This week we continue our work on the Healthy Church Initiative. (HCI) Our coach, Doug Anderson will be with us for a variety of meetings wednesday and thursday. He will spend time with me, with our staff, with our lay leadership team and other groups. On thursday he will lead us (congregation) in an evening of "envisioning."
We find ourselves in the midst of a significant number of people who are not regular participants in a church. This community within the community represent those we believe God calls us to intentionally reach out to. This week we should have a clear idea of the nature of our "mission field" and the way we believe God is calling us to reach forth in the name of Christ.
We have some great advantages. We have first time guests visit our church every week. We offer a wide range of opportunities that people appreciate. There are many people who live life like the rest of us who will continue to come to our church and find grace.
But there are also many people who don't necessarily shop where we shop and live like we live. There are younger adults whose world is different from ours. There are people who simply see the world through a different lens than those of us who have made the church a significant part of our lives.
We are called to live and share the gospel with those who have yet to find it meaningful and relevant. So we have a challenge. How do we share Christ with integrity and relevance? This is what we are seeking to discover through HCI. I hope you will join me in a commitment to extending the love of Christ.
It's been a good day. Worship this weekend was great. I feel blessed this day. I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
A warm day after bitter cold, ice and snow certainly puts people in a good mood! Good crowds this weekend. Great worship. (Thanks to Scott McDonald for filling in on the keyboard at 9:30 today. Great job.) There was laughter. There was great fellowship. Good conversation. We had a picture of the joy the Church brings.
We are in a message series called AFTER YOU BELIEVE. The series is based on a book by New Testament scholar and bishop N. T. Wright. Hopefully we are getting it established that after we make a commitment to Christ - Believe - there is more to come. Today we talked about developing character - specifically Christian character - as we continue the ongoing life of grace. Character development leads to a Transformed life all in the context of following Jesus Christ.
On another note we are praying for three of our leaders as they have joined others from diferent churches on a mission trip to Mexico.
On yet another note - it would be a good idea to remember that tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Take the moment to say "I love you."
On yet another note - It's been a great day. My mom and dad are here for the weekend. We had our whole family here today for lunch. Enjoying a visit with my dad when we wake up from our naps!
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
We are in a message series called AFTER YOU BELIEVE. The series is based on a book by New Testament scholar and bishop N. T. Wright. Hopefully we are getting it established that after we make a commitment to Christ - Believe - there is more to come. Today we talked about developing character - specifically Christian character - as we continue the ongoing life of grace. Character development leads to a Transformed life all in the context of following Jesus Christ.
On another note we are praying for three of our leaders as they have joined others from diferent churches on a mission trip to Mexico.
On yet another note - it would be a good idea to remember that tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Take the moment to say "I love you."
On yet another note - It's been a great day. My mom and dad are here for the weekend. We had our whole family here today for lunch. Enjoying a visit with my dad when we wake up from our naps!
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Reflections From Sunday (Super Bowl) Evening
I remember the first Super Bowl. Sat down and watched the K.C. Chiefs play Green Bay. It seemed like a pretty neat deal at the time. Chiefs gave them a decent game for the first half before the Packers pulled away and won easily. It was the NFL - AFL Championship Game - soon it would be renamed the "Super Bowl." It's turned into a pretty big deal.
I remember some other things - I remember my grandparents - I remember friends and teachers from school days - I remember getting baptized, confirmed and joining the church -
Frankly the Super Bowl has gotten to be a bigger deal than me being baptized - or is it?
We can look all around us and see huge events every day. We may marvel at the interest in two football teams getting together and playing a game. But are these events really "bigger" than a person coming to Christ? Are these memories greater than those of family and friends?
100,000 may cheer at the Super Bowl today - when a person comes to Christ the angels in heaven rejoice.
Two teams will meet and compete for the prize - Our team (the Church) goes out every day to 'compete' for the hearts and souls of people.
By tonight one team will be a "winner" and the other will be relegated to the "team that got beat" status - Through faith in Jesus Christ we get to join the eternally "winning" team.
On this "Super Sunday" I hope some memories will be created. I pray something significant happens in your life today and that it makes the Super Bowl look like everyday stuff.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
I remember some other things - I remember my grandparents - I remember friends and teachers from school days - I remember getting baptized, confirmed and joining the church -
Frankly the Super Bowl has gotten to be a bigger deal than me being baptized - or is it?
We can look all around us and see huge events every day. We may marvel at the interest in two football teams getting together and playing a game. But are these events really "bigger" than a person coming to Christ? Are these memories greater than those of family and friends?
100,000 may cheer at the Super Bowl today - when a person comes to Christ the angels in heaven rejoice.
Two teams will meet and compete for the prize - Our team (the Church) goes out every day to 'compete' for the hearts and souls of people.
By tonight one team will be a "winner" and the other will be relegated to the "team that got beat" status - Through faith in Jesus Christ we get to join the eternally "winning" team.
On this "Super Sunday" I hope some memories will be created. I pray something significant happens in your life today and that it makes the Super Bowl look like everyday stuff.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening (Monday this week)
Bracing for a highly probable winter storm. Since I've been pretty much wrong on everything we've done on snowy days so far this winter I've decided to "err" on the side of keeping people home instead of trying to keep things going as usual at church. (Unless of course we are talking about Sunday morning - simply won't give it!) So ... we've canceled this evening's activities and are closing the church tomorrow. We'll see.
It does give me a moment to continue to reflect on a really good weekend. The attendance was good and the Spirit was alive! I keep thinking about an idea that surfaced in the context of our text: "I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
The idea is this - when we get hold of an exclusive claim such as Jesus makes we tend to reduce it to a more and more narrow form until it becomes a pinpoint. The same truth in the hands of Jesus explodes into a universally redemptive hope. Just thinking ...
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
It does give me a moment to continue to reflect on a really good weekend. The attendance was good and the Spirit was alive! I keep thinking about an idea that surfaced in the context of our text: "I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
The idea is this - when we get hold of an exclusive claim such as Jesus makes we tend to reduce it to a more and more narrow form until it becomes a pinpoint. The same truth in the hands of Jesus explodes into a universally redemptive hope. Just thinking ...
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Well it looks like the serious snow moved around the K.C. area. It was blustery this morning but we still had a good crowd for worship. What an amazing church!
We were talking about the church this weekend. At its best the church is a living, organic, growing, redemptive body of Christ.
The Church offers a fellowship of believers. Jesus invited us to "abide" in him. That means Jesus lives in and through us and we live in Christ. Since Jesus is not physically walking on the earth today we live into this vision by "abiding" - residing in - dwelling with - the Church.
The Church is a redemptive fellowship where grace abounds.
The Church is a movement of God's salvation plan.
The Church is hope for a despairing world.
The Church is light in the darkness.
The Church is a door to eternal life.
The Church is a window to the heart of God.
At its best, the Church is a fellowship of believers living the vision of God's plans and purposes.
I am blessed to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ - I consider it a blessing to be part of the United Methodist "tribe." I find it a great joy to be pastor of our church.
Next week we finish up our sermon series on I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT... and will address the question, "Is There Really Just One Way?"
The next series will be "After You Believe." I see us growing in grace and discovering more and more of what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
One more thing ... tomorrow evening at 6:30 we have a church conference where we will elect our leadership council. This is an important step in our Healthy Church Initiative. I hope you will support our leaders and share the vision.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
We were talking about the church this weekend. At its best the church is a living, organic, growing, redemptive body of Christ.
The Church offers a fellowship of believers. Jesus invited us to "abide" in him. That means Jesus lives in and through us and we live in Christ. Since Jesus is not physically walking on the earth today we live into this vision by "abiding" - residing in - dwelling with - the Church.
The Church is a redemptive fellowship where grace abounds.
The Church is a movement of God's salvation plan.
The Church is hope for a despairing world.
The Church is light in the darkness.
The Church is a door to eternal life.
The Church is a window to the heart of God.
At its best, the Church is a fellowship of believers living the vision of God's plans and purposes.
I am blessed to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ - I consider it a blessing to be part of the United Methodist "tribe." I find it a great joy to be pastor of our church.
Next week we finish up our sermon series on I BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT... and will address the question, "Is There Really Just One Way?"
The next series will be "After You Believe." I see us growing in grace and discovering more and more of what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
One more thing ... tomorrow evening at 6:30 we have a church conference where we will elect our leadership council. This is an important step in our Healthy Church Initiative. I hope you will support our leaders and share the vision.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Dr. Myron McCoy preached today - "I Believe in God, But ... Why Isn't Life Fair?" It was a challenging message. I am very grateful to Myron for sharing with us today. His text was Rev. 21:1-6 (you should read it). It speaks of the new heaven and earth. Old things pass away. All tears & sorrow will be gone. This is the vision we Christians hold to and find ourselves being drawn toward.
Sometimes I sense signs of God drawing us toward his vision. Yesterday I officiated at a memorial service for a member of our church. After some soul searching her daughter decided to share her thoughts in the service. She told me she had cried all the tears and wanted to share about her mom. She did a magnificent job. It was not the easiest thing she will ever do in her life but will certainly be among the most meaningful.
She spoke with joy and the confidence of faith. To me, it was like our being drawn to the vision of a new way. All tears will be wiped away and all things will become new. Yesterday I saw the tears yield to joyful thanks for a life well lived. In an even greater way God speaks, promises, draws, moves, encourages, nudges and pulls us ever closer to the new life He is fashioning for us and in us.
Today's message was a good reminder that God is certainly not finished with what He started in this good creation. We have things to do in order for the vision of new life to be realized in our world.
Worship was great today (as always). The church was a great place to be today.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sometimes I sense signs of God drawing us toward his vision. Yesterday I officiated at a memorial service for a member of our church. After some soul searching her daughter decided to share her thoughts in the service. She told me she had cried all the tears and wanted to share about her mom. She did a magnificent job. It was not the easiest thing she will ever do in her life but will certainly be among the most meaningful.
She spoke with joy and the confidence of faith. To me, it was like our being drawn to the vision of a new way. All tears will be wiped away and all things will become new. Yesterday I saw the tears yield to joyful thanks for a life well lived. In an even greater way God speaks, promises, draws, moves, encourages, nudges and pulls us ever closer to the new life He is fashioning for us and in us.
Today's message was a good reminder that God is certainly not finished with what He started in this good creation. We have things to do in order for the vision of new life to be realized in our world.
Worship was great today (as always). The church was a great place to be today.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Well Chiefs fans, that went well!
On another note let me share some good news for our church as we conclude 2010 and enter 2011.
We ended the year on a strong note:
On another note let me share some good news for our church as we conclude 2010 and enter 2011.
We ended the year on a strong note:
- 2,200 participated in our Christmas Eve Candlelight services. The weather certainly helped with this great turnout. It is a strong indication that people are eager to experience the presence of God in their lives.
- Our church finances finished up strong
- 2010 giving was up 11% over the previous year.
- 2010 giving exceeded budget by 6%.
- 2010 expenses actually came in $20,000 below budget. (Our church staff does a great job with spending.)
- 2011 pledge cards indicate an increase of over $150,000 from last year.
- There were 25 more pledge cards returned for 2011 than we had last year. This includes those who participate in ACH giving.
- 69 people "stepped up" their giving for 2011. This is seven more stepping up than we had last year.
So you get the idea that the church responded with great generosity in 2010. I thank God for everyone who shares in our ministry. We are truly in a position to take positive steps forward as we move into a new year.
On a down note our average attendance in worship decreased by three percent. We averaged 791 people per weekend in 2010. (Undoubtedly the severe weather in January and February last year hurt these numbers.) We did finish the year on an upswing, so hopefully we will build momentum and see an increase in participation this year.
So what does all this say to us as we enter 2011? We will be implementing prescriptions from our Healthy Church Initiative. We will have opportunities to respond to the challenge to reach new people for Christ. We will have opportunities to continue to strengthen our ministries that lead us to deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. We will have opportunities to upgrade our facility and our ministries.
This week people will be nominated for our new Church Leadership Council. Soon we will be fully engaged in the work of setting the course for our church to move into God's preferred future.
I have deep appreciation for all who pray, worship, serve, give and express the love of Christ in and through Platte Woods United Methodist Church. It is truly an honor to be your pastor.
It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
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