Believe… like a child.

By Anna Meadows from Life Church


Remember when you were a kid?

When you ran… you were fast.

When you lifted something… you were strong.

When you could reach the sink… you were tall.

But pretty soon, you grew up and realized that someone was always faster, someone was always stronger, and someone was always taller and better than you.

When did we stop believing in ourselves? Was it when we started comparing? Or was it when we heard and believed, for the first time, the two little words that control a lot of our thinking: I can’t.

Children don’t have to wait until everything is in order to go after something. They don’t care what others think, and failure is not even a thought.

So, is there a goal that seems out of reach? A dream you’ve put off because it overwhelms you? Is there a vision for your church, family or ministry that scares you into procrastination?

God believes in you, but do you believe in yourself?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:17 NLT

Engaging Unchurched

When we started CATF we had a goal, engage unchurched people. The question that follows is, how do we engage the unchurched when they are part of one of our environments on Sunday or through the week? I'm sure there are a bunch of ideas, but here are some basics that will work.
To reach unchurched we need to create an environment:

• where people feel included, where they don't feel like they have to break into the inner circle.
  
• where children and adults may not understand it all but they enjoy it, they look forward to coming back.
  
• where people are treated with kindness (what a novel idea - insert sarcasm), where they feel like an honoured guest.
  
• where we appeal to the unchurched and they are attracted to our values (God's values lived through us), where their children can learn good values, where they can find practical help for marriage, work, family, life.

We are doing a good job at this and we can continue to improve. Think about how you can make a difference.

Change the World

This image and statement got my attention. I asked myself, "Is the Church as passionate about changing the world as Microsoft is?" For crying out loud they sell software and the Church brings the only message of hope for mankind. There is no comparison, yet the Church in some ways refuses to think outside of box and to get down right passionate about reaching our world. So here's my two cents on where we go as the Church.

• Pray more for our communities. Not in lavish prayer gatherings. Just pray, right now where you are.
• Live a life of love, honour, selflessness, passion, integrity and hope. If those of us who are part of the Church just allowed the power God to display these qualities in our lives we would "change this world."
• Start thinking outside the box. Just because you have always done it "that way" does not mean it's effective. Why are so many Churches so proud of how they do church? Drop the arrogant attitude and seek God on what you should be doing instead of criticizing the Church down the street or patting yourself on the back. That goes for CATF. I love our church and we do a lot of good things, but we can't factor God's leading out of what we are doing because we think we have arrived.
  
• Christian, be a friend to someone who doesn't know Christ. Be a friend with no agenda. God will work in His time through this friendship.
• Pray - did I say that already. Pray quietly and serve loudly.
  
• That leads me to this one, serve your community.
• Get passionate....more passionate than when you go to a sporting event. More passionate than when you are in traffic trying to get a coffee. More passionate than when you are trying to get that door crasher sale at the local discount store. More passionate than when your 4 year old just said a 4 letter word. Get passionate about Jesus.
  

Church it's time we change the world or go home. It's time we make a difference or we might as well close the doors. I am thankful to be part of a church that is on the right track. Thanks to everyone that is part of CATF. Thanks also to the many great churches in our community and country. Let's make a difference.

What's A Pastor To Do

What is it that I really do? Do I golf, twitter (that's an online application), visit shut ins, pray all day, hang out with monks, read the bible, email?

As a the Lead Pastor of Church at the Falls many people would have different views of what it is I should be doing day in and day out. Many of the views are shaped by religious tradition. So what is it I am called to do? I Lead! That's what I do. I lead our church, our people, our vision. The vision must be protected and it's my job to make sure this ship stays on course. It's my job to make sure we have empowered leaders serving at Church at the Falls. It's my job to hear God's voice on what's next. It's my job to be on the front lines accessing our effectiveness. It's my job to keep the vision busters out of our church. It's my job protect this place at all costs. It's my job to lead when we need to change, to stop something, to update, to re-tool or to re-start a part of our ministry. It's my job to work with our leaders and walk this journey together. It's my job to lead by Christ-like example, even though I mess up.

Too often a leader gets pulled away from leading. He or she ends up doing other admirable tasks, but when leadership is left unattended things go haywire. Imagine a ships captain forgetting his job is to pilot his ship safely and he started cooking, cleaning, etc. These are all important jobs, but they aren't his job. He has been selected to lead the ship safely. In the same way I am the one who has been selected to lead and God has surrounded me with incredible people who are leading in their areas of talent. Thanks for the many who serve in your area of talent, because it frees me to lead. I want to lead well so that many lives are impacted for Christ. Pray that I lead well.

1 Peter 5:1-4 NLT
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Make Changes

When things are broken in our world we can complain about them, ignore them, put up with them or when we have the influence we can change them. Seth Godin has a humorous way of showing some the things in everyday life that are broken. I hope you enjoy this and I hope it inspires you to be make a difference when you can.

Straight Up

Proverbs 28:9  The Message

God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to him.

I read this verse today and it hit me right between the eyes. God will not move beyond where we are at. He loves us too much to ignore our dysfunctional ways. Let's say yes to God.

Mission and Vision Video

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2 Year Reflections

It was a little over two years ago that we launched Church at the Falls. Our vision and mission was and continues to be, reaching people that are not connected with the Church and lead them into a growing relationship with Christ. Our plan is simple,

• provide a welcoming place for people to gather on Sunday morning to seek God and be challenged by his plan for them.
• connect in small groups to laugh, learn and lean on one another.
• care for our community by serving and showing Jesus by our actions.

I am so excited to see that just two years later we have witnessed many come to faith in Christ, we have many people growing in their relationship with Christ, we are serving our community, we are growing in number from 15 to the now over 100 people.

My goal for the next year is, keep it simple. Keep doing well and improving on what we already do each Sunday, in LifeGroups and in the Community. Would you commit to doing the same and walking this faith journey with me.

Thanks for giving a portion of your income back to God, thanks for giving of your time and thanks for using your talents. Because you trust God in all three of these areas, lives are being impacted for eternity (that's a big deal!)

Let God be God

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. John 6:12

Have you ever tried to force God to be something you wanted Him to be in your life? Perhaps you have looked to God to "fix" the brokenness of this world, when in reality what you need is a Saviour.

A Saviour is right in the midst of the situation with you. A Saviour walks through the tough times with you, teaches you through the tough times, sustains you through the tough times, gives you wisdom as you work through the tough times, allows you the free will to choose His way or your own way and promises to never leave you. A Saviour redeems mankinds brokenness. Look to the Saviour to help you face the brokenness of this world. Don't blame the Saviour for the sinfulness of mankind, of which you contribute to on a daily basis. Thank him that he is willing walk through it with you. Thank him that he desires a relationship with you. You see if he fixed you, you would not have free choice that is why he wants to redeem you and be part of your life.

God, be what you need to be in our lives!

Can You See Him

After today's talk about seeing God at work in our life I wanted to recall His work in my life. (warning this is really long)

• Born in to the home of parents who had a Christian background but were living far from God.
• Lived with alcohol abuse as a big part of my family life through my formative years.
• I struggled through school and was extremely introverted. "Most likely to fail at most everything."
• Started playing hockey at age 9 and found some confidence that I didn't have before.
• Alcohol was no longer a part of my family and healing began to take place in many areas of my life and family.
• My family started to engage with Church. Can't say I liked getting dressed up and going to a strange church but God began to work.
• My hockey dream came to and end. Not the next NHL superstar. Canadian boys all dream they can make it big.
• My family became very engaged in the Church. (parents engage your family every week with the church it's the best gift you can give your kids - it's better than sports, education, hobbies, socializing, family events.)
• Came to faith in Christ.
• Began to see my life from God's perspective.
• Witnessed God's work in my parents life and others.
• Worked in my dad's business from age 13. Learned a lot to say the least.
• Came to faith in Christ. Never the same again. Greatest gift from God
• Good friends in my life helped keep me on a good path.
• Met my wife when I was 18. Knew she was the one. Second best gift God gave me. 
• Graduated from high school and managed my dad's business. Way over my head, but learned a lot.
• Looked for something more in my Christian faith. Not finding it.
• Married my sweet heart.
• Family business sold and we moved to Florida to follow my dream.
• Owned my own business.
• Got engaged in a good church. Served  lots...grew in my faith.
• Loved living in Florida. Made incredible life long friends.
• Began to be uneasy with my business career. Went in different directions but found no peace.
• Both children born while in Florida. Changed my life in so many ways. The joys and challenges of parenting have shaped me.
• Loved serving in the church.
• By age 27 owned two cars, part of several business and owned my own home.
• Experienced a clear call of God to move back to Canada. Crazy stuff. "Who better to tell Canadians about Jesus than a Canadian." That very clear calling was about 13 years ago. Side note - Baptized 6 people today (Canadians LOL) and have seen around 30 people accept Christ just in the last two years. 
• Even though I had that clear calling I still wrestled for over a year with my calling back to Canada.
• Sold everything and moved back to Canada. All I knew was that God wanted me to serve in the church I grew up in as a teen.
• Over the next few months I ended up as a staff member of the church -- way over my head. Had a great pastor who mentored me and invested in me.
• Spent 7 years at Garden City Church. Incredible years. Felt a calling to a church like Church at the Falls.
• Moved on to a church in California. Thought it would be long term. Lasted for 3 months. God used it. When I left and moved back to St. Catharines I knew I would plant a church. Tough days ahead to say the least.
• I was hired after a couple months by Harbour Fellowship Church. Incredible experience. God used this to prepare me for Church at the Falls in more ways than I could ever say.
• Felt a strong calling to plant a church in Niagara Falls. One slight problem, no one was on board with me. Faced a lot of opposition from well meaning people. This experience taught me to stand on my own and do what God called me to do. Would have never made it to today without learning that.
• Ran my own carpet cleaning business while waiting for God to open doors to start this new church. Doubted God's call, ran from God and told God there where others more able to do this. Maybe I had heard wrong. It's amazing how we fail to see God at work in our lives.
• Lost a lot of money on the carpet cleaning equipment when the doors opened to start the church. Had a guy sell the equipment for me and he really ripped me off. That was one of the many sacrifices we made to move into church planting. So worth it though. 
• God brought a team of amazing people around me to plant this church. He provided big time.
• We started with 15 people (we have over 100 two years later that connect with CATF)
• 6 months into the church plant and just heading into our first September (a time for church growth) I ended up in the hospital for 4 weeks. Pain, disillusionment and lots of questions. It was through this time I readjusted my view of the church, it was God's church and I gave it all back to him. He worked through this time and took care of everything (I shouldn't be surprised). 
• CATF is two years old now. Amazing! Lots more adventure ahead.                

I could go on, but I will stop and say this. I can see God's work in my life in so many ways over the years and all I've done is highlight some events. When I look back, it's not fate I see, not my good choices, not my talent, not anything like that. It was God at work and He is still working. Can you see Him? I can and I needed to share my story so that I could see Him more clearly and hopefully it will help you see Him at work. How about you? Do you see Him in your life?

Easter Message From Our Prime Minister

Easter Update

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Uphill - Part 2

Running Uphill - Part Two
by Perry Noble

The second hill I had to overcome as a follower of Christ is the hill of legalism. (I am a recovering Pharisee!)

When I became a Christian on May 27, 1990 Jesus Christ completely changed me.

However, I bought entire the false mindset that Jesus saved me by grace but that he would continue to love me because of all the wonderful, good and pure things I did for him which led to a lifestyle of legalism.

I was the guy that told people that they couldn’t listen to secular music or that they would go to Hell. I burnt tapes, broke CDs and numerous other things in order to destroy the “devil’s music”. (I think God was ok with me destroying New Kids On The Block CD’s…but not the 80’s hair medal bands!)

I was the guy that told people that they couldn’t go see rated R movies because if they did that it would make God sad and that he was not pleased with them (thus making me miss Braveheart which I am incredibly bitter about-but that’s another story).

I was the guy that told people that they basically couldn’t have any fun and I was the guy that told people that you can’t drink a beer and love Jesus- there isn’t any possible way and I won’t be open to the idea that you can do that and still love God. (Although I didn’t have a problem with hitting a buffet and having a gut that prevented me from seeing my toes! Legalism is SO dangerous…you can see the sins of others…but your sins become covered in a form of arrogant self righteousness!)

My first conversion took place on May 27, 1990 when Jesus saved me from Hell but my second conversion “took place” when Jesus saved me from legalism.

The more and more I began to read the bible I saw and understood that my salvation is based on the grace of God and not the works of Perry. My salvation is a gift. He gave it to me. He gave it to me because of how good he is and not because of how good I was going to be.

Since meeting Christ I have not lived the perfect life, I have messed up many times but he had to bring me over the hill of legalism so that I can tell others that Jesus Christ will receive you as you are and continue to lead you into the person he wants you to be. One of the hardest facts I had to come face to face with was the fact that I don’t have to read my bible for Jesus to love me, I don’t have to go to church for Jesus to love me, I don’t have to serve others for Jesus to love me- He already loves me! The reason I do those things is because I love Jesus.

Realizing this allowed me live a life for him instead of living a life in fear thinking that any minute he was going to strike me dead because a secular song might have appeared on my radio while I was scanning the channels.

There is tremendous freedom in knowing God loves me because I am His child and not because of the works I perform!

Running Uphill

Running Uphill
by Perry Noble

I had a thought the other day while running- I hate running uphill.

When I run from my house, it is inevitable that on the return back home I have to run up a hill at some point. It puts stress, anxiety on my body and causes me to say not-nice words. However, one of the things that I discovered in studying running is it isn’t healthy for the muscles in a body to always run on a flat surface or downhill- running uphill while a struggle can actually be beneficial for a runner.

The same can be said about you and me spiritually. In this series of blog posts I want to share to share five “hills” that I have had to face both as a leader and as a follower of Christ that I have had to learn how to run up and get over so that God could take me to the next level.

The first hill that was difficult for me to conquer was the death of my mother.

In November of 1982 my mother went to be with Jesus and while it was very sweet and rewarding for her it was incredibly difficult for me. Here is why…

I had a problem with God – or so I thought. At the time, in the 6th grade, I thought that God was a good God that did good things for his people and as long as you dotted the “I’s” and crossed the “T’s”, loved Jesus, went to church and read your bible (my mother did all of those!)

It made sense to me…God did good things to good people and did bad things to bad people!

In July of 1982, we discovered my mother had cancer and the doctor pretty much said it was too late. So for three months I prayed and begged and made promises to God that if he healed my mom that I would do certain things, and I had a difficult time understanding why a good God would do something this bad to a woman this good.

On November 17, 1982 she went on to be with Jesus and for the next several years I rebelled against God. Looking back now, I didn’t have a problem with God; I had a problem with my theology of God.

I thought God was limited to good things and could never use anything bad for his glory.

I also realized through that entire process that God was trying to bring me face-to-face with my sinfulness and wickedness and one of the things looking back over my life that I can say brought me to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ was the death of my mother. It was incredibly painful, but as I look back it was incredibly useful in the hands of the almighty God to bring to a place where I can meet Jesus and one day be reunited with my mom.

Pain isn’t always a bad thing…the question isn’t whether or not we will experience it…but rather whether or not we will waste it!

Sunday Random Thoughts

• Fun day today.
• It was great to teach on baptism. Hope you all learned something and more than that understand the significance of baptism.
  
• I was glad our band could have a break today. Thanks to our Life Church connection we can rely upon their band to help out when needed.
• I am so excited about next Sunday. It will be a day you won't want to miss. Glad to hear that many of you are inviting friends and family to join you to celebrate Easter. Our gathering will be the usual time, 10 am to 11 am.
  
• Tried a change in lighting at the theatre today. Not sure how it will work out with the bright lights turned off. It's 6 and one half dozen it seems. Too bright when the theatre lights are on and maybe not enough light when they are off.
  
• Got home today, trimmed some trees with my neighbour. Thankful that I didn't fall off the ladder and no branches on my noggin. God's mercy is appreciated when I get into jobs like this. Glad to build a relationship with my neighbour.
• Enjoyed my LifeGroup this afternoon. Great to do life with others.
• So excited to baptize next Sunday.
• Beautiful weather today.
• Love to hear from you by email this week. Always eager to hear what is going on in your life.
  

Video Update

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Can You See Him

Who do you know that needs to see Jesus? Invite them come with you to Church at the Falls on Easter Sunday to hear about the One who never leaves us, who is always present and is all powerful. Can YOU see him...bring a friend along and you will see him in a new and exciting way. Invite cards will be available this weekend, if you use Facebook you can go here and pass the word along, or send an email invite. Look for creative ways to reach out.