Pictures…

Here are some pictures from the rehearsal and the first preview.

This is just the beginning…

Here are some emails I have received from Sunday…

“Thank you for the beautiful message Sunday. When I spoke with (Name Omitted) she explained you were hoping to reach those who just weren’t church going people. Well I wanted to let you know, you did just that as I sat there I
listen, and understood your message. I do look forward to Sept 30th and upset that I will be out of town Oct 21 but look forward to the future with Lifsong.  Thank you for the blessing you have given me.”

“Thanks for contacting me Sunday was awesome and we all can’t wait until Sept.30th. Last nite on the way home from picking up my son from his friends house he told me that he liked the church and can’t wait to get back. So I asked him did he just like it for the donuts or did he really
get it. He said not for the food but that he really got the message he felt as if he was being spoken to directly and he felt like he belonged… he said he finally felt like this is where he belonged and for that I am happy. That’s truly what I want.”

“I did enjoy the message and believe (know) it was bible based! It is amazing to me how many pastors ignore John 3:17 when they preach “Fire and Brimstone” messages… My life has been in turmoil lately and soon I will get involved with God’s start up “Lifesong” and be a contributing member. We enjoyed your “God’s” message and will be there next time and from here on out… My help is on the way and my meager prayers are with you. Thanks”

“Me and my family are very much looking forward to not only sept 30th but also the 16th at the park. We have
been looking for a church in griffin for about 2 yrs. We really hope this is it. Thanks again”

Lifesong church is already making an impact in peoples lives… the best is yet to come!

 

The Song has begun…

Lifesong’s first preview service was AWESOME!  The set up looked great, the kids loved Kids Kraze and Wee-Wonders, the band ROCKED,  people really connected with the message, and God was glorified.  We had a few minor snags (blowing the breaker in the worship theater @ 5 minutes into the service!!!) but it was an amazing day.  101people made history today and played a part in bringing the Song to life!  This is just the beginning… look out Griffin… Lifesong church is coming…

I’m going to bed now and sleep for a week.

WOW!!!

Just got in from our “dress rehersal” for our Preview Service.  This Sunday is going to be awesome… you need to be at the Griffin Stadium Cinema’s at 10am this Sunday… we will make you re-think church and “Lose your Religion!” 

Inspiration…

Where desperation meets inspiration miracles happen.  We are desperate to see this generation reached with the message of of Christ, we have been inspired by the vision God has given to see a church started that will become a comfortable and safe place to hear this Message, and amazing things are happening!  Lifesong church is coming and its impact is going to be HUGE… lives will be changed… the disconnected will reached… those hurting will find comfort… and Jesus will be made famous!  God is up to something… and its going to be awesome!

The wave is cresting… get ready for the ride! 

Kid Stuff

As a new church start, we must be strategic in what we put our energy and focus into doing and just as importantly what we don’t do.  I made the decision early that we would only do two things when we launched… provide a quality weekend worship experience and invest in an awesome childrens program.  We do this for one primary reason:  Focus – in narrowing our focus (in volunteers and resources) we maximize our ability to do them well.  Excellence is a core value and I believe in doing a few things well rather than many things poorly.

Does this mean that we will never have a youth ministry or small groups… no, but it does mean that we will wait until we can do these other ministries well. 

With that said… I am excited about our childrens weekend environments, Kids Kraze (elementary) and Wee-wonder (Birth – Preschool).  These areas are going to be awesome!  Kids are going to going to actually WANT to come to church! 

Great Day

Yesterday was a great day.  We took some of the team up to Loganville to check out Church at the Grove.  These guys (Russ Butcher & Craig Story)are making an impact in their community for the Kingdom and it was awesome to get a behind the scenes look at their church.  They have a heart for seeing those disconnected from God and for new church starts like us.  They have offered to do all our printing for the pre-view services and help in any way that they can!  It was an awesome day!

Just two weeks before the first pre-view service!  The Song is about to start… and its going to rock! 

Chase the Lion

Mark Batterson’s (the lead pastor of National Community Church) book “In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” has been on my “to read” list for some time… after reading this quote from the book it has moved to my next read.  This is great…

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion!

Really busy week…

Lifesongs first “pre-view” service is two weeks away!  I can’t believe that the time has gone so fast!  This past week has been crazy!

• Post card’s have been designed and ordered for the pre-view… they look awesome!  Much props to Eric!
• We have offically announced our location… The Griffin Staudium Cinema’s… look out Griffin – “Church @ the Movies” is coming soon!
• The stage, sound equipment and lights have been ordered and will arrive sometime over the next couple of weeks. 
• Anchor Church has become our second partner church!  Chuck Lewis (their pastor) has become a good friend over the last several months and has given some great advice and counsel.  They are sending a team over to help with the first pre-view, we are excited about working with our partner churches!
• We have made contact with the Spalding County Parks & Recreation Department to plan our Fall “Movie in the Park.”  I thought we where planning far enough in advance… maybe not.  The government does’nt move very fast.
• We have had custom printed t-shirts & hats GIVEN to us for our launch!  They have been designed and look great and will be here next week!
• The Launch Team met Sunday at the theater to plan the set-up.  The Children’s area (Kids Kraze) is going to be awesome.  Our Lobby are is going to look great!  The main theater we are using for worship has some challenges to overcome but it is going to ROCK!
• I have been preparing the messages for the pre-view services.  Get ready to “Lose your Religion” at Lifesong church!
• The band is coming together and will begin practice next week…

There is still alot to do, but it is coming together!  Just over two weeks!  Wow… this is going to be HUGE!  Make plans to be at the Griffin Stadium Cinema’s on Sunday August 26th @ 10AM… Lifesong is coming & it is going to make you re-think church! 

Our Method: Invite

Everyone is on a spiritual journey.   We feel that it is our responsibilty to invite people to take their next step on the road to becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ.  We all have a different step to take… we may be at different milepost’s on the road, but we all have a step to take.  No one has arrived.

For some, just coming to a church service is a major step.  Others find themselves confronted with the helplessness of a life without Christ and need to place their trust in Him.  Some need to take the next step into using their abilities in serving others… to get involved in the church.  It may be that you need to start something new or stop something old.   

The point is, everyone has a next step and it is the church’s responsibilty to invite people to take it.  In the church we call it “Spiritual Growth” and it is not a new concept.  Paul prayed that his church would grow… that they would take the next step.  This is our prayer for Lifesong, that we would grow closer to God in thought and in action and that those we have invested in will do the same.