Matt's Blog @ Watershed

Baptism 2010

2010-12-21T15:42:00.000-05:00

Karri Walker and Amy Kulbok

Teresa and Michael Stewart

These photos are priceless. Not pictured is Matt Shaughnessy baptizing Adam Philips. Apparently we started so quickly it caught our photographer off guard. If anyone has a photo of Adam getting dunked... I'd love to have it.

Nels and Ethan Hofert

Adam Philips baptizing Zeb Gillette

Chrisi and Rob Anderson

Taryn Hofert Baptizing Lindsey Pryor

Teresa Stewart Baptizing Debra Alexander

Scott and Taryn baptizing their son Colson Hofert

Fredy Villa Baptizing Cheale Kung

Cheale Kung Baptizing her daughter Sydney

Bringin Mez Back.... The finale!

2010-09-22T07:22:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time since I've posted an entry. With the adoption of Mez, blogging has been the last thing on my mind. I am hopeful to get back to a more consistent rhythm in the coming weeks. Until then, here is a video tribute to all of those who made our adoption a reality. God has truly been good to our family through the people of our community as well as friends and families abroad. Thanks.

Bringin Mez Back from Matt O'Neil on Vimeo.

The Wait is Over... We leave on the 1st

2010-08-20T11:25:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard, we have officially been cleared to leave for Ethiopia on September 1st to pick up the latest edition to the O'Neil tribe. Mezgana Tesfaye O'Neil, (Mez) will meet his new mom and dad hopefully by the 2nd or 3rd of September. Our trip to Ethiopia will be a blistering 9 days total putting us back here in Charlotte on the 10th of September sometime in the evening. I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us since we announced this decision to adopt for a third time 7 months ago. I also want to thank those of you who have financially contributed to this event. Because of your generosity, we cleared over $3,500 towards the $20,000 it will take to make this happen.

There is so much happening in regards to Watershed these days. More and more we are finding traction in areas of spiritual formation, justice and community. Our being "transformed to the image of Jesus," is happening, slowly but surely in the lives of individuals as well as our community at large. As we leave our community for a brief two weeks to retrieve Mez, I wanted to make sure this incredible development for our family does not overshadow the beauty and importance of the larger community and mission of Watershed.

For so many of you, you are on the edge of chasing after new questions, new turning points and new opportunities in the life God is inviting you to pursue through a will and heart surrendered to Jesus. May the weeks and months ahead find you more and more resolved to this pursuit.

For others here at Watershed, you are overflowing with the benefit and blessing of God's movement in your life. Because you have invited Jesus into the best and the worst of your life and he's responded, you are more alive, more certain and more full of love than you ever thought possible. It's time for you to take what you've been blessed with and begin leaking it into the lives of those who are just beginning to wake up to this same movement in their own life.

Our lives and community is laden with potential. In the way we search after God, in the rhythms of our quiet moments alone, in the way we connect to God through a life of wrestling with the scriptures, in the manner and frequency we love, defend and serve those who are hurting, may God begin to unleash his redemptive, healing and salvific force into a broken and lost world.

Have a great weekend.

Miller's Debut!

2010-07-05T11:13:00.000-04:00

If you were out of town this past Sunday for Transit, you missed a real treat. Scott Hofert and I have owned the speaking in Transit since Watershed's inception in 2005. It's a convenient arrangement in that we get adequate time in between talks to breath and recharge. However, a couple of months back, knowing that Scott Hofert would be on vacation this weekend, we felt like the timing was perfect to have Scott Miller, pastor of Justice and Mercy, carry the speaking load for a weekend. I was so proud of my fellow teammate. He's such a gifted guy on so many fronts and it was so fulfilling watching him do such an amazing job.

Scott spoke on what he called, "Untamed Love". In his talk he referenced the way Jesus was reckless in his capacity to love others and how he was always inviting his disciples to embrace a love that was willing to move towards personal risk. He did such a wonderful job of challenging our community to live "wastefully" in the way we love each other and those around us who are hurting and broken. I loved his talk. Not just because it was done so well, but because Scott's beliefs about love are more than just words. He and his wife Kendra live with this as their disposition in the every day rhythms of their life.

Both he and Kendra moved here to Charlotte 4 years ago because they had their sights set on living their life this way. The left a secure, comfortable and familiar life with stable jobs, income and a sense of community to chase after the sort of LOVE that he described in his talk. They chose Charlotte because they sensed being connected to Watershed and this city would allow them to discover greater ways to love in ways that are lined with greater risk.

Did you catch that? They didn't move because they had a job waiting or felt like Charlotte was a better city in which to live. They just came and trusted that in their life with Christ they would figure things out. And they did. Both eventually found jobs and both of them began pouring into people and falling in love with our community and city. That in itself is a great story. But then, as their heart began to expand, they found themselves compelled to move toward living in a marginalized part of the city. So they sold their home in the suburbs and moved to the Belmont neighborhood just around the corner from Center Stage where they've lived ever since.

Much like Becky and Tony, whom Scott described in his talk, they have embraced a way of life that is inclusive of loving their neighbors. Literally, they've made friendships, discovered a sense of community and ownership for the neighborhood where they live. This is in spite of dealing with all the challenges of living someplace where there is a higher degree of crime, poverty and risk. To listen to Scott and Kendra though, what many people would define as dangerous and risky, they would affectionately describe as an opportunity. The opportunities to love in situations when there is no definable reason to love is the very essence of what the gospel is all about. To live in a place where this potential exists on so many fronts, gives them the opportunity to trust Christ and love others in ways they could never have imagined in the world they left behind. It also creates the opportunity for the rest as observers, to take notice of who they are, who they are becoming and how they are living their life. The end result, I would surmise, is their life inspiring ours. Their life compelling us to become the sort of people who have the capacity to love in the same manner in our own life.

So while Scott's talk was really, really good. I just felt compelled to convey that his words, at least for me,.... carried a tremendous amount of weight given that how he lives reflects deeply what he believes is true about his life connected to God through Jesus. May we all live this way more and more as the gospel seeks to transform more than just our belief's. For it seeks to transform the very essence and the very core of who we are.

Story, Transformation and Community

2010-07-01T15:00:00.000-04:00

Each summer I am floored by the videos that are produced for our summer movie series at Freedom Park, Movies in the Park. Taryn Hofert and her team continue to lead the way in creatively storying the transformation of lives within our community here at Watershed. A huge thanks to all those who made this possible. Also, a special thanks to Larrisa Miller whose editing and direction helped bring this project to it's peak. Check out some of her other brilliant creations at http://www.vimeo.com/larissamiller. And join us a week from Friday on the 9th of July for our next Movies in the Park.

Watershed's 2010 video from Watershed Charlotte on Vimeo.

Hope found in our Children

2010-06-21T10:34:00.000-04:00

This is photograph taken one week prior to the first Sunday at Watershed. It's without a doubt, one of my favorite pictures of all time of my daughter Jyoti (right), at age 5, with one of her BFFL's Emma Hofert (left), also age 5. Our core team of 18 people, who helped start Watershed, had decided to meet at Actor's Theatre to practice a weekend prior to actually having a weekend at Actor's Theatre. After it was all said and done, we gathered in the parking lot to pray and ask God to do something beyond our wildest expectations or imaginations. (Wow! Looking back I'm floored at the numerous ways he's answered this prayer over the past 6 years.)

The reason I chose this photo this morning was because of yesterday's Transit. I was so moved by the entire morning at Watershed yesterday. I always get emotional when I am reminded of the legacy we leave in our children the future they represent for our world. I was overwhelmed with encouragement as I stood next to so many high-end parents and families on stage. I was reminded of how much our community has developed in Green House, thanks to incredible leaders like Laura Barker and Scott Miller. Not to mention the 50-plus volunteers that make this area jump and thrive. I was reminded of the weight of fatherhood as I stood next to my fellow fathers/brothers in arms. Realizing that we have come so far and have so much farther to go to become the dad's our kids desperately long for and need.

THEN... if it couldn't get any better, I was informed through the tear soaked voice of my wife that Emma and Ethan Hofert, (Nel's and Naomi's kids) spent the last month or so raising money through chores, car washes, etc, to help their friends, Jyoti and Sulley bring their new future brother Mez home to our family from Ethiopia this summer. She described how they could NOT wait to get to Transit this Sunday to present the fruit of their labor as their gesture of support and solidarity for our family. We've been overrun with generosity since starting this endeavor in January. But I have to tell you, out of the several thousand dollars that have come in to be put towards the overwhelming $20,000 it takes to do this, the $75 that Ethan and Emma presented was the sweetest and most precious gift we'd yet received.

All of which brought me to this place of experiencing tremendous amounts of hope through the children of our community this past weekend. In looking at the 16 brand new lives that (I hope) will grow up immersed in a transforming conversation about life, faith, love, justice, mercy and Jesus. In standing with fellow fathers. In standing next to brand new parents, ready to take on the daunting task of being the compass, provider, vision caster, leader and lover of their children, and in the beautiful and generous gesture of two children, coming along side of the friends they care for so much,.... there was so much hope, so much good news. What a great day!

What truly lies at the center of who you are?

2010-06-15T14:14:00.000-04:00

You ever feel like your going somewhere in life but you're not really sure where it is you are actually going? This is how I've felt the past 15 years of my life. I'm not complaining by any means. The "who" of who I am these days is much different than the person I was 5, 10 and 15 years ago. I'm constantly perplexed by my own personal evolutionary journey and honestly, for the first time ever, I think I'm actually enjoying it. Granted, I don't like the reality of my body growing older and becoming less agile. I'm not crazy about the lines in my face or the hair line that seems to be defiantly edging away from my forehead. But I'm starting to become more at peace with what goes along with growing older. For instance, I feel less pressure these days to impress others. I'm starting to live more confidently in what I think is true about everything from marriage, parenting, friendship, spirituality, humanity, God and service to him.

I'm realizing a greater realm of wisdom too (I think.) Not because I'm experienced or know more than the average bear, but because of the very opposite. I'm realizing just how much I DON'T KNOW about all these areas I just referenced and more. I guess, my world has expanded beyond the borders of my personal culture and relational environments enough to realize that beyond the horizon of my thinking and experience lies a huge ocean of others. Other ideas, other circumstances, other tribes, other belief's and other people. So to claim to have some sort of superior knowledge just seem really inauthentic and dishonest, to some degree, because there is so much that I continue to fully grasp in this life.

Yet, while there is so much I don't understand, I think I'm fearing less. (Note: It's not that I'm fearless. Although I wish that were true. However, today more than a decade ago, I think there are less things I am afraid of and the the things I am afraid of I seem to be facing and pushing through the fear of them in spite of it all.)

Which brings me to the point of this rant. I love how Paul critiques his own heart, mind, soul and life. In some of his writings, he wrestles with his inability to live up to his own expectations in life. He laments by just how far off the mark he misses when it come to who God insists he is. He also insists that others should follow him as he follows Christ. It sounds absurd and a little arrogant to tell huge swaths of people that your the guy to follow. But Paul does this without apology yet only within the context of Jesus' involvement and influence in his life.

Paul realizes, (I think) that anything about himself worth replicating, considering or emulating in his life is only from the perspective of how Jesus has radically and comprehensively impacted and transformed his life. I think that's why Paul is constantly point back to Jesus and his work on the cross. Paul knows his life is alive only because a resurrected Jesus has allowed it to be so.

This current series, The Desires of the Heart, asks a ton of hard and necessary questions about how a person's desires have or have not been met throughout their life. It suggests that who we are is directly related to this dynamic within ourselves. In Jesus, Paul begins to discover his TRUE SELF. In Jesus, Paul begins to see unnoticed and uncultivated potential sprouting and growing into something unique, outrageous and alive inside himself. In Jesus he sees himself beyond the limitations his own humanity. In Jesus, Paul's longings and desires seem to find a place they can call home.

This is what I personally want for my own life. I know I have desires and longings that are met and unmet on a multitude of fronts. But when it all fleshes out, I want this Jesus at the center of my life. For its there, with him, I'm convinced that "Who I truly am", can be discovered, healed, developed and purposed throughout my life in ways that these earthly eyes are still trying to see. I wonder what lies at the center of your life? Or maybe the better question, "Who is at the center of your life?"

Bringin Mez Back! This was shocking!

2010-06-07T22:20:00.001-04:00

For many of you, you are fully aware of my families decision this past January to adopt into our tribe a third son/brother from Ethiopia. His name is Mez, he's 5 years old and he's from Ethiopia. This past weekend during Transit, we were blindsided with one of the most generous and thoughtful gestures our family has received since arriving here in Charlotte in 2005. For the past several months, Taryn Hofert has been covertly putting together a campaign to help generate resources to offset the $20,000 it's going to take to bring our adoption in for a landing.

This is the third time we've adopted and God seems to always creatively generate enough resources to see these endeavors through. Paying for them have NEVER made sense on paper. Yet when it's all said and done, it just happens. I have been praying like crazy for the past 6 months asking God for direction on how we can generate enough resources to make this become a reality. And so on Sunday morning when the video below started playing and I realized I had been tricked, that this WASN'T a greenhouse promo video, I couldn't help but think how God seems to delight in surprises. Words like shocked, floored, humbled, moved, inspired, appreciative, loved and awe struck, can't even begin to describe how we felt. I was nearly speechless. I think I've watched this video about 10 times since yesterday. Each time, I vacillate from laughing hysterically at things I didn't notice before to being moved by the warmth and generous gestures of so many friends.

So on behalf of the O'Neil tribe, I want to thank Taryn and her entourage for the hours of hard work and passion they put into this project. Thanks Larissa for shooting and editing the video. Thanks Cheale for the sweet graphics and the kick butt website. (www.bringinmezback.com) To Matt, Billy, Jessie, Rachelle, Tracy, Joya, Brittany, Lindsey and Ryan, thanks for dancing and and acting silly on our behalf. I'd like to think that as much as this video and project were committed to helping us do something really incredible in bringing our future son home, I'd like to think this is also just one more meaningful expression of this communities passion to dance and celebrate the life we all continue to discover together in Jesus. I think God laughed and celebrated along with us this Sunday. Especially at you Taryn Hofert on the keyboards. God definitely split a side on that one!

Thanks again to you guys and all those who bought t-shirts this Sunday. If you were not at Transit and you'd like to be a part of TEAM MEZ and purchase a T-Shirt, check out (www.bringinmezback.com). In the meantime, check this out. You'll split a side laughing.

A Beautiful Community

2010-06-04T12:27:00.004-04:00

Wow! I ran across this video in my tool bar in my browser. It's Watershed's 3rd Anniversary Video. I was reminded of the beauty of this community. I received a phone call from Oscar a several months back from somewhere in Tennessee. Oscar is the gentleman getting baptized in the video at the beginning. He called to make sure our community knew he had completed 6 months of rehab and had been sober for close to 8 months. He wanted to make sure Tim Abare knew the impact he had on his life. Blair Miller continues to be a close friend and has embraced Jesus in his life. Julie Walker, and her husband Kevin are in Korea picking up Elliot, their second child and internationally adopted son. They return next week. Their family has been a part of Watershed since day one. Kayla George and her husband Jonathan are preparing to return from Malawi after spending the past year there working in areas of poverty and education. Sal Rando, the first person we met when we moved to Charlotte, He, his wife April and their family continue to be a part of Watershed. I saw Sal this week at Tom Rogers wake. He and his family have been impacted deeply by the relationships of this community. Just ask him about it.

I love this community and what God continues to do in so many lives. And I look forward to the days ahead as the stories increase and the mercy, justice and love of God's kingdom continues to expand in and through Watershed.

Girls on the Run and Movies in the Park

2010-05-12T16:15:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to post this all week. Jyoti and I ran our first road race together this past weekend. The Girls on the Run, Run/Walk event was incredible. It was so inspiring to see so many adults volunteering their time to pull this off. Watershed provided 60 total volunteers and it was a privilege to do so. What was really inspiring though was the numerous teams of young girls who were running together with their GOTR mentor. For several months, these mentors have been pouring into the lives of many of these young girls. Every child needs someone who will believes in them, affirms them, validate them and love them. This is what GOTR is all about and it was breath taking to see so many adults committed to being this type of voice in the life of these beautiful young ladies. I look forward to our community continuing to be a part of this in the future. Kudos to Racheal Shaughnessy, Jess Surles, and Rachelle Chretien who are mentors in this program at local schools AND... a part of the Watershed nation! I think there may be others from Watershed who are do this as well. If I missed someone KUDOS to you as well.

One more thing. This Friday night is the summer's first Movies in the Park. Hope you can make it out! Click the Movies in the Park link to find out the movie for the night and any other details.

The Gospel and Woody Allen

2010-05-07T10:47:00.002-04:00

I grew up with grand parents that adored Billy Graham. I can remember watching his crusades with my grand mother every so often when I would spend the night with her at her house on the farm. I also remember going to a crusade with my parents as a young boy and then again in my 30's while living in Jacksonville, Florida. Billy Graham is bigger than life. He's for certain a national icon that will go down in history as one of the most influential people this country and christianity has ever produced. But at the heart of Reverend Grahams passion for Jesus was people. I ran across this video clip of a Q & A he took part in with Woody Allen in the early 70's (I think.) As I watched him speak to Allen and invite him to consider life with God, I was reminded of just how good he was with people and how his affection for their lives was so apparent. It was so non-threatening, so engaging, and so warm. I don't know if it impacted Allen, but it certainly impacted me. Check it out.

Watershed Face Book

2010-04-27T11:49:00.005-04:00

I'd like to invite everyone to become friends on Watershed's facebook page. Great updates and insider info about what is happening in our community/tribe. http://www.facebook.com/watershedcharlotte

Africa Team photos. What a month at Watershed!

2010-04-23T08:57:00.004-04:00

As I've been so engrossed in this story about Guatemala, I failed to mention that our team that went Africa just returned home. Here's two of my favorite photo I've seen from this trip. Below, there's a link to see more of both Africa and Guatemala photos.

Click here for Africa.

Click here for Guatemala

Photo of Team helping save a life!

2010-04-23T08:42:00.004-04:00

Apparently our team arrived in the nick of time yesterday when a mother in labor was struggling to give birth. According to Jonathan, she and the baby could have died without intervention. This is shot of the team transporting her out of her village to a nearby medical facility where Jonathan, (dark blue shirt) delivered the baby.

Photo 2: Dan Cronin providing medical care at a make shift clinic.

Photo 3: The team chillin after a busy day of rescuing pregnant moms.

Photo 4: Rachel Cronin at a medical clinic providing care. Next to her is one of my dearest friends, Mark Schmidt. He and his family of 6 live in Guatemala and do this sort of thing all the time.

Photo 5: Alex Dunlap at a medical clinic. He works as a financial planner on most days. But his passion is Guatemala. He's the team leader and a part of the Immerse Block that pulled this whole trip together.

Watershed Guatemala Team delivers a baby! Literally!

2010-04-22T16:45:00.004-04:00

I just got a voice mail from Guatemala. (Yes, you read that correctly!) It was from my friend Jonathan Bobbitt. His normal job in the states is that of an EMT here in the Queen city. This is his first trip to a third world nation to serve the people of Guatemala. He called to tell me that today, while traveling from one village to another, they were stopped by a frantic women begging for their assistance. "There is an EMERGENCY!", she said. At which point they followed her into her village where she showed them a women who was in labor but struggling to give birth. The team immediately whisked her away to a local hospital where Jonathan delivered the baby himself.

I'm virtually speechless! This is so stinking incredible and beautiful. I'm so moved, inspired and proud of our teams that have been spanning the globe for the past year just to be GOOD NEWS to the rest of the world.

Way to go Watershed

Way to go Teams!

Way to go Jonathan!

Way to go God!

Justice and Politics: Is it a transcendent conversation?

2010-04-19T17:04:00.009-04:00

Yesterday I received an email from someone in Transit who had heard the talk I gave on Ephesians 3:10.11. (The Manifold Wisdom of the Kingdom). I rarely get a question out of my talks like this one. It was such a great question that I had to post it. My response is italicized below, but I would love to have others weigh in as well. (I apologize this message from April 18th is not on line yet. It should be within the next week. We have been experiencing some technical difficulties)

"Good talk today. I'm curious of your thoughts on the intersection of justice and politics though... is there a transcendent position to be had, or do we merely separate along the same divisions with renewed certainty in our vision of what is good?"

My response

Thanks for the compliment. Now there's a million dollar question! If I had the answer to this question, I think I'd be on ALL the talk shows. I think the answer to your question is "Yes" and "Yes". How's that for being politically correct? I think there is a "Transcendent" conversation that needs to be engaged. If you read Bryan McLaren, Shane Claiborn, Greg Boyd or Tony Campolo, this is the conversation they are inviting people to have. Walter Wink, the author I referenced yesterday calls what you describe as "transcendence", a Third Way. A different, creative way to deal with and address suffering and injustice. One that is neither liberal or conservative, neither Republican or Democrat but the way of the cross, the way of Jesus.

I think there's a mixed disposition on whether or not to separate along the same divisions. Some would argue that we need to impact the political "kingdom" in the same way we would impact any other kingdom. Like yeast or mustard seed. So they get involved because they want the kingdom to come within the party they support.

Others align or vote with candidates who they feel would help bring change in a particular area. For example, some who are Pro Life, will only vote for a candidate that is Pro-Life. However, others, realizing that Poverty is a MASSIVE factor in the number of abortions committed each year, may choose to align with a politician that is passionate about eradicating poverty because they feel reducing poverty may have a greater impact on abortion. There are some really good books that talk about this from a variety of perspectives.

The Myth of a Christian Nation, Greg Boyd

The Powers that Be, Marcus Borg

Everything Must Change, Brian McLaren (probably the best one out of all these.)

Jesus for President and Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborn

All this to say... (as I stated yesterday), I feel we are really just beginning to find our way in this conversation and still so novice on so many fronts. I'm honored by your question but I'm not sure I have a black and white answer. I am glad you are engaging of the conversation though. Thanks for you question. Peace on your week.

Getting a Leg Up!

2010-04-12T10:43:00.005-04:00

Man... I loved what Scott Hofert had to say yesterday in week 3 of Watershed's Originality of the Heart series. I'm so performance oriented in my own life and thinking. Often find myself identifying my life with God under the parameters of reaching certain benchmarks of spirituality. You know, the sort of thinking that says, "If only I can excel in a certain practice, if only I can acquire a certain level of piety or knowledge or success THEN,..somehow, I will be more acceptable or worthy of God's love or blessing in my life." How jacked up is this thinking?! This is the equivalent of me as a parent withholding or releasing love and provision for Sulley and Jyoti based on how well they paint inside the lines of my expectations. That's not a relationship and it certainly is not indicative of love that the scriptures speak of or the sort of love our hearts and souls desperately need.

I love Scott's observation that as human beings created in the image of God, we have been designed to progress, move, shift and be called from where we are into the future. I especially liked his assessment of this progression and movement being central to the life Jesus invites us to live and central to a life lived in relationship with God through his son. GREAT STUFF.

This week, we will be taking on step deeper into the conversation. If you been present in Transit, you've probably noticed we've been centering much of our discussion in one of Paul's letters. Specifically the letter he penned to a community of Jesus followers in the city of Ephesus. I'm really looking forward to the discussion on Sunday. I think one of the central questions that surfaces once change or progression is experienced is the question, "What do I do now?" In other words, given the movement from inactivity to activity in my life, given the trek from purposelessness to purposeful ways of thinking and living, given the movement from death or stagnation to a life that is full of live and vitality, given all of THIS..., "What's next?"

I look forward to exploring this question on Sunday. If you are interested in getting a leg up on the roads I will traveling down, feel free to do a cursory reading of Ephesians 3 and Matthew 5, 6, and 7. Inclusive of this weekends talk will be the topics of justice and mercy too. Justice is something that we value deeply at Watershed. It's one of our core values and part of our DNA, so much so that it drives much of of the decisions about who we are, how we see our community and how we leverage our time, energy and resources at Watershed. If you've never read Watersheds explanation/musings for this particular area, I would invite you to do so at this link. JusticeBlog // Watershed

See you Sunday.

Whispers from the past at Triangle Park

2010-04-06T14:23:00.006-04:00

This morning I'm writing from the corner of West Main and Broadway in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. "The heart of the Blue Grass!" as they say. Due to my kids spring break, I'm spending a few days letting my parents do the "grand parent" thing. (Which means free child care for yours truly.) Now this intersection has a ton of sentimental value in my life. Across the street is Rupp Arena where my beloved University of Kentucky Wildcats lay the smack down on any opposing rivals. I've watched 25 years worth of college and high school basketball games at Rupp and have therefore stood at this intersection en route to Rupp on countless occasions. Not to mention I've attended a ton of street festivals and eaten at just about every restaurant in this city block. This really is one of Lexington's signature spots. But this intersection carries with it a memory that trumps all others. At this intersection, you'll find the fountains at Triangle Park.

In 1994, Donna and I had been dating for just under a month when we decided to go sit on the lawn near the fountains for an afternoon of hanging out together. What I didn't anticipate that day was the conversation that would accompany this casual outing. After an hour or so of talking and laughing together, I had this startling realization that the person I was with had no real knowledge of who I was. All she knew of me was what she had observed in our brief time together during events at our church and what I had portrayed to her in my actions.

She had no idea about my past! She had no idea about the trail of relational wreckage that marked the past 10 years of my life. She had no insight to the sexual escapades, the lying and cheating, the lack of integrity and character that had been a part of my relational MO. I had never functioned in an abstinent relationship in my adulthood and so she also had no idea that I was scared to death of the notion of being in a relationship where the physical dimension was not used to dictate or create stability or intimacy between me and the other person. That was until she saw the beads of sweat on my forehead.

As I sat at Triangle Park that afternoon, the magnitude of my past and the potential of my present swept over me like a thick fog. I realized that Donna was special and what was happening between us was special. I realized that if the potential that I sensed existed between us was really going to be unleashed, I had to come clean with who I was. So wiping the sweat from my brow (literally) I said, "We need to talk...". And for the next hour, we shared everything about our past. The good, the bad and the ugly. All of it. I really thought there was a chance she would walk a way once I was finished. My perception of myself was so low. But she didn't. In fact, it took our relationship to the next level. I felt connected to her in ways I had never been connected to anyone before. With Donna, I didn't have to pretend I was someone that I wasn't. I could honest and open about my struggles and my doubts. Our relationship, 16 years later, is still marked by this quality.

In conversations over coffee, I frequently get asked about sexual intimacy within a relationship. In these discussions, I sometimes get accused of being prudish and legalistic in my thinking about sex outside of the context of marriage. But as I was sitting across the street re-living my moment of transparency from 16 years earlier, I had one dominating voice whispering to my soul and it seemed to be saying this.

If you and Donna had not put sex on hold until you were married, you would have had very little talk about that evening. In other words, if I had refused to allow the life and thinking of Jesus to disrupt my life and my thinking in this area, my present choices would have been no different than my past choices. Our relationship would have been a similar version of an all too familiar story. One where our relationship was defined more by the physical than by the spiritual. One where the sex would become the CURE ALL for any sort of self disclosure about our past. One where sex would take priority and precedence over conversations about parts of our life that could cause problems for each other in the future. One where sex has the tendency to cloud our judgment about our character, our compatibility and our moral and spiritual constitutions. One where sexual fulfillment became more influential than the wisdom of a God that designed our not only our bodies, but also the desires that come with them.

The scriptures insist that sexual union is an intermingling of two peoples souls. That within the context of sex, there is a "oneness" that occurs and that this oneness is designed to be the seal of a life long covenant between two people. (Genesis 2:18-25) I believe this to be true in spades. I believe that when two people make the decision to have sex, they are experiencing something deeply profound and meaningful in that their bodies are testifying to what is right and true in a marriage. Yet, when this is done outside of the context of marriage, your bodies begin making promises that your hearts and souls have not resolved itself to keep. Essentially, you are doing something with someone that was meant to be done with THAT person and that person only..... for a lifetime.

As a community that prides itself on asking difficult questions, as a church that has a reputation for an openness to new thinking about Jesus, the scriptures and God's interaction with humanity, I find it ironic the amount of resistance I receive from others towards even considering this as a viable option in moving forward in relationships. It's as though there is this pervasive attitude that without sex, there is no point to having the relationship to begin with. But as a person who has experienced it from both sides, I've experienced first hand, how this not only reduces the relationships potential to explore a deeper sense of transparency, but it also causes someone to lose out on opportunity to trust God's wisdom for this particular dynamic of their life together. The Proverb, "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end leads to death.", comes to mind. I guess I've seen so many relationships die. And usually, they are slow and painful digressions impacting more than just the two people within the relationship itself. I've watched people leave Watershed too because of the awkwardness and pain that exists when a sexually active relationship ends. It literally tears our Watershed Community apart. And so as a leader of this community, I have question whether or not culture and humanity in general has been getting it right on this front.

My premise is that we are not. That the wisest choice for two people to make would be to put that part of the relationship on hold until marriage. Sounds old fashion and archaic I know. But this is the direction to which the scriptures point. And if we are really honest with ourselves, our current thinking is just not getting us the results we really hope for in our relationships today.

If you are interested in hearing a more comprehensive talk or discussion on this topic, I would encourage you to revisit our Stogies and Stilettos series. Especially, the past two years worth. Peace on your week.

A Superimposed Good Friday!

2010-04-02T12:28:00.006-04:00

I've been slipping a bit in terms of blogging these days. I have been spending so much time in some key areas of Watershed and life that I have been limited in both time and thoughtful reflection for this page. Movies in the Park, our smaller communities called Blocs, on top of all the other normal routines of my Watershed responsibilities have been a little more involved these days. On a personal note, I've taken some much needed down time recently AND... the adoption of our future son Bennett, who is 5 years old and currently in Ethiopia, has taken up a great deal of time and energy for both myself and Donna.

I say all that to say that much of what was causing me to put on hold my blogging, seems to be passing. I'm confident I will rediscover some traction in this area in the very near future, that future being today for example. I just finished sending an email to a group of leaders at Watershed this morning and I thought an excerpt may be timely and appropriate to use for today's blog. To our leaders I wrote....

"... today I was reminded of who we are to be and the disposition we are to embrace that sets us apart from so many people and dispositions that exist throughout our world. Paul says in Philippians 2...

⁵Your attitude (Jesus follower) should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross!

I think it's SO EASY to SUPERIMPOSE our attitude onto the attitude of Jesus instead of what Paul suggests. I think it's so easy to turn Jesus into mini-versions of ourselves instead of allowing his attitude to become ours. When we SUPERIMPOSE our attitude onto his, how we live our lives begins to blend in with the rest of the world. It loses the capacity and power to be a breath of fresh air, salt in a a tasteless world, or light in a dark and fallen humanity and creation. We become no different than who we were, before our lives intersected with Jesus.

However, when his attitude of humility, sacrifice and servitude become pervasive in our hearts, our lives take on dimensions that are radically different from how much of the world functions and radically different from what they used to be. We truly become, "set apart". Not in a "holier than thou", condemning or judgmental manner but in a beautifully obscure, gracious, creative, peculiar, yet resolved fashion.

As leaders, the more we are seen, the more we move towards people, the more we lead and create conversations and entertain questions throughout our relationships and community, the more this becomes paramount for our life. On the flip side, the more the attitude of Jesus is resisted by the church, the more it's resisted by those who declare their allegiance to him, the more confusion it creates for those who are looking to the people of Watershed (or the church at large) for direction and examples of what it means to live this life. It is SO IMPORTANT!

So on Good Friday... a couple of questions for you as a leader.
In your life and in this community, if you are really honest with yourself, do you have the tendency to SUPERIMPOSE your attitude ON TO Jesus or are you growing in your awareness and willingness to allow his attitude to BECOME your new attitude?

Is your attitude about how you spend your time a SUPERIMPOSE attitude where Jesus' attitude looks strangely like yours? Or are you making way for His attitude to become your attitude?
Is your attitude about how resources are received, spent or given away a SUPERIMPOSE attitude where Jesus' attitude looks strangely like yours? Or are you making way for His attitude to become yours?
What about your attitude towards your marriage, your sexuality, your parenting, your friendships, your dating relationships? What about your ideals involving career, entertainment, values, character and conversation, (including social media)? What about your attitude towards poverty, suffering, wealth and injustice? Are your attitudes SUPERIMPOSE attitudes where Jesus' attitude looks strangely like yours. Or are you making way for his death and resurrection to TRANSFORM your attitude so that His attitude looks more and more like HIS than anyone or anything else?

As a community of leaders, may Good Friday remind us that, as lovers of God and followers of Jesus, at the core of our attitude should be humility, servitude and sacrifice.

⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-
even death on a cross!

Let Good Friday remind us that we are invited, called and beckoned to make his attitude ours verses our attitude his. May we be reminded that we live in a world that longs for and desperately needs, (not our attitude) but the attitude of a Jesus that was willing to go to unfathomable extremes so that in humanity and creation, "all things" could be made new! May Good Friday challenge us and challenge us to challenge each other on this front. May it challenge us to set high expectations in our attitudes as individuals an as a community. And may our lives then become marked by the peculiar, profound and revolutionary love that we have experienced, observed and discovered in Jesus himself.

Happy Easter! "

The George's in Malawi

2010-03-02T08:43:00.005-05:00

I have been following both the Georges and McCollum's in Malawi since their departure this past summer. Their time there will be coming to a close this summer. If I had to bet, they face a very bitter-sweet reality. Longing for home when "home" is now descriptive of two entirely different places and people can be a bit of an exercise in insanity. To want to be in two places at once because you love the people and the experiences is a little of what Paul must have been attempting to describe when he wrote "I am torn between the two...". He writes:

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." Philippians 1:20-24 (NIV)

For Paul, heaven and earth had collided in his new life in Christ. Both his citizenship in God's kingdom and his life with his Jesus community and world tugged at his heart and soul. Hence, he remained torn between the two. I would argue, that most people live a much different reality than Paul. Most people live their entire life, torn between the craving of the life that they were created to live, (the life of heaven), and those things that masquerade themselves as heaven.

In essence, isn't this a description of an addiction? If I understand addiction correctly, addiction is an emotional connection and commitment to something that fails to deliver on the promise that it's able to satisfy a person's deepest craving. I think the majority of the world lives in this reality. I think the majority of the world is stuck between the longing for something more in their life and the addictive pursuits of things that fail to deliver on the promise that it can fully satisfy the desires and longings of our heart and soul. I want to break free from my addition in this capacity. I want to live in ways that my longings are for the right things for the right reasons. "I want to be torn..."

I'm so inspired and jolted into reality when I read about the lives of the George's and McCollums. I'm reminded that there are things that truly are worth longing for. I'm reminded that to live in the footsteps of Jesus creates heart break. To chase after God is to experience a full range of emotions including the heartbreak of longing. But it's a good heart break. It's the sort of brokenness that allows God to reshape your humanity, reorient your identity and transform your longings for things that are finite and false into things that are life giving and eternal. Check out Jonathan and Kayla's latest letter. You might find yourself dreaming and praying for God to transform what you truly long for in this life.

Doritos and the Church

2010-02-08T16:22:00.002-05:00

I just got an email from Scott Hofert this morning about one of the Doritos commercials seen during the Super Bowl last evening. Ironically, it was produced by Mosiac Church in Pasadena California. Mosaic's lead pastor, Erwin McManus, is one of my favorite author's and speakers. Check out this article in Whittier Daily News and check out the commercial they made. It's a scream.

The Struggle Continues to Unfold

2010-01-21T09:44:00.004-05:00

Every day, it seems there is another unique story of enormous tragedy. Yet every day, there are stories of courage and hope. It's as if you can feel the struggle unfolding between good and evil, light and darkness,... life and death. The people of Haiti continue to need our help. Click here to hear a recent phone report from a friend of mine, Dr. Vernon Brewer, who is on the ground in Haiti helping with the relief efforts this week. Below is a moving (and graphic) display of the need and the invitation for people to help.

This is NOT happening!

2010-01-20T14:16:00.005-05:00

There is nothing spiritual about what I'm about to type. However, something random just occurred that's the icing on the cake for my week. About 15 minutes ago, a huge chunk of one of my eye teeth literally just fell off! Today, both my kids are home sick from School. Donna was sick hurling all day Monday, which is not easy to do while wearing a a cast. Last night I came home after my Tuesday night Immerse bloc,.. Maris (our dog) jumped into my arms and peed all down the front of me. Donna had forgotten to take her out.

And NOW THIS! (Is it normal for my jaw to throb? I think so!)

At this stage, I'm waiting for my body to become covered in boils. Gotta go now. Gonna break a pottery vase, pick up a shard or two and any minute now, start scraping away!!

Speechless

2010-01-15T12:46:00.003-05:00

I read this today from the AP. Speechless.

Trapped beneath the remains of her home, a nine-year-old girl could be heard begging for rescue yesterday as neighbours clawed at sand and debris with their bare hands.

It had been two days since the earthquake collapsed the cinderblock home in Port-au-Prince, trapping Haryssa Keem Clerge inside the basement. Friends and neighbours braved aftershocks to climb over the rubble, one of hundreds of toppled structures teetering on the side of a ravine.

The city is full of people desperate for more help than neighbours can muster, and it never came for Haryssa.

Just hours after her screams renewed the hopes of rescuers yesterday, her lifeless body was finally pulled from the mass of concrete and twisted metal. It was wrapped in a green bath towel and placed in a drawer. There was nowhere to take it, so the body was then left on the bonnet of a battered Isuzu Trooper.

"There are no police, no anybody," said Haryssa's despairing godmother, Kettely Clerge. Neighbours had to hold her back as she wailed: "I want to see her."

A day earlier, the child's mother, Lauranie Jean, was pulled from the rubble of the house. She lay moaning in a tent as volunteers rubbed ointment into her wounds.

The family has now taken refuge in a dirt playground, one of hundreds of open spaces across Port-au-Prince that are filled each night by people trying to avoid aftershocks.

Haitians living in the capital's growing tent cities say they do not expect help to come soon. "People are waiting for someone to take care of them," said Michel Reau, 27, who brought his wife and infant child to the park after their home collapsed. "We are out of food. We are out of water." Haryssa's godmother had doted on her, according to a neighbour, Bellefleur Jean Heber. She raised her as though she were her own daughter and walked her to school in their Petionville district every day.

As word spread yesterday that the child was still alive, more than a dozen people came to help. Inside the cramped basement, Haryssa was trapped by a partially collapsed roof. Rescuers got close enough to pass her water but they could not get food to her before she died. Heber said nobody expected help from the authorities. "Haiti is an abandoned country," he said. "People are relying on themselves."

Across Port-au-Prince, similar tragedies unfolded yesterday. At the St Gerard school, Cindy Terasme broke into sobs when she caught sight of the feet of her 14-year-old brother, Jean Gaelle Dersmorne, protruding from the rubble. The child was dead. So was another schoolgirl known only as Ruth, whose dust-covered legs dangled lifelessly from a collapsed wall.

There was at least one encouraging tale. Spanish rescuers pulled a two-year-old boy from a collapsed home last night. Dirty and teary-eyed, Redjeson Hausteen Claude appeared to smile at his ecstatic mother as he was carried from the rubble.

An unknown number of people remain buried after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit on Tuesday, collapsing houses, office buildings and a children's hospital. Haitians used sledgehammers and their bare hands to search for survivors or bodies, piling the dead up at roadsides across the city.

Associated Press, guardian.co.uk, Friday 15 January 2010 12.21 GMT

I never blog twice in one day...however...

2010-01-14T11:04:00.004-05:00

I was just reminded by Scott Hofert that we have taken part in initiatives to feed children in Haiti in the past through Love Haiti Missions. We would like to include this organization as one of the places that would be worthy of sending resources to as well. Click here to read more on that front.

I also just read Vernon Brewer's blog. He's the president of World Help, the organization I mentioned in my earlier blog this morning. It was such an incredible post, I felt the need to share it with the rest of you.

_____________________

January 14, 2010

I was humbled by a blog that one of my good friends Cheryl Smith wrote. She posted it yesterday and it concerns World Help's efforts in Haiti. I wanted to share it with you.

Vernon Brewer.

Earthquake in Haiti Shakes My Morning

This morning I had an early meeting scheduled with Rusty Goodwin and Noel Yeatts at World Help to discuss their Twitter strategy. World Help is a nondenominational Christian organization that was founded to meet the spiritual and physical needs of hurting people around the world. They are taking seriously the call of Christ to minister to “the least of these.”

Last night, Rusty asked if we could meet a bit later because he needed to talk about Haiti with Founder and President, Vernon Brewer. Vernon is a man of great vision. Because he has spent a lifetime in obedience to the call of God on his life, World Help has been ministering in Haiti for ten years. There are several hundred children who are being sponsored by the gifts of everyday people like you and me.

As I was driving to the meeting with a cupajoe for Rusty, he called to see if we could reschedule. They were all slammed trying to figure out how to minister effectively in Haiti. I completely understood! I offered to drop off the coffee, pray for them and then leave so they could get to work. I’m glad I did because here is what I learned:

God is About Positioning

For ten years, World Help has been building in Haiti. Building feeding centers. Building churches. Building relationships.
World Help has established relationships with partners in Haiti and elsewhere, thus positioned for expedient help. World Help staff will make an impact. Quickly, while time is of the essence.
Before there was even an earthquake, World Help was preparing. Three days ago two containers with $2.5 million dollars in medical supplies, medicine and shoes arrived at the wharf in Port-Au-Prince, simply waiting to be unloaded. There, ready before anyone even knew about an earthquake. Except God.
Vision goes beyond crisis. Vernon’s ultimate vision is for World Help to provide clean water to people who need it most. Once the need for humanitarian aid is met, clean water will be an ongoing need in Haiti. Through Causelife.org, World Help will continue to meet the needs of people in Haiti, and around the world.

I’m blown away by the hand of God in using Vernon and World Help to minister to the people of Haiti. Perhaps this is a picture of one life, several lives, yielded to God.

Be Found Faithful

Haiti Relief

2010-01-14T09:31:00.004-05:00

Watershed just responded to the crises in Haiti by channeling some of it's justice and mercy resources through World Help. World Help is the organization where Scott, Taryn, Donna and myself first met and cut our teeth in leadership and ministry. If you would like to join Watershed in getting involved in this effort and would like a trusted organization to work through, World Help is our suggestion.

Click here to learn more.

Tom Rogers Hospitalized in critical condition.

2010-01-01T11:06:00.006-05:00

Good morning. I just got off the phone with Scott Hofert this morning. His step father, Tom Rogers, was admitted last night to CMC in the University area. He is in critical condition. Apparently, his ongoing struggle with his health surrounding the loss of his kidney's several years back, is really taking it's toll. He's on a ventilator and not doing well at all. Due to the seriousness of this bout, they've called his kids to come in from Buffalo

Tom and Diane were a part of the original core team that launched Watershed over 4 years ago. They have been like surrogate family for the O'Neil's, including us in on Holiday gatherings and family events when we first arrived here in Charlotte. They are like family. As much as his health would allow, Tom has been in Threshold, been a part of blocs and served in cafe' throughout the past four years. He's an wonderful man, a good friend and a lover of Jesus.

Please pray for Diane, Tom's children and of course Scott, Nels, Brian and their prospective spouses and kids. In my conversation with Scott this morning he and his family have asked that on one visit at this time and that any prayers or encouraging words be emailed to he or his mom. Diane's email is diane@comehomecarolina.com. Thanks.

A great way of closing out 09: Christmas Village Toy Store

2009-12-22T10:07:00.006-05:00

I received an email from Scott Miller this week giving our staff an update on the success of the Christmas Village Toy Store. If you've been a part of Watershed for any length of time, you've heard us talk about this justice initiative the past two years. It continues to expand in both size and momentum. I'm so proud that our community is able to participate in something of this nature. God has invited us to pursue and explore loving mercy and doing justice. Our hope is that as the future unfolds for our community justice will become, more and more, a foundational part of our DNA, in both word and deed. Check this out.

Hey Matt and Scott,

Not sure if you want to give a mention to the success of The Christmas Village Toy Store but if so if you do here are the details:

The toy store opened on Thursday of last week at 11 a.m. however at 6:15 a.m. our first customer arrived to get in line. When the doors opened hundreds were already in line. People were super grateful and one of my favorite things was watching shoppers express their gratitude by hugging my sister. It was of course extra cool because it was my sister. Below are some pics.

Watershed ended up donating over 200 toys to the store (2009 goal: was 150) (2008 goal: was 100)

The Toy store served 632 Charlotte families this year.

The Toy Store ended up raising $36,700 towards a local scholarship fund for at-risk youth & will fund scholarships for local homeless kids to attend a summer camp.

If you have not had a chance to take part in the store then you MUST get involved next year...I guarantee you will be blow away by the combination of joy & dignity that is expressed and experienced through this initiative. Let me know if you need anything else on this front.

Scott

Christmas may never be the same.

2009-12-14T13:10:00.005-05:00

We may be less than two weeks away from Christmas but for the 6 people baptized at the Johnston YMCA, it's conceivable that Christmas's from here on out, will always carry more weight than they have in the past.

I think that could certainly be said for Kristopher Harris. In the past two months, not only was he baptized, but he also was married. It was awesome to see his new bride Corey and a ton of his family and friends stop by to experience this yesterday.

I first sat down with Kristopher less than a year ago during which time he was still wrestling with and processing faith. I wish I could say that our friendship together was foundational in him coming to some life changing conclusions. But that wasn't the case. In fact, he sort of went of the grid, so to speak, dealing with all the details and distractions of getting married. Yet... when you hear his story, you get the sense that God was relentless in his pursuit of Kristopher's life. I think He'd agree, while relationships were important in his coming to some sort of resolve, moments of deep introspection and reflection about his life and the reality of God in Christ, were turning points for his paradigmatic shift. I've included, (with his permission) the story he shared yesterday just before getting baptized. Check out this incredibly raw yet honest description of how this played out in Kristopher's life.

When I was in high school, my family, for one reason or another, simply stopped attending church. At that point in my life, a relationship with God and Christ didn't appear important to me. As I left high school and began college, skepticism crept into my spiritual arguments. I thought, "Man isn't supposed to understand God" and "How can humankind even rationalize that which is divine?" I viewed Christians as self righteous, egotistical, and having all the answers when there weren't even questions. This negative rationalization of my faith brought anger, frustration, even desperation. After college, like many other eager graduates, I quickly felt the world knocking me down. All my efforts were futile and hopeless. In viewing God, I felt that the brighter his light would shine, the longer my shadow would cast, I felt hidden, obscured, and misunderstood.

After years of struggling with this immature view, I began to listen to my heart more and more. The constant tugging that I felt is what I now realize to be God's pursuit of me; even though in a way I left His doorstep, he continued to always pursue me. I now know that there is no light and darkness, that He is all. In my quest to rationalize, I learned that man cannot truly understand God; that is why he created Christ. Christ embodies all He is, which is a flesh translation of God. Only by studying the ways of Christ, can I walk the path to God. Christ is the beacon and the way, and by understanding his teachings and following his example and ways can I begin to understand and connect with God.

I choose Baptism because I want to publicly claim my purpose to walk with Christ. I want my family, friends, and the church community to all know of my decision. I no longer want to carry the burdens of life that have piled on my shoulders, weighing me down and keeping me from something greater; a life with Christ and God. I want to share my life with those I love as memorable and worthwhile as possible. I can never be the husband to Corey that I want to be unless I am able to ask God to share my burdens; to journey with Christ and seek the Lord Almighty. I want to share this Baptismal experience with Watershed, the place where I feel spiritually at home.

Kristopher Harris

Is perception reality?

2009-11-30T16:50:00.002-05:00

This weekend we begin our "Deck My Heart" christmas series at Watershed. I love Christmas and am looking forward to this Sunday's conversation. On that note, I am in need of some assistance from anyone that would oblige me for a minute or two. We've all probably seen or taken part in the Rorschack Test. (Otherwise known as an inkblot test.) I was hoping you could help me out by giving me your first impression of this image? I'm conducting a bit of an experiment for Sunday morning. Merry Christmas.

Baptism ... "I think I'll need to hold you under a little longer than the others!"

2009-11-17T17:01:00.005-05:00

I had the privilege of speaking at Crosspoint in South Charlotte this morning. Hence, why I was invisible at Watershed. I would have mentioned this during our announcements this morning had I been on site, but since I wasn't, I thought it would be worth shooting out a reminder to everyone about our next baptism.

December 13th Watershed will hold it's 5th baptism. (Our first since moving into the NoDa area of Charlotte.) I don't think there's a more significant marker for a person's spiritual trajectory, than baptism. Watershed is filled with all sorts of people who are wrestling through new considerations as it relates to faith in Jesus Christ.

In the final hours of Jesus' life, he instructed his disciples to baptize anyone that was willing to become apprentices to the "Jesus Way" of seeing the world, their life and God's invitation to join him in bringing healing and hope to the world.

Baptism then serves as a symbolic moment for a person who has embraced the fulness of the latter. It's symbolic of letting go of a life that was once dead without Christ but is now being raised in a new life WITH Christ. It's symbolic of taking a bath. Getting a clean start because of God's work on the Cross. The Cross says, "In Jesus, I'm forgiven and can start a new." It's symbolic of a new allegiance. It's so easy to get wrapped up in loyalty and faith to all sorts of pursuits or ideals to the point that your allegiance is pledged to so many other things other than God. Baptism is a declaration that this is no longer true. That your allegiance is now with Jesus and the kingdom he introduced to the world.

One thing baptism is NOT. Baptism is NOT the pinnacle of faith. It's not the finish line to spirituality or religious status. In fact, it's the opposite. It's the beginning. The starting blocs of a life in pursuit of connecting one's life to God through his Son. Baptism says..."Let it be known from this day forward, that my life is now on a new trajectory towards Jesus. From this day forward, let the world know, 'To whom I belong!' And from this day forward the remainder of my days will be spent walking, as best I can, in sync with a Jesus, who knows what it means to walk in sync with the God that created me."

I know this synopsis doesn't address every question associated with Baptism. But I do hope it creates a burrowing curiosity as to whether or not this may be an appropriate, NEXT STEP, for you in your life. If you are wanting to dialogue more about this, feel free to email me at matt@watershedcharlotte.com. Or you can continue to learn more by clicking here.

Either way, I hope you'll make it a point to at come and witness our next baptism on the 13th.

When:
December 13th, 2009

Where:
The Johnston YMCA
(Less than a mile from Center Stage towards NoDa on the left)
3025 N Davidson St

Waiting for my real life to begin.

2009-11-17T16:09:00.005-05:00

I can remember growing up in the 70's and my dad being obsessed with music from the 1950's and early 60's. I never really jived with Bill Haley and the Comet's or Franki Valli. However, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly totally rocked! The point being that at 43, I think I understand my dad's sentimentalism towards the music from his early years. These days, I find myself drawn to some of the acoustic versions of music from my generation, dating back to the late 70's and 80's. They have a fondness and warmth that I find soothing to my soul.

Jackson Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper and more recently Colin Hay, formerly the lead singer from Men at Work, all grace my playlist in acoustic fashion. In fact, I ran across this more recent song from Hay that was a part of a past episode of Scrubs. It's lyrics reminded me of the struggle of so many in our community and world, who seem frozen in some of the most uncertain and challenging times of their life. It also reminded me that life as a student and follower of Jesus, can begin answering the question, "What does it mean to truly be alive when so much of your life feels fraudulent or dead?"

Check out the lyrics and scroll down if you'd like to listen. See if this doesn't stir your soul.

Waiting for my real life to begin. Colin Hay

Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll stand on the bow
And feel the waves come crashing
Come crashing down, down, down on me

And you said,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in"
Don't you understand?
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

When I awoke today suddenly nothing happened
But in my dreams I slew the dragon
And down this beaten path
And up this cobbled lane
I'm walking in my own footsteps once again

And you say,"Just be here now
Forget about the past
Your mask is wearing thin"
Let me throw one more dice
I know that I can win
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

Any minute now my ship is coming in
I'll keep checking the horizon
And I'll check my machine
There's sure to be that call
It's gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
It's just that times are lean

And you say,"Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in"
Don't you understand?
I already have a plan
I'm waiting for my real life to begin

On a clear day
I can see, see for a long way

On Ramp: Three Week Mini-Bloc begins in December!

2009-11-12T10:32:00.008-05:00

Beginning December 6, Scott Hofert and I will be leading a 3 week bloc experience called On Ramp. We believe there is a significant number of new people who attend Transit but have been unable or apprehensive to jump into a bloc for it's full duration. We want to help bridge the gap for this type person. During these three weeks, you can expect to meet new friends, discover a little more about who we are and what we value as a community and hopefully, walk way with a greater sense of how you see yourself finding traction within the community of Watershed.

Dates: December 6, 13, 22.

Time: 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Where: Amelie's French Bakery across the street from Center Stage.

2424 N. Davidson St.

If you have children and need child care, please notify us by November 26th.

Four Years of Remembering

2009-11-10T11:30:00.001-05:00

During week two of the current Talk to Me series, we took a weekend out to Remember two specific areas that seem to have been developing, expanding and maturing since Watershed's inception four years ago. Specifically the areas of Justice/Mercy and Relationships. If you missed this particular weekend, it would be well worth your while to check out the Watershed podcast online. At the very least, you should check out the video testimony Heidi Snyderburn's presented in the area of Justice. (Scroll down.)

Week two was also special in that there was an interactive at the end of Transit. Essentially, we invited everyone present to take a moment and reflect on the past weeks, months and years of their journey with God since connecting to our community. On a 6 x 6 piece of origami paper, we asked those in attendance to write down the one or two events, circumstances or epiphanies where their relationship with God made a difference or specific area or a circumstance or situation in which they desired God to become actively involved in. We then had them bring come forward and attach them to a display that stood in front of the stage.

The display was an mile marker of sorts, telling the story of our struggles, callings, victories, dreams, and longings for so much more in our lives. It was a symbol of our deep-seated desire for more of God's work in our lives. As you enter the lobby this Sunday at Center Stage, if you missed week two, you are invited to add to what we as a community have been building on for the past two weekends. Simply take a moment and write down something within your life connected to God that is noteworthy from the past year. Or, take a moment and pen an anonymous prayer to God about something in your life or future that you sense would be important for Him to have influence or sway. Hope you can make it to Transit this Sunday.

FC Watershed wins championship!

2009-11-05T16:27:00.005-05:00

A big high five to our Soccer Bloc. They recently became league champs by SPANKING their opponent 7-1! I'm not sure that's what Jesus would have done? But WAY TO GO nonetheless!

(Brian Buchanan,.. digging those socks!)

What has happened?

2009-10-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

To say we've been running to beat the band since moving into Center Stage this past August is a gross understatement. So much has happened that has created incredible momentum in some really key areas for us as a community. Greenhouse for our kids is healthier and more vibrant. Our bloc community is thriving like never before. Roughly 75% of our regular attenders are connecting into blocs these days. Transformation continues to happen and people continue to experience forward motion towards a life with Christ. I told one of our bloc leaders just this past week that we are hoping to start 2 to 3 new blocs in January. If we started them tomorrow, I think we'd fill them up in a flash.

All this to say, in the frenzy of it all, we have yet to really stop and bask in what's happened and how God has really infused and blessed this community in some unique ways. So this Sunday... we want to attempt to do this at some level. In order to know who you are, in order to know who you are becoming, it's important to be clear on where you've been and what has happened. How often, in our own lives, do we fail to slow down long enough to consider the past? How stronger would our self awareness be, how stronger would our decisions regarding the present...and ultimately our future become if we were to make this a consistent rhythm in our lives. And how would this fare if we began including God in the mix of it all as well.

I'm really looking forward to this Sunday! Hope you can join me.

P.S. Don't forget. This Sunday at 2 a.m. there is a time change. Falling back is the drill I believe. Enjoy your extra hour of Z's.

Communion...Community

2009-10-15T16:56:00.006-04:00

I will continue my thoughts on those things that perplex me next week. Sorry for the brief intermission in my blogging. The demands of Watershed and my family, forced me to step away for a couple of weeks.

To wrap up the Playlist series this Sunday, in Transit, we will be observing communion as part of the Transit experience. We do this in Transit once a quarter. For so many, whether they are casual observers or active participants, it has the potential to become a powerful moment. In terms of how we view communion, the eucharist or the partaking of the sacraments, allow me to offer some perspective in regards to how we see this playing out in our community. I hope this enriches and help prepare you for this weekend.

Each time the elements are served, for the person who has identified their life with Jesus, it's a reminder of what has happened on our behalf and what is possible in our life with him. Just as the body of Jesus was broken and his blood spilled on our behalf, just as he was resurrected, we too, in our brokenness and sin, by identifying ourselves with him, we too can now experience a life that is resurrected/resurrecting. Hence, for someone struggling, for someone at the end of their rope, for someone disoriented by the weight of a life gone haywire, entering into this age old practice has the potential to be transforming and healing.

It's also serves as a symbol of how, in our brokenness and in Christ...we are united as a community. There's so much that divides us in this world. As a Jesus community, those things that inherently divide the rest of the world,... those things need not divide us. Instead we are to be united as brothers and sisters in Christ's life, death and resurrection. We are reminded, in partaking of the Eucharist, that our flaws create a common point of connection and that in spite of this flaw, we are united by the potential and possibility of a new life in Jesus.

One last thing, the supper, sitting at the table... partaking... is in it's essence, is an invitation to let go of bitterness, anger, and the unwillingness to forgive. It's the opportunity, and really, it's our calling and mandate as followers of Jesus, to repent of any sin or indiscretion in our personal lives. To seek forgiveness from someone we've offended. To ask God's forgiveness. And to once again, accept the grace that's been offered by his work in Jesus.

So much more could be said about communion. I will apologize in advance for being incomplete at one level. But I wanted to at least get your wheels turning in a way that may cause you to move towards this weekend with a greater measure of reflection, a deeper sense of appreciation, an expanded perspective of connectedness and finally, a reason to experience celebration.

Grace and Peace,

Matt

Perplexed... Part 1

2009-09-23T21:29:00.003-04:00

There are days this all seems surreal. It's mind boggling to consider how different, physically, culturally, relationally, philosophically, theologically, financially and spiritually our family is today, compared to who we were before moving to Charlotte. In the four years we've been here, we've met some of the most amazing people, experienced some of our most meaningful moments together as a family and observed God's grace and mercy throughout the process. But in all that, I have to admit, four years into this gig, there are some things that remain perplexing to me. It thought I'd take the next several posts over the next couple of weeks and, in no particular order, muse over some of the more vexing and perplexing aspects of culture and our community here at Watershed. Please note these are my personal struggles and do not necessarily reflect the overall disposition of our staff or leadership community in general.

So here's the first one. I'm perplexed why more churches and communities of faith, don't explore dual leadership. Co-Pastoring with Scott Hofert has been the single greatest opportunity in my leadership life. I admire and am humbled by men and women who are at the pastoring helm of their community. I can't imagine the pressure, burden and loneliness of such a position. But quite frankly, I hope I never experience it. Scott and I, in many ways are profoundly similar in the way we see life, the world and our lives with God. However, we are profoundly different in how we communicate, connect and manage our lives and our leadership. In most settings, this diversity and difference would propagate power struggles and inflated egos. Call it God's grace, call it two guys transformed by Christ.... but so far, in the 11 years we've been friends and co-leaders, pride and jealousy have given away to admiration, trust and brotherhood.

With the high burnout rate for pastors, the potential for enormous set backs in a church, should a pastor, for whatever reason, unexpectedly no longer be able to fulfill his or her role as pastor, I'm perplexed why more church planters and more church leaders wouldn't at least consider this an option. I wish every pastor had a Scott Hofert to lead with and to be lead along side of.

Be on the look out Monday, for Perplexity number 2....

Kendra and Scott Miller are Parents!

2009-09-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

Man! It is baby central at Watershed this week! Three days ago I announced the birth of Gage Lee Williams, Gregg and Amanda's new son. This morning around 9am, I got a text from Scott Miller. Elle Leighton Miller - 7lbs 14oz - born at 8:13am

Later, this email arrived. "She is beautiful." A huge congrats to Scott and Kendra ...and now Elle. Scott went on to say that Elle has a little fluid in her lungs but is doing good. She is going to have to be in the NicU for 24hrs so they can monitor her more closely. Please join our staff and leadership as we celebrate Elle's arrival and pray for her quick recovery.

Tomorrow, Watershed turns FOUR!

2009-09-16T17:19:00.006-04:00

Greg and Amanda Williams connected here at Watershed a little over 3 years ago. Gregg is an avid sports fan. (A man I can totally relate to.) Yesterday I got a call from Gregg around 10 a.m. to inform me that Amanda was in Labor and that they were on their way to the hospital. By 4:45 p.m. I received a text from Gregg that read, " 7 lbs. 15 0z. .... Gage Lee Williams.

Watching Gregg and Amanda become parents again makes my heart leap. Three years ago, when they arrived at Watershed, their relationship with each other was experiencing major turbulence. The past three years has had its shares of ups and downs. However, two years ago, Gregg embraced faith in Christ. Both He and Amanda became involved in community, in leadership and in serving, the fruit of which has been legitimate transformation, a healthier marriage and an increased stability in their life. And now they have a new son.

All this to say, this morning, as I sat in their hospital room at CMC watching Amanda hold her new son, I choked back the tears. Tomorrow, Watershed turns four. It was September 17, 2005 when we had our first Transit at Actor's Theatre. Simply put, it's people and families like the Williams, .... Gregg, Amanda, Gavin and now Gage, that have become a part of the incredible unfolding story of God's movement within this community.

How incredible will it be 20 years from now to look back to remember and celebrate all that God has done in the life of this family, their boys and the numerous other individuals and families whose life and story are the very fabric upon which God has sown his justice, mercy and love into a broken and hurting world. How incredible and wonderful this will be?

Thank you God, for your seismic movements in our life.

Thank you Spirit, for your nudges, promptings and convictions about what is right and true in our life and this world. Continue to push us towards a life that looks less like US and more like Jesus.

Thank you Jesus, for your outrageous sacrifice and gift of life. You are the center of it all. You are the healer and metronome of our heart. May our life, be ever moving towards the sort of humanity you long to see in us and in the world.

Milestones

2009-09-11T08:36:00.006-04:00

Today my son reached a milestone in his life today. He turned 8 years old. I asked him if he could tell me the most important thing he'd learned in the first 8 years of his life. He said, "That you and mommy are my mommy and daddy."

Check out photos of us all together for the first time in Bangkok and then a photo taken last week. Man! It's amazing how life can change in only six years.

Refraction and Hope

2009-09-09T08:19:00.006-04:00

At 7am today, I arrived at Panera on Fairview Road for some alone and insulated time with God. The patio there is usually vacant most of the morning and it's solitude makes for great conversation and reflection. There was a gentle thunder storm moving in as I pulled into the parking lot and as I exited my Jeep, I noticed the most amazing rainbow I think I've ever seen. I don't know what a perfect rainbow looks like, but if there is such a thing, this one had to be close. I'm not fully informed on the science behind rainbows, however, I know that they have a tendency to appear when dark clouds and rain hover. They appear, (I think), as a result of LIGHT refracting amidst the cloud cover in ways that create color, form and brilliance in an otherwise dingy sky.

At Watershed rarely does a week pass without someone bringing to my attention their own or someone else's story of suffering or struggle. We are a mosaic of broken and restored people. Many, who have been through rain, storm and wind. And many who have experienced God's compassion, mercy and strength breaking through the darkness, piercing the gray, in ways that have brought color, form and (His) brilliance into our lives.

During this first weekend of Playlist, this will be our topic of conversation. Is there hope amidst the struggles and set backs of life?

Hope you can join us.

My Wife Bustin a Move...Indian Style

2009-09-05T19:55:00.004-04:00

My family and I went to the India Festival in Uptown this evening. This is an annual event that we always look forward to. This year, for the first time, our kids and Donna decided to stick dance in front of the main stage. Donna originally went out to just help the kids do the dance. However, she was coerced, by a very enthusiastic Indian gentleman to stick dance with him. To say I was in stitches is an understatement. This song went on for about 20 minutes and the guy wouldn't let her stop dancing. He was son enthusiastic! Check it out.

Equitas

2009-09-02T21:33:00.004-04:00

Is there anyone more passionate about Africa than Steve Cook? I'm so proud to call this guy my friend. He just returned from Malawi a few months back. I posted several of his photos from that trip. They were incredible and gripping. Today, I wanted to share his latest blog. Keep your eyes on this guy. He is destined for greatness.

__________________

Equitas.cc

http://equitasblog.wordpress.com/

It’s been a few weeks since my most recent trip to Malawi, Africa, and I don’t want my experiences there to fade from my memory. So I’d like to share another story with you about a young lady I met there. Her name is Ketilina Laisi and she is an orphan. She is 15 years old – her father died when she was just a baby, and her mother died in 2002. She lives in the Ntenge village in central Malawi, and is attending her first year of secondary school through our scholarship program.

Ketilina takes care of her grandmother. She gets up at 5:00 AM, gathers water, works around the house, walks to school, comes home at the end of the day and feeds her grandmother, then studies at night.

I got to spend some time with Ketilina one afternoon, talking about her dreams for the future, and I could see the excitement in her eyes as she spoke of her reaction when she learned from her pastor that she would be receiving scholarship money. When Ketilina finishes secondary school, she wants to attend college to become a nurse, because “she wants to assist people that are sick and likes to help people.”

I want to thank you for your generous support of our programs here at Equitas. It is because of your giving that Ketilina is getting an education and will go on to serve others in her community with her medical skills. You are changing lives and making a difference in Malawi.

Kindest Regards,
Steve

Voices from the Past

2009-08-31T15:24:00.005-04:00

I don't usually let the cat out of the bag this early, but this weekend, in our last installment of "Voices from the Past", we will be exploring the maturing aspect of prayer in the life of a person chasing after God. I feel REALLY inadequate discussing this topic from a couple of perspectives.

First off, while I believe in prayer, while I pray regularly and know it to be a key component to the relationship that exists between myself and God, I admit the intellectual and pragmatic hurdles for people that surround this topic. It, like so much of the life God invites us to live, has a mysterious and unpredictable nature. You never quite know what to expect when engaging prayer. Sometimes it feels like there is a staleness to what you are saying to God. A one sidedness, where we do more talking and God does more listening. Sometimes there appears to be a ceiling on your request, as though the thing you are asking for from God is trapped in the distortion or shallowness of your life or request . And then, there's times when you know God has moved in a situation or conversation, (or at least you THINK that has been the case) and you find yourself captivated by the notion that God would value you enough to make himself known or interact within a set of circumstances.

I know early on, when prayer was becoming a practice or discipline, I struggled to know exactly what I should pray about or what sort of language I should or should not use. Everyone I observed praying seemed to use these catch phrases or religious language that sounded so official and informed. And so I spent time trying to learn the cultural language of prayer. I wanted to get it RIGHT when I spoke to God. I wanted to make sure my words were acceptable (else they never would make it through the ceiling!)

In addition, sometime, in the midst of some sort of circumstance, someone would tell me, "Oh, I'll pray for you!" However, the skeptic in me never fully trusted these words. Instead, the response seemed canned and more purposed towards making themselves feel and look more spiritual than they really were. (Just so we are all clear on my own hypocrisy, admittedly, I've done the same thing to others. Hence, just one reason behind my skepticism.)

Yet, with all of the challenges associated with prayer, in my failure to pray more diligently and earnestly, in spite of those times when my words seem as dry as the Sahara or God is as silent as a winter night, prayer is hard to shake and hard to discredit. It's been a catalyst for tremendous change in my life and I am convinced God has responded to some of our families greatest concerns and struggles through the avenue of prayer.

On top of it all, Scripture paints a picture of humanity and God consistently and relationally interacting through this ancient conversation called prayer. So with that being said, if prayer really is an essential part of the relationship between humanity and it's creator, (and James seems to insist that it is.), what, I wonder, would be the very best conversations we could have with the God that loves us and wants to connect to us in this capacity? This and more on Sunday.

The Best Part of this Move...our Kids!

2009-08-27T16:14:00.004-04:00

As fun and exciting as it was to be in a new building for Transit, the best part of this past Sunday was happening in our new and massive Greenhouse area for Kids. My son Sullivan, (Seen leaping onto the red carpet) and my daughter Jyoti could not stop talking about how awesome it was in Greenhouse. If you haven't had a chance to walk through the new space for kids, you really should check it out. A huge thanks to Laura Barker, Taryn Hofert and Scott Miller for being the brains behind this space. A huge thanks to the 50 plus volunteers that help make this a reality every weekend. I can't believe the quality of people that work with our kids.

Thanks Guys.

First Sunday at Center Stage

2009-08-25T13:54:00.005-04:00

Big thanks to Kevin Douglas and Dave Harris for some incredible shots of our first Sunday at Center Stage. Wow! What an incredible morning. Check these really cool photos out. The fuzzy ones are the ones I took with my phone.

One Hundred Miles of Hope: Mission Accomplished!

2009-08-22T12:24:00.004-04:00

Earlier this summer, I wrote about how my kids were taking the summer to ride their bikes 100 miles in order to provide scholarships for children in Malawi. They called it One Hundred Miles of Hope and their goal was to invite people to sponsor them a few cents per mile to provide for 4 of the 25 kids Watershed had committed to sponsoring through this project. Thursday evening, they completed the task by riding the final 9.4 miles of the 100 miles they had set their sights on riding. The result was a little over $600 raised and 4 children sponsored. Overall, that makes 25 scholarships for the summer that Watershed, along with the help from donations at Movies in the Park, have created so that 25 kids will have their sophomore year of high school paid for this coming year. Mission accomplished!

(Sorry for the quality of the photo. It was almost dark and I had run along side of them so I was a little shaky afterwards trying to take their picture.)

The Sky is Crying!!!

2009-08-17T19:51:00.005-04:00

"The sky is crying,.... look at the tears roll down the street." B.B. King

That's the song that kept playing in my head as I drove away from Actor's Theatre Sunday afternoon in what literally felt like a monsoon. After the second Transit, close to 30 volunteers braved the rain and wind to load all of our equipment and supplies for Transit and Greenhouse into trucks to take to our new location at Center Stage. It was bitter sweet this past weekend. Actor's Theatre has been so good to our community. Tons of memories and tons of relationships have been forged there over the past four years. Check out this video tribute from the past four years of Transits.

The Passing of Dave Hall this past week.

2009-08-07T18:02:00.004-04:00

You may or may not know who Dave Hall was, but Dave was one of our dear neighbors who, for the past couple of years, resided in Optimist Park with Aaron and Jesse Stone, Jeremiah Austin, Elbon Sprouse and Neal Helton.

Today, I received word that Dave passed away. He had gone missing over the past 4 weeks. This isn't that unusual. However, usually, after a day or so, he's consistently checked in to make sure the guys at his house know he's safe. For the past several weeks, the guys have been combing the city in search of their roommate. This morning I received a phone call from both Jeremiah and Aaron telling me the city coroner had confirmed his passing.

Prior to living in community with these four guys, Dave resided on the streets as part of the homeless community here in Charlotte. Dave was one of my favorite people at Watershed. He was known to sit in those padded seats at the doors in the lobby at Actor's Theatre drinking coffee before BOTH Transits.

On Sunday's when Dave was in the lobby, I would sometimes tease him and say, "How do you sit through Hofert's sermons TWICE? That must be brutal." He would just politely smile as we would laugh together.

Dave's life, over the past couple of years, had undergone significant change. He had learned how to live in community with his friends at the house. He had embraced a faith journey in Jesus and in our recent baptism, his friends,...(or more appropriately, his spiritual brothers), waded into the waters to baptize him as he affirmed and professed his love and acceptance of Christ. I think the most powerful picture ever taken at Watershed was him coming up out of the water.

Dave only lived a few months beyond this moment in his life. But before he stepped into eternity, over the past two years, he had experienced first hand, a group of men that loved and cared for him deeply. Dave had a family amidst these guys. Today when I spoke with Aaron and Jeremiah, they asked me to inform our community, of this tragedy. And they asked that we pray for them as the deal with the loss of their brother.

For the past several weeks, our staff, leaders and community have been entrenched in the details and excitement of our move to Center Stage. Unexpected loss, such as this, has a way of reminding us what really matters most. While this move is a good decision and important in and of itself, at the end of the day, our lives should be about loving people well and living in such a way that God's dream of seeing a healed world becomes our dream.

I'm so proud and thankful for the guys in Optimist Park and how they loved Dave. My heart is broken for them and for the loss of Dave. I will miss Him... as will our community. Please pray for his family as they are notified and please pray for his community in Optimist Park in the days ahead.

We are unsure of any funeral or viewing arrangements at this time. Once a memorial of some sorts is planned, I will be sure to email you guys in case you would like to attend.

Grace and Peace,

Matt

The Watershed conversation extended into Guatemala....

2009-08-02T19:09:00.005-04:00

Matt to his new friend...."So how did you find out about Watershed?"

(new friend)..."Well, I was in Guatemala and ...."

Every so often I am reminded that this thing called the church is a global THING. If I'm not careful, I get so bogged down by the weight of leading in our community, that it begins to become the extent of my universe. It's so easy, isn't it, to have an experience, or some sort of situation or set of responsibilities that create a ceiling, boundary or visional hedge in your life? In other words, because you are so enthralled with something that occupies so much of your time and energy, you begin to think that the whole universe revolves around this ONE THING, that has become so captivating and enthralling.

Thankfully it seems, it's in those seasons God has a way of reminding me that this is his gig and that his ability to move and shake extends beyond the borders of my personal universe. In other words, instead of my world shrinking to fit the skyline of Charlotte, he finds ways to expand it to unexpected corners of the world. Even as far as Guatemala.

Ah yes,...the rest of the story. My new friend was serving in Guatemala for a week, building homes in a community desperate for shelter along side of two long time friends of mine Mark and Brock. In the midst of swinging hammers and pouring concrete, as the three began to trade stories, Alex mentioned that he'd just moved to Charlotte and was hoping to find a progressive thinking community of faith. Mark, who lives in Pennsylvania but is preparing to move to Guatemala, (I'm not kidding),... begins describing and affirming Watershed. The result? I have a new friend that has attended Transit the past two Sunday's. What are the chances of discovering your potential future faith community, halfway around the world in a third world country? I'd think this was a coincidence, however, this is NOT the first time this has happened for folks here. The world is so huge...and, at the same time, so small. And God is moving and shaking beyond the borders of my/our personal universe.

Thankfully!

Bigger than any One Person (Habitat Video Included)

2009-07-28T13:16:00.004-04:00

My family and I just returned from a long overdue vacation at the beach. One of our Watershed families gave us access to a home at the beach for a few days and to say it was rejuvenating and restful experience is an understatement. For the first time since Donna and I have been married, my parents joined us for vacation. It was the best vacation we've ever had. I miss my dad and mom desperately. To have them around my wife and kids and to be with them myself was a gift straight out of heaven.

It was good to be gone. It was also good to be reminded that Watershed is so more than just one person. Our community is not personality driven. It's not growing and maturing because of one single pastor or leader. Instead, it's a collection of people, attempting to grab hold of God and allow the exchange and change they are experiencing in Christ, to bleed into a broken and needy world.

I was reminded of this when I caught some email and facebook banter from this past weekend regarding the power and movement experienced in Transit on Sunday. Scott Hofert must have really had a fire in his belly. One of the comments I heard was, "This was the best I've ever heard Scott speak!" One cat sat through Transit twice. Wow! It's so rare for a community to have two Lead Pastors. The percentage for such communities would have to be in the single digits. Having leaders like Scott Hofert, Scott Miller and Matt Shaughnessy, along with a massive leadership and volunteer force is a refreshing and inspiring reminder that God has not placed the burden, vision or future on the shoulders of a single individual, but on a collective group.

Speaking of Scott Miller. Did you catch his video update from our Habitat for Humanity trip to West Virginia? Simultaneous to this Sunday's Transit. Watershed sent a team into the Appalachia Mountains to build homes in one of the poorest regions of the United States. If you missed Transit this weekend, please take a moment and watch some of our own, being GOOD NEWS to people in a land not too far from here.

And while you're viewing this clip, be reminded, you are invited to live your life in a way that builds bridges into a world in desperate need of experiencing the expansive nature of God's love.

Because Watershed, ... the CHURCH, ...must continue to be bigger than any one person.

The "Already Checking Out"... Syndrome

2009-07-14T13:18:00.004-04:00

I'm only a few days away from going on vacation with my family and I am already battling deeply with the infamous "Already Checking Out" Syndrome. We are so ready to vacate and so in need of some serious down time. The past two years have been the most challenging season to date for our family. With the health issues from last year with our kids, the full time student load carried by my wife and the growing demands of a church that continues to expand and deepen, these past two years have felt, (at times), more like two decades.

Nonetheless, it's been the most fruitful. I can remember going for a run about a year ago and talking to God about the way things were panning out. (Okay, I was chastising God for the way things were panning out. And it's a good thing, because without me setting him straight, I'm sure things would have really went south!) Seriously though, as I was running and thinking and praying and wrestling, I realized that the transformation that we so often speak of at Watershed was happening in my own life. I was reminded that in the friction not the traction of life, we experience the greatest change. The refining fire of struggle cannot is inconsequential apart from significant heat. So I asked God to continue doing what he was already doing. Heating up life, transforming me and my family.

Looking back, I think I have a tremendous appreciation for a couple of areas of my life. My marriage and family, our finances, the precious time I have with people, the need for hope in desperate parts of the world and my responsibility to lead myself and others in ways that bring people one step closer to the peace and life that God declares is possible and preferable in his Son.

Thanks God for every gut wrenching moment. I didn't enjoy it at the time and given the opportunity, I would have abandon the process in a heart beat. However, I've learned and continue to be reminded that the life you call me to is not a life of escape but of overcoming. I apologize when I allow myself to embrace an "ESCAPIST MENTALITY". I want to be the sort of human being that refuses to run from struggle, refuses to run from hardship and refuses to waiver from the path you have called me to walk. I want to instead, be the guy that faces his fears, stares into the eyes of conflict and push through life knowing that in you, every season is riddled with mystery, adventure and the hope of a new day.

I'm going to take a break from blogging now until after vacation. But I wanted to thank those of you that continue to be an encouragement to our family, to me and to this community. I want to thank our staff and leadership for their incredible commitment to Christ, their families and to Watershed. Have a great week.

Finding Inspiration!

2009-07-12T16:23:00.004-04:00

I think we live in a world that lacks inspiration. It's so easy to get lost in the passionless pursuits of everyday living. This morning in Transit I spoke of how the pursuits of everyday living are often nothing more than "EVERYDAY DYING". How often do the routines and busyness of our life begin to take over our very identities; making us something we were never meant to be? The casualties of a passionless life are always creativity and inspiration. When the drum beat of our life never changes, when the rhythms are without breaks or diversity, our imaginations begin to dry up like the parched soil of a 7 year drought.

HOW DO YOU GENERATE INSPIRATION in the dry and dusty seasons of life?

HOW DO YOU BREAK LOOSE FROM THE MONOTONY that monopolizes or anesthetizes your IMAGINATION?

I think the answers to these two questions vary from person to person. However, one of the ways I become inspired is when I observe someone doing something that's outrageously out of the ordinary. Hence the reason for this video that I recently ran across at a conference Scott and I attended. In watching this video, I was reminded that inspiration is sometimes unleashed in the strangest of places and in the strangest of ways. I'm not a bicycle enthusiasts. But the way this guy handles his wheels is captivating and beautiful. And I would argue it's a picture of God's unique creativity and inspiration that's possible for each of us to discover in a life with him .

Ice Cream Headache

2009-07-08T14:55:00.004-04:00

Man!!!!

I just returned late last night from Grand Rapids, MI. Hofert and I were at the Preachers, Poets and Prophets Conference. My head is still spinning from presentations by Rob Bell, Shane Hipps and Peter Rollins. It was by far the best conference I've EVER attended. (Period.) The theology was so dense, yet so intoxicating that I swear I had a hangover this morning. There was so much amazing content and it came at us so fast, the whole flight home, it felt like I had an ice cream headache.

All that to say, I've been playing catch up all day and in terms of blogging, I have been a slacker this week. We have a ton going on this week and weekend as it relates to Watershed. We are in the throws of ramping up for the big move to NoDa and Center Stage. Shelf Life, our next series, begins on Sunday. And this Friday night, Movies in the Park kicks it for the third time this Summer. Kung Fu Panda is the film. I will re-engage the blogging after Sunday. Have a great week.

Video of Watershed Space in NoDa.

2009-07-02T15:38:00.003-04:00

In case you missed this past Sunday's big announcement, Watershed is relaunching and relocating itself in the community of NoDa. This is the video footage of the space we are renting. Keep in mind the space shown will be emptied out and transformed before our first Sunday morning, August 23rd.

Clarifying Wins

2009-07-01T16:23:00.002-04:00

Man, what an incredible Sunday! Thanks so much for our those of you that have continued to pray, serve and sacrificially give of your time, energy and resources towards this community. So often its easy to get lost in the momentum of life and forget to clarify when there's a "WIN" in the community of Watershed. In light of this past weekend's announcement, I thought it would be an opportune time to give you my spin on why this weekend was such a huge WIN for Watershed. So here it goes!

This weekend was a WIN because it provided CLARITY for our community. Announcing this move presented an opportunity, as a community, to talk about how God is moving at Watershed and what we value most. Namely, people and their lives being transformed in a life connected to Christ. Anytime you have the opportunity to cast vision and clarify who you are, culturally and missionally, it's a massive WIN.

Sunday was a WIN because it unveiled incredible COMMITMENT.

Watershed is not a mission centered on just a few people, but instead, a growing movement of people envisioning of a world diametrically different from where we live. One where God's Kingdom is being realized more and more each day. I think people were a little floored at the sacrifice and commitment of the 75 leaders sweating and bleeding for this community. Describing their willingness to take on the financial challenge of this move sent a message of the growing character and maturity of our leaders as well as our overall community. Anytime the bar of commitment is raised in ways that causes humanity to experience liberation and peace and healing to be unleashes into the world, it's a WIN.

It was also a WIN because it created a greater depth of COMMUNITY.

At the end of the first Transit, a gentlemen who has been connecting at Watershed for the past year stopped at the door to shake my hand. With a trembling voice, he told me how much this community had done for him this past year. Then he said, "I'm going to do my part!" There's something transformational about being part of something bigger than yourself. Inviting the Watershed community at large into this venture, bringing them along for the journey, calling them to a greater place of being missional with their lives and dollars,...these are just a few of the underpinnings that help create a deeper and more connected community. Anytime, community deepens, it's a huge WIN.

So this Sunday was filled with wins of MAGNIFICENT proportions. And now that we've unveiled the task ahead and charted the course, we are all set to charge into the coming months with clarity, commitment and a greater depth of community. Which is a good thing. Because what awaits us, along the lines of joining God in his Kingdom initiatives, is challenging, pressing and invigorating. It will take more of these type of God generated wins to see his mission accomplished both in us and through us as a community. It's gonna be a great ride.

One more HUGE WIN from this Sunday as well.

If you wimped out of the Family Fun Day at Latta Park, the loss was yours. The weather ended up being really pleasant, the food was "slap yo mama GOOD!" (The Banana Pudding and the hot dogs rocked!), and finally, conversations with people, old and new to Watershed, were incredible. It was a blast! A huge, "HIGH FIVE", to Laura Baker and her team for pulling it together. A Big thanks to Eric Nunez for his skills on the grill as well.

Have a great 4th of July weekend.

Swan Songs of Leadership- Part Two

2009-06-25T19:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I committed to posting Daniel McCollum's email to our lead team after his final Lead Team meeting from Tuesday evening. Here it is....

__________________________

To the Lead Team....

I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to serve with each of you on the lead team. I count each of you as friends, but being on the lead team has been an experience that I am humbly grateful for. I know our plan is to return from Africa in a year and hopefully return back to the lead team, but I realize that God guides and directs in ways that we don't always expect. So, though I would welcome the opportunity to serve again on this team, I don't want to pass on the opportunity to thank each of you for the time we have spent together dreaming, serving, planning, laughing, and shedding tears together. It has been amazing to be a part of a group of people where the sum is greater than the whole and realize how rare this is to find in the body of Christ.

I was up reading "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin McManus this morning and this passage reminded me of our team. He is talking about how Rhinos have bad vision and can only see about 30 feet in front of them. It is the challenge I leave this team with.

"Rhinos moving together at full speed are known as a crash. Even when they're just hanging around enjoying the watershed, they're called a crash because of their potential. You've got to love that. I think that's what we're supposed to be. That's what happens when we become barbarians and shake free of domestication and civility. The church becomes a crash. We become and unstoppable force. We don't have to pretend we know the future. Who cares that we can see only thirty feet ahead? Whatever's at thirty-one feet needs to care that we're coming and better get out of the way.

We need to move together as God's people, a Barbarian tribe, and become the human version of the rhino crash. The future is uncertain, but we need to move toward it with confidence. There's a future to be created, a humanity to be liberated. We need to stop wasting our time and stop being afraid of what we cannot see and do not know. We need to move forward full force because of what we know."

Peace and grace,

Daniel

Swan Songs of Leadership- Part One

2009-06-24T18:34:00.005-04:00

Last evening Scott and I met with our lead team for our periodic pow wow. Our lead team's role is to protect the integrity of Watershed's mission, vision and values. As a team, we all share a few passions in common. We are deeply enthralled with Jesus. We love the community of Watershed. And we long to see God use our lives and the movement of Watershed to bring God's kingdom into reality, here on earth as it is in heaven. Oh,...one more thing. We love to have a good time with each other.

There is tremendous chemistry in this group. I respect and admire every single person that sits at this table. We all take it very seriously, but we love to be with each other as well. I guess that's why last night was a little bitter sweat. In a couple of months, Daniel, his wife Jamie and the George's, (another couple from Watershed), will all be leaving Charlotte to spend a year ministering mercy and care to a village in Malawi Africa. At the end of last night's meeting, we prayed for Daniel. It was his swan song meeting before his departure. It's hard to conceptualize a future of sitting at this leadership table without him. He has brought so much into the conversation. He's invested so much into the kingdom and into so many lives at Watershed. Not to mention he's become a good friend, a notable mentor and a great teammate. Watershed will miss his leadership.

This morning when I checked my email, waiting for me was an email he had sent the entire lead team. It was so heartfelt and meaningful to read that asked him if I could share it with others in my blog. Therefore, tomorrow I will post his departing sentiments towards our lead team and this community. Be sure to dial in.

One Hundred Miles of Hope.

2009-06-21T06:50:00.000-04:00

This summer as a brother-sister team, my kids created a project called ONE HUNDRED MILES OF HOPE. They will be riding their bicycles 100 total miles (50 each) to help provide hope for the children in Malawi Africa. Sort of like a summer long Bike-A-Thon. They have been asking friends, families and neighbors to sponsor their ride with a monetary amount for each mile they ride. Their goal is to raise enough resources to provide at least 4 High School students in that country with a years worth of education. To date they've ridden a total of 57 miles. I run along side of them while they ride. Usually it's about 5 miles at a time. It's a total team effort and I'm getting in great shape.

Primary education in Malawi is free, but secondary education (the equivalent of high school in the U.S.) is not. Secondary school often becomes unaffordable for children whose parents are too sick to work or have died. For $150, you can send a Malawi child to secondary school for one year. This includes books, school supplies, uniform and shoes.

Our kids are doing this through Steve Cook's non-profit organization called Equitas. You can learn more about Equitas and all of its initiatives by going on line at Equitas.cc. In fact, Steve is in Africa as I type this exploring future opportunities to help the Malawian people. Click here to see his most current photos. They are riveting.

As for my kids, if you would like to learn more about there pursuits to make the world a better place, just visit them on line at maketheworldabetterplace.cc. If you would like to sponsor Jyoti and Sulley in their ride this summer, email them at matt@watershedcharlotte.com. To date, they have secured enough sponsors for one child. One down and three to go.

If football is played in heaven....

2009-06-17T09:24:00.006-04:00

So this morning as I was preparing to post my latest blog, I received an email from Taryn Hofert referencing this powerful story from ESPN. Usually, the phrase ESPN and Taryn Hofert are not found in the same sentence. Hence, my curiosity was immediately peaked. And I'm glad it was. I love a great story. Especially one that has shadows of heaven being present here on earth. This is a story that's worthy of your day being interrupted. Check it out.

_____________________

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas. It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

Did you hear that? The other team's fans?

They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, "Go Tornadoes!" Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions.

"I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANOTHER PARENT TO TELL SOMEBODY TO HIT THEIR KIDS. BUT THEY WANTED US TO!"

It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.

Click here to read the remainder of the story....

3 REASONS I loved yesterday!

2009-06-15T10:49:00.007-04:00

What an incredible Sunday @ Transit! It was the first weekend of a new series called, "Cash; life or debt". It's always exciting to begin a new conversation at Watershed. Especially one that is so central to questions our society and world are asking. I think all of us could agree, that money, finances, debt and wealth so often become overwhelming in our lives. I look forward personally, to being challenged in my own life and perspectives in all these categories. (Scott Hofert! I'm ready to hear what you have to say this weekend. Bring it on!)

This weekend was also invigorating at that announcement that in Transit, two weeks from yesterday, Sunday, June 28th, we will unveil an initiative that we are certain will reshape the landscape of Watershed's future. I know this is generating all sorts of nervous excitement and questions. Some of you are going nuts attempting to figure out what we are getting ready to do. No doubt, you are the sort of person that wakes up at 4am on Christmas morning to stare at the unwrapped gifts under the tree. (Yeah, that's me too!) I look forward to the curiosity and momentum building towards this weekend and I challenge you to be there on the 28th to see for yourself what all the hoopla is about.

Finally, this past Sunday we prayerfully commissioned Steve Cook for his trip to Malawi Africa with Equitas. Over the next two weeks, I'm going to be reading his blog and utilizing him as a guest writer. I anticipate his experiences in Malawi, (hopefully with photos), to be gut wrenching and invigorating. Here's one he's written as he flies out of the country today. Check it out!

"I leave for Malawi, Africa on June 15. "

My international trips are always preceded by several days of excited anticipation, and as my date of departure draws near, time seems to move rapidly at an exponentially quickening pace. Nothing puts your life into perspective like walking among the poorest of the poor. I find myself getting very emotional as I prepare myself for the faces of those who literally have nothing at all, yet display a contagious spirit of joy and kindness.

While in Malawi, I will be observing several recently-drilled clean water wells, potential sites for new wells, community gardens and irrigation systems, and orphan daycare centers. I clearly have an agenda and have many items I need to accomplish. But even more important to me is the time I will be privileged to spend with these wonderful people, enjoying the experience that can come only from doing life within a culture other than my own. I hope to play football with the children and listen to the stories of mothers and fathers as we sit and watch the African sun go down together. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow me at twitter.com/stevorevo. I will be tweeting from the villages, so you can keep up with what I’m doing.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Africa, it’s that she does not need to be saved. Africa simply wants to share her heart and abounding love for humanity with me. When I travel to Africa, I do not look for ways to save her inhabitants. I look for ways to join them on their journey, and in doing so, hopefully, we can save each other along the way.

Steve Cook, President and Founder of Equitas

"Pure Torture!"

2009-06-11T19:52:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow night is this month's Movies in the Park. A big thanks to Taryn Hofert for pulling this years Watershed-Movies in the Park video together. Every year she surpasses her creative genius from the previous year. Hope you can make it out to this event tomorrow night. August Rush is the movie. By the way, my favorite line in this video is Eric Nunez's "Pure Torture!"

Greatness

2009-06-08T14:08:00.008-04:00

Greatness

1 Chronicles 17: 19 O God, out of the goodness of your heart, you’ve taken your servant to do this great thing and put your great work on display. (msg)

During my message prep time this afternoon, I ran across this blog from Stephen Brewster on Greatness. Hope you enjoy.

_____________________________________

"I am inspired by GREATNESS. When you see greatness you can identify it right away. Greatness should not be confused with goodness, greatness lives on a different level. Jim Collins wrote an entire book on being great. He stated the biggest enemy of great was good. I tend to agree.

Greatness recognizes the moment, and maximizes it.
Greatness is a choice.
Greatness costs you major passion.
Greatness requires uncommon commitment.
Greatness finds a way through any condition.
Greatness does not settle, ever.
Greatness encourages others.
Greatness raises the bar.
Greatness will never be achieved without an amazing amount of hard work.
Greatness requires strategic preparation, a commitment to execution, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
Greatness requires you dig a little deeper, push a little harder.
Greatness never quits.
Greatness is in YOU.

BE GREAT!"

Stephen Brewster

Movies in the Park .... This Friday Night.

2009-06-04T22:31:00.003-04:00

Click here for parking suggestions and movie titles.

The road to Hell is paved....

2009-06-04T09:48:00.005-04:00

We are a "marrying" culture these days at Watershed. No surprise given our demographic. I love it when God seems to bring two people together in a season when their wholeness and centering in him makes way for a marriage that is whole, healthy and longevitious. Unfortunately, that's not always the drill. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" and all too often, couples move towards one another for reasons that may seem noble and sensical, but in the end are irrational and dangerous.

In the world of Twitter, I'm still attempting to get my "Tweet" on, so to speak. And in doing so I've subscribed to a handful of organizations and leaders that I have found to be interesting, useful or enjoyable. One that falls under all three of these categories is something called imarriage. It's managed by Marc Payan. I'm not quite sure who he is, but his tweets always send me to thought provoking articles or blogs on marriage. The most recent one that caught my eye is this one entitled, "5 Right Reasons and Wrong Reasons to get married!" Hope it strikes a cord for those of you contemplating this decision.

What I appreciate about our staff.

2009-06-02T17:45:00.012-04:00

I have never been challenged the way I am challenged as a Co-Pastor at Watershed. It is the most difficult job I've ever had. But it's a difficult job that exists in an environment that has the best chemistry and the greatest people I have ever had the privilege to lead and serve with. In essence, so many of our leaders at Watershed are high end people with great hearts and tremendous gifts and passions. However, our paid staff, Scott Hofert, Matt Shaughnessy and Scott Miller, are the guys that, everyday, wade through the trenches in order to navigate this church. Without these guys, I'm shudder to think how much we would have missed out on in chasing after God's heart for this city over the past 4 years. I truly have grown to appreciate them as leaders, teammates and friends. So with that being said, I thought this post, I would mention how specific ways that I appreciate our staff.

1. Our Uniqueness. None of us on staff are alike in personality, style, gifts and interests. I'm glad I don't work with 3 other leaders like myself. I'd either be bored out of my mind or ready to take a hostage. I love the fact that these guys are cut from a different mold and have ways of thinking and living that are outside my comfort zone.

2. Our ability to dialogue. We've been at it now as a foursome for over 2 years. Our times together have been fun, exciting, sorrowful and intense. Yet, in all the ups and downs of wrestling with the future callings and prompting of God for this community, the conversation and dialogue has always been full of life, respect and sincerity. I've been a part of staff's that do not disagree well. Staffs where someone takes it personally when their perspective is not the winning perspective. This sort of personality kills chemistry and damages the community as a whole. Our staff, to date, has continued to navigate, sometimes very difficult conversations well. It is a testimony to the maturity, commitment and heart of our guys.

3. Our chemistry. Chemistry happens, (I believe) when two or more people respect, honor and appreciate one another in tangible ways. I have never felt disrespected, dishonored and under appreciated by our staff. In fact, other than my wife, these guys are the most encouraging voices in my life. I appreciate the chemistry this creates for our team.

4. Our potential. I am the elder statesmen of this crew at 43. Hofert is 39, (but looks older than me right?). Miller and Shaughnessy are barely 30. We are a young team and a young church. Every month and every year, we learn something new about ourselves, about how God is shaping this community and the unrealized potential of Watershed as a collective force in a hurting and broken world. I can't believe how far God has carried us in such a short time. Yet in looking at the incredible giftedness of our at-large community, as well as the untapped potential of our guys on staff, I continue to be convinced that the best days of Watershed are yet to come.

There are 10 other things I could list that I appreciate about our staff. But that's enough to get us started. One last thing. These guys work their brains out every week, often in ways that go unseen or unrecognized. They are not looking for pats on the back or high fives. That's not why they do what they do. However, you have to know, it means so much when people from Watershed go out of their way to show their approval. So as you feel lead to, I would encourage those of you that are a part of our community to express your gratitude and appreciation for their leadership, servitude, sacrifice and passion. Your gestures help expand a culture of gratitude here at Watershed making us a healthier and "more alive" community. Not to mention they are worth their weight in gold for our guys.

Does Satan Exist?

2009-05-26T13:42:00.001-04:00

It's possible you've already checked this out, but recently, ABC's Nightline has been airing some pretty intense debates surrounding a variety of hot button issues. One of which has philosopher Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson facing off against Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church and Annie Lobert, founder of the Christian ministry "Hookers for Jesus", about the existence of the Satan. It's pretty thought provoking and at times, lively.

These debates often have the tendency to raise really good and important questions. However, I sometimes find myself wishing that the persons chosen to represent the, "FAITH", side of the equation were someone else. It seems as though the organizers of such events intentionally choose someone that will be controversial or extreme in how they present and defend faith. I guess conflict and drama are good for ratings.

I dig so much of what Mark Driscoll has to say about this topic and a lot of other topics, however, I wonder what this debate would look like were N.T. Wright, Walter Brueggeman, Scott McKnight, Rob Bell, or Brian McClaren be the chosen spokes person to represent the Christian perspective?

Either way, this is still an invigorating debate. In addition, on this link you'll find other featured debates targeting a host of other hot button issues regarding faith in Jesus.

Check it out. Does Satan Exist

A Year of living Biblically!?

2009-05-21T07:58:00.007-04:00

Have you heard of A.J Jacobs?

Jacobs (pictured on the left) is the editor at large at Esquire magazine. He has written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, New York magazine and Dental Economics magazine, one of the top five magazines about the financial side of toothcare.

In 2004 he set out to answer the question, "What if a modern-day American followed every single rule in the Bible as literally as possible?" Not just the famous rules – the Ten Commandments and The Great Commission (though certainly those). But the hundreds of oft-ignored ones: don’t wear clothes of mixed fibers. Do not shave your beard. Stone fornicators and adulterers. Jacobs’ experiment is informative, timely, humorous and thought provoking. It's at times both irreverent and reverent. It seeks to discover what’s good and relevant in the Bible and what is maybe not so good and relevant to 21st century life.

We are fast approaching our 3rd weekend in a series, "Suspicious Minds", where we are addressing several tensions concerning faith that have the tendency to create suspicion and apprehension in regards to moving forward in a life with Christ. This weekend we will be answering the question, "Why do those who pledge their allegiance to Jesus place so much emphasis and significance on the Bible?"

I thought A.J.'s story an experience may create some curiosity as we move towards Sunday Morning. Click here to see a slide show of his year long journey. (By the way, check out Scott Hofert's hair from his "I want to be Jesus" phase of life.)

What do you love these days?

2009-05-19T12:22:00.000-04:00

Since the beginning of Watershed, our prayer has always been to be community God would choose to inspire and use in order to unleash his greatest transformative and redemptive potential into a broken and hurting world. Each passing year, this seems to be happening with great intensity. It's beautiful, as well as challenging, to live amongst a group and have people from that group fall in love with things that are certainly loved and valued by God. It's been captivating to watch those, who have been blind sided by God's goodness and Mercy in Jesus, begin making serious changes in the way they live their life. Steve Cook has been one of these shifting, changing people. Maybe you've heard of him. In the past, I've spoken of he and his wife Rachael and their start up non-profit Equitas. Steve has a passion for JUSTICE....to be a voice for those without a voice in countries like Malawi, Sudan and Darfur. Check out the email I received from him recently. This is something worth considering for us all.

______________________________

Hey Guys,

Most of you probably know that I've had a heart for Darfur, Sudan for quite some time now. In fact, I first took on the role of an activist in relation to Darfur and the genocide that has continued there since 2003 by organizing Charlotte Torch Rally in December of 2007. I could never have pulled off this event without the help of several of you.

I'm asking for your help again. As you may have seen in the news, Mia Farrow started a 21-day water-only fast April 27th to raise awareness of and protest the president of Sudan's expulsion of all aid agencies in Darfur. As a result of this expulsion, hundreds of thousands will be left without any food or medical assistance. Since then, several others have joined her, including Peter Gabriel, Jon Foreman (of Switchfoot), and Congressman Donald Payne. You can get more information at http://www.fastdarfur.org.

I am going on a three-day water-only fast Wednesday through Friday (May 20-22), and would like for you to consider joining me. There are several things from which you can fast - it doesn't have to be a water-only fast. You can fast from meat, alcohol, coffee, or even TV - pick something you love and go without it. The point is to be constantly mindful and prayerful of the people of Darfur during this time. Every time you experience a hunger pang, or start to crave whatever it is that you're fasting from, say a prayer for Darfur.

But don't stop there. Tell your friends, ask them to join you, and ask them to tell all their friends and family about this terrible humanitarian crisis. Send letters to our president and members of Congress. Send letters to the editor of your newspaper. Send letters to TV stations. This is a chance for us to raise our collective voice for the orphans, widows, and outcasts of our world. I hope you'll join me.

Sincerely,

Steve

Bald really is BEAUTIFUL!

2009-05-13T12:39:00.008-04:00

There is something fragile, beautiful and transformative, when, within the limitations of our humanity, we find a way to identify with, or join in, the suffering of others. It isn't intuitive for us, is it? It isn't easy or "normal" for the most part. Especially given the values that the kingdoms of this world tend to promote. It isn't until we somehow find ourselves at the center of it all,... with this other person,... sitting, crying, laughing, praying, doubting, questioning, struggling, bleeding, and in some cases,... dying, that we discover that it is here we are most alive. When we push through the fear of the unknown, when we fight off the temptation to remain indifferent, when we allow ourselves to move close enough to be wounded, close enough to identify and close enough to take on their suffering, or at the very least, insist on being fully present in the midst of their suffering, that we scratch the surface of what it means to be fully human,... the way Jesus was fully human. This is why the ancient story of scripture resonates so deeply for me. This is why Jesus is so compelling. Because in Christ, in what has happened on the cross, God identifies, joins with us, in the suffering brought on by our sin condition, our dysfunction and our humanity. For the record, this is why the resurrection is so vastly transformative. The resurrection invites anyone and everyone into the reality that, in the end, all that we have endured in our brokenness, in this lifetime,.. doesn't have to be the end of the story. The resurrection says that there is and can be, a new story that unfolds in this lifetime and beyond.

Compared to some of my other posts, I know this is a bit random, abstract and (to some) dramatic. But when my wife sent me this photograph of her childhood friend Ashley (left), her daughter Katie and her husband Ron, I was so moved by these two parents in their willingness to identify and be fully present in the midst of their daughters battle with cancer, that I had to say something. Pictures of "Christ living IN US and THROUGH US".. are just too beautiful NOT to draw attention to.

If you're interested in praying or learning more about this family, click here.

In the meantime, how is the picture above playing out in your faith? Who are you avoiding identifying with that his wounded and hurting? Whose struggle or brokenness have you consciously or unconsciously remained indifferent towards in the normal rhythms of your day?

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:18

I laughed so hard!

2009-05-12T15:44:00.001-04:00

I know we are several days past Mothers Day, but this video was shown during Transit this weekend. It is in the top 5 funniest videos we've shown over the 4 years of Watershed's existence. Hope you enjoy.

I love mom for who she's becoming!

2009-05-10T08:27:00.006-04:00

There are so many reasons that I admire my mom. Because she was a stay at home mom, my childhood is filled with memories of all sorts of experiences between my mom and I on the farm where we lived. She was so engaging and encouraging of me and my sister growing up. Supportive as well. She and my father were so young when they started their family, me being their first pass at having a kid. I'm 43 years old and considering the challenging nature of parenting two kids and realizing just how young my parents were when they took on this responsibility, I find myself deeply appreciative for their love, care and commitment throughout my lifetime. (I didn't always make it easy.)

These days I tell my mom that her best days of parenting are yet to be discovered. In her young 60's, my mom's energy, enthusiasm and influence seem to be gaining momentum. In a season of life where most women her age are bringing it down a notch, she, (as well as my dad), seem to be amping it up. Especially in realms such as marriage, family, friendships and living missionally for the kingdom. (That's her in the green apron, serving the homeless of Lexington Kentucky with a few of her friends.)

So with this being Mother's Day....I want to thank you mom for teaching me how to finish strong. Thanks for building into me so many of my parenting and serving dispositions. Thanks for loving me as a child, a teenager, as an adult whose life was falling apart, and as a son who sees you today as more than a parent, but as a colleague as well. Thanks for loving my wife Donna like she were you own. Thanks for loving Jyoti and Sulley with great passion and energy. I've always loved who you. But these days, I love, so much, not only who you have become, but who you are becoming as well. Happy Mothers Day.

More than a Movie! Part 2

2009-05-07T21:06:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow night begins Watershed 5th annual Movies in the Park at Freedom Park. It's hard to believe this whole event started with a handful of volunteers, a borrowed sound system and a screen that looked as though it was built by "Fred G. Sanford". (And the "G" stands for, "Geeze! I could breath and this thing will topple over!" We've dodged wind, rain, heat and lightening. We've made it through mosquitoes and an over populated community of geese and all that is left behind when you deal with an over populated community of geese. (If you catch my proverbial "drift").

Still, we have managed to successfully pull off 18 consecutive Movies in the Park without rain-outs or without any other major glitches. (I probably just jinxed us just with that statement.) The truth is that God has been so gracious in this whole process. We've been given an huge amount of support from the Charlotte Community, local Charlotte businesses as well as the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department. In fact, two employees from the Parks Department, Phillip Brown and his family, as well as John and Susan McClellan, have made Watershed their home. John is actually from Lexington, Kentucky and as destiny or chance would have it, graduated high school with my wife's dad. He and I have become very close and personal friends. He's got a ton of life experience and he's a huge UK fan. Enough said, right?

Over the past four summers, we've also become friends with Ray and Don. They are the two dear friends that run the concession stand during MIP. Ray is the father of Don and over the past two summers, they have been extremely gracious and generous to our community. This past year, Ray's wife, Don's mother, passed away and Ray has been battling serious health issues ever since. It's been a privilege to get to know these two guys on a personal level and to know their story. I've been praying for them off and on for the past year. If you're attending this event, buy a ton of food and soda from these guys. They work really hard.

Since Watershed's beginnings, we have placed a high value on relationships. At the end of it all, MIP has embodied this value, creating a multitude of friends. Greg Ainslie, Jen Ford, the Nunez family, Kevin Douglas and Karen Simmons, Bill Heard and his kids. These are just a few of the people/families that have ultimately made the journey from Freedom Park to 650 East Stonewall, never to look back. I LOVE THIS EVENT, if for no other reason than the tremendous privilege it has given us to be in community with these folks. I can't image where Watershed would without them. I think it's why, after 4 summers, I still get excited when May rolls. I wonder who will be a part of Watershed this time next summer because of what will take place this summer. See you tomorrow night.

Aids Walk this past Saturday

2009-05-04T11:47:00.004-04:00

The Aids Walk this past weekend. I was so proud of our community. Way to go Scott and Brad.