Carry the Momentum

Hello Emmanuel,

Yes, I know.  It isn't Monday.  It is Tuesday.  I wish I could say my inbox was flooded with concerns over how  the MMP wasn't sent yesterday.  It wasn't.  My feelings are hurt.  Excuse me while I have a moment.....

......

... ok... I"m good now.  Aside from the hurt feelings, I can't tell you how excited I am about the direction Emmanuel is going.  We are 'making disciples of Jesus Christ'.  The evidence is clearly seen in how our principles are being lived out (Hospitality, Worship, Faith-Forming Relationships, Missions, Outreach and Care).  Attendance is up.  People are giving their prayers, gifts and services with due diligence.  There is an energy about the church--an enthusiasm--that what we are doing is truly benefitting the purposes for which God has placed before us..... to make his Kingdom known and to help people be a part of it starting right now.

So what do we do with this momentum?  We do the same as we've done the past 4 years.  We find ways to extend our reach in ministry so that more people can hear the Good News of Christ.  Our work is never done until that day when Jesus says it is.  So here are just a few ways we are going to carry the momentum forward:

- more family-friendly events:  The Church can get in the habit of splitting families up when it's time for church stuff.  The toddlers go to the nursery; the youth go to the youth group; parents go to adult stuff; etc.  One of the ways we are going to extend our ministries is provide quarterly events designed to allow families to do family stuff together.  This coming Sunday we are going to play putt-putt golf in the church--a family event (2:00).  Coming this Summer?  Maybe some good 'ol fashioned, home-made ice cream?  For the whole family?  It's an idea in the making. 

- More Intentional Care:  As Emmanuel grows, we don't want to let up on how we show care to the people.  The Care Team will be experimenting on how to care for the members of the church in a more intentional way.  We don't want to get lost in numbers.  We want healthy relationships to remain in the forefront of why we do what we do.  It's always a challenge to stay on top of care issues in a church that is continually growing, but caring is part of what God calls us to do.  

- Visitor Follow-Up: The number of first-time visitors has increased signficantly in 2013.  As a church that believes in Radical Hospitality, we will be looking at how to extend our hospitality ministries to stay in line with the increase of visitors.

- Problem-Solving Growth Challenges: When a church grows, problems... er... I mean challenges develop.  And when a church grows as consistently as Emmanuel has, these challenges come quickly and consistently.  I welcome these challenges as we all should.  It is evidence that God is doing amazing things and that we need to adjust to allow God to continue to do amazing things.  The good news is that Emmanuel has been awesome in how we have adjusted to challenges.  Growth has continued for the right reasons because we have stayed focused on God's purpose for us.

Some of the current challenges for the next several months include:  space for parking (first and foremost on our list); re-launching a Saturday worship service this Fall; becoming equipped to allow for growth in our Youth program; reducing our building debt faster; re-organizing our current leadership structures; .... to name just a few.

If the list looks daunting, welcome to Emmanuel.  :)  It's almost like we are use to it.  It could be worse.  We could have plenty of parking, not need a 3rd service, be content with our Youth program, not be able to reduce our debt and have leadership that has nothing to talk about at meetings.....  So don't be stressed.  Be excited.  

I will do my best to equip us to extend minsitries and tackle probl... er... challenges.  But if we have learned anything over the years, we have learned that, if we allow it, God finds a way to wiggle in and bless us.  Thanks be to God.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe