The Miami Pursuit

We're Back!

Blogger: Matt

We're down to a little more than three weeks before opening day and the staff is refreshed and ready to go. We all took time to visit family, celebrate Christmas and refuel the tanks.

I personally want to thank everyone out there who stops by the blog(s) on a regular basis. You are an encouragement to us. This has been the most challenging process I have encountered and strangely enough have enjoyed every second of it. Yes, I am strange that way.

Who knows what Sunday, January 27 will look like when The Pursuit Christian Church officially begins but whatever happens may God be glorified.

Tampa Trip

Blogger: Matt

This weekend the staff of The Pursuit Christian Church travels to the west coast (of Florida). Danny Schaffner, Lead Pastor of Common Ground Christian Church and friend of mine for the last decade, has invited us to lead their worship services on Sunday and they are giving us a financial gift to help launch The Pursuit. Did I mention this church is only a couple months old and they are already looking to help start new churches? How generous and bold is that? If you know Danny it is really not a surprise.

I am also thrilled because this is the first time Alex and I will get the chance to work together leading a church service. He will be leading the worship with a band from Common Ground but Eric Hafner (a member and singer/artist at The Pursuit) is going to be in Tampa visiting his grandparents and has agreed to help Alex lead. It has been a long time since I preached. It occurred to me I haven't preached since my last Sunday in Indiana which was the beginning of July at Centerville Christian Church! I am stoked to get this opportunity.

Pray for us this weekend as we travel and for God to use us to encourage and challenge this new church in Tampa.

Chicago Trip - Day 3

FUN DAY!

After sleeping in, the four of us trekked over to downtown Chicago where we ate at my favorite pizza place, Gino's East. Not sure why I'm staring at the outside menu, I know exactly what I want.

After lunch we walked around Michigan Ave. The girls shopped. Alex and I grabbed Starbucks and loitered in the Apple Store.

On our way back to the car we stopped by Ghirardelli to get our gals something to drink. Janie and I were shocked to find out Alex's grandfather was Mr. Ghirardelli himself! We took a photo. The resemblence is striking. Another lesson we learned today...Alex doesn't always tell the truth.

Tonight was the best part of the day in my book. We had our very first "unofficial" staff meeting. We had a great time connecting with God through prayer. During prayer, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the fact that two years ago this vision was laid on my heart to plant this church. Now God is forming an incredible staff with the same vision. This is really going to happen!

The topics:

"What makes a missional church...missional?"

"If we want to be a church that reproduces godly leaders in Miami what does that leader look like?"

Great conversation. Great day. Great God.

Chicago Trip - Day 2

Sunday was another good day at CCC. We attended the 9:30 a.m. service at Yellow Box. Janie and I were excited to meet up with our friends Sam, Renee & Catie Cole who recently moved to Naperville from Indianapolis. I am glad Alex and Erin were able to meet them.

Eric Metcalf, Adult Ministry Director at CCC, made time to spend with Erin and talk small groups. Erin is one of the smartest people I am quickly discovering. I can't wait to see her rage in this area!

Afterwards we went to Cracker Barrell with the Cole's. I miss them so much and we are planning on hooking up with them again on Wednesday when Sam returns from a business trip. If things work out Sam and I might even catch the Yankees and White Sox on Wednesday evening!

Chicago Trip - Day 1

I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. The guys at the NewThing Network invited The Miami Pursuit team (The Diaz & Mehaffeys) to come hang out at Community Christian Church to soak in the experience and see behind the curtain. The more time I spend with Alex and Erin the more I am amazed Janie and I get to serve along side them.

We left very early Saturday morning so we could attend their monthly "Leadership Community" at the Romeoville Campus. This event is used as an opportunity to cast vision, train leaders, and celebrate wins in the church. Pictured right is Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor & fellow blogger, speaking about the current direction of the church.

A monthly meeting for leaders in the church is not something new. What is new is how much fun this "meeting" actually was. Leaders eagerly gave of their Saturday morning because they didn't want to miss it. When told they were cancelling July's "Leadership Community" the crowd actually moaned in disappointment! Of course after witnessing the performance of "If I Could be Dave" (a cover of Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape") I can see why. The band, led by front man Eric Bramlett, absolutely nailed the song. Hilarious.

For lunch Alex spent time picking the brain of Bill Carroll, Arts Director for CCC. Here they are chatting over some Chicago sausages. I'd like to point out that Janie and I ate healthy.

We caught the 5:00 p.m. service at Romeoville and heard Jon Ferguson preach the first message of the series Eat This Book. I love Jon's style of preaching. Very conversational.

Our night wrapped up at Cilantro's, a new Mexican eatery in Romeoville. The food is extraordianary. We highly recommend it.