indeed error and correction needed) spiritual life. There is mess, but also something is alive there! The spirituality is being redirected, not obliterated. And you see the repeated emphasis on doing things in such a way that build up the church / each other.

As Christians, we might do well to increase our view of the inter-personal. The responsibility of relationship. Your church family needs you. And you need them.

And while, I really have no interest in arguing your preferences.... if you have things that “hit” for you, then great! Go where you’d like.

But if you find a place you fit, it’s healthy and preaching the Gospel... invest yourself. Commit to it. See yourself as part of the whole. It’s not just an option on a Sunday whenever the spiritual desire stirs up, or you could use a pick-me-up... but realize the need to develop relationships and belong. Other people need you in their lives, and you need them. That’s the way it was designed to be.

I’ve occasionally seen leaders try so hard to hold to vision (good thing) what inadvertently can be communicated to people inside is that they don’t matter. “it’s not about you!” we hear. That’s technically correct.... but how do you mean that?

I “love” the passive-aggressive memes pastors put out online of “you didn’t like worship today? well, we weren’t worshipping you anyway!” Sigh. I mean, as a longtime worship pastor, you may disagree with my conclusions here and there - but I tried the whole time to help the most people I could connect with God. Serving people with vision was the heart.

It’s different at Burning River. We’ll make decisions best we can from vision and from God’s lead... but regardless of if we go your way or not, I sincerely hope you feel listened to and valued. I told the church I want this to become “a buffet they feast at.” They really, sincerely matter. They are loved.

But often the churches that succeed in conveying value to their people... human nature can quickly turn in on itself. It doesn’t feel “selfish” - we’d describe in better terms such as “comfortable and familiar” - but certain folks obviously own the place, and the true purpose statement of the church is to keep these folks happy. The church exists in reality for those folks. Or, “us.”

Part of our DNA just has to be an almost-hyperbolic focus on reaching people outside our own (rented) walls.

I think the deeper you worship, the more you become like your object of worship... and we worship the one who leaves the 99 to find the 1.

I think the deeper worshippers we grow into, the hotter our evangelism furnace blazes.

Because God.

That has to show up in how we conduct our worship gatherings as well. Let’s not get shallow or gimmicky... but let’s also not make as many arbitrary hurdles as possible. Communication and systems understandable and accessible. If all behavior communicates something- then could everything we do communicate to people considering Christ that they matter too and we want them?

What if things were done in a way that made sense had such authentic heart and content... and a worship culture where people that were considering Christ upon visiting, agree with everything or not, couldn’t help but say:

“Huh. God is really here.”

(AND things made sense)

That is 1st Corinthians 14, and that is what we want our worship culture at Burning River to become.

A Come, Holy Spirit people red hot for Jesus. Who make space and look to meet with God together.

And things done in such a normal way, where all things invite the person considering to a seat at the figurative table.

People want authenticity anyway. And people are hungry for God.

Will they see that when they are our guest?

Come, Holy Spirit. Let it be so.

We’re in this sermon series: “Worship that Works.”

Why would you brand it that? Worship that “works?” I don’t...

Because, for God’s sake and our sake mutually, lots of worship activity for people is... not working.

You can speak for God? You know what He’s thinking? Why wouldn’t He be happy with what He’s been getting?

Call it an educated guess. The hunch would say we could do better, per what might “land” for God.

I can remember Jen and I’s first Christmas dating a long time ago. She bought me all kinds of really nice clothes, and I got her a... book.

Now, the book had meaning. Nevertheless, I’ve felt bad for a good twenty-four years now about that... hopefully I’ve made up for it since. I guess I’ll bring that up with my therapist.

When you actually love someone, you never want to bring an offering that makes them say: “right on. thanks.” (that’s it?)

And for us- we all come from different religious expressions (or none) and have a frame of reference in mind. Talking about what kind of worship culture we want to build at Burning River, you might say “worship that works” is something that actually blesses God and at the same time helps us connect with Him better.

It’s not to say that worship is always when the swell of the feels hit just right. It isn’t. (though if you have the feels.... awesome.)

Worship isn’t even music, by itself...

nor communion

Nor the act of anything by itself.

Worship is an intangible thing that those things help you do.

Singing, music, communion, etc. are good! But they aren’t worship, they help you worship.

So what is it? What is worship?

It’s a response of expressing ultimate worth to God.

And when it’s genuine, when it’s from the heart, when it’s both a heartfelt verbal expression that’s backed up by a different lifestyle that all works toward telling God He’s worthy....

Now, we’re cooking with gas, as they say.

Why do some people seem to naturally have the compulsion to do that.. and others don’t?

Worship is a response.

And when you just haven’t seen an accurate or big enough view of God yet to have that response urge...

It’d be natural not to be moved too much. That’s not a slight, that’s actually meant in people’s defense. No judgement.

I’m not trying to tell you that you don’t know God.

I’m trying to tell you that this is better caught than taught, and when you “get it” and see God...

“OH! You’re _______”

Everybody else is like _________. But You’re like _________.

The response becomes easy.

The clearer view you have of God;

It moves from unnatural (why would I do that?)

to natural (how could I not do that?)

to supernatural (you know what He’s like and can interact with Him)

This is all free... but you have to get there. And that doesn’t require a few decades in Nepal finding one-ness.

I’d start by reading God’s Word, maybe starting in Psalms... and asking Him to show you himself.

And why would I want to worship? Even if this works... am I farther ahead than before?

It’s my honest opinion that if you’ve been feeling a deficit in life... there’s got to be more than this... not only checking box of “Christian” would be recommended... but getting to know Jesus.

And worshiping Jesus is part of what we were created for. Insofacto- (yes, Dodgeball reference) - as you catch this, you catch meaning. Part of you comes alive you never knew before.

So if you see people having what looks like a spiritual experience, but you’re standing there and it doesn’t really move the needle for you...

That’s ok. There’s hope. And it doesn't have to look for you like whatever you’re watching at the moment.

In your own personality and temperament... engagement. Relationship. Awe. Something comes alive.

It can happen for you. And will benefit you like you wouldn’t believe.

We’ve got two more weeks in our “Worship that Works” series. If you are interested: we’d love to see you. I think this will help.

For this words-of-affirmation-love-language guy... last night for me was like heaven junior.

We were in one of our community groups, and the discussion was on what kind of church culture we were looking to build. People hear vision, but: where are they on that? what parts of that land for them more than others?

Jen shared at one point that, in the last few years planting journey, we often thought:

“we know what kind of church we want.

does anyone else want that?”

Jen’s contribution was the only thing I’ll share in a blog; all the rest stays in the group. I wouldn't quote things shared without permission, of course.

But, wow.

We’re not alone.

I’ve said ump-teen times that church planting isn’t the easy path. As it’s been said: “have some guts kid; this is ministry.” Like we are surprised when challenges come up.

But listening to people share... the quality, the deep work of the Lord thus far in this church...

YES.

It’s humbling. And I’m so grateful to God.

God doesn’t waste our pain. That doesn’t mean He directly caused whatever is coming to mind in your life-story just now...

but He can heal it, and He can use it to help other people.

I’m human. I’ve healed so much, but admittedly... I’m not fully-formed, myself.

If I waited for that day to go forward, I’d find myself looking at life in the rearview mirror.

God sees your (our) brokenness.

“I have since learned that the most mature believer is the one who is bent over, leaning most heavily on the Lord, and admitting his total inability to do anything without Christ. The greatest Christian is not the one who has achieved the most but rather the one who has received the most.” - Jim Cymbala, Fresh Faith

I’ve found myself praying often in the last few weeks: “I don’t have the ability to make myself as I should be. I really need you.” (this isn’t a humble-brag. it’s honest)

What I’m seeing is the graciousness of God, the compassion of God... meeting other people. Meeting me.

In our young church... humility. Honesty. Safety. Courage. Camaraderie. Movement. Healing. Sharing. Bonding. Unifying. Building trust.

Being seen and in process of becoming not lonely anymore.

Things may not look for you in the future exactly how you envisioned it. Sometimes the path requires an audible.

And whatever is in your story that's given you pain...

I am so sorry.

God sees you. And as you sort that out... you’d be safe with us.

And the redemption God can do in you... even if you don’t have much hope at the moment...

I love what God is building in our church. I see it so much. And only He can do it.

Internal culture that is so healthy, so safe, so for each other, so life-giving, so redemptive...

That was kind of church that Jen and I wanted that at times, we weren’t sure if people were looking for that. That’s so intangible, that’s so on-the-other-side-of-previous-experience, how do you communicate that well enough? And church decisions for people appear to often be based on... other criteria.

I thank God we’re not alone. Wonderful, wonderful people are with us.

Things that I’ve asked God for, for years - I’m watching being answered right in front of me. And I’m hearing what it’s meaning to people.

Lord, let the best be yet to come. It’s as simple as God & people.

Thank you, Lord. More. Come, Holy Spirit.

Why we are doing this? So what?

We might put in print “to see people thrive with Jesus; life to be done in Cuyahoga Falls as it is in Heaven”

But how does that flesh out in real life?

It has several applications, but here are a few of my favorites this far:

When I hear not only cackling, but also deep sharing and the Lord changing lives in community groups...

People developing relationships with each other, and already... having nothing to do with me... hanging out with each other... and when something comes up in their lives, the rest are reaching out and sharing their love and support...

Even a few months in, when band members are emerging and their God-given gifts are coming out... I think; okay, how’s that going to affect the others? When it’s this person’s turn, is it healthy? Are we secure and rooting each other on? This has just gone so, so well. I’ve learned over the years to prioritize character over talent. I regret times in the past when I didn’t get this right. (But it’s a lot easier in the band when your ones with character are ones with talent)

I’m seeing a church that wants to meet with God on Sunday mornings. That makes space in worship. It’s real. You can sense the presence of God there....

A kids ministry on Sunday mornings that I honestly have great confidence in...

Even to set-up and tear-down before and after - as a church plant, we’re mobile - I tend to always be watching for “this isn’t becoming too much, is it? Everybody good?” And I see people laughing with each other, smiling, movie quotes and Batman voices...

This is really, really good.

Building something healthy.

After all these years, I know so many people who are committed to their church. Kudos and respect for that! But: it sure doesn’t seem like they like their church. One story after another of “can you believe they did this...” After awhile, you just get tired of the drama and unwise decisions that hurt people. I don’t want to know, don’t tell me. (Not all situations/people, of course. Don’t read into that too hard. Great people, too)

Now, I’d be foolish to take victory laps when we are five months old. Much is to come, and we are building this culture. But so far, I genuinely like what I see.

I mean, everybody that goes to church “loves their church.”

Then why do you never stop complaining about it?

You can’t really focus on mission when all of your emotional energy is allotted to maintenance.

People don’t generally invite people into things they aren’t happy with. But for themselves, they’ll stay in them for a long time because change is too hard. This is one of the ways local churches turn inward.

Again; we’re in formative stages. I don’t mean this in lack of humility so much as awareness, and a thus-far encouragement. And a commitment to, (though I’m not perfect either) do all I can to foster a healthy church culture.

And, I pray for that like you wouldn’t believe.

I know, in the marathon of life and ministry, there are tough seasons here and there. Some things are unfair and difficult, and at times, perseverance is to be commended. And some of you might say: “good for you, talk to me in a few years.”

I hear you. But, by the grace of God and by the blessing of really wonderful teammates.... so far so great. I love what I see. And growing up with church drama, that’s the last thing I want for our people... and we will do all possible to keep this thing healthy.

When we’re not on the same page, we’ll talk. We’ll listen. We’ll own things when applicable. We’ll do the best we can to treat others how we’d like to be treated.

What could even several years (hopefully much more) of healthy church life be like? I mean, that would change people’s lives. When this thing is humming the way God intended... the church is one of the most beautiful things God ever made.

And though we are young, we can build something great. Like I tell my 11 and 9 year olds all the time: “you have a fantastic opportunity not to mess up your life. Have regrets. Come into a marriage with buckets of baggage.” My daughter, my son- what are you going to do?

I’m so glad for hope. I’m so glad for a fighting chance. I’m so thankful for everything and everyone God has brought thus far.

Part of the vision is simply “a healthy church.” One that, despite its humanity, does way more good than harm to people.

You’re safe. You’re loved. And when we don’t agree, we’ll talk and it’ll be okay.

Your prayer life isn’t devoted to surviving me. Or others there. (Good grief. That thought humbles me. Help me, Lord)

Let’s have the kind of culture of safety where God can get traction in healing you and you can be mobilized to reach out to other people.

That healthy internal culture is like a firm foundation that makes external mission possible.

I can remember a long time ago being at a place where we’d have a visitor and I’d secretly think: “Oh, please don’t come here, for your sake... this place will beat you up.”

Can we have the opposite of that ridiculousness? Like: “God healed me here. It’s so good. You’re invited, there’s room at the table for you.. catch your breath and be blessed.”

These simple things, if God will bless us here... I know the amount of good this can do for people.

Build us into a healthy church, Lord. Heal people here. Give me grace. May this place just be an open heaven for the move of the Holy Spirit and the safety and forward progress of our people. Pour out all the compassion on them I know You want to. Make us into a church that when you think about us, you beam with pride. I believe you can do it! Here we are....

Come, Holy Spirit.

Sunday we began a new sermon series entitled “Feed Yourself.” The idea is owning your own spiritual formation. The series includes a lot of spiritual formation and discipleship; if you’ve been around the church for awhile that’ll be familiar to you... but perhaps from a different point of view than previously experienced.

The “why” of this isn’t always as clear as it could be.

There’s a foreign-ness to this idea that can seem like: “dude, I hear you, that’s fine, you want me to do churchy things... but you don’t even know, I have a lot going on right now... so just...ok.”

I don’t love the waste-of-time-what-did-I-just-do-churchy-stuff either. Trust me, where I’ve come from I’ve been exposed to more than my fair share of that - I’ve been around these ministry things with people that get really into it- I’m thinking “when is this over? I’m good.” I know that’s out there.

We started singing this new song in service that has this phrase in it for God... it refers to God as: “living water, river wild in me...”

Have you ever thought about following Jesus like that before?

Now on the flip side, I’d hate to sell you on Christianity with all the depth of a trip to Cedar Point. There’s a ditch on either side of this road, let’s not fall into either.

It’s an invitation into a relationship...

but one where there is life. Better things then you’ll experience anywhere else.

It’s ok to regain the positivity, the “better” of this. Because it’s true.

If you decide you want to take a step toward Jesus, are there things you may have to change? Well, yes.

But the Christian life isn’t supposed to be this constant pressure, weight, obligation, rule, shame...

To borrow a bit here from an author I really enjoy:

“A friend told me she overheard a Pastor say to a child, ‘God loves good little boys.’ As I listen to sermons with their pointed emphasis on personal effort - no pain, no gain - I get the impression that do-it-yourself spirituality is the American fashion.

Though the Scriptures insist on God’s initiative in the work of salvation - that by grace we are saved, that the Tremendous Lover has taken to the chase - our spirituality often starts with self, not God. Personal responsibility has replaced personal response. We talk about acquiring virtue as if it were a skill that can be attained... we focus on overcoming our weaknesses, getting rid of our hang-ups, and reaching Christian maturity. Though lip service is paid to the Gospel of grace, many Christians live as if only personal discipline and self-denial will mold the perfect me. The emphasis is on what I do rather than what God is doing. Our eyes are not on God... we believe we can pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps - indeed we can do it ourselves.

Sooner or later we are confronted with the painful truth of our inadequacy and insufficiency. Once the fervor has passed, weakness and infidelity appear. We discover our inability to add even a single inch to our spiritual stature. There begins a long winter of discontent that eventually flowers into gloom, pessimism, and subtle despair... We secretly admit that the call of Jesus is too demanding, that surrender to the Spirit is beyond our reach. We start acting like everyone else.. life takes on a joyless, empty quality.... the word grace has lost its raw, imaginative power.”

- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

That hamster wheel of death is the last thing in the world I am trying to invite people to.

Mercy may cover deficiencies... but grace empowers, energizes, transforms. To regain the raw, imaginative understanding of grace.

I’m trying to tell you there’s actually something here that’ll meet you right in the midst of all your frustration and stress.

To build a church free of pretense, cliques, arbitrary hurdles, unnecessary pomp...

And people come in, welcome to a seat at the table as it were, just as they are....

But, they meet God. And God, on His initiative and His timeline... love and kindness make for trust to let Him into the places where healing really hits home. And motivation comes not from pressure, weight, obligation, shame, earning acceptance... but rather:

once you get it...

“oh.... in all my brokenness... Jesus really loves me.”

It’s love.

You hit this point where you’re like: “wow. Ok. If Jesus is like this... tell me what I’ve gotta do? I’m in.”

And this relationship, this journey... you begin to trust Jesus... and He wants to bring you to healing and wholeness... because He loves you.

and you allow yourself, step at a time... to “be made.” What’s that mean?

All that stuff that makes you an anxious wreck? What if God healed that and you found yourself okay?

All that stuff that makes you insecure when you walk into the room? What if God touched that?

All the difficulty that you’ve been having with your kid right now... what if God gave your heart a fresh compassion and your mind wisdom...peace came to meet the exasperation... and as you pray for your kid... it’s like over some time you can see God working on their heart? And what had no hope... God saves it?

See? “Better.”

I know some of you are doing the best you can in life. And just maybe - you’re trying really hard and don’t get the credit for the effort you are putting into things.

But you’re still running on fumes.

Listen: when I say there’s no judgment here... we mean it. You’re not alone struggling. The more people I talk to... people are really hurting. People are facing situations that seem insurmountable. You are absolutely doing your best, and have done so much right... but it feels like it’s never enough.

And some of you are in situations that are really unfair.

Man, I just want to listen to you and love on you. And maybe, if you are open to it - pray with you.

This process of “being made” isn’t for when everything in life finally gets in order... THEN you’ll go.

It’s as real life and practical as it can get. And the time is now. Especially if you find yourself overwhelmed, frustrated.... and some hope would REALLY go a long way...

There’s hope right here.

Jesus can touch your life.

The idea we’re preaching here isn’t “spiritually suck it up, ye with little excuse. Get it all together, because the church is watching.”

I hate that brand of Christianity.

Do Christians as a whole need to do better to give themselves moral authority as the world is watching?

Obviously.

But Jesus has so much compassion for you.

This is about Jesus loving you and wanting to do a work in you. And if you’d let Him... maybe you’d experience some of the grace and hope you’ve been so thirsty for.

If you feel something going on here: either come see me on a Sunday morning at our church, or talk to me: josh@burningriverchurch.com.

I think Jesus sees you... and you just might find here what you need.

Decades ago, Bono sang: “but I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

So many folks out there are skeptical to God and church. Let’s be fair about why that is.

People have their reasons, and we could really go down a rabbit hole here. But, maybe a lot could be summed up by saying their previous experiences left them lacking.

(Did I say that nice enough?)

So what do we do with that?

Try really, really hard to do things just a bit differently and having the best we can do of..... everything?

Well, the best we can do is better than the worst we can do. We’ll do our best.

But that’s not enough.

I think people are just hungry for God, but keep experiencing something along their way ranging from the macro view of Christianity where reacting to headlines and actions of some that makes us look like idiot hypocrites they think: “I don’t want any of that” to local, personal expressions, whether by organization or relationships... which just don’t pass the smell test. People interact with those supposedly following Christ, watch, and think: “pass.”

They’re still looking for God, just not in the church. And to a large degree I get that.

I’ve really been praying for our church. And a few weeks ago, I had a deeper experience with the Lord where I felt Him tell me, to sum up....

“Josh, just keep being pure about Jesus. Point people to me. I’ll grow this church”

I want a church that doesn’t just believe God is alive on paper, but actually thinks He is alive and acts like it.

I don’t want a church that talks about how they believe Jesus is alive, but interact with him as if he is not.

No weird worked-up televangelist-style prayers of “faith” that we think obligates God to do something... but also not boring, lifeless, powerless religious task that we could do all with or without God. God could abandon that and we wouldn’t even know He left.

I don’t want the form without the power. If we’re going to be a church, let’s have the things we say we’re gonna have.

We actually think God hears us when we pray. We invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into our lives. We seek after God. And though there’s lots about this world we don’t understand... we’re going to ask God’s help in the things on our hearts and believe that God answers prayer and we’ll see His movement. We’re going to ask God what He wants to do in us and through us... and follow His lead, hoping for something in His Kingdom bigger than ourselves.

If you’ve only observed a Christianity that appears like a social or cultural construct that doesn’t really matter in real life... then don't engage Christianity like the ones that look that way. Press in and see if there is something more or not. Don’t be converted to a religion... meet Jesus.

If you have a beef with Christianity, I don’t blame you. I understand. But even if that’s you, you’d be genuinely welcomed at our church and I pray you’d experience and see something spiritually alive in our people.

I pray you’d come with us when we worship and, regardless of where you’re at, be like: “what was that I felt?” I’ve literally had people ask after worship times: “um, what was that?”

I pray you’d experience Bible teaching that actually makes sense and is easy to incorporate in your life. I pray you’d see people and hear story, especially if you came to one of our groups, of people opening themselves to God and God meeting them. Something is alive here!

He always was alive, friend.

But Christians & churches often don’t really act like it.

It’s not that everything I ask for, God does. He’s the leader, I’m not. He’s not a genie. And honestly, I don’t understand all of it. I have my best-poured-over theological opinions... but there’s mystery to it.

But the way I’ve felt God meet with me in time I spend with Him, even over the past two months.... prayers I’ve seen answered that I’m like, “ok God that is absolutely you” - and, God is doing something in our church. And frankly, in me... that you’d experience a lead pastor who, while he doesn’t have it all together... is just himself and really, really loves Jesus. That you could tell I spend time with Jesus. I pray you’d want Jesus because of me. I want to share with you what is so wonderful to me.

Jesus has changed everything about my life. He’s brought me back from really rough things. I just love him so much.

This is the identity I want: Supernatural stuff. God is actually here. People begin seeking after God. Learning how to walk with God. People in a group that listen to each other, show up and support each other... and pray for each other... and think something is actually happening in that moment, it’s more than a well-intentioned verbal encouragement.... and you see God change people’s lives. That fuels anything and everything else. Relationship and passion for the person of Jesus has to be all over us.... while still being as authentic and normal people as we can be.

This is the identity we are building, and who I pray we’ll be.

We won’t be everyone’s flavor. We’re ok with that. And I’m not saying we’re the only thing in town, I know other good places I could refer you to. Some things here I mean in generalities.

But you’re invited into something God is doing and something that’s being built... an identity, a way of being, a “how these people are.”

Simply spiritually alive.

Our church plant launched four months ago today.

Wow, was that day a blur for me. One of the only things I promised Jen when we got married was that I wouldn’t let life get boring. Well....

God has just been so exceedingly faithful. There are seemingly things I ask the Lord for, and then it happens... several times a week. There are so many things happening in our church now that I am so grateful for. Like any social environment, there’s a bit of human nature of forming, storming, norming, performing to progress through.... and as a new church transitions from a collection of people interested in a vision into a church family... things have to be built and formed. That’s largely where we are... and it’s a fun stage.

The church has people in it. And we each have to decide if what we want is just a worship service to come and watch... like an individual amongst the crowd... or if we’re ready to go deeper. To make friendships with people, and God can do great things there. Do you want to do life with people? Here’s your chance.

This week and next we launch two community groups. I’m so pumped about these, because- this is where a lot of the quality of the place comes in. Depth can be built here. Churches have differing strategies over what groups are intended to accomplish... for us, it’s fellowship. Relationships. We’ll have other ways in the near future where we do a bit more discipleship/development, and things like serving the city. This is primarily about building spiritual friendships- doing life together with people. Knowing people and becoming known. It sets the stage for so much good.

We’ve said we want to “end the pandemic of loneliness...” and it sure feels that way. Through social media, zoom meetings, pace of life- people can be around people as much as ever... but people tend to feel more isolated than ever. COVID surely didn’t help. It’s like life has become a highway at rush hour... there are a thousand cars within feet of each other at the same time, moving through time and space... but never connecting.

This graphic fires before our service every week. We respect boundaries! If you’re not ready yet, that’s cool. No prob. Chill as long as you need.

But when you’re ready...



I’m genuinely excited to get to know our people in a deeper setting than a Sunday morning. Every week at the end of service I position myself by the back doors of our worship space and connect with as many as I can... but I’m always missing people here and there and even the folks I do get to talk to... tear down is pending. I can’t get all I want there.

To slow down in one of our houses, a smaller group, and the conversations in group and before/after... really good people that I’ll get know better.... this is just great. Our sign-ups have gone better than I was even hoping for! Lots of people are jumping in.

And, you know, it can be awkward to show up to someone’s house with a handful of people you don’t know well yet. It takes courage and putting yourself out there. There can be a week or two of unfamiliarity, maybe moderate amounts of social anxiety... and depending on your past experiences, “when can I trust these folks?”

There’s risk! There’s forming stages! But the alternative is being alone. And that’s not great. And the potential reward is wonderful and life-changing.

This is one way a collection of people becomes a church family. Listening, remembering, showing up for people, sharing of ourselves, and letting other people show up for us. This is how to get free helpers when you move, this is how to have someone to call when you had a nightmare day at work, this is a safe reprieve and hopefully wise source of advice when home & family life has some speed bumps (which everybody’s does).

They say our lives inevitably begin to reflect the 2-3 people we interact with the most. To have people that care about you, listen to you, and encourage you? And people that, by their own moral authority, spur you on toward all God has for you?

Deep & wide. I’m excited for depth to come in. Things need to be built... and God is building something here of quality.

I’m so excited for what’s to come!

We’re just getting these going- if you haven’t signed up yet and are interested or have a question- let us know here:

Let’s go!

I’m not into meaningless spiritual exercises... I know, says the guy who is a longtime pastor...

But I’m not. And you’re probably not, either.

Notice I didn’t say I wasn’t into spiritual things. I’m not into meaningless, powerless, what-the-heck-was-that things that don't make for much traction in our lives.

I once visited another church’s service that was 100% not in English. I stood and knelt when everyone else did, but I have no idea what was happening. If that’s your jam, I’m not even being critical... (well, maybe a little bit) but I don’t mean to be... I’m just saying that didn’t do it for me.

Why do we do the religious things we do? And what’s happening when we do them?

I went to a small Christian college, and I had theology professors who would gently make fun of us for raising our hands in worship during Chapel. For them, worship in the service was an exercise of singing their theology... little more. It was an inspired task, at best.

Well, is it just singing? What is actually happening, or supposed to happen, during that time? If we carve out time to do that in a service every week, hopefully there’s more to it.

Is it really, really meaning the lyrics... or when the band crescendo’s or the nostalgia of song past hits just right...

Now I might make fun of me if I were you in the following illustration; but I have no better example and it makes sense to what I’m trying to say, so... ah well:

In the movie Blades of Glory that came out in 2007 (sheesh I’m old) Jon Heder’s character is being questioned about his love of ice skating. His response always stuck with me:

“But it’s not the ice... it’s what the ice lets you do...”

(and you were stuck on “nobody knows what it means, but it’s provocative.... gets the people going!” we’ll save that for the techno-adjacent music in our 3 minute countdown before service)

it’s what the ice lets you do...

There’s so much we could say about corporate worship. But what’s really happening there?

It’s not so much that “the task of religious participation in singing” is worship...

It’s moreso what that musical, lyrical, Scriptural, directional framework lets you do.

Singing Christian lyrics in a musical genre isn’t worship. It helps worship. Worship is an intangible thing that is assisted by all the stuff, from our hearts to God’s. There’s connection.

Think about that with worship. Think about that with prayer. Think about that when I bring up the subject of “the Holy Spirit.”

Are you interested in being converted to the religion of Christianity, which is accompanied by a series of spiritual practices...

Or are you interested in meeting and walking with God? And from there, some spiritual practices happen and are helpful? And when that happens, you indeed find yourself Christian which includes things... but it’s personal, it’s real, it’s alive, and you meet and learn to walk with the One your soul was longing for?

The two are very, very different.

We’re in this series for the next month at Burning River called “Catalyst.” It’s branded that because a catalyst is a change agent... the added ingredient that makes the difference.

The goal is indeed for things to be taught... but just as much, for things to be caught.

We’re talking about “Praying Like it Matters” because, I mean if it’s just a pious exercise to change me, then.. ain’t nobody got time for that.

Now, us changing in prayer is certainly a huge part of it. But do you actually think God hears you? Do you actually foresee God doing something supernatural in the life of your loved one that you’ve been praying for? What’s it mean to not just “pray prayers” but meet with God? What if you could learn how to hear from God? Is the Holy Spirit God? Can I develop a legit relationship there?

All this is much more art than formula. But it’s relational, and it’s real.

You might be new to the faith, and deciding for yourself what’s real. Or maybe you have been around the Christian ranks for sometime.... but have found things to be cheap fluff, impotent, and more about social dynamics than spiritual ones. And a disillusioned drift has taken you...

We’re interested in and organized around a hunger for the real thing at Burning River. Purity of heart around the right, simple things.

I challenged our church last week to spend daily time with God, even if it’s small at first... and to write things down that they pray for daily and see where things are in five weeks.

The carrot on the stick is certainly not the televangelist-esque “claim the thing and it shall be yours.”

But a challenge to really throw yourself into the person of God... figure out a way to get a few minutes at least, and ask God to meet with you. Begin to learn relationship here. Really give him your heart, be willing to let Him be Lord. And the things on your heart, the people and situation on your heart... have the faith and risk to ask Him for help.

If you want something more... then go get it. Ask God for it.

It’s time for some of us to realize and receive the kindness, warmth, and generosity of God. Personal connection. And by His Holy Spirit, we can begin to learn about His presence and power... and maybe learn how to walk with God.... and this would rock our lives incredibly. In every area, in every way.

If God’s presence is just an impersonal force or idea “out there somewhere” that at best helps you do better and at worst is confusing and powerless... then let’s not waste our time.

Are you happy with how everything is going?

If there’s something to this, and you find yourself hungry....

Then I dare you to “eat” and see what happens.