At HBC Saturday Night (if you still haven't checked it out...you need to), we started a new series last weekend on the book of Philippians. I try not to get too excited about the next series until I am finished with the current series so I remain focused and centered on the sermon series at hand. Don't get me wrong, I loved teaching on the attributes of God and we saw much fruit from it, but there is just something special about the book of Philippians.
If you missed last week check out the sermon here: 11-05-2011 - Jared Moore
Hopefully you will see what I mean when I say that there is something special about this book written by Paul 2000 years ago that has enormous relevance to our lives today.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Book of the Month
Since I get asked by people what books I am currently reading, I have decided that each month, I will show you a book I have read or am reading for the month.
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So the book for month that I would encourage you to read is: 'Sun Stand Still' by Steven Furtick. This book has encouraged and challenged me more than any other book I have read in the last year. As I finish the last few chapters, I have been challenged to pray a 'high-risk' prayer and live a life of faith believing that God wants to accomplish the extraordinary in my life/ministry.
As we embark on HBC Saturday Night, I'm believing God will do the extraordinary in our ministry!!
So the book for month that I would encourage you to read is: 'Sun Stand Still' by Steven Furtick. This book has encouraged and challenged me more than any other book I have read in the last year. As I finish the last few chapters, I have been challenged to pray a 'high-risk' prayer and live a life of faith believing that God wants to accomplish the extraordinary in my life/ministry.
As we embark on HBC Saturday Night, I'm believing God will do the extraordinary in our ministry!!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Mission Trip Preparation
Don't get me wrong, I am very excited for our upcoming mission trip to Haiti (we leave in 2 days). When I mention to some of my pastor friends that I am taking 23 college/young adults with me and for 15 of them this is their first time on a cross-cultural mission trip, they look at me with that look which says that I am crazy without actually telling me that I am crazy. Normally, I wouldn't take this many, but we have a great group of young adutls going and I am confident they will do just fine. I have learned a lot over the last few months so I thought I would share a few pointers for the brave few, and I mean few, who wish to maybe one day plan a mission trip for their group.
1. Plan Enough In Advance - If you know me, you know that I am a planner and try to be well-organized. I would encourage you to begin the initial planning one year out. Time always moves faster than you think and I refuse to allow things to sneak up on me. Things always change when working with missionaries on a foreign country so being well prepared makes these changes a bit easier. This is also helpful in raising funds, we needed to raise $35,000 for our trip and all of our money has come in.
2. Use a Travel Agent - Takes all the headache away in using a quality travel agent. You will pay a fraction more for using an agent but it is a small cost for not having to worry about dealing with the airlines. As a leader of a group, the last thing you want to do is make sure you get enough seats on the plan and have every ones names spelled correctly.
3. Have Enough Team Meetings - We had 1 meeting each month (6 months out). We gave each team member enough information and made sure that each member knew exactly what is expected of them. Even though we had several meetings, I still get questions. I simply refer them to the handouts and tell them to read and memorize the booklets.
4. Pray - This should go without saying, but already we have seen God work in our group in numerous ways. God has proven himself faithful and we are already experiencing the fruit of our labors. Our prayer is that the gospel will be made known through us and God will receive the glory that He deserves!
1. Plan Enough In Advance - If you know me, you know that I am a planner and try to be well-organized. I would encourage you to begin the initial planning one year out. Time always moves faster than you think and I refuse to allow things to sneak up on me. Things always change when working with missionaries on a foreign country so being well prepared makes these changes a bit easier. This is also helpful in raising funds, we needed to raise $35,000 for our trip and all of our money has come in.
2. Use a Travel Agent - Takes all the headache away in using a quality travel agent. You will pay a fraction more for using an agent but it is a small cost for not having to worry about dealing with the airlines. As a leader of a group, the last thing you want to do is make sure you get enough seats on the plan and have every ones names spelled correctly.
3. Have Enough Team Meetings - We had 1 meeting each month (6 months out). We gave each team member enough information and made sure that each member knew exactly what is expected of them. Even though we had several meetings, I still get questions. I simply refer them to the handouts and tell them to read and memorize the booklets.
4. Pray - This should go without saying, but already we have seen God work in our group in numerous ways. God has proven himself faithful and we are already experiencing the fruit of our labors. Our prayer is that the gospel will be made known through us and God will receive the glory that He deserves!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Assimilation Processes
Over the past 3 months, I have been working with our Christian Education Pastor (Mark Antram) to develop a new assimilation process for HBC. There are tons of definitions for assimilate/assimilation but the easiest way I have defined this term is this: It is the basic process of taking new attendees of a church and giving them easy steps to become part of the local body.
My boss (my father and pastor) has given us the challenge to create this new process. We did plenty of research into other churches who have successful processes but we felt we needed to create something that fits our DNA. This has been a HUGE undertaking because we are creating from scratch a process that is original with us and fits into the purpose of HBC (Making much of Jesus by Worshiping, Growing, Building, Serving, and Reaching).
We have been blessed by God at HBC over the last year with many new families/people coming and many people trusting Christ. But if you know me, I’m never satisfied with how things are. I always think things can and should be better. Because of our lack of a process over the years, I believe we have hindered the spiritual growth of many and have made it difficult for new Christians to be effectively assimilated.
I believe more now than ever before that a successful assimilation process is a successful discipleship process. They go hand in hand. Not only will our people be encouraged to take their “next steps” in their faith, but they will be taught what it means to make much of Jesus by Worshiping, Growing, Building, Serving, and Reaching!
My boss (my father and pastor) has given us the challenge to create this new process. We did plenty of research into other churches who have successful processes but we felt we needed to create something that fits our DNA. This has been a HUGE undertaking because we are creating from scratch a process that is original with us and fits into the purpose of HBC (Making much of Jesus by Worshiping, Growing, Building, Serving, and Reaching).
We have been blessed by God at HBC over the last year with many new families/people coming and many people trusting Christ. But if you know me, I’m never satisfied with how things are. I always think things can and should be better. Because of our lack of a process over the years, I believe we have hindered the spiritual growth of many and have made it difficult for new Christians to be effectively assimilated.
I believe more now than ever before that a successful assimilation process is a successful discipleship process. They go hand in hand. Not only will our people be encouraged to take their “next steps” in their faith, but they will be taught what it means to make much of Jesus by Worshiping, Growing, Building, Serving, and Reaching!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Vision
Over the last several weeks, I have presented many changes to thegatheringgr.org about this ministry and HBC. It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm we all share about our ministry and the opportunities that await us. In case you missed it, here is some basic...and I mean basic info:
- There are 65,000 people in our local community that do not attend church regularly.
- HBC is launching a Saturday Night service (September 2011) to remedy this problem.
- I will be leading/teaching this service under the leadership of our senior pastor, Bo Moore.
- Nate Manning and the gathering band will be leading worship for this service.
- Saturday Night @ HBC will be committed to Bible Teaching, Contemporary Worship, Loving our Community, and Sharing the Gospel.
- Saturday Night will have a nursery, preschool, and full KiDS Ministry.
- The gathering will still exist but will be a "true" college ministry.
Continue to pray with us as we endeavour to reach our community with the life-changing message of the gospel. We have a BIG vision, but our God is BIG and our desire is that He will be pleased with what happens at HBC.
Stay tuned...more info to come soon about HBC Saturday Night!!
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