Yes, It Is True...

This past weekend the announcement was made that my family and I will be leaving the Crossroads staff. I've accepted an offer to join Connections Church in Raleigh, NC.

Connections is a 3 year old church of about 100 people that is pursuing its own unique identity in the Kingdom of God. Connections is a multi-ethnic (USAmerican, Bahamian & Hatian) , multi-generational (birth-60's) community that has a strong desire to honor God by loving and serving its neighbors in the Raleigh metro area. I will serve as the lead pastor, with a focus on leadership, vision casting and teaching. My last official weekend as a part of the Crossroads’ staff will be October 6th & 7th.

Although the opportunity has come quickly, we have a lot of peace about it and believe that God has opened this door for us.

Of course, moving is a bit bittersweet. Heading to Raleigh means that we have to leave Crossroads and all of you that we have come to love so much here. Even though I'm finishing up here in early October, we won't move until we sell our home. I'll end up commuting back and forth to Raleigh, while Jen and the kids stay here. All that to say that our opportunities to connect don't expire in 3 or 4 weeks.

As for a longer term plan, I'll find reasons to be back in Lexington. (Hello- Men's Weekend!) I intend to keep this as my personal blog, so you can all find and communicate with me here. Feel free to subscribe if you are interested. I'm also hooked on FACEBOOK and would gladly make you my friend if you agree not to stalk me. Also, feel free to update my email address to: fredsturner@gmail.com so you can reach me long term.

Thanks for taking the time to stop in and for allowing Jen and me into your lives. We're better for it. Hope you can say the same...

Again And Again And Again

Here's a post that I wrote that also found it's way onto our church's blogs:

Ever come across a song that you just have to hear again? And again? And again?

Right now I'm listening to a song called "This Too Shall Be Made Right" for the 12th time in a row.

The song is off of Derek Webb's current project "The Ringing Bell".

Here are the lyrics:

people love you the most for the things you hate
and hate you for loving the things that you cannot keep straight
people judge you on a curve
and tell you you’re getting what you deserve
this too shall be made right

children cannot learn when children cannot eat
stack them like lumber when children cannot sleep
children dream of wishing wells
whose waters quench all the fires of Hell
this too shall be made right

the earth and the sky and the sea are all holding their breath
wars and abuses have nature groaning with death
we say we’re just trying to stay alive
but it looks so much more like a way to die
this too shall be made right

there’s a time for peace and there is a time for war
a time to forgive and a time to settle the score
a time for babies to lose their lives
a time for hunger and genocide
this too shall be made right

I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door
I join the oppressors of those who i choose to ignore
I’m trading comfort for human life
and that’s not just murder it’s suicide
this too shall be made right

Wow! I'm usually drawn to prophetic voices like this, but even more so today. Maybe because I've spent the last week thinking about God's Holiness.

How will a Holy God respond to all the darkness that goes on in our world (and inside of us)?

What does it say about us if we can't mourn the same things that God does? Or do what is within our power to right injustice?

Although the lyrics are powerful, the combination of the mournful vocals and ringing acoustic guitar drives home the pain in the song to me.

Hear a 30 sec. sample or go big and drop 99 cents on the full deal at itunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=252648283&s=143441&i=252648361

If it doesn't speak to you at all, I'll refund your dollar.

Seriously.