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Agency Recap: May 09

This was a special meeting with Vince Antonucci. We grilled out (thanks to Mike & Dan). Paul gave a quick financial update after our mission vegas video (it included Go Fish). Then Vince shared with us a little of his story and his heartbeat for the Church. He shared how he was in his 20's when we decided to follow God. His question was...HOW CAN I GO 20+ YEARS IN AMERICA AND NOT HEAR ABOUT JESUS OR EVEN KNOW A CHRISTIAN? There are people all around us in the same situation. We need to be the light. JESUS ALWAYS FOUND THE DARKEST PERSON IN TOWN AND BROUGHT THE LIGHT TO THEM. Vince shared a story about a time he lost his son at a water park. It was emotional just hearing him share it - that is how God feels about his children - many are out there and God is calling for them to just please come back. Will we be the light? Vince shared about a time when he was in BK and even though he didn't really want to, he help a guy fill out an application, then he bought his lunch, then he had to eat lunch with this man. This man believed in many god's - he said that god feeds us, god cares for us - today you are god to me. While his theology was wrong, in many ways he was right. Will we share God's love with people and His light shine through us? God gives us the same mission that Jesus was on - to be the light. Vince shared some appreciation to The Journey for who we are and who we are reaching. He challenged us as we grow to not be inward focused and not lose sight of all the people who need to hear about Jesus. He said it is hard because we pay for stuff with our giving at church, we are committed and everyone is selfish by nature. But we can't lose focus of the mission and God's calling for our lives.

If you missed, you really missed this time. Vince was hilarious and challenging. We broke up into groups to discuss what Vince talked about...please leave your comments with any insights from your groups.

Agency Recap: Feb 09

We began this event with the video (below) and a mock presidential State of The Journey Address complete with a shoe throwing incident. If you weren't there, you missed out...

We then had a real State of the Journey Address. We talked about the past months. We felt like we lost a lot of momentum through the building process and it has taken a while to bring it back. We feel like it is finally picking up again. Along with that, we had a financial update. The transition and the recession have hit The Journey. Like everyone and every company or church, things are a little tight. Even though we have this nice building, that is a whole separate fund; the general fund is lacking. So, we have been cutting cost, trying to reconfigure any contracts, and our lead team and staff are looking at doing whatever we can to make it through these tight economic times. It would be easy to become inward focused during these times. But we don't want to shrink back. We have seen some results from the survey (like how almost 60% of the Journey was unchurched before coming) and we have heard peoples stories of connecting with God. So, we will not shrink back or compromise God's Great Commission. We will cut costs as we can and we will trust God and move forward to do all we can to reach people and help people take next steps.

We also spent some time talking about some next steps for The Journey. The momentum is coming back. We have some great things planned. We feel like God is going to continue to draw more people to Himself. So as we continue to take next steps as a church and as we think about our next steps ahead - we need more people to invest in the lives of others. People won't just sign up so we need to REPLACE OURSELVES. It isn't about finding someone to take your spot. It is about helping new people find their place so they can invest in others and be used by God. As we think about next steps for The Journey - that means more people involved in current and new areas around the Journey, adding another service or going multi-site - that takes a large volunteer base. So, we broke up into groups and discussed some ways to make this happen. Think about who you can bring along side of yourself? What are some small steps to help them understand the role and what the vision is all about? You don't have to be an expert - just share what you know and what you do.

We wrapped up with some coming events: Volunteer Party and Year Review (Mar 22), Next Agency on Sat. May 2: this will be a special conference/dinner party with Vince Antonicci (author & church planter), and we also introduced our new lead team members. 

FYI - if you weren't there, you also missed out on some super homemade cookies.

The Agency Recap for Oct. 13

In case you missed, here is a recap of our leadership meeting for all agents of The Journey...

We ate donuts and cider from Vandermill's. You missed out.
We toured the construction and took some time praying in the new building.
We watch part of a bond film and discussed having spiritual conversations.

As part of being agents who live out the mission, it is our responsibility to have spiritual conversations with people. There are people all around us and we can help them take first steps and/or next steps...people like our unchurched friends, or people in our journey group or even our family. However, have conversations about God aren't always easy and they can be uncomfortable. So, what should we do to have spiritual conversations with people. Here are a few ideas we talked about...

1) Understand that it isn't optional so be intentional. Jesus didn't give us an occasion commission to do when we feel like it but a Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). So let's be intentional or it would happen. Go to the small places around town. Eat lunch in the break room. Hang out in the front yard, not the back. Schedule time to talk with your family or talk about church on the way home or at lunch on Sunday. Have coffee with individuals in your group...whatever, be intentional. One of the best ideas shared was asking people what they did this past weekend - then you can say...I went to church

2) No matter what, it will be uncomfortable. We might not know what to say or do. So we are uncomfortable and they are uncomfortable so it will be uncomfortable. But someone's relationship with God is worth some discomfortable isn't it. Just be respectful and loving and it will be good.

3) R-E-S-P-E-C-T - we need to gain peoples respect if we want to speak into their lives. It might be a long-term process. I shared how I help someone move in recently at 10 pm at night. I was already gaining respect (then they moved out 5 days later and I will probably never see them again).

4) Listen. Ask Questions. Understand Their Story. Most people aren't just gonna come out and say that their marriage stinks or that they really want to talk to someone about God. So listen and you might need to ask questions and read between some lines to see their story.

5) God's Story. Your story. Once you know their story. Share how God has effected your life, your story. Be prepared to share God's story of love for us (Romans 6:23)

6). One Thing. When you go to meet and take with someone - if it is your kids, your spouse, someone in your group or your neighbor - have one main thing you want to chat about. If you have one goal, you can prepare to share about it or ask the right questions or keep the conversation focused.

At the end we were challenged to have a spiritual conversation in the next week with someone. Then we ate more donuts and cider.

Agency Recap for June 08

If you missed the meeting or what a refresher, here's the 411...

INTEL 1: The Scope
How is your focus? Do you need to zero in your scope on life? It is easy to get distracted.
Are you focused on the mission as an agent of The Journey?
Are you involved in the 3 key relationships: God, journeyers, those disconnected?
Are you involved on Sundays, in a group, volunteering, invest & invite?
Is your life viewed through a scope?
Are there some things you need to cut out (even good things) in order to be more focused?
Are you not working too much? Spending time with family? Being a good spouse? Take time with God?
Being an agent is not easy. You have to make hard decisions to stay focused.

INTEL 2: Narrow the Focus
If you haven't yet, go to practicallyspeaking.org and listen to the Narrow the Focus podcast.
We reviewed this topic. Discussed it in groups. Watch a video about what it means for the Journey.

INTEL 3: The Doors Project
We reviewed what was going on with the Building Project and Lincare situation.
We shared some top secret intel about what's ahead (can't post here sorry you missed it)
We talked about Commitment Sunday. Staff is trying to lead the way with 10%. Agents you need to lead the way too.

INTEL 4: Summer Challenges
Challenge 1: Help Sunday Morning Enviroment
We try to create a welcoming environment that breaks down walls. One issue we have sometimes it ackward moments of should I laugh or clap or cheer?!?!?! As agents, we are asking you to help our environment by filling the ackward moments with applause, laughter, etc. If you feel it, just do it.
Challenge 2: Summer Invest & Invite
Take advantage of being outside by intentionally connecting with your neighbors. Take a walk, host a block party, roll the grill by the road, whatever...just do something to invest & invite with your neighbors.
Challenge 3: Kids Stuff
We replace our Quest & Explorers staff every summer. We give them a much needed break. This also gives people a chance to try working in Journey Kids. So, if you know someone that could do this, encourage them to sign up or sign up with them to work one week in the summer.

INTEL 5: Super Ice Cream Sundae Bar
You missed it. Sorry. It was good.

We also have a SPECIAL GUEST who ALMOST made it to the meeting, but had car problems (see below)....