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Two Big Celebrations!
Sep 21, 2011 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Hey gang, here’re two videos regarding last Sunday’s
amazing baptisms and the launch of two sites on Oct 2nd…
And this is either the second video accompanying the one
above or it’s a photo of me getting ready to catch my own
head if it should suddenly happen to roll off my shoulders…
watershed moment
Sep 13, 2011 Uncategorized 3 Comments
No pun intended…we taught in depth on baptism for the first time last weekend in a message entitled Immerse Them and for me it was a watershed moment. At least as far as I understand what watershed means. I’m going with: Momentus.
It was a big deal because Christians, churches and denominations make a big deal out of baptism. Well, it IS a big deal, but we tend to make the wrong things the big deals, when it is the new believers declaration to associate with and put their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life that is the big deal!
Next week we are, as a result, doing a mass baptism! It promises to be a wonderful celebration with 15-20 folks already committed to participate! If your still praying and considering taking the step, let us know when you decide so we can plan on it. Remember my invitation: Don’t take the step of baptism unless you are compelled by Jesus and in response to his command, not the pressure of others, even a pastor. God forces no one to follow his Son, nor should we. Until it’s a real move of your own conscience, it’s not likely real.
But, even if you are undecided…on the fence…even coming into next Sunday’s service, I would suggest you bring a change of clothes and a towel. God may move you in the moment…that wouldn’t be unlike Him!
I’m still praying for many more of you to follow Jesus in this way as a way to get our own “house” in order as we step out in faith as a church and begin our season of two sites! Let’s never find ourselves in a predicament where we are hesitant to challenge others to obey because we know in our own soul we haven’t responded to God where he has called us.
I look forward with great anticipation for last weeks watershed moment to be eclipsed by a God-burst this Sunday!
where are they going to be?
Sep 7, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a comment
“Where are you gonna be?” will be a common question around Vista this month. As we prepare for two sites, it is natural to wonder what impact the change will have on our relationships. Who will be at Vista-Worthington and who will be at Vista-Dublin?
If you know where someone lives, that tells you a lot. Since the services will be virtually the same (except start time: 9:15@V-Worthington and 10:30@V-Dublin), most folks have indicated that they will likely gravitate toward the site closest to them…which makes great sense since much of our incentive is to bring the church closer to those your reaching out to in your neighborhoods, etc.
Staff are also be asked, “Where will you be?” Naturally. (Staff are people too!).
So, where will the staff — and elders — attend? The answer is both sites! Remember, the only staff assigned to a particular site is Brian Coffey, the Site Pastor for Vista-Worthington. The rest of the staff, including me, serve both sites equally.
Pastors Webb and Treichler equip and support ministries at both sites. Justin oversees the central office, worship teams and morning logistics at both sites through leaders at each site. Amber is the Kids Director for both sites (overseeing all 11 Vista Kids Community Coordinators), while Cindy directs family and women’s discipleship throughout Vista, etc, etc.
Worship leaders will tilt toward the site closest to their homes, but rotate to the other site once a month. I (pastor mike) will teach from 9:30-10:15AM at Worthington and then travel to Dublin to teach again from 10:45-11:30AM every week. In general, staff and elders will move around week to week.
For the first six months, we’ve asked staff to attend services at both places each week as much as possible. They will be at the start of both services sometimes, and sometimes they will be at the finish of both. After six months and once things begin to take shape and run smoothly, staff will begin to settle in near their homes. But we will still manage a scheduled rotation so that the entire staff will maintain a presence at both sites.
As you can see, we are quite serious about keeping Vista broadly connected as best we can, while fostering unique local expressions at the sites.
By its very nature, following Jesus requires sacrifice, and there is no doubt as the time draws near (very near!) we will all feel the sacrifices more and more acutely.
Thank you. Thank you for sacrificing and serving for his sake…for Jesus.
