Reaching Up, Reaching Out

Friends,

Why plant new churches?

“New churches reach the non-churched far more effectively than longer-existing churches. Dozens of studies confirm that the average new church gains most of its new members from the ranks of people who are not attending any worshipping body, while churches over 10-15 years of age gain 80-90% of new members by transfer from other congregations. This means that the average new congregation will bring new people into the life of the Body of Christ at 6-8 times the rate of an older congregation of the same size. ”- Tim Keller

Why plant new churches? As the quote from Tim Keller states, study after study shows that the most effective way for God’s people to reach the unreached is through the planting of new churches.

Thus, numerous new churches are the only way to really expand the number of Christians in a city.

When I discuss this truth with people, I usually get two responses: First, I hear excitement. People are fired up by the opportunity to be a part of a church where new people are being brought into the life of the Body of Christ through either new or renewed faith commitments. Second, I’m asked a question: “What kind of worship service are you going to have?” Translation: “Are you going to have one of those watered-down, flashy, entertaining, cheesy, seeker-friendly worship services?” My answer: “Well, yeah, why wouldn’t we.”

If worship is the source and purpose of our mission, designing a “watered-down, flashy, entertaining, cheesy, seeker-friendly worship service” would be kind of like training for a marathon on a diet of Twinkies and Ho-Ho’s. Worship is what we were created for and as God’s people gather to worship before the nations we are given God’s promise that the nations will flock to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 67:1 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A PSALM. A SONG. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, (Selah) 2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. (Selah) 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Thus, Christ-formation in an individual happens best not through programs, but through a local worshipping church.

Evangelistic worship is shaped by the deep conviction that the gospel is what both the believer and the non-believer need. Only a person who is hearing the gospel in the context of an on-going worshipping and shepherding community can be sure of finally coming home into vital, saving faith. This is why a leading missiologist like C. Peter Wagner can say, “Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”

-Tobey

Posted on September 18, 2007.

They Took Their Faith With Them

From the time capsule recovered from the Zion cornerstone:

“...Zion Congregation was founded in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 17,1900. The Congregation had to enlarge the house of God after 7 years, that is in 1907, because the congregation grew through the grace of God. Hence it followed that they may build a new house for God and the cornerstone was placed on July 17,1927. Since the beginning the congregation has found peace in Jesus Christ their redeemer ... As fathers and brothers in Christ we wish for our descendents that they will follow Christ’s calling and the teachings of Jesus his blood cleanses us from all sins. Till we meet in the eternal Zion.

-Recorder, Johannes Doell”

It has impressed me that these German-speaking believers took their faith with them wherever they went.  When things were hard in Germany and there was opportunity in Russia, they moved, and they took their faith with them.  They built villages and churches.  Then when things changed in Russia, they saw opportunities in the United States, and they moved again, and they took their faith with them.  They built homes in the South Bottoms neighborhood of Lincoln and a church building that they soon outgrew.  So they found a new place and built a new building.  And as we read in the document they put in the cornerstone, they took their faith with them.

So when we think of the Zion Chuch building that stood at 9th and D, we should remember that it was really just one more building in a series that housed a church of faithful Christians.  They were used to moving as things changed.  We can learn from their example and view our planned move to South 27th as an incidental circumstance.  The building and the location is not the important thing.  The real question is, what faith will we take with us?

-Pastor Keith

Posted on September 17, 2007.

Church Plant Update

Friends,

As many of you heard yesterday during the AFC hour, I am in the process of developing plans for a church plant in downtown Lincoln. Although at this point the plans for the church plant are in very early stages, now that things have become more public, I wanted to begin the communication process with the congregation.

I am currently gathering people who may be interested in the church plant for some informal dinner/discussions. I’m looking to bring together people who would like to help me think through two questions: 1/ why does Lincoln need another church?, and 2/ what could that church look like in order to reach downtown Lincoln? I am looking to hold a dinner/discussion gathering sometime at the end of this month: either Sunday, August 26, or Tuesday, August 28.

If you would be interested in participating in these dinner/discussions I would love to speak with you about joining us.

At this time participation does not require anyone to commit to joining the church plant, opportunities to join the church plant will come a couple months from now when all of you are able to hear about and consider the vision/mission of this new church, although I am certainly interested in connecting with those of you who may be particularly “curious” at this time.

So, two things: 1/ please feel free to let me know if you have an interest in joining the dinner/discussions, and 2/ please pray for the church plant. To begin a new church is a great privilege, and one that our enemy will greatly oppose. So, please pray.

I look forward to communicating with all of you and casting the vision for the church plant in the weeks and months ahead, and again, please feel free to let me know if you would like to talk further about this new work. I really would love to speak with you.

Keep praying and let’s talk,

Tobey

Posted on August 07, 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions (Since June 9, 2007)

What caused the fire?
We have not received any new information since the first week after the fire.  The investigators ruled out foul play.  They believe the fire started in the kitchen, spread up the elevator shaft, and went across the roof.  They have never determined an exact cause.  They followed up on the possibility of a break-in gone wrong, but do not have enough evidence to conclude that the fire started that way. 

Could the south towers have been saved?
When it comes to buildings, nearly anything can be done…for a price.  When the fire went through the roof it actually bent (melted?) the iron beams that ran from north to south.  Those beams were connected to the north and south brick peaks.  Consequently the north wall was completely unstable.  The structural engineers recommended that the entire building be taken down.  One engineer told me that he ‘loves old things’ and ‘lives in a hundred year old house’ but that the remaining building needed to come down.

Why did we meet at Capitol City Christian Church?
Pastor Bill Thornton is a friend of Stu’s and he immediately offered their help.  They do not use their worship center at the 10:30 hour and were able to free up a couple of rooms for nursery.  Though their facility is quite a distance from 9th and D, their hospitality, availability, parking, time-slot, and friendship made it quite a blessing.

Why are we now meeting at Grace Lutheran Church?
Capitol City did not have extra space for our educational programs.  Our friends at Grace Lutheran were willing to create a schedule that will allow us to operate all of our weekly programs, including worship, Sunday School, AFC, AWANA, and other occasional ministries.

How long will we be meeting at Grace?
The month of August will be a trial period for both congregations.  We will need to work out some of the traffic flow issues as 500-600 people could be roaming the hallways on some Sundays.  Assuming we can mutually iron out all the bugs, we could be renting from Grace Lutheran for the duration of our ‘wilderness wanderings’ (until we build or buy a facility).

Will Zion rebuild at 9th and D?
The elders and deacons have been gathering as much information as possible and assessing all options.  These options seem to boil down to this: (1) Rebuild Zion at 9th and D, (2) Rebuild Zion at another location and plant a daughter church at 9th & D, or (3) Relocate Zion to an existing facility and plant a daughter church at 9th & D.  All of these scenarios envision a church rebuild at 9th & D (perhaps mother, perhaps daughter).  We have been actively investigating all facilities that might work with option 3.  There are only two churches on the market at this time.  One church was deemed unsuitable due to maintenance and upkeep needs (Trinity Methodist, 16th & A) and the other is considered suitable for our current ministry needs (Southwood Lutheran, 5511 S. 27th).  We have begun negotiating to purchase the former Southwood Lutheran property and if we come to terms with them we will call a congregational meeting for final approval of the purchase.

What are the advantages of ‘option 3’?
It is much cheaper to buy an existing property than to build.  If we would have completed our education wing at 9th and D, Zion would have been about 20,000 square feet large.  At a rate of $140 per square foot (which will create a brick, pleasant, good quality facility) and add in costs of furnishings, design, etc. it would range in cost from about $3 to 3.5 million to rebuild.

What are the disadvantages of ‘option 3’?
There are very a very limited number of churches for sale.  It is also very concerning to leave 9th and D.  The officers are not interested in abandoning ministry at our current location.  We believe God has called us to have a strong gospel presence in the core of the city.  God’s providence in providing Pastor Tobey’s desire to church plant in Lincoln, passion for the urban center, and potential resources to accomplish this task can overcome the disadvantages of option 3.

Why would we church plant at this time?
Zion planted Grace Chapel (40th & Sheridan) six years ago.  Our vision has been to saturate Lincoln with PCA churches through church planting.  Originally we had hoped to expand Zion’s facility and grow enough to fund another church plant several years from now.  God seems to have other plans.  With an approved church planter on staff, Tobey’s desire to plant a church in Lincoln, the potential to effectively—though not completely—fund the church planting effort, all while eliminating all of Zion’s debt seems amazing.  Wisdom, timing, and providence all work hand in hand.

Since Zion has insurance money, will any additional capital campaign funds be necessary?
Yes.  There will be ongoing capital needs and if a daughter church is planted at 9th and D she will need help to eventually build.  When our financial situation begins to unfold more clearly we will communicate those needs to you.  Since ‘fire recovery’ money has been sent with the primary idea of rebuilding at 9th and D that money is being designated for that purpose.

How will all these possibilities affect Zion’s vision for ministry?
In short, it won’t.  As a reminder, here is Zion’s mission statement:

By God’s grace Zion Church will be a Christ-centered ministry committed to worship God by proclaiming the truth of Scripture and relating to one another on the basis of the transforming power of the Gospel.  As God’s people living in community, we will equip one another to pour out our lives for Christ at home, in the city, on the campus, across the Midwest, and to the ends of the earth.  This vision rests upon the supernatural work of Christ who alone can build His Church through the Spirit’s work in our lives together. 

Our calling remains the same.  We want to continue to practice a grace-oriented relational style of ministry.  We want to saturate Lincoln with PCA churches (we were the only one in 2000; by God’s grace we might have 4 by 2012 as Grace Chapel is working toward a plant).  We want to participate in the planting of churches throughout the region.  We know that Christ alone can accomplish this, but we pray he would give us the joy of participating in His plan.

Posted on August 06, 2007.

A Word from Stu

Zion Family,

This Sunday we will begin our full Sunday Schedule at Grace Lutheran Church, 22nd and Washington (one block south of ‘A’ street). Hopefully, this will be our last stop until we have a permanent facility (as permanent as this life offers...). Please park on the south side of the facility and use the east and west doors for entrance. There are usually many places to park on the street as well.

We are asking everyone to go to the church gym area (also called Lesher Hall) at 9:15 AM this first Sunday. The children will be dismissed with their teachers to their classes from there. Also, I’ll give an update on the latest information on our plans for a permanent facility to all of the adults. After my update we’ll break for an abbreviated AFC hour. In that AFC time you will have an opportunity to ask follow up questions and process the events of the last two months.

At various points there could be about 500 people roaming the Grace hallways, so have a good sense of humor, take your time, get to know someone new, and know that there will be details to figure out. We want to be good guests. My prayer is that this will be a blessing like our time at Capitol City was. If you come across an issue that needs to be addressed please say something to one of the staff or one of the elders/deacons.

The schedule will be:

* 9:15 AM Christian Education Hour for all ages
* 10:15-45 AM Fellowship in the church foyer
* 10:45 AM Worship

Pray that God would continue to use this time in the life of Zion to draw us closer to each other and to our Lord Jesus.

In Him, Stu

Posted on August 06, 2007.

A Word from Stu

Dear Zion Family,

The sobering fire of June 9 has taken Zion on a short-term ‘wilderness wandering’.  The hospitality of St. Paul UMC and Capitol City Christian Church has been a great encouragement.  We have reached an agreement with Grace Lutheran Church for a trial period of joint use and rental at their 22nd and Washington facility.  Sundays at Grace Lutheran will begin August 5, with an education hour at 9:15 AM and worship at 10:45 AM.  If all goes well we will be doing ministry at 22nd and Washington until we have a new facility.

On our last Sunday at Capitol City—July 29—we will leave our worship service to join their late service.  We want to express thanks to them and they want to send us forward with a blessing.  It should be a real joy.  I hope you can stay to be a part of it.

As the elders and deacons have been praying, talking, and gathering information it has become fairly clear that there are only a handful of realistic options that sit before us:
1. Rebuild Zion at 9th and D.
2. Rebuild Zion at another location and plant a daughter church at 9th & D.
3. Purchase an existing facility and plant a daughter church at 9th and D.

We are not comfortable leaving the core of the city.  By God’s providence the officers have been preparing to church plant with Pastor Tobey after he was assessed and approved to have the essential qualities of a church planter by the denominational assessment process (January 2007).  We are prayerfully considering whether the event of the fire might be meant to speed up that church planting plan.

Please pray for the elders and deacons.  Specifically, that we would have wisdom in determining how best to proclaim and stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in downtown Lincoln, that we would use our resources wisely, that we would have a Kingdom mindset, and that we would work toward the larger goal of saturating Lincoln with gospel-preaching, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring churches. 

We have inherited a great legacy from those who have gone before us.  Let us labor for the Kingdom and leave a godly legacy in our wake.

Only by His grace,

Pastor Stu Kerns
For the Session

Posted on July 19, 2007.

A Message From The MNA

The following is a message sent out by the MNA Disaster Response throughout the PCA regarding our church.

Dear Friends,

On June 9, 2007, the Zion PCA church facility in Lincoln, NE was destroyed by fire. Structural engineers and church leadership determined the building could not be repaired and subsequently contracted to have it razed, which has been accomplished. At this point it appears that the insurance settlement will not be sufficient to build a physical plant large enough to meet the needs of this growing congregation. In fact, Zion PCA was going to break ground for a Christian Education addition on the very morning of the fire. Although this fire has been traumatic to the saints at Zion, Associate Pastor Tobey Brockman reminds us that the most horrific event in history, the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus, was the turning point of history and the key to our salvation. God is not caught off guard by tragedy, He plans it. And He will use it for His glory and for our good, burning away the dross and forming the character of Christ in us.

The officers of Zion want to communicate this simple message to their brothers and sisters in the PCA, the congregation and the Lincoln community: We believe God wants a church at 9th and D streets and we will labor toward that end.

MNA Disaster Response is working with Senior Pastor Stu Kerns and has established an account to receive and process contributions to help our family at Zion PCA to meet immediate and ongoing operational expenses and to help with rebuilding costs. MNA charges no fees in processing your gift; 100% will go to Zion Presbyterian.  By giving through MNA, you will save Zion the extra work of receipting and processing your gift. Current information can be obtained by navigating to the Zion PCA homepage, or by contacting Rev. Tobey Brockman, Associate Pastor at 402.476.2524.

Pray that the Lord will comfort our church family in Lincoln and provide for them. Pray for the officers as they are challenged to locate a facility large enough to gather the entire congregation together for worship on the Lord’s Day. Pray for those involved in the building process/decision making, that the Lord will equip them with Godly wisdom. I also ask you to prayerfully consider how the Lord would have you participate in these efforts. Let us wrap our arms around our family in the loving nature of our Savior Jesus Christ. To contribute online, please follow this link.

With a servants heart,

Arklie Hooten
MNA Disaster Response Director
June 28, 2007

Posted on July 06, 2007.

A Word from Stu

Zion Family,

The media in Lincoln has been very kind to continue to tell our story. If you watch the 10 PM news on channel 8 they are doing a follow up on those who went on the missions trip to Peru.  Today the LJS gave an update on the building status.  There really isn’t much that is new, but the article summarizes pretty fairly where things are at.  The officers remain open to all possibilities (the lead to their article) and continue to prayerfully consider what God would have us do.  I want you to know that while we are praying, we are also gathering information. 

As far as purchasing an existing church, there don’t appear to be any realistic options.  If you know of a facility that is for sale please let me know. 

Here are a few more notes for the week ahead:
* We continue to meet at Capitol City Christian until further notice.  Services are at 10:30 AM with nursery provided.  This Sunday Capitol City has a wedding at 2:00 and they need us to leave the worship center right after services.  I think we could linger a bit in the foyer, but they’ll be decorating and taking pictures in the worship center right after we leave. 
* One of the nurseries will be on the opposite side of the worship center.  One of the rooms we’ve been using is also the “bride’s room” and they’ll need it this Sunday.
* We are asking people to put on a nametag.  Grab a sharpie and slap on a nametag.  We’ve been one church in two services for quite a while and nametags are very helpful.
* We continue to take orders for t-shirts, polos, and caps.  There will be a table ordering these ‘Zion’ products.  We hope to have them in hand and distributed by the 15th.
* If you see a need or a gap in ministry don’t be shy about saying something to one of the officers.  We need lots of eyes and ears.
* We are very near to a long-term agreement with Grace Lutheran church for Sunday rental space (22nd & Washington).  We will be able to do all of our Sunday morning activities, with an education hour at 9:30 AM and worship at 11:00 AM.  Pray that these details are finalized and that this situation would be a blessing to both congregations.
* There will be a prayer walk, beginning at the Ed Center (8th & D) on July 18, 7 PM.  We’ll take an hour to walk through the neighborhood, pray, and talk about the future.

The basement hole at 9th and D was filled and the lot will be seeded shortly.  Some will wonder why (when we might be messing it up again soon).  Here is the answer from Jack Way: “This is a requirement of City of Lincoln when demolition of a building occurs. They sent an inspector when the hole was open to see that the footings removed. If Zion had not completed this work and left the site in an unsightly mess, there would have been considerable reaction from City Hall possibly resulting in litigation which Zion does not want. Plus, it’s being a good neighbor.”

We want to be good neighbors!  Use every opportunity God gives you to talk about Jesus, who leads Zion Church, who loves lost people, and who has a purpose behind our temporary trouble.

In Christ, Stu

Posted on June 29, 2007.

A Word from Stu

Zion Family,

Three Sundays into our new life after the fire and while I’m tired, I am
more optimistic than ever about our future.  The newness will wear off
and the challenges of being in ‘the wilderness’ will wear down, but we
need to keep our eyes on Jesus, doing what He calls us to do whether we
have our own building or not.  Keep praying that we would use this
unique opportunity to talk with our community about Jesus, His love for
lost people, and our mission to be transformed by Grace and poured out
for others.

Here are some notes for the week:

* We will be meeting at Capitol City Christian Church until
further notice.  Their space and hospitality has been a great blessing.
The have a wedding this coming Sunday, so we need to start on time and
end at 11:30, so they can re-claim the worship center at 11:45 AM.

* T-shirts, polos, and caps will be available for order again this
Sunday.  “Zion clothing” is another way to share with others the story
of Zion and the story of Christ’s gospel (it opens doors of
conversation).

* Pray for a ‘permanent’ place to meet (for the duration of
construction).  We have centered in on about 3 options. 

* Find someone who took the missions trip to Peru and listen to
their stories.  They had some adventures going down (lost luggage) and
an adventure coming back (flight cancelled into Omaha!).  Their
perspective on how blessed we are, in spite of the fire, will be
helpful.

* Over $6,000 has come into the fire recovery fund.  What a
blessing that others care about this congregation!

* If you know someone who would like to receive the current
newsletter just e-mail their address to Lynn at the church office:

That’s all for now.  The office is running just as usual (praise God!).
Don’t hesitate to call or e-mail with questions, suggestions, or ideas
on how to make our time in the wilderness more smooth.

In Christ, Pastor Stu

Posted on June 28, 2007.