FOUR CONFESSIONS OF A CHURCH PERSON TURNED CHRISTIAN

My name is Taylor.  I am 25 years old and have been attending church since the womb.  Many different good ones.  It is my desire to serve Christ with my entire life in His church.  But first, I have a few confessions...

CHURCH TAYLOR

1. I was DEMANDING.

Before I was growing in the Gospel, I expected my preferences to be honored by the world and other Christians.  There was little room in my religious paradigm for offenses.  I could be friends with you so long as you didn’t offend me or violate my expectations of how things have to be.  I felt it my duty to correct you if you were wrong and was typically more affectionate toward my opinion than to the person standing right in front of me.  This is a trademark characteristic of a pharisaical church person, and was of me.

2. I was RIGID.

Before I was growing in the Gospel, new stuff freaked me out.  I preferred predictability.  It’s been said that the only thing we can be certain of is change, so I did everything I could to keep the changes outside the four walls of my compartmentalized faith.  Why change things up when what we’ve always done has worked fine up until now?  I liked the music, and the preaching, and the classes, and the announcements, and the building, and the - heck, I even liked the offering, as long as everything was the same as last week.  Familiarity was my security, not Jesus.

3. I was FORMAL.

Before I was growing in the Gospel, my religion was remarkably impersonal- almost memorized, then recited. I took church very seriously, and myself even more so.  While I knew that joy was a fruit of the Spirit, I was careful not to enjoy myself too much when fellowshipping with other believers.  After all, God is holy; I didn’t want to be like those liberals or charismatics who went to church and felt great at the same time. The people in my neighborhood went very untouched by my life and testimony- “Why socialize with a pagan when they can so easily attend one of the ceremonies at my church?”  Of course I never said that, but lived it.  Lost and hurting people were never touched with Christ’s love as my faith was a formality.  I also didn’t feel like I was allowed to have personal struggles, much less share them at church.  So I was unwilling to open up with others about real things in my life, like hidden sin, temptation, and doubt…

4. I was DOUBT-LESS

 Before I was growing in the Gospel, I was scared to death of my doubts. I mean, I tried to never have them, but whenever an occasional curiosity or inconsistency provoked me to wonder about something in the Bible or the church, I couldn’t push it out of my mind in self-rebuke fast enough.  How dare I doubt God?  How dare I doubt what I’ve been taught?  Why is my faith so flimsy to have a doubt?  God forgive me.

But check out what Jesus did...

CHRISTIAN TAYLOR

1. Now I’m GRACIOUS.

As I have begun to grow in the Gospel, I have been learning how infinite and inexplicable God’s grace is toward me- and was, on the cross.  Rather than rebuking or just all together avoiding people who swear, stink, and look WAY different than me, I am learning to extend the same kind of mercy and grace that Christ showed me in His death.  I’m beginning to experience the joys of listening to, learning from, and loving on a messed up life, before trying to conform it to my beliefs and opinions- biblical as they might be.  Confident in the Gospel, I’m no longer afraid to hear the problems other people have with it.

2. Now I’m FLEXIBLE.

As I have begun to grow in the Gospel, I have been learning the joys of being uncomfortable in life and faith.  You know, those freaky times when you actually have to trust God?  I’ve been learning that change, discomfort, and openness to new ideas and practices have actually pressed me closer to the heart of Christ and His Gospel.  Having willingness to adapt has not only ushered in personal joy and growth, but also ushered out many blind spots I never knew I had.  How silly I was to think that I had little to learn from the perspectives and stories of others.

3. Now it’s PERSONAL.

As I have begun to grow in the Gospel, I have been learning how intimate, relational, and enjoyable a relationship with God through Christ is meant to be.  Don’t get me wrong- I believe that before a holy, transcendent God reverence is a necessity for all humans, and it is a disposition I am seeking to grow in.  But I can’t escape the insanely personal quality of the Gospel.  God came close; God cares about me; God has adopted me as child and commissioned me as servant- wow!  In these truths and ones like them, I now have the liberty to grow, serve, and live- with joy!  I’m learning to be secure in Christ and it's enabling me to be vulnerable with my spiritual family in the church, growing side-by-side with people no different than myself.  I’m also learning to befriend those outside the confines of my church's scheduled programs, meeting them where they are and caring at a personal level.

4. Now I’m CURIOUS.

As I have begun to grow in the Gospel, I have been learning that doubt is a part of a thinking life.  My pastor said this past weekend, “Doubt happens when the superficialities of my faith meet the realities of the world; if I don’t doubt I'm not going deeper.”  I am learning that my doubts are not things to be ignored or immediately rejected, but that I can view them as divinely sent messengers from God to go deeper.  Charles Spurgeon said, “Doubt is a foot forward.”  Could the next step in my faith actually hinge on my willingness to acknowledge and wrestle with a doubt?  I’m learning that oftentimes it sure does.

I hope that my vulnerability will challenge, encourage, and convict those who read this, as the Spirit sees fit.  As we learn to grow in the Gospel together, it is my prayer that having read this you will be encouraged closer to the heart of Christ and His Gospel.

A Mel & Tay Holiday

Ho, ho, ho.  One big reason I am jolly at this time of year is because of how well our first ever Oak Hill High School Youth For Christ Banquet went on November, 18th!  Over 80 adults attended, along with high school Principle Mike McDivitt, Oak Hill United School Corporation Superintendent Joel Martin, and a sizable pack of hard-working students who helped set up and serve during the banquet.  We were able to hear the testimonies of one student, one volunteer, and one teacher of how God is already using Campus Life to impact families and change lives at the high school.  We also had a worship song corporately sung at the end of the banquet led by my beautiful and sweet fiancé Melissa Meyer and her friend Caitlyn.  Local churches were represented with excellence as well, as we had four pastors from four different local churches pray throughout the course of the evening.  Thank you to all of you who contributed to this huge success!  Not only has it generated a noticeable amount of enthusiasm and momentum around the school and surrounding community, but we were also able to further fund the ministry of Campus Life by raising over $10,000 in a single evening!  Thank You, Lord.  If you missed this incredible night, go ahead and mark your calendar for our second banquet installment coming back to a high school cafeteria near you (Oak Hill, silly) in November 2016.

Excuse me while I…  Get personal for a moment: ON DECEMBER 27th I’M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!  I know that for many of you this comes as great evidence that our God is still in business of doing miracles.  It does to me, as well. Melissa Meyer and I will become One at our local church in Marion, IN, on the evening of December 27th and will spend the following week in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee for our honeymoon.  As you pray for the ministry of Youth For Christ at Oak Hill, please also remember this momentous and life-changing event in your prayers.  Marriage is a life-long covenant before God and man that I am ecstatic for, but I am also very humbled by it and needy for your prayers and support as Mel and I prepare to proceed into a new and wonderful life together.

So what’s next?  As relationships deepen between students, volunteers and myself, your prayer continues to carry us.  Thank you for remembering me and for showing your support in, for many of you, a variety of wonderful ways.  Weekly breakfast’s continue to engage and encourage an average of anywhere from 20-35 students each Wednesday morning in the school cafeteria. Weekly Club nights are preparing to launch at the Oak Hill campus in January 2016, and we couldn’t be more excited or ready for this next development to finally take flight.  Personal financial support continues to come in month after month bringing me to up to 76% of my financial need for this fiscal year.  It’s a joy-filled walk of faith as I trust the Lord’s promise to always provide for His children what they need.  With all that said, "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!"

Humbly for Jesus,

Taylor Frank

765-618-8418

taylor@bigjawsyfc.org

October 2015 Update

Why YFC?  Twenty-seven percent of American high school students admit to having used illicit drugs, 46% admit to having had sexual intercourse, and 72% admit to having consumed alcohol by the end of HS with average first consumption occurring at age 12. Students are searching for purpose and meaning in life, and I believe there is only ONE place they will ever find it: Jesus. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.”  If high school students aren’t finding life in Jesus, it isn’t because they aren’t desperately searching for it.

Setting the sails.  Access to Oak Hill High School has been freely given to YFC and the opportunities God is giving me to build relationships with parents, teachers, coaches, and students are by His grace, abundant. Every Wednesday morning for 30 minutes before school we have donuts, milk, and a community pastor or parent who comes in to share an encouraging devotional and lead prayer. This Fall we have also been hosting community-wide events called “Tailgate for the Team” before every varsity football home game where we offer free food, music, and games. These events have been providing countless opportunities to connect not just with students, but with their parents and friends, as well. What’s even more amazing to me is that the Oak Hill varsity football coaching staff has asked me to come in to speak to the team before every game this season, sharing for fifteen minutes about anything I want to regarding faith, relationships, God, football, or otherwise. Having the opportunity to lead these chapels has been very exciting and very rewarding to say the least.

Looking ahead.  I continue to pray for time and opportunities to deepen the relationships God has been providing for me at Oak Hill; quantity is exploding, but quality will take intentional time given to the hands of the Holy Spirit. I will also have the wonderful privilege of hosting a YFC Fundraiser Banquet in the high school cafeteria on the evening of Wednesday of November 18th. This will be our most important fundraiser of the year, and every dollar given will stay local at Oak Hill High School. In addition, in January we plan to start a weekly Club night in a local home to bridge the gap between searching students and local churches we are connected with.

Room for growth.  Please pray for this ministry. S.D. Gordon once said, “Prayer strikes the winning blow, ministry is just picking up the pieces.” I believe that, and I will continue to ride on the wings of your prayers. We also have a mentorship program in place to place students in relationships with qualified adults, but we stand in need of more adults to step forward to care for and empower the students of Oak Hill. Financially, God has provided approximately 62% of my financial needs through the generous contributions of many family members and friends. Donors and monthly supporters are foundational to making this crucial ministry to the searching students of Oak Hill happen.

Taylor Frank || 765-618-8418 || taylor@bigjawsyfc.org

An Unambitious Loser

Marion, IN - Longtime acquaintances confirmed to reporters this week that local man Taylor A. Frank, an unambitious 23-year-old loser who leads an enjoyable and fulfilling life, still lives in his hometown and has no desire to leave.

Claiming that the aimless slouch has never resided more than four hours from his parents and still hangs out with friends from high school, sources close to Frank reported that the man, who has meaningful, lasting personal relationships and a healthy work-life balance, is an unmotivated washout who’s perfectly comfortable being a nobody for the rest of his life.

“I’ve known Taylor my whole life and he’s a good guy, but it’s pretty pathetic that he’s still living in the same town he grew up in and experiencing a deep sense of personal satisfaction,” childhood friend Josh Randle said of the unaspiring, completely gratified do-nothing. “As soon as Taylor graduated from college, he moved back home and started working at a local church. Now, he’s nearly 24 years old, living in the exact same town he was born in, working at the same small-time job, and is extremely contented in all aspects of his home and professional lives. It’s really sad.”

“I don’t know how anyone could let themselves end up like that,” Randle continued. “But he seems perfectly fine being nothing more than a genuinely happy deadbeat for the rest of his life.”

Former high school classmates confirmed that Frank has seemingly few aspirations in life, citing occasional depressing run-ins with the personally content townie during visits back home, as well as embarrassing Facebook photos in which the smiling dud appears alongside family members whom he sees regularly and appreciates and enjoys close, long-lasting relationships with. Additionally, pointing to the intimate, enduring connections he’s developed with his parents, siblings, neighbors, and local students, sources reported that Frank's life is “pretty humiliating” on multiple levels.

In particular, those familiar with the pitiful man, who is able to afford a comfortable lifestyle without going into debt, confirmed that he resides just ten minutes from the home he grew up in, miles away from anything worthwhile, like high-priced restaurants and booming mega-churches. In fact, sources stated that the pathetic loafer has never had any interest in moving to even a nearby major city, despite the fact that he has nothing better to do than “sit around all day” being an involved member of his community and using his ample free time to follow pursuits that give him genuine pleasure.

Former classmates also confirmed that the underachiever is apparently resigned to going to his little small-time, stable, extremely fulfilling job in town each day and has zero ambitions to leave his position and pursue a more prestigious and soul-crushing career path in a real city.

“I honestly don’t get Taylor—does he even want to get out of that backwater town and try to make something of himself, or does he want to just waste his time feeling pleased with the pace and content of his life and enjoying his existence?” high school friend Bethany Doyle said of the man who gets eight hours of sleep per night and has time after work to see his loved ones and take care of his health. “Everyone else left Marion as soon as possible and is consumed by a deep sense of apprehension about getting ahead, but he’s still hanging around the same places from high school, focusing on the things that matter most to him, and existing as a relaxed, easygoing person who’s fun to be around. I can’t imagine anything sadder than that.”

“It’s almost like he’s saying, ‘I don’t give a care—I just want to be an emotionally stable son and citizen who’s not obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder and impressing complete strangers with my job title,’” Doyle added. “Pathetic.”

According to relatives who moved thousands of miles away and are currently alienated from much of the family, Frank has never once taken a major professional or financial risk, choosing instead to “coast through life” by putting considerable time and effort into his rewarding family life, playing an active role in his five younger siblings' lives, and being sincerely thankful for what he has in this world.

Moreover, several cousins who rely on medication to treat anxiety related to their perceived social status and relative wealth compared to childhood friends confirmed to reporters that Frank is unlikely to change at this point, and may in fact remain a good-natured and highly fulfilled layabout for the rest of his life.

“I’m just glad I got out of there and didn’t end up like Taylor,” said Frank's cousin Jill McDonald, 28, an attorney at a large law firm who hasn’t seen Frank, her closest childhood playmate, for nearly six years. “The last thing I’d ever want is to have a loving family nearby, feel a sense of pleasure when reflecting on my life, and be the big failure that everyone runs into when they visit home once a year for the holidays.”

“Just look at that loser with his contented grin and positive outlook day in and day out,” she added. “The poor guy doesn’t even know how bad he has it.”

[ adapted from the brilliant work of The Onion: America's finest news source in July 2013 ]

Dear Friends,

Over the course of the past two weeks God has been opening my eyes increasingly to the need for me to stay where I am in life and ministry right now.

I value the opportunity (that many of you have been made aware of) that Elevation Church has extended to me by means of the Prodigy Program immensely, and am honored to have even been considered for it.  In addition, however, I understand that success in God's economy means faithfulness not so much to the most attractive or biggest place, but instead simply to where He has called you.

Initially I had no reason to believe that God was not calling me to Elevation.  It made perfect sense.  In the days and weeks that followed my decision, however, God has been opening my eyes to opportunities with people and ministry that are directly in front of me already.  I have come to a personal conviction that leaving these opportunities and these relationships at this time would be less wise than not going to Charlotte.

My conviction to continue to remain faithful where I am currently does not come under pressure from outside sources, but almost entirely from personal heart-searching and reflection.  I just want to honor God and be faithful to fulfill His calling for me.

I'm not sure how significant the collateral damage from this last-minute decision will be either in Charlotte, or where I am here in Indiana.  I know that plans will have to be adjusted both in both places, and I'm obviously unsure as to how that will go.  I am seeking to walk by faith and trust that God has a plan for this and that His purposes are going to be accomplished in full.

I am fully open to talk about this more with you at your personal convenience, if you so desire.  I would love to hear the thoughts of my friends and to dialogue more about this decision whenever you would like or are able.

With Deepest Love and Grace,

Taylor Frank

Ephesians 3:20-21

Stop asking. Start acting.

Today I asked myself, "When was the last time I got chills reading the Bible?  Is God's Word losing power, or is my heart losing purity?"

We spend so much time asking God to work in our lives, to give us passion, and to set us "on fire"- but there's nothing on God in it!  WE need to do what He requires of US.  WE need to take action. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."  (James 4:8-10, ESV)

BAM.

WE are the problem.  So, let's take action.

Rather than asking God to do stuff today, how 'bout we SHOW Him our desire for His work by confessing sin and pursuing His presence in prayer and meditation on His Word.  For more than six and a half minutes this time.

"You cannot study the Bible diligently and earnestly without being struck by an obvious fact- the whole matter of personal holiness is highly important to God." - A.W. Tozer

Up 2 Him!

I can't change who I am.  I can't be better.  I can't live up to any standard of holiness or righteousness on my own.  No matter what I do.  No matter what I don't do.  I can't.  And neither can you.

We are totally- and when I say totally I actually mean TOTALLY, like... in every way- dependent on the supernatural and loving intervention of God in our lives!  Apart from His Spirit living inside you and I, we are hopelessly destined to remain trapped inside a ceaseless cycle of failure and sin.  If HE doesn't work it out in me, it will ultimately never change (Although the pop Christian subculture might like to disagree).  You and I stand in utter need for God to make the sovereign, gracious decision to work in our lives.  The only real question is whether or not we will remember it.

Are you asking HIM to work?

Jesus says, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)