Week in the life of a Connector

Ok, first off, I'm now in the habit of calling our people "Connectors." I hope that isn't too cheesy.

In several recent conversations I've been asked about our mission.
We want to see people far from God come close to God through Jesus Christ.
We use the statement, "Connecting with God. Connecting with people. Connecting with the world." But this is more than just a mission, it also describes our strategy.

Here's how it might play out in the life of a Connector, in this not-so-fictional story...

At some point during the week "Steve," who considers himself committed to Connections, bumps into his neighbor "Joe," who doesn't go to church. Joe already likes Steve because he's a good neighbor and shows genuine interest in their friendship. Joe says something that makes Steve think of a message he heard (or a song we sang, or someone else he knows at Connections). Steve tells this to Joe, then asks, "Would you like to come to Connections with me this Sunday?"

Steve is of course shaking in his boots, but to his delight, Joe says "yes." (After all, 88% of people surveyed who don't go to church said they would go if a friend invited them.)

Sunday morning Steve and Joe go to church, and Joe has a great experience. So great, in fact, Joe is compelled to ask Steve some questions about God, Jesus and church. Steve is a little frustrated because he doesn't have "great" answers for all of Joe's questions. But Joe really doesn't seem to mind because he is more interested in an ongoing discussion.

But because Steve feels a little overwhelmed to "know it all" he invites Joe to his Connections Group. To his amazement, again, Joe agrees.

Joe quickly finds out that this group of people is refreshing "normal" in many ways- they love to joke around, catch up with each other, and enjoy some great coffee and desserts. They have the same struggles as everyone else- they struggle with money, with time management, with raising kids, with marriage, with mundane jobs, with aging parents and their own health.

But Joe also senses that these folks aren't just like everyone else. They are flawed people, but have a different "spirit" or attitude about them. They seem to have hope, freedom, purpose and genuine love for others.

They don't just chit chat all evening, but have some direction. They talk about their lives and the bible. They encourage one another. And they pray for one another. Joe doesn't speak during the prayer, but he is deeply moved by what he feels. He couldn't even describe it if he tried.

Steve and Joe see each other during the week, and they talk a little about Connections and the group. Joe says he really enjoyed it, and he means it. So Steve asks if he'd like to come again. Unfortunately Joe has plans next weekend.

BUT, Steve is not discouraged because he knows that Joe has never been in the habit of going to church. He has a family, work, hobbies and responsibilities. Regular worship attendance alone will be a radical life shift for Joe.

So Steve gentle continues to invite Joe. When he can, he does attend.

After several weeks Joe starts making worship a priority. He's at worship more than half the Sundays of the month. He's developing his own friendships, and genuinely looks forward to his Connections Group (yes, somewhere along the line, who knows when, it became his group too.) Joe has actually begun to invite some of his friends to Connections as well.

Joe never did anything with church before, but he's an early riser and a friendly guy. Soon he finds himself volunteering to help set things up and be a greeter twice a month.

All the while Joe has heard the story of Jesus preached every week. At some point along the way he started to believe it. One Sunday Joe is moved by the music and the message. And by the end of the service, somehow he just knew, he was now a part of Connections. He put his faith in Jesus and felt connected to God, to people, and in a new way, to the world.

He could hardly wait to invite the family that recently moved in just down the street.

Prayer Ministry Training

Did you know that the ONE thing the disciples of Jesus asked him to teach them was how to pray? (Luke 11:1)
We'd like to help teach you how to pray and be a part of our Prayer Team.

ALSO, we will teach you how to share the plan of salvation from the bible.
If you've ever wondered what the bible says about salvation, or wondered how to pray with someone to commit their life to God through Jesus, then you'll want to be at this event. We'll teach you a simple, biblical outline to follow.

What: Prayer Team Training
When: Monday, May 12, 7:30pm at 1326 Hastings Dr.
Why: To organize and prepare our team.
Starting IMMEDIATELY we want to have at least 2 people praying for our service and our community on Sunday mornings from 9-9:30am, and then to be available to pray with/for people after the worship service.

We Got Jobs!

We are getting close to filling all of our current volunteer positions.
So just to be sure that everyone knows that this doesn't mean we're finished, I'm publishing my next list of volunteer jobs we'd love to fill.

By the way, this is one of our PRIMARY strategies for growth (both numerically, and in maturity): to give EVERYONE a volunteer role/position on a ministry team.

So here's the expanded list of volunteer roles:

Sunday Mornings-
Connecting Point Lunch Coordinator: this person would run promotion and sign-ups for our first-of-the month lunch. On the day of the lunch they provide food and drinks (paid for my the church).

Parking Attendants: Yes, parking is pretty easy at the theatre, but how about helping families with young children, and just being there to let people know they're welcome before then even get out of the car!

Connections Kids grades 2-5: Yeap, we want to grow into a children's theatre program.

Prayer Support: We offer prayer support after the service already. Now we want to get the crew started before the service- praying from 9-9:30 am.

More Greeters: Greeting is an awesome job- it's how people get to know everyone the church, and I think we can't have too many greeters.

Living Billboards: you know those folks that stand on street corners and promote "Going out of Business" sales? How about a few people at major interchanges holding Connections signs from 9-10am?

Through the Week-
Media/Video Team: how cool to get a group of folks looking for great clips and videos? I can give them my preaching calendar, and they can help me find supporting materials.

Graphic Arts Team: Just what it says- folks that like graphic arts.

ALPHA Team: we should start planning for a mid-week ALPHA group. This is a program that is an introduction to the Christian faith. This would be used as a step between worship and Connections Groups, place to explore Christianity and our church.

Data Entry: It's about time we get Connections it's own administrative database.

Team Leaders-
Family Ministry Director: I can send you a job description.

First Impressions Team Director: Yea, I have a job description.

That's pretty much off the top of my head.
Here's the point- we can get you plugged in.
We don't have a complicated process right now.
We do need a better system. But for now it's this simple-

Let me know you're ready to get involved, and I'll put you in touch with the right people.

Invite Me!

I mentioned briefly in yesterday's sermon the difference between telling someone about Jesus, or church, and inviting them to meet Jesus, or church.

Here's what I've realized about many of my conversations.
I am always telling people about Connections Community Church. I'm the pastor, I love our people, our worship, our mission, everything about Connections. It comes naturally for me to share what I love.

BUT, I often fool myself into thinking that just because I've TOLD somebody about Connections, that I've INVITED them.
But I haven't.

Saying, "We're an awesome church! I'd love for you to come to our church sometime," is great thing to say if we mean it. But it isn't an invitation. It's too open ended. Just like, "We should have lunch sometime." I've never had lunch with someone after saying we should have lunch. But I've had plenty of lunches with people after I said, "We should have lunch tomorrow."

Try saying, "I love my church! What are doing THIS Sunday? Could I bring you to church with me?"

THAT'S an INVITATION.

Why is that scary? It's not. They are going to say yes or no. If they say yes, great, your invitation was accepted.
If they say no, fine, at least they know you wanted to include them in something you love.

I was invited to join a softball league. I said no. But I really appreciated the invitation.
I was invited to play hockey yesterday. I already had plans. But I loved being invited.

Here's the thing- I know, I KNOW that there are hordes of people out there who are just about screaming, "INVITE ME!" They want to find community, friendship, worship, meaning, purpose, excitement, adventure- all the things we offer at Connections.

So don't just tell them about Connections. Invite them. Actually commit yourself and invite them. You have nothing to lose, and they have everything to gain.

Sharing God's Love

Series: Signs of Belonging
May 4, 2008
George J. Saylor

This morning we come full circle. We draw to a close our series on Signs of Belonging by talking about Sharing God’s Love. Every one of us, every one who puts their faith and trust in Jesus is then called to share in the life and ministry of Jesus. And let me be abundantly clear on what I mean by that- God showed us the ultimate love by sending his Son Jesus into the world to be our savior. The ultimate love we can experience is in accepting the gift of that salvation, that life, in Jesus. The ultimate expression of love is in sharing this love, sharing Jesus, telling others about Jesus, inviting others to know Jesus. When I say share God’s love, I’m not talking about some vague concept or feeling- I’m mean we tell people about God’s love for us in Jesus. We tell them who Jesus is and we invite them to give their life and faith to Jesus.

We should share God’s love for two reasons- first, because Jesus commanded it. Simply put- Jesus said go out into all the world and make disciples. Second, we should do so because we are compelled to share the best news and the best thing that’s every happened to us. Jesus commands us, and our own experience of Jesus compels us to share the best news the world has ever heard- there is forgiveness, there is freedom, there is peace, there is a God who loves you. It’s the most amazing news the world has ever heard. That’s it, and that’s what we’re talking about today.

Let me begin by making three observations...

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