Sunday Reflections
07/21/08 02:03 PM
I'm not sure that I can put my thoughts into words
at this point. Talk to me this week and it will
probably be like unleashing a fire hydrant! I'll
try not to do that here, but Sunday was awesome!
For weeks now I've been pointing to little things
that I was sensing and noticing as a Pastor. It's
been building and building. I could feel the winds
of change stirring. God is up to something here.
In some ways, it all came together on Sunday. But truthfully, it's just the beginning. Our attendance was up - way up. Yes, it was the Sunday after VBS. Yes, there were some people here from out of town. But there were a ton of 1st time guests. Many of them filled out Connect Cards. Many of them were from neighborhoods surrounding the church. Here are some of the comments & decisions on the Connect Cards:
"I'm going to try to be a better parent." "I gave my life to Christ today." "I am choosing to go God's way." "I'd like to learn more about Coastal." "I enjoyed today." "I heard about Coastal from a VBS yard sign." "Great church, everyone was very inviting." "I have renewed my commitment to Jesus."
Like I said - awesome! My sermon Sunday was about parenting. God definitely used it to stir hearts. And did Wes and our Worship Team do a great job or what?! And just wait until they've been playing together for a while and really get in a groove. Somebody from our church said, "Chris, our worship just improved ten fold." But it's not just Wes' ability to play (and he can flat out play). It's more than that. It's his heart and his gift for connecting people to the heart of God.
Wes leading worship and our Worship Team gives Janet the ability to focus on one thing - Children's Ministry. Under her leadership, our Children's Ministry has greatly improved and now it's just going to keep getting better! Can't you see how it's all beginning to fit together?
And speaking of children, not only did we have a ton of them on Sunday morning, but 23 1st-5th graders came back on Sunday night for D.O.G.S.! And Wes had 21 students! We have not had that many children and students in a very long time!
So Coastal - are you ready? Are you ready for growth and the changes it brings? Will you put the purpose of God and this church above your position and personal preferences? Will you value change as an asset, instead of a liability - even when it personally affects you and your ministry? Is it more important that you know everyone or that everyone knows Jesus?
Every great move of God starts in small ways. And it always comes with prayer and worship. If not, it's not of God and I want no part of it. So pray. Cry out to God. Fast. Pray for me and for Wes. Pray that God would use Coastal - you - in a powerful way to reach people and change lives. Live the life and love of Jesus for all to see. Build relationships. Invite. Bring people to a place where they are going to hear and see Jesus! Go out of your way to make guests feel welcome. Serve. Give. Get involved.
Like I said, this is just the beginning. But God was gracious enough to give us a sneak peak on Sunday. I hope you had your eyes open!
In some ways, it all came together on Sunday. But truthfully, it's just the beginning. Our attendance was up - way up. Yes, it was the Sunday after VBS. Yes, there were some people here from out of town. But there were a ton of 1st time guests. Many of them filled out Connect Cards. Many of them were from neighborhoods surrounding the church. Here are some of the comments & decisions on the Connect Cards:
"I'm going to try to be a better parent." "I gave my life to Christ today." "I am choosing to go God's way." "I'd like to learn more about Coastal." "I enjoyed today." "I heard about Coastal from a VBS yard sign." "Great church, everyone was very inviting." "I have renewed my commitment to Jesus."
Like I said - awesome! My sermon Sunday was about parenting. God definitely used it to stir hearts. And did Wes and our Worship Team do a great job or what?! And just wait until they've been playing together for a while and really get in a groove. Somebody from our church said, "Chris, our worship just improved ten fold." But it's not just Wes' ability to play (and he can flat out play). It's more than that. It's his heart and his gift for connecting people to the heart of God.
Wes leading worship and our Worship Team gives Janet the ability to focus on one thing - Children's Ministry. Under her leadership, our Children's Ministry has greatly improved and now it's just going to keep getting better! Can't you see how it's all beginning to fit together?
And speaking of children, not only did we have a ton of them on Sunday morning, but 23 1st-5th graders came back on Sunday night for D.O.G.S.! And Wes had 21 students! We have not had that many children and students in a very long time!
So Coastal - are you ready? Are you ready for growth and the changes it brings? Will you put the purpose of God and this church above your position and personal preferences? Will you value change as an asset, instead of a liability - even when it personally affects you and your ministry? Is it more important that you know everyone or that everyone knows Jesus?
Every great move of God starts in small ways. And it always comes with prayer and worship. If not, it's not of God and I want no part of it. So pray. Cry out to God. Fast. Pray for me and for Wes. Pray that God would use Coastal - you - in a powerful way to reach people and change lives. Live the life and love of Jesus for all to see. Build relationships. Invite. Bring people to a place where they are going to hear and see Jesus! Go out of your way to make guests feel welcome. Serve. Give. Get involved.
Like I said, this is just the beginning. But God was gracious enough to give us a sneak peak on Sunday. I hope you had your eyes open!
|