In case you don't know, I'm an ENORMOUS JRR Tolkien fan. I was LONG before the movies came out. Personally I love the movies although I know all fans don't. Probably one of my favorite scenes is the one in which Elrond shows up at the camp of the Rohirrim just before the ride of to war in Gondor. Aragorn is woken from his sleep and summond to Elrond's tent. After challenging Aragon there is this wonderful scene in which he reveals the sword that was broken, the sword of the king, and he holds it out, offers it, to Aragorn and encourages him "become who you were born to be!".

I learned that same lesson this past week in Minneapolis. You see we had to give two 10 minute talks and I was really nervous about them. I mean I can talk and I don't mind being in front of people but just the pressure of being the first person up and knowing they were just watching me and grading me...well the first of the two was horrible. I got up behind this podium (pulpit) and try to speak like everyone else. It didn't work. I tried to fit the mould someone else had created for me rather than being who I am. You see I think I speak best in a more relational format. So, having a chance to think about how much my first presentation stunk I walked in for my second (the mini-sermon) and the first thing I did was remove that crazy podium and say down on the table. Sigh. Much better. The second presentation wasn't perfect but it was infinately better I think mostly because I embraced who I am and wasn't trying to be anyone else.

The reality is that God has created us uniquely. We are created in His image. Each one of us is one facet of the most multifacited diamond there is. We are beautiful in our uniqueness and in the way we are part of the whole. We are a part of God's body and we all have a unique part to play. The more we can embrace that the more likely we are to hit our stride and be effective in the kingdom of God. 

Spend as much time as you can discovering who God has made you and become who you were born to be!

Thanks so much everyone for your prayers last week! We felt loved by you all!

Here are Mel and I, back home after our assessment week. What a week it was! Long, intense and immensly profitable are the words I'd use to summarize the experience. I'm so glad we were able to go. It was both humbling and affirming. For those of you particularly interested in what was said I'll give you a brief summary. 

There are four ways someone can come out of these assessments. You can be not reccomended - basically you aren't and likely never will be a church planter. Next, one can be reccomended with strong conditions - this means that with a lot of work and 18-24 months of time you could be ready to plant a church. We were conditionally reccomended  - this means that the basic raw materials are in place for us to be successful as planters. However, we should take 12 months to sand of some rough edges before planting. Lastly one can simply be reccomended - go plant a church son!

There were four things they wanted us to do in the next 12 months. Fortunately most of them were on our to do list already. They were:

1. Complete Your Residency Program (our year in Detroit - starts August 1!)
2. Obtain a Planting Mentor/Coach (Craig and Craig will help with this)
3. Develop your evangelism strategy to take seekers to the point of decision (basically I've had lots of relationships with non-believers but few have crossed the line of faith because of that relationship)
4. Develop Your public speakings skills (I haven't preached much so it can be rough at times)

There were other areas of growth that needed to be worked on but they were not "conditions" - just areas in which I should continue to get better at. 

Mel and I feel like there are now concrete things we need to focus on during our residency. We also know that one person we need on our launch team is a successful evangelist. Evangelism is everyone's responsibility - we were created to witness about Jesus! However, some have been given a special gift when it comes to leading others to the point of decision. We need someone like this on our team. If that sounds like you (be humble but don't be shy!) and you'd like to be involved in a church plant and see many new people come to faith I encourage you - prayerfully consider having a conversation with me. It might just be God's will for you and for us.

 Well we survived day one and finished a bit early. That was nice! About half of us who are being assessed went out for a snack late last night. It was just great to see the ways in which God is moving through church planting. We met a couple who used to live in Mark Driscoll's basement and preaches with a similar fire, two people who are moving to Utah to work amongst the Mormons and several others who have compelling, God sized visions for towns all over the US. 

Today we'll be spending most of our time doing various projects. We have a small groups project, an evangelism project and a planting project to do today. Exciting and daunting at the same time. We'll let you all know how it goes.

Much Love,

Tim and Melissa

 Well we're here on the gorgeous campus of Bethel University. I did the running tour around the lake this morning. The assessment doesn't start for a few hours (after lunch) and so it's hurry up and wait time :-) Mel and I have spent most of this morning reviewing my 2 mini-sermons (one sermon, one "philosophy of minsitry" pitch). Now that we're feeling a bit more prepared (but not totally...) I kind of feel like I'm back in high school waiting for an exam to begin. You know those minutes when you're at school but the exam isn't for another 30 minutes. You're nervous and anxious (I know...be anxious for nothing...) and keep telling yourself that you've prepared well but it doesn't help? that's how I feel. I'm just praying this morning that Jesus would shine through in everything I say and do today. Sola gloria deo even if I don't feel ready.

Well we're off to Minneapolis today for what I've been calling the last phase of our pre-training period. This is another assessment to be sure - one that's far more in depth and intense than any of the others we've been involved in. I know God will stretch us this week. I enter into the week full of both anticipation and a healthy dose of fear. I know some of these things will be well beyond me and so I'm praying that God will strengthen us for the task and remind us continually of our calling and vision. 

I wondered this morning if I could share with you a few specific things we'd like prayer for. When you think of us, please pray for these things:

Layla is staying with Barbara and Chris Postma. Pray for them and a full house :-) (Thanks guys...we appreciate it so much!)
Pray that somehow we'd have the chance to minister to those serving us at the assessment. 
Unity for Melissa and I - we'll be asked some tough questions and put through the ringer so being one will be really important. 
Focus and clarity - we've prepped some things to say but much of it we'll have to think and answer on the fly. Being focused and clear will be really important.
Traveling Mercies :-)
 

Thanks for all of your support and love! We feel God's presence through you all often!

Hey everyone,

I'm really pleased to blog this morning that West London Alliance Church has officially consented to be the agency who will bring in the support money that people will give in order that Mel and I might follow God's leading in planting this church. WLA will not only be bringing in the money but will act as an accountability partner for us in the next year and will help us with our own taxes by issuing a T4 next year for our income. Of course all of this also means that by giving money to support this Kingdom work you can also get a charitable donations reciept for your giving.

This leads me to mention that we're 42 days away from leaving Ontario for Detroit. On August 1st we'll be beginning to live on the support God provides our family through people like you and so it would be REALLY helpful at this point to know what each of you who is thinking of giving is actually going to give. As a reminder, we need $3000 CND per month and right now we've confirmed more than 1/3rd of that support number.

Our preferred way of finding that information out is by meeting face to face with you and chatting however with the time frame left that might not happen before the end of July. Giving us a call would be great or sending an email to let us know what you're planning on doing would also be great! In case you don't have our email address feel free to send any email to timheerebout@gmail.com.

We're really looking forward to Detroit/Toronto these days. We're looking forward even more to the lasting relationships and kingdom partnerships that God will create through things like our support team. We can not do this alone...God is working and we're so thankful! 

In Christ,

Tim

I've just got something on my heart I want to get out. For some time now I've wrestled with why it seems that people inside of the Christian circle are really quick to dole out judgement. It seems like we're ready to stone one another over theological differences, methodological differences and faith differences. It seems so utterly incongruent with what the Bible says about judgement and unity.

I don't want to sound like Negative Norman or anything but what I do want to sound like is a man concerned for the image of the bride of Christ. Are we all blind to the fact that there is an image problem and that the image problem is largely our fault and our responsibility to fix? I absolutely believe in the soverignty of God AND I believe in human responsibility. I believe the problems facing the church today are the responsiblity of the Church to fix. The church can do this by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.

What kind of stones do I mean? When we write off society as debase and lost in a way that puts the blame on them for being pagan and not the responsiblity on us to work harder to reach them before they are condemned to hell we throw stones...we blame them. When we throw out the baby with the bath water by attacking the theology of ALL seeker churches and the entire emergent village we throw stones. When we let petty grievances get between us and our church family or when I decide to pre-judge someone's motives based on past behavior then I'm whipping rocks at the heads of those whom I'm called to love.

This is as much a reminder for myself as anything else. This blog is mostly meant to be a reflection of our spiritual journey as we follow God into church planting. Today I'm taking the opportunity to put on this page a landmark to remind me to put my stones down and take up my cross. If that's helpful to someone praise Jesus. If I've offended you please forgive me.

Love should be tangible and visible. I'm praying that I can put down and rocks in my hands and pick up the cross that God might be glorified as I boast in the one hope for the world...whatever form it takes.

 Exactly one week from now Mel and I will be in Minnesapolis, MN for a final assessment with ELI. This assessment isn't so much to determine if we're suited for planting but in what ways we need to grow and develop. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous about it. I mean if they figure I'm just a wack job then I guess there is still time for them to pull out. Anyone who knows me knows I'm at least partly a wach job ;-)

Mostly though I'm very excited about it. It will be the end of the pre-training phase and will signal there is only a month left 'till Detroit! It will also be a great opportunity to get some heartfelt input into my life on areas where I could use some growth. I'm greateful for anyone who is willing to invest the relational equity into me that is necessary to be loving but honest. I want to always be someone who learns and grows and this is one very intense way to learn a lot and grow a lot in a few short days. 

Please pray for us as this week goes on. I need to prepare a 10 minute sermon as well as Mel and I prepping some other things before we leave. Pray that God will help us to know our calling and vision with clarity and that we'll know each other enough to be both confident and teachable. 

 By Melissa - Simply reading through the Bible

Today part of my reading took me to Matthew 26 and the story of the woman who anointed Jesus.  This story is also found in Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-7 . In John's reference to this event we learn that this woman is Mary - sister to Lazarus and Martha.  The thing that really stands out to me in each of these accounts is Mary's boldness that is bred out of the deep love that she had for Jesus. Mary shows this boldness as well when she sits at the feet of Jesus to learn.  We see in the accounts of Mary that she was willing to put aside her pride, her duties, any self concern or image to express her love for her Saviour.  Think about it. She entered into a room where these men, these friends of Jesus where eating. Took this expensive oil and bowed at the feet of Jesus. Yeah wow boldness - the disciples then thinks she nuts for wasting this money and I can't help but imagine their response to this woman letting her hair down in their presence and to wipe the feet of Jesus. "How inappropriate" I can hear them saying.  Then come the loving words of Jesus "Why do you trouble this woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me” I can picture Mary's heart sinking as she heard the condemnation of the others and then her heart soaring as she hears the words of Jesus. Her boldness was not for not. It matter. She did something beautiful for Jesus. 

She heard these words of condemnation from her sister as well when Martha brings her complaint to Jesus. Mary had boldness to stop simply doing, performing, being anxious and trouble about things. She chose to sit and to be with Jesus. What did Jesus have to say about this? "Mary has chosen the good portion this will not be taken away from her." Sometimes it's boldness to sit, to be, to stop striving and to take the time to focus on the eternal things.

So often in my day I concern myself with what others will think if I take this step of faith or I take the time to sit and be. Normally this means my house is a bit more disorganized or I might look foolish and have to explain my choices. Sometimes this fear stops me from jumping in. So this week I want to be bold in my expressions for my love of Christ AND I want to be bold in my times with Christ. I want my life to be something beautiful for Christ.

 Last night we began a farily flexible study of the book of Acts with 4 other people. We know of at least 4 more who are interested in coming when they have time. We're just going to wade through as much of the book as we can in the 8 or so weeks before leaving for Detroit. I'm really excited about this because it gives us all a chance to think deeply about the early church and how their example is supposed to shape our own thoughts about church. That early church was the church Jesus planted and so I think is supposed to be the "model" that informs us most.

Let me extend and invite - if anyone out there wants to have some great discussions about the book of Acts over the summer months hit me up and I'll make sure you get the details of where and when! The more the merrier!

Is anyone else doing a summer study or some other group? Looking for more people? Let us know!

 Mel, Layla and I are off to district conference today for the Central Canadian District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Since the district was the first to send us for assessment they'll be mentioning our journey and encouraging pastors from the district to get to know what our vision is. Please be praying today and tomorrow as the members of this district take care of matters of buisness and seek God's will for their organization. Also, pray that if given the chance to share that our words would be precise and filled with the Holy Spirit.

 Marketing is a sly fox. I think it's one of the tools the devil likes to use most to get us off our game. It's seductive. It's subversive. It's sneaky. It gets me too often.

Today though, by God's grace, I decided to try and get away from it's clutches. As we've been gearing up for Detroit I've been considering what I should do to both give me a phone and keep me organized. Marketing's choice - the iPhone or Google Android. Both of these are really cool devices that I can easily convince myself that I need. But the more I thought about it I realized how much it would cost me to have one of those phones. Here's some of the ways I can save by not buying one.

$50/month for a data plan = $300 USD/year
$199 for the phone
$175 to break my contract a year early since we'll be in D-town for only 12 months

So right there is $675USD that I was seriously considering spending just to have a cool phone that might help me be more organized. Or....

I could buy a Moleskine Organizer for a whopping $8.99USD . One could argue that I bought the moleskine due to marketing but the cool thing is I found out how much I love Moleskines before I knew they were cool. Pastor Mike actually was the first one to tell me how hip i was by using a Moleskine. 

As those of us at WLA are coming off a weekend considering how God is asking us to use our money I'm wondering what your practical tips are for getting away from the seductress is? How can you help us better allocate the resources we have?

ps - Don't buy the moleskine organizer from Chapters like I did. It's $21CND there :-(

For those of you who don't go to WLA we've been studying the book of Mark and asking the question "who is the real Jesus". As Pastor Mike pointed out a couple of weeks ago, the answer comes from the whole bible. I was reminded of that this morning.

I've been reading Hebrews this week and at first I wasn't really into it. I mean the first few chapters deal mostly with Jesus being superior to angels. Duh...I think that's a given. Or is it?

I began to think that the author of Hebrews was likely dealing with the same kind of confusion that our culture deals with - that is the TRUE identity of Jesus. There is little debate about whether Jesus was a good man, a great teacher, or a leader worth listening to. However, there is MUCH debate over whether Jesus is superior to other Gods. It must have been that the readers of this letter to the Hebrews were putting Jesus and the angels on the same playing field. It's what some people try to do with Jesus and Buddah or Mohammed or any other number of religious figures. The question we need to wrestle with is how are we going to address this question today? Do we have as well thought out an answer to why Jesus is still superior today as the writer of Hebrews had so many years ago? It's a critical question than needs a good answer. If we can't defend Jesus then we can't defend our faith. 

To be honest I'm not sure I've got an answer I'm happy with. Can anyone help me and the rest of us get some thoughts forming in our minds?

Disclaimer - I came up with this and it's not part of Mike's sermon series. I just stole his title ;-) 

 Mel and I just got back from Detroit and we couldn't wait to share with you what this trip held. When we left on Sunday afternoon we knew we'd be going to see a possible basement suite to live in. We were thrilled with this prospect. Things got better the moment we arrived though. 

Nicole (Pastor Craig's wife) couldn't wait to tell us about something that happened in her small group that week. In Nicole's own words there is only one "old person" at Paradox. This person lost a dear friend a couple of week's ago. Well it turns out that this saint's daughter was left the house. She already has a house of her own and selling a home in Detroit is not a great idea right now. She's been praying that someone would house sit for her...

Well one part of the cell group conversation led to another and we went to see the house today. It's amazing! Fully furnished and I mean fully...dishes and all! We practically need to bring nothing at all with us. 

I could try to explain it but why don't I just show you:

View Larger Map

 So as if that weren't enough God saw fit to help us with the first half of our car situation also. We've wanted to find a reliable vehicle that would allow us to get out of making car payments. We found that vehicle last week...a 2001 Ford Escape that's been quite well taken car of. We drove it to Detroit and just loved it. We are now going to sell our car so if anyone is looking I know where there is a great deal on a 2007 Mazda 3 Sport GT hatchback ;-)

Two months from today (exactly!) we'll be off to Detroit for good. God continues to provide in miraculous ways. We've still got a good deal of support raising to do but we trust God will be faithful. Which leads me to add - if you've been meaning to talk to us about monthly support or support by a special gift then it'd sure be swell if you did that soon ;-) We can always be reached by email at timheerebout AT gMaiL DOT com (have to write it like that so I don't get tons of new spam). 

My encouragement today is to believe that God is in control and capable of taking care of you. I certainly see him doing it for us these days and have got to believe he can do it for you too! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! This is all for his glory!