What kind of church will this be?

Now that we have decided to plant a church in Tampa, inquiring minds want to know "What kind of church will you be planting in Tampa, FL?" It maybe best if I start with a little history, defining of some terms, and explanation.

First of all, this is a restart. The picture that you see is a more accurate picture of the existing building from Central Christian Church. After years of being a ministry that helped launch churches around the Tampa area, they have decided to close their doors. They gave their facility to a church planting organization. Why? There are several reasons, but the truth is that the community around them changed. They were unable to adapt and meet the needs of the community. It should be said however, that it is because of their vision that ministry will be able to continue due to their graciousness and vision to pass on their legacy. Therefore, we plan to recycle these assets, target the community, and launch a new vision and direction.

Second, let me share what has been passed on to us. (It should be mentioned the assets are held between the partnerships of Florida Church Planters and Stadia: new church strategies - not the Schaffners.) The building is a 33,000 square foot facility with a 350 seat auditorium. It has a fellowship hall and has two education wings - including bathrooms, office space, and rooms for children's stuff. It is on the corner of North Boulevard and Martin Luther King and has about 4 acres of land. You can find it about 3 miles east of the airport.

Last of all, let me share a snapshot of my vision. It is my heartbeat to see a church that engages all people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It will be "multi" faceted in every sense of the word - ethnic, racial, national, socio-economic, etc. I envision a staff that is the same. I can see a Brazilian worship leader or Youth Minister from Kenya or a Children's Minister of Hispanic descent or an Associate who is African American. Nonetheless, we will be a mosaic of people, personalities, gifts, and passions. Our worship will be a celebration and our teaching will be personal. Loving relationships will be the foundation of all ministry and families will be our strength.

I love the church. I always have. I just can't believe that God has allowed me the stewardship of birthing a new one. I can see clearly now that the ministries God brought me to in the past, were the very environments I needed to become who I am today.

In the months to come, much must happen. I need partners in this process who will pray and support this endeavor. I need to recruit a staff and get the assessed, supported, and ready. I need to update a building - tear out a stage and rebuild it, replace HVAC units, buy a sound system and video equipment, and raise the finances to get it done. But most of all, I need to move to Tampa so I can start building friendships.

So keep up and keep reading. You will hear the stories of how God is faithful and how He uses even the oddest of people like me. And if you want to make sure you stay connected, e-mail me directly at schaffattaq@earthlink.net or call 217.816.3638.

Much love and peace to you all,

Danny Schaffner
Church Planter - Tampa, FL

The Gospel According to the NFL

Each year the NFL starts off and hopes are high. Why? Because each year every team has a chance to win the Super Bowl. (Okay almost every team. Hey - don't say a word about my cardinals.)

What I love about the NFL is it's vision. As an organization it has helped preserve the very nature and character of the league. Never before have so many people been able to see the game. It is global, on several different networks, regionalized, and now has it's very own network. Their vision has allowed them to create a structure where every team can rebuild through the draft. Every team has the freedom to manage their staff to the same expectations and guidelines within a salary cap. Each team, though tough imagine another dynasty, has the ability to orchestrate it's future to be defined by it's owners, coaches, players, and fans.

The game itself is pure and blameless. It players, especially those of a striped cat from Ohio, are not however. Yet every week they live out their hopes and dream of the Vince Lombardy Trophy gracing their mantle.

So this year, people tell me their is a "buzz" in Arizona. I hope so. No team has been more scrutinized, harassed, and humiliated as the Cardinals since Kijana Carter was a bust for those Bengals.

But this year is different. Their hope is not in a system (religion) but in a savior (Edgerin James). First there was Moses, David, John the Baptist, and now Jesus. All of them were to prepare us for the way of the King. (Adrian Murrel, Marcel Shipp, Emitt Smith, and now there is The Edge). His father (Mr. Bidwell) has prepared for us a home with many rooms (luxury suites and bathrooms). Their battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness in the name of Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers. And yea - though we walk through the Valley of the Sun , we fear no evil. For the losses, they pile to the heavens, and yet we sit at the table of the NFL. We do not play aimlessly, no we beat our bodies as to claim the prize.

And so each year, every team has a chance at the trophy. And why not the Arizona Cardinals? In a year that will mark a new home, new church family, and new direction I will choose to have a new vision.

May the God of Peace embrace your visions and may your vision compel you to play harder for the King than you ever did before.

Family Matters

If there is one heartbeat that beats the loudest in me, it is my heartbeat for my family.

I love my family. I have been married almost 11 years to great wife who has a passion for people and ministry. I have 4 boys and each one has their own personalities and strengths.

Many of you have had a chance to experience, love, and share with my family. You have been our friends, comrades, confidants, family, and co-laborers in ministry.

I just wanted to take moment and say "Thank you!" to all the people out ther who have intimately walked this journey of life with us. I know that we will continue our friendships in the years to come. Besides - I just went up on your "Top 10 places I'd like to visit list this winter."

Anyway - thank you for the blood, sweat, and tears that you have invested in us. My family matters deeply to me and apparently it does to you as well. Thank you for everything!

Riding the Wave

I first read about riding waves as an analogy by Ricky Warren - in the "Purpose Driven Church" Book. (The better book of the purpose driven series in my opinion.)

None the less, he uses this analogy to describe the navigations of good ministry vs. great ministry. God is the great wave provider and the world is our ocean for ministry.

Ministry comes in a lot of forms these days - many of which are great forms. But the sport of catching the "great wave" seems lost. I know it was for me. I was looking to catch a ride on a ship already at sea - looking to take a better course.

But thank God the ocean is huge and surfing is a great sport. Man against the wave. (world) An incredible mission with an impossible feat. Imagine taking the world's momentum and using it for your journey.

"The Tampa Project" is more than a ride and more than just a wave. For me - I believe it is "the wave." It is a declaration of a coming tsunami - a change in church culture and experience. I believe God is orchestrating a cataclysmic shift within church culture. It all starts by heading back into the city and reclaiming it's heart.

Here's how I expressed it to some friends and family: "This is one of those waves that most guys dream about. It is high enough to drown me, but strong enough to change the sport. Sure there will be a lot to be said about how we navigate it, but the Wave of all Waves will clearly be what the world will talk about."

In the coming weeks and months I will begin to empower a prayer team, recruit a team of staff and families, and raise financial support. It is my heart that these next few months be as little about me and as much about what God is doing in Tampa.

Pray for us - the Schaffner family. This is an adventure, but it is still an ocean. And in the ocean, there are rocks, reefs, undertow, sharks and in honor of Steve Irwin - stingrays.

Safe surfing and may God be honored in our sport.