e-news for week of 3/6/11

Forum Christian Church: intentionally connecting people to Jesus.

God has us dialed in to this mission. We intentionally strive to connect with people, to promote spiritual growth in people’s lives, and to help people live for Jesus. Connecting…growing…living…

And the bottom line is: we are doing this.

In the March 2 blog I mentioned this reality. If every month of 2011 looked like February we would:

 Baptize 144 people
 Come in $160,000 above projected budgeted expenses
 Have set up an additional 1200 (composite number of 20-30 a week) chairs to accommodate 3rd service seating
 Walk an additional 12 miles a year (at least as a staff, elders, and deacons) because we are parking up on the north 40 to help ease parking
 Involve 120 teenagers in disciple making ministries

In your lives, God is doing some amazing things.

With growth comes opportunities and challenges to foster continued growth. Here’s the deal – just like many times I’ve wanted to lose weight without altering lifestyle – many people within the kingdom would say, “Let’s grow the church, just don’t expect me to change (alter, help, etc.)” I’m thankful that the overwhelming majority of the church body realizes that when God begins growing a church body numerically, there are sacrifices that need to occur.

Toward that end, our leadership is putting in front of us a $50,000 Easter offering goal beyond our normal tithes and offerings. All will be receiving an envelope toward this end. You can also earmark your check toward this offering.

This offering will go toward these mission critical elements:

The first 10% will go to missions, and will be dispersed in the following manner: Stephen and Alisa Walton (40%), Brice and Amanda Wurdeman (40%), and Caleb and Jackie Sellers (20 %). These missionaries are all having important transitions going on right now and we want to help with a special boost.
The remaining 90% will be used to deal with needs within the facility (chairs, signage, equipment needs, etc.)

I realize that when we talk about facilities that those of us who have been within a ministry for a while can get store blind and also a little bit comfortable with things. But here’s the deal…I was in a fast food joint recently (no names), but as I was drinking my very cheap latte, I was a happy McCamper. I rarely go into these types of joints. But as I looked around and saw how much upgrading of facilities have occurred I thought, “they sell cheap burgers….they sell cheap burgers.”

As a church, we are committed to intentionally connecting people to Jesus. Toward that end we’ll keep our facilities in alignment with community standards. The reality is, we should even excel those who “sell cheap burgers” in that this is the greatest call and mission on earth.

See you Sunday. — Scott