The first Tuesday of every month we devote a section of our staff meeting to talking about “God at work” within the ministry of Forum, within individual lives, within our town, and around the world.
I truly look forward to this as we hear about children learning memory verses, middle and high school students stepping out on faith, individuals within our church body stepping into service and leadership roles within our preschool ministry, teachers who are impacting kids or their life group, life groups multiplying, baptisms, what’s going on in the realm of world missions, community service like the Chili Cookoff (second place!) and The Reach Project, the kick-off of the 55+ ministry, and other elements of the Lord at work at Forum.
I want to thank the deacons for all the help and hard work connected to the auditorium and the sidewalks around the facility. The room just really looks fresh. Thanks for the ongoing commitment to excellence.
Also want to give you a heads up. Starting April 1 - we’ll begin offering a new class on Sunday mornings called “Sacred Marriage.” Steve and Marilyn Roberts, Brad and Kate Williams, and my wife and I will be part of this. It will happen during the 9:45 hour in room 205. More information as we get closer.
This Sunday we key in on the phrase, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” This is a stellar message to bring friends to, so let me encourage you to make this a high invite weekend. Tyler and our deacons reverse engineered another 30 chairs into the auditorium so we’ve got a little more seating – so let’s invite people to come and connect with Jesus.
Looking forward to a great Sunday. Don’t forget to reset you clocks. Spring forward. See you then. - Scott
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
e-news for week of 2/26/12
I’ll confess: I have some weird quirks.
1. I don’t like publishing the attendance numbers at Forum. There are 6 billion people on the planet and we (I) focus on whether we have 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1,000 in church over a weekend. There are 140,000 souls in our town and God wants every one of those people to be saved. I prefer to think outwardly about “the fields that are white for harvest.”
2. I don’t like talking about giving numbers. I prefer to talk about each of us being faithful in our stewardship and giving.
3. I don’t like talking about “the buzz” in our hallways. I prefer to talk about God’s leading arising from our prayer closets.
I’ll admit: I can’t allow my quirkiness to impede what God is doing at Forum by NOT talking overtly and candidly about the movement of God that is happening at Forum.
This past Sunday we hit 90% full in 2nd service.
Attendance was 928 this past Sunday. This is continued growth.
Our staff continues to strive to fully utilize our facility to capacity.
A couple of weeks ago we had our annual membership meeting. While there were no votes taken, we did have a “straw poll” in which those attending were asked, “If our elders decided to add facilities, how many of you would prayerfully and financially support that decision?” While it was a straw poll, an overwhelming majority raised hands in affirmation. The information and question and answer session that followed communicated to our elders that those gathered there were highly supportive of advancing the kingdom through these measures.
I need to communicate: our elders and the staff department leaders are in the process of talking with various consultants (architects, bankers, church specialists, etc.) to make highly informed next steps. We will be humbly seeking the Lord as we try to make some 5-7 year decisions.
In the meantime – as a church body our leadership needs you to pray, to encourage, to support, and to help this be a time of joyful excitement and anticipation. We truly want the Lord to lead this whole process.
And here’s the BIG quirk: I’ve seen ministries get so focused on these types of mechanics and talk of buildings and facilities, etc. that somehow Jesus gets lost in the background. I REFUSE to let that happen.
This Sunday we’ll worship Jesus our Lord. We’ll gather around His table. We’ll center on His word (Matt. 5:7,8) looking at “A kingdom heart.” As a faithful church, we’ll continue to do this until Jesus Christ returns for His bride. Looking forward to a great worship experience with you this Sunday. - Scott
1. I don’t like publishing the attendance numbers at Forum. There are 6 billion people on the planet and we (I) focus on whether we have 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1,000 in church over a weekend. There are 140,000 souls in our town and God wants every one of those people to be saved. I prefer to think outwardly about “the fields that are white for harvest.”
2. I don’t like talking about giving numbers. I prefer to talk about each of us being faithful in our stewardship and giving.
3. I don’t like talking about “the buzz” in our hallways. I prefer to talk about God’s leading arising from our prayer closets.
I’ll admit: I can’t allow my quirkiness to impede what God is doing at Forum by NOT talking overtly and candidly about the movement of God that is happening at Forum.
This past Sunday we hit 90% full in 2nd service.
Attendance was 928 this past Sunday. This is continued growth.
Our staff continues to strive to fully utilize our facility to capacity.
A couple of weeks ago we had our annual membership meeting. While there were no votes taken, we did have a “straw poll” in which those attending were asked, “If our elders decided to add facilities, how many of you would prayerfully and financially support that decision?” While it was a straw poll, an overwhelming majority raised hands in affirmation. The information and question and answer session that followed communicated to our elders that those gathered there were highly supportive of advancing the kingdom through these measures.
I need to communicate: our elders and the staff department leaders are in the process of talking with various consultants (architects, bankers, church specialists, etc.) to make highly informed next steps. We will be humbly seeking the Lord as we try to make some 5-7 year decisions.
In the meantime – as a church body our leadership needs you to pray, to encourage, to support, and to help this be a time of joyful excitement and anticipation. We truly want the Lord to lead this whole process.
And here’s the BIG quirk: I’ve seen ministries get so focused on these types of mechanics and talk of buildings and facilities, etc. that somehow Jesus gets lost in the background. I REFUSE to let that happen.
This Sunday we’ll worship Jesus our Lord. We’ll gather around His table. We’ll center on His word (Matt. 5:7,8) looking at “A kingdom heart.” As a faithful church, we’ll continue to do this until Jesus Christ returns for His bride. Looking forward to a great worship experience with you this Sunday. - Scott
Thursday, February 23, 2012
e-news for week of 2/19/12
Intentionally connecting people to Jesus.
That’s what Forum strives to do each and every day.
One of the deep values we have within our ministry is for our youth. The Lord placed great servants here in Justin Keith, Jody Riley, Katelyn Morris, and Jessie Spellman. What they do to serve the kingdom is awesome.
This weekend our teens are involved in a Disciple Now weekend where they will be in homes, doing service projects, and having an incredible speaker, Bryce Hansen, come and deliver a series of sermons.
Over the years, young men and women who have grown up at Forum are making phenomenal kingdom impacts. While this is not a complete list, I want to use it to show why we place so much value on our youth and pray for their futures. Those who have grown up here who went into ministry include Jeff and Dave Stone, Dave Ferneau, Dan Mitchell, Jon Weece, Garett Fay, Caleb Kaltenbach, Brice Wurdeman, and Brandon Bradley (et al). Those names represent over 40,000 in worship attendances each weekend. Trust me when I say – those ministries are also producing ministers. The ripple is big.
But not only did Forum raise up kingdom workers around the world, they also populate our gatherings in people like Tim and Julie Crockett, Phil and Marilee Crockett, the Fletcher families, the Childers families, Steve and Jessie Spellman, and a host of other passionate and faithful kingdom oriented families.
To all the families who are hosting teens this weekend, we are praying for you – what you are doing makes a difference.
To Justin, Jody, Katelyn, and Jessie, we pray the Lord continue to give you passion, vision, and courage as you lead the children and youth the Lord leads to us.
For all of you who are students – know the Lord has design and purpose for your life. Know we are praying for you to have a great encounter with the Lord and one another this weekend.
Can’t wait for all of us to worship together this weekend. See you Sunday - Scott
That’s what Forum strives to do each and every day.
One of the deep values we have within our ministry is for our youth. The Lord placed great servants here in Justin Keith, Jody Riley, Katelyn Morris, and Jessie Spellman. What they do to serve the kingdom is awesome.
This weekend our teens are involved in a Disciple Now weekend where they will be in homes, doing service projects, and having an incredible speaker, Bryce Hansen, come and deliver a series of sermons.
Over the years, young men and women who have grown up at Forum are making phenomenal kingdom impacts. While this is not a complete list, I want to use it to show why we place so much value on our youth and pray for their futures. Those who have grown up here who went into ministry include Jeff and Dave Stone, Dave Ferneau, Dan Mitchell, Jon Weece, Garett Fay, Caleb Kaltenbach, Brice Wurdeman, and Brandon Bradley (et al). Those names represent over 40,000 in worship attendances each weekend. Trust me when I say – those ministries are also producing ministers. The ripple is big.
But not only did Forum raise up kingdom workers around the world, they also populate our gatherings in people like Tim and Julie Crockett, Phil and Marilee Crockett, the Fletcher families, the Childers families, Steve and Jessie Spellman, and a host of other passionate and faithful kingdom oriented families.
To all the families who are hosting teens this weekend, we are praying for you – what you are doing makes a difference.
To Justin, Jody, Katelyn, and Jessie, we pray the Lord continue to give you passion, vision, and courage as you lead the children and youth the Lord leads to us.
For all of you who are students – know the Lord has design and purpose for your life. Know we are praying for you to have a great encounter with the Lord and one another this weekend.
Can’t wait for all of us to worship together this weekend. See you Sunday - Scott
Thursday, February 16, 2012
e-news for week of 2/12/12
Apprentices
I absolutely 100% love Jesus Christ. He captivates me. You cannot separate a teacher from his life when it comes to the arena of existential existence.
The first internship I did happened in one of the cornfield churches of Indiana. A godly seasoned minister by the name of Bill Weaver gently coached, steered, and helped me to grow as a fledgling, young, brash, and sophomoric undergraduate. To this day, many of the words he used in premarital counseling sessions still show up in sessions I do with couples. Bill had a gentle spirit about him. He had an insightful way of sculpting souls and character. I’m forever indebted.
This week we strive to apprentice ourselves under Jesus and allow His words, “Blessed are the meek….” to shape and mold us.
Personal question for everyone: Was/Is there someone in your life who you can point to that made a significant development in your character?
What were their primary characteristics that made this profound impact on your life?
As you delve into the depths of your soul – I’m willing to guess on the front end that most of us have been primarily shaped by people who possessed strong work ethics, an inner drive, a love of what they do, a level of trying to never be fully content in who they are, but who also have that X factor of humility, gentleness, or meekness.
What’s the legacy you are leaving?
The impact you are leaving arises primarily from your character.
Apprentices of Jesus, allow Him to mold and shape you.
Looking forward to a great encounter with the Forum family this Sunday as we worship Him. – Scott
I absolutely 100% love Jesus Christ. He captivates me. You cannot separate a teacher from his life when it comes to the arena of existential existence.
The first internship I did happened in one of the cornfield churches of Indiana. A godly seasoned minister by the name of Bill Weaver gently coached, steered, and helped me to grow as a fledgling, young, brash, and sophomoric undergraduate. To this day, many of the words he used in premarital counseling sessions still show up in sessions I do with couples. Bill had a gentle spirit about him. He had an insightful way of sculpting souls and character. I’m forever indebted.
This week we strive to apprentice ourselves under Jesus and allow His words, “Blessed are the meek….” to shape and mold us.
Personal question for everyone: Was/Is there someone in your life who you can point to that made a significant development in your character?
What were their primary characteristics that made this profound impact on your life?
As you delve into the depths of your soul – I’m willing to guess on the front end that most of us have been primarily shaped by people who possessed strong work ethics, an inner drive, a love of what they do, a level of trying to never be fully content in who they are, but who also have that X factor of humility, gentleness, or meekness.
What’s the legacy you are leaving?
The impact you are leaving arises primarily from your character.
Apprentices of Jesus, allow Him to mold and shape you.
Looking forward to a great encounter with the Forum family this Sunday as we worship Him. – Scott
Thursday, February 9, 2012
e-news for week of 2/5/12
This week we embark on the most game changing teaching in the entire history of the world. Specifically, we will strive to be “Apprentices” of Jesus. More than “book knowledge,” Jesus calls us to flesh out God’s kingdom agenda. We will apply Christ’s Sermon on the Mount to our lives. We will intentionally follow our savior in action and attitude.
Since September we’ve had an overall focus of being Gamechangers. I chose to not use this language during the “Not a fan” series because I didn’t want to muddy the message. The “not a fan” really fit well into the overall aim and purpose of this theme which is to move all of us to being fully engaged, innovative, and engaging disciples of Christ.
We continue to have an incredible season of ministry at Forum. God’s kingdom and message are growing and challenging people in mind-bending ways. As a congregation you have emailed, facebooked, written, and shared verbally your personal growth in Christ. So many of you are helping to invite people to Forum where they can hear about Jesus Christ and His love. Thanks for the ongoing encouragement but also the diligent and intentional desire to reach people for Jesus Christ.
Looking forward to Sunday. – Scott
Friday, February 3, 2012
e-news for week of 1/29/12
When comfort collides
The evangelists of the world’s system say:
Be happy and pursue it. It’s a mantra of self-fulfillment.
We are preached to a doctrine of health, wealth, be happy, amass, accrue, and hang out with other people who do.
We are told to buy some land, build the house, get the good car, have 2.2 children, keep adding on, making improvements, good schools, and the like.
Marriage gets rocky – sounds unfulfilling – so bail.
Don’t like your job – quit.
Sex – don’t wait for marriage – that’s not self-fulfilling.
Inconvenient pregnancy – abort.
As a preacher, I find it fascinating that the world’s system bombards even ministers and the church with this message: “Don’t be preachy.”
The system of the world is crumbling and the blind guides tell those who know the truth to tone it down.
It’s time for Christ followers to fully go on mission. “Follow me – and I will make you fishers of men…”
What if God has a dream and a plan for you? Would His plan – in your mind – derail your comfort, your self-fulfillment, your dreams, if you truly denied self and fully followed?
Are you willing to lay it down and follow? I ask the same question of you that I asked 3 weeks ago, “When was the last time you made a self-denying, painful sacrifice for the Lord? “
Looking forward to what God has in store for us this Sunday.
See you then - Scott
The evangelists of the world’s system say:
Be happy and pursue it. It’s a mantra of self-fulfillment.
We are preached to a doctrine of health, wealth, be happy, amass, accrue, and hang out with other people who do.
We are told to buy some land, build the house, get the good car, have 2.2 children, keep adding on, making improvements, good schools, and the like.
Marriage gets rocky – sounds unfulfilling – so bail.
Don’t like your job – quit.
Sex – don’t wait for marriage – that’s not self-fulfilling.
Inconvenient pregnancy – abort.
As a preacher, I find it fascinating that the world’s system bombards even ministers and the church with this message: “Don’t be preachy.”
The system of the world is crumbling and the blind guides tell those who know the truth to tone it down.
It’s time for Christ followers to fully go on mission. “Follow me – and I will make you fishers of men…”
What if God has a dream and a plan for you? Would His plan – in your mind – derail your comfort, your self-fulfillment, your dreams, if you truly denied self and fully followed?
Are you willing to lay it down and follow? I ask the same question of you that I asked 3 weeks ago, “When was the last time you made a self-denying, painful sacrifice for the Lord? “
Looking forward to what God has in store for us this Sunday.
See you then - Scott
Thursday, January 26, 2012
e-news for week of 1/22/12
Fan or Follower?
This is an every day question for all of us. “You cannot be my disciple unless you deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me.”
What is it that drives you?
Human motivation has recently fascinated me.
Some people are motivated by fear.
Some are motivated by “Atta boys/girls.”
Others are motivated by money.
Some people love “the rules.”
There are some who love to get their toes stepped on.
Love motivates some.
Daily needs met is a drive for many.
God’s word gives us insight as to great things that should motivate us. Specifically, "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" should be a primary motivator. Couple that with “the fear (respect or reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom,” and our life in Christ becomes fascinatingly simple.
So here’s a bottom line question: do you love God and are you reverencing Him?
This week we’ll look at one of the very destructive motifs that some ministries will use to leverage or guilt people connected to God.
At Forum, our desire is to motivate all of us out of our love for the Lord. Looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend. – Scott
This is an every day question for all of us. “You cannot be my disciple unless you deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me.”
What is it that drives you?
Human motivation has recently fascinated me.
Some people are motivated by fear.
Some are motivated by “Atta boys/girls.”
Others are motivated by money.
Some people love “the rules.”
There are some who love to get their toes stepped on.
Love motivates some.
Daily needs met is a drive for many.
God’s word gives us insight as to great things that should motivate us. Specifically, "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" should be a primary motivator. Couple that with “the fear (respect or reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom,” and our life in Christ becomes fascinatingly simple.
So here’s a bottom line question: do you love God and are you reverencing Him?
This week we’ll look at one of the very destructive motifs that some ministries will use to leverage or guilt people connected to God.
At Forum, our desire is to motivate all of us out of our love for the Lord. Looking forward to worshiping with you this weekend. – Scott
Thursday, January 19, 2012
e-news for week of 1/15/12
As we continue to move from fans to followers, along the path there are some hard introspective truths that stare us in the face.
One of the primary barriers, in my opinion, to global advancement within the kingdom is the fact that as a nation, we have grown soft.
As a people we moan about:
The state of our economy (it’s the worst economy since the great depression)
The divisiveness of politics
The condition of our roads
The status of educational systems
And how are we moaning about these things?
We do it from our plush lazy boy recliners, in our climate controlled rooms, surfing our 250 cable stations on our high definition televisions. We do it via our mobile devices that are bouncing signals off of satellites, while we eat sushi and sip on our $4 fair trade lattes.
We compare this to the Great Depression?
Give me a break.
Some of these levels of comfort and convenience spill over into the lives of believers. And then we come across the words of Christ, “Unless you deny yourself and take up your cross daily…”
When was the last true hurting, self-denying sacrifice you made for the Lord? When was the last time you risked for the Lord?
When was the last time you moaned to the Lord in your prayer life or your daily words that your accessorized life in this land of great physical comfort is just too hard?
We have it so very good…and at times so very soft.
Probably not what you wanted to read today, but let the Holy Spirit of God push you today and every day toward the imitation of Christ.
Looking forward to a great encounter with the Lord and you this weekend. – Scott
One of the primary barriers, in my opinion, to global advancement within the kingdom is the fact that as a nation, we have grown soft.
As a people we moan about:
The state of our economy (it’s the worst economy since the great depression)
The divisiveness of politics
The condition of our roads
The status of educational systems
And how are we moaning about these things?
We do it from our plush lazy boy recliners, in our climate controlled rooms, surfing our 250 cable stations on our high definition televisions. We do it via our mobile devices that are bouncing signals off of satellites, while we eat sushi and sip on our $4 fair trade lattes.
We compare this to the Great Depression?
Give me a break.
Some of these levels of comfort and convenience spill over into the lives of believers. And then we come across the words of Christ, “Unless you deny yourself and take up your cross daily…”
When was the last true hurting, self-denying sacrifice you made for the Lord? When was the last time you risked for the Lord?
When was the last time you moaned to the Lord in your prayer life or your daily words that your accessorized life in this land of great physical comfort is just too hard?
We have it so very good…and at times so very soft.
Probably not what you wanted to read today, but let the Holy Spirit of God push you today and every day toward the imitation of Christ.
Looking forward to a great encounter with the Lord and you this weekend. – Scott
Friday, January 13, 2012
e-news for week of 1/8/12
This weekend we are centering on knowing the Lord as we continue in “Not a Fan.” Hope you’ve been “all in” so far this week. If not, dial it in right now.
Over the past months, I’ve received so many emails about how God is changing so many of us. God is at work in your lives. As He works realize while you strive to live like Christ, when you fall short, Jesus isn’t going to beat you up when you are giving to him your very best. In these emails, there’s a common theme that runs through many of them, and I wanted to say this:
YOU’RE NOT EVER GOING TO BE PERFECT.
Some of you grew up in households or maybe church systems that treated you like a burrow chasing a carrot on the end of a stick. Bottom line, that donkey never gets the carrot, hence there’s never any sense of achievement or accomplishment. Just the same illusive perfection carrot is out in front of you.
With Christ (many of you need to read this now 4 times over because it’s the truest thing anyone is ever going to say to you) he GIVES you his righteousness. You will never earn it, attain it, merit it, or even gain it. It’s a gift.
And guess what else—nobody else within the church is perfect either. Therefore they require love and grace FROM you just as God extended it TO you. “Anyone” (as we talked about last Sunday) means “anyone.”
Catch this: any system of biblical interpretation that manifests itself in the life of a believer without love, grace, and truth as primary character traits is simply a bad way to interpret the Bible.
Why did I write all that?
Some of you need to stop beating yourselves up. You are never going to be perfect. Welcome to the land of love, grace, and relationship with Jesus.
Looking forward to getting up close and personal both with the Lord and with everyone this weekend as we continue to move from fans to followers. – Scott
PS – We mailed out a Forum Connection this week , but if you’d like to view it online you can check it out at: www.forumchristian.org then click on Resources and then Forum Connection.
Over the past months, I’ve received so many emails about how God is changing so many of us. God is at work in your lives. As He works realize while you strive to live like Christ, when you fall short, Jesus isn’t going to beat you up when you are giving to him your very best. In these emails, there’s a common theme that runs through many of them, and I wanted to say this:
YOU’RE NOT EVER GOING TO BE PERFECT.
Some of you grew up in households or maybe church systems that treated you like a burrow chasing a carrot on the end of a stick. Bottom line, that donkey never gets the carrot, hence there’s never any sense of achievement or accomplishment. Just the same illusive perfection carrot is out in front of you.
With Christ (many of you need to read this now 4 times over because it’s the truest thing anyone is ever going to say to you) he GIVES you his righteousness. You will never earn it, attain it, merit it, or even gain it. It’s a gift.
And guess what else—nobody else within the church is perfect either. Therefore they require love and grace FROM you just as God extended it TO you. “Anyone” (as we talked about last Sunday) means “anyone.”
Catch this: any system of biblical interpretation that manifests itself in the life of a believer without love, grace, and truth as primary character traits is simply a bad way to interpret the Bible.
Why did I write all that?
Some of you need to stop beating yourselves up. You are never going to be perfect. Welcome to the land of love, grace, and relationship with Jesus.
Looking forward to getting up close and personal both with the Lord and with everyone this weekend as we continue to move from fans to followers. – Scott
PS – We mailed out a Forum Connection this week , but if you’d like to view it online you can check it out at: www.forumchristian.org then click on Resources and then Forum Connection.
Friday, January 6, 2012
e-news for week of 1/1/12
Hiring Decisions
You’ve hired different people over the years. Auto mechanics, body repair, builders, bankers, doctors, lawyers, and others. Technically, every time you go to a restaurant you are employing them.
How do you go about deciding who to choose? Reputation? Word of mouth? Friend’s recommendation? Facebook or television ad?
If you were hiring someone at your company, how thoroughly would you investigate their background? If they handled money, would you check their credit background?
If you were an admissions counselor at a university, would you hold to the academic standards of the institution if they didn’t meet the criterion?
If their resume’ looked like the one below would you want them?
Academics = below average
Family background = blue collar
Testing = beneath acceptance standards
Financial standing = unable to pay
Would you admit this candidate?
Jesus Christ did and still does. Be here Sunday as we continue in “Not a Fan” as we look at Christ’s open invitation. Looking forward to another great encounter with God and you - Scott
You’ve hired different people over the years. Auto mechanics, body repair, builders, bankers, doctors, lawyers, and others. Technically, every time you go to a restaurant you are employing them.
How do you go about deciding who to choose? Reputation? Word of mouth? Friend’s recommendation? Facebook or television ad?
If you were hiring someone at your company, how thoroughly would you investigate their background? If they handled money, would you check their credit background?
If you were an admissions counselor at a university, would you hold to the academic standards of the institution if they didn’t meet the criterion?
If their resume’ looked like the one below would you want them?
Academics = below average
Family background = blue collar
Testing = beneath acceptance standards
Financial standing = unable to pay
Would you admit this candidate?
Jesus Christ did and still does. Be here Sunday as we continue in “Not a Fan” as we look at Christ’s open invitation. Looking forward to another great encounter with God and you - Scott
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