Loved the services yesterday at Foothills Community Church! We continued the That's What he Said series yesterday with a parable that Jesus shared about forgiving other from Luke 18:21-35
** Any time you deal with issues of forgiveness/ unforgiveness, the message seems to hit a nerve with many people.
Here are a few key thoughts:
** Unforgiveness and bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
** The only person that is hurt by unforgiveness is the person that is unwilling to forgive!
** Forgiveness means to "release" someone for an offense.
** The more severe the offense, the less likely we are to forgive.
** Forgiven people need to forgive people.
** If God is willing to forgive us from the tremendous debt of our sins than we should be willing to forgive others.
** Loved the song that the band did, I'll Pray For You. Funny song that made a great springboard into my message.
** We are doing some serious Christmas planning at Foothills. This years series will be called, "Gifted"
** Our Christmas Eve services are going to be UNBELIEVABLE!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Facebook observations
Facebook is a phenomenal social networking site, BUT there are some things that I wonder about:
** Where do people find time to play Mafia Wars and Farmville, and whatever other stupid games there are? Maybe a better question is WHY?
** Why do some people feel the need to quote lines of songs all the time for their statuses?
** I have a theory that there are people on Facebook for the sole purpose of being melodramatic about how bad things are going in their lives, so that other people will reply to encourage them. Really? Do you need encouragement that badly! Doesn't anything good ever happen in your life?
Example:
Joe Smith: "My life stinks. My roof is leaking, I'm broke, my car won't start and my dog has hemorrhoids"
Bill Jones: I'm here for you, bro!
Susan Brown: I know it will get better, you're such a wonderful person.
Doris White: I love you Joe. I'm praying for you.
Ed Black: If you need anything. let me know. You're an awesome person.
** Some people share WAY too many personal details on a public forum. For the record, if you're mad at your husband, let HIM know, not 500 of your closest internet friends.
Here's a crazy thought. How about using Facebook to express positive things? Just a thought. Thanks, I feel better now!
Oh, and in case you're wondering, these are general observations, so I'm not picking on anyone :-)
** Where do people find time to play Mafia Wars and Farmville, and whatever other stupid games there are? Maybe a better question is WHY?
** Why do some people feel the need to quote lines of songs all the time for their statuses?
** I have a theory that there are people on Facebook for the sole purpose of being melodramatic about how bad things are going in their lives, so that other people will reply to encourage them. Really? Do you need encouragement that badly! Doesn't anything good ever happen in your life?
Example:
Joe Smith: "My life stinks. My roof is leaking, I'm broke, my car won't start and my dog has hemorrhoids"
Bill Jones: I'm here for you, bro!
Susan Brown: I know it will get better, you're such a wonderful person.
Doris White: I love you Joe. I'm praying for you.
Ed Black: If you need anything. let me know. You're an awesome person.
** Some people share WAY too many personal details on a public forum. For the record, if you're mad at your husband, let HIM know, not 500 of your closest internet friends.
Here's a crazy thought. How about using Facebook to express positive things? Just a thought. Thanks, I feel better now!
Oh, and in case you're wondering, these are general observations, so I'm not picking on anyone :-)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday review
Intense. That's the way I would describe yesterday at Foothills Community Church.
We are in a series where we are examining the parables of Jesus. Yesterday was the parable about counting the cost found in Luke 14.
** When Jesus called people to discipleship it was a call to die to themselves and follow Him. Anything short of 100% dedication was not enough. He challenged people to count the cost BEFORE they followed. It almost seemed that Jesus was trying to talk people out of following Him!
** This was one of the most difficult messages that I've ever preached. It was a message that convicted me, and judging from the feedback, also many others.
** Could it be that we have made it too easy to follow Jesus? Just say a prayer, and presto, you're now a disciple. That is NOT what Jesus said. Salvation is a free gift, BUT true discipleship costs us everything.
** Our worship team did another phenomenal job.
** Yes, we have brought back the donuts!
** Our Toccoa campus had their Friend 10-10, and I heard it was fantastic. many new families and tons of energy. Thankful for our Seneca praise choir making the road trip to Toccoa to help out!
** If you have not signed-up to help at Trunk or Treat on October 31st, call the church office and do it today. In Seneca it will be at Walmart. This is a huge event. I was told that over 8,000 people came to it last year! In Toccoa we will do it at our Toccoa campus. They will not only be giving out candy, but hot dogs as well. They will also have a concert with B-Shoc, who attends the Toccoa campus.
We are in a series where we are examining the parables of Jesus. Yesterday was the parable about counting the cost found in Luke 14.
** When Jesus called people to discipleship it was a call to die to themselves and follow Him. Anything short of 100% dedication was not enough. He challenged people to count the cost BEFORE they followed. It almost seemed that Jesus was trying to talk people out of following Him!
** This was one of the most difficult messages that I've ever preached. It was a message that convicted me, and judging from the feedback, also many others.
** Could it be that we have made it too easy to follow Jesus? Just say a prayer, and presto, you're now a disciple. That is NOT what Jesus said. Salvation is a free gift, BUT true discipleship costs us everything.
** Our worship team did another phenomenal job.
** Yes, we have brought back the donuts!
** Our Toccoa campus had their Friend 10-10, and I heard it was fantastic. many new families and tons of energy. Thankful for our Seneca praise choir making the road trip to Toccoa to help out!
** If you have not signed-up to help at Trunk or Treat on October 31st, call the church office and do it today. In Seneca it will be at Walmart. This is a huge event. I was told that over 8,000 people came to it last year! In Toccoa we will do it at our Toccoa campus. They will not only be giving out candy, but hot dogs as well. They will also have a concert with B-Shoc, who attends the Toccoa campus.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
How's your foundation?
We kicked off our new series, "That's What HE Said" this past Sunday at Foothills Community Church. The topic was Foundations
Build Your Life on the Right Foundation from Foothills Community Church on Vimeo.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
sunday review
Today was one of those days that everything just clicks. It was absolutely a blast worshiping at Foothills Community Church this morning.
** Tons of guests with us on Friend 10-10. I believe we had the most 1st-time guest children check-in to Kidzone this year!
** Worship was incredible. It is always fun to have Joy Honeycutt in the house. The choir was adding the energy and the entire band was rocking.
** Lots of people responded to the invitation to make Jesus the cornerstone of their lives. I believe around 30 people made that decision!
** The new series, "That's What He Said", is going to be a great, but challenging series.
** Lots of people were doing their 1st Serve this morning They were checking out areas of interest for them to serve.
** Toccoa campus also had a phenomenal day with a great attendance and a lot of people signing up to serve during their ServeLink!
** Another person was saved at the Toccoa campus today too!
** The Krispy Kremes were a big hit today!
** We're praying that the gusts who came today will be back next Sunday. Thanks to all of you that invited your friends!
** Tons of guests with us on Friend 10-10. I believe we had the most 1st-time guest children check-in to Kidzone this year!
** Worship was incredible. It is always fun to have Joy Honeycutt in the house. The choir was adding the energy and the entire band was rocking.
** Lots of people responded to the invitation to make Jesus the cornerstone of their lives. I believe around 30 people made that decision!
** The new series, "That's What He Said", is going to be a great, but challenging series.
** Lots of people were doing their 1st Serve this morning They were checking out areas of interest for them to serve.
** Toccoa campus also had a phenomenal day with a great attendance and a lot of people signing up to serve during their ServeLink!
** Another person was saved at the Toccoa campus today too!
** The Krispy Kremes were a big hit today!
** We're praying that the gusts who came today will be back next Sunday. Thanks to all of you that invited your friends!
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Friend 10-10
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I am so excited about our Friend 10-10 celebration this Sunday at our Seneca campus and next Sunday at our Toccoa campus.
Our people have been inviting their friends for the last couple of weeks, there is an excitement in the air, and this could be the greatest day in our history!
Here are a couple of reasons you NEED to be there and bring some people with you:
* We are kicking off a brand new message series called, "That's What He Said". We will be looking at several of the parables of Jesus, and I am telling you, this is going to be life-changing! (By the way, we have sent out a huge mailer to 26,000 homes to advertise for this new series)
* The music is going to be UNBELIEVABLE! We will have our praise choir up there this week, and we will also have a very special guest, Joy Honeycutt. (You may remember Joy, she has sung at Foothills a few times. She was featured on the show, Intervention) If you haven't heard her, the girl can flat out sing!
* The band will be doing a feature song, that I absolutely can't wait to hear!
* Krispy Kreme Donuts. (I don't think I need to elaborate on this!)
* People will have an opportunity to meet Jesus. We are praying that hundreds will give their lives to Christ!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Sunday highlights
After 6 months of planning, we completed our mini-series called Dream Team, yesterday.
It all began on Thursday evening with our Dream Team Celebration. This was a party we threw in honor of the 600 people that currently serve at Foothills Community Church. Not everyone could attend, but it was one of the best things we've ever done. It was a time of fun, eating desserts, karaoke, music, testimonies and inspiration.
On Sunday we held a ServeLink in the concourse. The goal was for people to take what they had just learned over the last 2 Sundays and put it into practice. We had tables set up representing different volunteer opportunities. To say it was a smashing success would be an understatement, as 150 new people signed-up to serve on the Dream Team! If you do the math, that means that we increased our volunteer base by 25%!
In addition to that, many people who are already serving will be increasing their amount of time given to serving!
There were some that are still praying which area they will be serving in, so we will have more filter in over the next couple of weeks.
Here is the new culture we are trying to build at Foothills. Up until this point, the question to people was, "Are you serving?" The new question will be, "WHERE are you serving?" The goal is 100% of the people at Foothills to have a place within the church to serve AND to look for additional serving opportunities outside of the Church!
I believe this will help us build the infrastructure to get to the next level.
If you were not at church yesterday, you can still be a part of the Dream Team. Simply fill out our information card on Sunday and check off the box about serving, or do it right now by clicking here.
I just want to thank all of the wonderful people at Foothills that are giving their lives to serving God and others!
It all began on Thursday evening with our Dream Team Celebration. This was a party we threw in honor of the 600 people that currently serve at Foothills Community Church. Not everyone could attend, but it was one of the best things we've ever done. It was a time of fun, eating desserts, karaoke, music, testimonies and inspiration.
On Sunday we held a ServeLink in the concourse. The goal was for people to take what they had just learned over the last 2 Sundays and put it into practice. We had tables set up representing different volunteer opportunities. To say it was a smashing success would be an understatement, as 150 new people signed-up to serve on the Dream Team! If you do the math, that means that we increased our volunteer base by 25%!
In addition to that, many people who are already serving will be increasing their amount of time given to serving!
There were some that are still praying which area they will be serving in, so we will have more filter in over the next couple of weeks.
Here is the new culture we are trying to build at Foothills. Up until this point, the question to people was, "Are you serving?" The new question will be, "WHERE are you serving?" The goal is 100% of the people at Foothills to have a place within the church to serve AND to look for additional serving opportunities outside of the Church!
I believe this will help us build the infrastructure to get to the next level.
If you were not at church yesterday, you can still be a part of the Dream Team. Simply fill out our information card on Sunday and check off the box about serving, or do it right now by clicking here.
I just want to thank all of the wonderful people at Foothills that are giving their lives to serving God and others!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
exciting news from the Sticks!
A lot of very cool things have been happening lately with the Sticks conference. Here is the latest news that is mind-blowing. A church has just donated 200 registrations for THE STICKS...100% free! That is a value of $20,000. So you need to act NOW. The first 200 people to enter the code, "ok", score these free registrations.
All you have to do is go to www.thesticks.tv and register with the code "OK"
If you have been considering coming to the conference, now you have no excuse!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday highlights
Sunday was a great day at Foothills in spite of the rain. (We sure needed the rain though)
** Our umbrella team was all set to make sure our guests stayed dry while walking up to the church, but right around 9:15 the rain stopped. (I think they were disappointed!)
** We started our new mini-series called, Dream Team. It is a challenge for everyone that is part of Foothills to use their God-given gifts and abilities to serve God and others.
** We have over 600 people that serve at Foothills, but we could use hundreds more.
** Serving is one of the best ways to get connected at a church.
** Serving makes your church experience complete.
** Serving is NOT optional for the believer!
** A non-serving Christian is an oxymoron.
** Serving is a step towards spiritual growth.
** Serving makes me more like Jesus.
** This Thursday we are having a Dream team volunteer appreciation party. I can't wait.
** This Sunday we will be having a SERVELINK. In our concourse there will be tables representing the ministry opportunities at Foothills. You can pick up information, ask questions, and sign-up to serve.
** In other news, we are preparing for our Friend 10-10 services. All I can tell you is that you NEED to invite your friends. I believe that this will be the best service that we've ever had at Foothills! I'll be sharing more details in another post.
** Our umbrella team was all set to make sure our guests stayed dry while walking up to the church, but right around 9:15 the rain stopped. (I think they were disappointed!)
** We started our new mini-series called, Dream Team. It is a challenge for everyone that is part of Foothills to use their God-given gifts and abilities to serve God and others.
** We have over 600 people that serve at Foothills, but we could use hundreds more.
** Serving is one of the best ways to get connected at a church.
** Serving makes your church experience complete.
** Serving is NOT optional for the believer!
** A non-serving Christian is an oxymoron.
** Serving is a step towards spiritual growth.
** Serving makes me more like Jesus.
** This Thursday we are having a Dream team volunteer appreciation party. I can't wait.
** This Sunday we will be having a SERVELINK. In our concourse there will be tables representing the ministry opportunities at Foothills. You can pick up information, ask questions, and sign-up to serve.
** In other news, we are preparing for our Friend 10-10 services. All I can tell you is that you NEED to invite your friends. I believe that this will be the best service that we've ever had at Foothills! I'll be sharing more details in another post.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday highlights
Yesterday was one of my favorite services at Foothills ever!
** Talked about how to make an impact with our lives. One of the greatest ways to do that is by investing our lives to reach others for Christ
** It's so easy to find ourselves in our little Christian bubbles, totally insulated and isolated from lost people. We must live our lives on mission.
** Jesus spent the majority of His time hanging out with lost, helpless, hurting, lonely, marginalized people. The lost people loved Him, the religious people hated Him!
** I'm excited about Friend 10-10 coming up on October 10th in Seneca, and October 17th in Toccoa. This is a chance to invite friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and everyone else to come to church with you.
** WE WILL HAVE DONUTS!!!!
** The closest we have come to having a revival was when I mentioned the possibility of bringing the donuts back. Hmmmm.
** We gave out 4 invite cards to everyone and challenged them to pass them out between now and October 10th.
** One person wanted an extra 50 to hand out!! That's what I'm talking about!
** On Friend 10-10 we will begin a new message series called, That's What HE Said!. Totally can't wait for that one.
** The worship team an praise choir knocked it out of the park. I could have literally walked up and said "amen" and dismissed everyone after that!
** 10 more people gave their lives to Jesus yesterday!!
** This Sunday we will begin a new mini-series called, Dream Team.
I love our church!
** Talked about how to make an impact with our lives. One of the greatest ways to do that is by investing our lives to reach others for Christ
** It's so easy to find ourselves in our little Christian bubbles, totally insulated and isolated from lost people. We must live our lives on mission.
** Jesus spent the majority of His time hanging out with lost, helpless, hurting, lonely, marginalized people. The lost people loved Him, the religious people hated Him!
** I'm excited about Friend 10-10 coming up on October 10th in Seneca, and October 17th in Toccoa. This is a chance to invite friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and everyone else to come to church with you.
** WE WILL HAVE DONUTS!!!!
** The closest we have come to having a revival was when I mentioned the possibility of bringing the donuts back. Hmmmm.
** We gave out 4 invite cards to everyone and challenged them to pass them out between now and October 10th.
** One person wanted an extra 50 to hand out!! That's what I'm talking about!
** On Friend 10-10 we will begin a new message series called, That's What HE Said!. Totally can't wait for that one.
** The worship team an praise choir knocked it out of the park. I could have literally walked up and said "amen" and dismissed everyone after that!
** 10 more people gave their lives to Jesus yesterday!!
** This Sunday we will begin a new mini-series called, Dream Team.
I love our church!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Sticks
There are a lot of church conferences out there, but there are not many designed especially for churches in small to mid-sized communities. That's what The Sticks conference is all about-- helping churches in the sticks have maximum impact.
I am honored to be one of the speakers at the conference, along with a phenomenal line-up of great speakers in both the main sessions as well as the break-out sessions. These guys understand the nuances of doing ministry in hard to reach places.
The event will take place November 9-10 in the booming metropolis of Orangeburg, South Carolina.
If you are in a church in a small to mid-sized community, you owe it to yourself to come and connect with others that are in the trenches with you.
They are also giving away a new iPad, so check that out too.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
busy week
It has been a crazy week for me. Lots of cool things going on right now at Foothills Community Church!
Here are a few things that have me extremely excited:
** Tons of new people signed up for a LIFE group this semester!
** This Sunday at Foothills is going to be amazing--Do Not Miss It!
** We have people coming to Christ every single week!
** Archery season opens tomorrow. Unfortunately I can't go until Friday.
** I will be leading the Get In The Game class tomorrow night (which is why I will not be bow hunting!) This is kind of a membership class that is jam packed with information about Foothills, as well as steps to take for spiritual growth. It begins at 6:15pm. You can still sign-up here.
** The Dream Team (volunteer appreciation) Party is coming up on September 30th. Hundreds of people have RSVP'ed. It's going to be outrageous!
** We have a couple of new series that are coming up that are going to be some of the best we have ever done.
** Friend 10-10 is coming on October 10th in Seneca, and October 17th in Toccoa. You will be hearing a LOT more about this.
** Got a chance to talk to a few Pastor friends. I love hearing how God is at work in Churches across America!
Here are a few things that have me extremely excited:
** Tons of new people signed up for a LIFE group this semester!
** This Sunday at Foothills is going to be amazing--Do Not Miss It!
** We have people coming to Christ every single week!
** Archery season opens tomorrow. Unfortunately I can't go until Friday.
** I will be leading the Get In The Game class tomorrow night (which is why I will not be bow hunting!) This is kind of a membership class that is jam packed with information about Foothills, as well as steps to take for spiritual growth. It begins at 6:15pm. You can still sign-up here.
** The Dream Team (volunteer appreciation) Party is coming up on September 30th. Hundreds of people have RSVP'ed. It's going to be outrageous!
** We have a couple of new series that are coming up that are going to be some of the best we have ever done.
** Friend 10-10 is coming on October 10th in Seneca, and October 17th in Toccoa. You will be hearing a LOT more about this.
** Got a chance to talk to a few Pastor friends. I love hearing how God is at work in Churches across America!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
you've got what it takes
A Recent Gallup Poll revealed that only 10% of American church members were active in any type of personal ministry ---- 50 % had no interest--- 40% were interested but had never been asked or didn’t know how.
I want to address this blog post to the 40% that had never been asked or didn't know how.
You've got what it takes!
That's right. God has given you gifts and talents and abilities, that He can leverage to bring glory to himself and benefit others.
It can be a little intimidating to sign-up to serve for the first time.
Here's a good rule of thumb: Start somewhere!
I have told the story many times of my first experience of serving. I signed up to help with recreation at a church picnic. I had no prior church experience up to that point, but I had a desire to serve, I just didn't know what I could contribute. So on that Sunday afternoon I organized a few games for the kids. It wasn't much, but it was something. And you know what---- It felt great! I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself.
Some time later, I tried serving in areas that didn't work for me (ie.. Children's ministry) and I tried some areas that did work.
Here's what I discovered. The more I served, the more connected I became to my church, and the more connected I felt to God.
We have over 600 people that serve at Foothills Community Church, which is great, but there are so many people that are just waiting for someone to ask them. So let me ask you, "would you be willing to serve?"
We'll help you figure out where you will fit best. We'll help you develop your gifts and abilities. We want you to thrive in your relationship with Christ, and I believe one of the most rewarding experiences of your life will be when you are serving Christ on a regular basis.
On October 3rd we will be having a ServeLink, where you will be able to see all of the opportunities and ask questions.
I want to address this blog post to the 40% that had never been asked or didn't know how.
You've got what it takes!
That's right. God has given you gifts and talents and abilities, that He can leverage to bring glory to himself and benefit others.
It can be a little intimidating to sign-up to serve for the first time.
Here's a good rule of thumb: Start somewhere!
I have told the story many times of my first experience of serving. I signed up to help with recreation at a church picnic. I had no prior church experience up to that point, but I had a desire to serve, I just didn't know what I could contribute. So on that Sunday afternoon I organized a few games for the kids. It wasn't much, but it was something. And you know what---- It felt great! I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself.
Some time later, I tried serving in areas that didn't work for me (ie.. Children's ministry) and I tried some areas that did work.
Here's what I discovered. The more I served, the more connected I became to my church, and the more connected I felt to God.
We have over 600 people that serve at Foothills Community Church, which is great, but there are so many people that are just waiting for someone to ask them. So let me ask you, "would you be willing to serve?"
We'll help you figure out where you will fit best. We'll help you develop your gifts and abilities. We want you to thrive in your relationship with Christ, and I believe one of the most rewarding experiences of your life will be when you are serving Christ on a regular basis.
On October 3rd we will be having a ServeLink, where you will be able to see all of the opportunities and ask questions.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Sunday review
What a phenomenal Labor Day weekend. I love what God is doing at Foothills right now. There is a real sense of anticipation. Week after week people are making decisions to follow Jesus---that's what it's all about!
** I didn't preach Sunday, so I got to see things from a different perspective. That's a great thing to do now and then. By the way, my goal is to preach around 40 Sundays a year, that way I can stay creative, and work ahead, and it also allows the congregation to hear from other communicators---that's healthy!
** Brian Rhodes delivered the message this past Sunday and did an excellent job! We had a power surge which knocked the power out for a second, which means the microphone, lights, and screens went out, then had to reset. It happened just as Brian stepped on the platform at the 9:30am service. He handled himself like a pro, and kept on trucking! Nice job Brian.
** Eric Peters and team led worship. It was awesome! It sounded like people were really singing loud.
** The Questions Uncensored series is almost done. I wll be answering questions about gambling, birth control, and cremation this Sunday. You do not want to miss it.
** Don't forget to sign-up for a LIFE group! You will be glad that you did.
** We had a big baptism party on Sunday afternoon. It was so much fun to meet so many people. I can't believe how smooth things ran. Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers that made the day a huge success. We WILL do that again
** By the way, the best part about the party was that 31 more people were baptized in Lake Keowee! We have baptized over 130 people so far this year. Our next baptism is scheduled for December 5th!
** I love that College football is here again!
** Got a chance to go dove hunting on Saturday. That was a blast. I even managed to shoot a few!
** If you have volunteered at Foothills during the last year, please make sure to attend our Dream Team Celebration coming up on September 30th. This is a chance for our staff to serve YOU, and to thank you for making Foothills such a wonderful place. Why don't you sign-up now?
** I didn't preach Sunday, so I got to see things from a different perspective. That's a great thing to do now and then. By the way, my goal is to preach around 40 Sundays a year, that way I can stay creative, and work ahead, and it also allows the congregation to hear from other communicators---that's healthy!
** Brian Rhodes delivered the message this past Sunday and did an excellent job! We had a power surge which knocked the power out for a second, which means the microphone, lights, and screens went out, then had to reset. It happened just as Brian stepped on the platform at the 9:30am service. He handled himself like a pro, and kept on trucking! Nice job Brian.
** Eric Peters and team led worship. It was awesome! It sounded like people were really singing loud.
** The Questions Uncensored series is almost done. I wll be answering questions about gambling, birth control, and cremation this Sunday. You do not want to miss it.
** Don't forget to sign-up for a LIFE group! You will be glad that you did.
** We had a big baptism party on Sunday afternoon. It was so much fun to meet so many people. I can't believe how smooth things ran. Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers that made the day a huge success. We WILL do that again
** By the way, the best part about the party was that 31 more people were baptized in Lake Keowee! We have baptized over 130 people so far this year. Our next baptism is scheduled for December 5th!
** I love that College football is here again!
** Got a chance to go dove hunting on Saturday. That was a blast. I even managed to shoot a few!
** If you have volunteered at Foothills during the last year, please make sure to attend our Dream Team Celebration coming up on September 30th. This is a chance for our staff to serve YOU, and to thank you for making Foothills such a wonderful place. Why don't you sign-up now?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Get connected
One of the things that we have noted and verified is that people who never get connected beyond Sunday morning rarely stick around for very long.
Re-read that again. It doesn't matter how great the Sunday services are, if people do not get connected beyond Sunday, they don't stick.
Here's how you can avoid becoming a statistic:
First, attend the Get In The Game class. This is huge. This class answers a lot of the questions about Foothills Community Church; questions related to our vision, and strategy, our structure, our beliefs and values. This class is offered monthly. The next class is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6:15pm. Here is the part I'm really excited about--- I will be leading the class personally! You can sign-up online, or by filling your info card this Sunday, or by calling our office.
Second, attend a LIFE group. LIFE groups are smaller groups of people who meet on a regular basis to grow spiritually and build relationships outside of the Sunday morning experience. The next semester of LIFE groups begins September 12th. For the next 2 Sundays we will have more information and opportunities to sign-up or you can learn more about LIFE groups here.
Thirdly, become part of our DREAM TEAM of volunteers who serve God and others at Foothills Community Church. Our church could not do what we do without the hundreds of people who give of their time to serve-- they are our Dream Team! You will be hearing a LOT more about this over the next month. But you can sign-up to serve online today
The bottom line is that you need to be connected! So jump in, the water's fine!
Re-read that again. It doesn't matter how great the Sunday services are, if people do not get connected beyond Sunday, they don't stick.
Here's how you can avoid becoming a statistic:
First, attend the Get In The Game class. This is huge. This class answers a lot of the questions about Foothills Community Church; questions related to our vision, and strategy, our structure, our beliefs and values. This class is offered monthly. The next class is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6:15pm. Here is the part I'm really excited about--- I will be leading the class personally! You can sign-up online, or by filling your info card this Sunday, or by calling our office.
Second, attend a LIFE group. LIFE groups are smaller groups of people who meet on a regular basis to grow spiritually and build relationships outside of the Sunday morning experience. The next semester of LIFE groups begins September 12th. For the next 2 Sundays we will have more information and opportunities to sign-up or you can learn more about LIFE groups here.
Thirdly, become part of our DREAM TEAM of volunteers who serve God and others at Foothills Community Church. Our church could not do what we do without the hundreds of people who give of their time to serve-- they are our Dream Team! You will be hearing a LOT more about this over the next month. But you can sign-up to serve online today
The bottom line is that you need to be connected! So jump in, the water's fine!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday review
I LOVED the services yesterday at Foothills Community Church!
** Solid attendance
** 6 more people gave their lives to Jesus!
** The praise choir brought some serious heat for sure. I love it when they sing, because they bring so much energy.
** David Odom led worship yesterday and did awesome as usual.
** Eric Peters led worship at our Toccoa campus, and I heard that he nailed it!
** Yesterday's message was all about why it's so hard to live the Christian life. No doubt, it's the hardest thing anyone can do. The key is TRUSTING more, not TRYING harder!
** I met a bunch of first-time guests yesterday that were stoked about Foothills Community Church and plan to keep coming
** We are gearing up for one of the biggest parties in the history of Oconee County South Carolina. It's our big Baptism Party Sunday September 5th at 4:30pm at Biggerstaff Retreat center. Plan to be there AND bring a friend with you!
** I called an audible for a series we're going to start on October 10th, so now everyone is having to scramble a bit. Fortunately we work ahead!
** Speaking of October 10th---That is our Friend 10-10 celebration. You will be hearing a lot more about that day.
** My youngest child turned 18 on Sunday. Hard to believe that all my kids are now adults!
** Solid attendance
** 6 more people gave their lives to Jesus!
** The praise choir brought some serious heat for sure. I love it when they sing, because they bring so much energy.
** David Odom led worship yesterday and did awesome as usual.
** Eric Peters led worship at our Toccoa campus, and I heard that he nailed it!
** Yesterday's message was all about why it's so hard to live the Christian life. No doubt, it's the hardest thing anyone can do. The key is TRUSTING more, not TRYING harder!
** I met a bunch of first-time guests yesterday that were stoked about Foothills Community Church and plan to keep coming
** We are gearing up for one of the biggest parties in the history of Oconee County South Carolina. It's our big Baptism Party Sunday September 5th at 4:30pm at Biggerstaff Retreat center. Plan to be there AND bring a friend with you!
** I called an audible for a series we're going to start on October 10th, so now everyone is having to scramble a bit. Fortunately we work ahead!
** Speaking of October 10th---That is our Friend 10-10 celebration. You will be hearing a lot more about that day.
** My youngest child turned 18 on Sunday. Hard to believe that all my kids are now adults!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Questions Uncensored 2
Here is last Sunday's message from our Questions Uncensored series.
We covered questions on Tattoos, piercings, and cosmetic surgery
We covered questions on Tattoos, piercings, and cosmetic surgery
Tattoos, Piercings, Cosmetic Surgery, and Medication from Foothills Community Church on Vimeo.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Little Reminder
I was just thinking about all that God is doing at Foothills Community Church and I couldn't help but think about what makes us tick as a church. This is our vision message from back in January! This is why we do what we do.
Vision 2010 from Foothills Community Church on Vimeo.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
sunday review
What an awesome day it was at Foothills Community Church!
** We started the new series, Questions Uncensored 2. We answered some pretty interesting questions (What does the Bible say about tattos, cosmetic surgery, and taking medication?). I love that the Bible is so complete when it comes to answering the questions of life that we all have! if you missed it, it will be available online on Wednesday.
** The worship team did an incredible job leading us this morning as usual!
** It looked like the attendance jumped up with school being back in session. I hear that our Kidzone attendance was WAY up today.
** I love the concourse conversations and meeting new people.
** I was reminded today that I am so glad we live under grace instead of the law. We have such freedom in Christ!
** For those of you who were at the 9:30am service, and wanted to see the tattoo fail pictures, we got them up for the 11:15 am service, so you can watch the service online here. The video will be up on Wednesday.
** Don't forget to mark your calendars for September 5th for the Baptism Party
** Our Toccoa campus had a very interesting Sunday. 5 minutes before the service started the transformer outside of their building blew----NO POWER! They changed things up on the fly and I hear that they had an incredible service. They did an acoustic worship set, and Pastor Brian brought a message. Way to go Toccoa!
** Great things are happening at Foothills. I can't wait to see what God is going to do this Fall!
** We started the new series, Questions Uncensored 2. We answered some pretty interesting questions (What does the Bible say about tattos, cosmetic surgery, and taking medication?). I love that the Bible is so complete when it comes to answering the questions of life that we all have! if you missed it, it will be available online on Wednesday.
** The worship team did an incredible job leading us this morning as usual!
** It looked like the attendance jumped up with school being back in session. I hear that our Kidzone attendance was WAY up today.
** I love the concourse conversations and meeting new people.
** I was reminded today that I am so glad we live under grace instead of the law. We have such freedom in Christ!
** For those of you who were at the 9:30am service, and wanted to see the tattoo fail pictures, we got them up for the 11:15 am service, so you can watch the service online here. The video will be up on Wednesday.
** Don't forget to mark your calendars for September 5th for the Baptism Party
** Our Toccoa campus had a very interesting Sunday. 5 minutes before the service started the transformer outside of their building blew----NO POWER! They changed things up on the fly and I hear that they had an incredible service. They did an acoustic worship set, and Pastor Brian brought a message. Way to go Toccoa!
** Great things are happening at Foothills. I can't wait to see what God is going to do this Fall!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Mark your calendars!
You need to mark your calendars for this party on September 5th!
A few years ago we used to have our baptisms in Lake Keowee. As our church grew it became increasingly difficult to find a place large enough to host us. We outgrew South Cove County Park, and High Falls, so we moved to Biggerstaff retreat center, but we soon outgrew it, but it was mostly a parking issue.
So you might be asking, "Well how are we going to have enough parking for everyone now?" Great question. This time we will not only use the parking lot at Biggerstaff, but we are also renting some property close by to park and we are renting 2 shuttle vans to move people.
It is going to be unbelievable! You will be hearing more about this on Sundays, but whatever you do, don't miss this epic party!
Bring enough food for your family plus one, FCC will provide plates, utensils, and drinks.
If you would like to be baptized, it's not too late, just check off the box on your flier this Sunday.
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