Seasons changing...

Today it is really feeling like Fall is upon us here in the Northeast.  The leaves are starting to take on a diversity of color and there is a bit of a chill in the air.  It is supposed to get down into the 30s tonight so we will reluctantly, but thankfully, be turning on our heat soon.  New Jersey has very distinct seasons which have been a delight so far.  Late summer was hot but not oppressive, the fall has been great and we are preparing heart, mind and bodies for the gray, cold winter which likely lies ahead.   We are looking forward to the foliage being arrayed in full color in the next month or so. We have even heard rumors of a train ride in New Jersey where you can travel through the beauty of God's creation.  It has always been a cool thought for me that the seasons display a microcosm of our lives every year; life, death and a spring resurrection is echoed all around us in the trees.

Jacob's Well

Yesterday we had the 5^th gathering of our core team with Jacob's Well and completed a short series called "Knowing the Way".  In this series we have looked to Jesus to show us our way forward in planting his church.  We first looked at the identity of Jesus, then the mission of Jesus and how his mission extends through his people.  We are in a season we are calling training camp where we are working to unite our team in theology and mission as we work towards launching Jacob's Well here in central Jersey.

We are asked by many friends how things are going here.  I suppose that question is one of the "glass half empty or full" sort of things.  To be honest, I think things are going great, but reminded every day how massive the task is before us.  Your prayers, friendship, support and encouragement mean more to us than ever.  I suppose I could start by sharing that our group of 11 adults and 3 kids who moved to New Jersey has become (roughly, as in yesterday) 26 adults and 5 kids.  We are not meeting publicly until next year, but we are meeting in living rooms to worship Jesus, teach the Scripture and share a lengthy meal.  I am so thankful for those God is connecting to our community - he is sending us humble and passionate leaders who are gelling well as a team.

Missional Living

This last week is a great example of what we pray our lives would be about here in New Jersey.  I was able to share with the lady who cut my hair about Jesus - it was a great conversation.  She also has two sons who are in their early twenties.  I pray that God would give me opportunity to connect with them at some point; which Mom seemed to want as well.  Young African American guys have been a huge part of my calling and I hope to see that reborn here in NJ.  Later the same day I had lunch with a guy who is an agnostic - we had a great hour and a half conversation about everything from Jesus to UFOs.  A fun guy I am enjoying getting to know a bit. Later in the week I spoke to the Rutgers wrestling team - several guys showed interest so we have some following up to do.  On Saturday night, several families got together with our kids to just hang out and enjoy the time.  Some of the families were from other religious backgrounds or no religious background at all.  This gathering was planned and hosted by one of the families of Jacob's Well who love their neighbors and desire to see others be in context with God's people.   It wasn't a "church activity" - it was life where the church sees its calling to love people and extend the gospel into people's worlds.

A Sent People

Overall, there is way too much need up here to ponder it for too long.  Yet we focus on Jesus and each day before as both a gift and an opportunity for him.  As a team we have been discussing the "sentness" of the church.  That Jesus clearly articulated to his followers "as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you".  It is our hope and prayer that Christians everywhere (particularly in our own country) would embrace the reality that God has sent us to our neighbors, co-workers and friends as his ambassadors.  Sentness may not necessarily mean going across the world but it does mean being sent across the room, across the aisle or across the street.

Financial Update

We are humbled and thankful for the continued financial support that families, churches and friends are giving towards our work. You monthly support is primarily behind our family so that we can lead the mission here full time.  We can say that even in tough financial times, our team has been rock solid faithful and is the means by which God is establishing this community in New Jersey. One of the things I never want to do with Scripture is to treat it as cliché or routine.  For when Jesus says to us "lay up treasures in heaven" he really meant this.  It is such a privilege to see all God's people who are connected to and behind Jacob's Well doing just that.

Some of you have asked about year-end giving with Jacob's Well.  Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood TN is serving us in an amazing way by processing support for the church plant.  Annual givers and year end gifts can make those contributions online here.  We know there are many needs before you every year so we thank you for your partnership and consideration as 2008 comes to a close. 

Our girls are doing well and Tommy the two year old is a torrent of both fun and challenges. Our family is encouraged, we are confronted each day by culture and the difficulty of our mission, but we cling to hope that where God calls he is faithful.  We are finding this true even in the cultural transitions we are walking in today.  Do pray for us - I can't even describe how different our world is today.

Blessings in Jesus,

Reid S. Monaghan

Prayer Requests

• For our family - girls are in school, playing rec soccer (which is amazingly affordable...due to our joyful property tax rate J) and enjoying helping found our childrens/family ministry :)
  
• That I would find a rhythm in the schedule, not work too much
• For multi-ethnic families and/or leaders to connect with our team
• For effective witness to those far from Jesus
  
• For developing all of our ministries - kids, music, connection, interns, campus etc
• For financial challenges ahead - renting facilities, resources for kids, sound/AV, facility refurb and potential staff
• For Kasey as a wife, Mom, soccer coach and follower of Jesus adjusting to life in a very new place