Hijacked

Look out Warren Community Church, we're hijacking your service!

The leadership at this church is amazing for letting our team come in and have church in a similar way to what we plan to once our new church goes public.

Let me try to describe what it's going to be like for you...

- coffee & bagels

- short (1hr!)

- media driven

- Jesus-centered

- high energy

- did I mention short?

Basically... casual, relevant, simple!

It's going to be a lot of fun! Thanks Warren CC for this opportunity. If any of you are in the area this Sunday you'd better come see us!

James 1:5 & 2 Corinthians 1:11

If you're curious what the verses in the post title say you can click here and here. They highlight one key thing we're working on right now - securing a meeting space for our future worship services.

I am excited as I talk with various school officials and principals in the area about possibly having our church meet in their schools. For the most part they have all been very gracious to us and open to the idea. There are some really great people in the school district. We really want them to know that we are here to be a blessing to them and to the communities that surround their schools. We would love to partner with them in making their communities a better place, we think it can be a great win/win for everyone.

Please pray for James 1:5 wisdom that we would know the best location and exactly where God wants us (this will give you an idea). And as God leads us, please pray for favor that the doors may be opened to us. We believe this is God's church and He will provide a place for us to meet. We are excited about some of the possibilities we see and pray that things would work out according to God's plan and timing.

Dedicate '08

I've never felt as hungry to attack a new year as I do right now. When the ball dropped and 2007 ended I had a holy moment (ironically, this was just after kissing Raelyn). In a quick moment a lot of things flashed through my mind, but it wasn't what happened in 2007 that flashed through my mind. It was what will happen in 2008. In 2008 we'll see the building of our team, our summer events and preview services, and our public launch in September. By this time next year, we'll be several months old as a church and right in the thick of it!

We have definitely turned a corner. There is a holy excitement and feeling of anticipation amongst the team of people that are gathering to be a part of this new church. And I have to say that I am so proud of the team that God is building to launch this new church. It was amazing to sit at our last pre-launch gathering and hear the stories of how God has uniquely called them and led them to be a part of this. And I know each one of them is going to be significant part of it, and God is going to do amazing things through them.

In my previous post I asked you to pray... God is answering, God is on the move. I still shake my head in amazement when I think what 2008 will bring. We've been in a gathering season, a waiting period. Now, it's time to get busy. Jesus, may you dominate the landscape of Macomb Township in 2008!

Lion Chasing

I'm not sure who all reads this blog. Some of you I knew before I left to start this church. Others of you are new connections and are involved in this with me. No matter who you are, I want to let you in on something.

It's time to turn a corner. Since we hit the ground in September until now we have been in a gathering season, gathering resources, gathering people for the team. We have one last Pre-Launch Gathering tomorrow night (Jan 6, 5pm, Macomb Township Recreation Center). Pray that the vision will be clear, that God moves, and that the team begins to feel the excitement of where God is taking us.

These are critical times. It's no easy thing that we're doing. Starting a new church looks glamorous, but it's one of the most spiritually challenging things a person could do. Why would we expect it to be any different. Anything worth fighting for isn't going to be easy. But just think of what COULD be... and what SHOULD be! We're chasing lions, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Image: In a Pit With a Lion on a Snow Day, Mark Batterson