Planting
Birthday Weekend
May/06/2010 10:45 PM
Hey! I haven’t been keeping up the whole blog thing very well... Things have been kinda crazy lately! BUT, it feels good to get back to it.
Last Sunday was a great day! First, we had our regular morning worship services, where we continued our “Other Kingdom” mini-series. If you weren’t there, we saw what Jesus said about Kingdom Marriage. The big question, of course, was “Am I in motion toward the Cross?” In case you missed it, the podcast can be found right here. Lots of people have asked me about it, so I got it up as quickly as I could.
AFTER the service, we had a GREAT time out at the field celebrating ONE YEAR of ministry as a church! The weather was very threatening all weekend long, but the day turned out to be just beautiful! Thanks SO MUCH to all our volunteers who really pulled it off. There was a ton of food, and everyone got a chance to relax and enjoy the day. I’ve got a bunch of pictures for you to see right here.
Last Sunday was a great day! First, we had our regular morning worship services, where we continued our “Other Kingdom” mini-series. If you weren’t there, we saw what Jesus said about Kingdom Marriage. The big question, of course, was “Am I in motion toward the Cross?” In case you missed it, the podcast can be found right here. Lots of people have asked me about it, so I got it up as quickly as I could.
AFTER the service, we had a GREAT time out at the field celebrating ONE YEAR of ministry as a church! The weather was very threatening all weekend long, but the day turned out to be just beautiful! Thanks SO MUCH to all our volunteers who really pulled it off. There was a ton of food, and everyone got a chance to relax and enjoy the day. I’ve got a bunch of pictures for you to see right here.
Boot Camp
Jul/24/2009 05:33 PM
Sherry and I just got back from a “Church Planter’s Boot Camp,” where we took 16 units of coursework, learning about establishing core values, strategies, small groups, administrative issues, and lots of other helpful things.
I was really encouraged that among the seven church planting teams at the small conference, there were three Caucasian teams, two African American teams, and two Hispanic teams. Not only that, but one of our exercises was to diagram out the structure of our church. It was really cool to see how each church was modeled differently... None of them were the same. Isn’t it great how the Holy Spirit works differently in different people groups and in different places to reveal the same God?
We learned a lot, and we made some new friends. Now, we just have to process all the stuff we learned!
I was really encouraged that among the seven church planting teams at the small conference, there were three Caucasian teams, two African American teams, and two Hispanic teams. Not only that, but one of our exercises was to diagram out the structure of our church. It was really cool to see how each church was modeled differently... None of them were the same. Isn’t it great how the Holy Spirit works differently in different people groups and in different places to reveal the same God?
We learned a lot, and we made some new friends. Now, we just have to process all the stuff we learned!
Are You Ready to Party?
Jun/28/2009 10:57 PM
How cool was the wrap-up of our first-ever marriage series? I felt like today was one of the best services we’ve had since we started. The music was great, and the message was fun. And how about that wedding? That makes the second Orchard wedding we’ve had since we started, and the first one to take place DURING a Sunday morning service! It is so cool that we are beginning to really tighten up as a family. Not only that, but we continue to grow! Even though we continue to be down several of our regulars, and key volunteers during the summer months, we continue to have lots of new visitors! Today the nursery was full of kids! (there was definitely some serious cuteness going on there, too!)
Next Sunday’s Baptism Party is going to be off the chain! Are you planning to be there? If you haven’t invited someone yet, you still can. All the info is right here on the website. Just click onto the Party page from the main “home” page, and you will find it all! Come party with our church in Ellijay
Next Sunday’s Baptism Party is going to be off the chain! Are you planning to be there? If you haven’t invited someone yet, you still can. All the info is right here on the website. Just click onto the Party page from the main “home” page, and you will find it all! Come party with our church in Ellijay
Minor Improvements
May/19/2009 10:08 PM
Today, Doug Moore and I spent MOST of the day in the movie theater executing yet another upgrade on the big room. As you know, we’ve been using these really ugly light tripods to put our stage lights on. They sit near the front of the room, take up space, look bad, and get kicked from time to time. On Saturday, Darron Chastain hung some AWESOME light mounts on the walls for our stage lights. We couldn’t use them yet, because we had to rewire the room first. (again.) Today, we got it done! The new light mounts look GREAT, and free up seating space! Thanks for your help, Darron and Doug!
Also, you may have noticed that the projector image was improved on Sunday. The projector has been sitting on the ledge just over the entrance to the room, and has been throwing it’s image at a low, shallow angle. The result has been singers and speakers with their faces oddly lit. Well, no more! Kenny Crook constructed a new mount for the projector that raises it up to ceiling level! Thanks, Kenny!
Also, you may have noticed that the projector image was improved on Sunday. The projector has been sitting on the ledge just over the entrance to the room, and has been throwing it’s image at a low, shallow angle. The result has been singers and speakers with their faces oddly lit. Well, no more! Kenny Crook constructed a new mount for the projector that raises it up to ceiling level! Thanks, Kenny!
The Five-Week JUMP?
May/11/2009 09:51 PM
Didn’t get a chance to update yesterday... Busy with Mother’s Day and all!
I just wanted to jot down a few random thoughts about Sunday’s service. Here they are, in no particular order.
Even though the Night At The Museum 2 trailer didn’t work on cue, I am still really excited about this message series. I hope it is a blessing for you. Next week, we’re doing our take on Transformers 2. Should be fun! If you haven’t been to The Orchard Church yet, I think you will love it.
I just wanted to jot down a few random thoughts about Sunday’s service. Here they are, in no particular order.
- What happened?? After four weeks of relatively “smooth sailing,” it seems we had every technical glitch that we could think of!
- What happened?? After three weeks of double-digit attendance, we suddenly jumped up to nearly 110! Wow!
- We had a record number of kids in the toddler and preschool rooms
- Kirsten did a great job on behalf of all of us.
- Practice is important
- Proverbs is awesome
- Always great to see new faces, and meet new friends.
- The air conditioner in there works REALLY WELL when it wants to.
- We didn’t get the message recorded, either. Hope to have everything fixed next week.
- Star Trek: best movie of 2009. Should have done THAT trailer.
Even though the Night At The Museum 2 trailer didn’t work on cue, I am still really excited about this message series. I hope it is a blessing for you. Next week, we’re doing our take on Transformers 2. Should be fun! If you haven’t been to The Orchard Church yet, I think you will love it.
The Three-Week Slide
May/04/2009 10:41 PM
Well, we’ve just completed our first message series at The Orchard Church. It sort of feels like a landmark for us.
I have been thrilled at the great comments I have heard and read from people who have visited with us over the last several weeks. I love it when I hear people say things like, “we feel so welcome here,” “this place rocks,” and “this is like coming home.” I am most thrilled that we have seen at least eight people turn their lives over to Christ!
Our next series, “Reel Life,” begins on Sunday. I think you are really going to like it. If you haven’t been with us at The Orchard Church yet, you should give it a try. Have a look at the details here.
- I am really proud of our worship band. They’ve worked hard, and have done a great job. Not only is the music awesome, but the Spirit is evident.
- Shout out for the tech crew, also! We have people running sound, lights, and video week in and week out that do a great job.
- Every week, our CLEAN UP CREW works the movie theater very late on Saturday nights. Great job, guys.
- The church-planting gurus say that we should have expected a “three-week slide” of 50% from our launch day attendance numbers. Well, we are WAY above that! It is amazing the spiritual hunger that is so evident all around us!
I have been thrilled at the great comments I have heard and read from people who have visited with us over the last several weeks. I love it when I hear people say things like, “we feel so welcome here,” “this place rocks,” and “this is like coming home.” I am most thrilled that we have seen at least eight people turn their lives over to Christ!
Our next series, “Reel Life,” begins on Sunday. I think you are really going to like it. If you haven’t been with us at The Orchard Church yet, you should give it a try. Have a look at the details here.
Exponential
Apr/21/2009 06:20 PM
Doug and I are down here in beautiful Orlando, Florida (my home town) at the Exponential New Church Conference at First Baptist Church of Orlando (my home church) It is CRAZY! We got to hear Erwin McManus (great author and speaker) talk to us about what is really important. We’ve been in breakout tracks learning about some of the nuts and bolts of church planting. Favorite quote of the conference so far: Alan Hirsch (church guru) says “Holiness is not about withdrawing from the culture. It is about how we engage the culture. In fact, it creates culture.”
As good as the conference is, my favorite part has been reconnecting to some great old friends and seeing what God is doing in their lives. I really had a blast talking with some of those guys, and I feel like God is really reconfirming a lot of things in my heart and mind about all the stuff we’re doing in Ellijay! Check back in the next day or two for another conference update!
As good as the conference is, my favorite part has been reconnecting to some great old friends and seeing what God is doing in their lives. I really had a blast talking with some of those guys, and I feel like God is really reconfirming a lot of things in my heart and mind about all the stuff we’re doing in Ellijay! Check back in the next day or two for another conference update!
The Bailout Has Begun
Apr/20/2009 08:24 AM
Funny how things work sometimes. Yesterday was full of little technical glitches. The AC didn’t come on in the big room until pretty late in the morning. At one point, Sherry thought there was smoke in the room, which turned out to be dust floating in the air. (the theater doesn’t normally have that many people and that much commotion in it!) The screen temporarily went blank for a few minutes. (tech crew still learning Pro Presenter) and I couldn’t figure out how to put the giant puzzle pieces together during the message. With all that stuff going on, you might think yesterday’s service was a train wreck. BUT:
After the huge response we had last week with so many people showing up on our launch service, I was really looking to have our group drop down to around 60 or so. After all, you don’t have to be doing ANYTHING right to have a crowd on Easter Sunday, right? BUT, God proved me wrong again, and we were blessed with 85 people worshipping with us for our second service!
Man... Stuff is happening. God works in crazy ways. There are BIG things in store for Ellijay!
- The music was GREAT... I thought having an extended set of songs was fantastic, and Man, the band was really sounding good.
- I got to meet quite a few new friends, (where are all these awesome new people coming from???)
- I have to admit, I wasn’t super excited about doing this bailout series right at the start of everything, but, man I really LOVE the direction it is taking, and I think we really got off to a good start yesterday. I can’t wait for the next two weeks! PLUS, the plan for the next two weeks are really cool.
- ON TOP OF THAT, we had several people turn their lives over to Christ for the first time!
After the huge response we had last week with so many people showing up on our launch service, I was really looking to have our group drop down to around 60 or so. After all, you don’t have to be doing ANYTHING right to have a crowd on Easter Sunday, right? BUT, God proved me wrong again, and we were blessed with 85 people worshipping with us for our second service!
Man... Stuff is happening. God works in crazy ways. There are BIG things in store for Ellijay!
Launched!
Apr/15/2009 12:37 AM
Just now recovering from Sunday morning. I am just stunned. There was definitely a sense of eagerness on Saturday night... The cleanup crew, who ISN’T supposed to set up all the tech, stage, and stuff ended up staying until TOO LATE because they were just excited and wanted to get stuff going. The band worked really hard and pulled it off really well. Those guys just rocked. The nursery and preschool groups were awesome. Everyone in front and behind the scenes just went after it and knocked it right out of the park!
Everyone told us to keep our expectations low, and not get disappointed when turnout wasn’t high. Your first official service, after all, will be pretty small. You have to build a crowd over time. We were hoping for 60... Praying for 80. When I was told that there were over 120 present, you could have knocked me down. A church-planting friend of mine emailed me when he heard that and said that 120 was a great number for a growing metropolitan area... He couldn’t believe we had that in little Ellijay!
We received great responses from people, saying things like “Ellijay needs this,” “we have been looking for you for so long... where have you been?” and my favorite, “I love my new church.” (thanks, Amy!) I was nearly in tears as people expressed their excitement about this NEW THING in Ellijay.
My favorite part of the service was when we sang “Wonderous Cross.” I love that line that goes “O the wonderful cross, bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.” It really summed up the message of Easter, and the reason we’ve come together to launch this church. I also really loved watching people leave with handfulls of seed packages. (you had to be there.) It was just another signal of the LIFE that we had been talking about all morning.
So it was a pretty incredible morning. We met lots of new friends. We caught back up with some old ones. God was with us, and it was good. There are some GREAT things in store! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Everyone told us to keep our expectations low, and not get disappointed when turnout wasn’t high. Your first official service, after all, will be pretty small. You have to build a crowd over time. We were hoping for 60... Praying for 80. When I was told that there were over 120 present, you could have knocked me down. A church-planting friend of mine emailed me when he heard that and said that 120 was a great number for a growing metropolitan area... He couldn’t believe we had that in little Ellijay!
We received great responses from people, saying things like “Ellijay needs this,” “we have been looking for you for so long... where have you been?” and my favorite, “I love my new church.” (thanks, Amy!) I was nearly in tears as people expressed their excitement about this NEW THING in Ellijay.
My favorite part of the service was when we sang “Wonderous Cross.” I love that line that goes “O the wonderful cross, bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.” It really summed up the message of Easter, and the reason we’ve come together to launch this church. I also really loved watching people leave with handfulls of seed packages. (you had to be there.) It was just another signal of the LIFE that we had been talking about all morning.
So it was a pretty incredible morning. We met lots of new friends. We caught back up with some old ones. God was with us, and it was good. There are some GREAT things in store! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
This Morning... WOW!
Apr/05/2009 10:38 PM
I just have to shout out a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved in this morning’s launch preparations. I was shocked at the energy level and enthusiasm for what is going on here! First, since we were on a “week off” between preview service and Launch Sunday, I really expected our numbers to be quite low... The plan was to make today a work day, since Spring Break is on, and people are out of town. things ought to be kinda quiet... Right?
So here we are with no real plan for a service, no “message” ready, and didn’t even set up the curtains, or make everything look pretty. It is just going to be “us” today. We’re wearing our work clothes and are going to be taking care of some last-minute business.
Well, I turned around, and the theater lobby was PACKED with people who had come to be part of the morning services! I was amazed to see some friendly faces that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was even more amazed to see so many faces that I just didn’t even recognize! So, at 10AM, we quickly threw together a plan, prayed, and had a short mini-service. And it rocked. Thanks, Casey, Chad, Zac, Caleb, and Sherry for pulling together on that.
After I did my best to explain what it was we were trying to do here, I asked if people would be willing to spend some time working our launch preparations with us. I thought, “okay, now all these visitors will go home (and probably never come back) and then our group can work the stuff and get a few things done.
I was wrong again! I think nearly EVERYBODY stayed for the rest of the morning... We had people labeling mailer cards until EVERY SINGLE CARD had an address on it! (usually takes us DAYS to complete!) We had people I didn’t even KNOW vacuuming floors, I saw people cleaning walls. New people were setting up toys for babies, and visitors from out of state cleaned out the kitchen cabinets and washed all the dishes! Now, walk through our new children’s space, and it smells fresh and clean.
I was truly amazed at what I saw. I was amazed at these people’s willingness and PLEASURE in serving. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and just enjoying each other. For me, it was one of the best Sundays we’ve had.
What if The Church was like that all the time? What if, as Henry Blackaby puts it, we could look around and SEE where God is working, drop everything, and just JOIN HIM in that work? What would God do in us and through us? Isn’t THAT what The Church is all about?
Thanks, everyone. You made my week. I am praying for you as we tear through our FINAL WEEK before LAUNCH SUNDAY.
So here we are with no real plan for a service, no “message” ready, and didn’t even set up the curtains, or make everything look pretty. It is just going to be “us” today. We’re wearing our work clothes and are going to be taking care of some last-minute business.
Well, I turned around, and the theater lobby was PACKED with people who had come to be part of the morning services! I was amazed to see some friendly faces that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was even more amazed to see so many faces that I just didn’t even recognize! So, at 10AM, we quickly threw together a plan, prayed, and had a short mini-service. And it rocked. Thanks, Casey, Chad, Zac, Caleb, and Sherry for pulling together on that.
After I did my best to explain what it was we were trying to do here, I asked if people would be willing to spend some time working our launch preparations with us. I thought, “okay, now all these visitors will go home (and probably never come back) and then our group can work the stuff and get a few things done.
I was wrong again! I think nearly EVERYBODY stayed for the rest of the morning... We had people labeling mailer cards until EVERY SINGLE CARD had an address on it! (usually takes us DAYS to complete!) We had people I didn’t even KNOW vacuuming floors, I saw people cleaning walls. New people were setting up toys for babies, and visitors from out of state cleaned out the kitchen cabinets and washed all the dishes! Now, walk through our new children’s space, and it smells fresh and clean.
I was truly amazed at what I saw. I was amazed at these people’s willingness and PLEASURE in serving. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and just enjoying each other. For me, it was one of the best Sundays we’ve had.
What if The Church was like that all the time? What if, as Henry Blackaby puts it, we could look around and SEE where God is working, drop everything, and just JOIN HIM in that work? What would God do in us and through us? Isn’t THAT what The Church is all about?
Thanks, everyone. You made my week. I am praying for you as we tear through our FINAL WEEK before LAUNCH SUNDAY.
Children's Ministry Big Focus
Mar/31/2009 10:06 AM
Check Out Our Target Wish List!
Okay, it’s the last two weeks before the big launch day, and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Whether you are part of The Orchard Church or not, YOU can be a blessing to children and to families as we get started in the next couple of weeks. There are still some resources that we just really need to get our Children’s Ministry going. Will YOU be willing to help us out with one, two, or three of these items?
Summer Gilliam, our volunteer Children’s Ministry director, has set up a Wish List at Target.com for our Children’s Ministry. You can log on right here, and be a blessing by ordering something off the list! It will be shipped RIGHT to us, so you won’t have to worry about it one bit.
We’re looking at a pretty short turn-around time, so have a look at it, and invest a little into our children and families. Our launch date is coming up VERY SOON! This thing is going to be awesome!
21 Days of Prayer
Mar/23/2009 07:34 AM
We are in the final phase before the Launch! It is coming up really quickly. Most of the technical pieces are now in place, our team understands their roles, and we’ve sent out the flyers and run the ads in the newspaper. For the most part, the logistics are handled. Now, the REAL work comes... Our group launched into 21 days of prayer beginning yesterday, March 22. We are going to be crazy praying people over the next few weeks as we head into this HUGELY important time!
Why don’t you join us? You can download the Orchard Prayer Calendar right HERE.
Ways to be connected to the Orchard in PRAYER:
Why don’t you join us? You can download the Orchard Prayer Calendar right HERE.
Ways to be connected to the Orchard in PRAYER:
- Daily Twitter Prayer Updates: @orchardprayer
- Twitter your prayer requests TO @orchardprayer
- Send email prayer requests to prayer@orchardellijay.com
Preview Was GREAT!
Mar/16/2009 10:16 PM
Wow. I have GOT to say a big thanks to everyone who worked hard to pull off this weekend’s preview service. It was really awesome. What a great kickoff!
Here are my quick thoughts on the morning:
Overall, I felt like the preview was a great start to what will be an awesome, growing, vibrant ministry. I expect we’ll see God change a lot of lives as a result of all this. Wednesday night is our “Orchard Orientation,” and even if you didn’t sign up, we’d still love to have you. Shoot me an email (from the CONTACT page) or give me a call to let me know you’re coming.
Here are my quick thoughts on the morning:
- It was awesome meeting new friends and seeing new faces.
- The tech stuff was really hard and time-intensive during the week to set up, but it was SO worth it!
- The message was consistent from the opening video, through the songs, the “Meant to Live” theme song, and the message
- Our team seems to have an unlimited amount of drive and ability to pull stuff off
- Conner did a great job with the lights
- So glad we went with the “Meant To Live” theme.
- “Dare You To Move” is going to be GREAT on March 29th!
Overall, I felt like the preview was a great start to what will be an awesome, growing, vibrant ministry. I expect we’ll see God change a lot of lives as a result of all this. Wednesday night is our “Orchard Orientation,” and even if you didn’t sign up, we’d still love to have you. Shoot me an email (from the CONTACT page) or give me a call to let me know you’re coming.
Why A Preview Service?
Mar/11/2009 08:35 PM
I am getting so pumped about our first PREVIEW SERVICE coming up this weekend! All the little parts and pieces are starting to fall into place. Man, putting together a rockin’ sound system is a lot more work than I thought it was! When it is all together, it will raise the roof! Doug, Zac, and I spent some time in the movie theater today reworking and adding lighting. Larry built a makeshift “tech table” that fits over the bolted-down movie theater seats! It is really cool.
Someone asked me this week, “Why a ‘preview service?’ I’m not familiar with that term.” SO, I thought I would try to answer that question two general ways...
First is an external purpose... We want to build a little momentum before the launch. We hope to create something of a buzz about what we’re doing. I don’t expect that we’ll blow the doors off the movie theater this week, but I do hope that we will get people talking. I am hoping that people will try us out for the first time and tell their friends. Hopefully, this momentum will build for our March 29th preview, and really explode for our April 12 Launch!
Second is an internal purpose... Engaging people in the Body of Christ. Let’s face it... If this is important to Ellijay, it is going to take a lot of people to pull it off. And I mean a LOT. People with ALL KINDS of gifts and abilities. We want to serve people on all kinds of levels in this, from parking, to greeting, to children’s ministry, to singing, to tech... You name it. We are going to blatantly ask people to jump in and start serving!
Our first preview is going to KICK. The theme for this one is “Meant To Live,” which is a popular Switchfoot (iTunes link) song from a couple of years ago. Chad, Casey, and the band are working hard on the song, and I know it will be cool. We’ll use the message of the song as a tool to reinforce Jesus’ purpose of coming so that we could have life, and have it abundantly. We also have other creative things planned that I think you’ll really like. You’ll definitely want to be there if you can. Hope to see YOU on Sunday!!
Someone asked me this week, “Why a ‘preview service?’ I’m not familiar with that term.” SO, I thought I would try to answer that question two general ways...
First is an external purpose... We want to build a little momentum before the launch. We hope to create something of a buzz about what we’re doing. I don’t expect that we’ll blow the doors off the movie theater this week, but I do hope that we will get people talking. I am hoping that people will try us out for the first time and tell their friends. Hopefully, this momentum will build for our March 29th preview, and really explode for our April 12 Launch!
Second is an internal purpose... Engaging people in the Body of Christ. Let’s face it... If this is important to Ellijay, it is going to take a lot of people to pull it off. And I mean a LOT. People with ALL KINDS of gifts and abilities. We want to serve people on all kinds of levels in this, from parking, to greeting, to children’s ministry, to singing, to tech... You name it. We are going to blatantly ask people to jump in and start serving!
Our first preview is going to KICK. The theme for this one is “Meant To Live,” which is a popular Switchfoot (iTunes link) song from a couple of years ago. Chad, Casey, and the band are working hard on the song, and I know it will be cool. We’ll use the message of the song as a tool to reinforce Jesus’ purpose of coming so that we could have life, and have it abundantly. We also have other creative things planned that I think you’ll really like. You’ll definitely want to be there if you can. Hope to see YOU on Sunday!!
Transforming Power
Feb/27/2009 01:54 PM
The Church Planters Conference in Cumming, GA on Monday and Tuesday was great. Mountain Lake Church simply does an awesome job at what they do.
The worship times were unbelievable, and I learned a whole lot. Summer, Doug, and I really loved hearing from Bob Roberts, who really encouraged us that God leads through broken people. He asked 500 church planters, “Is the Gospel powerful enough to transform your community?” Of course, the resounding answer all over the auditorium was an enthusiastic “YES!” We’re church planters... Planting the Gospel in a new, different way in communities is what we are all about! These are people of vision and drive. They dream of what God can do in a community through the power of the Gospel.
Then, he asked them, “Is the Gospel powerful enough to transform YOU?”
A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone paused, as the question sunk into our minds and hearts. Dr. Roberts said that church planting is not about our ability to speak, build teams, or put systems into place... It is about the ability of the Gospel to TRANSFORM ME into HIS image. Nothing else really matters.
What he said really lined up with the words of John the Baptist, who, toward the end of his ministry, verbalized the process by which we all glorify God: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30) That’s what our process is all about. At The Orchard, we’re all about engaging in the process of CHANGE, GROW, and SERVE. When we do that, it results in less and less of us, which allows for more and more of HIM to consume us. It is a lifelong endeavor that will result in our being transformed into HIS image. (Romans 12:1-2)
The worship times were unbelievable, and I learned a whole lot. Summer, Doug, and I really loved hearing from Bob Roberts, who really encouraged us that God leads through broken people. He asked 500 church planters, “Is the Gospel powerful enough to transform your community?” Of course, the resounding answer all over the auditorium was an enthusiastic “YES!” We’re church planters... Planting the Gospel in a new, different way in communities is what we are all about! These are people of vision and drive. They dream of what God can do in a community through the power of the Gospel.
Then, he asked them, “Is the Gospel powerful enough to transform YOU?”
A hush fell over the crowd. Everyone paused, as the question sunk into our minds and hearts. Dr. Roberts said that church planting is not about our ability to speak, build teams, or put systems into place... It is about the ability of the Gospel to TRANSFORM ME into HIS image. Nothing else really matters.
What he said really lined up with the words of John the Baptist, who, toward the end of his ministry, verbalized the process by which we all glorify God: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30) That’s what our process is all about. At The Orchard, we’re all about engaging in the process of CHANGE, GROW, and SERVE. When we do that, it results in less and less of us, which allows for more and more of HIM to consume us. It is a lifelong endeavor that will result in our being transformed into HIS image. (Romans 12:1-2)
Meeting Needs
Feb/17/2009 09:39 PM
In some ways, the I Love Ellijay thing was not what I was hoping. I had my own picture of what I thought it should look like, and how it would impact people. I kind of wanted us to have a big splash, meeting the needs of a ton of people. But, working with the counselors at the school, it seems that they wanted to scale us down a little more each day. Finally, they narrowed us down to just the two families that they put us on to. Frankly, it was a much smaller scope than I had hoped for.
A little disappointed, I went into the weekend with low expectations.
Something really cool happened, though. Instead of just handing out stuff to random people, we got a little involved in some families' lives. We were able to get into homes and actually get our arms around some people that really needed to see some love in action. We had a chance to chase that towel, like we talked about on the previous Sunday. I think being in those homes and sharing in their stories really had an impact on all of us this weekend. It was powerful. I don't think any of our group walked away the same.
There is something about serving others that just changes your perspective.
It sure has changed conversations in our home. We aren't talking about "me" so much lately... My 14-year old daughter come home, looked around her room, and said that she felt like she was just selfish, and that she needed to give more. She was really impacted by the stories of a couple of sisters in her school that are living with great need.
We've talked about it several times since. I've asked her, "Where can you start?" You don't have much to give right now... You're 14. Both of us agreed that being a friend would go a long way. Building a relationship will open the door to so much more in the near future than just handing stuff over like some sort of charity case.
Be her friend, not her savior. Jesus will take care of that one. Our job is to help open the door.
What is the future? What will happen tomorrow as a result of our simple need-meeting today? I can't wait to see what happens next.
A little disappointed, I went into the weekend with low expectations.
Something really cool happened, though. Instead of just handing out stuff to random people, we got a little involved in some families' lives. We were able to get into homes and actually get our arms around some people that really needed to see some love in action. We had a chance to chase that towel, like we talked about on the previous Sunday. I think being in those homes and sharing in their stories really had an impact on all of us this weekend. It was powerful. I don't think any of our group walked away the same.
There is something about serving others that just changes your perspective.
It sure has changed conversations in our home. We aren't talking about "me" so much lately... My 14-year old daughter come home, looked around her room, and said that she felt like she was just selfish, and that she needed to give more. She was really impacted by the stories of a couple of sisters in her school that are living with great need.
We've talked about it several times since. I've asked her, "Where can you start?" You don't have much to give right now... You're 14. Both of us agreed that being a friend would go a long way. Building a relationship will open the door to so much more in the near future than just handing stuff over like some sort of charity case.
Be her friend, not her savior. Jesus will take care of that one. Our job is to help open the door.
What is the future? What will happen tomorrow as a result of our simple need-meeting today? I can't wait to see what happens next.
Church In A Movie Theater?
Feb/17/2009 09:39 AM
What a weekend!! I was so blown away by each of you guys that came out ALL DAY on Saturday to set up, experiment, practice, set up some more, tear down, clean up, and set up again. It was so cool! My mind was all about the lights and sound, so I barely thought about the lobby, coffee, and all that stuff... But you guys HANDLED it, and it was awesome!
Sunday morning was a great taste of what is to come. I was really pumped. All the tech was really basic, and everything kind of came together at the last minute... But I am feeling pretty great about it all.
So what do you think of the whole I Love Ellijay thing?? Is that gonna rock, or what?? Man, there are so many needs right in that one school that we are going to be able to meet. Have you started multiplying your little picture yet? I don’t know about you, but today is Tuesday, and my $5 has already turned into $30! How is yours coming? Shoot me an email to let me know.
Sunday morning was a great taste of what is to come. I was really pumped. All the tech was really basic, and everything kind of came together at the last minute... But I am feeling pretty great about it all.
So what do you think of the whole I Love Ellijay thing?? Is that gonna rock, or what?? Man, there are so many needs right in that one school that we are going to be able to meet. Have you started multiplying your little picture yet? I don’t know about you, but today is Tuesday, and my $5 has already turned into $30! How is yours coming? Shoot me an email to let me know.
Becoming a Blessing
Jan/28/2009 11:29 AM
Yesterday, Zac and I went over to Athens to see if we could find any deals on used sound equipment at a nightclub auction that was going on there. It was a very interesting day, as we got to talk with a bunch of local bar/club owners and see what they were doing, and how the economy was affecting them. There were a bunch of people there... Maybe 30 or so, all bidding on barstools, tables, neon lights, speakers, intelligent spots, and so forth.
I met a kid named Chris. He's a college student trying to make a little bit of a living DJ'ing parties and other events in and around Lawrenceville. Great kid. He is just a poor college student, showing up at the auction looking to get a little bit of a deal on something small that can help his struggling business. His main goal was to get two microphones and a snake, which is a bundled set of microphone cables with a connector box on the end. He was disappointed to find that the microphones (Shure Beta 58's) he wanted were being sold as a set of six, which he likely couldn't afford. He could probably swing the two he needed, but definitely not six. We talked for a little while, telling me about his girlfriend, and his dreams of having a local small-time recording studio.
I told him about our church plant, and how we were looking for some of the same things he was looking for, plus some speakers and other items. He was very interested, and asked several questions. Before we knew what was happening, the bidding began!
I watched him bid on and lose some XLR cables. He bid and lost some direct boxes. Next up came the snake that he wanted. Even though everyone had their bidding "poker faces" on, I could see his disappointment when he lost the snake to a higher bidder. Even at incredible auction prices, where things were going for pennies on the dollar, this guy just didn't have the cash to buy the smallest of things available.
Next up were the Shure Beta 58's. Nice set of six microphones. (they retail for $160 or so each.) He started the bidding at $30 per mic, but was immediately priced out when the cost rose rapidly. Just as they were about to go for $57 each, the final bid was made and they sold for $60... To The Orchard Church. I looked across the room to where Chris was standing and he shot me a quick smile. He knew what we were there for, and was very supportive about our new church start.
As soon as I could get to him, he shook my hand and congratulated me with a smile. He offered to hang around and help us load up the equipment we had just bought. I thanked him, and handed him two of the microphones, telling him that we wanted to be a blessing to him. He was a little stunned, suprised to see someone thinking of others in the midst of this "get-it-for-myself" free for all. He ended up paying us for one of them, saying that he wanted to support The Orchard, and that he felt he should be giving, not taking from the church. I let him pay his original bid price of $30, and both of us were thrilled.
It is awesome that even 3 months before we have our first church service, The Orchard is blessing a kid in Lawrenceville, and we are blessed by him.
I met a kid named Chris. He's a college student trying to make a little bit of a living DJ'ing parties and other events in and around Lawrenceville. Great kid. He is just a poor college student, showing up at the auction looking to get a little bit of a deal on something small that can help his struggling business. His main goal was to get two microphones and a snake, which is a bundled set of microphone cables with a connector box on the end. He was disappointed to find that the microphones (Shure Beta 58's) he wanted were being sold as a set of six, which he likely couldn't afford. He could probably swing the two he needed, but definitely not six. We talked for a little while, telling me about his girlfriend, and his dreams of having a local small-time recording studio.
I told him about our church plant, and how we were looking for some of the same things he was looking for, plus some speakers and other items. He was very interested, and asked several questions. Before we knew what was happening, the bidding began!
I watched him bid on and lose some XLR cables. He bid and lost some direct boxes. Next up came the snake that he wanted. Even though everyone had their bidding "poker faces" on, I could see his disappointment when he lost the snake to a higher bidder. Even at incredible auction prices, where things were going for pennies on the dollar, this guy just didn't have the cash to buy the smallest of things available.
Next up were the Shure Beta 58's. Nice set of six microphones. (they retail for $160 or so each.) He started the bidding at $30 per mic, but was immediately priced out when the cost rose rapidly. Just as they were about to go for $57 each, the final bid was made and they sold for $60... To The Orchard Church. I looked across the room to where Chris was standing and he shot me a quick smile. He knew what we were there for, and was very supportive about our new church start.
As soon as I could get to him, he shook my hand and congratulated me with a smile. He offered to hang around and help us load up the equipment we had just bought. I thanked him, and handed him two of the microphones, telling him that we wanted to be a blessing to him. He was a little stunned, suprised to see someone thinking of others in the midst of this "get-it-for-myself" free for all. He ended up paying us for one of them, saying that he wanted to support The Orchard, and that he felt he should be giving, not taking from the church. I let him pay his original bid price of $30, and both of us were thrilled.
It is awesome that even 3 months before we have our first church service, The Orchard is blessing a kid in Lawrenceville, and we are blessed by him.
Exciting Times
Jan/21/2009 12:58 AM
So this is the START of the whole church-planting blog thing. I've never been one to blog before... Never really felt like anyone would spend the time reading my blabbering. My hope is that this blog will inform, open doors, and facilitate dialog.
Did you get all sucked in to that Inauguration this week? Wow, what history we're priviliged to witness. Whether you agree with his politics or not, you have to be proud to be part of the generation that put the first African American in the White House. I have to admit that I had a tear in my eye when I thought of how far we have come in just a few short years.
Did you get all sucked in to that Inauguration this week? Wow, what history we're priviliged to witness. Whether you agree with his politics or not, you have to be proud to be part of the generation that put the first African American in the White House. I have to admit that I had a tear in my eye when I thought of how far we have come in just a few short years.