Do you see what I see? The Vision Thing!
Wed, Apr 22 2009 09:55
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This past Sunday I preached on having a God sized vision for our church, and I provided the people with some of the things that I beleive God desires to do among us as a church.
I thought that I would post part of that sermon here, just to let you know what our church is about.
I see this church being a church that people attend because of a sense of joy. Where people wake up on Sunday mornings without having to set an alarm clock, because they are so excited about being here together.
I see this church having incredible… even transformational moments of God honoring worship that are characterized by creativity, vibrancy and excellence not only in music, but in art forms of many kinds.
I see this church as a place where people continuously hear preaching and teaching from God’s word that is relevant to their lives and helps them in learning more about our great God.
I see our church supporting safe and inspiring ministries to families of all kinds.
I see marriages being blessed and enriched.
I can see the faces of children lighting up as they engage their imagination to discover God and His Word in new and innovative ways.
And I see all of us coming together in a new way. Developing an authentic community. A place people feel like they belong. Where friendships are genuine, deep and lifelong, and where even in the middle of the night you know a caring and listening ear will always be available.
I see this church as a haven of grace and acceptance, where anyone can feel safe simply being themselves and where no one needs to fake or play church it to fit in.
And I see us being a place of compassion for the hurting. Where we will freely offer resources and opportunities for people to find healing for the past, help for the present, and hope for the future.
And where we will be community church that is a true servant of our neighbors around us.
Where the people of our city and county are richly blessed because our church is here, to the point where even the unsaved people in our community would miss us if we were gone.
And I see us as a church that invests in people as our most valuable asset. Where we will come along side people to encourage them to grow and reach their fullest potential, freeing them and training them so they can serve in their area of passion. And where we intentionally raise up a new generation of godly leaders to serve both locally and around the world.
And I see a future of growth and multiplication of believers, where our neighbors, our families, and our world will hear about the hope, joy, and peace found in Christ from the lips of our members. Where our baptismal is constantly kept wet as the Lord adds to the number of people living as fully devoted followers of Christ. I see a time when we will need multiple services to minister to all the people who will come through our doors. When we will need hire more staff and call new pastors to help us serve more effectively and develop new ministries.
And I see ourselves as a church that will plant other churches, starting and nurturing many new works… freely giving itself away for the good of the kingdom.
Because I believe that we are willing to be a church that takes risks to follow God, believing that God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.
And I believe that this dream is just the beginning, because it is a dream that will never end as God continues to renew our vision, bring us new challenges, and lead us to places we could never imagine…
I thought that I would post part of that sermon here, just to let you know what our church is about.
I see this church being a church that people attend because of a sense of joy. Where people wake up on Sunday mornings without having to set an alarm clock, because they are so excited about being here together.
I see this church having incredible… even transformational moments of God honoring worship that are characterized by creativity, vibrancy and excellence not only in music, but in art forms of many kinds.
I see this church as a place where people continuously hear preaching and teaching from God’s word that is relevant to their lives and helps them in learning more about our great God.
I see our church supporting safe and inspiring ministries to families of all kinds.
I see marriages being blessed and enriched.
I can see the faces of children lighting up as they engage their imagination to discover God and His Word in new and innovative ways.
And I see all of us coming together in a new way. Developing an authentic community. A place people feel like they belong. Where friendships are genuine, deep and lifelong, and where even in the middle of the night you know a caring and listening ear will always be available.
I see this church as a haven of grace and acceptance, where anyone can feel safe simply being themselves and where no one needs to fake or play church it to fit in.
And I see us being a place of compassion for the hurting. Where we will freely offer resources and opportunities for people to find healing for the past, help for the present, and hope for the future.
And where we will be community church that is a true servant of our neighbors around us.
Where the people of our city and county are richly blessed because our church is here, to the point where even the unsaved people in our community would miss us if we were gone.
And I see us as a church that invests in people as our most valuable asset. Where we will come along side people to encourage them to grow and reach their fullest potential, freeing them and training them so they can serve in their area of passion. And where we intentionally raise up a new generation of godly leaders to serve both locally and around the world.
And I see a future of growth and multiplication of believers, where our neighbors, our families, and our world will hear about the hope, joy, and peace found in Christ from the lips of our members. Where our baptismal is constantly kept wet as the Lord adds to the number of people living as fully devoted followers of Christ. I see a time when we will need multiple services to minister to all the people who will come through our doors. When we will need hire more staff and call new pastors to help us serve more effectively and develop new ministries.
And I see ourselves as a church that will plant other churches, starting and nurturing many new works… freely giving itself away for the good of the kingdom.
Because I believe that we are willing to be a church that takes risks to follow God, believing that God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.
And I believe that this dream is just the beginning, because it is a dream that will never end as God continues to renew our vision, bring us new challenges, and lead us to places we could never imagine…
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Easter Awesomeness!!!
Tue, Apr 21 2009 10:33
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I am not sure if 'Awesomeness' is a proper word, but it certainly was the feeling we had this Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday was a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, and what a joy it was for our church. After preaching the six weeks prior to Easter on Jesus journey to the cross, we couldn't wait to get to the resurrection.
We had many events planned for the whole family. Easter egg decorating and hunting. A continental breakfast. Arts and crafts from the kids on display. Plus a wonderful service of uplifting worship.
It really was a great day.
And it is made all the greater not because we were celebrating history... but because we were celebrating reality. That Jesus was not just raised to new life long ago... but that he is still alive and with us today. What a difference that truth makes in how we face both life and death.
The Lord is Risen...! He is Risen indeed!
You're Invited!
Wed, Apr 8 2009 12:22
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We are sending out invitations to our neighbours... and you're one of them!
This week being what many often refer to as Holy week, we have many activities going on that we would love to see you at.
Our Good Friday service is at the church, April 10 at 10 AM.
Easter Sunday, April 12, we are having a continental breakfast and activities for the kids before the service. You can show up anytime after 9:45 AM.
Our Easter celebration service begins at 10:30 AM. It is the most exciting Sunday of the year for us as we hear once again about the hope the Jesus can bring to our lives.
Come and see!
This week being what many often refer to as Holy week, we have many activities going on that we would love to see you at.
Our Good Friday service is at the church, April 10 at 10 AM.
Easter Sunday, April 12, we are having a continental breakfast and activities for the kids before the service. You can show up anytime after 9:45 AM.
Our Easter celebration service begins at 10:30 AM. It is the most exciting Sunday of the year for us as we hear once again about the hope the Jesus can bring to our lives.
Come and see!
Palm Sunday Celebration
Wed, Apr 8 2009 11:59
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We had a wonderful time this Palm Sunday as you can see. Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate Jesus arrival into Jerusalem, when his followers cheered, sang, and placed the branches of palm trees on the path before Him as He rode.
Yet, while that first Palm Sunday was a time of celebration, in many ways it set in motion events that would lead Jesus to the cross... and many of the people who shouted 'Hosanna' on Sunday would be the same ones who shouted 'Crucify Him!' just a few days later. 
Sermon: Peter's Betrayal
I preached this week on the apostle Peter's denying Christ as found in Matthew 26.
By itself it is a tragic event that leaves Peter a broken man, and the gospel writer makes no apologies for this.
To me it is a perfect reminder of what life is like if we do not know the joy of Easter. It is only after Jesus' resurrection that Peter is restored. It is only the risen Christ that can put the pieces of his life back together in a way that not only makes sense... and not only restores him... but also give Peter's life it's ultimate meaning and purpose.
This week I am thankful that I serve a God of second chances, because I know that I need a second chance more often than I would like to admit. Of course second chances should not be a license for me to sin, but it means that no matter how badly I mess up, the door is always open to a new and deeper relationship with my Lord.
By itself it is a tragic event that leaves Peter a broken man, and the gospel writer makes no apologies for this.
To me it is a perfect reminder of what life is like if we do not know the joy of Easter. It is only after Jesus' resurrection that Peter is restored. It is only the risen Christ that can put the pieces of his life back together in a way that not only makes sense... and not only restores him... but also give Peter's life it's ultimate meaning and purpose.
This week I am thankful that I serve a God of second chances, because I know that I need a second chance more often than I would like to admit. Of course second chances should not be a license for me to sin, but it means that no matter how badly I mess up, the door is always open to a new and deeper relationship with my Lord.