Sunday night thoughts…

• From the moment I got to the theater today, I just had a sense that God was going to do something BIG today… I commented to several people during set-up that there was a great spirit today, a “buzz” of anticipation.
• We had our HIGHEST attendance (by far) today… and more importantly FIVE people indicated they received Christ! 
• I literally couldn’t speak (not a good thing for a preacher) during the invitation and was overwhelmed with emotion at what God is doing through Lifesong church.
• The band did a good job today with all their songs, but “Lead Me To The Cross” was the most powerful time of worship that I have experienced at Lifesong… absolutely incredible.
• We had THIRTY kids in the children’s area today… TWELVE in the NURSERY ALONE!  Very Cool!
• I am excited about the changes we have implemented in our leadership structure… Josh Miller is our Director of Volunteers and is responsible for scheduling and oversight of the Roadies and First Impressions and Greg Wynn is now the Technical Director responsible for Worship Production.  In addition to Tammy (Children’s Director) and Jenny (Worship Leader) I believe that this will enable Lifesong to go to continue to grow and impact our area with the message of Christ.
• We have also started using an online volunteer management… if you are a volunteer you should have gotten an email from Planning Center Online with log-in info.  This is another change that we must make as Lifesong continues to grow… VERY COOL! 
• It is hard to believe that Lifesong church was not even officially launched this time last year… God continues to do Ephesians 3:20 things… may He NEVER stop.
• Just finished up up with Emma’s fourth birthday party… she had a blast and It was great to see all of her friends for Lifesong here!  Thanks for making my little girls party a success. 
• I am honored to be your Pastor!

Answered prayers…

I wrote a couple of months ago about some specific goals that I had for Lifesong church to accomplish by our first birthday… thought I would share how they are going…

• For twenty-five people to give their life to Christ through the ministry of Lifesong church… Nineteen peoplehave indicated that they have received Christ!!! Thats NOT normal!
• For us to have 125 in average attendance… I keep up with ten-week averages and Lifesong has GROWN in EVERYcategory EVERY reporting period!  We have not hit the 125 mark (YET!) but we will be soon! 
• For 60% of our adult attendance to be active in volunteering… We have HIT THIS GOAL!!!  This is a HUGEanswer to prayer!  There is still alot of work to do, so if you are not volunteering and call Lifesong home… get off your butt and do something 🙂 !
• For us to launch our Life Groups with 50% of our adults involved…  It looks like we will have SEVEN Life Groups ready to launch out this October.  Sign ups will start very soon.
• For 40% of our adults to have gone through Lifesong’s NEXT Step class, signed the Partnership Covenant and become partners of Lifesong church….  We are just over 30% now and we had our largest NEXT Step class just two weeks ago!  Very cool!

God is doing some UNBELIEVABLE things and its just the beginning!  I feel that we are on the VERGE of even GREATER things… get ready.

Sunday night thoughts…

• Really good day today… seeing all the new faces stepping up and volunteering is awesome!
• I dont think I have had that many people crying during a service before.  It was a powerful message and the video really hit home.  I will try to get the video up on the youtube page this week.
• Danny straight up nailed “100 Years“… the dude got pipes! 
• It looks like we will have seven Life Groups launching out next month… be looking out for more info soon and don’t be surprised if a Life Group host tries to bribe you to join there group 😉 .
• Lots of Membership Covenants turned in today!  I love seeing people “catch” the vision of Lifesong.
• Had our first Leadership Team meeting tonight… as Lifesong grows we must change and adapt.  I am excited about the changes that are coming!  We must get the structure in place to handle what God is about to unleash on Lifesong.  Are you ready?
• I am still trying to process everything that Perry covered during the coaching network this past Thursday… absolutely incredible stuff.
• The best is yet to come…

Wisdom…

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Proverbs 4:7 NIV

I am headed up to Anderson for the coaching network.  A church (or any organization) will never go farther than the leader is willing to go himself.  I believe that Lifesong is making a HUGE impact for the Kingdom and I want to be the best equipped leader that I can be so that our influence only INCREASES!. Its an investment… but worth it!  If you think about it, pray for me. 

I wonder of I will get the Buick again?

Blessed…

Saturday morning we had family pictures done… seeing these pictures reminds me of just how blessed I am.  Much thanks to Holly for giving up her morning and taking them… if you are looking for a GREAT photographer give her a shout!

Sunday night thoughts…

• I know I say this alot… but it was an awesome day!
• Great attendance today, kids area was back up and the nursery was slammed (ELEVEN BABIES!!!)… very cool!
• The volunteers of Lifesong ROCK… you never cease to amaze me.
• I think we are going to be breaking through a major growth barrier very soon… get ready!
• The band sounded really good today, even having one of the regulars out… its awesome having so many talented people in the band.
• Based on your feedback the message must have really connected today.  Are you willing to fight for peace?
• Just finished up with our NEXT Step class… biggest crowd yet to go through!  Just awesome! 
• I really enjoyed getting to hang out and get to know so many new people… very cool!
• God really answered  a prayer today concerning finances… second largest offering Lifesong has ever had!  It takes money to do ministry and generous giving is a sign of a healthy church.
•  Excited about all of the new people stepping up to volunteer… its hard work, but the most rewarding thing you can EVER be a part of!
• Can’t wait to head up to Newspring for the coaching network with Perry Noble this Thursday.  To say that I was stretched last month would be an understatement. 
• The Bulldogs looked BAD yesterday… the only bright spot was they didn’t look as bad as Auburn! 
• Invite somebody to come with you next Sunday!

Ummmm…

I am pretty sure this was not the “foolishness” that the Bible talks about… the dude has moves at 1:50 though!  And we wonder why people don’t want to come to church…

Monday morning funny…

Sunday night thoughts…

• What an incredible Sunday weekend!
• Lifesong was able to partner up with the city for a downtown music festival on Saturday… it was ALOT of work, but it gave us the chance to make an impact in our community.  Much props to Greg, Brian, Josh and Barry for putting in a LONG day and handling all of the “unexpected” things that came up!  “Dancing Queen” anybody 😉 ?
• This morning we kicked off our ALIVE serie… it was a POWERFUL service… One persons comment really summed it up when she said “all I can say is WOW!”
• I couldn’t sleep last night from my excitement (and the burden) about the message… I was up at 4 a.m. and was pretty wiped out before the service began from the weekend… I am glad that HE is made strong in my weakness because the message really connected.
• Just got in from our joint communion service with Journey Church… just awesome!  Really made our first communion as a church special.  
• Over twenty of us went to dinner and hung out afterwards… I love seeing people begin to create community!
• LOTS of guests today!  Great response to the mailout.
• Several of you have signed up for Sundays NEXT Step class today… I think there is still room for a few more… send an email to mark@lifesonglive.com to sign up.
• The band really pulled it out today… we are blessed with some awesome (MULTITALENTED) musicians that can fill in where needed… great job on “Live Like You Are Dying“! 
• Today is Jenny’s (worship diva’s) birthday!  I am HORRIBLE with dates… so I forgot 😦
• Having the chance to serve our folks communion and pray with you was very special to me… I am honored to be your pastor.

Clarity…

This weekend we kick off our new series ALIVE… make sure you invest in SOMEONE and invite them to Lifesong church this weekend.