There is a God who would gladly speak if only we would carve out enough space from the noise to hear. 

God is near, and He is relational.  He wants to speak to the innermost places of our soul.  The problem with not hearing him has a lot more to do with us, than with Him.  He speaks loudest to our souls in whispers…we can’t hear His whispers without silence…and we can’t have silence without creating a space away from the noise.  Our lives are so full of noise.

This is a link to the video we showed this past Sunday at our Worship Gathering.  As you watch this again, crank up the volume on your computer.  Be ANNOYED by the noise, and rest in the silence.  After you watch it ask yourself, “do I have a rhythm of space in my life?”  If not, what is your plan?  Will you put together a rhythm of space throughout the course of everyday to be silent, and get away from the noise.  God always has been, and always will be, a communicating who would gladly speak if only we carved out enough space from the noise to hear!

http://vimeo.com/35541582 

Pastor Ronnie

On Sunday we started a new series called, “Elements”.  Throughout this series we are going to discover some essential elements needed to position our whole lives before Jesus in a way that invites Him into our whole lives, so he can transform our whole lives. 

The first essential element we discovered about was Rhythm.  Without rhythm we cannot experience the kind of life God wants for us, but with it we have a chance to experience a life that only He can give.  People with rhythm have something different in them that allows them to endure what life throws at them. 

So, what about you?  Do you have rhythm in your life?  Do you have rhythm with your work, play, quiet? 

This week I challenge you to get alone with a journal and pen, and to ask God (that’s praying, by the way) the following questions.  Don’t rush this time.  If you feel like you hear something (that may be God) write it down.  Here are the questions to ask…

1. In what areas of my life am I out of rhythm? 

2. When in my life has God uniquely broke through to me…that I sensed Him…that He was real? 

3. If Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 is true, what does that mean for me today?

Now…what will you do?  That’s the real question.

Pastor Ronnie

We truly believe the nation that God has called us to engage long term to help influence and transform is Burma.  Burma is a hurting country that has been in a civil war for over 60 years.   This has caused many Karen people to flee their homeland as refugees.  Many Karen refugees have ended up in Omaha, and we have been working with them here, as we have been praying for their country. 

Well, there has been some huge developments in Burma recently.  God may be doing some awesome things.  If these things continue down the path they are on, the county could be wide open for groups like ours that want to help rebuild, restore, and TRANSFORM the country. 

A quick scan of the following articles will give you an overview of some of these developments -

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/13/world/asia/myanmar-cease-fire/index.html?c=&page=0

Please continue to pray for Burma!

Pastor Ronnie

Yesterday we had our 2012 Spring Transformation Service at Relevant.  We do these services three times a year to praise Jesus for what He cares about the most, for what only He can do, and for what He has chosen to do through Relevant…TRANSFORMATION.  That is all we care about.  That is why we exist. 

One of the ways we celebrate transformation at these services is through baptism.  Yesterday we were able to baptize another 10 people.�
• Kate Gusse
• Josh Gusse
• Ellie Jaeke
• Chris Smith
• David Jorgenson
• Julie Jorgenson
• Patrick Mscarello
• Micki Schwerdtfeger
• Jake Uleman
• Cheryl Koepke

Please be in prayer for these people this week and ask God to continue to do transforming things in and through them.

Our Christmas Eve services were so fun.  We were reminded that our worship is the only gift we can give Jesus, and the only gift He wants from us. 

What’s the only worship you can give Jesus, and that He wants from you?  You!  You are the gift.  Not on one day of the year, but every day.  He wants and deserves our adoration, reverence, trust, hope, dependence, reliance, and all of our heart. 

Our life of worship starts with faith in Jesus!  It was so awesome to watch the spiritual journey of Traci, and how she came to discover this truth.  You can watch her story again: http://vimeo.com/33990123

The final question remains for all of us now: Have you given Jesus the only gift he wants from you?  Have you given him you?

Pastor Ronnie

Christmas Eve Service is one of my favorite services of the year.  There is nothing better than a bunch of people coming together to sing Christmas Carols in red and green sweaters with Santa Claus embroidered on the front.  Seriously, I love this service.  I love it because of who we come together for, Jesus; and what we come together for, to celebrate His birthday. 

I also love this service because many people, who will not normally attend a church service, will attend this one.  I realize that many of them will come out of religious obligation, but they will come.  Jesus told us where two are three are gathered in His presence, His Spirit is there as well.  Wherever God’s Spirit is, He is working to transform hearts and lives.  That means, God can get a hold of people’s hearts at this service and begin to transform them, even though they aren’t expecting it! 

For that reason, I challenge every person at Relevant to begin to pray for the people they are investing in.  Pray for them as you invite them to the Christmas Eve Service.  Pray that if this service will help them on their spiritual journey, they come.  Pray that as they come to the service, God does an amazing work in their hearts. 

This year we are doing two Christmas Eve Services – 4pm and 5:30pm.  I can’t wait!

Pastor Ronnie

A couple weeks ago we introduced the “Take Out Experience” challenge to everyone at Relevant.  If you missed the past couple of Sundays, let me explain…

Most of us could be considered “rich” due to the fact that we have more than we need.  The way many of us approach gift-giving at Christmas definitely falls under the category of “extra”.  So here’s the challenge: budget the amount you’re planning to spend on Christmas gifts. Then, give away a percentage of that budget.  

Here are the general Guidelines:
1. Do not give in addition to budget, give out of budget.
2. Do not take from your regular tithe.
3. Do not give this money to Relevant.
4. This is not a fundraiser. This is about blessing others.
5. Share your story of what you are doing for the “Take Out Experience” by sending us an email at takeout@relevantcommunity.org
6. Fill out the gift sticker and bring it to Sunday Service (extra gift stickers are by the Take Out Box at the Sunday Service): “TO” is what you did with the money. “FROM” is you or your family’s name.

Here are some examples of ways to give to help you get going:
1. Take co-workers out to lunch
2. Help a single mom buy gifts for her kids
3. Pay to have your friend’s car fixed
4. Leave a huge tip
5. Buy groceries for a neighbor
6. Give to charity
7. Buy toys or food for the Culture Investment Serving Opps (for more info – http://www.relevantcommunity.org/events.aspx)
8. Pay for a date for a stressed out couple you know. And maybe offer to babysit

This is an awesome opportunity to be a blessing in someone’s life this Christmas.  Not by spending more money, just by reallocating some of the money you were already going to spend.  I really hope that everyone at Relevant accepts this challenge.  For more info on the “Take Out Experience”, go to http://www.relevantcommunity.org/takeout/

Pastor Ronnie

On September 25^th I gave a sermon entitled, “Committed to Relationships.”  I believe the content of that sermon is so valuable for every person who is a part of Relevant, that I want to reiterate some of the main points from that sermon again. 

You need Authentic Connections of TOGETHERNESS w/ others.  You will agree or disagree with that statement depending on where at on your spiritual journey, and what your experience with relationships has been; however, I know this to be true because God said He designed us for them – “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2). 

By authentic connections of togetherness, I mean relationships of accountability, belonging, care, dependency, love, support, care, lifting up, walking side by side, doing life with, always being there for one another, trust, giving hope, fun, companionship, etc.  So, who are the ppl you have this type of togetherness with? Chances are, not too many. 

I am currently seeing a really cool thing at Relevant.  More and more people are desiring authentic connections of togetherness with others.  It is exciting to see because it shows that we are being transformed more into God’s image.  But there is a huge disconnect.  We desire them, but most of us are not experiencing them; therefore, many of us are asking if these types of relationships are really possible.  

Yes!  It’s possible, but not as probable.  What I mean is that even though most of us desire these types of relationships, we get to a certain point in our relationships and STOP.  We remain acquaintances.  The possibility of authentic connections of togetherness only becomes a probable reality if we choose to break through this barrier.  This will not happen by accident.  It will require intentionality.    

#1 You develop authentic connections of togetherness by being…TOGETHER – eating, praying, learning, watching football, hanging out, playing golf, going out for coffee, etc.  If you are going to develop authentic connections of togetherness you need to be together with others, a lot.  The only thing Relevant can do to help you in this is Small Groups.  After that…it is up to you!

#2 You develop authentic connections of togetherness by intentionally investing in others.  Most of us wait for people to pursue us.  You can’t wait!  You must take action.  A great question to ask yourself today is, WHO ARE YOU INTENTIONALLY INVESTING IN TO DEVELOP AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS? Who are you calling to have coffee with, inviting over for dinner, serving, meeting the needs of, etc.?      

These two actions steps can radically change your relationships.  So, let me close with two final questions.  First, who are the people you can potentially develop authentic connections of togetherness with?  Second, what will you do?  If you are already coming up with a bunch of excuses, that is OK, but you are choosing to “go it alone.”  Let’s not go it alone!  Don’t wait for relationships to happen to you.  They won’t happen by accident.  Be the person who takes the step to invest…today!      

Pastor Ronnie

I wanted to share a really cool story with you.

About 11 months ago I met for my first premarital counseling session with a couple named Matt and Stephanie.  Stephanie was attending Relevant because of an invite from her sister, and had put her faith in Jesus since becoming part of Relevant; but, Matt had yet to attend a Sunday service.  At this first meeting Matt told me that he had never really been to church, was not sure that God even existed, and for sure didn’t believe that Jesus was the Son of God.  Before the end of our time together I told Matt that my only goal before he got married was that he put his faith in Jesus.  He looked at me like I was crazy. 

To my surprise, Matt and Stephanie agreed to attend our 12 week couple’s small group in the Spring.  The first week Matt showed up it looked like he was going to have an anxiety attack (he had never been in a setting like this before).  Through the small group we talked about God’s design for marriage.  Matt had an opportunity to hear the message of Jesus and be with other couples who loved Jesus.  Matt also started attending Relevant’s Sunday service.  We wrapped up our small group in April.  At the last small group Matt told the group he still wasn’t sure about the whole Jesus thing, but that he was definitely more open to it because he had come to the point to believing that God does exist. 

I spent a lot of time in prayer (and so did many others) leading up to my last premarital counseling session was them in July.  Toward the end of the session I asked Matt where he was currently on his spiritual journey, and he told me that he had come to the place believing Jesus was the Son of God, and that He died for his sins.  Before our time was over, Matt had put his faith in Jesus – asking Jesus to be the forgiver of his sins, and leader of his life.  AMAZING!

I performed Matt and Stephanie’s wedding in August, and had the honor to baptize both of them in September.  It was so cool talking with Matt before he got baptized and him telling me, “if you would have told me a year ago that I would be doing this, I would have told you that you were crazy!”

God works powerfully to transform lives! 

Pastor Ronnie

Today I am posting the final of 6 papers I had to complete for my ordination through the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I hope this final paper is helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #6 on “Completing Christ’s Mission” - completing-christs-mission-paper

Pastor Ronnie

On Sunday, September 11th, we had an Anniversary Service to celebrate Relevant’s 2 year anniversary.  The primary thing we celebrated at this service was the spiritual transformation that has taken place in people’s lives over the past year at Relevant. One of the ways we celebrated this is through baptism.  We baptized 9 people. It was such an awesome time. I love baptizing people more than anything.

The following are the names of the 9 people who made the publicly declared their faith in Jesus through baptism at that service. Please give God praise for working in these people’s lives, and for transforming them.  Also, please pray for their protection from the evil-one. I know they are going to come under attack after making the public demonstration of their faith through baptism…
* Kevin Smith
* Brooke McCoy
* Gretchen Baker
* Emily Cole
* Renee Johnson
* Robert Frank
* Matt Stelzer
* Stephanie Stelzer�
* Jake Williams

Pastor Ronnie

Today I am posting the 5th of 6 papers I had to complete for my ordination through the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I hope this paper is helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #5 on “Christ’s Body - The Church” - christs-body-the-church

Pastor Ronnie

September 13th is Relevant’s official 2 year anniversary.  What an amazing journey so far. 

We started Relevant with the enormous mission of spiritually transforming people, to become a transforming church, that is part of glocally transforming the world.  We are a long way from achieving that mission.  However, as we turn 2, our measure of success is not have we achieved our mission, but have we grown to take steps toward it.  And WE HAVE.  The past year we grew in some key foundation pieces that will enable us to continue to take steps toward our mission in the future…

1.     Foundational Leadership Growth: At Relevant we believe that Jesus is the hope of the world, the church is his agent of hope, and great leaders are the hope of the church.  This means that we can’t achieve our mission without people being willing to lead.  This is happening.  Over the past year our leadership team has double.  But that is just the beginning.  We can’t’ achieve our mission without people developed into great leaders.  I am amazed at quality of leaders God is assembling and developing at Relevant.  As I look at our leaders I think to myself, “God, what can’t you do through us?”

2.     Foundational Culture Investment Growth: Over the past year we have gained enormous credibility with our city to help set us up to help transform it in future.  One example of this is when the Elkhorn School District Superintendent recently said about Relevant, “That church truly cares about our schools.”

3.     Foundational Nation Engagement Growth: The past year we identified Burma as the unreached people group that we feel called to engage in long term.  We have engaged Burmese refugees locally in many different ways, and have a plan in place for how to engage Burma “there.”  However, the biggest “growth” in this area is that more and more people of Relevant are believing that WE (everyone at Relevant) are the missionary; not that we send “special” people to be missionaries.  

4.     Foundational Transformation Growth: One word sums up what I care most about and if we are successful = Transformation.  We haven’t done everything right at Relevant, but as long as we see people’s lives being transformed, then we are winning.  We have seen some awesome transformation take place in people’s lives the past year: 33 commitments of faith in Jesus, 30 people baptized (plus 9 more this past Sunday), people have fallen in love w/ the Word of God, marriages have been healed, the power of sin has been broken in people’s lives, authentic connections have been created…to just name a few things

I wish I could share all the stories of transformation, but I can’t.  Instead, I would like to show you a few.  On Sunday we celebrated our 2 year anniversary at our Sunday service and the following two videos were shown.  As you watch these two videos my hope is that your praise God with me.  Praise Him for the transformation that only He can do.  Praise Him for what He has done in and through Relevant.  Praise Him for what He is going to do in the next year.  To view the videos follow this link: http://www.vimeo.com/relevantcommunity/videos.  The two videos that we showed on Sunday were…

·         Year 2: A Look Back

·         Year 2: Transformation Stories

I can’t wait to se what happens this next year!

Pastor Ronnie

Today I am posting the 4th of 6 papers I had to complete for my ordination through the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I hope this paper is helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #4 on “Christ Our Coming King” - christ-our-coming-king

Pastor Ronnie

Today I am posting the 3rd of 6 papers I had to complete for my ordination through the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  I hope this paper is helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #3 on “Christ Our Healer” -christ-our-healer

Pastor Ronnie

Have you put your faith in Jesus by asking Him to be the forgiver of your sins, and leader of your life?  If so, have you publicly declared your association with Jesus through baptism?  If not, what are you waiting for?  I want to challenge EVERY person who is has put their faith in Jesus, but has yet to be baptized to do so at our anniversary service on September 11th. 

This Sunday is the final day to sign up.  You can sign up online today at http://www.relevantcommunity.org/events.aspx.

If you still have some questions about baptism go to http://www.relevantcommunity.org/baptism.aspx.

Pastor Ronnie

We are called to Elkhorn!  In my sermon yesterday, I answered the question about how Relevant will be different to achieve our mission of transforming Elkhorn.  If you missed this sermon, you should really check out the podcast. 

Relevant will be different not by doing church IN Elkhorn, but by being a church FOR Elkhorn.  We are a church for Elkhorn by seizing the opportunities all around us offered by the needs of the families in Elkhorn.  We seize these opportunities by serving!

A BIG need as been presented to us to seize.  The Elkhorn School District has said that they are in need of 100 mentors/tutors for their students this school year.  They have asked us if we can provide those 100 mentors/tutors, and we have said, “no problem!” 

Relevant family…the 100 challenge has been set before.  This is a need in our city.  A need we can meet.  Will YOU accept the challenge of becoming a mentor/tutor for an elementary, middle school, or high school student in Elkhorn?  Will YOU meet this need?  Will you GO? 

If you are interested, please go to the Events Page (http://relevantcommunity.org/events.aspx) and sign up.  Let’s be a church FOR our city!!!

Pastor Ronnie

This last year I had the privilege to be Ordained through the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The process to be ordained was not easy or short. Actually, the entire process took about two years and included completing many assignments, training events, reading 11 books, an oral interview on theology, and reading through the Bible twice. It also included writing six doctrinal papers: 4 of them on the 4 main beliefs the Christian and Missionary Alliance hold about Jesus, 1 on the church, and 1 on missions.

Well, for all you doctrine junkies, I would like to share these papers with you, one at a time.  Today I am posting paper 2 of 6. Hopefully these papers can help deepen you knowledge and understanding of what we believe at Relevant. I hope they are helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #2 on “Christ Our Sanctifier” - christ-our-sanctifier

Pastor Ronnie

This last year I had the privilege to be Ordained through the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  The process to be ordained was not easy or short.  Actually, the entire process took about two years and included completing many assignments, training events, reading 11 books, an oral interview on theology, and reading through the Bible twice.  It also included writing six doctrinal papers: 4 of them on the 4 main beliefs the Christian and Missionary Alliance hold about Jesus, 1 on the church, and 1 on missions.

Well, for all you doctrine junkies, I would like to share these papers with you, one at a time, starting with this blog posting.  Hopefully these papers can help deepen you knowledge and understanding of what we believe at Relevant.  I hope they are helpful for you in your own personal growth and understanding.

So…here is paper #1 on “Christ Our Savior” - christ-our-savior

Pastor Ronnie

“The church is not giving me what I need, so I need to go find anotherchurch where they will.”  As we talked about yesterday at our worship service, this is a consumer mentality.  Unfortunately, the consumer mentality is completely different from what Scripture teaches us.  Furthermore, the consumer mentality is what will keep you from experiencing spiritual transformation. 

In Romans 12:1-8 we see one glaring principle stand out: The more connected you are in the body of Christ, the more you allow Jesus to continue to change everything.  Once we put our faith in Jesus, He changes everything by immediately connected you as a member of the Body of Christ…the Church.  Now Jesus calls us to connect as a fully functioning member of a small body (called the local church) by serving with the gifts you have been given.  It is interesting to me that the first thing Paul talks about in Romans 12 about how to be a living sacrifice is this issue. 

If you want Jesus to continue to change everything in your life, going from a consumer to an investor by serving with the gifts God has giving you in the local church is not an option.  So, are you connected as a fully functioning member at Relevant by serving with the gifts you have been given?  If not, I implore you to DO IT!  Choose to connect.  Do it for your own spiritual transformation.  Do it for others.  Do it for the mission of what God has called us to.  You are needed!

Don’t know where?  Check out the different teams you can serve on: http://relevantcommunity.org/teamplayer.aspx 

Pastor Ronnie