Replacing The Toxic Thoughts

We are in the middle of our Toxic series at Life Church and week one was about toxic thoughts. Boy, did this message speak to so many people.

My prayer this week for you and myself is this scripture:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is ― his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

So, take your toxic thoughts about life, money, relationships, God and renew your mind to remember and believe the truths of God word:

Luke 18:27....... "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Josh 1:9............ "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Rom 8:28............ "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Around Life

Here's a few things going on around Life Church:

- We are collecting school supply items for kids here in Franklin. We will collect the following items on Sunday mornings for the next 2 weeks:
Pencils, Glue sticks, Crayons, Markers, Scissors, Loose leaf paper, Pencil boxes, Spiral notebooks.
You can also drop them off at the Life Church office at 37 Phillips Street, Franklin, NC. (We are across from DNET Internet and upstairs above Goshen Timber Frames in downtown Franklin. You can also leave the items at Goshen Timber Frames.)

- Yesterday's worship experience was amazing. What a powerful word of overcoming toxic thoughts from Craig Groeschel. Watch the message here.

- I had a great conversation with several new guests yesterday, but one stood out. A man and wife said he had been to church before, but he had never been to church like this. I wondered if that was a good or bad thing in his mind. So I asked. He said it was a great thing and that he was coming back next week for sure. That was awesome.

- As we keep growing as a church we have one huge need in our volunteers. We need more help Sunday mornings with setup. As a portable church we need help setting up every week. We are growing and thing are getting bigger. We need 6 more setup volunteers ASAP to help us get things setup properly and quickly. We begin at 8:30am Sundays. Please consider helping us out. Sign up online here!

- Keep praying and inviting people to Life Church. God is doing some amazing things and we are in the mist of it all!

Patrick

Why Numbers Matter

I've been thinking a lot lately about numbers and church church growth and I came to a reaffirming idea that numbers do matter. Numbers or people at Life Church matter because each number represents a person, a soul. We want to lead that person to become a fully devoted follower of Christ.

The other reason numbers matter is because I think it shows the heart beat of the church for those far from God. I'm not saying bigger numbers are better or the other way around, but I think a church of any size that is not growing in numbers has lost focus of what the Church really is. The Church exists for the world. It exists to preach the Gospel and be the hands and feet of Jesus. If we do that with great passion and vision then over time (whether its 1,000 or just 1 by 1) we will see our local church numbers grow because people will be finding new life in Jesus Christ.

It pains me that myself and other Christians have been okay with not seeing the numbers increase, because as I said, those numbers represent lives. It's not numbers for the sake of numbers. It numbers for the sake of the Gospel to see lives changed by the power of Jesus Christ love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

My prayer is that the local churches of western North Carolina and Franklin, NC become fed up with not seeing people come to their church to hear the Gospel and know Christ's perfect love. They will come and the "numbers" will increase as we act like the church God wants us to be by serving, caring for and loving our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family.

Will you help me help increase the numbers (lives changed by Jesus love and the power of the Gospel we have to show and preach)?

Toxic: Coming Soon

Here is the new series starting this Sunday!

Around Life

Here's a few thoughts from yesterday's worship experience and other happenings at Life Church:

- The worship team was amazing yesterday. The sound and skill of our team never ceases to amaze me, but more importantly, they love to lead people in to a Spirit filled time of worshiping God. If you're not reading our Worship Pastor Jason Nicholas' blog, you need to.

- We wrapped up our last week of At The Movies. It was another powerful day. Even through our trials and sufferings we have to chase after the God given dreams He has given us. Don't know what your God given dream is? Starting praying for it today!

- I love meeting new people. It is so cool to see and meet 20 or 30 new people almost every week! Keep inviting your friends, co-workers and anyone else you meet to Life Church.

- We are excited to announce the addition of Lisa Hanna to our staff! Lisa will be starting full time with us in August as our LifeKIDS Coordinator. I will be adding a short video interview on this blog with Lisa later this week so you can get to know her.

Have a great week!

Patrick