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