Merry Christmas from ConnexionChurch.tv

Weekend Reflection

Yesterday was an awesome day.  The band was on yesterday and we had a great service.  The afternoon was busy and the evening was great! We got to hang out with a little over 30 people from ConnexionChurch who went Christmas Caroling at Springmoor and then to our house for appetizers and a lot of fun.  We had a blast! 

God is awesome and I can't wait to see what He has in store for 2009.  In January we begin ConnexionGroups, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, our next Series "Now What?" and I can't wait.  Help us pray as together we lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ!

I Corinthians 2.9 says | No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Christmas Cheer

Connexion Christmas Caroling

Date | 14 December 2008

Time | 5:00P

Location | Springmoor LifeCare Center | Creedmoor at Sawmill

For more information visit www.connexionchurch.tv

What I'm Reading

I've been reading it | How Churches and Leaders Can Get it and Keep it | by Craig Groeschel, Pastor of LifeChurch in Oklahoma City.  It's very good book talking about, what I consider, the anointing of God.  If our goal is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ, we can't do it by ourselves. The Holy Spirit must be active within us and our minds, and hearts, must be focused on Christ and what He wants.

In the first section of the book, Pastor Craig give what he calls the best description of what it is and the qualities an it church has:

- A Passion for His Presence

- A Deep Craving to Reach the Lost

- Sincere Intregrity

- Spirit Filled Faith

- Down to Earth Humility

- Brokeness

We'll talk about this more in future blogs, but let me ask a couple of questions:

- Are these qualities alive in you?

- Is there an obvious quality that is neglected in your life and needs nurturing?

- What will you do differently to see these qualities come to life in you?

Let's be life-giving, let's pursuit the heart of God and with complete devotion, let's impact Raleigh with good news - the message of Christ!

Join us for our latest series :: The Pursuit of Joy

Every Sunday at 10.30AM

Lynn Road Elementary School

visit www.connexionchurch.tv for more info and directions.

ConnexionChurch.tv Launches

ConnexionChurch.tv is now three weeks old.  We had a great Launch Sunday and God is blessing. We've had new people visit the church each week and it's been a blessing meeting them and getting to know them.  Keep ConnexionChurch in your prayers.  We want to be life-giving and lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.  The more I read and study churches, the more I hear that phrase . . . it sums up, in the most simple terms, what God's desire is for everyone.  The journey of growing in God brings both joy and pain; but it's all good for those who love God and are living out His purpose. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ is never an over-night process, it rarely happens at a single event, or in one service; it's a process that God carries us through.  God's awesome!

Launch Sunday

Mark Batterson's New Book :: Wild Goose Chase

Most of us have no idea where we're going most of the time.  Perfect.

"Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit - An Geadh-Glas, or 'the Wild Goose.'  The name hints at mystery.  Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of god cannot be tracked or tamed.  An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him.  And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it's like to follow the Spirit through life.  I think the Celtic Christians were on to something . . . 

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time.  And I know that is unsettling.  but circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name:  Adventure."  --from the introduction.

About Mark Batterson

Mark is the lead pastor of Washington, DC's National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America's most innovative churches.  NCC meets in move theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station.  More than seventy percent of NCC'ers are single twenty-somethings who live or work on Capitol Hill.  Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com).  He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora and their three children.

Wild Goose Chase can be purchased at www.amazon.com.

September 21 Is On The Way

Today was our third Sunday at Lynn Road Elementary School. It has been going very well.  We have our set-up time to around 30 minutes and tear-down is about 25 minutes.  Our team is the best!  We couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with.  Please be in prayer for us, there are a few ministry areas we need to fill, but now worries we're doing our part and I know God will do His.

We just finished a TellStart campaign, thousands of people in Raleigh heard about the church plant.  We had 117 families that responded to the message and are planning to join us. If you need direct marketing go to www.tellstart.com, they do a great job!

Our first series is True Life . . . that's the message we want people to hear.  God is good and people need Him.  Help us pray that we will lead people into a growing relationship with Him.  

Thanks for your prayer and tell everyone you know about ConnexionChurch, we begin September 21.

Weekend Update

We had a great weekend, here it goes . . . 

1. Our ConnexionGroups are awesome...we had a great one Friday night - there was no more space in our living room and we were missing quite a few.

2. Travis brought by our ConnexionGroup sign, it looks awesome. The car magnets are awesome too. Thanks Travis for all your help (and Pam for working it out).

3. iConnect was incredible.  Not as many guests as we had hoped, but the team worked together and we had a lot of fun. Lessons were learned that we need to grow on.

4. This Sunday was our last day at The Capital. Many of the launch team members were there for a commissioning prayer from The Capital. It was a great day!

5. Thanks Capital for all you have done - keep us in prayer and know that what God has begun in you we want to continue in North Raleigh . . . leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ!

God is Good!

1 Samuel 16.7
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Yesterday I began thinking of two key words . . . Impress and Exhibit and this verse came to mind.  We often think that church only deals with our spiritual side, but I'm not sure that's the case.  In the context of this verse, we see that Samuel looked at Eliab and thought he was of God.  However, God made it clear that Eliab was not "the guy" and explained to Samuel that people look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

It seems that many believers try to play God's role by looking at the outer and judging the heart.  This verse doesn't ask us to do that . . . and we shouldn't try.  This verse simply states the facts that we [people] gather information from what we see.  God in his infinite wisdom, however, knows the deepest intents, motives and desires our hearts.  So, where does Impress and Exhibit come into play.  I'm glad you asked!

Consider this, as ConnexionChurch launches we need to keep in mind that God works through relationships.  If  what people see attracts them, that's great.  Let's try to do everything we can to give a Great Impression, after all, people look at those things.  Impressing doesn't change peoples hearts, but it does keep them coming back.  We also need to Exhibit.  More than likely people will not see Jesus in His flesh come and worship with us on Launch Sunday.  However, if we are fully devoted to Jesus they will see Him in us.  As the song says, we become His hands and feet.  It is vitally important we show the love, mercy, grace and hope that we know in Jesus.  Its only when people see Christ in us that ConnexionChurch can make a difference.  Seeing Christ deals with our attitudes, motives, putting others first, faith in Christ and the list goes on.

Impression is important . . . it keeps people coming back.  Exhibiting Christ is important . . . it will lead people to salvation.  We need both!

Do you make it a priority to exhibit Christ?  Have you ever been guilty of  judging the heart because of the exterior?  Make it your prayer to Exhibit Christ and let the Holy Spirit do the heart-work.

Just a Week Away

Random Thoughts

- God is good, all the time . . . all the time, God is good!

- We have an awesome launch team . . . they are the best!

- We have an awesome "mother church" The Capital Church, Garner, NC . . . whose vision 40 years ago when they planted was to plant another church.  The wisdom and diligence God has given them has made ConnexionChurch possible today.

- Our launch is only 6 weeks away

- Revival is seeing people come to know Christ . . . I'm ready for revival!

- Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

- God never fails, He is always faithful . . . He has shown His faithfulness every step of this church launch

- Never forget our goal . . . to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

- Excellence is not perfection . . . its giving your best.

- Pray, pray, pray for the team, the people we are ministering to, for wisdom, courage and strength.

What are your random thoughts, please share.

Dangerous Church

Over the past few days, I've been thinking about what church is and is not all about.  It seems that we've made church safe . . . comfortable, no hick-ups and no real expectations.  Read through Acts . . . particularly Paul's events.  Now he played it safe . . . imprisoned, beat up, snake bit, shipwrecked, mobs, riots, assassination attempts on him . . . and he still wanted to stay on earth because people needed someone to tell them about Jesus.

Paul knew that safety was not the concern . . . unless its the safety of a soul in eternity.  He had a message - Jesus Christ.  He had a passion - sharing with people. He had a mission - to see people come to know Christ.  Everything else was secondary.  I think we have to ask ourselves . . . Are we true to the message? Are we passionate about people? Are we focused on our mission?  Many believers struggle with this, but we don't have to.  Go back and read Acts . . . not for the manifestations that occurred . . . but for the attitude of "Whatever it takes I will share Christ!"  Let God stir in you a passion to see people changed through the message of Jesus Christ.

Church has been safe too long - let's be a New Testament church . . . let's be dangerous!

Has church become safe and comfortable for you?  Are you willing to be a dangerous church?  What do you think is more important - safety or reaching people with a life-giving message?

I would like to hear from you.

The Nature of ConnexionChurch | pt 4

The Church is a Flock (perhaps Jesus' favorite description of the Church)

John 10.1-30; Matthew 26.31; Matthew 25.33

John10.9-10

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.  They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Therefore it is cared for and led by SHEPHERDS.

Several terms are used in the New Testament to refer to the same church leader:

- "Poimen" ; pastor/shepherd

- "Presbuteros"; elder

-"Episcopos"; overseer and bishop

1 Peter 5.1-2

To the elders I say . . . Be shepherds of God's flock, serving as overseers.

Acts 20.17-18, 28

Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived he said to them . . . Guard yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made your overseers. Be pastors of the church of God . . ."

see also Titus 1.5-7; 1 Timothy 5.17; 1 Peter 2.25

Summary of the Nature of ConnexionChurch:

1- We are a Fellowship

2- We are a Family

3- We are a Body

4- We are a Flock

The Growth Spectrum

I must confess . . . God is reminding me what's important.  Do you ever feel like you've had a "butt-whipping" from God.  I feel like that today.  It started yesterday afternoon talking with my coach from ARC (www.relatedchurches.com).  Then it continued last night reading Acts 14, then again this morning as I was reading Acts 14 again. So here it is . . .  we must remember that with all their is to do in planting a church (starting a new job, beginning a new life-stage, getting married, where-ever it is you may be in your spiritual journey) we can't forget what we are here to do.

For us all the things we have to do include:

- secure a location

- set-up the children's ministry

- recruit a worship team

- form a 'first touch' team

- develop the sermon series

- buy equipment

- get a trailer

- etc., etc., etc.

But, what we are here to do is . . . to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ! In order to do that we have to grow in our relationship with Christ - the fruit of your growth and my growth is that we will be used by God to lead other people to grow in their relationship with Christ.  God's plan for reaching people is through you and me . . . all of us are ministers.  So how 'bout it . . . where are you in the growth spectrum?  Are you growing? Is your life affecting someone else? Is your faith stronger today than yesterday? If for whatever reason you feel that your relationship with God is weaker today than it has been, then I encourage you to stop what you are doing, take time to focus on God, ask Him for renewed strength, and make Him number 1 again!  A couple of things are certain . . . God hasn't gone anywhere and He wants a close relationship with you!

Isaiah 40.31

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength . . . 

What do you do to protect your relationship with God?  What helps you grow stronger in Christ?  Where are you in the 'Growth Spectrum'?  I would like to hear from you.

Relationships versus Rules

I'm pretty competitive when it comes to games.  I like to know what the rules are . . . and if it's a board game the rules sheet is always nearby and I often refer to it (needless to say, I like when they work to my advantage).  Rules are good, they keep order, hopefully they keep you focused, they make things run smoothly, our streets are chaotic without them.  But . . . how do rules affect our relationships.

In relationships rules are needed as well, but what happens when the rules are protected more than the relationship is valued? (I'm inserting a test to see who reads the blogs, if you are reading this - please reply to this blog with a 'yes' if I don't hear from you I assume you didn't get this far. Thanks for your help.)  I wander how Jesus felt when the rules of the Pharisees were more valued than His message of hope, life and salvation.  Sometimes it seems that we are far more concerned about policy and our rules than we are in seeing someone grow as a follower of Christ.  Perhaps it is not a matter of relationships versus rules, rather which do we value more . . . which is most important?  This week, think about the balance you have between rules and relationships. Think about what matters the most . . . which do you protect the most . . . how do you allow rules to strengthen relationships, how do you allow rules to hurt relationships?  Which do you value the most?

What is most important to you, I want to hear from you?

Churches Helping Churches

Yesterday we had the opportunity to share the vision of ConnexionChurch with Glad Tidings Church in Morehead City.  Pastor Tim Marriner (who formerly pastored The Capital Church our mother church) invited us to share what we are doing with their church.  Wow!!! What an incredible spirit of life and joy they have.  Thanks Pastor Tim and Glad Tidings for allowing us to come and for your support! You all are awesome.  If you're ever in Morehead City, NC be sure to visit them.  You can visit them on the web at www.gtcalive.com.

Let's Tweet

Leadership requires constant learning.  When we stop learning our leadership will sooner or later (mostly sooner) begin to make less of an impact.  As leaders its important the we remain constant learners.  I've always found it interesting to know how great leaders think - church leaders, business leaders, political leaders - so that it will challenge me to become a more effective leader. I found a neat webtool the other day that gives insight into this.  Take a look at www.twitter.com

Its really cool to hear how other leaders use their time, what they prioritize, how they have fun and what they do to energize.  If you decide to follow people, stay on guard.  Be careful who you follow and always ask yourself is this helping me grow as a leader and a Christ-follower.  If it doesn't then don't bother with it.  So far I've found it to be useful . . . so let's tweet.

Do you tweet?  How do you build the leadership potential in you? What leaders do you read, follow, listen to, etc?

The Nature of ConnexionChurch | pt 3

ConnexionChurch is a BODY

Many churches operate as a business, decisions are based on what is the best interest of the church as a business.  At Connexion, we strive to be a body -  not a business.  An organism -  not an organization.  Because of this, we strive to function on the basis of Spiritual Gifts.  

In an organization - maintenance becomes the focus. In an organism - ministry is the focus.  Our goal is to maximize ministry, minimize maintenance and see people function as ministers.

Romans 12.4-6 

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We each have different gifts according to the grace given to us.

- Joe Francisco

For earlier posts on this topic visit www.connexionchurch.tv

Time = People

So, I received an email recently from a sales trainer who wants to motivate me to make more sales.  Attached to the email is a chart called Time = Money.  For example, if you make $100,000 per year, then one week of your time is work $1,923.  One day of your time is worth $382.60. One hour of your time is worth $48.08, and one minute of your time is worth $.80.  In return, an hour saved each week for one year equals $2,500 saved.  This chart bring things into perspective for me as far as time management in concerned, BUT . . . think about time management this way.

Many of you will be investing a lot of your time into the launch of ConnexionChurch.  I want to share with you what your time means to us and to the Kingdom of God . . . 

If you invest one hour a week at Connexion and 8 people make a decision for Christ each week; you will have invested 52 hours over the course of the year and 416 people will have made a life-changing decision for Christ.  I am convinced that ConnexionChurch will see more than 416 people make that decision.  However, if we all consider what our time means to the Kingdom of God, we will see that one hour a week is definitely worth 8 decisions of life-change.  Even if you sacrifice as much as 8 hours each week it is well worth the time invested because every hour equals 1 soul.  Thank you for all your hard work, sacrifice and input.  ConnexionChurch could not and would not exist without your sacrifices! And for that we say THANK YOU!  You guys are awesome and I can't wait to see how God uses each of your gifts this year.  Hey continue to read the blogs Joe is posting called "The Nature of ConnexionChurch," I think his writings are going to be very insightful to the heart of our launch.

Many of you will be investing a lot of your time into this launch.  Just know what your time means to us and to the Kingdom of God!

- Bill Rose