Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Blog -- Closed for Business
I've been putting off the inevitable. I'm going to shut down the blog. I just don't have the time to do it justice. For all of you out of staters that enjoyed getting some church updates -- we're getting to reamp up our newsletter so you can get on that list if you so desire.
Here's a quick update on the Church. We are experiencing a time of growth right now. God is doing some great things, bringing many new people and growing us as a community. The big challenge right now is organizing the organism which we are really trying to do through community groups and service arena teams. A lot of great things going on -- just a little overwhelming at times. It will be interesting to see what happens as we enter the fall -- I really want us to be poised and prepared for growth.
Again if you want to be updated on the church -- our newsletter will have to do. Email me if you want to get on the list.
Thanks to all those who read for awhile.
Jason
Posted by Jason at 1:20 PM
Monday, July 14, 2003
Running out of Chairs
On Sunday morning we had our biggest crowd to date. I was given a count of 68 people which is about 20 more than our highest yet. There were about 12 people who were in town for the baptism but that still puts us over the 50 mark for the first time. Really exciting seeing the growth. Numbers are a funny thing because they're one of the few measurable things in ministry. I'm just having fun watching us grow.
The most exciting thing was that the guy I had an opportunity to share the Gospel with on Thursday came to our worship service and to the baptism later on. It was such a blast watching our church get to know him and care for him. As we grow we're starting to see a lot more folks like him get included into the community. I think they're finding a safe place to investigate the Christian faith.
Posted by Jason at 10:13 AM
Baptism & Barbecue
Sunday afternoon Crosscurrent Church held its first ever Baptism. Like we do with most everything we combined the festivities with food after our worship service. The whole event took place down on 85th street, with a cookout at Carrie's followed by the baptism service in the ocean.
We baptized 8 people, most of whom had been Christian's for a while but had never been baptized before. At one point I was standing in the ocean waiting for the next person to come out into the water and I scanned the beach. We had a group of about 60 people right on the edge of the water, and there were tons of inquisitive beach goers watching the event from the shoreline as well. It was quite a sight. Actually at one point after the baptism I walked by a group of people that were explaining the event to a friend who just arrived and this is what one guy said, "I don't know what the hell was going on but there were all these people standing around watching this one guy push people into the water." It was so funny to hear the comment that I kept on walking. Maybe I should have stopped and explained.
Great afternoon for these folks and for our church community.
Posted by Jason at 10:08 AM
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Great Opportunity
I just was in this local coffee house and ended up having a great conversation. What adds to the event is that I wasn't supposed to be in this coffee house but through circumstances ended up there.
I was supposed to be meeting two people at Tropical Smoothies to talk about Baptism. Tropical Smoothies power went out and they weren't open. So went down to Fill My Cup instead. After meeting they left and I started to talk with the owner. She introduced me to Ben who wanted to talk about Faith. His questions took us right to the Gospel. I was able to walk him through the Gospel and in the process help him wrestle with a lot of his questions. Great time and I really sense God working on his life. He's got my number and has details about the church so I'm hoping he'll be there on Sunday or that he'll call and we can continue the conversation. What a great privilige to be able to share the truth over a cup of coffee.
Posted by Jason at 11:56 AM
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Back on
Well for the past week I've been in and out of town. We've done a little vacationing/family reunion in Williamsburg which was a great time with family that we haven't seen in a while. But in the midst of trying to be freed up to hang out it made the three work days I've had pretty hectic. But everything was completed when it needed to be and we fit in a little R-n-R.
Quick Update: This past Sunday was another great day. I am preaching through Jonah and it really has been a great time for me. Hoping that's the case for everyone else as well. This book is so easy to overlook but it is packed with so much great info/lessons. I personally am being challenged and praying that it speaks to all of us.
Working on a number of things this week. We have a need to have a bunch of ministry/service teams structured and in place. This will be crucial to our foundation as we grow. Also needing to split our two current community groups. I would like to see the two split (I know you're not supposed to use that word in small groups -- but I call it like I see it) into about 6 groups. Both of these are so necessary to have in place as we go into the fall. Along with that there is the usual community group and worship service planning. It should be a great week I just need to stay focused.
One last note -- I love this job. Can't imagine doing anything else. I'm so excited about the group of people that have come together. The best part about this is being the church together.
Posted by Jason at 9:33 AM
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Another Blog Bites The Dust
Disappointed to find out that good friend Ben is shutting down his blog for awhile. He's a church planter in NOVA/Reston area and has so many great thoughts about the church and ministry and people in general. Apparently there were some people who would use his blog thoughts against him or the church -- so he's keeping in his thoughts for now.
This goes to prove what I've believed all along that for the American Christian the greatest persecution comes from within the church. Sad but unfortunately many of us know that to be true. Glad I'm part of a church that for right now seems to have that missing from our DNA -- may God grant us the wisdom to continue loving each other like we should.
Posted by Jason at 9:01 AM
Monday, June 23, 2003
One More Item
We had another great worship service on Sunday. As the first worship set started I was standing in the back looking around the room very excited about how the church is developing. And then God put this little thought in my mind -- "The best part is that we get to do this together". What a great feeling of joy to realize that we have the privilege to develop and be the church together. What a great privilege to carry out God's redemptive purposes in Va Beach together. It really doesn't get any better than this.
I am so glad that we started the church the way we did -- relationships, relationships, relationships. Although I can get impatient with numerical growth I wouldn't trade being where we are, with the depth of the relationships and commitment we have towards each other, for having a church of 150 right now. I can see how God has grown us slowly and as a result we are building a great foundation that will have a lasting impact in Va Beach for years to come.
I have the greatest job in the world -- being able to lead this church and the people that are partnering with me in the Gospel.
Posted by Jason at 11:06 AM
It's been six days
I start the week with such great intentions for blogging and then the week gets out of hand. Last week especially. I had four different speaking opportunities and while I love to speak and do the preparation for speaking it definitely took its toll on me this week.
Last night at our partnership series I had very few articulate words left. I think it was a combination of being on the beach for four hours yesterday afternoon (the joys of ministry in Va Beach) and using up all my words. The introvert in me was begging for quiet reflection in front of SportsCenter.
Still all in all the Partnership Series continued and will finish up next week. Aimee made a great observation. We have 23 people going through our inaugural Partnership Series -- which is more than double the amount of people the church started with and really equivalent to the amount of people that were apart of the core group all fall. God really is doing and incredible work gathering and joining a fantastic group of people to be Crosscurrent Church.
Posted by Jason at 11:00 AM
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Wild & Crazy Day
Today is going to be one of those days -- a mixture of fun and running around. I just got done playing racquetball which is an every Tuesday morning affair with my kids Pediatrician and another local Pastor. Now I'm on to finish up my message for Christian Surfers tonight. Then on to a lunch with a good friend who I haven't had a chance to catch up with in a long time. Then back to the office to return emails/calls and then plan Community Group for tomorrow night. After that Caitlin and I are off to Gymnastics where I'll bring my computer and work on admin. She's there for three hours twice a week so it gives me time to get extra work done. From there I grab a quick bite and get on to Christian Surfers. Crazy day but all fun stuff.
Posted by Jason at 10:43 AM
Funny Blog
Have no idea what it's saying but it certainly is a creative idea for a blog.
Posted by Jason at 10:14 AM
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