fix on

ONE PRAYER - RESPONSE WANTED

We really want to know what you thought about the One Prayer series. So what did you think of the one prayer series?

It seemed to go over well with other churches and they are thinking about doing something similar next year. So, we want your input as we consider it for the future.

Your Favorite Words

Your response is requested for this one...pick one of two questions to respond to...

1) What words, phrases or series have been helpful to you?

2) Every year we talk about character of God (May & Nov, and basically every week), finances (Feb), relationships & family (Oct), our vision (March), being in community, service, invest & invite, and next steps (all these in June, July, Aug). These might be just one week or a whole series. That leaves some open space for us to talk about issues like balance (sept) , words (Dec), heaven/hell (coming in may), finding strength (Nov.) or whatever other issues are relevant or on our hearts (like God on your iPod). So, what issues would you like us to address? We have a lot of our message series set up but if we see some common responses, we could look at that issue.

Your Words

Again...since this is a blog about helping us focus on our mission, how does teach less for more look to you? If you teach in kids and youth, are you talking over their heads, just sharing stories, dumping knowledge or teaching for life change? If you lead a small group, are you just talking about random stuff or as a group helping each other experience life change? In your groups, is it more about just sharing your opinion about The Bible or Sunday, or it is about encouraging each other to apply God's Word and Ways in our lives?

Your ideas...how can we keep our focus in kids stuff, youth stuff or community groups?

Words...do they stick

We approach Sunday mornings with the concept of teach less for more...we try to gear the entire morning (well, as much as possible) to one concept.

We do this for two reasons...
1) we are bombarded with knowledge in this internet age. We want God's word to stick. If you get 10 ideas or a history lesson, most of that will be gone from your mind by Monday. If we give you one key concept to apply to your life and you apply it...it is with you long term.
2) we want everyone to be able to understand God, His word and His ways. What good is presenting God's word if you talk over people's heads? Ask Martin Luther about that one.

What it comes down to is "does it stick?" We have done this with some people in the past...Can your remember the series and key ideas from this past year? Most people can come up with 4-8 series and the key concept off the top of their heads. Give them more time and they can get most of them. We have had churched people say how much they like that because their past experiences haven't stuck with them. We have had unchurch people say how much they like it because they can actually understand what is being said in church. DOES IT STICK? We are shooting for life change - applying God's word - so we teach less for more to make words stick? Check out what The Book of James says about this...here and here.

WORDS...teach less for more

For more about our teaching philosophy - check out this previous post.  Or check out this podcast from NorthPoint Church in Atlanta on teaching less for more.  Go here and listen to the 4th podcast "Teach Less For More".

We started The Journey with the idea that we wanted to be relevant and teach for life change, not just knowledge. So, on Sundays we try to talk in a way that is challenging to people no matter where they are in their relationship with Jesus. Not always an easy task. A few years ago, we heard from Andy Stanley and how he was using an approach with a similar concept - but they gave it a good name...teach less for more. Check out the podcast, it is also available in itunes (search for practically speaking).

Video Blog: Words...less = more

Money, Money, Money

Money is one of the most difficult topics to talk about on a Sunday morning.  People have all sorts of baggage, all sorts of history.  Some walked away from the church because they thought the church was "all about money".  BUT, it is crucial to talk about for a couple reasons.  1.  It takes money to do ministry, and not just a little money.  If we're going to really reach effectively into the unchurched population of the lakeshore we can't make half attempts.  It needs to be quality, and quality takes money.  2.  If we're really going to be the church that God has called us to, it takes broad involvement.  All hands on deck.  We can't have 20% of the people funding the church.  3.  It's a spiritual issue.  Money is an indicator of our heart, of our trust, of our faith.

As your staff, we promise to the lead the way in bringing back our cantaloupe.  I know for the rest of the staff team, they all could be making more money somewhere else.  Most of us were before we came to The Journey, but we're all in.  That includes lower salaries, that includes higher levels of giving.

Our desire for our leaders and average Joe pew-sitter is that we would each experience the blessings of God that only comes from living with open hands.  Oh, and by the way, down the road here at The Journey, we will all have the opportunity to put our money where our mouth is.

Money, money, money; tangible; seeds; harvest; cantaloupe.  Eternal Impact.