Over and... Out.

First, I resigned to my close friends who knew something was cooking but didn't know when or what.
Second, I resigned to the 'regulars' who show up weekly at Ignite events.
Third, I resigned to my co-workers whom I am close with and have supported me in this transition.
Fourth, I tried to resign to the Stated Clerk who told me to resign to the Executive Presbyter who needs to receive my resignation along with the Personnel Committee so that it can be forwarded to the Committee on Ministry so that the whole Presbytery can then vote on the matter... so I did that.
Fifth, I sent my resignation to folks that have been helping me as references or prayer pals.
Six, I resigned from the various committees and commitments that I am a part of.
Seven, seven, for no tomorrow and
Eight, eight, I forget what eight was for and
Nine, nine, nine for a lost cause
Ten, ten, ten, ten is for everything everything everything everything!

Something about numbered lists that always make me want to start rocking some Violent Femmes (don't correct my lyrics, I know the lyrics, I don't need corrections on my version of the lyrics - it's called 'appropriation'). While I recognize that the use of 'said lyrics' leads one to wonder at the eponymous nature of this post, rest assured that I intend no such derogatory memoir, it just happens that numbered lists, especially in the context of a resignation, makes me think of that particular song. Kinda like how walking down the street at night makes me want to dance "Thriller" and every time someone says 'thank you' it makes me want to shout back in a pseudo-robot voice "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto - DOMO!" - ok, let's be real, half the time I hear Mr. Roboto and the other half of the time I drop into a lyric so slow it sounds like the mic is clipping out or like Robert Plant is channeling William Shatner "IF... the... SUN.... reFUSED... to... SHINE..."

Back to the matter at hand - my resignation ramblings.

I was at a conference this past summer featuring David Fitch and I pulled him aside to ask how he would apply his unique theological perspective to a particular ministry situation and he just looks at me and says, "You've got to get out of ministry." To clarify, he wasn't trying to tell me I was a failure or that I shouldn't LITERALLY be in ministry, but rather he cut right to the bone and told me that I need to get out of professional paid ministry. I take that as mildly prophetic because he didn't really know me and, as it happened, I met another guy at that same conference. The other guy turned out to be the one to get me hooked up with a new Christian faith community in Buffalo - which eventually helped me get a paying job so that I can "get out of ministry."

Of course I'm not leaving ministry, far from it. To quote Genesis (the band, not the book), "you've got to get in to get out" which, in this case, means getting into a regular paying job surrounded by regular folks (I use 'regular' as a completely complimentary quality, as opposed to irregular) in order to get out of the professional ministry that isolates and insulates Christians from their calling to be part of the Kingdom of God which is instituted by Christ and which I have been equipped for by the Holy Spirit.

If you're ever in Buffalo, come look me up. I'll be behind the glass hunched over a shiny copper kettle at Pearl Street Grill. And if you can't find me there, show up on Sunday and look for a sign that says "Church on Tap."

GUEST POST – “The Taming of the Brew” by Matt Susko

The following is a guest post by Mr. Matthew Susko, Chief Officer for Online Lunacy and Hidden Ortolan Tasting (it is certainly an established convention by now that I have a penchant for acronymical titles so I will spare you the obvious reduction to initials... fine, it's "cool and hot" happy? It's not as funny if I have to spell it out, you know.)

“The Taming of the Brew” by Matt Susko 

So ever since Noah started the joke that started the whole world laughing (with a brew day at his house) Steve Chab (the distant), Jimmy (the even more so), and I (the perpetually confused about spatial reasoning and life in general) were struck with fiery passion to learn the skill of brewing. Afterwards, I brewed my first beer “drink your milk stout” (pictured, right) with two fellow Igniters. I would like to continue to share the companionship and camaraderie that I first felt when brewing at Noah’s house so this weekend, Sunday May 6th, I would like as many of you that can to come help out with the brewing process – as well as with emptying bottles, cleaning equipment, and playing some games.

“What's the intended final beer,” you ask? Why, it’s kind of a science project of sorts. See, I have all the ingredients to make a red ale but I also happen to have a pound or two of Rooibos tea that’s going to waste and I had a mad scientist thought, “what if I combine the red tea with a red ale?”. The end product could either be good, aspiring to Dogfish Head brewery standards where the slogan is “off-centered beer for off-centered people,” or just not turn out right at all. But that's not the point. The point is to have fellowship and learn a skill and have some much needed friendly hang out time in my basement and garage. 

Sunday afternoon, May 6th @ Matt Susko’s house

NO Bean Group tonight

Just a quick heads up for folks planning on showing up tonight (March 13, 2012) for Bean Group @ Cafe Bean... don't. A few of us have scheduling conflicts that will keep us from making it so we are taking the week off. Don't be sad, we'll be back next week at 7pm for more discussion, more coffee, and more Jesus Christ.

If you just can't wait till then, stop by the Bar Group @ the Southside Restaurant on S. Main St in Washington on Wednesday night at 8pm. We will be there for "Jesus on Tap" - an open conversation and fellowship event for anyone regardless of your beliefs.

Passion for Creation

God is the ultimate example of creativity, as He created all of existence. He even calls us to create. In my case, to create music (and lots of other stuff currently stowed away in my brain and Google Docs).

Psalm 96:1-3 (NASB)

Sing to I AM a new song; Sing to I AM, all the earth. Sing to I AM, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

I have been called to create. I have been called to teach and prophesy to the world through music.

Many of you know that I rarely spend enough time crafting my gifts and talents. Therefore, I, Steve Chab the person, am stepping down as a leader and regular member of the Ignite Young Adult Ministry of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The main reason for this decision is so that I can focus on ministry through music. I'm trading the time spent on Ignite for music. This means I'll see many of the Jesus on Tap regulars much less than before. But it also means I get to glorify my heavenly Father with the gifts he's gracious given me.

Praise Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

In love and peace,
Steve Chab the person

What you've been missing

Does everyone who writes a blog eventually have to apologize for not writing more often? I suppose they do, so here's mine:

I'm sorry for not writing more often.

I would also like to specifically and publicly apologize to Nathan who has called me on my lack of posts and who has been a source of encouragement and new ideas.

Nathan, I'm sorry for not writing more often.

Not that things haven't been happening, on the contrary, so much has been happening that I haven't had a chance to post it and engage with the cyber community about it (cyber community? tech world? digital domain? whatever people say, just pretend that's what I said).

We have had thrilling discussions at the bar group and the bean group on a vast range of topics from consumerism to denominational differences to SOPA & PIPA to science & Christianity. On a recent discussion at the bar group, we saw the thrilling arc of the Gospel from creation to the return of Christ all written on a molecular level in the events of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus Christ AND... as a bonus, the lyrics of the Talking Heads provided a vehicle to move through the story of the epiphany (the Magi came from "FafafaFa fafa fafa Fa Far" away) to the flight to Egypt ("better runrun runrun run away") to the return from Egypt and fast-forward to the start of ministry at the baptism of Jesus Christ ("take me to the river, drop me in the water... washing me down")
   [Ed. note: I know that song is about a psycho killer - don't read too much into it. And yes, I know that the Talking Heads covered Al Green - seriously, stop reading so much into it and relax.]

The leadership of Ignite continues to work closely with the Advisory Team for Ignite as together they throw themselves into the riptide of the coming ministry tsunami which will crash on the cultural and geographic shores of Washington, PA and flood the young adult population with an encounter with the living God.

We continue to pray and seek God's guidance as we flesh out the "Ignite Young Adult Ministry." If you live in or near Washington, PA and want to be involved just stop by one of our gatherings, or email me, or check out our Google+ page, or Facebook, or stop by Brandon's place for Texas Hold 'Em tomorrow night, or find some other way to get involved (after all, you found this blog post).