e-news for week of 11/16 - 11/22

As ever – I continue to thank God for what He is doing here. Thanks for the great encouragement connected to the message this past Sunday. One of you in particular really “got it” to the point of me nearly memorizing what we talked about in the lobby connected to the “Who” versus the “What.” If I could apologize for the modern church for taking a person – namely Jesus - and devolving Him into a tenet, I would. He’s not a tenet – He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. I hope He is your Lord and that you are following in His steps. It’s been another really fun week of ministry – got to baptize a friend, get to share great progress for us as a church, and I’m looking forward to a great encounter this Sunday worshiping God.

I want to truly compliment Forum as a ministry for the steps of faith that is going on in your lives. I’m pleased to be able to communicate the giving we’ve received toward the second campus so far is around $35,000 with additional commitments that will bring the total to around $50,000. I wrote this to our staff, elders, and deacons:


Hey gang,

Just wanted to give you an update from Sunday.

Currently – toward the second campus we’ve received:

Right at $35,000 on hand.

Commitments for another $13,000.

For this being a first time effort and given our current economic climate, I think this is tremendous. Although it falls below what I on a personal level had hoped for, I am completely confident that God knows what we need, when we need it to accomplish His work. I am so very proud of people making this level of sacrifice and stepping out on faith.

I’m always very proud of people when they choose to walk by faith. I know we are striving to walk by faith. I know God is going to continue to raise us up as a church body to truly impact Columbia.

I thank each of you for the commitments you have personally made and we’ll see how God continues to lead us as we follow.

All that said, as a staff, we are going to focus on the current campus in terms of continuing to grow and equip people both for here and the second campus.

At the next elders meeting – given where we are fiscally toward the second campus – we (the staff) will put together an amended spending plan – toward the second campus that falls in alignment with where we are.

Thanks for all you do, -- Scott


Here are some upcoming events:

December 5 - 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium - Central Christian College of the Bible Chorale will be here to present "Festival of the King"

December 7 - 4:30 p.m. in room 104/106 - "Pizza With the Pastors" - Come learn more about Forum and Who we believe. Childcare provided.

December 7 - 6 p.m. in the auditorium - "Signs of Christmas" - Presented by the Preschool and Children's Choirs and the Bridge Band.

December 14 - 6 p.m. in the auditorium - "Born a Savior, Born a King" - Presented by the Adult Choir

Teachers Meeting for training on new curriculum for K - 5th grade - December 7 at 5 p.m., December 9 at 7 p.m., and December 14 at 5 p.m.

Let me encourage you to build bridges of meaningful conversation this week as Jesus did to point Nicodemus toward belief and God’s work of salvation. It’s an epic story about an epic life – let’s share it. Can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday. -- Scott