Weekend in Review :: 02-24-08

We closed out our Sexual Revolution series yesterday with some great worship & teaching. At least...that's what I was told in staff meeting this morning. I wasn't actually here to witness it!

On Saturday night it quickly became apparent that I needed to minister more to my family this weekend than to the church. Ethan was struggling emotionally, and the only cure was for Daddy to be around. After I finally got him calmed down and asleep in his bed, I realized what needed to be done.

Early on Sunday morning, I called in an impromptu vacation day and spent the entire day with my wife and kids. We played games together, did some projects around the house, and went to Karen's parents for dinner. It was a great day together, and it helped Ethan tremendously.

I want to publicly thank Bill and the staff and the Leadership Team and the people of Great Oaks for being a church where the pastor's family is allowed to be his primary ministry-focus. Thanks for your understanding and flexibility when an audible needed to be called!

Sex, Journaling & Questions

We are wrapping up our Sexual Revolution series this coming Sunday. Bill is going to be closing it out by talking about our next steps if we are the ones entrenched in sexual immorality or if we are the ones who have been the recipient of the sexual immorality (i.e. if we are the towel that has been blemished by the sins of others).

In two weeks we are starting our 21 Days with God teaching series with an emphasis on prayer, Bible study and journaling. We are giving out journals to every adult, teenager, and child in the church and asking them to read one chapter of John's Gospel each day for 21 days and to write down their observations, application, and prayers. The pastors are all going to be blogging their thoughts so you can get an inside look at their perspective as well. What's cool about this is that it ends the day before Easter, so the entire church will have just read all about Jesus' life & ministry leading into this awesome day of celebration!

On Easter we are launching a 6-week series called Questions. The first three weeks of the series, we are going to be answering some of the big questions people have about God..

• How good is good enough to get into heaven?
• Why is Jesus the only way?
• If God is so good, why does he allow evil & suffering?

...but the last three weeks of the series, we are going to be answering YOUR questions. Through the church website and on Sunday mornings, you'll be able to submit the big questions you've always wanted answered. We'll choose three of the more intriguing ones and do our best to answer them. Should be fun!

Weekend in Review :: 02-17-08

There is definitely something unique about Great Oaks! I've never been in a church where we spent an entire morning talking about the negative influence of pornography. I've never been in a church where the pastor was allowed (and encouraged) to be this transparent about who he was in the past and who he is today. I love this place...

WORSHIP
Let the Praises Ring - Lincoln Brewster
Everlasting God - Todd Fields
Offering - Unknown
Dirty Little Secrets - All American Rejects
I Am Free - Jon Egan

MESSAGE
Series: Sexual Revolution
Message: Leashed
Speaker: Chris Genders

Notable Quotes..

• "We are going to get real this morning. It is going to be uncomfortable for me as the speaker, and it's going to be uncomfortable for you as the audience."
• "When we chase sex outside of God's will, we find ourselves leashed to a life of sin."
• "Pornography is pervasive in our culture today. It affects individuals, marriages, families, and churches."
• "I came clean to Karen about ten years ago after three years of marriage. I had been living a second-life ever since I was a teenager. I looked good on the outside, but the inside was a mess."
• "God calls us to present his daughter back to him without stain, wrinkle or blemish." [Towel illustration]
  
• "Porn is oppressive. It takes away your energy, your passion, your time. You become moody, irritable, and defensive. You are always on edge because you are afraid you will be 'found out.' This is no way to live!"
• "Porn isolates you from other people. You try to fix yourself but it is impossible. You need to have someone in your life regularly asking you the tough questions."
• "You've got to recognize where you struggle and establish safeguards to prevent you from crossing the line when you are tempted."
• "It is not a sin to be tempted. It's how you respond to temptation that matters."
• "I know there are going to be some very uncomfortable conversations between spouses and between parents and their teenagers. And I don't care! These conversations need to take place."
• "Remember that we are people of grace, forgiveness, and second-chances. Be patient when your loved one comes clean. They will need your unconditional love and acceptance as they walk along the road of recovery."

Can't Wait for Sunday

I just put the finishing touches on my message for Sunday, and I cannot wait to deliver it!

I honestly believe that God is going to use this message to change a lot of people's lives (of course, I think that about every message otherwise I wouldn't do what I do).

But on this particular Sunday, people are going to be uncomfortable and encouraged and set free from the stronghold of pornography and other sexual temptations. They are going to hear personal stories and learn about resources to help them break free. They are going to hear that THEY ARE NOT ALONE in their struggle!

I am so thankful for a church like Great Oaks where we can tackle the tough subjects and be completely transparent with each other. I love a church where the pastors can be real from the stage.

Sunday's comin'... bring it on!

Dirty Little Secret

This Sunday is going to be tough. It's going to be tough for me as the speaker, and it's going to be tough for you as the audience.

Pornography is a major addiction in our culture today - for men, women and teenagers. The reason it is allowed to have such a pervasive grip in our lives is because we keep it a secret from everyone around us. It's our dirty little secret. There is so much shame and guilt that comes with it that we don't think we could ever pull back the curtain and reveal our second-lives.

This Sunday at Great Oaks, we are pulling back the curtain. It needs to be addressed. It needs to be talked about. You need help in dealing with this issue. The stats are scary - 50% of Christian men and 20% of Christian women struggle with porn. Pastors aren't immune either - 37% of pastors say they struggle with porn. Marriages, families, and churches all suffer the consequences of pornography.

Don't be afraid to show up at church on Sunday. Don't come up with some lame excuse because you are afraid you will be "found out." You need to hear what we are talking about. You need to have the resources at your fingertips to recover from this secret sin. You need to step out of the darkness and into the light. You've been trying to "fix" yourself for far too long. You can't do it alone...you need help. And we want to help you.

Step up and be a man (or a woman or a teenager) and show up this Sunday. God is going to do some amazing things!

Weekend in Review :: 02-03-08

It was a great beginning to the Sexual Revolution series today! The worship rocked... Bill hit a home run with the message... and we had some unexpected elements for the people including a queen-sized bed on the stage, a Beatles song, and an awesome intro video.

There were a lot of positive conversations happening after the service; people were openly talking about the positive and negative impact of sex in their lives. I love it when the Holy Spirit works in people's lives!

WORSHIP
Nate was out sick this morning, so Dave Verdick stepped in at the last minute to lead worship. Dave leads once a month, but it is always with advance notice. He and the band did a great job with worship this morning. They rocked the house on I Am Free, Everybody Praise the Lord, and Revolution. Great worship, guys!

I Am Free - Jon Egan
Everybody Praise the Lord - Lincoln Brewster
Come Thou Fount
Revolution - The Beatles
Open the Eyes of My Heart - Paul Baloche

MESSAGE
Series: Sexual Revolution
Message: Stripped
Speaker: Bill White

Notable Quotes...

• "A revolution is a change that ushers in something better. Has our perspective on sex gotten better since the Sexual Revolution of the 60's?"
• "For too long, we've kicked the bed out of the church and the church out of the bed."
• "Sex is a God-given gift, but it is being used in God-forbidden ways. We have to take this God-given gift and make it God-driven."
• "God made us different from the animals. Animals view sex much differently than humans. We are not animals!" (This got some good snickers...)
  
• "God created us as sexual beings, and it was very good!"
• "When we look at other people as objects, we strip them of their humanity, and our humanity is ultimately stripped away at the same time."
• "Sex is all about oneness. When the husband and wife come together in bed, we reflect the intimacy of God."

Weekend in Review :: 01-27-08

This was the final week of our Foundations series. After spending three weeks talking about our end goal, our starting point, and our next steps...we concluded with an emphasis on the importance of reaching out to the unchurched.

WORSHIP
Everybody Praise the Lord - Lincoln Brewster
I Will Boast - Paul Baloche
I Give You My Heart - Delirious

Video: Evangelism Linebacker

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Invest & Invite
Speaker: Chris Genders
Notable Quotes...
"There are a lot of people who want to connect with God but not the church."
"Scripture is replete with people gathering around Jesus...people who were unaccepted by the religious leaders of the day...people who weren't accepted in the church."
"We have to embrace people where they are and see their God-given potential."
"When something is lost, it becomes the focus of your attention. You pay little attention to that which is found."
"You are labeled 'lost' because you are valuable to God."
"How do you think God feels when he sees his children lost and all of the search & rescue people are just sitting around singing songs, reading their books, and roasting marshmallows?"
"It doesn't matter how many are already found. What matters is how many are still lost."
"Invest in the life of one person and look for opportunities to invite them to someplace where they will hear the Gospel or someplace where they will see the Body of Christ at work."
"We'll do what's difficult for you, and you do what's impossible for us. We'll answer their questions; you introduce them to us."

Weekend in Review :: 01-20-08

This was our third week in the Foundations series where we explain who we are and how we do church.

WORSHIP
Nate set up an uninterrupted set which led to some amazingly authentic worship as a church. I think people are beginning to embrace being more expressive in their worship. He seems to possess a natural ability to teach and lead people in worship which allows us to be more free and less concerned about what others around us are thinking. Lead on, bro...

Praise Him - David Crowder
One Way - United Live
Sing to the King - Candi Pearson
Always - United Live
All for You - Paul Baloche

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Next-Step Strategy
Speaker: Bill White
Bill taught this morning about our assimilation strategy. (You're thinking about the Borg from Star Trek, aren't you?) Our strategy is to move people from the Foyer (weekend services) to the Living Room (connection events) to the Kitchen (small groups). He emphasized that small groups are the primary place for people to grow spiritually while experiencing authentic community with others. He explained the "why" with a great "three stool" illustration. Listen here later this week...

Notable Quotes...
"We don't just want people to come to church. There are next-steps - deeper levels of connection and relationships."
"What happens in the Big Room is important, but this is just the starting point."
"Everybody needs a place where we can talk about the matters of our heart."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• MarriedLife Live - this Saturday, January 26th at 7:00pm. Space is limited; we cannot guarantee tickets after Sunday AM
• Sexual Revolution - February teaching series; pick up invitation cards in foyer
• Serve 10 Community Service Projects - sign up for remaining three community service projects
  

Weekend in Review :: 01-13-08

This was our second week of the Foundations series where we explain who we are and how we do church. Nate and the band hit a home run this morning with the worship. Inspiring. Authentic. Personal. Corporate. Amazing.

As I said last night, I was really looking forward to teaching this morning. I've received positive comments from a number of people. Most of all, I am pleased that it is sparking conversations among people as they talk about where they are in their spiritual growth.

WORSHIP
Because of Your Love - Paul Baloche
Everyday - Lincoln Brewster
Hungry - Kathryn Scott
Hosanna - Paul Baloche

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Stages of Spiritual Growth
Speaker: Chris Genders
Notable Quotes...
"The church can only take you so far in your spiritual growth. At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your own spiritual growth."
"Spiritual growth is ultimately about loving God and loving people."
"The universal church has failed you...we have told you that you should be dependent upon us to feed you. If you are Close to Christ or Christ-Centered, you should be feeding yourself."
"No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, you have a next step to take to becoming more like Christ."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• MarriedLife Live - Saturday, January 26th - tickets on sale beginning today
• Sexual Revolution - February teaching series - invite cards available now

Tomorrow Morning

I am teaching tomorrow morning on the Stages of Spiritual Growth. I am looking forward to this message because I get to challenge the church with this Big Idea...

The church can only take you so far in your spiritual growth. At some point, you have to accept responsibility for your own spiritual growth.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Weekend in Review :: 01-06-08

We launched a new series called Foundations this weekend. It is a four-week series covering the four primary strategic components of Great Oaks Community Church (i.e. who we are and how we do church). I wrote earlier about our new mission statement that Bill introduced. It has continued to take hold in the lives and language of our people.

WORSHIP
Salvation is Here - Hillsong
King of Majesty - Hillsong
Jesus Love of My Soul - Hillsong
Mighty to Save - Hillsong
The Solid Rock - Charlie Hall

MESSAGE
Series: Foundations
Message: Five Purposes
Speaker: Bill White

Notable Quotes...
"GOCC exists to help people take their next step towards God."
"Stress & worry are warning lights that you are disconnected from God."
"There is something more important than tolerance - Truth."
"What's your next step?"

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Class 101, 201, 301 next Sunday, January 13th. Contact the church office at 383-4330 to register.
• MarriedLife Live - Saturday, January 26th - tickets on sale beginning next Sunday
• Sexual Revolution - February teaching series - invite cards available next Sunday
  

Next Step

We had an all-day Leadership Retreat yesterday during which we reviewed 2007 and discussed our strategic plan for 2008. One of the changes we made was a re-write on our mission statement for the church. The old mission statement was good but not memorable. It was also limited in its focus. The new mission statement - "helping people take their next step towards God" - is simple, memorable, and active. It is also unlimited in its focus; everybody has a "next step" to take in their faith.

Bill introduced it this morning during the first Sunday of our vision series called Foundations. I have been blown away at how many people are talking about this phrase. It came up in numerous conversations during the morning, and it was a key discussion point during small group tonight.

People are truly resonating with this phrase. There is some definite buzz happening in the church today. I am excited to see how this small but significant change affects the church!

Weekend in Review :: 12-16-07

Despite the heavy snow the night before, we still had a great turnout for church yesterday. With many local churches cancelling their services, our people were probably as anxious as I was whether we would be "open for business" so to speak. Granted, most people came to the 11:00am service, but what do you expect?!?

This weekend, we collected tons of toys and clothes for 16 needy families identified through Head Start. Our small groups really rallied around this project, and I was once again humbled by the generosity of our people. The best part about it is that the gifts are all anonymous... none of the families will know who they came from. It truly is better to give than to receive!

One of my favorite statements I heard yesterday came from a couple sitting behind me in church. We have been doing an on-going weekly drama to accompany the teaching series. This week's drama ended with a cliffhanger to which the couple responded, "You can't do that to us! This is just like a 'to be continued' in a TV show. I can't wait until next week to find out what happens next...I want to know now!"

WORSHIP
Angels We have Heard on High - Third Day
Joy to the World - Third Day
God of Wonders - City on a Hill
Promise of a Lifetime - Kutless

MESSAGE
Series: Second Chance Christmas
Message: What's Your Weakness?
Speaker: Bill White
Message available later this week on iTunes here...

Notable Quotes...
"Jesus was born to David's line because God keeps his promises...not because David kept his promise."
"No matter your past, your secret, your weakness...God will keep his promise."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• New GOCC website with weekly podcast
• Class 101 & 201 - January 13th - contact the church office to register - 383-4330
• New recovery-based small group for women begins January 9th - email group leader at recovery@greatoakscc.org for more info
• Church office will be closed week of Christmas. In case of emergency, contact Bill at 261-0236.
  

Second Chance Christmas

I'm so bummed that I had to miss the second week of the Second Chance Christmas series yesterday. The freezing rain and treacherous road conditions kept me from making the journey down.

I heard the drama went very well and that everyone loved the children's worship team leading worship. I wish I could have seen the adults doing all the motions! I'm looking forward to downloading Bill's message from iTunes this week. You can get it yourself here...

Experiencing True Worship

If you've been following my blog, you know that my accountability partners and I have been reading through the entire Bible this past year. I am close to being finished. I read the entire New Testament in the last few weeks, but I still have to read the end of the Old Testament before I can say I'm done.

This morning I read the entire book of Revelation before I went to church. Want to redefine your worship experience before church next weekend? Read chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation before getting in the car. Within these two chapters, we see concentric circles of worship...

• the four living creatures (4:6-8)
  
• the twenty-four elders (4:4)
  
• thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand angels (5:11-12)
• every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea (5:13)

As I stood this morning and worshiped with a couple of hundred other people, my mind went to these passages that I had just read. In that moment, I became a lot smaller and God became a lot bigger!

Sexual Revolution

I just got done meeting with Bill this morning to plan the Big Ideas for each week of our February series on sex. I am really looking forward to this teaching series!

Churches have avoided this topic far too long. It has become almost taboo to talk about in church. As a result, people - even Christians - don't understand that God designed us as sexual beings and that there is so much more to sex than just a physical act; it is spiritual and emotional and physical all at the same time.

The culture has been the primary spokesperson about sex for too long now. Let's see what God has to say about it. It's time for a Sexual Revolution!

Weekend in Review :: 12-02-07

WORSHIP
I Am Free - Jon Egan
You Are My King - Passion Band
Holy Night - Default
No More Pretending - Scott Krippayne

MESSAGE
Series: Second Chance Christmas
Message: What's Your Secret?
Speaker: Bill White

Notable Quotes...
"Our secrets cause us to fear God and withdraw from Him. We do not need to fear God; He wants to extend mercy, grace, and forgiveness."

Weekend in Review :: 11-25-07

WORSHIP
Let the Praises Ring - Lincoln Brewster
Open the Eyes of My Heart - Paul Baloche
Arise - Paul Baloche
Like A Child - Jars of Clay
This Little Light of Mine - Luke MacDonald

MESSAGE
Series: n/a
Message: Grow Up and Act Like a Child
Speaker: Jason Rea, Pastor of Student Ministries

Notable Quotes...
"Spiritual maturity is believing that God's way is the right way."
"As a child of God, I can count on an available, patient, and passionate Father."
"God's patience is displayed in his continual forgiveness of our stupidity."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• "Second Chance Christmas" - new teaching series begins next week. Be sure to invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Invitation postcards are available at the Welcome Center.
• College & Young Adult Retreat at Miracle Camp - Dec 29-Jan 1
• MS Retreat at Miracle Camp in January - registration and deposit are due next Sunday
  

Weekend in Review :: 11-11-07

WORSHIP
Lord Reign in Me
No One Like You - David Crowder
Unchanging - Chris Tomlin
He Is Exalted - Shane and Shane
I Will Boast - Paul Baloche

MESSAGE
Series: What's In Your Wallet?
Message: Living Within Your Means - Part 2
Speaker: Chris Genders

Notable Quotes...
"We need to build financial margin in our lives so that we are prepared for emergencies and for when God calls us to action."
"How we handle our finances is a spiritual issue."
"If we mishandle our finances, we rob God of the worship He deserves, and we rob ourselves of the blessings we deserve."
"We are to give our first and best to God. To give anything less is to dishonor and devalue God in our lives."
"If we wait to save money until we have eliminated our debt, most of us will never save any money for the future."
"We are the managers of God's resources, and He cares deeply how we spend all of our money. His concern doesn't stop at Giving and Saving."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Celebration Sunday - November 18th - to be baptized, contact the church office at 383-4330
• Christmas Series - Second Chance Christmas - invitation postcards available soon
• MarriedLife Live - January 26th

Weekend in Review :: 11-04-07

WORSHIP
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfall
We Fall Down - Chris Tomlin
I Give You My Heart - Delirious
You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) - Michael W. Smith

MESSAGE
Series: What's In Your Wallet?
Message: Living Within Your Means - Part 1 (Debt)
Speaker: Bill White

Notable Quotes...
"It's not about knowledge; it's about application of knowledge."
"Even if you pay off your credit card at the end of each month, you will still spend about 23% more than if you just used cash."
"God is more concerned with your character than your comfort."
"Debt is a cancer."

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Operation Christmas Child - shoe boxes due November 11th
• Celebration Sunday - November 18th - to be baptized, contact the church office at 383-4330
• Christmas Series - Second Chance Christmas - invitation postcards available soon