Hi All,
Unfortunately, we will have to cancel the Hunger Garden activities for this evening, May 27. The several days of rain that we had at the garden have created a mud bog. There is standing water in the troughs between the plastic strips. Also, weather.com is predicting thunderstorms to begin around 3:00 p.m., which are to last all evening.
We have thousands of plants waiting to be planted next Monday. We can use your help if you can possibly find the time to join us to plant. Thank you for all you do to help us. We really appreciate it.
Lyn Hunter
724-744-4961
They have THOUSANDS of plants waiting for us! Let's make a strong showing for Jesus next Monday.
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Innovate Church
I've stopped posting my notes to this conference because it was announced that all of the sessions have been made available for free download at www.innovatechurch.us.
Grace and Peace
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Innovate Conference Session - 4 (notes from Frances Chan)
-The biggest problem with the church is that we're not running to the Word of God for Truth, guidance, and instruction.
-Preach the Word, men and women of God. Preach the Word even when it is unpopular.
-I've never read the book of Acts then put down my Bible thinking, "Cool, that's just like our church." Acts 4:13
-We're so educated, yet we're so afraid.
-Courage is what marked the followers of Yahweh from the beginning.
-God expects us to be courageous.
-Now-a-days we call ourselves Christians even though we aren't truly like Christ. It used to be that Christians actually lived out the teachings of Christ. Some even died for it.
-When reading Scripture, constantly bring yourself to the obvious Truth. Search for the deeper meanings, but don't miss the obvious Truth.
-Read the Bible cover to cover and then ask yourself, "According to this book, what is commanded of the church?" WHO CARES ABOUT THE REST! (Amen)
-The church should NEVER gather without there being a tremendous amount of love for one another.
-If you were on an island and unable to be influenced by anyone elses teachings, what would the Holy Spirit teach you about following Christ based upon the time that you spent by yourself reading God's Word?
-The problem that I have with most churches today is that they are so stoppable. Jesus makes it clear that His church is UNstoppable...not even the gates of hell can stand against it.
-If you've heard the voice of the Lord, drown out all of the other voices no matter what.
-Just believe again.
NOTE - This was easily the most powerful thing I've heard in a LONG time. When Frances walked off of the stage you could've heard a pin drop, then someone from the audience approached the stage and insisted that we pray for Frances and the power of his ministry. Then I had to disappear for a while and be with Jesus. God used Frances' words this morning to rock my world. I'm still just indescribably moved by this session.
-Preach the Word, men and women of God. Preach the Word even when it is unpopular.
-I've never read the book of Acts then put down my Bible thinking, "Cool, that's just like our church." Acts 4:13
-We're so educated, yet we're so afraid.
-Courage is what marked the followers of Yahweh from the beginning.
-God expects us to be courageous.
-Now-a-days we call ourselves Christians even though we aren't truly like Christ. It used to be that Christians actually lived out the teachings of Christ. Some even died for it.
-When reading Scripture, constantly bring yourself to the obvious Truth. Search for the deeper meanings, but don't miss the obvious Truth.
-Read the Bible cover to cover and then ask yourself, "According to this book, what is commanded of the church?" WHO CARES ABOUT THE REST! (Amen)
-The church should NEVER gather without there being a tremendous amount of love for one another.
-If you were on an island and unable to be influenced by anyone elses teachings, what would the Holy Spirit teach you about following Christ based upon the time that you spent by yourself reading God's Word?
-The problem that I have with most churches today is that they are so stoppable. Jesus makes it clear that His church is UNstoppable...not even the gates of hell can stand against it.
-If you've heard the voice of the Lord, drown out all of the other voices no matter what.
-Just believe again.
NOTE - This was easily the most powerful thing I've heard in a LONG time. When Frances walked off of the stage you could've heard a pin drop, then someone from the audience approached the stage and insisted that we pray for Frances and the power of his ministry. Then I had to disappear for a while and be with Jesus. God used Frances' words this morning to rock my world. I'm still just indescribably moved by this session.
Innovate Conference Session - 3 (notes from Jonathon Falwell)
-The outer most parts of the earth can't be found within the walls of our churches. We must start doing ministry outside of the walls of the churches.
-We can't make disciples of all nations if we're only committed to doing ministry within the walls of our churches.
YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR GOD GIVEN VISION FOR MINISTRY:
Your vision for ministry will become a victim if it isn't protected.
Vision can become a victim of pride:
-Our drive to be CONSIDERED a success is the first step to failing at our vision.
-The vision that God gives us is not to make our name famous. It is to make His name famous.
-God called you into ministry to reach people with the Gospel. Nothing more...Nothing less...
-God didn't call you to build a mega church. He called you to do your part in building THE church. The church of Jesus Christ...
Vision can become a victim of worrying what others think:
-When you discover your purpose in life, you will likely discover enemies.
-JUST PLEASE GOD. No one else matters.
Vision can become a victim of being insecure:
-Believe that God can do the impossible IN YOU.
-Do it afraid. Do it convinced that you're incapable. Do it fully dependent upon God.
-We can't make disciples of all nations if we're only committed to doing ministry within the walls of our churches.
YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR GOD GIVEN VISION FOR MINISTRY:
Your vision for ministry will become a victim if it isn't protected.
Vision can become a victim of pride:
-Our drive to be CONSIDERED a success is the first step to failing at our vision.
-The vision that God gives us is not to make our name famous. It is to make His name famous.
-God called you into ministry to reach people with the Gospel. Nothing more...Nothing less...
-God didn't call you to build a mega church. He called you to do your part in building THE church. The church of Jesus Christ...
Vision can become a victim of worrying what others think:
-When you discover your purpose in life, you will likely discover enemies.
-JUST PLEASE GOD. No one else matters.
Vision can become a victim of being insecure:
-Believe that God can do the impossible IN YOU.
-Do it afraid. Do it convinced that you're incapable. Do it fully dependent upon God.
Innovate Conference Session - 2 (notes from Kerry Shook)
Kerry asks:
-What would you do if you knew you only had one month to live?
-What would you do if you knew your church only had one more month to live?
Psalm 90:12
1) Live Passionately =
What the world needs is to see us come alive with the love of Jesus.
Coming alive with the love of Jesus is the enemy of living comfortably.
2) Love Completely =
Don't ever leave anything important unsaid.
Don't ever leave anything important undone.
Do it now. Say it now. Don't wait.
3) Learn Humbly =
Humble yourself in every way.
And humble yourself even more in your problems and your pain.
4) Lead Boldly =
Leave a legacy. Anything else isn't worth leaving.
*Most of us spend our lives building ornate sandcastles, but sandcastles, no matter how fancy they are, get destroyed by the smallest waves. We need to trade in our sandcastle for The Strong Tower.
-What would you do if you knew you only had one month to live?
-What would you do if you knew your church only had one more month to live?
Psalm 90:12
1) Live Passionately =
What the world needs is to see us come alive with the love of Jesus.
Coming alive with the love of Jesus is the enemy of living comfortably.
2) Love Completely =
Don't ever leave anything important unsaid.
Don't ever leave anything important undone.
Do it now. Say it now. Don't wait.
3) Learn Humbly =
Humble yourself in every way.
And humble yourself even more in your problems and your pain.
4) Lead Boldly =
Leave a legacy. Anything else isn't worth leaving.
*Most of us spend our lives building ornate sandcastles, but sandcastles, no matter how fancy they are, get destroyed by the smallest waves. We need to trade in our sandcastle for The Strong Tower.
Innovate Conference Session - 1 (notes from Eric Geiger)
I'm currently at Thomas Road Baptist Church at the Innovate Church Conference. I've been asked to share my notes from the sessions. So...here are my notes from Eric Geiger, author of Simple Church.
In his opening he referred to church planters as people who are charging the gates of hell with a bucket of water. I LOVE that image!
He says:
-"Drift" occurs when we do not remain committed to the essence of our reason for doing what we're doing.
-The church is in the process of returning to the essence of who are because we have drifted.
-The Gospel is the essence of our faith. (AMEN!)
-He asks, "When considering your church, is Jesus the dominant presence, or is programming the dominant presence?"
-"Drift" never corrects itself. Drift must be addressed if it is to be corrected.
There are 2 types of drift in most churches:
1) The drift of COMPLEXITY
- This is prevalent when all we do at church gets done through multi-tasking.
- Many people brag about their ability to multi-task, but multi-tasking has
been proven to make us less efficient
- We lose 10 IQ points while we perform multi-tasks. Multi-tasking literally
makes us dumber while we are in the process of multi-tasking.
- Studies show that someone under the influence of Marijuana only loses 4 IQ
while they are under the influence. Pastors that require their staff members
to get their job done through multi-tasking would have a smarter, more efficient
staff if they required their staff to begin every task by smoking a joint.
(This was said to make a point against multi-tasking, not promoting the use
of Marijuana)
- Complexity is in excess when we are so busy that we have to outsource precious
aspects of our ministry.
2) The drift OFF MISSION
- If your mission isn't clearly expressed in everything you do, then in some
way you've drifted off mission.
- If your mission isn't clearly stated and restated throughout the organization
and its services, then you've drifted off mission.
Addressing the drift:
1) Clarify and simplify the discipleship process
2) Be careful not to over program your ministry
3) Ensure your mission is embedded into your discipleship process
Grace and Peace
In his opening he referred to church planters as people who are charging the gates of hell with a bucket of water. I LOVE that image!
He says:
-"Drift" occurs when we do not remain committed to the essence of our reason for doing what we're doing.
-The church is in the process of returning to the essence of who are because we have drifted.
-The Gospel is the essence of our faith. (AMEN!)
-He asks, "When considering your church, is Jesus the dominant presence, or is programming the dominant presence?"
-"Drift" never corrects itself. Drift must be addressed if it is to be corrected.
There are 2 types of drift in most churches:
1) The drift of COMPLEXITY
- This is prevalent when all we do at church gets done through multi-tasking.
- Many people brag about their ability to multi-task, but multi-tasking has
been proven to make us less efficient
- We lose 10 IQ points while we perform multi-tasks. Multi-tasking literally
makes us dumber while we are in the process of multi-tasking.
- Studies show that someone under the influence of Marijuana only loses 4 IQ
while they are under the influence. Pastors that require their staff members
to get their job done through multi-tasking would have a smarter, more efficient
staff if they required their staff to begin every task by smoking a joint.
(This was said to make a point against multi-tasking, not promoting the use
of Marijuana)
- Complexity is in excess when we are so busy that we have to outsource precious
aspects of our ministry.
2) The drift OFF MISSION
- If your mission isn't clearly expressed in everything you do, then in some
way you've drifted off mission.
- If your mission isn't clearly stated and restated throughout the organization
and its services, then you've drifted off mission.
Addressing the drift:
1) Clarify and simplify the discipleship process
2) Be careful not to over program your ministry
3) Ensure your mission is embedded into your discipleship process
Grace and Peace
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A quote for today:
"Whatever our failures may be, we need not lower our eyes in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. For He has come unto those who are scarred and broken to the point of accepting the handout of amazing grace."
- Brennan Manning
- Brennan Manning
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thoughts about the Bible
Once a year, or there abouts, I like to take a week to just read all the way through the Bible again. It's a labor of love for me because reading is not my favorite thing in the world to do, but I find that doing this reminds me of some key areas of the Biblical narrative that I haven't thought about in a while, gives me new insight, and just generally rekindles my love for God's Word. After reading through it again this week, I have a few random thoughts:
1) When Noah said "yes" to building the ark, did he have any idea how much poop he was going to have to put up with?
2) When did it occur to the Isrealites that for one to truly enjoy the land of milk and honey, one would have to milk the cows and get stung by the bees...Would they have gone had they known what truly awaited them in Jericho? More importantly, Would I?
3) I still laugh out loud every time I read Judges 3:15 "And the Isrealites cried out to the LORD, and He sent them a deliverer, Ehud, a left-handed man". Give it up for south-paws!
4) Song of Songs...I think that comparing my lover's body parts to animals is just downright romantic. Too bad my lover doesn't think so.
5) Psalm 23 still gets to me. "And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
6) Bartimaeus is one of my heros. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more..." (Mark 10:48) When I really think about that moment, it takes my breath away.
7) Jesus told the Canaanite woman that she had "great faith" (Mark 15:28). Oh that we would all live lives that would invite such a remark from the King.
8) There's just nothing quite like 3 days in the belly of a fish to help you come to your senses.
9) Sometimes when I read about the church in the book of Acts, I get inspired to be a part of bringing the simplicity of the first-century gatherings to today's culture.
10) Sometimes when I read about the church in the book of Acts, I get discouraged because I wonder if anyone in our culture would ever consider being a part of something so simple and "in your face".
11) Paul NEVER stops talking about grace. May I be bold enough to do the same
12) John NEVER stops talking about God's love. May I be bold enough to do the same.
13) Whoever the author of Hebrews was, he/she, in my opinion, had a better understanding of faith than any other contributor to the Biblical narrative.
A verse to leave you with:
"For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Colossians 1:13-14
Grace and Peace
1) When Noah said "yes" to building the ark, did he have any idea how much poop he was going to have to put up with?
2) When did it occur to the Isrealites that for one to truly enjoy the land of milk and honey, one would have to milk the cows and get stung by the bees...Would they have gone had they known what truly awaited them in Jericho? More importantly, Would I?
3) I still laugh out loud every time I read Judges 3:15 "And the Isrealites cried out to the LORD, and He sent them a deliverer, Ehud, a left-handed man". Give it up for south-paws!
4) Song of Songs...I think that comparing my lover's body parts to animals is just downright romantic. Too bad my lover doesn't think so.
5) Psalm 23 still gets to me. "And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
6) Bartimaeus is one of my heros. "Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more..." (Mark 10:48) When I really think about that moment, it takes my breath away.
7) Jesus told the Canaanite woman that she had "great faith" (Mark 15:28). Oh that we would all live lives that would invite such a remark from the King.
8) There's just nothing quite like 3 days in the belly of a fish to help you come to your senses.
9) Sometimes when I read about the church in the book of Acts, I get inspired to be a part of bringing the simplicity of the first-century gatherings to today's culture.
10) Sometimes when I read about the church in the book of Acts, I get discouraged because I wonder if anyone in our culture would ever consider being a part of something so simple and "in your face".
11) Paul NEVER stops talking about grace. May I be bold enough to do the same
12) John NEVER stops talking about God's love. May I be bold enough to do the same.
13) Whoever the author of Hebrews was, he/she, in my opinion, had a better understanding of faith than any other contributor to the Biblical narrative.
A verse to leave you with:
"For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Colossians 1:13-14
Grace and Peace
Monday, May 4, 2009
A quote
This quote has been all up in my business today.
Perry Noble said:
"The LAST THING I want our church to be is NORMAL! I’m begging God to do the UNEXPLAINABLE and the UNDENIABLE so HIS church will become UNSTOPPABLE!"
Grace and Peace
Perry Noble said:
"The LAST THING I want our church to be is NORMAL! I’m begging God to do the UNEXPLAINABLE and the UNDENIABLE so HIS church will become UNSTOPPABLE!"
Grace and Peace
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The search begins
Charter Oak Church is kicking off the search process for a new full-time Pastor of Student Ministry. We currently have a growing, excited core of Junior High and Senior High students (100 plus weekly). This position is a potential gold mine for someone new to ministry, as this will be a highly mentored role during the first year of employment. That, however, should not discourage applicants with prior experience from inquiring.
Charter Oak Church believes that all people matter to God. We believe that the power of the Gospel is to transform lives for all eternity, and our mission is three-fold:
Love God
Love each other
Love the world
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then I'd like to talk with you about it.
Email serious inquiries only to:
Mark McMahon (Current Pastor of Student Ministry)
mmcmahon@charteroakumc.org
Deadline for resume' submission:
May 22nd, 2009
Grace and Peace
Charter Oak Church believes that all people matter to God. We believe that the power of the Gospel is to transform lives for all eternity, and our mission is three-fold:
Love God
Love each other
Love the world
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then I'd like to talk with you about it.
Email serious inquiries only to:
Mark McMahon (Current Pastor of Student Ministry)
mmcmahon@charteroakumc.org
Deadline for resume' submission:
May 22nd, 2009
Grace and Peace
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