5 Things

October 4, 2011 in Church Life with 0 Comments

God is at work! He is to be the focus of our attention and He is to receive the honor for all that is happening! The emails I received today once again remind me of the Life Change that is occurring in the hearts of His people.

I wanted to just hit you with a few quick items:

  • Stuff the truck was stuffed – THANKS! If you still want to participate you may bring your food this weekend.
  • The movie Courageous is PHENOMENAL. If you want to participate in one of the men’s Courageous Bible studies (Tues 6:30am and Wed 6:45pm) there is room for you, just email john@parkviewlife.com.
  • I am doing a book over breakfast every other Thursday at 7am at Bob Evans. We begin this week and will be doing Love and Respect – it is the best marriage book I have ever read! I still have a couple books. Email me at greg@parkviewlife.com if you want to join us!
  • We are taking a construction team to Cambodia January 2-13, 2012. The deadline for signing up is this coming Sunday, Oct 9th. Give us your name and a $100 deposit to get registered. Click here to view a recent video from our missionary to Cambodia, Jason Powers.
  • This past weekend before the offering I spoke of the incredible opportunities before us and I announced October as a month of generosity. Please prayerfully consider how the Lord would have you to participate financially as we reach our world for Christ and minister to the many people He is sending our way. If you would like to utilize the convenience of online giving please click here.

Weekend Rewind

October 3, 2011 in Weekend Wrap with 0 Comments

  • Always love meeting new guests.
  • Felt great concluding what I considered to be a tremendous initiative – Palm Coast We Love You!
  • So many people were served and loved! Great job by our staff and many volunteers!
  • Don’t know that I have ever preached a message in October that had as much patriotic content:)
  • Really appreciate faithful volunteers who not only show up on time but show up with their A game!
  • Had a nice time with some new friends yesterday afternoon.
  • A BIG THANK YOU to those who are coming in Saturday night and helping create space on Sunday morning!!
  • I know we have been in our new facility for several months but I love it just as much as the day we moved in. Thank you Lord for your goodness!!
  • Have an awesome afternoon!

Community!

September 27, 2011 in Church Life with 0 Comments

One of the leadership observations that I believe I am learning is that committed is good but adding connected makes it even better. Just because someone is committed does not necessarily mean that they are going to accomplish what they want to accomplish. Being highly committed and at the same time disconnected is probably a recipe for failure.  As I look around me and consider all the people that are getting things done and fulfilling the vision of their life it is not that they are just committed but that they are connected.

In the church arena I believe their are many people who are highly committed and yet they are not moving one inch, they are not experiencing life change. Here are a few ways people can be committed and yet not connected:

  • Avid readers of the Word
  • Devout in their prayer time
  • Faithful in their church attendance
  • On time for church worship
  • Carry their Bible to church
  • Sing at church
  • Be nice to everyone at church

I have watched people do the above things for years and not necessarily grow. I believe the reason we can do the things mentioned above and yet not grow is because life change happens best in the context of community.

THAT IS WHY I AM THRILLED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CONNECTING AT PARKVIEW! Our church is full of people that are moving beyond committed to connected. The primary areas that I am watching people connect right now is in the areas of small groups and volunteerism. Group life kicks off this week at Parkview and I am seeing a ton of people who have never been in a group beginning this new journey with others. Also, as new people continue to come to Parkview so many of them are Next Steps and going from Get Connected to Beginning Life Together (their 1st group experience). I know that this week many people are making a big leap and jumping into group life and I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you and I also want you to know that I am praying for you!!!

One of our core values is – CONNECTED WITH GOD’S PEOPLE -We believe that life change happens best in the context of community. We will actively pursue relationships in which we grow and serve together. To each of you that are connecting in group life thanks for helping us fulfill this value!!

Weekend Wrap-up

September 26, 2011 in Weekend Wrap with 0 Comments

  • I love completing a weekend and feeling like I left it all on the field.
  • I am amazed at what God has been doing at Parkview!
  • Same weekend last year we had 654, this weekend we had 854!
  • That is incredible!!!! To God be every ounce of glory!!!
  • It is not all about numbers and at the same time it is all about numbers because each number is a person, a soul, an individual experiencing life change and someone God loves unconditionally.
  • My heart has always been to minister to every single person that God would give us the privilege of ministering to.
  • THANK YOU SO MUCH for every person who attended Saturday night, it was our best crowd of the year and made it possible for us to have the needed room on Sunday!!!!
  • To everyone who considers Parkview home, when at all possible please come to our Saturday night service and give your seat to a guest on Sunday morning!
  • Loved having the opportunity to honor our teachers this weekend!
  • We honored approximately 25 public school teachers.
  • Palm Coast We Love You has not only been a great series but it has also been a phenomenal initiative.
  • I am so grateful to our staff and volunteer teams who have made it a success.
  • This coming Thursday we will be feeding approx. 300 city employees breakfast. If you would like to volunteer to serve at the breakfast this Thursday at the Palm Coast Community Center between 7-10am please email rebekah@parkviewlife.com.
  • If you know a city employee be sure to invite them to one of our weekend services next weekend!!
  • There is much more that I could share but honestly my brain is a little fried:)
  • Have a phenomenal week.

PC We Love You (on steroids)

September 23, 2011 in Church Life with 0 Comments

Each week God has showed up and done amazing things in our services! We take PC We Love You to a whole new level this weekend! The choir will be leading us in worship – they hit a grand slam last time and I can’t wait to join them in worship this weekend. We will also be honoring and applauding the teachers of our great city. Come out and join with us as we express our profound appreciation for the phenomenal job they do. As the result of our current initiative we have already served over 300 teachers in a real and tangible way and we can’t wait to publicly join together as we honor them this Saturday and Sunday. (Next week we will be serving over 300 city employees breakfast!)

I will be bringing a relevant message for all teachers and families, How to Love our Kids to Success. Please do whatever you can to make sure to be present at one of our 3 worship experiences!!

*** I would like to ask a special favor – our Sunday services have been very FULL, if you can attend Saturday night at 6 this weekend I would greatly appreciate your help!!

Are men abused?

September 21, 2011 in Church Life, Family Life with 5 Comments

I have always loved the definition of an authentic man – a man who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously and looks for the greater reward – God’s reward. That definition was originated by Robert Lewis of Men’s Fraternity.

There are a number of things that appeal to me as a man. I do not consider myself Randy Macho Man Savage macho yet I would like to see myself as a man’s man. As a man, here are some of the “tough things”(in no particular order) that I want to be a part of my life and the men around me:

  • Lead strong
  • Love hard
  • Committed to God’s Word and prayer
  • Shake hands firmly
  • Not be overly consumed with style – every once in a while I love walking out in an outfit that doesn’t meet social standards – what do I care I am a man:)
  • Sing loud
  • Love the smell of fresh cut grass
  • Tackle the next hill because it is a hill
  • Face the tough stuff
  • Own my marriage responsibility
  • Father strong – love more than a father “should”
  • Pump gas and not care if it drips on my hand
  • Take a fish off the hook and eat a sandwich before getting back to shore to wash my hands
  • Cut my finger and suck the blood until it stops bleeding
  • Exercise until my whole shirt is soaking wet

Yet, while the above is my style of a man’s code – I realize one thing – amidst all the testosterone and bravado, I am fragile. Just making that statement seems to mentally undo all that I just said, but I must be honest. In fact, I am being honest for all men. While we don’t like to admit it, we are all fragile. By the way, not only do I feel fragile, I also oftentimes feel abused. Yes, abused! The world tends to chew me up and spit me out. Plus, living the “man code” is not always as easy as it sounds. In addition to the world, I recognize I am squaring off daily with the Enemy. As a striving devout Christ follower I am on the front line and am getting shot at by the Enemy all day long!

Because I am abused and fragile here is what I need (this is what all men need):

  • Friends who walk in when most others walk out
  • A wife that understands how fragile I am (mine does)
  • A wife/kids that respect me (mine does)
  • The Word to speak into my heart
  • A mentor that is open, honest, vulnerable and encouraging.
  • Exercise
  • Time by myself
  • A hobby
  • God’s strength!
  • God’s grace!

Men, agree or disagree? What would you add or take away?

Weekend Rewind

September 19, 2011 in Weekend Wrap with 0 Comments

  • I am thankful
  • I am amazed
  • I am blessed
  • I am having fun
  • God is good
  • It is all for His honor and glory
  • My weekend started with the Global Missions 5k
  • Jill Butler and her team did an outstanding job. So proud of Jill’s leadership! Tremendous turnout! An amazing first time event. Everybody had a blast!
  • I am already contacting universities and seeking full ride running scholarships for Seth:) He did awesome in the 5k!
  • Spent time with people Saturday afternoon who really love me and my family. Thankful for their love!
  • Had great weekend services. Love our series/initiative!!!
  • Saturday night attendance was a little light – both Sunday services were full.
  • If you attend Sunday morning would you please consider attending Saturday night!!!
  • Sunday afternoon I continued getting to know our new friends in Get Connected. That group is always an energizer to my weekend.
  • Sunday night was Vision Night.
  • Enjoyed communicating our new core values.
  • Loved the testimonies that went with our values
  • Grateful for the opportunity to fellowship with such a good segment of our church family
  • Realized how blessed I am
  • Thankful for our staff and leaders
  • Our staff worked so hard to make Vision Night a success
  • Looking forward to the future
  • One of the biggest highlights of the night – had 2 couples talk to me about possibly donating a car. Praying!

Boss vs. Employee

September 14, 2011 in Leadership with 0 Comments

Click here to read a great article about what your boss wants from you.

What is your pulse?

September 13, 2011 in Church Life, Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

This past weekend I stated that while everyone has a physical pulse, not everyone has a relational pulse. I thought I would share some common characteristics of those who have relational pulses:

  • there are at least a couple relationships that have lasted many years
  • when a friend seems to have made a mistake they still assume positive intent
  • forgiveness is the first attitude not the last option
  • they don’t hold grudges
  • they use the hammer of their tongue to build others up not tear them down
  • they actually say “I was wrong, will you forgive me?”
  • they are not the center of every conversation
  • they listen more than they talk
  • when uncertain about a matter they ask for clarity

What would you add to the list?

 

Weekend Rewind

September 11, 2011 in Weekend Wrap with 0 Comments

  • Launched our new series and initiative, Palm Coast We Love You!
  • Great to meet people who received the postcard in the mail!
  • Thanks to all our volunteers who served in amazing ways.
  • Thanks to all the new people who are getting on the team and beginning to serve!
  • Thanks to all our regular attenders for being friendly to our new guests! Let’s always go out of our way to welcome others!!
  • We began a new Get Connected luncheon today – love connecting with new friends!!
  • We gave away alot more Vision Night tickets!! Don’t miss it!!
  • If you would like some Vision Night tickets email rebekah@parkviewlife.com. If you are planning to attend please email Rebekah ASAP – they need a head count for the meal. THX!
  • Click here to view my sermon notes from this weekend.
  • How we perceive people is how we receive people – Matt 9:36
  • Everyone will be criticized – what we need to determine is if the criticism is legitimate or not.
  • When helping needy people give them what they need not what they want.
  • I am looking forward to the weeks ahead as we look to help us love more intelligently and more intimately.
  • We have some great plans to serve the first responders of our city this week. If you would like to serve but have not signed up please email penny@parkviewlife.com.
  • Let’s be the hands and heart of Jesus to our city!!
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