Gearing Up For Sunday

This Sunday we are smacking porn between the eyes. Here's a great resource.

Sad News Today

I received a call from a teen in our church this morning. He informed me that his mom passed away in her sleep last night. He had no idea of the cause of her death. Very sad news. Please pray for this young man.

Porn Confrontation

This Sunday we are confronting the bondage of porn right on. Don't miss is for anything. It will be a turning point in many people lives. Let's pray for God to use our Sunday talk on porn to free people from a life that is walking away from God. It's a very big deal and Satan hates it when we tread on his territory. It's time the church speaks up and helps those that are struggling. If you have never attended Church at the Falls, please know that we accept you where you are at. There is not an attitude of condemnation, but rather an attitude of care and understanding. Together we can all move beyond our desperate sex lives. We all struggle in one way or another.

Others

1 Corinthians 10:33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

I don't just do what is best for me. What a novel idea, something we all need to hear. How many times today have each of us done what is best for us? Of course the opposite would be to do what is best for someone else.

Sunday Thoughts

• It's 9:30 and I'm tired.
• Had a great day with my family...watched Evan Almighty...too funny.
• Went to the funeral home to give my sympathies to a couple from our church...her mom passed away.
• Had a great day today. Tithing is a great subject...except that some people feel a little uptight about it:-)
• Had a church planter visit us today...she really talked highly of what we are doing.
• Got a call this evening from someone that hasn't attended CATF in a few months. He plans to be out with his family this Sunday. Love those calls when people are getting on track.
• Sunday will be the first in our series, Desperate Sex Lives. It will be great. For too long the church has kept the bed out of the church and it's time we bring the bed back in to the church. Over the next 5 weeks we will look at the straight up biblical perspective on sex. We all need this because pop cultural sends it's message loudly and more often than not....we are getting the wrong message.
• Watch for our billboard going up by Walmart. Invite a friend.
• Over the next couple months we will begin partnership classes (membership). One thing different about our church, when people step up to join our team, they become serving partners. Not bench warmers:-)

Saturday Evening Thoughts

• Looking forward to Sunday. We will have our last talk in the "Mind Your Own Business" series. It will be a really good one...it's something we all need to hear.
• I'm thinking about CATF partnering with an Easter egg hunt in Niagara Falls. We need to do fun things like this for the community.
• We are looking at a way to connect with a couple of the high schools. More to come as this develops.
• Next week the billboard goes up near Walmart, Desperate Sex Lives. It should get some real attention.
• I had the privilege of finding a deserving child to go to a Tim Hortons camp this summer. I met with this girls mother this past week. They were so thankful and when I told her what church I was with, she knew right away that we were the church that met at the movie theatre. It was a great chance to show God's love to someone.
• Exciting months ahead. Start thinking of someone you can invite out to church over the next few weeks. Also remember Easter is in March this year, great time to bring a friend.

The Falls Fanatic of the Week

A couple weeks ago I thanked Terry and Ian for their commitment to picking up our trailer each week. I want to start saying thank you to one of our Team Members each week. I'm calling it The Falls Fanatic of the Week.

Falls Fanatic for this week:
Jack Martin
Jack is a "jack of all trades". Each Sunday morning he arrives at around 8:00 am to lead our set up crew. In addition to that, Jack takes care of our stage lighting and our video projection each Sunday. In addition to that, it is very common to find Jack fixing something that is broken or taking something home to repair. Jack works two jobs and he still makes time for our church. It's fanatics like Jack that keep things going around CATF. Way to go Jack!

Money Money Money

The upfront reality about debt and foolish financial decisions by a pastor. Read this http://www.perrynoble.com/2008/01/22/top-seven-stupid-financial-mistakes-that-ive-made-part-one/ and this http://www.perrynoble.com/2008/01/24/top-seven-stupid-financial-mistakes-that-ive-made-part-two/

Wow!

Exodus 14:10-12
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

When I read this portion of scripture I couldn't help but think. That's how so many live their lives. They prefer to live in bondage to sin and dysfunction rather than do what ever it takes to set themselves free. Please don't live that way, call out to God and ask him to set you free. Find a good church to be part of. Find a friend that can help you take the steps necessary to walk away form the damaging choices you have made. Do be satisfied with the familiar, step out to the freedom found in Jesus. Don't reject God for what is seen, ask him to reveal himself to you.

Tuesday Thoughts

• Snow - Yuk
• Meet with a group of pastors from Niagara Falls - talked about serving our community over a two period the end of June.
• It was Taco Tuesday at Garrison Subs today - that means two tacos for the price of one - don't worry I shared the second one.
• 30 minutes on the Cross Trainer - burned 460 calories and did 4 miles. I love working out!
• Been reading through Exodus. I am amazed at how crazy the people of Israel were. It's kinda like a soap opera at times.
• Had the best Scalloped Potatoes for dinner tonight.
• God is up to something big at CATF - I think our next series is going to draw some real attention.
• Leafs fired Ferguson and hired Fletcher as General Manager.
• Do you know someone that needs Jesus? Invite them to CATF.

Feedback is always helpful

Ever wonder if what you are doing is making a difference. Well, I ask that question on a regular basis. I ask that, because if we are not making a difference in peoples lives we might as well pack it in.

Tonight I was at the gym and bumped into a guy I invited to come to church. The good news...he was at church this past Sunday. The even better news, he really connected with how we do church. He liked the band, the sound was good, the video was great, my talk was practical, the general feel of the place was very good. What does all that mean? It means we connected with a person that God loves. Now here is the off the wall news, when we connect it means we are able to bring home the truth of God in a relevant meaningful way. What does that mean? It means God will work in that persons life and that folks is what it's all about.

It's Cold

It's really coooooold! This is a good day for me to sit in front of my laptop and get ready for next Sunday.

Every Communicator Must Keep His Audience In Mind

• I want to hear your heart and not your brain.
• If you listen to me, I may listen to you.
• At best, I'll remember one thing you say
• Your message is only one of thousands I've already heard today.
• When you admit you've messed up, it reminds me that you're real.
• I'm not convinced it's truth.
• I'm moved by stories.
• When you make me laugh, I engage.
• I hear it, but sometimes I need to see it or feel it or experience it.
• I'm watching to see if you keep your promise.
• I think it's funny that you still think you control your message.
• Polished scares me.
• In order to speak to me, you can't speak to everyone.
• I'm not impressed by big words.
• If it's not about me, I'm not listening.
• Your message has more impact when you shorten it.
• It's OK if you don't have an answer for everything.
• What are your questions?
• Your message has impact if someone disagrees.
• You'd be wise to participate in our online conversation.
• I know it seems awkward, but it helps me when you repeat the important stuff.
• Your message is not for you.
• I don't have to listen to you.
  

What's a pastor supposed to do?

I found a great post about what exactly a pastor should being dedicating his time towards. Carey Nieuwhof does a great job explaining this. What Carey explains is the model our leadership team has encouraged me to follow since our inception. I am glad we have a church that is full of supportive people that are others focused...it makes life great for all of us...not all churches are this way.

Expecting Your Pastor to Be Your Personal Chaplain
Carey Nieuwhof

Somewhere along the line, a lot of us fell into the belief that somehow the pastor was supposed to be there for us at every key moment of our lives. He was supposed to visit us in the hospital, be there for weddings, funerals, crises and through most of the every day moments of life.
There are four problems with this view.
It kills pastors once their church grows beyond 200 people (one guy just can't do all that, and if you hire more, it just gets irrationally expensive in staffing).
It keeps pastors from their real calling: leading, prayer, and teaching the Word.
It perpetuates spiritual infancy among people in the congregation, never maturing them to a place of direct reliance on God or looking to other Christians to walk with them.
Oh yeah. It's completely unbiblical.
The Apostle Paul didn't sail from Corinth to Thessolonica to do hospital visits. Nor did he sit around drinking tea and eating crumpets with congregational members. Nor did he forbid average Christians from praying for each other, visiting each other, being there for each other and loving each other in Christ so he could swoop in and do it for them.
God's dream of a church is to see leaders equip people to be the church (Ephesians 4). A true biblical community is equipped by its leaders to care for each other, pray for each other, get into the bible together, do life together and be there for each other and the wider community.
I love it when I see Christians caring for each other. And it's cool that I get to be a part of that in my own community group and little world, and get to equip others to care for each other and more fully rely on God.

Right on Carey!

Great Day

Sunday Review

• Today was a lot of fun...church shouldn't be this much fun...or should it:-)
• Our guest band from Harbour Church in St.Catharines did an amazing job. I used to be on staff at that church. They have some really talented people.
• Our set up crew did an amazing job as usual.
• Our trailer crew braved the frigid weather early this morning and had to pull our trailer with one tire blown. Thanks guys.
• Host Teams were right on it early this morning. Chris had the coffee for us bright and early and Lynn, although absent had her team all prepared for the day.
• Kidmo had a great turn out today. The kids always seem so exited when I see them at the end of their program.
• Ray tried with all that he had to get our signs to go into the ground today, but the ground was frozen solid. Thanks for trying Ray, next week will likely be milder.
• Nathan jumped in on sound today and Jack did his usual magic on video. No tech problems today...that's great.

Looking forward to next week already! Yes, next Sunday we will have an opportunity to give to Compassion International. Sorry for all the confusion about dates...I'm calendar challenged.

Why

I was reminded today why as a church we strategically engage in our culture. When I say church, it refers to those that are followers of Christ. We are the church and we are to be in the world, living our faith so that people see us and want what we have. Anyhow, back to what I saying...today our leadership team met at the food court in the Fairview Mall and two of us saw people we knew that are not connected with Church at the Falls. We each had the opportunity to go talk with these individuals and further build relationships. If we would have been "out of sight" we would have missed the chance to talk with these friends.

As a church it is so easy for us to seclude ourselves from daily life. It would have been easy for our leadership team to "hide" in our office or meet in someones home. Instead we have often met in very public places, because it keeps us focused on people and not ourselves.

Let's each take our faith to the community meeting places. Don't hide your light...let it shine.

Georgia on my mind

I'm headed to Georgia to a church planters conference the middle of February. I know, a likely excuse to flee Ontario in the winter. It's only for two and half days, so I will hardly thaw out. Seriously though, as the leader of our new church plant I need to be challenged and encouraged by others who are doing similar stuff around the world.

Along with hearing some great speakers I get the privilege to travel with my friend Roger Blackmore who is older and wiser than I. Roger is a church planter from Long Island, NY. He hung out with us at CATF just a few weeks back...when we had that big snow storm.

Again in all seriousness, pray that God uses this time to enlarge my vision, to be a better leader, to find and give encouragement and for a safe trip. All around it should be a good time. I'll mention is again before I leave.

Are You Bothered?

Are you Bothered? Not bothered by the weather. Not bothered by your kids. Not bothered by those rotten drivers. Not bothered by the news. Are you bothered that 85 to 90% of your neighbours will not attend a church this Sunday. It should bother us. It should concern us. It should stir us up. After all that's why we have a church like CATF....because we should be bothered enough to invite them to this really welcoming church. We aren't perfect but we sure are accessible to people who don't "do church".

Who are you building a relationship with so that they can see Jesus in you. Think about it.....

Mac is at it again

I've been a PC guy since my first computer, but Mac is doing some cool stuff and getting my attention. Check out the MacBook Air ... pretty cool or should I say pretty thin. Who knows...maybe my next computer will be a Mac.

Connexus Church

I've been reading Carey Nieuwhof's blog, he's the pastor of two new churches in Barrie and Orillia. There's some great stuff on his blog http://connexuscommunity.typepad.com/carey_nieuwhof/ read it when you have a chance.

Waaaaa

Thought this blog was worth passing along... “Waaaaa. I’m Not Getting Fed” (Part 1)

It's so easy for all of us to complain and blame our lack of growth on the church we attend. Really...it's our own responsibility. Secondly, I know God speaks even through the most simple presentations of His Word...we just need to be open and listening. I don't know about you, but I'm still working on 'love my neighbour as myself'...pretty simple yet very profound. I need to hear practical stuff...because that's where life change happens. I need to be more like Jesus...boy do I ever.

I love when people find out about CATF

On Sunday I talked with a first time guest...they loved the church. Here's how they came to find out about us.

1. They saw our billboard and it communicated a relaxed accepting church. 2. They connected with someone from our church and that completed the circle.

Personal invitation is the key to seeing our church grow. Church growth in all about impacting peoples lives with Jesus, it's not about just filling another seat. As a church we will continue to let the community know we exist by doing billboard advertising. From there, it's up to each of us to connect, build relationships and invite.

Here's the billboard I referred to:

Here's the next one...should generate some interest::

What Next?

This is crazy...check out the Kindle...download books instantly to this latest tech device.

Great Day!

Today was over the top... the people at the Falls are the best. Things just went real good...thought I connected with the people...talked about debt and how we need to run from it. Next week a little bit of practical advice about dealing with debt and finances.

Today after church we stopped by the grocery store for a few things. I got my eyes on some chocolate chip banana muffins. That was until my wife pointed out the calories and said, you will need to get on the Cross Trainer for a half hour just to burn off the calories in one of those muffins. Man, I turned around and ran from those things. That's crazy...no muffin is worth it.

This afternoon I've been surfing the net...is that still the in term to use:-) I'm watching the Colts and Rams...I think the Rams are going to win. Kinda sad...the coach of the Colts is a great man. The Colts are the defending Super Bowl Champs. Colts have the ball and are down by 4 points with 1 minute to go. They are done,

Trailer Crew

It's 7:30 am on Sunday morning and I know our guys are out picking up the trailer. Thanks, Ian and Terry! We couldn't do it without you. Not only do these guys pick up the trailer, they help us set up and they both work in Kidmo. Amazing!

Random Thoughts

• I'm still exercising...I turned it up a notch yesterday and I feel it today.
• Why is it that every time I go to get a car repair or oil change I feel like I'm getting ripped off?
• I am drinking Noni juice...1 ounce a day...it's supposed to be helpful with inflammation, digestion and the immune system. All of these areas are affected by Crohn's Disease. We will see if there is any benefit after a month.
• Our Christmas tree got picked up by the garbage truck today...seems a shame...it was still green.
• I'm eyeing a jelly filled donut on the kitchen counter...it's calling my name...I burned 480 calories on the Cross Trainer yesterday...so I can justify it right :-)
• I'm working on our financial talks for the next few weeks...God is working in my life...believe me.
• We will likely put up another billboard in February to promote our series called "Desperate Sex Lives". As a church we are committed to teaching the whole Bible and we need to hear what God has to say about sex. We need it desperately, because our society is pumping out the absolute wrong message.
• February 3 we will have a guest speaker by video. He will address pornography from a very tactful Biblical point of view. Invite parents, friends, coworkers...this is a must see. No one is talking about it...the church must stand up and tackle the plague of pornography.
• CATF is a great bunch of people...can't wait to hang out on Sunday.

Are You Disturbed?

“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord.”
-- Sir Francis Drake

I found this quote on a pastor's blog, Perry Noble. I was so challenged by it I had to post it on my blog. We become so comfortable at times. Here are some of my uncomfortable goals and dreams for CATF.

• I see a church and a group of Christ followers that are making a difference in their community.
• I see a church that is growing in the coming year. I see us breaking 100 in attendance in the coming months.
• I see a place that welcomes people no matter their colour, their status, their income, their background, their education, their current place in life, their religious background – even those stuck in the mud Christians (as long as they are open to change).
• I see a church getting involved in this community and caring for the less fortunate.
• I see a place that offers great hope for a hurting world.
• I see a church that says I love and accepts you where you are but wants to point you to what God has for you.
• I see us outgrowing this theatre and having to do multiple services.
• I see us one day renting a large venue here in Niagara Falls for Christmas or Easter because we have touched this community is such a way that we can’t contain all the people in this theatre. Dream maybe…God willing it’s possible.
• I have a dream of baptizing 100 people on one day. For those that have gone to church for a number of years…I just blew your mind…for the new followers of Christ you are saying right one man... we can do it.
• I want this church and the people of this church to make a such a difference in this community that people of all backgrounds and faiths step back and appreciate what we do. They may not understand our message or even like our message, but they don’t know how to refute the love we have shown.
• I would like to see us in the future give enough money to cover the food needs at Project Share for one month. God’s heart breaks for the less fortunate, for the poor.
• I see a church that continues to be unified and moving forward in the days and years ahead.
• I see a church that will continue to meet in this theatre for years to come…not because we don’t have a building, but because we want to be here to reach our community. A couple weeks ago we met at MPC and it was good…but I love meeting at the theatre…this is what God wants for us and until that changes we are permanent fixture. We are the movie theatre church!

I am thankful for all the people that give financially, give time and give of their talent to make a difference each week. Way to go CATF! Lives have been changed because you care enough to give.

For those that are pumped up about CATF…I’m asking you to step up for the year ahead and do all you can to make a difference.

Aids

Shh...we don't talk about that in the church. After all, Aids is curse because of immoral choices. Yes, Aids is a result of a choice...the choice is sin. So I say this, the person who is without sin, cast the first stone. Is anyone ready to cast the first stone? Any takers? I don't think so.

The Christian church, in the past, has done little to help those that are suffering with Aids or to help the many orphans that have lost both parents to Aids. Here's the good news, the church in North America is beginning to wake up. I am seeing churches caring for those with Aids in their own communities and caring for Aids suffers around the world.

Here's the reality in Africa. Thirty percent of African adults between the ages of 18 and 45 are infected. This is an epidemic and these dear people need to know that God loves them and that Jesus forgives their sin. They need eternal hope. The children of these individuals need to hear God's message of love and they need to learn how to stop the Aids cycle. If they don't hear the truth about God and that abstinence is the only way to stop Aids, they will follow in their parents footsteps.

CATF needs to step up and be counted. I would like to have a special time of giving the last Sunday in March to raise $1000 to send to Compassion International. Compassion is a great Christian organization that is sharing the love of God and caring for the many hurting as a result of Aids. Here is one project they are working on: http://www.compassion.ca/communityprojects/projectdetails.asp?Title=CLEAR&Type=aids

The love of God can be shown through our giving. Even greater than our giving, I would love to see the day that we send a person or people to serve those hurting in Africa. Maybe God wants you to go. Let's join together and give all that we can to care for the hurting.

Reality TV

Has anyone else noticed the increase in Realty TV shows as the writers strike lingers? There's another dancing competition...please. American Gladiators returned with Hulk Hogan as host...sorta corny. Deal or No Deal is regularly on for 2 hours...I do like this show. Of course the ever popular Amazing Race is back...I sorta like it. Anyway...reality shows are here to stay as long as the writers are out. Please, just not another Bachelor who can't make up his mind.

The saddest part of the writers strike...no 24...I love 24 http://www.fox.com/24/...I miss 24...I miss the suspense...well last season was somewhat of a dud, but there is still hope for 24 after the writers settle.

Here's reality...lives are being changed at CATF...that's the kind of reality I love.

Sunday Review

• I am so tired...I guess I was real passionate about my vision talk today...this is likely why I am dead tired.
• Great attendance today.
• Everyone seemed exceptionally happy today...that's a good thing.
• It was sad saying goodbye to Jimmy our keyboard player and also saying goodbye to Nathan as he steps down from leading the band.
• It was happy bringing Lynn on as Host Team Director and Brenda as Worship Director. Two great ladies that will make a big difference at CATF.
• Worked out at the Y this afternoon...love working out...great stress reliever.
• No tech issues today...thanks to God and our team working real hard.
• My family is awesome...they support CATF big time.
• Shelby took us out for breakfast at lunch. That is so wrong, but the rest of my family is into breakfast at odd hours of the day. It takes the cake when my wife orders breakfast at dinner time...wierdo...just kidding. Breakfast should be eaten in the morning...and lunch at noon and so on :-)
• I think we may move back into the bigger theatre (number 6) next Sunday...the stage area in the present theatre is too small.
• Good Night and remember to invite a friend this Sunday.

It's Saturday Night...

...and Sunday is coming. Tomorrow will be a great day! I am really excited to cast the vision for CATF. I am really anticipating God working in each life tomorrow and calling our team together. As I think I said earlier this week...the church is a powerhouse when we are united and focused (I think I said that earlier this week...if not I thought it). God has already worked in my life big time, so I know it will be a good day!

Making A Name For Ourselves

I am working my way through the Bible in 2008 starting in Genesis. Today I read about the tower of Babel and the great plans of the people. Here is what they said:
Genesis 11:4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
"So that we can make a name for ourselves"...this reminded me to check my own life. Do I desire to make a name for myself or do I want to make the name of God famous? Good question, something we all need to ponder seriously. Let's keep our pride in check and serve God humbly in the year ahead. We will be amazed at what he does through humble servants. Seek first God's plan in 2008.

Vision Sunday

I'm pumped about this Sunday...I am going to talk about us. When I say us I mean CATF. We are going to get a refresher on what this church is all about. The cool thing is that God has a unique vision for us and when we all get focused in on that vision we are a powerhouse. We aren't the church down the street, we are called to fulfill our unique calling.

Here's a few things I am praying about and working toward for 2008...

• I want to see at least 25 people come to faith in Christ.
• I want to see people growing in their faith.
• I want to see followers of Christ serving both at CATF and our community.
• I want to see our people bringing people to church on a regular basis.
• I want our church to be helping the poor in Niagara and around the world.

Let's step up CATF and be counted.

Here's a great reminder of what Satan does and how we jump right in and rationalize our choices to disobey God.

Genesis 3:1 NLT
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”


This is how it typically goes with us. Did God really say...

• not to tell a white lie
• not to look lustfully on a women
• that looking lustfully is the same as committing adultery
• not to cheat your employer
• talking about someone behind their back is wrong (it's ok if we are concerned about them - NO it's not)
• sex before marriage is wrong (He designed sex...he knows what is best)
• rebellion is a big deal
• disunity in the church is also a big deal
• love my neighbour the same way I love myself
• the world will know we are Christians by our love for each other
• Did God really say_____________________

Think about how quickly we will rationalize our behaviour...let's commit to telling ourselves the truth.

Goodbye

Some good words here from T.D. Jakes for the end of the year - What he has to say is so true about life and especially true about a brand new church like we have. God will bring people into the life of the church and take people out once they have fulfilled their purpose. It's sad to say goodbye, but it's a good thing because God is at work. We have had people come and go in 2007 and we will have more of that happen in 2008. I remind myself that this is not a bad thing...it's a really good thing that God is doing. God will build his church and he will supply the people we need. There will be times were we have needs that go unmet for awhile, but that will make us appreciate God's provision in his timing. Let's move into 2008 excited about the great people God has on our team, the great people that will move on and the the great people that will come along! Read what T.D. Jakes has to say....

There are people who can walk away from you.And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. When people can walk away from you let them walk.

Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The Bible said that,"They came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us."
[1John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person, it just means that their part in the story is over.

And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.

Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift. I believe in "good-bye". It's not that I'm insensitive or uncaring, it's that I trust. I know whatever and whomever God means for me to have and be a part of my life He will give. And if a relationship takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!