For a moment last night I lost it. I lost sight of the goal. I looked elsewhere for a congregation and forgot I already had one. I lost track of the fact that many of you, for reasons known to you and God, have walls and barriers between you and the church, and that we have been a surrogate church for you. Know that we take this seriously and have no intention of abandoning our post.
I have told you that we are building a prototype of the kingdom of God here that will draw people to Jesus and not away from him, and this is what we are doing and will continue to do. The church is changing. We want to be where the new thing is that God is doing. New wine needs to be in new skins.
We’ve been through a lot together. For me to so easily look to another source of income must have appeared terribly ungrateful to so many of you who have supported us so faithfully for so long. Thank you, and we continue to need you as we always have.
I did receive some nice invitations to pursue staff opportunities in churches on the other side of the country, and though flattered, we are not that easily moved. In fact, at this time we are not going anywhere.
No, like Peter out on the water, I got distracted by the wind and the waves and the fact that what I was doing defies natural law, and took my eye of the goal for just a moment and felt myself sinking. It’s not a good feeling.
I learned that it’s not enough to just have a goal; you have to keep your eye on it and keep moving towards it.
John Fischer The Catch 
I have indeed been fortunate to read your inspired words daily. However, these are tough economic times and I don’t think any of your readers would ever fault you for trying to supplement you income. Anyway, who says that one of the jobs you applied for couldn’t be a divine intervention on God’s part? And yes, I know firsthand what it is to be scared and unsure. The day to day life here on earth reeks of calamities and impossibilities, definitely not for the faint of heart. Many times, after seeing so much need and hurting, especially among the children, I would have WELCOMED the Lord’s coming again. Just so there would be nor more pain for these little ones. Here in Missouri we just saw pain last week as a tornado literally leveled a town west of here, Joplin, MO. Multiple tornadoes, floods, have caused us all to wonder what is going on.
The current economic trends have proved devastating to many. Our friends of 30 years recently lost their business after investing their honesty, integrity and hard work. Don’t close those all those doors, Mr. Fischer. They just might be windows He has put in your path to ADD to your ministry, not detract from it.
Such good words. Thank you.
The thing is, we live by money here in the USA. You need it to eat, you need it to buy clothes, you need for to have a place to live. God wants us to take care of our needs. Both physical and spiritual. The Catch is cool, and reaches so many. BUT, there may be other things out there for you too. Reach and see what God puts in your path:)
I agree with Becky. It’s okay. I had no problem with you mentioning you’d be open to having a physical congregation. Maybe God led you to put that up.
But I also know the struggle you might be going through. I find myself hoping I will make an income off my online writing to supplement our family income due to us really living on the edge. But every time I begin to focus on that I lose sight of why I write. And I feel God wants to say to me, “Jane, I don’t need you to make money.”
That being said, it is a bit different because I am not the primary money earner in our family but still, there is a balance and there’s nothing wrong with questioning that balance or wanting something to help your family.
God bless you and yours!
One great way that we can love our neighbors is to form networks between churches. The guy in Fresno, Ca, a town of a half a million people, who has the biggest network, secular or non-secular, is Alan Doswald of Love, Inc. He has contact people in every church in the town. His ministry is enormously important and I would suggest that you form a network through Love, Inc. This is a great ministry. The obvious advantages to having the connections to this network are…well..obvious. But one unobvious advantage to this is the ability to help local people self-govern. As the Federal and State and County and City governments melt down, it will become imperative that local citizens organize groups to meet social needs. Power is going to fall into the hands of those who earn it. Imagine the internet going kaput! People will need to organize into groups so they can eat, find products, find transportation, find fuel……it’s endless! If churches are networked together the way they are in Fresno, this will be so helpful. I would strongly support ESA and Love, Inc in your community and even consider starting a network that will tie into the national network. You will need it.
Have to look into this. Thanks.
“I learned that it’s not enough to just have a goal; you have to keep your eye on it and keep moving towards it.”
I was too caught up in my own self pity yesterday to read your message… I was allowing my physical life to get in the way of my spiritual life. I work everyday out side my home and feel terribly stressed over the responsibility of it all. I don’t get to do the things I think the Lord would have me do. (As if I really know what He has planned…)
I emailed my Aunt… gave her pithy thoughts about my family and then openly complained about my situation… I admitted that I am blessed… I know this but I was not appreciating it at all. (After all how can one complain when there is food on the table and all the bills are paid??)
She was so good to me… sending her prayers and words of encouragement and immediatly I was humbled.. I had complained about my husband and blah blah blah…. and she wrote back how she understood… after all she never thought she would be 65 when her husband of 10 years died and that she would have to carry on by herself! (My uncle passed away less than two years ago) Oh my! Was I humbled by her words.
I forgot the goal… Everytime I take my eyes off the Lord I am completly blessed to have a gentle reminder. Thank you for being another voice in my life that points me to be focused not inwardly but outwardly and to never stop moving towards the goal.
Beth
John…I agree with the above posters. Pastors have to live too…whether a virtual or physical church. Perhaps a part-time staff position would add to your ministry and open new doors.
Agree.. would be totally understandable, I didn’t take it wrong, because I struggle financially, and I can relate. Perhaps you can find a part-time teaching position somewhere and do Catch the other part of your time. 😛
John, you are human, just like the rest of us. How easy it is to forget that we have these human shells where the Holy spirit lives. No matter how much we try, the flesh can overcome us so easily. Just remember the Apostle Paul, all those years ago, suffered from the same “malady.” Like a former Pastor used to say “We love you- warts and all.” Just keep on keepin’ on….whatever God has in store for you will be an adventure, as always.
Pastor John,
I sense some similar decisions in my own life as you strived when I desire to make as much as someone else or be in a paid pastoral role, but Your pastoral/teaching duties appear to be reaching people that a number of churches are unable to reach for whatever reason. In staying where you are in Southern California, maybe God may be calling you to become a part of the United Methodist Church and the CAL-PAC Conference. It is exciting to see a church that desires to renew the mainline church to reach the non-religious and the nominally religious while listening to other faith such as the Jewish and Muslim as what happened with the vision for Clairemont Lincoln University. Yes, I know that Jesus said that new wine needs new wineskins, but I am reminded of the conversation that God had with Ezekiel where God asked Ezekiel if these bones can live again. Ezekiel responded that only God knows. As a result to Ezekiel’s obedience, the bones not only were fashioned back into humans but were given the Breath of Life from the Life Giver Himself-YAHWEH. Do I hear an Amen in the corner?
Amen. And tell me where I can find out more about what is happening in the UMC. (Just reply to any Catch and it will come to my email.)
Standing with you, no matter where you are.
John, I know your music and writing history, but have only recently re-discovered your teaching and personal ministry as I’ve been re-engaging the roots of my own spiritual journey (you were there in 1974 when I came to the Lord).
I just want to encourage you not to be hard on yourself. I just turned 60. I direct our family-run parenting ministry that my wife and I started in 1994. We operate, to be generous, on a zero-sum faith budget, falling every fall into a cash flow hole. So far, God has not left us in that hole in the past five years of annual hole-dwelling. Nonetheless, every summer I find myself once again looking at worst-case scenarios. The simple reality of rapidly narrowing options at age 60 can be a bit scary. If that’s where you are, or even just somewhere like it, I can commiserate. Although my wife always has more faith than I do, my annual summer-of-introspection is nonetheless an important faith process for me to go through (fwiw, I’m an INTJ).
I suspect you are just processing uncertainty and opportunity in the unique and valuable way that God has made you. You don’t need to apologize for that. I was actually encouraged by your post yesterday, and feel no different about your faith today. Your heart encourages me. I’m praying for you. “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NASB)
Thank you. I appreciate this.
John,
What I really like about you is your authenticity and your vulnerability. That is what makes you real – which is what your readers like, I am sure.
Your own journey is similar to the one I am on right now. God has called me into what I am doing and wants me to trust Him to provide for me. Just this morning in my devotions, I was reading in Galatians 3. God impressed upon me the importance of faith. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. (v3) Those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (v9)
I had already been focusing on faith because of a book I am studying. My mantra these days is “I will not live in fear. I will live in faith.”
Having said that, there is still the real issue of being able to support myself, but God continues to do that for me – I just need to keep on living in faith.
You’ve heard it said, “Do what you’re passionate about and the money will follow.” I know it’s not in the Bible, but God does tell us that He will provide – our job is to seek Him and His kingdom – which is what you are doing.
I appreciate your honesty – and your frailty (looking fora ‘job’). Isn’t it nice that God reminded you that you already have a ministry right here – you need go no further? When you do need to seek more, He will let you know. In the meantime, God is enough – have faith, follow your passion, and He will provide. Look at Abraham – what he went through and the faith he exhibited!
God bless you and your family, John.
Both gladdened and saddened -that you won’t be ‘east’ – i so well appreciate the notion that while Peter had the Lord’s hand and promise, he had 11 other fellows w/ him and other boats near by to say ‘hey -WE’RE going to be ok’ …
John, you’re sounding like a wave being tossed about. I don’t think God works in the heart quite as quickly as you are implying. I don’t think it’s wrong to research other opportunities, if for no other reason than to make yourself thankful for what you have now. But I don’t think that process happens in one day. You sound discontented to me. Maybe you should wait until these processes have come to completion before sharing them on your blog. Otherwise, you make yourself sound… I don’t know… double-minded.
I also think you’re taking yourself far too seriously. You’re not a church, nor are you a harbor for the lost. You’re a voice crying in the wilderness. There’s a HUGE difference between a voice and a spiritual home. A spiritual home includes relationships – especially small group relationships, like you would find in a discipleship group. People are not going to find that on here. So don’t over-rate your importance. You are a catalyst for discussing the things of God, which is an important thing to be. But what you are doing on here cannot, nor should it, ever take the place of the church. The church was God’s idea. Neither you nor I are ever going to replace that.
If you have issues with the church, maybe you should take them to God. Maybe the problem is more with you than with the church. I mean, you’re talking about Christ’s bride. How do you think He feels about that? It’s easy to criticize any institution that contains people. But to change that institution, the way Luther and others have – that takes faith and guts. Are you willing to do what they did, to sacrifice what they sacrificed?
Mr. Waitsel Smith has put into words exactly what has been a nagging feeling in my heart for the last couple of months.
John, I think you have a problem with the Church. I wonder if you are angry about something that has happened to you regarding the Church. You may call it the “organized church” if you wish, but keep in mind that this is where we meet together to praise and worship our Lord, try to fulfill the Great Commission, and do good to those less fortunate. The list goes on and on. The Scriptures are clear that we are ‘not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together’ etc.
There are churches and denominations that have many problems but there are also churches that are doing everything they know to bring glory to God.
Yes, an online devotional is a wonderful help, but it is not the same as meeting together for fellowship and worship. Not even close. An online ‘church’ will never take the place of a place where we can meet face to face.
Thank you Mr. Smith, for your clarity and thank you John, for your love for the Lord and the time you devote to this column.
thought i’d add this to this discussion, from a Kennth Copeland dovation and I thought becauz of some of the comments this appiled: (I think / feel it backs up a bit about brother John as been trying to teach us and how “we” need a new name)
Tell the Good News:
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
(2 Corinthians 5:19)
Very few unsaved people today have ever really heard the good news. Why? Because too many Christians are busy telling the world God is mad at them. And telling them that they’re terrible and wrong. Some call that good news, but it’s not, and it’s not what God has commissioned us to share.
He’s given us the “word of reconciliation”!
He’s sent us to tell the news that God has restored harmony and fellowship between Himself and men. All men. Not just believers. Not just the people in your church, but everyone!
That’s right. The worst old reprobate sinner in the world is every bit as reconciled to God as you are. Look at Romans 5:10 and you’ll see what I mean. It says that “when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”
Reconciled. That word is past tense. God has already restored fellowship between Himself and the world. He did it when there was not one person on earth except Jesus who believed in the new birth. He did it when the entire world was lying in sin.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has cleansed and forgiven and restored to Himself every man, woman and child on the face of this earth. All any of us have to do now is receive that good news.
That’s the good word God has given us. That’s the word we need to share with those who are lost. If we’ll do it, I can almost guarantee you, they won’t stay lost very long.
John, I just have to echo everyone else. And add an apology that I don’t pray for you often enough . . . the prayers of the many – not just me – to uphold you and Marti. It is perfectly understandable that you would test the waters, and if God opens doors – go in! So . . .praying for ya, ol friend!
Thank you.
brother John, I’ll not assume to fully know and understand all what is going on between you and our Lord, I just wud like to also 2nd what Beck and a few other wrote… And boy oh boy don’t I understand this, all to well: “…it’s not enough to just have a goal; you have to keep your eye on it and keep moving towards it.” I’ll add an Amen to that.
As one who receives our total monthly income from a tiny non-profit with unstable funding, I totally understand your desire for some stability so you know the money will be there to pay the bills. I didn’t interpret your post as abandoning your online work. Thanks for what you do!
John, I was driving into Pierre, SD this morning and this post kept going through my mind again. I know I already commented but I want to say, “Give yourself grace.” You would do the same for someone else.
I am beginning to feel that God wants me back in a conventional ‘offline’ church community. A good example is the last ‘offline’ church service I attended. I don’t want to go into detail here, but I can assure you that I felt as if the sermon had entirely been written for nobody else but me.
However, this does not change the fact that I will always appreciate what YOU are doing here. It is not just that I find your words interesting and inspiring, it is also that I think that your online CHURCH here is an excellent supplement to more conventional, ‘offline’ churches. There are things that you can achieve with the Catch that are impossible to achieve for conventional churches. The same goes the other way around as well, but please, do not underestimate yourself.
John, thanks for your honest words. God used them to confirm to me what I read in a book today. My job is to keep my focus on Jesus and not the problems around me. I’ve been letting an empty nest, marital difficulties and estate responsibilities for my Dad’s death overwhelm me. Another writer, Michael Wells, says that there is nothing the presence of Jesus cannot cure. Like you I am going to focus on Jesus and like a shepherd He will lead me. Hang in there my friend.
Leslie Ann
John,
I just love “reading” how your mind works. Your transparency is so refreshing. So many of us have questioned and looked at other possibilities as we have travelled down the rocky road of life. What I discovered was that when I thought I was off the path and not ” keeping my eye on the ball,” God was directing my wanderings and teaching me lessons that would be vital to improtant decisions that were waiting for me down the road. I discovered that as long as I allowed God to be in charge and direct my path, it all worked out for good. He took me to places and experiences that I would never have dreamed for myself. I have learned to think outside of my box and into God’s box which is so much larger. So, John, don’t automatically throw out the possibilities that don’t fit into your box—see if they fit into God’s box.. you may be surprised at what you find.. thank you for sharing so much with us all….
John: I read “I Fought The Law and the Law Won” several years ago at my brother-in-laws house. I took a copy of it home and have had it since. After reading that article I knew I had finally found someone who understood me and my legalisic background. To be changed one has to literally fight the battle each day and turn those old thoughts into truth. Thank you for your honestly and your willingness to speak about your life and what God is teaching you. When I read you were looking for another ministry I was a little confused but on the next day when you explained your thinking, I totally understood. When you open yourself up like that it gives us an example of how we should respond when we find ourselves in similar situatons. Your honestly causes me to respect you more. Thank you for your faithfulness to this ministry, and yes, you are called. No doubt about it. I must confess to you that some of your articles stretch me further than I want to go sometimes. But God is working on me and I am learning to be less judgmental and love others as Christ loves them.
God bless you, your family and your ministry!
Thank you. He’s working on me too.
if more people had their eyes on Jesus like you do this would be a better world. just keep on trucking. ken
I believe that’s sooo true and luv to add an Amen to this….