Irreplaceable

I remember a movie called "The Replacements" about professional football players who went on strike and an owner who replaced them in order to field a team. Well, you can imagine the challenge of starting over with an entire different talent pool etc. I am sitting here today after Wanda Marcum's funeral and thinking about her and Hallie Clifford and Nellie Williams and others, wondering how do you replace people like that who have loved God and loved people. You know these three ladies each served the Lord for over 50 years. That is over 150 years collectively of touching lives from these three women alone. You know what I think? I think each of us are a "one of a kind" person. No one can truly replace any other human being. I think God gives each of us unique gifts and opportunitities to become irreplaceable in the hearts of those we touch. Go ahead, live BIG because you are irreplaceable.

Breaking Barriers

Breaking barriers! Can you except a challenge? I believe Easter we are going to break the 200 attendance barrier. We came close 3 weeks ago when we had 187 at church. Let's just do it!
I shared 7 essentials to becoming a breakout church at our leadership meeting last night. We have a great team coming together. We are going to pursue becoming a breakout church the right way. With these 7 essentials:
1. Vision - shared vision is a powerful motivater.

2. Integrity - Honesty is still the best policy.

3. Commitment - Without commitment it is difficult to win in most of life's challenges.

4. Timing - God is able to make all things beautiful in His time.

5. Organization - We are not only drawing up plans but organizing ways to get them done.

6. Relationships- The church body must pull together as a team relating to each other with concern for shared success.

7. Yieldedness - When we yield in absolute reliance on the Holy Spirit we will experience His power working in and through us.

week end update

1. Our teams did a great job covering all the bases. We cannot do ministry alone. We really do need each other. We had several of our leaders who were sick,(we are praying for their quick healing and return to health and strength)but it was great to see others step up and fill the gaps and do their best on short notice.
2. On Saturday Debbie and I had a great time watching Sarah win first place in her dance competition out at Greenfield Central High School. Then on Sunday she was inducted into the National Honor Society at LN. We celebrated with lunch at Red Lobster. Way to go Sarah! You and Beth both always make us proud.
3. "In the news" was over the top this week. Luke 21: 31 says, " when you see these things happening recognize the kingdom of God is near." Thanks Gary Tiese you are doing a great job of leading this small group.
4. Dave Hay's class is in Proverbs and the theme this week was Anger. I appreciated Dave making it clear that anger in itself is not sin. We can be angry but not sin. We just have to allow the Lord to help us direct the energy that the emotion of anger stirs in our lives. Great stuff to apply to our lives.

Last months reading list

I have my nose in several books right now:

1. Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger The subtitle is returning to God's process for making disciples.
2. I have borrowed from Keith Wagler the trilogy by Ted Dekker Black, Red, White. This fictional series deals with the concept that we are living in two realities. The Physical and the Spiritual. It took me a few chapters to embrace the style but I am now on book three and looking forward to how it wraps up.
3. The Bible - on track to not miss a day in the book of books. I have read, Proverbs, Matthew, Mark, part of Luke, Psalms and Genesis.
4. Also, I previously mentioned "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groeshel. See one of my previous blogs titled "Get real" in January

Building Momentum

Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is a shift in momentum. I have watched and played enough sports to witness this phenomenon many times. Eli Manning's pass and Tyrees' remarkable catch was a real momentum booster at that stage of the super bowl. It propelled their team to victory.

I can sense our momentum building at ALC. Shared enthusiasm and excitement is creating an atmospere of greater expectation. Our faith is being built up. Lives are being touched through our week-end services. And we are growing in our intensity to continue praying. Let's do some crazy praying over the next 40 days and I believe God will send us some crazy answers to our prayers. The result-- sustained momentum thrusting us past any barriers to growth.

week end review

So many have commented on what a great service we experienced this past Sunday. What our a great altar response. I left feeling so encouraged. Our attendance was 50 over what it was last year on this date and I know there were some new names written down in heaven. You don't want to miss this Sunday as we look at the powerful principle of the three chairs. Come find out which chair you are sitting in.