A Superior Calling

PRAISE REPORT:

Below is an article that my good friend (Dr. Jeff Cook) wrote for the Louisiana Baptist Magazine about our church. When I was interviewed for this article I shared about an experience of having dinner with a couple in Uptown. I have amazing news! Two Wednesday nights ago, my dad (Dr. Don Wilton) preached at our church about the importance of the family and the church. The couple that is mentioned in the article came to church on that night for the first time. Our friend surrendered her life to Christ and her husband is asking some great questions. Pray for us as we disciple this couple and their little girl.

God is doing a great work in New Orleans through Vintage. Thanks for your prayers and support!

"A Superior Calling"
by Dr. Jeff Cook

When you visit New Orleans, everyone knows to ask where to eat. Most people know to visit some very special eating establishments like Café Du Monde. But if you live in Uptown New Orleans, you frequent places like Buddha Belly, Ignatius, Storyville, Slim Goodies, or Fuel Coffee House. Walk down Magazine Street to visit one of these eclectic locations and you will discover Vintage Church, another new church plant in Uptown.

Rob and Annabeth Wilton were in Seminary when Katrina hit New Orleans. They moved to South Carolina, then returned to serve with the MissionLab program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. When they moved back to live in a very different New Orleans, they began to realilze that God had prepared them for a different kind of ministry in the new, New Orleans. Rob and Annabeth Wilton were meeting with friends at Superior Grill Restaurant in Uptown New Orleans when their conversation began to be about Jesus. As the friends were eating and talking, "It just clicked." We fell in love with the people of Uptown." When Rob and Annabeth left that meal, they realized they could minister to people like their friends, and they knew that the best way to do that was through a local church.

They began to pray that God would help them start a new church. After a few months, Rob and a core team launched this new church in the heart of Uptown. Vintage Church currently meets Wednesday nights above Temple Gym. More than 50 people attend and the group ranges from "church hoppers to bar hoppers." Sunday Services and Life Groups will launch in the fall of 2008.

Rob (who is the lead planter/pastor of preaching and vision) is joined by Page Brooks and Andrew Ogea. Page is the pastor of teaching and strategy for Vintage and Andrew is the pastor of worship leadership and discipleship. Page and his wife Ashley have a daughter (Karis) and he serves as Professor of Theology & Islamic Studies at NOBTS. Andrew and his wife Amy are newlyweds and he has served over the past six years as worship leader at Northshore Church in Slidell.

When you come to New Orleans, order a poboy at Masparo's, ride a trolley car down St. Charles, come grab coffee at Fuel and then look for Vintage Church and be blessed.

Bolt Arrives!

I know that I haven't written this week, but I have a pretty good excuse. Annabeth went into labor this past Wednesday morning around 5:00am. After a long day of struggle but amazing joy, Annabeth gave birth to our son on Wednesday night at 8:48pm.


I have a lot of friends that have kids. They have all told me that watching your wife give birth to your first child is one of the greatest experiences of your life. After Wednesday night I join the list of daddy's around the world. There is absolutely nothing that compares with the experience of kissing your wife and looking into the eyes of your child. Thank you Jesus for giving me such an amazing blessing. I know that this little man is going to teach me so much about the love Christ has for us.


I love my wife so much! She pushed for over 3 hours. I kept giving her ice chips and washing her face with a wash cloth and she never slowed down. Finally, after a long battle our little man made his entrance into this world. At that moment I was utterly speechless. The only thing that I could do was cry and kiss my beautiful wife. His name is Robert Bolton John Wilton. We are calling him Bolt. He has four names just like his dad (Robert Edwin John Wilton). Bolton is my mom's maiden name, so we are going to carry on my grandpa's (who we call "Bumpa") name. John is the name of my other grandpa (who we call "Papa"). He is a big boy and fits his nickname "little fatty" well. 9lb 3.8 oz and 21 1/2 in tall! His head is huge like his daddy (14 1/4cm).


Enjoy the pics. Thanks to all our friends and family for your prayers and support.

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG

This question has been digging into my soul over the past few months. I haven’t posted anything for a while for a number of reasons.

#1: Who the heck wants to read what I write.
#2: I hate writing a journal, I would rather read or listen to a podcast then write my own
#3: I would rather talk to people than write
#4: Between being a camp speaker, pastor/planter, small group leader, husband, soon to be dad, and friend...who has the time. Seriously, all of you committed bloggers...get a life. Just kidding...but seriously.

I had concluded that because of these reasons, I would end my short but good attempt at infiltrating the blog world. But then God began to speak. I have learned over the past few months that when God acts, you react. GOD'S CALL TRUMPS ALL.

Over the past week, I really don’t think God could have been more straightforward with me. I first listened to a podcast from the Dwell Conference in NYC. Driscoll spoke about the book of Nehemiah and how it is basically a journal account of his experience of following God’s call. He encouraged new church planters to blog, even if it only blesses your mom.

Then my wife, whom I love and has carried our son with absolute perfection, kept asking and reminding me that it has been a while since I had written anything. Thanks babe.

I also came across a blog by John Piper’s son (Abraham Piper) stating reasons why a pastor should blog. Click here for the entire blog, but here are his points:
1. to write
2. to teach
3. to recommend
4. to interact
5. to develop an eye for what is meaningful
6. to be known

This morning God finally confirmed his desire. Andrew Ogea (new co-pastor of Vintage) and I meet with a church plant mentor once a week. We usually get to discuss one basic idea each meeting. This morning we talked about keeping a journal (of course). He emphasized how he wished he had kept a record account of his spiritual journey in New Orleans over the last 9 years. When I got home I went for a run to the gym, worked out, and then ran back. On the way back you would have never guessed what was on the podcast. Blogging.

Alright God, I surrender. “To blog” I go.

Right now I am sitting in my kitchen, cooling off from the run, throwing down a glass of peach tea, eating toast and peanut butter, and of course BLOGGING.

Here is my plan. Mama, hold me accountable to this. I will write a blog about my spiritual journey once a week. It might not be long, but I will write something (even if I had a bad Chinese food experience). My first blog will be a catch up of my journey since the end of last summer. See ya at the next post.

Sex, Sushi, & Salvation

We are excited to welcome my friend Christian George to Vintage Church as he discusses his new book. Here is a brief description of this book:

There’s more to life than computerized slippers and sexy ring tones. The world revolves around something greater than ourselves, and we all burn for intimacy, crave community, and struggle for eternity.

This is a book about sex, sushi, and salvation – a book of snapshots – the ups and downs, the failures and fortunes.

If you hunger for a raw faith that satisfies the soul, this book is for you.

Since humans were made in the image of God, we have three basic passions—intimacy, community and eternity. We burn for them, save for them, pay for them and pray for them. But only the God who fulfills these desires within himself can perfectly fulfill them in us. This is a book of snapshots—the ups and downs, the failures and fortunes, the smiles and trials. In these chapters, I retrace my travels around the world, from pagan temples in Greece to Transylvanian mountains in Romania. I confess my lust and love, my struggle with truth and my quest for Christ. Fasten your seatbelt. It’s going to be a wild ride. And along the way we just might discover that the God who satisfies us with himself joins us for the journey.

I just finished reading this book this past week. Christian has an incredible gift and God is going to use this book in a mighty way. I especially loved reading about his journey with his wife, Rebecca. I grew up with Rebecca in New Orleans and even spent some time together in South Carolina. I think it is absolutely incredible that she married an author. When she wasn't beating me up or roller-blading, she was reading a book. Christian and Rebecca are a brilliant and loving couple that love Jesus.

God used this book to inspire me to be a better husband.....travel the world in pursuit of what God has done in the past and what God is stirring up for the future.....and even start to like sushi a lot more. If you are in New Orleans next Wednesday, join us at Vintage Church for a great night of jazz, sushi, and great teaching. See you there!

To Arms!

I love hanging with studs! They spur me on toward the mission of Christ.

This past weekend I got to preach for a DNow in MS. We had a blast digging into I Timothy. On Sunday, one of my buddies came and spoke for the Youth Sunday School. His name is Luke Johnson. Although he is a bit of a Pharisee (LOL), God has used him in a mighty way to preach the Word of God with great boldness. God's hand is all over his ministry. In his spare time he likes to write. Check out one of his latest poems.

“To arms! To arms! Church of God"

To arms! To arms! Church of God
Eternity soon draws near
For showing forth in judgement rod
The Son of Man will soon appear.

To arms! To arms! Preachers together
Repent of the status quo
Unless in unction we work forever
Our converts to hell will go.

To arms! To arms! Evangelists many
Lay aside your fire insurance plan
And in the spirit of Preacher Charles Finney
Use the Law to confront every man.

To arms! To arms! You Church Planter
Felt needs never save a soul
Make the Biblical Gospel Your banner
To save the lost and make them whole.

To arms! To arms! Intelligent Professor
Let mere academics not become your love
Don't waste life loving what is lesser
But teach endued with Heaven's Dove.

To arms! To arms! O servant deacon
Fulfill your call to the bride
Give your tough ol' ego a beatin'
Seek humility not power and pride.

To arms! To arms! Christians alike
Get busy while time allows
For you know not the day or night
When that blessed trump shall sound.

Get busy Church! Time ticks away
There are lost sheep to be found
Before the coming judgement day
To arms! To arms! Let it sound.

- L.J. - 2/24-25/08

Ash Wednesday

Right now I am studying at my favorite coffee shop in Uptown, Fuel Coffee House. I have grown to love the people, vibe, atmosphere, and they really do have the best coffee in Uptown. I have built a good friendship with Neal (owner). He allowed for us to gather at his shop and he also gives us free coffee for our church gatherings on Wednesday Night.

Today is Ash Wednesday. For those of you who don't know what this is, here is a brief summary:

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period (not including Sundays) of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter.

Basically, people have been partying like crazy over the last couple of weeks and today they are beginning their time of confession and repentance.

Here is a basic Biblical understanding:

Ash Wednesday is a time for repentance and the beginning of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express penitence. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. An ancient example of one expressing one's penitence is found in Job 42:3-6. Job says to God: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (c. 5-6, KJV) Other examples are found in several other books of the Bible including, Numbers 19:9, 17, Hebrews 9:13, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, and Luke 10:13.

However, some Christians, who do not celebrate Ash Wednesday, say that the practice is not consistent with Scripture and is of pagan origin.^[11] They usually cite Matthew 6:16–18, where Jesus gave prescriptions for fasting: "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (NRSV) These groups argue that Jesus warned against fasting to gain favor from other people and that he also warned his followers that they should fast in private, not letting others know they were fasting. For these reasons, some Christian denominations do not endorse the practice. Others, however, point out that this very passage from Matthew is the one, not coincidentally, that is appointed by the Revised Common Lectionary to be read on Ash Wednesday. They might also clarify that the ashen Cross on the forehead does not represent the fast, but the mortal condition of human existence.

I just had a chance to talk with Rachel, one of the workers at Fuel. She was telling me about all of the crazy stuff that happened yesterday in Uptown and in the Quarter. She said that craziest thing that she saw was an old man wearing only the thinnest g-string she had ever seen. She told me that it almost made her want to become a lesbian. We then began to talk about Ash Wednesday. She said that she hated this day because it was so depressing. She is Catholic and told me that she is in a time of repentance.

As I sat down to drink my coffee, I was exposed to my depravity. I might not of gotten drunk and run around in a g-string, but I have surely been sinful. Most Christians in New Orleans spend all of their time condemning Mardi Gras and the heretical practices of the Catholic Church. I am not disagreeing with the fact that it is all absurd and displeasing to God. But I do disagree with the concept of calling someone out on their sin, when you are just as guilty. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's Glory.

Honestly, I think that Ash Wednesday should be a weekly ritual. This wouldn't give us the excuse to go out and sin like a Mardi Gras celebration. Read Romans 6. If you are continuing to sin, Paul seriously doubts your conversion. If you aren't experiencing true conviction in your sin, hang out in that passage and tell me how you feel. Repent and give your life to Christ.

Having a weekly Ash Wednesday, would give me a weekly reminder to continue in my journey of sanctification. I might be writing to a bunch of perfect-holy rollers, but I build up enough sins each week to propel my life in complete brokenness and humility before Christ begging for forgiveness. Instead of telling the world to stop sinning, how about set an example first.

In summary, meditate on the words of Christ:
Matt. 7:3-5 "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Brethren, Dwell in Unity

This weekend I was in Bainbridge, GA. It is in the middle of nowhere, just north of Tallahassee. This spring our ministry Ignite Mission has joined up with MissionLab and the Andrew Ogea Band to lead mission weekends in other cities. We showed up in this little town and got quite a surprise. There were around 400 kids from over 5-7 different churches. That wasn't the most impressive part. Those 5-7 different churches were from 5 different denominations. We led worship on Friday Night, they served and did mission work all day on Saturday, and then we had a worship service on Saturday Night. The Holy Spirit came down on Saturday Night as we saw around 40 kids respond to the Gospel. May God forgive us for not assembling in unity.


My fraternity (GHETTO) used to sing this song at the end of our Bible study in my first two years at Covenant College. This is how it went:

"Oh...how good and oh...how pleasant...it is when the brethren dwell together, in UNITY! It is like a precious ointment upon my head, that flows down the beard...even Aaron's beard...in UNITY!" (Psalm 133)
Lord, this is my prayer for the Body of Christ in New Orleans.