Sometimes I feel like I am not only fighting sin and for the spiritual life of people in my life but I feel like I am fighting the So called church as well. Let me give u some history. I didn't grow up in Church at all. I was raised by an alcoholic father and a mother who was amazing and did everything she could to keep her marriage and us kids happy. I was heavily into drugs (hard and Lite), alcohol, and just about everything a teenager can get into. I have spent time in jail and had what alot of what people told me was a great life. I had alot of friends and partied all the time. I was empty and frustrated with life. One day I went to a church with my friend who partied with me I sat and listened to what the Pastor had to say and was not real particularly moved by it or even really remember what he said I just remember thinking to myself I'll give this God thing a shot. Now we can fast forward I started working with students and went to Bible College. After, I started doing student ministry (professionally) and had horrible experiences with churches. a few years Later I was interviewing for a few Churches to do student ministry for and I found one by us that seemed to be a good fit for us. I was told they wanted me to do student ministry for them and I immediately told them we were interested only if they want us to reach (unchurched) students. They said that was exactly what they were looking for. The only catch was they couldn't pay me a full time salary for a year. So I talked to my wife (Juli) and we decided we could make some sacrifices for a year and I could work part time and give the church the other part for 1 year until they could take me on full time. At the end of that year we found out we were lied to. They couldn't afford us and not only that the "medium sized growing church" was actually a medium sized choking church but The leadership had been spending more (Alot More) money then they brought in. At the 1 yr anniversary for us we were met with a we can't afford you and we are not willing to afford you and also we want you to start "babysitting" (my word not theirs) for our church students. They didn't like the (sinners) we were reaching. In the end we were forced to leave the church. hoping they would create something for these students coming every Thursday night they started a holy huddle were they basically asked any students who don't attend Sunday morning service to not come to youth group. NICE. So we (my wife and I) were left with a choice. Do we let these students just go there way and we go ours or do we try to intervene. (even after all this we still had 5-10 students coming by our house to hang out every week) So we did what we thought any self respecting Christ follower would do. We started a Church for students in our basement. For once in our lives we had people but no ministry to put them in so we made one. It has been a month and I still don't know what to think. Our students are amazing. They are not your usual group of Church kids. In fact most places we go with other churches there it seems like we totally crash the place. People just don't know what to think. So here we are trying to love and care for the students in our lives that have been mistreated and abandoned by the "church" and as I talk to more and more of these "church" people the more discouragement I get from them. They all tell me You can't do it that way or you can't start a church with just students how will you get money, how will you get paid? To all of that I say screw off jerk bags. When and were is it found in Jesus' teaching were we are supposed to get into ministry for the money. Maybe I'm wrong but I really feel like we are doing what God wants us to. Is it easy? not at all. Do we know what it supposed to look like? Of course not. All we know is we have a basement full of students who are on a journey with us to find out what it means to follow God in 2008. We have formed this big family feel mostly dysfunctional but these students amaze me on a regular basis with there love for each other and for others. they take care of each other and help each other in ways I have never seen a church do. I am in the middle of this battle and i feel pressure from both sides the church and the world. I'm stuck in the middle right were I feel Jesus was and it sometimes sucks but you do get to see amazing things if you keep your eyes open for what God is doing. Thanx for reading give me your comments or questions.
Later
MIKE
My favorite line is of course.."screw off jerkbags"..to which I reply DITTO! Keep doing what you are doing, we support you all the way!
Posted by: Karil | February 10, 2008 at 09:38 AM
From an "un-loveable" young adult...please don't give up on the teens. ever.
I love you guys and I'm here whenever you need me.
Posted by: Kolleen | February 10, 2008 at 09:40 AM
mike...this is amazing! underground is going to last. we all appriciate what you do so much. i honestly dont know what i would do without it. it was so hard on everyone when underground ended the first time and really you and juli have changed me inside and out. you made me a Christ follower and ill never be able to thank you enough. what youre doing for me and the guys and everyone is such a good thing in all our lives and for that im thanking you and applauding you for not giving up just because of some stupid fuckin money. =]
Posted by: oliviaaaaaa | February 10, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Keep up the good fight . . . I'm doing my best to keep your back.
Posted by: Samalamadingdong | February 10, 2008 at 06:36 PM