It felt like an odd Sunday this past week, but I’d say it was a good overall Sunday. In fact, I think it would be hard, judging by what we GET to do, that any Sunday is really bad. This one was great as always…just a little different….
- Week #3 of Chainbreaker was all about dealing with our anger issues
- We moved things around this week to put the time of giving in the worship set. We had it at the end and that worked, but made it separate from worship. I think once we iron out the flow of this, it’ll work a lot better in the worship set
- Had a TON of key volunteers out this week, but our team stepped up and made things happen. I won’t say we didn’t miss them because we DID! But we still got the job done without a major hitch
- Was excited to see to more first time guests with us Sunday! That always gets me pumped!
- One new couple got my attention when they said they were looking for a church plant. You NEVER here that from anyone! Most “Christians” don’t want to mess with the dirtiness of a church plant. It’s not always crisp, as organized as it should be in the beginning, and can be difficult work at times. But in the long run, it’s such an awesome feeling to be involved in something fresh, revolutionary, and bold. If you guys are reading, let’s talk!
- I’m not sure that we’ve had a Sunday without at least one first time guest. That’s awesome! It’s a great reminder that every Sunday we have a chance to make a first impression
- Speaking of first impressions, we have some changes we’ll be making and I can’t tell you how excited I am about them. We’re taking our guest services to Whole Nutha World! We’ve always been OK here, but not excellent. Our team is ready to go to excellent!
- There are also some other internal changes we’re making to do what God has called us to do better. Sometimes we can get ahead of ourselves. We’re gonna get back to doing just a few things really well
- We flipped our worship set this week as well. Started slower and ended loud. I think it worked pretty well and the song selection by Deena and Matt fit perfectly. Add the Holy Spirit and there was worship going on!
- Band played Came to My Rescue, Light of the World, O Happy Day, and the Door
- It was more a teaching message this week on anger than a preaching message. I like to teach through my preaching instead of preach through my teaching. This message just called for more application and teaching
- This week should be interesting. We’ll finish Chainbreaker with a message one breaking free from our past. I’m very passionate about people being broken away from their past to fully experience the life that God has for us.
- So many of us never fully press into God because we fell chained to our past sins thinking God wants nothing to do with us because of those past sins. It’s a lie from the pit of hell and the devil will kicked in his teeth for it
- On a another totally different note, very excited for our friends at Ridgepoint that shared some awesome news Sunday…they were given (totally free) some land to build on! That has to get you excited! Not just for them but for what God is doing in Oak Ridge.
- Watch out Oak Ridge…there’s some new radicals in town!
I’ve started to put two and two together. I LOVE the energy, enthusiasm, and “sushi-like” quality of a church plant. It’s raw and yummy. You can have all the Ridge Church you want without fear of mercury poisoning.
Haha…that may be one the most hilarious comments I’ve ever heard about our church Elliot! Thanks for that and we’re glad you’re a part of the “rawness and yummy” too!