Life Proceeds Structure

Our good friend and team-lead, Brian Weaver, is fond of saying that, "Life proceeds structure." In other words, if we build systems, programs and opportunities that don't first consider, and then reflect, the lives of the people we serve, then our efforts are likely in vain. Actual lives - the way they are actually lived - are the building blocks of effective churches. Everything has to work within the context of lives if anything is going to work at all - and the only way we can understand those lives is through authentic relationship.

Brian is a smart guy.

We've seen that principle at work in the post-Christmas, German winter. After an incredible run up to the holiday season, we saw a sharp drop off in participation. Cold weather malaise is a thing, to be sure. It takes more than programs to get someone out in the freezing sleet. It takes friendship. So, we went back to the basics: phone calls, emails, texts, coffees, lunches and general hangouts. None of this was set up to ask, "Hey, where were you?" Instead, it was our chance to ask, "Hey, how are you?" We never brought up attendance, asked for help, or pitched vision. The results have been remarkable. The English-speaking life group has had some of the best meetings we've ever been a part of, the creative team has grown substantially and there's a fresh momentum in the NewLife Frankfurt community.

Part of that momentum is a sudden burst of original praise & worship songs in German. Less than 3% of Germans are practicing Christ-followers. So, statistically speaking, there are not a lot of churches in Germany and of those, few have the resources to write and record original music in German. That's not to say there are none, or that there aren't excellent translations of English-language songs. But, no matter how great a Hillsong tune sounds in Deutsch, there's no replacement for songs sung from German hearts in the German language. Every "people" should have expressions of their love God that are unique to their culture. He loves our diversity and He deserves diverse praise. So, a few months ago we started a song-writing circle at our house. We provided a roof and sandwiches, they provide the unique cultural offering. And, it's been both a total blast and a real success. We were nearly in tears a couple of weeks ago when one of our our worship leaders opened the service with a kickin' song that he wrote and the circle helped to polish. We're recording it soon and I hope to send a copy to you guys in the near future. It's killer.

Micah singing his fantastic new song, Bei Dir Sein.

So, thank you guys for your prayers - especially for wisdom and especially for relational wisdom. The church, after all, is people. We're also super-grateful for your continued generosity. Every month we're amazed that the Holy Spirit puts us on your hearts - it's a real honor to be a part of what God is doing here in Europe. You're all a part of it as much as we are.

On that front, one of New Life's goals is to make both of the current campuses independent in terms of equipment and team-members. Right now, a team sets up for church in the suburb of Oberursel, holds service, and then packs everything back into the van, drives into central Frankfurt, sets it all up again, and holds a second service before tearing it all down, packing it up, and driving it to storage. However, just this last week, another church sold the Frankfurt campus a large portion of the equipment needed for services at a truly miraculous discount! As if that wasn't enough, the facility we rent offered us on-site storage! These are massive, God-orchestrated wins. It will save the team hours of work every week and allow both campuses to better focus on what matters most - the people. We hope to help the Frankfurt campus complete their equipment needs so that it is no longer necessary to drive and unpack the van for two campuses each week. This will allow the Oberursel campus to add a second service and give the Frankfurt campus the breathing room needed to develop team leaders with an eye toward either another service or perhaps planting a third campus. With the breakthroughs mentioned above, we're within arms reach of that goal. However, we do still need some equipment (drum machine, bass, stands, microphones, etc.) and storage cases to finish the job. If God puts it on your heart to support that effort, please make a note in your contribution. Blessings to You and Yours!

From Top to Bottom, Ashley and Ember hanging out in Kids' Church with Jane (who is a missionary from Scotland), August celebrating his 9th birthday with friends, Remi enjoying the snow (and we've had lots of it!), Frankfurt campus Pastor, David Ju-Young Kim, bringin' it, shots from Deeper Worship Night, and Ashley enjoying the ever-fantastic "Kleinhallemarkt," an indoor market, on a sub-zero day.