Redeeming Halloween

I know different people have varied opinions on Halloween.  Certainly there is some weird stuff that goes on in some places.  However, I felt that this year we might try to redeem Halloween.  Let me explain.

My son's 10th birthday is today, on Halloween.  When he was little we used to tell him that everyone dressed up in costume for his birthday. Back then he thought that was cool. Now if I say that to him I get a look and a "Dad...,,,".

We were talking a few weeks ago about ways to reach out into our community and my wife, Ann, mentioned that she heard of someone who set up coffee for the adults who were talking their children around the neighborhood trick-or-treating.  Others who heard it thought it was a good ideas.

Last night, I received a call from Jeanie and Tom on our launch team inviting our family over to their house after church with the idea that we might be able to invite some neighbors to our new church.  It sounded like a great idea and we joined along with Matt and Fanny for a nice afternoon.

The kids and men went around the neighborhood in search of candy and handing out invitations while the ladies manned the coffee/candy table set up in front of their house.  We had some great conversations with the neighbors.

Here was a nicely decorated house

Nobody was home, but look where we left an invitation!

It was a great opportunity to meet the neighbors.  Many we spoke with seemed thankful to receive an invitation.  Let's pray that they will come!

There were only two things I saw that were "evil."  One, a teenage girl was dressed like a "french maid" and as a father of daughters, I couldn't imagine letting a girl out in an outfit like that.  She was given the wrong kind of attention by a group of boys that were chasing her around.  The other thing that was troubling was a badly thrown football pass that I made which took a bad bounce and, well, hit Matt and dropped him to the ground.  Sorry buddy!

This was the best costume we saw all day!

The Kids

The most friendly neighborhood coffee stand!

We had a nice afternoon with families from the church and I really think that this year we redeemed Halloween!  When else do you have all these neighbors coming to your house and have a chance to go up and greet them at their homes?  Now we need to see how God works in touching their lives.

Ordinary People • Extraordinary God

This past Sunday we finished our message series "Ordinary People, Extraordinary God".   This was an exciting and inspiring time where we explored how "Ordinary People Who Trust in an Extraordinary God Can Do Amazing Things!"  I must say that it was a new good experience to be ready each Sunday with a message that would hopefully change lives.

The first message "God Works Thru Ordinary People" explored the call of David to be king and it's key point was "God Works Thru Hearts that are His"

The second message "Living for a Giant-size Cause" we saw how David faced a giant who defied God.  God's name and fame is a giant-size cause worth living for.

The final message "Meet Some Ordinary People" was an encouraging time hearing how God has worked in the lives of ordinary people. There were two great testimonies, too..  We learned that Spirit-led boldness is much better than ordinary human-boldness.

Now I have a few weeks to study for and prepare a new series that will begin later next month.  Pray that God leads me in this study time. 

Next week Pastor Joe will bring a message on being lead by the Holy Spirit.  Then the following two weeks we'll be blessed to have Pastor Mike and Pastor Ayars share the Word!

Getting in the swing of preparing a message each week!

This will now be the third Sunday in a row where I have prepared a message.  While I taught each week when leading the College-n-Beyond group, it's a little different preparing a Sunday morning message week after week.  The most important thing I'm finding is to be sure to keep reading and studying the Bible text over and over and being sure that I'm learning what the text says.  Period!

This week we're going to be looking at David and Goliath, one of the most familiar stories in the Bible.  It's tempting to gloss over the text and already have decided what it means, but there is a reward for digging and waiting on the Lord to unlock the treasure that's already there!  I believe that this has helped me and trust that it will help everyone else on Sunday.

Family Fun Day was Great!

We had a wonderful time last Sunday at the Country Fair Park!  While the weather was a bit nippy and overcast, we had lots of fun chasing each other around the Laser Tag area and racing the Go-Karts.  Some brave ones swung the bat in the batting cages and lots played mini golf.  We all seemed to end up together on the driving range at the end of our time and saw some pretty good (and not so good) golf swings.  It was a great day and I really enjoyed hanging out with everyone.

Now, be thinking of other things we can do together!

This Sunday I'm looking forward to beginning a message series "Ordinary People, Extraordinary God" where we are going to look at the life of David and apply it to our life.  We will be back at the Hotel.  Please pray that this will be a powerful time for all.

This Sunday - Family Fun Day!

I'm really looking forward to this Sunday October 3 when we're at a different location to have our first (annual, maybe?) outdoor worship service and family fun day.  The weather is supposed to be great, we have alot of people signed up and there's still room for more.  Contact me if you would like to sign up.

My post last week already needs to be revised.  I thought that last Sunday we would be

"finishing up our first series, the Foundations series.  It's been a good start and challenging us to sure up the core beliefs of our faith.  While we've only had three messages on this, I suspect that this may be a series that we will come back to from time to time."

Well, my suspicion is correct - there will be a fourth message in the Foundations series.  I'll be giving a message to everyone - adults and kids together called "Lost and Found."   Pray that this is helpful to all - it's tough to speak to all ages and keep them interested, but I'm very excited about what God has showed me and I look forward to passing it on.

We're hoping for a great day!

Can't sleep...

Having a hard time getting to sleep - that's happening more lately.  Realized I hadn't posted in a few days, so here's the latest.

The room changes worked out OK this past Sunday.  The launch team is to be commended for their eagerness to transform a hotel into a welcoming church gathering.  Kudos to the team!

This Sunday we're finishing up our first series, the Foundations series.  It's been a good start and challenging us to sure up the core beliefs of our faith.  While we've only had three messages on this, I suspect that this may be a series that we will come back to from time to time.

On October 3rd, we're off campus and going to hold an outdoor service followed by a family fun day.  Pray for good weather and also that this will be a nice opportunity to invite friends to our gatherings.

OK...now to settle down and hopefully catch some shut-eye.

Peace!

Flood??

On Thursday night when we had the big storms, our family was heading to our daughter's school when Joe called and mentioned that there was a flood in the hotel.  Since we were in bad thunderstorms (and were hearing about tornado's in Queens on the radio), I assumed that the weather was the cause.  However, it was not.  A worker was moving a table and knocked off the sprinkler head which dumped a few inches of water on the floor in the room where our childrens area and nursery are.

This room had just been renovated a few months ago and they don't know how much damage is major or can be just cleaned up.

I went to the hotel yesterday, and it looks like the room won't be dried out for Sunday.  Thankfully the hotel is arranging to put our kids in two different rooms - one for the nursery and one for the children's ministry.  However, who would have thought that we would be making these kind of changes so soon?

Let's pray for the people who work in the hotel - they could use a lift.

We anticipated opposition, but I never dreamed of a flood!

The First Service

(click picture for a bigger view)

Here's a picture of our first service at the Crowne Plaza on September 12.
I think we're off to a great start.

More pictures...

Thanks to the Lord for a great start!

Our first Sunday went great!  We really sensed God's presence during the service.   The Kids service was great too.  The Launch Team did an outstanding job.

Here's an email that one of the NBC pastors received from someone who attended.  It lines up with my feelings:

Just wanted to share with you the blessing of SUNDAY at Island Christian Church service.  Nothing like a new birth. As I entered into the hallway and was met by greeters I sensed the real Joy and expectation of God doing a special work. The chairs had almost all been filled, and worship time was just beggining. Bob welcomed all  and said that this was a special "MOMENT  IN TIME". From that point on God truly brought his glory, everything was right. Worship was powerful, Joe's message was joyful and commanding.... I was blessed to expierence a sense of AWE. Not awe, can't wait till Joes done speaking, but AWESOME SERVICE.  Thank you for all you do.

Please pray for the new guests who God sent our way, and also for those who couldn't make it that they will get out this coming Sunday.

We thank the Lord for a great start and look forward to next week.

One Day to Go!

This time tomorrow morning we'll just have finished our first service.  Wow!

I would ask you to be prayerful throughout the day.  Pray for the service, the children's ministry, the nursery.  Pray that those who received invitations, door hangers, saw or heard an ad would come.  Pray that God would fill the place with the presence of his Holy Spirit.  Pray that as people hear the Gospel they would "receive the Word in the good soil of their heart" and respond in faith.  Pray for the message, the worship.  Pray that each of us has extra strength and that we all very welcoming to our newcomers.


To God be the glory!

10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3 days til launch!

I can't believe that there's just three days to go until we hold our first service!


Yesterday we had the Northport Baptist staff retreat day at the Crowne Plaza.  We setup the place as a dry run for Sunday and it really gave us a tangible picture of how things might be on Sunday.  It was great!

I have also updated the church website http://www.ichristianc.org/ with some more info and also created pages on Facebook and Twitter for the new church.  If that doesn't mean anything to you, don't worry - ask a kid!  However, I created a Facebook Event for this Sunday, so if you are on Facebook, please check it out, and use it to invite your friends.  "Like it.."  too!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100309590032485&ref=mf

Please pray that this is a great Sunday where God is glorified and lives are changed.  Thanks!

Church Website is Online

The website for the new church is online, and has information for our first public gathering.  Please check out www.ichristianc.org to see details about our upcoming seminar - "The Danger of Raising Nice Kids" with Tim Smith on May 21 at the Crown Plaza hotel.

Island Christian Church

The name is official - "Island Christian Church"  !

We are ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God.  Joe's brother designed the logo and I think it looks great.

We also had a fantastic launch team meeting last night - I can sense the excitement building as things are beginning to take shape.  Please join in praying that God would equip those called to launch this church campus.

A Place! A Provision! Answers to Prayer!

God has moved us along in very big ways in the past few weeks and we want to thank Him!  We have found a hotel to start meeting at, and will be right at Exit 63 of the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville starting in September 2010.  Over 70 families have given one week’s rent for the hotel so we can open up for at least a year!  Then the following week, Pastor Ayars asked families to consider being a “missionary to Brookhaven” for a year.  Close to 25 families and singles stepped out in faith saying that God might be calling them to serve!

I am so humbled to see God’s people responding in faith to support this new mission.  Back in August when I was considering God’s call to be the one to start this new church plant, I must admit that while I felt that I had heard God’s call, still being completely honest I sometimes wondered whether I heard correctly.  When I saw the overwhelming outpouring of support I just could say “thank you God - you are good, you will supply, and you will use this new church to build your kingdom.”

Remember our prayer bookmark?  Well, we’ve now received some answers. Keep praying, but here are some updates:

• Monday - The Launch Team has been called!  Pray for God to refine the call and equip the called
• Tuesday - We have the location! Now pray for the neighborhood including the Sachem School District.
• Thursday - We have the initial financial provision!  Please pray that there would be continued support to sustain and grow the young church.

Thank you Lord!

Think different!

A great but simple quote we just heard is "If you are going to reach people that no one else is reaching you have to do what nobody else it doing."  Pretty obvious, right?  Yet, how often do we wonder why people are not coming to Christ, yet we keep pretty much the same routines and ways of spending our days.

This week we've been challenged to consider one person who we hope will come to faith in Christ.  Maybe even someone who has been "hard to reach" for years. Let's step up praying for them, and even ask the Lord to reveal perhaps a different approach, maybe one nobody else is trying in order to help share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus with them.

This Thursday evening we're going to gather "out east" to share what we've found.  If you're interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll get you the directions.  And keep praying!

Don't neglect your first love!

We had a great first workshop meeting last night - it was great to see 17 people pack out a room at church - looks like we're gonna need a bigger room!

Here's a recap of the teaching that we looked at last night.

We asked the question "What is The biggest mistake church planters make?" In their zeal to pursue the Great Commission, (go into all the world and make disciples) they ignore the One whom they’re planting for - God. The Great Commission minus the Great Commandment (love the Lord our God) reduces evangelism to a vocation, challenge or duty. The deep motivator for what we do must be a deep love for God (adapted from "Ten Most Common Mistakes Made by New Church Starts" by Jim Griffith and Bill Easum)

Andy Stanley says "It is always a mistake to decide what you want to do before you determine who you want to be on the inside." God tells us who we're to be in the form of the Great Commandment:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

A probing question: "Are you a church planter trying to love God, or a lover of God trying to plant a church?" If we don't love God, how can we expect to attract people to follow Jesus - we'll be no different than anyone else?

Mistake #1 - Neglecting the Great Commandment in pursuit of the Great Commission

The Fix

Luke 10:38-42 speaks of two women, Mary and her sister Martha who have an encounter with Jesus. Martha is consumed by all the preparations needed and get indignant that her sister Mary is just sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping with the work. Now, I'll admit that Martha often gets a "bum rap" and we need to be diligent if we're going to accomplish anything. But Jesus says that "Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her." It has to do with perspective - there is a time when we need to simply commune with Jesus and put aside all the other good things that occupy our lives.

Revelation 2:1-4 is a letter to the church in Ephesus commending them for all the good things they have done. It sounds great up till the point that Jesus rebukes them for having lost their first love. Ouch! We need to be lovers of God before we are servers of God.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you work or how passionate you are about planting a church; if you forget the power behind the plant-you’re doomed to shrivel up and die on the vine.”

Let’s look back at the second greatest commandment which in Mark 12:31 comes right after the greatest commandment. “Love others as God has loved us”. This also includes our family - Don’t plant a church at the expense of our marriage or family. Let’s not be a church that our kids learn to hate because we're not there for them. Let's hold each other accountable on this point.

We need to be growing in the Lord apart from the church plant. Think about the potential effect on us as many non-believers and de-churched people come into our lives. In order to effectively help them, we need to love God, love each other and be strong in the Lord.

Well, that's a quick recap of what we talked about - many shared how God had spoken to them and I'm excited to see how we grow as a group!