e-news for week of 11/9 - 11/15

Let’s take a moment to thank God for the way He is leading Forum. Since moving here, I truly have strived to help all of us keep our focus first and foremost on the Lord. I believe this past Sunday all of us got some pictures of the way God is raising us up.

Here is some of the feedback I’ve personally received:

“The atmosphere was electric”

“My wife and I were talking that this didn’t feel that unusual about the time you were saying that from the pulpit.” (I just want to know why they were talking in church. :>)

“My wife and I very much enjoyed the service.”

“From a marketing perspective the whole thing was ideal to help people see the opportunity and how church can be done in that type of venue.”

“I’m just sitting here doing my Bible Study and though about how much I enjoyed Sunday’s “Unity” Service.”

Friends, from my perspective, the day really couldn’t have gone any better overall. I want to thank the entire staff, the deacons, our elders for helping to cast the vision, and all the children’s workers for helping to make the day wonderful.

Were you able to see? To see how a second campus could be done? To see even a larger venue for Forum? To see that God is working here? I want you to realize that we have a staff who will do what it takes, I know we have people who will whatever it takes, and we have a God who has placed in front of us the vision to reach people.

There is something about the larger gathering that gives us a bigger picture, doesn’t it? (Please make sure you read my article in “The Forum Connection” online this week.) Now – go with me here – forecast out a year and a half from now, it’s Easter, and both campuses come together for a “One” Day event at Jesse Hall or the Missouri Theater. Ten years from now, 8 campuses come together for a “One” Day event at Missouri Arena. Twenty years from now, 25 campuses AND all the other churches in Columbia fill Memorial Stadium and bring us all a glimpse of heaven here on this earth. (One of our members brought the last part of that to me after hearing the sermon. Let’s keep dreaming dreams.)

I don’t want to over dramatize this, but the reality is, this Sunday is a commitment and giving Sunday toward the second campus and I’m counting on everyone. I know we all want to reach more people. I also know that we are in crazy economic times. I also know and don’t apologize for this: doing ministry and reaching people is expensive. But I’ve also learned throughout my entire adult life history that when Melody and I give by faith, God is always more than faithful to provide, protect, and even multiply. Let me encourage you to give and commit by faith. People that don’t know Jesus are counting on you and me. -- Scott