Chapter XIX: It's Almost Here

Something seems different now. Something has changed in the past week. Things aren't the same as they were the last time we spoke.

I'm not sure what exactly has changed, but the LORD has done something in my life over the past week. It's one of those times when I can look back at the Brian Boucek of last week and thank God for the difference between the two of us.

In addition to a lot more facial hair (Almost done with No-Shave-November), this past week has given me a sense of maturity. The combination of successfully organizing my first fundraiser and preaching a difficult message to a critical congregation has aged me more than just a few days.

While this week was busy, I loved every moment of it. The Chili Cook-off went really well (although a chowder recipe won the contest) as we had a great turn out and raised a lot of money.

Our Thanksgiving service went really well, and I hope to replicate the same intimacy, simplicity, and comfort of that service for our regular Sunday morning meetings. I was blessed enough to spend the actual meal with a few families from our church, and the food was good enough to offset the depression of another loss for the Lions.

My sermon went over better than expected. While I am very appreciative of the congregation's support and encouragement, I have to give credit to the Holy Spirit. From the start of the planning process to the closing prayer of my message, the Spirit's hand was upon me.

The Spirit didn't stop there though. His hand seems to be much heavier the past few days as our church is starting to come to a crucial moment. As discussions continue and people voice their opinions, it is becoming clear that something is going on. Something is going to happen. Something is going to changet.

A few other highlights from this week included some new guitar gear via the Black Friday madness, a first time ever climb of a 5.12 route, a new friend, reunion with some old friends, some great pictures of downtown, and a clean house.

Looking to the future, December is going to be an awesome month filled with Christmas concerts, Christmas caroling, Christmas parties, Christmas music....pretty much just Christmas in general.

As mentioned above, our church is reaching that crucial moment when something big happens. Please continue to pray for our church family, and pray for the interim pastor candidate as he discern's God's will for his involvement with our church. That's really about it for now, so hang loose, pray hard, and keep lovin' life.

Eager with anticipation,
-B

Chapter XVIII: A Whole Lot of Ministry

I don't mean to brag, but I've now gone an entire month without a late post...It's perfectly acceptable to applause.

This punctual update means that it's been 7 days since I last spoke (wrote?) with you, but it's felt a lot longer. Three lunch meetings, two climbing nights, and one crazy lock-in later, I'm still standing.

Met some new people on Tuesday night at swing dance, sent a few new routes at the climbing gym, and nearly finished a new song I've been working on. I broke a capo (thing used for a guitar), but I also got Rose (my acoustic) worked on a bit and now she sounds as pretty as she looks.

Our annual Fall Lock-In took place this weekend, and the turn out was great. With nearly two dozen students in attendance, we had fun with karaoke, games, Nerf guns, pizza, and a midnight Meijer dash.

Wednesday was a challenging day for me personally as I had to make some last minute changes to our Rake'n'run and I had to lay down some strong discipline at youth group. I find that it's much easier to love kids in a way that makes them smile as opposed to a way that makes them angry...But Christ wasn't about making people grin...He was about making them better.

On the flip side of the emotion coin, yesterday's worship service was simply awesome. The recently beefed-up worship band played/sang extremely well, and did so with an awesome amount of enthusiasm. The congregation worshiped with their voices and bodies throughout the service and the best part was the overwhelming sense of joy that filled the sanctuary.

Now ministry is not about numbers, but here are a few to summarize the week.

150 pies made at our annual Pie Baking Days
72 people at our weekly Neighbor Night (almost twice the usual!)
24 hours I went without sleep
22 students at our annual Fall Lock-In
9 pizzas devoured by hungry students on Friday night
6 songs used in worship on Sunday
3 new musicians added to our Worship Band
2 yards that are now leaf-free thanks to our High School students
1 guitar capo that will be sorely missed

Looking ahead, I've got four areas of focus for prayer. The first is our Chilli Cook-off. This fundraiser helps support the youth ministry and is starting to stress me out a little.

We also have our Thanksgiving service in a few days...something different but fun.

I am preaching to this congregation for the first time on Sunday. The sermon is titled "All You Need Is Love" and it isn't really started yet.

Lastly, our congregation has made a selection on an interim pastor, and he met with our staff this morning. He's still unsure whether or not to take the position, so please pray for us and him.

The days and weeks are flying by as we quickly approach December...and lately I've been doing a whole lot of this ministry thing. Approaching the four month mark on my time here in Grand Rapids and I can confidently say that all is well.

Still rockin' out,
-B

Chapter XVII: Bring It On

For those of you faithful few who keep up with my blogs from week to week, the build up mentioned last week has begun to fully sink in. For those of you who are fair weather readers, I am talking about a build up of things I haven't gotten around to doing yet (or have put off).

Anyways, the combination of special holiday services, fundraiser dinners, and church events have got my calender almost as full as my brain. In addition to these seasonal happenings, our church is beginning to look at some new changes, most of which revolve around our worship services. So things are starting to get somewhat busy (keyword: "somewhat"... I'm not overwhelmed or anything).

Folks, I have to be honest here.

I like it.

I enjoy doing these sorts of things.

Planning, contacting, preparing.
Studying, researching, thinking.

Asking questions, surveying congregation members, listening to people's ideas and concerns. It's all part of what I do here and it's all awesome. My work load has increased, but not uncomfortably. I'm using my God-given gifts to help lead His people, and nothing could be more fulfilling. I like being busy.

Does this mean I'm crazy?....I hope so.

Had a bit of a rough patch on Tuesday night, but the LORD used that to draw me closer. Our Wednesday Neighbor Night went really well this week, with both a good turn out and good food. Spent a lot of time working with music this weekend, and I got to travel up to Big Rapids to visit Cran Hill Ranch (where I will hopefully be working as a chaplain for a week or two in the summer).

Yesterday was really awesome. The service was good, and the cookies rocked my morning (in a good way), but the highlight for me was the discussion in Sunday School. Roughly 30 of the members combined for class this week, and we made some awesome progress in talking through our differences.

We're beginning to embrace our diversity in an effort to unify.

Our church is looking at so many changes, and faces so many challenges, and yet I continue to feel the guiding hand of the LORD daily as we journey through this process.

For the first time ever, I don't have any new prayer requests. Things are good and God is faithful. Of course our church needs prayer as we are in a challenging time, but hopefully you're praying for that already.

Embracing my challenges,
-B

Chapter XVI: I'm A Big Boy Now

Another fun week...Pretty decent throughout...

Tuesday evening I was presented with an unexpected opportunity to play some songs at Founders. 20 minutes later John and I borrowed a few guitars, and basically improved some music. It was terrific. I'm also making progress in my quest to Lindy Hop (a type of swing dance).

The weekend was really terrific too. I spent it down in Chicago with my friends and I took part in a climbing competition. We climbed in a higher division than last time, and I pulled off 5th place. I climbed really well and had a ton of fun.

I've begun looking at my life a little more seriously. Recognizing some responsibility I need to start taking. I need to tidy up my finances. Maybe brush twice a day instead of once. I need to start running again. And eating healthier. (Trying out a new recipe tonight!)

Things at Olivet continue to go well. We had a rough time with our Jr. High ministry this past Wednesday, but we learned from our mistakes and the LORD is still working in the lives of those students. Still in the process of searching for an interim pastor, but also still surviving without one.

I'm beginning to notice a build up of things that I need to do. Long term projects that haven't been started yet are starting to loom in the distance. Things like retreats. Our summer mission trip. Our fall fundraiser. Thanksgiving and Christmas services. And my sermon.

That's right. In just under three weeks (November 28th) I am preaching at Olivet. Prayer would be nice.

I suppose the moral of this blog is that God has presented me with the brutal facts that I need to get my act together a bit. He's given me some time to transition, but it's time to grow up a little. I have to face the fact that I'm no longer a college student. I can't continue eating junk food without exercise. I can't spend money just because I have it. I can't procrastinate projects because it's not my grade that might suffer, but the time and welfare of others.

All this being said, I'm also still treasuring my youth and loving it! Trying to make the most of every day I have. And trust me, there will still be plenty of stupid decisions (like jumping off the balcony in my house) in my future.

And that's why I need prayer. Pray that I would have the wisdom to continue to grow and mature, but not lose my youthful (and stupid )ideas of fun.

Growing up,
-B

PS This week's picture isn't mine. Credit goes to Climb-On gym in Homewood, Illinois

Chapter XV: There's Something Happening Here

Two weeks. In a row. Blog updated on time.

It's ok to be impressed.

Filled with highs and lows, this week was an emotional sugar rush. Had to deal with a pretty hefty downer on Tuesday, but a great weekend experience evened things out. Once again, my two best buddies came up for a great (cold) climbing trip. We spent Friday afternoon climbing at Grand Ledge, camped in Lansing (horrible camp site, but great experience), and then climbed again on Saturday. The weather was pretty wonderful and it was great to climb outdoors and have fun.

Saturday night was our annual Trunk or Treat. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and we had so many people trick-or-treat their way through our parking lot that we all ran out of candy (despite the efforts of multiple candy runs). Over 300 children were exposed to our church!

But the real highlight of my week came with the recognition of our church's growth. Our society, our world, and our community are forcing our church to face necessary changes. Olivet has come to a crossroads, and we're forced to either sink or swim.

And we're starting to learn the breast stroke.

The congregation is becoming more welcoming to our Jr. High students and treating them like family. Little things (like our bulletin) are becoming more simple. Students are starting to take more interest in the politics of our church. People are learning and facing change. Hatred and division are becoming love and unity.

We're getting it.

We are starting to come together and seek God. Resolving our differences and stepping out of our comfort zones to do God's will. Olivet is faced with some grim facts, but also with amazing opportunity to serve God. We're given the chance to step up and really mold our church into something awesome.

And it's happening.

Everyone is talking. Everyone is participating. People are eager to see what's God's going to do in our community.

Ideas are forming. Leaders are rising. People are loving. God is moving.

The ball has started rolling and the momentum is building. BUT misguided momentum is a dangerous thing, and that's why prayer is critical to the ministry of our church. So I'd ask you to continue to lift our church family up to the LORD in prayer.

Witnessing the Work of God,
-B