We invited anyone from our Lakeview location who is interested in our new Lincoln Park location to come out for an informational and vision-casting meeting last night. Our purpose with this meeting is to begin to identify and mobilize a core for this restart.
We had a great turnout of 35 people and 2/3 of those who came expressed a high degree of interest in jumping in and helping form the core team of this new location. New Life Lincoln Park will have a grand opening, on March 16. By our first preview celebration in January we hope to have 60-70 people gathering each week--current Seminary Avenue attenders and New Life folk who would like to join them. This group will be a primary work force, helping create an environment where guests can connect and feel welcome.
I love the faith environment that happens when new work is set in motion. I love to see the people it draws. And I love hearing the enthusiasm and renewal that people express as they anticipate helping with new work. It has a certain Red Bull effect on everyone involved. Can I say it is 'Nehemiahesque'--probably not, at least not with a straight face (since I'm not on NPR's website.) But it does seem to parallel the dynamic that Nehemiah saw in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Sure, its not going to be all roses and peaches. One of my favorite beginnings of any book I've ever read is a line from Chaim Potok: "All beginnings are hard." I have found that to be almost inviolably true. However, beginnings can also be chock full of faith seeds and growth potential. "New" has an appeal that nothing else can replace. And "new for Jesus" has an even greater appeal than plain ole "new".
Hey, there's still room at the core for New Life Lincoln Park. We welcome you in. We're planning to gather again in a few weeks at the Seminary Ave/Lincoln Park building in mid-December. Come excited and expect to be changed as you throw in your lot with us for Jesus' sake.
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