Nine and a Half Years

Over nine years ago Scott and I felt called to plant a church in Lynnwood, WA. Jesus also impressed this dream into others hearts and so we began a journey that reads like a chapter of our life. It has been a long, beautiful, and growing time.

Yesterday, June 22nd, we announced that we will no longer be the pastors of The Rock Church and today I feel sad. I am sad because I am saying goodbye to people who have shared a dream with us. A dream to love and care for people, who in a lot of cases had no church experience. We desired to create a place that felt safe enough for individuals to look into their hearts, for maybe just a moment, to see what they were missing. A place where they could invite Jesus into that empty space.

I can remember in the beginning stages of the church plant Scott challenged everyone to dare to dream. And so for the first time we wrote down ideas of what God might have for The Rock. The sky was the limit. We dreamed about spiritual things and maybe not so spiritual too. I can remember picturing a rock wall in our church foyer. I mean, we were named The Rock, after all.

Not all of the details of our dream came true but what I realize  as I reflect over the past years, is that the heart of our dream came true. The Rock is a place where truly no church experience is required. Just today Scott received, what we consider to be the highest compliment of all. He had a church member say that they had been looking for a church that they felt they could invite their unchurched friends to and they had finally found that at The Rock.

It is time for us to go. God is leading us to a new place but we are content because the heart of the people at The Rock is the same as ours. It is a heart that desires people to know Jesus.

I am sad because I am saying goodbye to some amazing people. I am hopeful for the future. I am anticipating a good year for my family and  a good year for The Rock.  A verse that keeps going over and over in my head as it pertains to my family and The Rock Church family: He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it in you.

Comments

[Johnny Laird]

Hi Michelle

...just bounced over from Scott's blog, so I thought I'd say look after each other, walk the way of Jesus, and I look forward to hearing about exciting times ahead.

Peace & blessings

J

[Scott Harris]

For what it's worth, this compliment I received from this guy is the highest I can ever receive!