Small Groups Bustin Out

I have had several discussions with some of our small group leaders this week and they are all sharing the same story. The groups are growing and I am not just talking numbers here. I am hearing stories from people in the groups who are loving it. Relationships are being developed and people are getting it.

Relationships, or small groups, are part of our four core values and it neat to see this grow and develop in our church. I am proud of our leaders because they get what it is about. Now as we continue to grow we will have a ready steam of potential leaders and hosts who can start new groups.

I am excited to get some studies going on base, expand further into to Mission Hills and Lompoc, as well as Santa Maria. With a goal of 75% of our people in small groups this will take a major effort but I believe we will see a lot of fruit out of it. Already our ministry teams are starting to see the benefits of people getting plugged in through small group recruitment. This is what Living the WORD is all about.

How Fast Time Flies

Can’t believe our youngest is turning 1 year old. We celebrated with a party last Saturday but he officially turns 1 on the 28th. He is so full of life at this age. Into everything and quick to smile. What a joy he is. Happy birthday Tobias Charles Musselwhite.

Design vs. Value

As I mentioned in a earlier post we just got back from Seattle. We were at the Resurgence conference which was a great time of teaching. I felt I got so much more just having Jen there to discuss it with. The Supremacy of Christ was hammered home which was so refreshing. It was held at Mars Hill church which is pastored by Mark Driscoll. This church is amazing in that it is simple, well done, and to the point. Everything there designed to get the person there to focus on Christ.

On the other hand we stayed at a hotel called the W hotel. For years I have heard about this hotel and how incredible it is. From a design standpoint it has received several awards and had become to the popular place for business people to stay. Well we could never afford to go there on our budget but we had received enough Starwood points for two free nights. What a waste. First of all it tried way too hard to be hip and trendy. When you go to the elevator they pump house music like the kind you hear in a disco. After exiting the elevator to go to the room you walk down hallways that are lit like a disco. Finally you walk into a room that isn’t as nice as you think it would be.

I think design is a tool used to accomplish what you need to but if you use design as the goal you forsake the value. We got no value out of our hotel. So much attention was put of the decor that it was painfully uncomfortable. The last night of the trip we switched to a Holiday Inn and enjoyed the room. Simple but comfortable. Never put design over value. If people think you are cool looking but walk away with nothing you wasted both parties time. Give people something of value and use design to add to it.

Ray Bentley

One of the Pastors that I listen to both in teaching and Spiritual Discerning is Ray Bentley from Maranatha Chapel in San Diego. He has just sent out an email to people on his list with an urgent message in it. It is regarding God’s coming judgment and our role. Your can read it here

He is calling his church to a time of prayer and fasting from March 3rd -7th in response to this.

Good to be Home!

Seattle was nice but we were ready to come home. We needed a break from the routine, we feel refreshed and refilled. Now we are ready to love all over our kiddies and focus on what God has for us in the future. Got a lot of things to pray about and get ready for Easter. We are doing a Sunrise service this year with a full breakfast afterwards. I love Sunrise services and we have one of the best places to do it…right at the hotel. Hopefully the rain will stay away.

Our newcomers lunch is this Sunday. Looking forward to casting the vision for The Village Chapel to the many families who have joined us recently. If you haven’t signed up yet send an email to info@vvchapel.com and let us know. Lunch is provided as well as childcare.

Finally I am looking so forward to my own bed. My back hurts from the travel and bad beds. I will do a future post about the weird hotel we stayed in while we were there. Heard all this good stuff but was seriously disappointed. Fortunately it was free because of credit card points.

Resurgence Day #2

Just finished up day #2 at The Resurgence Conference. Got to hear Matt Chandler who is the pastor of The Village Church in Dallas and one of my favorite podcasters. He went after it and hit some homeruns. I will detail more notes later on.

The second session was John Piper. This man spoke for one hour and twenty minutes and shared 32 points! that’s right 32! This man is amazing and really hit home on his love for Christ and his love for Preaching God’s Word. He made a very clear distinction between preaching and teaching. He basically said that if you are a teacher you have no right to be in the pulpit because that is the place for proclaiming or heralding the Word of God or preaching.

I am wiped out and am looking forward to our last night in Seattle by going out on the town with my wife to celebrate our 11th anniversary which is on Saturday. Had a great trip but miss the kiddies and am looking forward to going home tomorrow morning.

Resurgence Day #1

Well day #1 is in the books at the Resurgence conference and I am wiped. It has been an amazing day with my wife as we have sat under some incredible teaching. It started off with Dr. Steve Crain talking about Biblical Stress Management. Wow! Knocked me on my butt! He talked about how the body deals with stress and what it does to us. I am still chewing on much of the stuff. Took 10 pages of notes and I am not a note taker!

Then we heard Mark Driscoll, the pastor who is putting on the conference at Mars Hill Church. He was fired up  as he spoke about "Putting the Preacher in his Place." He went through the whole Bible showing how Preaching has been at the center of Scriptures through every era. He went after those churches who don’t preach. Very powerful.

Finally we heard from CJ Mahaney. He talked about looking at people from a divine perspective. Good stuff.

I am wiped and going to bed.

Sharpening the Axe

Me and the wife are headed up to Seattle today. We will be part of one of the best conferences in America, Resurgence. Mark Driscoll is the pastor of Mars Hill church in Seattle and he has gathered John Piper, Matt Chandler, and CJ Mahaney for Text & Context. Over 1000 people will be there.

We are excited because we love Seattle. We vacationed there seven years ago and had a great time. Won’t have much touristy time this trip but am looking forward to getting away.

This will be the first Sunday I have missed at The Village Chapel. Something like 55 0r 56 Sundays in a row. Looking forward to the break to sharpen the Axe although I gotta admit that I will miss being with the people of our church.

Fooled Once

The saying goes fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Well we were fooled into thinking that Fools Gold would strike the same magic that How to lose a Guy did. It didn’t. Sad because the chemistry between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey is so good.

This movie was dreadfully slow. It did have some interesting parts and Donald Sutherland is such a screen presence. Too much just didn’t work. One redeeming thing was the previews. It look like some funny movies will be coming out soon.

Great Start to a Podcast

Just uploaded Sunday’s message to podcast and the very first thing you hear is me coughing and a little phlem rattle. Classic! I love the after effects of being sick. Seriously though Sunday’s message was powerful and not because of me. If you want to listen to it click here.