Archive for July, 2008
Just returned home from a meeting with the GraceView Child Development Staff. Jeff and I had the opportunity to have dinner with them at the church and discuss our heart for children and the future of the CDC. Very grateful to be serving with this great group of adults who love Jesus and who love kids! Praying for even greater things with our CDC ministry this year.
Just rejoicing this morning about 3 people who indicated to me they received Christ as Savior Sunday! Saved ? –that Christianized word—but what meaning. Saved–from what ? Listen to the messages if you have not already in our current series: ‘”AFTER LIFE”. We have parked at the realities of Hell the past two weeks and have been looking inside at the horrific torments of those who reject Christ. It really is REAL folks. But–anyone can be “SAVED” from the terror. I love 2 Peter 3:9 which says- “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some Men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God offers–we accept!
Recently I read the words of a young pastor of a significantly large church concerning Discipleship. I have no doupt this pastor loves God and is energetically serving the Lord and his church reaching people for Christ. I was taken back on his position on discipleship in the church. First of all, no one should call into question whether discipleship is an important matter for the church today using high baptism numbers to justify a lack thereof. Maybe I am missing something–but I think discipleship is what the great commission is all about whether you are reformed or “whosoever will”. Let’s be careful we do not water down or follow any model of surface church growth that does not aggressively engage a Christ follower to become a growing disciple rather than just a “knowing disciple”.
I will be writing another blog with ideas and dialogue concerning church growth today. I believe in creative–relevant–and non-legalistic/traditional methods of church growth but am grieved and concerned by those pastors and churches who are falling for compromise and pragmatism for “doing church”. Many have come to believe that God is in desperate need of help in reaching the lost. News Flash–God is not desperate–nor does he need us to change His model given to us in the scriptures of what a disciple is to look like. Join me soon for some discerning dialogue that might just change the way we think about “doing church”.
Good Morning GraceView!
HIGHER–DEEPER–WIDER– Where ‘ya going today ? GO FOR IT!! HIGHER–DEEPER–AND WIDER!! Lift Him higher than you did yesterday! Worship Him while driving –sing to Him–listen to some good P&W. –Go deeper–spend time today –a little is better than nothing –going deeper with Jesus. (I promise it will grow on ya!) –and don’t forget –GO WIDER! Look for opportunities to share your faith today. Open your eyes! Ask God to make you aware of those opportunities he will set before you. He does the work–we are His instruments to close the deals! 
See you Sunday at 9 am for coffee & “growing deeper”.
Last night at GraceView was incredible with kids everywhere! Water everywhere too! From the slip and slide to the slide pool —baby pools–pizza-junk food—it all added up to be an awesome first vbs experience for GraceView! Kudos to all our teachers and adult volunteers who poured into the lives of these little champions for Christ! Seeds were planted into the minds and hearts of these who are so important to our Father. Stacey Stewart did a great job bringing it all together! Next year will be even greater. Let’s pray hard now and over the next few days as we launch our fall All STARS Children’s ministry coming August 20th!
