Late Thoughts from Sunday
02/12/08 09:52 AM
Well, I know this is extremely late, but I did want
to share some thoughts from Sunday. We had our
largest crowd to date in the first service! And
then we had our smallest crowd at the second
service. Do you know what my attitude is? Not one
of disappointment or frustration, but one of
optimism and excitement! Actually, the way I look
at it is that we have structured ourselves for the
future and we now have plenty of room for growth.
That's why we went to two services!
So Coastal, let's go for it! Pray. Build relationships. Invite people to come to church. Include our guests in your ministry, small group, and the life of our church. By the way, let's all make sure we're using the same language to refer to those who come to Coastal for the first time. Instead of saying, "visitor" let's refer to them as "guests." Guests sounds more welcoming and inclusive. Visitors come and go - guests are welcome to return.
Let's also try to cut down on the distractions during the service. If you MUST get up during the service - go out the back door, walk around and then return that way. Turn your cell phones off. (However, and this is a first, we had someone listen to my entire sermon on Sunday via cell phone! So unless you have someone listening to the message, turn off your phone.) Parents, take advantage of our Nursery and Children's Ministry. Obviously, we understand newborns staying with mom, but after a few months it's time to use the Nursery. If you have a baby in the service with you, please sit towards the back of the auditorium. Then, if your baby cries, coos, or makes noise, you can quietly excuse yourself out the back door. Everyone else please sit toward the front of the auditorium and toward the center of the aisles to make it easier for our guests to find a seat while bringing the least amount of attention to themselves.
Back to Sunday. We were in week two of Mythbusters. We talked about the phrase, "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child." Although that phrase is not found in the Bible, the Bible does have a lot to say about discipline. People are really hungry for Biblical truth about marriage and parenting. I thought it was a great day. It was also a long day. Our Praise and Worship Team was there from about 8AM until about 2:45PM. They stayed after church to learn and practice new music. These guys are awesome! In fact, all of our volunteers are awesome! Don't miss our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Saturday, March 8th, 6-8PM. It's going to be fun and inspirational!
Thursday is Valentines Day and mine and Janet's 21st Wedding Anniversary! Yea! Woo-hoo! I am truly a blessed man!
So Coastal, let's go for it! Pray. Build relationships. Invite people to come to church. Include our guests in your ministry, small group, and the life of our church. By the way, let's all make sure we're using the same language to refer to those who come to Coastal for the first time. Instead of saying, "visitor" let's refer to them as "guests." Guests sounds more welcoming and inclusive. Visitors come and go - guests are welcome to return.
Let's also try to cut down on the distractions during the service. If you MUST get up during the service - go out the back door, walk around and then return that way. Turn your cell phones off. (However, and this is a first, we had someone listen to my entire sermon on Sunday via cell phone! So unless you have someone listening to the message, turn off your phone.) Parents, take advantage of our Nursery and Children's Ministry. Obviously, we understand newborns staying with mom, but after a few months it's time to use the Nursery. If you have a baby in the service with you, please sit towards the back of the auditorium. Then, if your baby cries, coos, or makes noise, you can quietly excuse yourself out the back door. Everyone else please sit toward the front of the auditorium and toward the center of the aisles to make it easier for our guests to find a seat while bringing the least amount of attention to themselves.
Back to Sunday. We were in week two of Mythbusters. We talked about the phrase, "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child." Although that phrase is not found in the Bible, the Bible does have a lot to say about discipline. People are really hungry for Biblical truth about marriage and parenting. I thought it was a great day. It was also a long day. Our Praise and Worship Team was there from about 8AM until about 2:45PM. They stayed after church to learn and practice new music. These guys are awesome! In fact, all of our volunteers are awesome! Don't miss our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Saturday, March 8th, 6-8PM. It's going to be fun and inspirational!
Thursday is Valentines Day and mine and Janet's 21st Wedding Anniversary! Yea! Woo-hoo! I am truly a blessed man!
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