Let me be painstakingly honest: I knew that the second campus would stretch us significantly during the summer. From an “optimum time” I think that fall would have been a better start time from a growth/consistency standpoint. Here’s the deal – we gutted it out this summer. I know that many of you as volunteers have been strained. I know we’ve stretched and strained as a staff. Is it worth it? While numbers don’t drive us as a ministry, this past Sunday we had 130 more people in attendance than we did the same Sunday last year. Since starting the second campus, we have continued to connect more people to Jesus.
We’ve also seen a lot of people stepping up in serving. With that said, we do need more children’s workers in the elementary areas for the fall. This is such an important age bracket within our ministry and we need you to step up to help serve and teach. Please contact Katelyn Morris to help.
Also, I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Tarry Koutz is rejoining the Forum staff in the role of Performing Arts Director. Tarry served Forum for many years before moving to being a full time professor at Central Christian College. Frankly, there is no one in Mid-Missouri who has advanced worship ministry within churches more than Tarry and I feel blessed and lucky that he has come on board. He will be working with our choirs, fine arts elements, music within first service, helping with hospital visits, helping with sound, lighting, etc., training, and bringing a new level of quality to Forum in these areas. On top of Tarry being on board, Stephen Walton (who’s been our worship intern) will continue to serve at Forum as we search for our next primary leader in the worship area.
Having mentioned the stretching that 2nd campus has done to us – we do need help in all areas of worship: sound, music, lighting, instrumentalists, singers, etc. If you are willing and able, please contact either Stephen or Tarry. Also, we need more help with set up and tear down at the north campus. If you can help one Sunday a month, give Jeff Bilbro or Jim Abernathy a call.
We’ve been talking about multiple choice decisions driven by the word of God and while convenience, ease, and comforts are at times prized – they are usually not kingdom driven or driving values. Do I think we made a kingdom oriented decision? Yes, absolutely. Do I think it stretched us? Oh yeah. Do I think God is honoring our step of faith? I do. This Sunday we’ll continue in our Multiple Choice series talking about how to become the very best CEO you can be. I know some of you are thinking, “I’m not a CEO." But the reality is, oh yes, you are.
Recently these people have joined Forum as their church home: Sean & Shanna Garrett transferred their membership and these people have been baptized: Rod & Kim Petersen, Sadi Turnbull, Hannah, Andrew, and Grant Paten, Kevin Sharon, Susae Griffith, Bailey Turner, Josh & Julie Hawley, Emily Miller, Emily Connon, and Roxanne Muchow.
Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. kids from the Show-Me Christian Children’s Home will be with us to share some of what is happening in their ministry.
Sunday, August 30th we will have a tail gate party right after church. It will also be a family worship Sunday in all the services. What does that mean? It means that those children who are 4 and up will be with their family in the worship service. The service will be more family friendly and the topic of the day will be, “What kind of a church is this?” While it’s an experiment, I think it has a great potential to be a fun Sunday.
Friends, I think God has put us in a great position to intentionally connect people to Jesus. I cannot say how much I appreciate the “Can Do” Forum attitudes – kind of reminds me of Jesus. Can’t wait to worship with you Sunday - Scott
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