e-news for week of 12/23/07 - 12/29/07

We finish out the "Imagine" series this Sunday with "Imagine the Future." Although I cannot "see" the future - I have some deep-seated faith connected to what the Lord wants to accomplish at Forum. I believe God is equipping and raising us up for maximum impact to connect people to Him. Toward that end - the elders have made some very important decisions that have arisen out of a lot of prayer and study.

First off, they have extended a call to Mindy Sams to be our next children's director. Mindy will bring great experience, energy, creativity, and love to our children. She is also very gifted as a musician. As a church, please be praying for their logistics to come together.

Secondly, the elders also voted unanimously to begin preparing to move toward being a multisite ministry. I'll dialogue about this a lot over the next couple of months as we go into a study of the book of Acts called "Seismic Church." God's kingdom is an Earth altering movement. A movement not contained by the sticks and bricks of a facility - but a movement that reaches people. We cannot build buildings fast enough to accomplish what God wants to do for Columbia. As a ministry, we want to catch this wave, equip toward that end, and reach this town. The staff and elders are excited about the possibilities. We are counting on stepped up levels of service and commitment toward the end of reaching people.

Jeff Hemme came to me right before the Christmas Eve service to let me know that we had the largest single gathering he's ever counted at Forum in third service Sunday. Way to go - that's incredible, especially given the weather. On top of that we had great gatherings on Christmas Eve. I want to thank Melody Rodgers, the adult choir, the middle school students, all the singers and players that helped on Christmas Eve, and all the women who went the extra mile to make the auditorium and the facility beautiful. I also want to thank our deacons for all they have done to help us to have church given the weather we've experienced. Thank all of you so much. It's been a wonderful Christmas season, and I'm truly charged up about what God is going to do next.

Are you excited? I hope so. Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

Scott