Thank you for visiting My Church Launch!  The purpose of this blog is to journal the journey we are on as we follow God’s leading of beginning a church in Cleveland, Ohio called Gateway West.  We invite you to go on the journey with us through your prayers and even financial support.  Our launch date is Sunday, October 11, 2009.  Click here to download a quick sheet outlining our vision.  If you’d like to know more, please contact us at dan@gatewaycleveland.  Thanks for reading!

Dan and Amanda Ghramm

The last speaker of the Exponential Conference I attended last week was Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California.  God really used his message to encourage me.  Here is a video of how they introduced him!

…to have my sermon all ready for Sunday.  Alex has graciously offered me the pulpit for Gateway:Downtown.  Wait a minute.  Alex doesn’t use a pulpit.  He’s graciously given up his stool for me to preach the first Sunday of each month until Gateway:West’s launch in October.  I spent a good bit of time yesterday and this morning putting together a five week series called Leadership Lessons from the Life of Joshua.  It’s pretty simple but I’m basically just sharing what God has been teaching me about leadership from my Bible reading.

This kind of sermon prep is somewhat new to me in a sense.  I’ve been a pastor for 11 years (next week in fact) and have preached lots of sermons but I’ve never put together my own series before.  Most of my time has been in the classroom using various sorts of curriculum and teaching specific ages.  I’m trying really hard to develop good prep habits that allow me to be far enough in advance to gave adequate time for the truths to simmer in my own life instead of what I’ve done in the past — finishing up late in the week.

What’s really cool is that we’re doing what they call Big Idea preaching.  My friend and colleague, Lottie is going to put together children’s material that teaches the same big idea I’m using with the adults.  This is going to be a lot of work but also lots of fun.  Here’s my outline for the five weeks.
1.    Following Before Leading: A great leader follows Jesus first. (Joshua 1, 5)
2.    2nd Chair Leadership: A great leader learns from others. (Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
3.    Survey Says: A great leader trusts and obeys even when it’s not popular. (Numbers 13-14)
4.    Tough Assignment: A great leader deals with sin without hesitation. (Joshua 5, 7)
5.    A Lasting Legacy: A great leader impacts generations beyond his own (Joshua 23-24)

We’d love to have you join us downtown at 10:30 am Sunday morning!  Go to www.gatewaycleveland.com for more information and directions.

Later…

Dear Prayer Partner:

Hello again!  I’m sure you are looking at the subject of this email or the Facebook page and wondering…What’s with the name change?  After prayerful consideration we are changing our name to Gateway West.  Having Kamm’s in our name limits us in many ways.  For one, many options we have for our church site are not in Kamm’s Corner.  Also, we want to reach all of west Cleveland, so the new name is nice and all encompassing.  I hope that clears up any confusion.

We had yet another productive Launch Team meeting Sunday.  We have made some specific plans in terms of our Serve the City strategy that I mentioned last week that need your prayers.  We are planning to have three family events in local parks.  They will be a time to provide some fun to the community, meet a lot of people, etc.  The first one will be on Thursday, June 25.  We also will partner with the YMCA to host a car wash sometime in July.  We plan on doing a lot with the Y, since they want to reach the community as well.  Pray for all the organization that goes into these events.

One exciting thing about Gateway West is that we are actually a part of a greater city-reaching movement called Cleveland Hope.  Cleveland Hope is a group of about 39 churches committed to reaching Cleveland for Christ.  They share resources, provide volunteers, and coordinate many of the missions teams that will be coming from around the country that I mentioned last week.  Cleveland Hope has also selected to highlight Gateway West as part of a special “One Door” service.  What that means is Dan will be able to share our vision with the 39 other churches.  The people would then commit to helping us in any way they can.  If you would like to come to this service, it will be at Parma Baptist Church on April 25 from 9am-12pm.  It is exciting that when you a part of the body of Christ, you are never alone.  Pray that God blesses this service.

Pray also for the members of our Launch Team.  Dan challenged us to evaluate where we are at in our personal spiritual journeys.  For us to be successful as a church, we need to be growing in our own relationships with God.  None of this matters if He isn’t the focus of our lives.  We desperately covet your prayers to this end.

Remember this date: October 11, 2009.  That is when we plan to officially launch with weekly services.  A lot needs to be done by that time, so pray, pray, pray!

Finally, it’s time for our second edition of Meet the Launch Team.  This week we’ll meet a family I’m pretty familiar with—the Amanns.  I, Scott, am a special education teacher with Cleveland.   My wife Michelle is a real estate agent with Prudential.  We also are about to start work with the Cleveland Indians.  Michelle is an usher and I work in the merchandise stands.  Basically we get paid to watch baseball.  What a gig!  No kids yet, but we have two dogs, Junior and Heidi.  In terms of prayer requests, pray that the housing market picks up for Michelle.  For me, pray for my school.  Things have been pretty crazy lately.  Also pray that our family increases soon.  We love our dogs, but we are ready for some human children too.

Thanks again for reading and praying.  We appreciate it so much.  Thank you also for sending us ways we can pray for you.  May God bless you this week.

Yours in Christ,

Scott Amann
Prayer Team Coordinator

I absolutely love this. Churches need to do more of this!

4 Reasons to Cancel Sunday Service:

Last Sunday we canceled our Sunday gathering. We did not have inclement weather. The preaching pastor was not ill. The roads were not blocked. We canceled our service deliberately to take part in Austin’s annual Capitol 10K run and fun run. Over 18,000 people turned out this year.

The run benefits a local charity each year. This year it was Meals on Wheels, a non-profit that delivers groceries and provides services to the home bound and elderly. Our City Groups work with Meals on Wheels so it was a natural cause for us to support. We mobilized our church to participate in the 10K and had a big cookout afterward. In retrospect and in prospect, here are four reasons to cancel your Sunday service.

1. It enables us to corporately Serve the City, Know the City. By canceling an age-old tradition of Sunday church services, Austin City Life church went public with their commitment to being a church that is genuinely for the city. Instead of gathering in our downtown venue while thousands of runners streamed by, we decided to join our city in a great cause of feeding the needy. We rubbed shoulders with people who need Jesus. We gained a unique perspective of the city. Approaching the capitol with a throng of people, we made our way up Congress St running right to the edge of the capitol building. I poured out prayers for our government and kept running. We saw neighborhoods up close, house after house of people who don’t know Jesus and prayed. We saw the unique architecture and marveled. Heard the great bands and cheered. Laughed at the ridiculous costumes and had a great time with our city. Cancel your service to serve and know the city.
2. It reinforces how important it is to Be the Church. By canceling our Sunday gathering, we reinforced our belief that church is not merely what we do; it is who we are. Weekend services have actually replaced the church in America. Our landscape is dotted with churchless Christianity. As a new believer said to me recently, it doesn’t matter if I miss a few Sundays because I am with the church throughout the week. Canceling the event and spending time running, cooking, eating, and hanging out was a wonderful reminder that we are the church and that we need one another.
3. It offers Sabbath rest for a driven society. When we canceled our service, we created much needed rest for many volunteers, deacons, leaders, and pastors. We also created the opportunity for the church to rest in a society that is driven and too busy. We had quite a few people that did not participate in the race. They took the opportunity to relax and enjoy a wonderful day without the demands of work or service attendance. Many of us remarked how nice it was to not be in the service. Is this because we don’t want to worship God, because we don’t love the Word of God, because we are slovenly and indifferent to the gospel? Not at all…but it could also be that it…
4. Serves as a reminder that very often we are too busy for church. That Sunday ‘off’ came as with unexpected level of refreshment for many? Why? Because very often we are too busy for church. We get so exhausted from our busy lives, that Sunday gatherings of the church are something we discipline ourselves to go to. We work so late that we don’t go to our City Group meetings. We are so exhausted from taking the kids here and there that we can’t imagine having the energy to have people over for dinner to share life with. Unexpectedly, canceling a service can lead people to repentance over sinful busyness and faith in the Sovereign supplier of all things.

(Via Church Planting Novice.)

This fits pretty well with what’s going on in our church launch. It’s good to read stuff that affirms what you are doing!

Later…

God Works Downstream: ”

Every church planter I’ve ever worked with has moments where they realize God has already been working to plant the church well before them.  I regularly hear the surprised stories about a family that has been praying for two years for a church like this to be started, about a business that donates thousands of dollars of equipment or about the barista who was ready to hear the gospel.  If you are planting a church, don’t think that you are taking God with you in your suitcase.  God is already there and he’s been working on redeeming the story of the community and people’s lives for quite some time.  The new church you are planting is just a part of that redemption story.  So how do you discover where God is working downstream in your community?

1.  Pray.  (If that isn’t obvious, seek help).

2.  Conduct a Community Needs Assessment.  Chances are God knows what the community needs are and is working to meet them.  Do the work of interviewing influential people and surveying the community to determine what those needs are and partner with those who God is already using to meet those needs.  Check out Compassion by Design for more info.

3.  Leave room for margin.  Its tough to plan for divine appointment, those moments where God surprises you with an opportunity to speak with someone.  Allow for some margin in your schedule in order to be flexible and take advantage of those God moments.

4.  Get out of the office and into the community.  Network intentionally and build relationships randomly.  Discover who the people of influence are in the community and intentionally network with them.  Build relationships randomly by working out of coffee shops, going to the gym, joining book clubs, going to civic clubs, etc. God works downstream in the lives of people not in the office.

5.  Realize God is working downstream in your life too.  You haven’t arrived spiritually.  God is still working on you too.  God is stretching you and growing you to mold you into the leader you need to be a year from now, five years from now.  In order to get downstream where God already is, you have to let him mold you into the leader God already knows you need to be.

How have you seen God working downstream in the community God has called you to?

featured on newchurches.com

(Via Planting Space.)

I come from a background that was pretty committed to missions and so, I’ve heard lots and lots of missionary presentations in my day.  I don’t mean this too critically but someone once told me how you could tell a good missionary from an average missionary (not that it’s a competition).  I was told that in their presentations, good missionaries talk about about people more than they talk about programs.  They tell you about the relationships they are building with unbelievers.  They tell you their names and show you their faces.

That concept has had a profound impact on my 11 years of pastoral ministry — mainly because I am so easily drawn to programs.  I have to work hard sometimes to connect with people because I get so task-driven.  But to be missional means that you have to be connected to people.  Missionaries have known that and have been doing that for centuries.  We here in the States, for far too long have been paying missionaries to do that for us instead of doing it ourselves right where we live.  Thus, the push right now is for all of us to be more missionaries — to be missional.

So, here’s the application of my little sermon.  I am now a missionary.  I’ve been growing into this for a number of years but now I’m a full blown missionary.  I’m starting a new church with a small core group of people.  That means we have to reach people.  We’ve got to go to them and invite them to love Jesus like we do.

God has been giving me some pretty cool opportunities to do that to varying degrees in our community.  I’ve begun meeting with councilmen, principals, business leaders, community service organization leaders, etc.  Every time I meet with one, I pray that I’m planting a seed that may one day grow into a new life committed to Christ.  I’m making connections at the YMCA when I go there to workout and take my daughter to ballet.  I’m trying to make connections at Malia’s and Elijah’s schools when there are activities and the parents are just hanging out.  I’m trying to have spiritual conversations with my neighbors.  I’m building friendships with the table tennis guys at the bar and at the barbershop.

I’m still pretty early on in all of this.  Only in the last couple of months have I become more intentional with it all.  So, in one sense, I need to be patient but I am aware of the fact that the goal isn’t only to be friends with these people.  Sure, I need to love them first and they need to know that I genuinely care about them.  But I’m trusting that the Spirit will give me wisdom and boldness to know exactly when and how to tell them about Jesus.  This can happen in various ways but it still needs to happen!

So, here are a few people I’d like you to be praying for — Luis, Zack, Pat, Frank, and Jason.  There a bunch of others but God has really opened the doors for me to connect with these young men through table tennis.  I’m praying that they will begin a relationship with Jesus soon.

So, what PEOPLE can I be praying for in your life?

Later…

Dear friends,

A number of you have asked me, “How can I help Gateway specifically?”  Great question! 

One is to keep praying.  While we’ve about nailed down our “Serve the City Strategy” and am just about ready to launch it, we still need to keep praying!  The ground needs lots of tilling before we plant seeds!

A second specific way is to come prayer walk with us.  Our goal is to prayer walk the entire West Cleveland area during the months of April and May.  If you’d like to help, we’re meeting in the parking lot behind the Kamm’s Corners Pizza Hut on Saturdays at 9:00 am and Tuesdays at 6:45 pm.  We’ll give specific instructions at that time.  We’d love to have you join us!

A third specific way is through financial support.  We’ve raised about 20% of the needed $200,000 to launch Gateway.  Every little bit helps.  If you’d like to give, please visit www.gatewaycleveland.com and click on resources and then giving.  One of the designations is Gateway:Kamm’s.  Also, if you know of anyone who has a heart for church planting and would make a great partner, I’d love to sit down with them and share our vision.  Just let me know who and I’ll connect with them.

Let me again express my gratitude for your partnership with us.  It truly means a lot to us.

Later…

Dan

Dear Prayer Partner,

My name is Scott Amann.  I am a member of the Gateway Kamm’s Launch Team and live about 20 houses from the Ghramms.  I am helping Dan by taking over managing the Facebook prayer group and master prayer email list.  See, Dan CAN delegate!  I will now be sending out regular prayer updates on our Launch Team, upcoming events, and basically anything else we need you to pray about.  I am excited to serve in this way and look forward to corresponding with each of you.  Anyway, enough about me.  Let’s get to praying!

We had a very full and productive Launch Team meeting this past Sunday (3/29).  Many of the plans that have seemed so far off before are now starting to take shape.  At times, things seem overwhelming, but it is exciting as well.  We serve a God who does the impossible.  If He is in this, it will get done.  Here are some specific items that need your prayers.

Continue to pray for the site selection for Gateway Church at Kamm’s.  Dan has had some encouraging meetings lately with area schools and community centers.   Pray that God makes it evident where we are to meet.

Most of the meeting was spent going over our Serve the City strategy.  This strategy involves activities like block parties, community projects, Vacation Bible Schools, participation in local activities, car washes, servant evangelism, etc.  We will go over more details on these activities in upcoming weeks.  Pray that God works out all the details.

To help us with many of these projects, we have at least seven different missions teams from around the country coming in to help throughout the summer and fall months.  Pray that we can coordinate how to most effectively use these volunteers.  Also praise God that we have been given so much support.

Pray that God continues to open doors in the community.  Dan has already established great contacts with some local community leaders, not to mention his ping pong—er—table tennis excursions.  Pray that we can set up interviews with other community leaders such as representatives, business owners, police and firemen, principals, etc.  The community needs to know who we are and that we are here to serve.

We also will begin regular prayer walks around the community.  Every Tuesday and Saturday during April and May, groups will walk the entire West Cleveland area praying, passing out information about Gateway, and basically interacting with whomever God puts in their paths.  The first prayer walk will be this Saturday, April 4 at 9:00.  If you want to join us, meet behind the Pizza Hut on Kamm’s Corner.

Finally, we will end each update by introducing different members of our Launch Team.  This week, meet the Gonzalez family. Jose and Angelys and their children, Jose and Collin.  They live across the street from the Ghramms.  Jose works in retail sales and Angelys is a patient representative.  Jose is 5 and is partners in crime with Elijah.  Collin is 3 months old and doesn’t really do much yet but eat and sleep.  I guess we’ll let him off the hook for now.  Angelys recently had her gall bladder removed and is recovering nicely.  Continue to pray for her.  When asked how we can best pray for them, they said to simply pray for continued health and blessing.

I realize this was a long update, but there is a lot going on. God honors the prayers of His people, so keep on praying.  If you know of anyone else who would like to be added to this prayer group, please send their emails to me at samann@ameritech.net.  Your involvement is vital. Thank you so much for your prayers.  Also, please let us know how we can pray for you.  Send any requests to Dan or me.  May God bless your week!

In Christ,

Scott Amann
Prayer Team Coordinator

Every bat, racket, or paddle has a sweet spot in which you have the great impact on the ball, birdie, or whatever else you might be hitting.

Speaking of paddles, I was once again runner up on Monday night at West Park Station.  I played a great match to get into the championship game but fell apart to my buddy, Joe whom I’ve already beaten a few times.  I was really bummed!

But this post isn’t about table tennis.  Sorry about that.  Where was I?  Oh yes, sweet spots.

While doing the dishes last night, I was listening to an Exponential Network podcast interview of Tim Keller by Dave Ferguson.  Tim Keller is one smart dude.  Anyway, he was describing that churches will grow when they find the sweet spot between not adapting to their culture and adapting too much to their culture.  You go to one side and you lose your audience.  You go to the other side and you lose the gospel.  It’s simple but profound.  It reminds me of Jesus telling his disciples to be in the world but not of the world.

Then in my Bible reading this morning, I found another sweet spot.  In Deuteronomy 1, Moses is recounting the Israelites journey in the wilderness.  I noticed that when God told the people to go in and take the land, fear took over and they didn’t go in.  But then we read that there were times that God didn’t want them to go in but in their pride, they did anyway.  Isn’t there a sweet spot in the middle called obedience?

I’m not a big fan of the word balance because it tends to limit passion and creativity.  So my new description for balance is sweet spot.

Later…

Facebook has been a really cool tool to build our prayer team.  I got this note today from an old college friend, Dave Murray, a church planter in Ecuador.  Very encouraging!  I’ll let you know how we can be praying for them as well.

So wonderful to hear from you! We are privileged to pray for you. We here at our church plant in Ecuador will continually pray for you here in Ecuador. Looking forward to shine some of your pictures up on the wall with the projector. You will have Ecuadorians praying for you! Imagine that!