One of the things God has put upon my heart is to send out leadership thoughts to the core of our church. Here we go!

Lately I’ve noticed many movies based on people who overcame great odds. How many times have you watched one of these movies & been inspired by the main character’s determination, discipline, hope, expectation, faith, & dreams? We all agree that these stories are incredible & we desire to be like the heroes in these stories. Well, we can be. The ability to overcome great challenges is a daily choice & being mediocre takes just as much energy as being excellent. We should realize our lives are stories too. What’s the story of your life going to be?

Antioch Church of Santa Cruz is the result of God’s dream for Santa Cruz. 97% of this county does not know Jesus, so God sent his very best to tell them: Us. We are an expression of God’s determination to reveal himself, so that all men & women in this area would have the opportunity to know the one who created them. This is why we are here; we are God’s living & tangible love letter to Santa Cruz.

As I dream & pray for our church I am often reminded that one of the keys to growth, both personally & corporately, is persistence. My faith is always inspired by the figures of the New Testament. Their unrelenting pursuit of God & his purposes is very motivating. When I look at our challenges in light of Scripture I am constantly reminded of these wonderful men & women who experienced similar challenges, yet they persevered under pressure. Moreover, by enduring trials of many kinds, what started as small communities in Ephesus, Philippi, or Colosse, (small churches like ours!) grew into thriving communities focused upon the person & purposes of Jesus. These small groups changed the world in spite of numerous challenges; & as we continue to seek the heart of God I know we will change the world as well.

I think we’d all agree starting a community devoted to the person & purposes of Jesus is challenging; however, we are seeing good fruit coming from our labor. That said, as we continue to grow we are always going to face adversity; therefore we must stay persistent, doing what we know leads to good fruit. Throughout good & bad times we must stay determined to do what needs to be done which will result in a good harvest. Dreaming with God will reveal our path; Prayer will result in changed lives & power to overcome spiritual darkness; Studying Scripture will result in a correct perspective on God & life; Inviting will encourage those who are far from God into a relationship with him; contacting those in our community on a regular basis will result in stronger friendships; & Mentoring will produce mature followers of Christ who can join God in His work. In all of this persistence is crucial.

When Linda & I think of who God has surrounded us with along this journey we are tremendously blessed. We are surrounded by awesome men & women of God. We are humbled by our companions in this journey & know God handpicked all of us to be together for this time & place. Each of you is irreplaceable, special, uniquely gifted, & appreciated. We couldn’t imagine doing this without you. I know that when God created this group he was dreaming a big dream; I’m blessed we get to dream with you all.

Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Blessings,

A little nugget from my sermon this next week based upon Matthew 6, "Give us this day our daily bread."

“God helps those who help themselves” is not Biblical! You may believe that about God, but it isn’t the God who is represented by Scripture; it is an American ideal projected upon God! Rather, “God helps those who seek first the Kingdom of God.”

I've heard this statement so many times it makes me sick; it's pure self-reliance American dribble. Now don't get me wrong, I'm American & I love working hard. However, this statement is often used to describe how a person (1) doesn't need God, (2) is more blessed then "Them," (3) or, their success is evidence that their hard effort is a sign of God's blessing.

God helps those who help themselves is not bibllical.

God likes to help all sorts of people.

God has a mission, that's why he has a church.

In high school my first real girlfriend was, ironically, from Santa Cruz. This last week Abigail got sick & we had to take her to the hospital (she's doing great now). As I was leaving the hospital I recognized a man from Redding whom I hadn't seen in years; it was the younger brother of my old girlfriend. We laughed, talked, & he asked what I was doing in SC. I told him I came here to start a church & I was the pastor. We both laughed a little more & he said he & his girlfriend wanted to start going to church. I'm not sure where he's at in his relationship with God, but we both agreed God was the one who made our paths cross. So, he showed up on Sunday with his girlfriend & their new baby. As they walked in Laben walks up to him & says, "What's up!?" Evidently Laben & my friend hung out in Redding & Laben did some work on his house & bummed a couple of cigs off of him! My friend came back to Santa Cruz because a large part of his family & his girlfriend's family lives here. God is good & it's HIS passion & mission to expand his family tree through us.

We've been meeting at a public hall for about 1yr now. This last Sunday was incredible for many reasons, but one stands out to me. Our relationship with those who work or use the hall is deepening & it is our prayer that as they see our faith lived out before them their desire to know the one who loves us will grow. We are the light of the Yoga Center! It is fun & interesting.

Every Sunday the hall is overseen by a young Hispanic man who we have befriended. We have invited him to BBQ's, football games, roasted him his own coffee!, & listened to the wonderful story of his life. We have spoken to him several times about church, since that's what we are, & he has expressed his disdain for church & Christians for various & fairly typical reasons. Despite his objections we have continued to live our faith before him & continue to see him belong before he believes.

This Sunday was something new, yet expected. As we set up, he stayed to talk & watch. As we worshipped, he gave my children gifts & listened. As I spoke, he left, went up to the balcony to sit & hear what his friend "pastor Sean" had to say; all of which was a first. Needless to say throughout the entire service I watched from the corner of my eye knowing our friend, God’s child, took calculated step toward his creator.

The life of Desmond Doss is a hero without a gun. I watched a documentary on him & actually cried. His life reveals a friendship with God that is truly a thing of envy. Faith. Conviction.

Our life is unique. Right now our life is unique for real. Unique is cool.

So Siena sees a tour bus yesterday & says...






"Mom, look at the size of that house!"

I've been reading this & it's been great. I must admit I'm very fascinated by Judaism, especially since our faith is a continuation of this ancient faith. Reading history & finding out how & why Chrisianity left its Jewish roots, & the effect of this purposeful shift in both Christian orthodoxy & orthopraxy is really eye-opening to our current conditions. Another outstanding book is "Father Abraham: The Jewish Roots of our Christian Faith.

Abigail Kait McMasters was born Sept. 20, 2008.
Linda's water broke at 1:50 a.m. & Abigail was born @ 2:15 a.m. Needless to say it was a quick birth.

Well here is our new home: Motor home. We're not sure what ours is gonna' look like, but we're gonna' live in one come Sept 1. We have been unable to find a house, as of Thur, but keep looking. The funniest thing we've heard so far from a rental agency is, "We only except 2 people per room. Your family has 5 people." We know human rights is important & that infants are certainly people, but Abigail doesn't need her own room just yet. Anyways, we have a place to stay, which is a tremendous blessing. I think we're going to stay at a 7th Day Adventist Compound of sorts. We'll see how that goes!

My wife & I feel extremely fortunate to be in Santa Cruz for Jesus. 97% of Santa Cruz doesn't know Him. To what length are we willing to go in order to share His love with SC & initiate a community that represents the person of Christ to the world? To what degree is our commitment to Jesus & his purposes conditional? As I told my mom the other night, "Mom, this is the only Hell I'll ever know." Within the spectrum of what a life could be, my American dilemma is outstanding! Furthermore, I said that because on the spectrum of eternity I won't remember this. However, I will be reminded of our present decisions because there will be a great crowd of people in Heaven from Santa Cruz. I am often reminded of Jesus' words, "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." If your treasure is God, than your treasure will be what & where? I want to constantly be reminded that my Hell is another persons Heaven & their Heaven is a bad deal. "How will they believe if a messenger doesn't go to tell them?"

Too, as with all interesting periods in life, this phase of our life has really served to help us dig deep into our faith, theology, & relationships with each other & our church. Circumstances are often cheap, but highly effective, seminaries.

I'm reading two incredible books: Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. This a biographical history of missions. If you want to read stories of personal sacrifice read this book. Throughout time men & women have given themselves to God's purposes, which has resulted in great fruit. However, the cost involved has been high. As Tertuillian said, "The blood of martyrs is the life-giving seed of church." This is a very inspiring book.

The other book is: Foolishness to the Greeks by Leslie Newbigen. This is a very heady book that deals with the gospel within the Western world. He deals with numerous aspects of Western thought including: Enlightenment, Neo-paganism, Science, etc... This book has been very illuminating for me within the context of Santa Cruz. (Steve this books deals with a lot of the issues raised by your latest post 8/28)




Send us your address & maybe we'll come live in your driveway for a few days!
Blessings,

Well, we need to be out of our house in 10 days & still don't have a place to live. One woman said, "a family of 5 is too many for a 2 bedroom place." If we don't get a house in 10 days my wife will be heading back to Redding & I will stay here to look for housing, etc, but I'm not sure where I'm going to stay. My unemployment runs out in 1 month & I've submitted at least 30 apps & got one response from a painter who is willing to pay me $17hr, if he had any work! Too, Abigail is coming in 3-4 weeks & there is a chance Linda will give birth up in Redding. Please pray for us as these situations are presenting unique opportunities for all sorts of things to happen in our life.

Well the time has arrived. Someone finally approached me with an invitation to join them in their journey with Jesus; it only took 1yr & 8 months, but my time of acceptance or rejection arrived. A wonderful young man named James approached me at Starbucks after ordering a coffee & told me about his church. Unwilling to let a good opportunity slip by he then asked, "Would you like to join us this Sunday? We're a new church & you can come with tattoos, piercings, or anything else." I asked him about his service & made his drink. Homeboy saw a glimmer of acceptance in my eyes & left some tracts at the end of the bar.

1yr & 8 months. That's how long it took someone to invite me into anything remotely Christian let alone a relationship with Jesus. My assumption is that we are surrounded by people who aren't being invited.

One of the things we are realizing here in Santa Cruz is that we are saying no for people. What I mean is, instead of actually inviting them we assume they'll say no, so we never ask. In fact, we are inviting many people who are saying no, but rejection is a part of the gospel. However, 1 invite per year & eight months is not enough. We need communities who invite people into a relationship with Life. Too, what we're realizing is that most people are saying no to something that doesn't exist. They're saying no to a god who isn't GOD; they're saying no to a jesus that isn't anything like JESUS; they're saying no to a religion we're not a part of. People's "no's" stink of educated ignorance, which is our responsibility & joy to remedy.

The next day a woman approaches me saying, "Can we hang this sign up, we're starting a new service here in Scotts Valley." I tell her, "I'm sorry Starbucks won't allow religious material in the store." She becomes frustrated & walks away. I stand there thinking, "I'm right here, why not invite me?" The poster isn't important, but I am. Invite me; don't say no for me 'cuz I might say "Yes."

When's the last time someone invited you?

I haven't been invited to anything for 5 days.

Cut & paste to see some race pics!
http://www.marathonfoto.com/order_my_photos.cfm?RaceOID=27892008M1&LastName=MCMASTERS&BibNumber=2034&Language=en&Mailing=16254&BFI=sh4og9cbro&Frames=true&Flash=true&FlashVersion=8&Height=800&Width=1280&Index2Home=true

Well I ran my marathon & it included many lessons. The race had pacers, who are people that run at a specific speed in order to get a specific time. I wanted to run a 3:10 marathon, so I started out with the guy who held the 3:10 sign. Well, in short, he was a liar! Everyone around me kept saying, “He’s running fast,” but I didn’t believe them. When you train for a marathon you can run faster at a shorter distance & I felt good. Anyways, between mile 4-5 somebody says, “We just ran a 6:40 mile.” That’s not good when you have 22.2 miles left to go. In order to run a 3:10 you need to run 7:15 a mile, which on a good day is doable for me. However, a big mistake is to waste too much energy early, when you feel good, & have little left when you feel like dying in the later miles. So, my guy was a liar, but I’m also my own enemy; I should have started out with a slower group—“In like a Lion, out like a Lamb,” is a favorite saying of mine that I still don’t listen to. So, at mile 13:1 I ran 1:35, which was perfect, but the pain is about to begin. About mile 17 I’m in serious pain, but this is nothing new & I’m still running fairly strong. Mile 21? Well my hamstring cramps so bad it literally stands me up & I have to stop to stretch it. Sadly, this continues on throughout the rest of the race. I’m pretty sure it was dehydration, which is another reoccurring theme in my ESPN highlight reel. I finished in 3:37, 8:18 per mile.
I shed some tears at the end of the race, which was odd for me. I cried because we still don’t have a place to live, we keep applying to 3 bedroom houses as a group of 4 adults-3 kids-1 dog & they look at us like we’re the one smoking dope, the church is growing SLOWLY (but surely), the job scene is stupid to say the least, we’re about to have another kid (Abigail Kait McMasters), we were all packing & everyone was moving that day, & I had been running runs by myself that were too long. So I cried because at least one of the weights that was keeping my resentful knees pinned to the ground before the feet of Jesus was gone. I find it easier to run than to kneel; sad, but true.
Blessings,

My buddy Juan Eddards from orangefloorstudio.com came up with this. What do you think?

We still don't have a place to live, but our landlords are letting us stay here until Sept. 1. Needless to say, we're having a great time right now. However, it's kinda' cool to have God as your only hope. I was reading Acts 7 today & in Stephen's speach he talked about Abraham who left his land & settled in another place, but didn't even get to see what God had promised to him. Wow; what was that like? Abraham wishes he had a Jeremiah 29:11 tattoo on his buttocks (esp. American style blessings ;-).

I'm running the S.F. Marathon this Sunday. It's exciting to know I can take all of my competitive aggression out on myself & people I don't know. A few years ago I was running a triathlon & was passed by a 65 year old man on the run; evidently he was a stud!. I hope I see him this Sunday 'cuz I'm gonna' break him off something special!
Love you all.

I just got back from L.A. from the Regional Vineyard Conference. It was great to connect with many people, here great God stories, & continue to get a fresh vision for California & the Bay Area. This was our first conference with kids, which was really different. We were often late & we left early on more than one occasion. We would be listening to a speaker, watching power-point & see "Would the parents of Jonathan McMasters please come to child-care." Pretty funny. I truly fall more in love with my kids each day. As assumed Siena did great in "school" & was more than pleased to over achieve at each session.

I spoke at the church planting workshop & one person pegged us as "neo-monasticism." I made sure to let everyone know that we were just following Jesus & he led us to live together for a period of time. It was fun hearing everyone's stories & I'm blessed to be a part of the Vineyard. I walked away blessed to be a part of this movement, whose theology is a wonderful reflection of the New Testament (ie. charismatic theology)

We decided to move & Sept. 1 was the date we were aiming for to leave. So, my wife accidentally tells the landlords that "this is our 30 day notice," on July 7. Anyways, our house is on Craigslist the next day & basically rented two days later. We found out yesterday that Aug. 7 is our move out date & only Marina has a place to stay. Please pray for us. It's all quite crazy around here right now.

It's official: Things change. I'm looking for a new job, we're about to have another kid, & we are moving into SC. Starbucks is helping me meet a bunch of new people, but it isn't paying the $1500 rent. Abigail ----- McMasters is kicking like a machine, maybe she's a soccer player? She's due at the end of Sept. & everything is going great so far. We decided it's time to leave the ranch & head into town. We keep praying for people, go into SC & see them, & then come home realizing there are more horses up here than people. So, we're all moving. Please pray for us, since any one of these "new" adventures creates exciting joy in a person's life; add them together & the recipe brings you: Exciting joy.

Santa Cruz Jobs website:
140,000 job seekers
7,000 jobs
please pray

Everyone but Linda & I went to Mazatlan Mexico. They had a great time & feel even more inspired to reach SC. They built a "house" in 3 days. Check out the video

We are continuing to meet & invite people into our community. It is a slow going process. It seems as if there is always someone new at our events (ie. celebration, Lifegroups, BBQ, etc.), but having that translate into them "sticking" is another matter. We do have some new faces however who are hanging around, which is great. 97%of SC doesn't go to any church, so the harvest is ripe. However, the harvest requires some patient persistence & the use of correct tools.

Blessings,

Sorry for my absence, but that's just how it is. Anyways we evacuated from our house 'cuz there's a huge fire right below it! Needless to say it was a party getting everything out & wondering if the house is going to burn down. What was cool is that in the middle of our packing up my friend Prakash calls & says, "Come & spend the night at our house." I teared up because I wasn't sure where we were going & my friend, outside of our church, called me. Likewise, everyone had a place to spend the night & was contacted by our friends. This is a sign of health within our little community.

Here's a snapshot & some questions I've been wrestling with:
1st BBQ @ UCSC? 70 people!
2nd BBQ @ UCSC (invite only)? 30 people. These seem to be a hit. We would have had one tonight, but our friends at ISI are having a BBQ so Antioch is representing.

Mexico Fundraising has put us in great places. We intentionally, even if we had all the money we needed, put ourselves into the city to allow people outside of our church to participate with us in building a house for a poor family. Car washes, a booth at a local market, a booth outside Trader Joe's, radio announcements (go Rachel), 3 local restaraunts giving us portions of their income on certain nights, more car washes, work days at peoples houses, etc. All of this has allowed us to meet new & wonderful people.

Planting a church takes time. We are not trying to rally disgruntled Christians to a new church. We are not doing something "new" come & check us out. We are trying to give an expression of Christ's love through our community to those who otherwise don't know the love of Jesus. The church is going out into the city. This takes time. Imagine a person on a spiritual journey toward God as numbers 1-10 (1 nothing; 10 A.W. Tozer or something). Most people who attend "church" as a seeker are already at level 6-8(?) & have come to some conlclusion that "Jesus is the answer to my questions." We have found ourselves surrounded by people who would be numbers 1-5; from "what the hell do we need another church for," to "these could be signs of the end of the world," to "who are you guys & what are you doing." Therefore, seeing certain people from whom we find ourselves amongst being baptized is a couple of days away. Frustration is all a part of it, but it's a good thing to fret about. Alan Hirsch makes a good point in one of his books by saying something like this: "A majority of churches at this point in time are reaching the same group of people & then see those people move from building to building." 3% of our county's population attends church. One can also then speculate the percentage of that 3% that actually follow Jesus. I'm writing this from my friend's house whose dad is Hindu, wife is Buddhist, & he's agnostic/atheist. Too, before I believed I would have just as well told you to "something" even though I considered myself spiritual. ITT-It takes time.

"Saved" is a fabulous movie.

For anyone believing we need no new churches in Santa Cruz: I've lived here for a year & a half & have yet to have ANYONE reach out to me in an effort to help me know the love of God through Jesus. Where's the 3%!? Either I haven't met any of them or they...? Actually at Starbucks I met one of them, in fact I meet many. I asked this person repeatedly about the church they attended & never once did this person ask me anything about my sprituality! They attend a very well known church in town & actually have a position of authority within it. It was again sobering & sad.

I find it interesting that Jesus never said "Go...start churches," or "Go...gather people." Never, ever, never, ever, never, ever, did he say something like this. What did he say & why did he say it?

I asked Laben what at the end of his life he wants to look back & see. He said, "I'd like to see about 10 guys who I raised up & who went & planted churches around the world." Now whether or not this happens is, well, a life long journey that I think is glorious (imagine that!). "Hey Timmy, what would that new pastor you hired say to this question...?" How you answer this question will answer the what & how questions of what you devote your life to.

Answer the question, your life already is.

Sorry...I'm out of my office & trying to find my way back. There is a lot going on, & a lot of good along with it. It all seems a bit much right now, but I will have an update soon(?). Remember: Jesus thinks you're awesome & so do we.

Guess who is on the cover of our webpage? Kerri Fagan!.

Kerri this is a great photo! It almost makes you look 10yrs younger, so, like, 45 or something.

Well the long awaited time of truth has arrived: We're having a girl! Alas, Siena is going to have some competition for her princess throne. Another girl, wow. Jonathan, if we're done at 3 kids, is going to be the baby boy.

This last Saturday we did our first ever fund-raiser here in SC. We're going to Mexico to build a house for some homeless people this summer & need some duckets to get there, so, on with the carwashes! It was great. I love being out there telling people about who we are & what we're doing. Too, Janine scored a table for us at a Farmer's Market & we're hoping to get donations for: cookies, salsa, & home roasted fair-trade organic Mexican coffee! Once again, it is awesome to get out there with the peeps.

My manager's dad came to church yesterday because she told him he should check it out. How cool is that?

We're all doing good. We keep "inviting & including," which can become a little difficult at times. A lot of inviting & not too many people show up, but nothing new there. People are showing up & sticking. I guess I'm very thankful for the health of our church, since I hear of more church plants failing (especially those starting with small teams) in Santa Cruz than succeeding. In fact, the Vineyard church in Scotts Valley (5 miles away from SC) tried starting a church in the building we meet in on Sundays & it didn't work out. So, I should thank my Lucky Charms (Jesus & Co.) for what's happening with us; because in all reality, there's a whole lot of cool stuff happening in our little church.


Here's a shot of what the "houses" look like before & after.