I have one small request for fellow bloggers. I use an aggregator to read all of my blogs. My tool of choice is Bloglines. I love the fact that I can catch up on everything in about 15 minutes every morning. I don't have to waste time going to every single blog to see if there is anything new. If there is a new post, it shows up in bold and I am one click away from expanding my mind. Except, if the blog author has chosen to only syndicate a portion of their posts, thus causing me to actually go to their blog to finish reading their profound thought. That drives me crazy!!! I don't want to see your fancy graphics. I don't really need to see the latest picture of you in action. I don't even care about the recent books you have conquered. I just want to read your latest drivel and then move on! Is that too much to ask?!?
Thank you. :)
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Love Like Jesus
If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you know that God has given me a HUGE vision for reaching people for Jesus by loving people like Jesus. I feel strongly that it's not enough to put on a great show every Sunday and try to get as many people in the church doors as possible. Sundays will always big an important tool to present the Gospel, but I'm a big believer that what you win them with, is what you win them to (h.t. Bob). Lasting life change will happen within the context of a relationship with someone who really cares and will be there tomorrow when the questions and struggles come. To that end, I have encouraged our church to go beyond the "drive-by" outreaches this next year. When you serve the community, don't love 'em and leave 'em.
I think we have taken a huge step towards that goal over the past few weeks. We asked our people to adopt a struggling family in our church and our community, and help provide a few basic needs. They were to bring the items to the church and we would fan out across the city to deliver them to the families this week. I have to say - we were totally overwhelmed by the generosity of our church! They brought in so many items that we are now looking for more families in our community to help. Yeah God!!! Thank you Seacoasters for seeing the vision and taking it way beyond what I thought was possible!
I think we have taken a huge step towards that goal over the past few weeks. We asked our people to adopt a struggling family in our church and our community, and help provide a few basic needs. They were to bring the items to the church and we would fan out across the city to deliver them to the families this week. I have to say - we were totally overwhelmed by the generosity of our church! They brought in so many items that we are now looking for more families in our community to help. Yeah God!!! Thank you Seacoasters for seeing the vision and taking it way beyond what I thought was possible!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tis' The Season
Wow, the Christmas season is almost past us and...I'm tired! This time of the year is always hectic in the church world. There are certain expectations that come along with December - music that we only do during that month, major decorations (ours are amazing this year!), jam packed Christmas Eve services, and occasionally, a few minutes to hit the mall with the masses.
This is also usually not a great month for Sunday attendance. It seems like people are so busy that they save up their church time for Christmas Eve. But this year has been different. We have actually grown, and last Sunday had our largest non-Easter attendance ever!
Christmas Eve should be interesting. We are doing two - one at 11am and one at 6pm. I have no idea how the attendance will shake out, but we are preparing for everything. The 6:00 will have few extras like: a marshmallow roasting pit, carolers outside, and a visit from Santa for the kiddies. I was wavering a bit on having Santa until my wife invited one of our neighbors who does not attend church, and they told her they will probably come because they haven't been able to take the kids to see Santa yet. Ok...we'll have Santa.
It's been a great month and I can't wait until January!
This is also usually not a great month for Sunday attendance. It seems like people are so busy that they save up their church time for Christmas Eve. But this year has been different. We have actually grown, and last Sunday had our largest non-Easter attendance ever!
Christmas Eve should be interesting. We are doing two - one at 11am and one at 6pm. I have no idea how the attendance will shake out, but we are preparing for everything. The 6:00 will have few extras like: a marshmallow roasting pit, carolers outside, and a visit from Santa for the kiddies. I was wavering a bit on having Santa until my wife invited one of our neighbors who does not attend church, and they told her they will probably come because they haven't been able to take the kids to see Santa yet. Ok...we'll have Santa.
It's been a great month and I can't wait until January!
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