Ask, Seek, Knock...

I've written several times now about the amazing things God has provided at just the right time- people, resources, open doors.
I've truly found that there power in openly asking for our wants and needs. I say wants and needs because frankly, I can't always tell the difference. But more often I think I put actual needs in the "want" category. I lean toward not asking for enough. Really.

I somehow feel it's not humble, but in reality it's very humbling to ask anyone for anything.
I feel we can "get by" with what we have.
I fear rejection, like most.
Daily I must convince myself to be bold for Jesus and for this church. It really does stretch me.

But I digress- let me praise God with a few updates, then share some real needs.

• We have on site storage! Did I mention this yet? The cold was killing our equipment. We needed heated storage. I said the best option would be just leave it at the theatre. They said fine! They even gave us two rooms to hold all our gear. Amazing.
• With better storage we felt free to order more monitors and mics.
• We had our first Communion service as a church, and I don't even care what others thought- I was blessed. Nearly 40 folks came out on a dark and cold night.

Now some genuine needs:

• First Impression Team (FIT): I need to ask someone to head this up. Someone with great organizational skills and a passion for creating hospitality.
• Facility Setup Team (FaST): We need more folks helping to set up. We need 2-3 people who will really take ownership of learning our setup process to guide and improve our process.
• Family Ministry: We just need to expand our list of volunteers and pinpoint someone to help us expand the children's program.
• Multi-Media:

1. We need at least 2 folks to own our lighting system and maximize it.
2. We need 1 more person to share the load of running the video.
3. We need 1 more skilled camera person.

The list could go on, but I know beyond any doubt that we need these people in place ASAP. So say a prayer that I'd either be bold enough to ask the right person, or the right person will be bold enough to ask.

Breaking the 200 Barrier

I mentioned publicly at the beginning of the year our resolutions for 2008.
The first was getting the Sunday service started. We are doing it! Awesome.

Now we move onto our next resolution:
Seeing 200 people in worship by Easter.
Easter is only 4 weeks away.
We've had as many as 160.
We better get bringing!

Why do I care about breaking the 200 barrier? I'm glad I asked myself that again, because too quickly this can become a numbers game. Here are some reasons...

• Every number represents a person, and we are all about people.
• More than 300,000 PEOPLE in London never go to church, and therefore we can only assume have never been invited to worship, feel far from God, and are craving a connection with God and people.
• Our team works really hard, and I think everyone in London would be blessed by our service.
  
• Because I love our church I can genuinely say that I just want to share in a good thing, is that so wrong?!
  
• Our auditorium seats 350- why not want to fill it up?
• The theatre has 9 other auditoriums seating over 1000, why not fill them up?
  
• I like big events! I like the energy. The more the merrier I say.
• God desires worship- the more the merrier He says! (Revelation 5:13)
• We want to see people far from God come close to God- getting an invitation and being brought to worship is a great way to make that happen.
  
• As the service grows it's proof that we are making more connections with the community.
  

Lastly, let me say why the push to break 200 right at the start of our church-

It's really easy to get stuck in a rut. 200 people is a very manageable rut. Getting out means breaking molds. You have to let go of the reins and expand the organization- staff must be hired, roles clarified, responsibilities divided, etc.

Getting past 200, I believe, will almost guarantee that our church will continue to grow. It's kind of the "all or nothing" principle. If we can't keep our church all wrapped up in a little group, then we might as well let nothing stop our growth! 200, 2000, whatever- we might as well keep moving forward!

Coming March 2008 to Connections Community Church:

VANTAGE POINT
5 PEOPLE. 5 PERSPECTIVES. 1 TRUTH.

Who was Jesus-The promised one, a charlatan, a revolutionary, a miracle worker, a king? Was he an illegitimate child who died a criminals death, or the Son of God who gave his life as a sacrifice? Jesus was a mysterious figure even during his life on earth- revered by some, reviled by others. 2000 years later he remains an enigma- worshiped by some, slandered by others.

Join us each Sunday in March at Connections Community Church.
See Jesus from five different vantage points.
Discover one life changing truth.

March 2: The Follower
March 9: The Leader
March 16: The Woman
March 23: The Ruler
March 30: The Doubter

Naked Before the World

Series: How to Look Good Naked
Sermon: Naked Before the World
George J. Saylor
February 24, 2008

I found a quote that pretty much sums up everything we’ve said so far in our "How to Look Good Naked" series, and points to where we’re finishing today. And I know there is at least one person here whose hero is Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“In Confession the break-through to community takes place…If a Christian is in the fellowship of confession with another brother, he will never be alone again, anywhere.”

Read the rest of the sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com

Inviters and Bringers

So far we've build this church as a grassroots movement: people connecting with people. Eventually we'll get to advertising.

But before we do that I want to be sure that we've firmly established a culture of "Inviter/Bringers."

Inviters invite their neighbors to Connections. This is good.
Bringers take it the next step and actually offer to bring them.

We can already tell the story of people who have brought and friend, and how those friends made a connection with Jesus. That's what it's all about people.

Inviting is great. It's what we're all about.
But bringing is simply the best thing anyone of us can do to build this church.

PS...
I read about half a dozen blogs and often resist passing them on ( I figure if folks want to read other blogs, they'll read other blogs). But this one helps emphasize the point I'm making...

A Conversation In The Gym…

Posted: 21 Feb 2008 06:00 AM CST

Last Saturday I was about three seconds away from a heart attack in the gym (for those who do not know–I am an absolute freak when it comes to working out!)

While I was resting between sets a lady came up to me and introduced herself and her family and said they just wanted to say hey and that they were members of NewSpring.

I asked them, “How did you begin attending NewSpring Church?’ Their answer was incredible…I’ve heard it a thousand times before…and I rejoice every time I hear it.

They told me that their neighbors invited them…and not just once, but consistently. After a while they decided that they would finally try it out…and haven’t hardly missed a Sunday since.

We talked for a few minutes and then they walked away when it hit me…there is hardly anything more powerful when it comes to reaching the lost and unchurched population as someone being willing to step out of their comfort zone and invite someone to attend church with them.

We take this VERY seriously at NewSpring Church. We know that hundreds and thousands of people in our community do not attend church anywhere…we know that the people who attend every week know who the majority of these people are…and the deal we make with our congregation is this…if you will do your best & go all out to get people here–we will make sure they hear about Jesus in a way that is relevant to their lives.

Conversation after conversation it’s always the same, “So and so invited me to NewSpring and…”

Sure, we do billboards, direct mail, newspaper ads…all of that; however, NOTHING can substitute for the power of personal invitation…nothing at all.

I said all of that to say this–hey NewSpringer’s–who is it that you need to invite THIS SUNDAY? Seriously, you’ve said something to them in the past–they hinted that they “might” come, but you haven’t seen them here yet? I personally believe that THIS SUNDAY would be a great one to do all that you can to get them here.

AND…when inviting them…don’t play games. Tell them you will come pick them up…and actually BRING them with you. Tell them you will buy them lunch afterwards. Do all that you can to get them here…because, I honestly believe that we serve a God that has never given up on us–therefore we should never give up on others.

Over and over I see it–someone invites someone & they meet Jesus…and LIFECHANGE happens. It’s one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen…and I know there are more and more people to be reached. YOUR family members. YOUR neighbors. YOUR friends. THIS weekend is YOUR opportunity–don’t give up!!!

Called... to Ski?

People keep asking me if I'm glad to be back from my ski trip.
Can I say yes and no?

I'm thrilled to be back- I love my family, I love Connections, I love my calling. I wouldn't trade these things for all the world- this is my world!

But skiing is my addiction. It's not like I feed it a little bit and walk away satisfied. I'm like a crack head- I get one fix and immediately crave more. If you put the opportunity in front of me right now, I'd be on the slopes! I've got a fever and the only cure is more skiing.

That said, it's not my calling. I knew that from the moment I was presented with an education and freedom. I was so tempted to pack up, head out west, and embrace the ski-bum life. Get a job, but live for the mountain. But I knew God had other plans for me. I knew He wanted to do more through me than cut up fresh powder and huck cliffs.

And more so, I knew that ultimately skiing would not satisfy my deepest needs- the need to have a calling and a purpose. The need for a companion, for a family, for a community. The opportunity to make a real impact in the world and on people's lives. These are the things I decided to pursue. And for this I have no regrets. I praise God that somehow, even as a dumb 21 year old with his whole life ahead of him, I knew enough to pursue what matters eternally- God and people.

And you know what God gave me, I think in part for trying my best to honor him? A wife who actually encourages me to take ski trips. Kids who now love skiing and can't wait until they are old enough to hit the big mountains. An income that allows me to save up and hit the slopes a few times each year. A father who foots the bill for most the trip so he can spend time with his sons and grandchildren! (Thanks dad, you're awesome)

Yeah, there are folks who live right by the mountains. Folks who make a lot of money and fly to the mountains every weekend. But all things considered I have it pretty good, better than many. And for this, I am deeply, deeply grateful. Thanks to God for creating big mountains and lots of snow!

And here's me tearing them up...

My Hero

This guy is my hero.
I wonder if I can pull something like this at Alta?
Maybe I'll keep my cliff jumps under 200ft.
Make that 100ft.
Ok, honestly, I will do about 20ft. But that's where I draw the line!



I'll be sure to take a video if I do!

Naked Before God

Series: How to Look Good Naked
Sermon: Naked Before God
George J. Saylor
February 10, 2008

Last week we kicked off our How to Look Good Naked series. I have to give God the glory because I had some amazing conversations this past week. People shared how hard it really is for them to look in the mirror. They see shame, guilt and regret. It usually came down to one two reasons. One group sees the names they have been called, the things that have been done to them, the image that was superimposed over their body, their mind, their soul. Others see the faces of those they have sinned against. They carry the guilt and shame of what they called others, what they did to their children, to their spouses, to the parents, to their friends.

Read the whole sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com

What will God give you?

It's fun how certain themes can start to appear in our lives. For the past few days a theme that's been hovering around conversations is this idea that God won't give you more than you can handle.

I don't believe that. I don't read that in the bible. I've experienced quite the opposite.

It think this is where well intentioned Christians get mixed up:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

But there's a big difference between temptation and what we can or cannot handle.

In fact, it would seem from numerous bible stories, and my own life experience, that God delights in getting us into situations we can't handle.

Noah didn't know how to build boats.
David couldn't take on a giant.
Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh.
The disciples appeared soundly UNqualified to take the mantle of Jesus.
And I am clearly in over my head!

None of us, no one on the team, has ever planted Connections Community Church before.
All of us, no matter how much church experience we might have, are in new waters with the mission. Because God is doing anew thing. And it's taking past our own strength.

And it feels amazing to have more than we can handle. Because we are learning more each day to pray, to follow God, to lean on Him, and to lean on one another.

I'm finally getting good at saying, "I don't know how to do this. Can you help me?" I'm saying that about a lot of our areas of development. And I'm praying it very sincerely to God.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

God's giving us more than we can handle so we can ask for help, lean on Him, and give Him all the glory. That's kind of the whole point.

Naked Before the Mirror

Series: How to Look Good Naked
Sermon: Naked Before the Mirror
George J. Saylor
February 3, 2008

Few months ago now, Robin calls me to come see a show on TV. I walk in and see that she has on the W channel- "Television for women who hate men or want to learn how to hate men. " I said I’d take more joy from watching paint dry! But then she says the show is called, “How to Look Good Naked.” So out of respect for my wife and in order that I might understand better the unique and wonderful ways in which God created women, I figured it was my duty, nay, my obligation, to thoughtfully observe the show...

Read the whole sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com

I'm Lost Without You

Last night I awoke from my self-induce hibernation.
It seems as though I've been sleep walking through the past 9 months.
But now I have reason to rise-
Lost is back on.

Yeah, the television show. Honestly, it is far and away the best drama on TV I've ever watched. It surpasses any movie I've seen in recent history. The writing is remarkable- the character development, the attention to detail, the interwoven story lines. I love the tension between science and faith, fate and free will. It's amazing.

The point is, I want Connections to offer the community worship services with the care, craft and passion that characterizes Lost. Honestly, if folks can create that caliber of art for network television, for profit- then how much better can and should we do for God?

I hope my writing, our development, our crafting services goes to a level no one has ever seen before. I pray that we weave together music, drama, video, teaching and more with such art that the world can't help but notice. I hope it's so amazing that we are left with no option but to give God the glory.

The greatest thing about last night- I was left so satisfied, like eating a gourmet meal. And at the same time, I wanted more immediately after it ended. I hope people have that same experience at Connections- deeply satisfied with God, and longing for more of Him.