As a kid I really had no idea why we went to the churches that we frequented, but I did know we were fervent in totting our denomination’s flag. The usual gossip at Sunday lunch around town was a mixture of who attended the morning’s service, how off key the choir was, and of course, “did you hear the Millers were now attending (fill in opposing denomination’s church)?”.

Over the years I have heard many denomination apologist defend their “party” to the extent where one would wonder if they felt they were a “Baptist” by faith and a Christian by default. Segregation is strange in the church world. Even within one’s own denomination. A pastor I formally worked with called another student pastor in the area to inquire if their church would like to partner with ours to try and reach students on a local school’s campus. We were of the same denomination and had met with the opposing pastor on a previous occasion. When we pitched the idea to the other pastor he simply replied, “sounds too much like a ‘First Baptist’ thing. We are not interested.” Even in your own camp, an agenda was always assumed and trust was never warranted.

Please hear me that we feel there is some legitimacy in denominations. Most of which has to do with the doctrine and theology a particular denomination carries under its banner. However, when we allow our denominational ties to supersede God’s mission, then we have lost our focus on the cross and care more about what the marquee states in front of our buildings.

Currently, Portico meets in Mid-Cities Church, which happens to be associated with the Church of Christ. As we began to look for a building we randomly contacted several churches in the area in hopes to find one that would let us meet in their facility on Sunday evenings. Many had events happening on Sunday nights so they were unavailable; however, the majority simply did not respond. A handful bluntly responded that they did not see the point. Then Mid-Cities contacted us. Their facility was exactly in the heart of where we wanted to meet and was a good size that would allow for growth. Most importantly, they really wanted us to come use their building.

As we approached our first meeting with their leadership I made up my mind that there had to be something wrong with the building or the price would be astronomical. Who would really let a couple of young planters who were reformed in theology use their building for a new church? From my perspective, we were probably wasting our time.

We sat down with their Elders for the next two hours discussing vision, doctrine, and philosophy. In the midst of our conversation it was obvious that there was no catch, the price was more than reasonable, and that the building would be perfect. However, I was still slightly synical about this perfect situation that had been presented to our fledgling church. Then they shared their hearts…and all my fears subsided.

The Elders of Mid-Cities informed us that they had been praying for a young church to come in meet in their facility just weeks before we had contacted them. Their main focus in their church was Jesus and making His name great. They saw their facility as just a tool to be used so that God would be glorified. Finally, they saw an opportunity for the gospel to be proclaimed to a city that desperately needs Christ. Overwhelmed by the Spirit, we decided to ask a question that we knew may cause them to repeal their offer. We asked how they would react if some of their congregation started to attend Portico? They simply smiled and stated, “if they are being equipped spiritually and in God’s will, we could not be more excited for them. In the end, we are all one Church under the banner of Jesus.” We had no further questions and it was obvious God had orchestrated this encounter.

Since we have started meeting in their facility, many of their church leadership have come to worship with our people with a spirit of support and encouragement. The Elders have had met to pray specifcally for our church and have continued to inquire how they could be of assistance. It is amazing how they do not see the walls that denominations can sometimes create, but instead they simply see a strategic partnership for the gospel.

Churches like Mid-Cities are rare, in fact they are almost non-existent. Mid-Cities may never grow to be a mega-church or reach national recognition for their contribution to society. However, in the eyes of God, they are more rich with His love and mission than some of the largest, most recognized denominational churches in the country. God does not see denominational lines nor does those whom are consumed with His mission. The gospel of Jesus dissolves denominations and allows everyone to find their one true identity in the cross. God, in His amazing providence, has orchestrated a relationship between two churches that find themselves on opposite sides of the denominational spectrum, but untied by gospel for the glory of our King.

Churches should bear the message of the cross and not allow what their sign in their front lawn dictate how God uses them.

Kyle

One of the most interesting things that I continually come across in relation to worship and the music portion of a service is the “me” complex.  This is not just in worship, but it seems that it has leaked over into seemingly every part of our churches today.  It seems that we are so concerned with what is in it for us.  We want to know what types of programs are there for us to help us be better people and stop sinning.  We want to know if we will be entertained when the music starts playing.  “Will the preacher be crafty and creative enough to keep my attention?”  “Will the worship team play ‘cool’ songs that will keep us engaged?”  We have become a selfish people.  I do not say this to point fingers, unless they are pointed in a mirror.  I am just as guilty.

The most interesting thing that we can find about worship is this; it is not for us.  That goes against so many things that we have heard and been taught.  Even as worship leaders, we have been taught that we are there for the people to help them experience God.  Don’t get me wrong, as worship leaders and worship teams, we do have an obligation to the people that God has given us to lead.  We are to be sure that our songs are scripturally sound.  We should be careful that our songs line up with and tell the story of the Gospel of Jesus.  If they do not line up with the Gospel, if they are not doctrinally sound, we should not play them.  As worship leaders, we are just as responsible for teaching the truth of scripture as our teaching pastors are; we teach the Gospel with music and lyrics.  That is a whole other topic in itself that I hope to write about soon.  As worship leaders and teams we also have an obligation to play to the best of our abilities.  We shouldn’t be missing notes and beats and thereby causing distraction.  My main point is this, we can no more help someone experience God than a preacher can lead someone to Christ.  It is the Holy Spirit that draws us to the Father whether it be through teaching or through singing.  We are nothing and we can do nothing.

Worship as seen all through scripture is all about God.  It is never about the worshiper’s feelings or mood.  It is sad that we’ve made our God so small that we feel as though there must be certain elements present in order to gain full and powerful access to His holy throne.  Can you imagine what it must have been like when David found himself so broken in Psalms 51 after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba?  That was brokenness and worship of a merciful and powerful God!  What must it have been like on the side of the mountain when Peter, James, and John saw Jesus transfigured before them?  They were face to face with the Son of God in all his magnificent glory!  What joy must have filled their hearts!

Worship is our response to the greatness of God.  Worship does not depend or hinge on our feelings and moods.  When we worship something, we make it ultimate; thus, making ourselves less.  Worship of our Great King Jesus is all about making very, very much of him and making very, very little of ourselves.  It is all about saying Jesus you are great and worthy, but never about look at what cool guitars I have and how awesome that lyric was.

We were made to bring glory to God.  We were saved and redeemed to bring glory to God.  God’s ultimate purpose throughout all time is to bring glory and honor to Himself.  Worship is making Him ultimate in every part of our lives.  Worship is for and always is about our Lord; it is never about us.

Dusty

We have been blessed with a great core team of people who love Jesus and are committed to pouring their lives into Portico. We had our first “Bible study” at a local coffee shop and sat around the table with 10 other folks, discussing about the deep things of God. We have had a few individuals feel called to come on board as a part of our leadership team in order to share their gifts and live deeply with the people of Portico. The gospel is being proclaimed and lives are being changed.

We would like to invite you to become a part of this ministry. You can do this in a few different ways such as: praying, giving, and joining our team. These three different opportunities are further explained here. Currently, we are in need of financial partnerships, which essentially are families, businesses, and individuals that feel called to give in order to further the gospel.

The following is just a sample of the many financial needs that church planting demands:

Facility Rental/Marketing/ Equipment:   $1,500/month
Salaries, Insurance, Utilities, and basic necessities for 2 families: $10,000/month
Missions Giving (ie. Cooperative Program, Church Planting Efforts…): $500

An estimated cost of around $144,000 a year is needed in order for Portico to continue to function. Both Dusty and myself are solely supported by outside resources. Our goal is to be financially independent in 3 years, fully supported by our membership. If God is leading you to give please visit this page for more details. Or you can make out a check to:”Portico Church” and send it to P.O. Box 2641 Keller, TX 76244

If you have any questions please contact us.

The cost for the year is lower that we originally estimated and we thank God for providing great facilities at a reasonable cost. Also, we want to thank those of you who have already dedicated yourself to give and pray for Portico. We covet your prayers and are humbled by your gifts. Dusty and I truly believe God is in control and has called us to plant this church. We simply ask to pray whether or not He is calling you to partner with us for the sake of the Gospel.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my  portion forever.

Since we have been here I have heard story after story of trials, tragedies, and hardships in peoples lives. I am unable to hide in a large church setting now and find myself exposed to so much turmoil. Loss of a child, miscarriages, marital problems, financial instability, diagnosis of diseases and even death are just a few of the plights that have emerged in the last few months. Not that we were ignorant of the brokenness of the world, but possibly we have been just lulled to sleep over the sufferings of others as we progressed through our  years in vocational ministry. However, in the midst of these storms that the people around us are going through, one fact that God has profoundly impacted upon me is that Jesus is enough.

The first week we were church planting I had to walk into the hospital room of one of my dearest friend and mourn with him and his wife concerning the loss of their newborn child who had only lived for 2 hours due to an early birth. As I stabled my emotions before I entered into the hospital room, I prayed that God would speak through me in order to minister to this couple in a way that I am incapable. He had other plans, the lesson of suffering well began.

I stepped into the room, just to be hugged by my towering friend (he is 6ft’8) who had tears in his eyes as he exclaimed, “we got to meet our daughter for a whole two hours.” I was stunned. He continued, “I even danced with her around the room since she will not have a wedding.” I lost it. Ironically this couple who I had prepared to comfort, ministered to me. They truly grasped that our hope is in Christ and not in our circumstances. We mourned and were comforted. We rejoiced in the gift of life and the promise of the cross.

I have not formulated any amazing church planting strategies that men and women will replicate for years to come. People are not flocking to me so that they may here about the gospel and the church. The utopia I envisioned is far from the reality we are now experiencing. However, for the first few months of church planting, the idea of suffering well has become a little clearer. In God’s divine providence, this is exactly the lesson He needed me to learn in order to understand that ”the things of this world, grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace…”

1 Peter 1:3-7
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result inpraise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ

kyle