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