The list below are the top search keywords people have used over the last month when they arrive at the Project Church website.
This fascinates me because it reveals the curiosity of people about our church. It also shows us what we’re associated with. Our name, beer and bible, coffee house (not anymore), missional, me, and most of all, Jesus.
I look at Google Analytics for our website every month and each time I learn something new. What do you make of this list?
Keywords
project church
church project
projectchurch.net
project church rapid city sd
beer & bible
project church rapid city
projectchurch
beer and bible
churches rapid city
project chuch
“beer and bible” dowtown
“being sent” church
“missional” community in rapid city south dakota
“project church”
against religion just jesus
church as project
church list for rapid city, sd
church rapid city
church services at alternative fuel in rapid city
church+project
churches in rapid city south dakota
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coffee shop church rapid city
divine conversation
epic hero jesus christ
find a church on facebook
http://projectchurch.net/
jason salamun church launch
jason salamun, pastor, project church, rapid city, sd
listing of churches in rapid city, sd
no religion church
non denominational churches in rapid city
project church + beer and bible
project church net
project church rapid city, sd
project church, rapid city, sd
project church, rapid city,sd
rapid city churches
saturday night church services in rapid city, sd
sent movement
service projects church
south dakota “coffee house” jesus
starting a church
the church project
to project church
what kind of project is a church
www.projectchurch.net
Gwyn (my wife) spent hours and hours making Halloween costumes for my kids. She did an amazing job and the kids get to dress up like their favorite video game characters, Zelda and Link.
Every once in a while I jot down some sort of lyric/poetry/ditty. Here’s one I wrote recently titled, “Anything Great.” It’s not polished and a bit incomplete but thought I’d share it anyway.
I’m not a spiritual superhero.
I can’t fly or climb a wall.
I am the chief of sinners
in the line of the apostle Paul.
I don’t know the answer
to every question you may ask.
I’m merely a recovering hypocrite
trying hard to remove my mask.
I can’t be everything to everyone.
As hard as I may try.
I’m limited by my humanity.
But have a hope I can’t deny.
I’m a sinner saved by grace.
Through faith and for love.
Anything great that’s in me
is because of God above.
I don’t play religious games.
I’ve got better things to do.
Like trying to be what I say I believe.
And helping others be it too.
I’m called to bring color
to a world full of gray.
And be good news to everyone
in what I do, think, and say.
People all around us.
Need love only God can give.
Showing his love is key
to the life we’re meant to live.
We are sinners saved by grace.
Through faith and for love.
Anything great that’s in us
is because of God above.
Chewing on this quote from Eugene Peterson found in the introduction to his book, Working the Angles.
“The pastors of America have metamorphosed into a company of shopkeepers, and the shops they keep are churches. They are preoccupied with shopkeeper’s concerns–how to keep the customers happy, how to lure customers away from competitors down the street, how to package the goods so that the customers will lay out more money.
Some of them are very good shopkeepers. They attract a lot of customers, pull in great sums of money, develop splendid reputations. Yet it is still shopkeeping; religious shopkeeping, to be sure, but shopkeeping all the same. The marketing strategies of the fast-food franchise occupy the waking minds of these entrepreneurs; while asleep they dream of the kind of success that will get the attention of journalists.
The biblical fact is that there are no successful churches. There are, instead, communities of sinners, gathered before God week after week in towns and villages all over the world. The Holy Spirit gathers them and does his work in them. In these communities of sinners, one of the sinners is called pastor and given a designated responsibility in the community. The pastor’s responsibility is to keep the community attentive to God. It is this responsibility that is being abandoned in spades.”
I’m very excited to begin this new series at Project Church titled, Rhythms: Everyday Life in the Way of Jesus.
Rhythms will examine the footprints of Jesus (habits, practices, and characteristics) and how we can integrate them into our daily lives as we seek to follow him.
Preparing for this series has been a labor of love as this has been the writing project I’ve been working on since last summer. I’m looking forward to fleshing it out with my friends at Project Church. Who knows? It might actually become a book at some point. (At least, that’s the hope).
If you’re in the Black Hills area, join us at the historic Elks Theatre in downtown Rapid City on Sundays at 10am. If you’re outside the area, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.
The story of Project Church began in my living room with a group of friends who began to dream of a church who tethered ourselves to God and followed wherever he leads.
After six months, we decided to meet in public and began gathering at a local coffee house and welcome more people into our story. Over the last year we have been on a discovery process as we began to build an identity as a gospel-driven community on a mission of love.
Then, out of the blue, we received a phone call from the Elks Theatre over a month ago informing us their 600-seat vintage theater was available. It’s a cultural landmark for our community and is located in the heart of Rapid City with ample parking nearby. After much discussion and prayer, it became clear that God was moving and since we were committed to tethering ourselves to him, we had to go where he led. The decision to move was made and Sunday, October 18 was going to be the big day.
That led us to today where we had our first service and once again God was on the move. We immediately had our largest attendance and a number of people took steps towards Jesus.
Today, we saw that we were part of something bigger than us- something we can’t take credit for – and something that’s just the beginning of what God is going to do in the Black Hills and beyond.
What moved me the most today was seeing spectators becoming participants. It was literally all hands on deck and it was a beautiful sight to behold. I’m truly humbled to be a part of this and to have such amazing people on board with the mission of Project Church. Thank you all so much! I love you guys big time!!! What you did today helped people take steps to Jesus. That is so stinking HUGE!!! And we’re just getting started.
For my friends who are following our story, thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We’ll need them moving forward as we take steps in being the church Jesus had in mind. This is our great project.
For those of you wanting to jump on board, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time!
To listen to today’s message, visit theJesusSessions.org or subscribe via iTunes. The audio quality isn’t the best but it will give you a flavor of today. Below are some snapshots from our first gathering courtesy of Jen for your viewing pleasure.
This Sunday, October 18 at 10am, Project Church is moving to our new home at the Elks Theatre in downtown Rapid City and we want you to join us.
This move signifies a new chapter in the story of Project Church. One year ago we began gathering at Alternative Fuel Coffee House in hopes of creating a community where people who are exploring the Christian faith can belong before they believe and where believers can grow in their relationship with God and be in community with one another.
Having our services at a vintage movie theater like The Elks provides us with a blank canvas in which to bring love and hope to our community. It’s a cultural landmark in the Black Hills, has the largest movie screen in South Dakota, seats over 600 people, and is conveniently located in the heart of Rapid City.
The service lasts about an hour and features down-to-earth teaching, live music, and a time to connect with others. The dress is casual, the coffee will be brewing, and there’s a clean, safe nursery for the little ones.
Like many new churches, Project Church tends to be unchurchy. We will try things other churches may not and use methods not typically seen in more traditional churches. The one thing that doesn’t change, and should never change, is the message. The hope of the gospel. The centrality of Jesus.
That said, I don’t think folks are wanting something totally out there. There’s something to be said for meaningful liturgy and tradition. They can be quite beautiful when fully understood and I wouldn’t be surprised if the current crop of new churches rediscover them in the near future.
I know it’s not the “cool” thing to do in today’s church landscape, but one ancient practice I generally like to do is give a benediction (blessing) at the end of the service.
Benedictions are a practice we see in scriptures from Moses in the Old Testament to the closing of Paul letter’s in the New Testament. They are an opportunity to share a word of encouragement with your community, commission them to live as everyday missionaries, remind them of why your church exists, saturate your service with scripture, or even reinforce the big idea of the message. The benediction also puts a punctuation at the end of your gathering.
So to all my fellow young pastors and church planters, let me end with this:
Perhaps it’s time to bring the benediction back. I know it’s churchy, but even the bible ends with one, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21).
Just a thought.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Below is a transcript of a recent message I gave at Project Church. I hope it encourages you.
I love the television show Deadliest Catch.
The allure of a show like this is the possibility, no probability, of danger and excitement. If the show was about fishermen on quiet waters, trust me, there would be no show. Each episode features rugged crab fishermen who are battling a furious sea in the hopes of scoring a boatload of crabs. There’s drama, tension, humor, adventure, action, and heartache. It makes for good television because it reflects real life.
We can relate because our life is like a ship a sea. Some of us stay close to the marina and others of us crank it up and head full blast into the unknown waters. There are days where the sun shines bright, the breeze kisses our skin, and the waters are gentle. Then there are times when the storms hit causing colossal waves to crash into our ship and often wrecking our lives.
I know for a fact that right now, many of you are here feeling the sting of the storm. Some of you feel lost at sea. You sense that all hope is lost. You’re out of work, your relationships are strained or falling apart at the seams, there’s more bills than money, you or a loved ones health has taken a turn for the worse, or your own messiness has finally caught up with you and now you’re dealing with the consequences.
Others of you are picking up the pieces after the storm with one eye on the reconstruction of your lives and one eyes on the clouds. But for now, you’re enjoying life and everything is cool.
Then there are the rest of you who never left the shore. (We’ll get to you in a bit).
Your life is like a ship.
Some days are smooth sailing.
But inevitably, a storm will hit.
What will you do then?
How will you make it through?
Jesus is no stranger to the storms of life as we will discover in this scene from Matthew 14.
Prior to this scene Jesus and his disciples had experienced two dramatic events. One was the beheading of John the Baptizer. He was a cousin of Jesus and a prophet who had a unique role in preparing the way for Jesus.
Shortly after Jesus heard the news he got in a boat (it seems) to have some time alone. Remember, Jesus at this time was fully human and fully God. Meaning, he experienced the pain of loss and the storms of life. Eventually, the crowds (a size of a sports stadium) caught up to him and we’re told he had compassion on them and healed them. It’s during this moment that he turned the fives loaves of bread and two fish and fed over 5,000 men plus the women and children. It was a miracle of biblical proportions. The disciples and the crowd just witnessed something unexplainable- unless of course, Jesus was the Son of God.
The scene then cuts to the perhaps the most infamous moment in the life of Jesus outside his crucifixion and resurrection. Let’s pick it up in verse 22 and look at the whole passage and then walk back through it together.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Wow! That’s a powerful story. Yes, Jesus walked on water! But there’s so much more for us. Let’s look at the beginning of this scene.
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
Notice who put the disciples into the boat. It was Jesus! He sent them into danger. It’s early evening and Jesus goes with the disciples and puts them in a boat doesn’t get in with them. I wonder what they were thinking? “So, are we just supposed to hang out in the boat?” “Anyone bring a deck of cards?”
Jesus went to pray until their ship was about 3-4 miles away. This was not by accident and something we can learn from.
First, this is a picture of what Jesus does for his people in Heaven. He is our mediator with God (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus knows the best teacher is experience and these 12 young men are about to experience something dramatic.
What Jesus wanted to teach them wasn’t on the safety of the shore but in the danger of the unknown waters.
He does the same with you and I. Have you ever felt like you were a ship a long way off from shore. Ever wondered if God was there? Ever felt alone? Hopeless? Confused? Ever think that perhaps God wants you to feel like that? To get to the end of yourself? To find yourself in situations that are uncomfortable and unsure?
Like the wind which was against the disciples, so it seems like everything is against you. Can you feel it? Fear creeps into the bottom of your gut and worry and anxiety fill your mind. WHERE IS JESUS NOW?!!!
I’ve been here. I’ve been here so many times in my life and I’ve shed angry tears wondering where God was. Whether it was the death of good friends or the heartbreak of love lost or the helpless feeling of being out of work. I have been there!
Storms are a great teacher and God uses them to teach us and to grow us. He’s like a parent who seeks to develop us into the people we’re meant to be. Sometimes, the storms are discipline, consequences of our actions. Other times, they are teachable moments in life that shape us. We often pray for God to get us around the storms but really he wants to get us through them. Growth comes by going through the storm, not by avoiding it.
Have you been there? Are you there right now? Do you feel like a small ship overwhelmed by a giant raging sea?
In moments like this, our view of Jesus is critical. If he is merely a good teacher or a prophet of old, then what good is he right now? The teacher and prophet is up in the safety of a mountain, probably under shelter, away from the fury of the storm.
But if you believe Jesus is who says he is. God become man who loves you and promises to never leave you. If you can hear his voice in Isaiah 43:1-2 where he says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Is this your Jesus? Only this Jesus, the real Jesus, can rescue you and I. Not just from the circumstances of our life but from the depravity of our own soul. Jesus cares about both your life and eternity. Without Jesus, your heart is a ship at sea and it will tip over and wreck unless you believe that Jesus indeed is God who came to rescue you from your sins. The good news is Jesus has come like a rescue-diver to save us. He never lets go. Check out this clip from the film, “The Guardian.”
Can you see Jesus in that? I hope so.
Jesus has left the comfort of heaven to the messiness of earth to save you. He is the Great Rescuer.
Let’s continue.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
The fourth watch is between 3am-6am. This storm has come at the darkest time of the night and the disciples have spent about 9 hours battling this storm. At sea, that feels like forever. But Jesus walks on water to them and he rose from death for us. He does the impossible and THIS IS FREAKY to the disciples in the boat!
The disciples try to use their limited human description to describe the indescribable. How would you feel if you saw what they’re seeing? Their fear has kicked into high gear and Jesus calms the sea of their heart by saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
As the storms rage in our lives, he says the same thing to us. “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” He’s calling you to a furious faith.
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Don’t you think Peter is being foolish here? Jesus is calling him to a furious faith. A faith so explosive it sees not the storms, but Jesus. Peter is walking on water! The same dude who will later deny Jesus three times when it mattered most. God has a habit of calling unlikely people to do unlikely things. This is one of them. Imagine the thrill.
For a moment in time, Peter experience something none of us will. He walked on water. To do that, he had to leave the boat of safety. What’s your boat? What’s your source for safety and security besides God? If you don’t know just look at what you’re afraid of. Your fears will tell you what your boat is.
The story takes a turn.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Peter saw the wind. To see the wind he had to take his eyes off Jesus. Peter doesn’t sink and become afraid. He becomes afraid and then sinks. There’s a big difference.
We could focus on Peter’s failure but perhaps there are 11 bigger failures sitting in the boat. Peter’s the only one with the guts to get out of the boat.
Some of you are sitting in the boat but Jesus is calling you outto him. Peter didn’t ask for a guarantee, just a chance. A chance to come after Jesus and get a taste for the life in full. God’s calling is not to survive- it’s to be faithful.
This is why some of us don’t even leave the shore. We’re scared.
Fear prevents many of us from doing what God has called us to do. I’ve heard it said that fear and faith cannot reside in the same heart. it’s true. We must choose to trust God or see the wind.
Is there anything in your life that you’re doing that you could not do without God? If not, dream bigger. God calls his people out of the boat.
Faith calls us into some crazy places I know. The Spirit of God leads us beyond what is normal. A raging storm in the middle of the night. Living on less so you can give more to those in need. Taking a new job. Staying where you’re at. Teaching in a dangerous place. Beginning a new business. Going back to school. Starting a church.
Why not put your faith in the one who can make the winds cease. The one who is not only above all, but in all. He’s right there with us calling us to a better story. Hope got Peter out of the boat and hope is calling you out too.
This is why he gave us the church. We need each other because together we’re called to do something far greater than any one of us can do alone. To bring good news and be good news to this world.
Churches are not called to safety, they are called to be far from shore. For churches, storms are not unusual, but expected. Jesus commands his church to leave the boat of safety and walk on water to him. He’s on a rescue mission in this world and has called us to join him in a journey of faith, hope, and love.
Are you a part of a church community? If not, let encourage you to connect with one that’s centered on Jesus, guided by scripture, driven by the gospel, and rooted in love.
Finally, if you’re in the midst of a storm, let me leave you with this: God’s love for you is more furious than the storm. He has promised to be with you. Nothing is beyond him. He is greater than we can ever imagine, better than we realize, and bigger than your storms.
For the record, the thoughts expressed here do not necessarily represent my family, my friends, my church, my employer, my dog, or the human race in general.
Thank you
