Energy is building. Every week there is someone new. Every week there are more kids than the previous week!

Last week we had a family visit us and they later sent me this note:

Thank you for the warm welcome at your church.  We all enjoyed it.  The people are very friendly and inviting.  And even though Sherri is just starting up the kids service, our kids really enjoyed it.
…We’ve been a part of a “church plant” thing and a “church re-start/reboot” thing.  We’ve been fortunate to see a lot happen.  Those “startups” are some of our best memories.  I’m interested to see what is in store for your church.  From an objective perspective (and as someone who has seen this work a couple times before), you are headed in the right direction to be very successful.  You seem to have a clear message, a clear vision, and the right heart.  I’m excited to see where it leads.

Team, this is a celebration point for us. Clear vision, great team, good start.

Our team is strategically connecting with some key people around town. There’s excitement in the air.

Some highlights from this weekend:

• I preached a straightforward message about service. The BIG IDEA for the message was, “You can’t do anything, and you can’t do everything, but you can do something. SO, what are you going to do with what you can do?” Next week we are holding our first Volunteer Orientation. Today we simply preached our announcement.

• We had some great volunteers step up this week! Ken – thanks for the good work you did in the building! Marilyn – thanks for taking over the “paper-work”. Rich – thank you for creating our music! Neva – thank you for working with me on the schedule for next week! Sherri – thank you my love for leading a brand new kids ministry. You are amazing.

• Speaking of kids ministry… we are making every effort to answer the two questions every parent asks their child when they pick them up from children’s church: 1) did you have fun, and 2) what did you learn. Sherri is caring for ALL the kids (ages 2-11) right now and guess what… they are coming out of there laughing and learning! That’s awesome. I’m proud of my wife and I’m pleased for our kids! Church, this is just the beginning.

• I look out at our church and see talent, beauty and strength. I see a team that is coming together for maximum, God-honoring, impact.

We’re headed out for a week to teach an “Introduction to Christian Doctrine” for pastors and pastors-in-training. I’m looking forward to teaching, but I can’t wait to get back in town next week and see what God is going to do as we start our new teaching series… Living Through a Crash.