Oct

 

I was reminded during my quiet time this morning that Jesus expects us to reach more people for Him through “all possible means.”  The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:19-23 speaking directly to this issue of HOW we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)

 19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Letter writing was Paul’s “video teaching” of his day.  He provided instruction, exercised discipline and inspired and commended his fellow workers in Christ through the use of the only technology Paul had…writing letters.  Paul, as the lead pastor of his “multi-site church”, provides us with a clear example of the use of technology to spread the gospel.

 

Can a video from a week ago or even a year ago effectively reach people watching it today?

 

Can a letter written almost 2,000 years ago reach people reading it today?

 

Below is a link to a recent post from Perry Noble’s (Senior Pastor, Newspring Church in Anderson, SC) blog.  It is a great testimony to the use and validity of video teaching.  I believe that God CAN and WILL use this technological tool to reach more people through Cedar Creek Church in Aiken and throughout the world.

 

Check it out….. http://www.perrynoble.com/2008/10/20/does-video-teaching-work/

Oct

 

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging e-mails and the sacrificial ways in which you all are giving of yourselves to see this vision become a reality.  As I mentioned Sunday night, we are building a team of folks who are ready to “charge hell with water pistols!”

 

Our next meeting together will be Sunday, November 9th, at 6:00 pm in the Centerpoint “Student” Ministry Worship Center.

 

If I can figure out how, I will be posting a video (or maybe the link) to a great video with a lot of information about becoming a multi-site church…so, stay tuned!

 

Thanks to Tiffany S. for the pic above!

Oct

 

Last night was our first “Launch Team” meeting for the West campus of Cedar Creek Church.  We had just over 60 folks who are pumped up and ready to do whatever it takes (short of sin) to see this vision become a reality.  On January 18, 2009, we will hold our first service at the USCA Convocation Center offically launching Cedar Creek’s first multi-site campus.

Many questions have come up about this process and all that is involved in our transition to a multi-site church.  I’ve started keeping track and answering the one’s that we’ve gotten so far.  I will update the list as questions arise.  For now…check out the one’s below:

 

How many services will there be?

One

 

What time is the service time going to be? 

Not sure yet.

 

Can I serve at both campuses? 

No.  Doing so would take away an opportunity for someone else to serve and add more to your schedule than you need.

 

What is “A team / B team?” 

We are asking our folks to serve on either “A team” which serves first and third Sundays or “B team” which serves on second and fourth Sundays.

 

Can I stay in my H.O.M.E. group? 

Our preference is that you would eventually connect in a West Campus H.O.M.E. group, however, that doesn’t have to happen now.  You might want to become an apprentice for your current group and then launch a  new group for the West campus.

 

Who is going to launch the West Campus?

Current, committed CCC folks who have been asked specifically to fill leadership roles, felt called to go serve the people on the west side of Aiken and others with a connection to that area.

 

Who will take my place at the Banks Mill Campus?

Other Banks Mill attendees who are looking for a place to serve.

 

How will leadership positions be filled?

We are asking those going to recommend a replacement for their leadership position but not to recruit anyone until their coach or ministry area leader has a chance to pray and discuss.

 

Will there be “student” ministry at the West Campus?

Yes!  Our students will join the adults in worship and then break out to their own space for small group time and a lesson each Sunday.

 

Will there be a leadership room for our kids?

Not as of right now.  We are working on it though.

 

Will we have hospitality, i.e. coffee, snacks?

Yes!    T hank you Jesus.  Originally we were told that we could not have hospitality without paying big time money but that has changed (after much prayer) and we will have whatever Banks Mill is having that Sunday.

 

What about Celebrate Recovery?

Certain ministries, such as CR, will still continue to meet at the Banks Mill campus and we will have someone to connect those from the West campus desiring to be a part of this vital ministry.

 

What about “New Members” class?

Because of space limitations, classes like “New Members” and “First Steps” (for our kids) will continue to be held at Banks Mill.

 

Will there ever be a time when we can’t use the Convocation Center?

Yes.  There are certain dates in 2009 that we will not be able to meet in the Convocation Center.  We are working on alternative worship sites and ideas, such as using those days to serve the community or volunteering at the Convocation Center.

 

That is what I have for now.  I’m sure there will be several thousand more to follow.  Feel free to post questions to “comments” here on this page or ask me when you see me