harvcarpenter.com

A few quick thoughts about yesterday’s worship & Core Group Meeting at LifeSpring:

• Only 28 more days until we relocate to the Altamonte Mall Theaters.
• Where will you get plugged in?  Where are you currently serving?  How will you contribute to our mission to reach people with God’s message of hope and forgiveness?
• Today we talked about what it means to be the salt of the earth.  Matthew 5:13-16
• Many Christians have lost their distinctiveness! Are you one of them?
• Our purpose as a church is clear:  To help those far from God become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 29:19-20 - The Great Commission – Check it!
• Perhaps it’s time to change the way you think about church.
• Christina Hazen talked about her amazing mission trip experience and how fulfulling it was to serve the needs of the orphans in Haiti.  Check her pics here.

As most of you know, Christian Hazen, who serves on the LifeSpring worship team and as the church administrator is in Haiti this week sharing her faith, teaching children and leading worship with a group from Northland Church.  Recently, she updated their mission team blog with their latest activities.

She returns on Sunday, August 15th and will being sharing the amazing things God is doing in Haiti and how her experiences have impacted her life.  Please keep her and the team in your prayers.

A few LifeSpring members visited C3 Church in Orlando last Sunday to experience first-hand what it’s like to worship in a movie theater:  Here’s what we discovered:

Worshiping in a movie theater…

1. WORKS!
2. Requires a ton of volunteers.
3. Is a total team effort.
4. Stretches one’s commitment to the mission.
5. Attracts people who may never come to a traditional church setting.
6. Is cost effective.
7. Is extremely safe and secure.
8. Is easy to find and everyone knows where it’s located.
9. May cause some to change the way they think about church.
10. Forces the team to think creatively.

These are a few of the observations I had about the experience.

Had a follow-up meeting with the GM of the Altamonte Mall Theaters to discuss details about the upcoming relocation.   There is no doubt this location will serve as an excellent venue for us to offer a weekly worship experience for many families. As we prepare to move, please consider your role in serving at LifeSpring and how you might be able to maximize your spiritual gift(s) by finding your unique area of service.   I really feel like God has given us an EXTRAordinary opportunity to impact Altamonte Springs with the message of Christ.

If ordinary people have the courage to take EXTRAordinary steps of faith… then EXTRAordinary things happen… the key is in the EXTRA! – Christine Caine

To close out the “Next 2010 Conference,”  Kevin DeYoung,  gave a list of suggestions for how to be a difference maker in the local church.  He said:

• Find a good local church.
• Get involved.
• Become a member.
• Stay there as long as you can.
• Put away thoughts of a revolution for a while.
• Join the plodding visionaries.
• Go to church this Sunday and worship in Spirit and truth.
• Be patient with your leaders.
• Rejoice when the gospel is faithfully proclaimed.
• Bear with those who hurt you.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt.
• Say “hi” to the teenager that no one notices.
• Welcome old ladies with blue hair and young men with tattoos.
• Volunteer for the nursery.
• Attend the congregational meeting.
• Bring your fried chicken to the potluck like everybody else.
• Invite a friend.
• Take a new couple out for coffee.
• Give to the Christmas offering.
• Sing like you mean it.
• Be thankful someone vacuumed the carpet for you.
• Enjoy the Sundays that “click.”
• Pray extra hard on the Sundays that don’t.
• And in all of this, do not despise the days and weeks and years of small things (Zechariah 4:8–10).

Great suggestions for helping the local church make a positive impact in our community.

I had a great conversation today with Pastor Jim Page from Calvary Church of the Nazarene about the possibly of partnering with us for the relocation/relaunch effort.  The focus was on helping strengthen our volunteer base in our children’s areas as we plan to offer a dynamic experience for kids.  From day one of the relocation we want to be able to offer a fully staffed Nursery/Toddle Care Center and unique Preschool and Elementary age options as well.   Rhonda Reeves, Associate Pastor at Calvary will be working with us to help staff these three vital areas of ministry.

We also discussed how LifeSpring will participate in Calvary’s mid-week programing.  Calvary has a full Wednesday evening schedule with opportunities for small group studies, children’s activities and much more.   I’m thankful to Pastor Jim Page for his willingness to see beyond our denominational differences and partner with us on our common love for the kingdom of God and life-change through Jesus Christ.