The New

This week I posted on my facebook status that I am learning about and researching things that I never knew existed until I planted a church.  I know that may sound like I’m really knocking out some groundbreaking research or learning a new cutting edge ministry tool, but I’m not.  I’m learning about things that most people may already have under there belt. 

I’m trying to learn how to connect my church.  I don’t mean just connect them to a website, which I’m currently looking for a web designer if you know someone, I mean connect them to each other.  I’m looking at web-based companies that make it easy to communicate with the people who are involved in your church.  Connecting people together with the main idea of connecting them to Christ. 

I’m also thinking through marketing.  For years I worked camps and youth events where my job was to show up and minister to those in attendance.  It wasn’t my job to market and advertise the events.  It wasn’t my responsibility to get people in the door.  After that time I worked at a church in the middle of town.  Everyone knew who we were, for better or worse, and where we were located.  So when I was connecting with people it was easy, because they knew our church and had either driven past or for some occasion been inside it.  What are marketing tools will work to get people inside the doors of our Church?  What methods are effective in letting people know you exist? 

These are some of the things that are consuming my thoughts.  Many in ministry may have this mastered but it is very new to me. 

Any thoughts you have or products and services that have worked for you, please share them with me. 

matt

Finally

Well the big day finally arrived.  Yesterday was the first preview service for The Passage Church.  We began on Saturday setting up at the High School and got a good jump on the work that needed to be done.  Had we not set aside that time on Saturday we would have been way behind on Sunday morning. 

God has given us a great team of people that put many, many hours into the set up and tear down process.  We have people that have sacrificed in numerous ways in order Sunday could get off the ground.  We are grateful for our team. 

The babies, preschool, and children’s areas looked great and from what I understand flowed smoothly.  We didn’t have any issues and all the kids I talked to said they had a great time. 

The worship service had a few moments where we wondered if we were going to be able to project anything on screens, but it came together.   Another way God has blessed our church is with the worship leadership of Jonathan Holliday.  Holliday pulled together a great band for Sunday and also was cool under pressure as he worked to get the projectors up and running as 10:30 approached.  The worship set for Sunday was awesome:

All Because of Jesus

Spring of Life

In Christ Alone

Mighty to Save

The message was from Matthew 19:16-22, the story of the Rich Young Ruler.  I’m teaching the 3-D vision: Decide, Develop, and Demonstrate. 

Thank you all for the prayers and support.  Please keep praying!  We got off to a great start, but it is just a start.  We really believe that this is what God is calling us to. 

We also found out that when we begin in September our rent will be approximately $2600 a month.  We are currently looking for 12 churches to sponsor us by paying the rent for one month.  If you know a pastor who might be interested I would love the chance to talk with him.

The next service is July 12th and I CAN’T WAIT.

 

matt

Countdown…

This week is crazy.  We are only a few days away from our first preview service and I am pumped.  Today I hope to finish the sermon so I can really focus tomorrow on the details of set-up. 

There are still so many things to go and buy and packages we are waiting to arrive.  There have been numerous times this week I have had to repent of my own anxiety and worry, reminding myself that I must trust God.  I understand that nothing good will happen on Sunday morning because of me and my team, but on through the grace of Jesus. 

I will post on Monday about the first preview service and I will close with a few of the final prayer request:

-the lost people that we know will be there

-the set-up process Sunday morning

-the financial needs

-the worship leadership

Thank You

matt

Monday Quote

I know this quote is a day late and it won’t be accompanied by life updates, but I wanted to leave a quick word on the blog.  I will work to get some notes on the blog this week, but will need to knock it out by tomorrow because Thrusday-Saturday is Adavance 09. 

I have been reading a book entitled “Dear Timothy” by a collection of pastors.  It is written from the perspective of the established pastor as Paul and the new pastor as Timothy.  It has contained great wisdom and help, but now chapter has smacked me around like chapter 8 on humility by C.J. Mahaney.  Here are a few quotes:

“Our churches are testimonies to the greatness and graciousness of God–not monuments of our leadership and preaching.”

“Where there is worry and anxiety, there is the pride of self-reliance.”

“All day, every day, I need to keep directing my thought to God, keep standing close to the cross, keep offering thanks for innumerable evidences of grace and keep casting my cares on the One who cares for me with such perfect love and faithfulness.”

Have a great week.

matt

Church Planting Update

About a month ago I was talking with a church planter who has been at it for about 9 or 10 years now.  His church is still growing and still reaching people, we had a good talk about all things church planting.  In our conversation he compared church planting to building a bicycle while trying to learn to ride it at the same time.  After about six weeks on the job I can completely agree with his assessment. 

Currently, we have added families to our core team and are still praying for more additions over the next couple of weeks.  We also will begin a few small groups in the next couple of weeks and are excited about adding some new faces through small groups in our homes. 

Last week Jennifer and I went up to Liberty University for a meeting with their church planting network and the church was approved for funding through the network.  They will send a check for $2,000 a month and will match $30,000, but we must repay that amount beginning on the 13th month of our existence.   Notice a key word in that last sentence was MATCH. We have go to get busy raising $30,000.  If you are reading this post and want to know how you can help.  Please call me at 919.366.6101 or email me at mjwalton33@bellsouth.net.  If you don’t need any additional information and want to partner financially you can do that by sending your gift to:

The Passage Church, PO Box 1807, Wendell, NC 27591

Please continue to pray. 

in HIM

Matt

Back to the Blogging World

Things have gotten a little crazy with the new church plant and the blog has been the first thing to go.  Now that things are set up in the new office I decided I’m going to take a few minutes a couple times a week to update the blog. 

I’m excited about getting some new quotes and life updates on the blog.

Obama and Dr. Seuss

On Tuesday I went to a mini Dr Seuss musical at Jennifer’s school.  I have never been a big Dr. Seuss fan, I know that he doesn’t like Green Eggs and Ham and that’s about it.  I don’t believe everything Dr. Seuss may teach, but I do agree with a song they sung, “A Person is  Person no matter how small.” 

Now if we could only get our President to read and believe this Dr. Seuss song.

Monday Quote (Late)

Random Notes:

• I announced that I would be leaving my current position at WBC at the end of March.  This church plant thing is REALLY starting to sink in.  It is exciting, but it will be strange, 6 years is a long time.
• Need to start looking for partners, both individuals and churches, if your interested in learning more let me know 
• If  you know of where I can print some high quality, yet affordable brochures that would also be helpful. 
• It is officially March, let the Madness begin.  Selection Sunday is only a couple weeks away.
• If you are looking for a new Study Bible, you can’t beat the ESV study Bible. 

This Sunday night I started a new study with some guys.  We are looking at J.C. Ryle’s book  “Thoughts for Young Men.”  In the first chapter he gives us 5 reason he is Exhorting Young Men.  Here area couple quotes from the first chapter.

“Satan cares not how spiritual your intentions may be, and how holy your resolutions, if only they are fixed on tomorrow.”

“Young men, be not deceived.   Think not you can, serve lusts and pleasures in your beginning, and then go and serve God with ease at your latter end.”

“Surely none are so mad as those who are content to live unprepared to die.  Surely the unbelief of men is the most amazing thing in the world.”

“Seek the Lord early and you will be spared many tears.”

“Young men, this enemy is working hard for your destruction, however little you may think it.  You are the prize for which he is contending.” 

                                                           J.C. Ryle (1886)

Have a good week.

D-Now Weekend

I’m not sure where the idea of Disciple NOW came from, but I know it has been around for awhile.  If your not familiar what it’s about the concept is really simple.  Youth stay with the others the same gender and same age as themselves, inside the home of a church  member.   They have a small group leader who leads Bible study in the homes and they get together in the evening for worship.  Some churches do things differently, but that is the basic format. 

One thing I have learned from my D-Now experiences is that it works.  God used D-Now this weekend as a tool to move the hearts of teenagers towards himself.  We saw many teenagers commit their lives to Christ.  After the event was over it was awesome walking through the church and seeing that nearly every Sunday school classroom had a light on and chairs rearranged.  As I walked, it was awesome to know that a few hours before someone was recognizing their need for Jesus and responding to Him right there in that room. 

In the message on the final night our speaker played an old Christian song, I Surrender All, by Clay Crosse.  Here are some lyrics to that song:

“I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams
Though the price to follow costs me everything
I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires
That all my kingdoms fall
I surrender all”

Praise the Lord for life change!

Have a great week.

Monday Quote

A few notes:

• I completed the Krispy Kreme challenge, but I did not finish under the time limit.  I need to start training for next year.
• I thought I could eat 12 donuts faster than 15 minutes, I’m disappointed in myself.
• The winner finished in under 30 minutes (4miles and 12 donuts). 
• We are back to the drawing board on the new church name, if you have any ideas let us know. 
• Noah turns 6 months on Wednesday!!!  Thinking about a throwing a birthday party.
• Why do I always wait for the last minute on V-Day gifts?

I’m preaching this week and looks like I’m going to tackly Ephesians 5, “Biblical Marriage in an Unbiblical World.”  Today’s quote comes from Matt Chandler or at least a document with his church name on it.

“I believe much of the reason that women today are so leery of Male-headship is because of the almost absolute failure of evangelical men to be the nail pierced servants of their wives. “

What a challenge and a reminder that as husband we must serve our wives with a Christlike passion and humility. 

matt