KennyHibbard.com

If you are reading this......you forgot to change

2009-04-13T08:32:00.002-04:00

Hey!

Kenny Hibbard's daily BLOG is at a new site! Click here to go there and then save this to your bookmark daily page.

It is Kennyhibbard.com

Good Friday.......Great Sunday

2009-04-10T08:17:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new BLOG.....You may never see this that I am writing. Why? Because I am not sure how to use the style just yet! HA HA

Easter is this Sunday! We need all Team Church regulars that will be here for both services to park in the new upper parking on the hill or to park across the street at the warehouse parking.

We need all Team Church regulars to sit up front and close together in the auditorium. Lets leave the back for our guest who may want to slip in and grab a back seat.

Tomorrow, tons of volunteers are driving to be a part of our Easter Egg Hunt and family day for the launch of Team Church, Lancaster Co. We are expecting huge crowds on Saturday and Sunday for the official launch of our new campus. This will be a great weekend for both campus locations.

Today is Good Friday. The day we remember the brutal death on the Cross of Jesus. Today is Friday....but Sunday is coming!

Luke 23
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

1 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”

3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”

5 Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”

6 “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7 When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

8 Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)

13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
The Crucifixion

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus

44 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

New Look & New Site

2009-04-09T07:50:00.003-04:00

Our new Team Church website has been up and running since January. Each month we are able to add new aspects to the website to better serve YOU! One of these new aspects is the ability for new BLOGS by a few staff members. Our Student Ministry and Kids ministry each have their own BLOG to help keep YOU updated and informed. Rick Faulkner, our Executive Pastor, will be using a BLOG format to keep you posted on the "Business" side of the church and I too have a new site. It is just Kennyhibbard.com Tag that site and replace the old one so that it comes up automatically. (my other site had the word blog in it and was not linked to our website.)

Have you been to our website and clicked around? You should go and see all the cool stuff. The site is not full of stuff that is useless information that is hard to find. KC Clark did a great job in designing the site to be easy to navigate and only have needed info on it. Moreover, you can use it to peak someones interest in Team Church by having them go and learn about the different ministries we offer, or our 10 for 10 anniversary project that is impacting our city in ways that is shocking people in this economy!

Maybe you need to keep up with what is happening at our new campus in Lancaster Co. The website is something you should save as your computers home page and make sure you keep up! Things at Team Church happen fast and this is a great way to stay involved and current with what is going on.

Who are you inviting to Easter? It is going to be great as we celebrate Easter and launch our new series.

Luke 22:47-71

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” 65 And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.

Jesus before the Council

66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,[a] 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”

But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.”

70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?”

And he replied, “You say that I am.”

71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”

A Lesson on Obedience and Patience

2009-04-08T07:43:00.002-04:00

Peyton, my eleven year old, is getting to old for me to use him as much for Sunday morning message illustrations anymore. The older he gets the more in tune he is to what is said on Sunday and of course he now dislikes it when someone says something to him that I said on Sunday....so I have stopped telling as many stories.

However, he does not read the BLOG and most of his buddies do not either. So....the WWW is free game for a little while......

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I heard a scream and some crying. Peyton came limping into our room saying he had hurt his foot and it was bleeding. I took him into the bathroom and by this time Kelly had also joined us. Sure enough he had two toes bleeding and they look cut and smashed all at the same time. He will probably lose two toe nails and be limping for a day or two. While getting ready to take care of him....I asked him...."how did this happen?"

To make a long story short....He had a friend over to stay the night (Spring Break) and wanted to show him his picture album project from his trip to Williamsburg last year. His friend had just got back with his school last week. Peyton had asked his mom where it was and could he get it. She told him it was in the top of the closet with a bunch of stuff on it and that she wold get it in the morning. She told him NOT to try and reach it himself and just to wait until in the morning.

While listening is usually something he will do, patience is not a virtue in his vocabulary. His lack of patience won out and he tried to get the album himself. While doing this, a heavy wooden item fell and "smashed his toes." My empathy for his smashed toes quickly vanished as I learned the reason why it happened.

In our last series I mentioned how easy it was to understand why God says to us No, Slow or Go. It is easy to understand why God does a lot of things when we just think about why we do what we do as parents. Moreover, it is easy to see why we sometimes get wounded and smashed in life.....because we disobey our Heavenly Father. Or, because we simply are not patient. It really is pretty simple.....

As Peyton stopped crying, but was still feeling the pain of throbbing toes....I thought I would help him have a teachable lesson from his memorable experience. I told him with a hint of humor:

1) Always remember....."if you do the crime....you will do the time."
2) "Your sins will find you out...what is done in the darkness will be brought to light."

He looked up at me with a "you have got to be kidding me" look. I kissed him on the forehead and jokingly said to him as I went back to bed and left him with his ice pack...."bet you wont do that again?" HA HA

The next three days I will give you the verses to help you prepare for Easter!

Luke 22

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.

He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

Stage Is Set

2009-04-07T09:22:00.002-04:00

On Sunday afternoon Team Church volunteers began the process of tearing down the old stage design and building the new one. Yesterday I saw it almost complete.....and it is incredible. It will be a great way to help celebrate Easter and kick off our new message series called Uncommon.

I love the fact that our Sundays are so creatively driven! It only happens because of our great staff and volunteers who oversee the stage, tech, lights, video, worship and even the look of each service. Great job!

As I said on Sunday.....we will make sure Easter is a great experience for all who come. Moreover, they will experience the power and grace of God in a special way. One of your responsibilities is to invite and bring a a friend, family member or even an enemy to church with you. At Team Church we say that we have One Purpose and a Shared Responsibility! One of those Shared Responsibilities is to Share Christ with others. You can do that by inviting to a Sunday service. Easter is great time to do that! Lets all Team up this Sunday and bring someone who needs experience Jesus Christ in a new and fresh way....those of us who are responsible for the service will do our part!

"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.""Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."

Luke 22:7-13

Big Baby!

2009-04-06T07:25:00.002-04:00

What a great Sunday we had yesterday! The Green Light message was a great way to end a very good series. We are set and ready for Easter coming this coming Sunday.

However, it was the end of the second service that I really liked. I walked by the Crisis Pregnancy Center display that we had put in the information kiosk area and noticed that there were only about 15 bottles left. As you know, this is our 5th service project out of 10 for our anniversary. We are asking people to fill these baby bottles with change and then return it to our display at the church. At the end of this month we will take the filled bottles back to the center. Yesterday we filled the crib with 400 baby bottles. Again, after only one Sunday.....all but 15 were gone. We will get more for next week!

We chose the Crisis Pregnancy Center because of the great work they do fro unwed ladies who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and in crisis mode. Too many times the church in America speaks out against abortion but does not do anything to help in the time of crisis. We don't want to be a church that stands against something, yet does not offer solutions and help. Our new Presidential administration supports abortion and is giving federal aid to support it here and in other countries. Like no other time we must help support agencies that will give moms a better option.

I can't wait until the day that Team Church will have a Crisis Pregnancy Center and Adoption support system on our campus. The need is great and will now only get greater! Great job Team Church!

Don't forget to pass out the Uncommon Easter cards and to use our website to invite people this Sunday to Easter!

Building In Use

2009-04-03T08:34:00.002-04:00

Last night was a great night for the vision and mission of Team Church.

In the main auditorium 60 parents gathered to begin a 10 week video/group discussion Home Team called Grace Parenting. This is led by Clint Newton, our Kid's Pastor and Lisa Grant, one of our staff counselors who specializes in family matters.

In the upstairs auditorium there were over 40 people from Champion Christian Center. They were here for their monthly church leadership training. They do not have a church facility of their own...so we Team up with them to help them accomplish their mission. Moreover, to fulfill our stated vision when we built this great facility....as a church...they can use the pace for FREE! It is our privilege to help them!

Down stairs in the kids rooms were to more Home Teams that were meeting. One really cool group is Wild At Heart group. This is a group of dads who are learning how to raise boys who will be men of God. They are learning what boys need and what specific challenges their sons may have! Great idea!

I love sharing these kinds of things about our church every so often.......why? Because just over a year ago we stated that our desire was that this incredible campus would be used as much as possible to help reach our community, teach and train our kids and teens, and that this 60 acre campus would develop into a place of destination for thousands of people to have their lives changed. We stated that we believed that kids, teens and even adults cannot grow into fully devoted followers of Christ if they just show up here for a "great service" once a week. Especially for kids and teens....in this culture....they need more avenues of growth, encouragement and learning. This past Wednesday night our Student Ministry had it largest night ever for Pursuit. Word is getting out in the High Schools that Team Church Wednesday night is AWESOME!

We cannot have a life that revolves around the claims of Christ if we only check into a Sunday service once a week. Now, of course, that is a great way to start for many at Team Church. These days we are having more new people each week. However, full devotion is just that.....Full Devotion! Moreover, it takes serving each other and our community to make a lasting difference. I love the fact that we have taken serious the call of Team Church by getting involved in the community! I talked with a guy yesterday who told me that every time he turns around he sees where Team Church is "doing and working" in the community to help others. Faith in action!

Team Church will be in full force tomorrow morning at the Porter Ridge Athletic Association opening day. We will have volunteers there to help run the whole morning! This is a great way to help an association that helps kids!

Great Job Team Church.....We are truly Reaching & Impacting our city in real ways that are changing lives here at our church and all over the city!

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James 2:14-18

Team Depot & Team Church....Equals A Great Team!

2009-04-02T08:09:00.005-04:00

Yesterday at around 5pm I got the call! Home Depot has agreed to Team up with us in our efforts to serve the Howell Center as we restore their indoor therapy pool area, build some outdoor playground sets and clean up the outdoor play area with new mulch and plants. Team Depot as they call call themselves.....has agreed to send out volunteers to work with us and will also donate $10,000 worth of supplies! That is awesome!

In the last three months since we have gone public with our new name Team Church...we have had the opportunity to Team up with many public and religious organizations. People are coming out of the woodwork to Team up with us to do many great things in our own church and of course in the community. It has been amazing how people will offer to help us do creative and life changing things.....when they don't have the perception that we are a church that is only looking for what we can do to serve ourselves and get more people to sit in our seats on Sunday morning. We have always had this value....but our name is very unique and very open with what we are trying to do in our city, state, country and world! I believe that people in the community are looking for churches to reach out and make an impact that does not affect them and their bottom line or their Sunday morning count. When they find such churches.....they agree to serve along side in a way that radically changes our city in a way that only a church full of fully devoted followers of Christ can.

On May 16th hundreds of volunteers from Team Church and Team Depot will join together and help make these special people have a better place to call home and a place to swim and play! When we are complete that day it is estimated that we will have provided the Howell Center with things that would have cost them about $350,000 to have done professionally! Beyond Home Depot we are receiving supplies and labor from Meridian Homes, England Custom Homes, Kurt Wood, Jeff Ross Plumbing and a few others who attend Team Church that are freely giving of their special talents in such areas!

Team Church.....new name, an old concept of what the Bible says the church is about, a proven strategy of how things get DONE WELL! Team WORK!

Here is one of my favorite stories in the Bible of Team Work!

"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!

When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.

Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!

We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.

Nehemiah Chapter 4

Panthers Sign Jay Cutler! Yipeeeee

2009-04-01T07:58:00.002-04:00

For all you non-football fans.....Jay Cutler is the current QB for the Denver Broncos who asked to be traded. He is very good young QB. For all you football fans who knew that...I am only kidding! April's Fool Day!

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is Team Kid and Pursuit start back tonight!

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are having larger attendance than ever before and we need many of you to help with our parking challenges. This is especially true for second service. If you are here for two services we need for you to park in the upper grass temporary parking area, the warehouse parking across the street (for those reading who are wondering....we do have permission from the businesses there) or please make sure you park in our far back right lot. Thanks!

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that we are looking at style of seats and the cost to complete our balcony. Please be praying that we can very soon make this a reality.

A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that our septic/sewer system is working again. So come Sunday ready to drink all the coffee you want!

A fact that is not an April Fools joke is that Christa, our awesome preschool director, is redecorating each room to make them look more fun and creative for Sunday morning. IKEA is a great place!

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that our great Kid's pastor has 70 people signed up for his Parenting Home Team called Graced Based Parenting. This video and group discussion led series will take place on Thursday nights in the main auditorium.

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that next week on Easter we officially launch Team Church Lancaster County. We mailed out over 25k mailers to the area. Volunteer teams are passing out Easter Egg Hunt invitations door to door in some neighborhoods. Next Saturday we will have another HUGE service project there as we have an Easter Egg hunt, games and jump castles for the kids and plenty of free food! It is a great way to let that area know we are starting a new church! Steve Miller the Campus Teaching Pastor and Scott Whaley the small groups and spiritual Development pastor have the troops there fired up and ready to go!

A fact that is not an April Fools Joke is that Team Church impacting our city and beyond in amazing and impacting ways. Great Job!

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."

John 15:5-8

10 year anniversary service project #5 this Saturday

2009-03-31T07:41:00.005-04:00

As most of you know.....a huge part of every suburb and town in our area is sports for our kids. Every day of almost every week has tons of kids playing sports in our area. Kids play, parents coach, parents cheer (sometimes inappropriately) and everyone has a good time. It is as American as Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chrysler ....I mean Fiat!

To have a well organized local town sports association it takes money and volunteers. Many times those are exactly the two things that many places are short on.

Enter...Team Church!

The Porter Ridge Athletic Association is having their Little League Opening Day fair this Saturday. This is a great day for kids to ride rides, play, eat and have fun. It is also a fundraiser for the association to help cover the cost of running such an organization. A few months ago we heard from some of our parents who live in that area that this would be a huge help to that community if Team Church would use this as one of our service projects. We agreed. Here is the info straight from our web site:

Porter Ridge Athletic Association Opening Day

Saturday, April 4 | 8:30am-11:00am

Team Church is partnering up with the Porter Ridge Athletic Association for "Opening Day". The PRAA will hold their baseball Opening Day on Saturday, April 4th. The event is at Hemby Bridge Elem School fields. Team Church volunteers will be helping with parking, selling baked goods, picking up trash, coordinating teams for the parade and photos and making sure all the kids and families have a great time! This is an easy, but important outreach to families in the Porter Ridge area and is one where you can participate in just one area or in several areas throughout the day. Be on the look out for sign-up information on Sunday mornings.

Most important though, is we need people to bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, anything that is quick and easy to eat. The association will be selling these baked goods at the opening day. We need these goods delivered to the church by Friday noon.

If you can serve for 1-3 hours this Saturday, please contact Kathy Shephard at kathyshephard@gmail.com If you live in the Hemby Bridge/Porter Ridge area this is your backyard. We would love to have you "represent" and serve those who will recognize you! If your kids play in this association....this is a no brainer.

Here is the link to our website 10 year anniversary.

“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:33-37

When God Says SLOW

2009-03-30T07:57:00.004-04:00

By the end of the last service my voice was gone......but everything went great. Huge crowd and great energy! Moreover I think the worship and message hit home for a lot of people. It is never easy getting the answer to our prayer as SLOW...WAIT....CAUTION.

However, when we get those answers......we can explore what it is that God wants us to do, to know and experience while he gives us the SLOW yellow sign. Remember, when go does not give you a clear NO or Yes....it is because their is something else going on. God is far more concerned with your heart, character, obedience and the process of your life than He is in just making you happy for a moment.

Here is what we learned yesterday.....

God may say SLOW....when the timing of your request wrong!

God may say SLOW ....when YOU need to Grow.

* You may need to grow in your faith, trust, or just maturity.

God may say SLOW.....when you have un-confessed sin in your life OR you are choosing to live a sinful life.

God may SLOW....when you need to gather more information because you are going to have to make a decision based on the Wisdom of God and not the Will of God.

If you are getting SLOW from God.....check and see if any of these apply! Also, a few people asked about the book I referenced. It is called he • Contrarian Guide To Leadership by Dr. Steve Sample. It is also on my recently read book list.

Never make a decision today that can reasonably be put off to tomorrow. Learn To think gray. Don't form opinions if you don't have to...until you have to.

Dr. Steve Sample

"CANDY CANDY CANDY"

2009-03-27T07:42:00.003-04:00

As you know we will officially launch our new campus in Lancaster County, South Carolina on Easter morning. After a few great "pre-view" services we are ready to go!

On the Saturday before Easter we are hosting a community-wide Easter egg hunt and family fun event at a park in Kershaw, SC. This will be a HUGE event for that area and we are making it one of our anniversary service projects. Hundreds of Team Church volunteers will be there to make this Saturday event a great success.

However, we need candy! Tons of it! SO here is your chance to help support our big Easter launch for our new campus. Just bring some candy with you to church this Sunday. It needs to be packaged candy with a wrapper on each piece so that it can be placed inside plastic eggs. We will be stuffing thousands of eggs with this candy....so bring as much as you can!

Look for the sign and the drop off bucket on Sunday morning!

Also, on Sunday you will see our brand new Welcome Center! This is a rolling info desk platform. This will be for all our new guest that continue to show up. If you are a regular at Team Church this area is not for you. Lets keep it clear for our guest who need quick info on where to go and where to take their kids. Thanks!

See you Sunday....hopefully we wont need an Ark to get to church this Sunday.

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."

Matthew 6:1-3

Summer Camp....help your kids experience something different

2009-03-26T08:33:00.005-04:00

I believe in Summer Camps for kids and teenagers. As a youth pastor I saw hundreds of teenager's lives changed at summer camp. I am talking about changes that actually lasted....not emotional decisions that don't make it past the first day home! The last two summers at Team Church we have also seen great success at summer camp.

Summer camp is a time for our kids to get unplugged from all the ridiculous technology that floods their lives....IPOD, XBOX, Facebook, Phones, Internet and the beat goes on. In and of themselves these items are not evil...however, a week away from them can do a lot of good. Camp is a time to get unplugged from the media that does affect their mind and morals.

It is a time to be a kid! To run, play, climb, fall, swim and the like. (It is unbelievable to me that we have to have government and other campaigns that encourage kids to "get out and play.")

It is a time to have great Bible learning and worship every evening so that they can learn that this alone can help them live the best life possible as they strive to be all they can be! It is a time to have caring adults build into their lives at this crucial stage of their maturation process. It is time to be with friends! It is a great time!

Sign up for kids and teenager camps are happening now. You can even sign up now and start paying a little each month as we lead up to Summer.

Kids Camp is June 21st - 24

Student Camp is June 28th - July 3rd

Email clintnewton@teamchurch.com for 3-5th grade.

Email bradsaab@teamchurch.com for 6th - 12th grade.

Also, if you don't have kids that age but would like to help a kid go to camp through helping with scholarship money...let them know that too.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Waiting On God

2009-03-25T08:05:00.002-04:00

Have you ever been praying to God for an answer and yet He remains silent on a clear Yes or No? He seems to be saying that you should just Slow down and wait. Sometimes the Slow down or "not yet" answer is harder than a clear No. Why does God do that? Doesn't He know that we have things to do, places to go and waiting just does not help? Or does it?

This coming Sunday I will be teaching on this most frustrating of all answers that God gives to us. Many of us have been praying for a clear answer on something for many weeks, months and even years.

When I think of God not working on our time table and forcing us to have patience as he continually told us SLOW.......I think of our church's journey from eight people and owning nothing to where we are today. God seemed to never be working on our time table. However, through this 10 year journey we have learned so much and grown in our faith.

If you have been at Team Church (CSF) for a number of years you know that many times we pray for something to happen quickly.....and it happens slowly. We pray for things to happen smoothly and without any challenges and we have had hurdles around every corner. From the early days of this church where we prayed for a place to meet and our first choice was always delayed, to the buying and then selling of the first piece of property, to finally having God allow us to purchase this beautiful land....we have had God say to us "not-yet." Even since owning this land and building our first building we have been faced with many obstacles in our pursuit of what we believe God has for us to do here.

However, along this journey of faith we have always seen God come through in the end. At the end of each challenge we could see why God did not give us a quick Yes and allow things to be easy......but many times gave a Slow. The challenges have made us stronger. The delays have only made our resolve and faith more steel like as we trust in God. Going through SLOW times, challenges and having God not to allow us to have things easy only makes us enjoy and appreciate what we have even more! As this campus develops and grows we will enjoy what we have all the more! From the many sports fields, walking trails and expanding buildings that will be alive seven days a week with people from every age..... God has given us a great place to help reach and impact people with the message of Christ. As we move forward into the next 10 years we fully expect more challenges and Slow prayer answers ....however, we know that God is in control. He has been in the past and He will be in the future.

My guess is that you have been praying too....and God seems to be saying SLOW. This Sunday lets explore the why of that and what we can do about it.

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
- Booker T. Washington

Look To The Ant!

2009-03-24T07:51:00.002-04:00

On Sunday all the toilets in the our beautiful church building stopped working during the second service. Not good......

Luckily, none of them "back-up" and over flowed causing any real mess. It was quickly determined that one of the large trucks that were here on Saturday for the work day must have run over the sewer line leading out to the septic tank area. On Monday he search began for the crushed line. After digging around no crushed line could be found. Then, by chance, one of our volunteers who was working with our facilities manager checked the electric box that runs the pump at the septic tank area. This pump keeps the "stuff" flowing from the lines, to the tank, to where ever the final resting place may be!

Sure enough the electric box that runs the pump had its lines damaged, fried, blown and cut in half. They noticed that millions of ants had invaded the electric box, dug under the earth and came back out the conduit holding the wires and had eaten the plastic around the wires, the wires and everything else causing it to blow and short circuit. Fried ants everywhere! However, millions of other ants we loving their super charged new home.

Take a minute to think about how long it took those little tiny ants to do that. Think of the hard work and the team work. Think of how many died in the process so that the "task" could be completed for their little nation of ants. The Queen must have been real pleased with all the little ants that worked so hard.

Is it no wonder that the Bible implores us to look to the ants to see how hard they work. How dedicated they are to the task. How they are not afraid of sacrifice for the greater good and how they work as a Team.

Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 30:25
Ants are creatures of little strength,yet they store up their food in the summer;

In a crazy but very biblical way I want to be seen as an Ant! I want our church to be known as a Team of Ants! One Purpose, Shared Responsibility, Personal Devotion!

click on that link and read again what we are about here at Team Church! We are reaching and impacting our city like never before!

When God Says NO!

2009-03-23T07:54:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a great start to what I believe will be a life-changing series for many people. When we pray God will always answer.....His answer will basically be three different answers....NO, SLOW and GO! We learned yesterday that there are reasons why God will say NO to our prayer request. He does this as a loving and all knowing God.

When does God say No to our prayers?

God will say NO when our actual request is wrong!
* When our request goes against God's Moral Will....he will always say no!

God will say NO when our motives are wrong...even though the request may be okay.
* When our Motives and heart are impure as it pertains to the request...God may say No.

God will say NO when the request goes against what He has set in motion as His Providential Will.
* We live in a "cause and affect world" and one that has things that are just going to happen and our prayers may not change those things.

If you have been praying and getting a NO answer....check it against the backdrop of these reasons. Then move forward trusting God.

Yesterday afternoon we had a HUGE group show up to do the Demolition at the Howell Center. We finished the whole demo project in 2 hours. Over the next few weeks crews from Team Church will be going in to do the electric, plumbing and new drywall. Then in May we will have another large group service project day there as we complete the task. I was so proud of the people of Team Church yesterday....that was hard and dirty work! Great Job!

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

First Day Of Spring!

2009-03-20T05:54:00.003-04:00

Don't let the cool temperatures fool you....Spring is here!

What do you do when you have prayed for something to happen and God's answer is NO! Do you get mad? Do you stop praying? What do you do? This Sunday we explore why God says no to some of our prayers and what we should do about it.

Speaking of prayers that were answered "No" by God....tomorrow I will be leading memorial service for a 44 year old healthy wife and mom. She first came to our church last week. Four days later a virus attacked her heart and she died on Tuesday. Her family prayed all weekend for God to save her. They prayed for her to be alright and live. Again....we are doing her funeral in the morning.

Why did God not answer their prayer? If you listen to the non-sense preaching on TV it was because they did not have enough faith. Or, maybe their was un-confessed sin in their life. Or, maybe they did not send in enough money to the TV preacher and lay their hands on the TV screen and really believe. Those guys and gals are hucksters who prostitute the gospel for a Charismatic teaching that does not, nor has ever, been in the Bible. If the name it and claim TV preachers could do what they say they can do....then their would be no need for a Howell Center for people like my daughter and others who have serious medical issues that they were born with and God has answered our prayer of healing and normalcy every time with a "No".

We live in a fallen and sinful world that has sickness and death. We live in a cause and effect world that sometimes hurts. We live in a world where things happen and we don't have any good answers....except God loves us and in the end, and for eternity, we will live in a perfect body in a perfect world with Him....Forever.

Pray for Team Church as we minister to this new family at the funeral and for the coming months.

"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Huge Crowd....25 Baptisms

2009-03-19T08:09:00.003-04:00

As my son would say....."Last night was Beast!" It was great to listen to the stories of all those who were baptized. From those who had never really been in church to those who went as kids but stopped going after high school...to some of our kids who have recently confessed Christ....all the stories were great.

I personally had a great time as I was able to baptize another boy that I have been coaching on our football team for three years. The bonus was that his dad, who also coaches with me, was also baptized. Even the older sister was baptized. Other coaches, leaders, and players from MARA who have also been impacted by God at Team Church were baptized too. It was a great night!

This Sunday starts a great new message series. It is a small 3 part series that will help to answer the questions that surround God's answers to our prayers. As you know, God answers prayers. However, not always the way we had hoped or not in the time frame we desire. Why is that?

When we pray....God will answer NO, SLOW or GO! How do you know the answer? Why does God answer in such ways. How do we know the will of God when we pray? We will be looking at this over the next few weeks? Here is the link on our website that you can look at and share with a friend!

Bring a friend....and we will see you Sunday!

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:4-13

You Thought I Had Forgotten!

2009-03-18T14:08:00.002-04:00

We have been receiving thousands of emails and calls about the fact that my BLOG was not posted by noon! People letting us know that a year and half ago I promised to BLOG daily by noon every day....M-F. Of course as you know....minus vacation or Holidays I have NEVER missed a day in almost two years! Until today....my computer crashed and I could not get to another computer until now. ( I spent the morning at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association leading the chapel today and then helping Champion Christian Center with some details in their newly purchased warehouse!)

Okay.....maybe not thousands of emails....but at least a few people thought I had finally forgot to BLOG as promised. Nope.....just no working computer. Everything is back to normal now.....

Baptism & Communion Service tonight at 7pm!

Also, Here is a note from Kurt Wood the volunteer leader for our HUGE Howell Center Project:

"Ready…Set…Demo! This Sunday is the start of yet another Team Church service project. Please be at the Howell Center @ 1pm to begin work. We are scheduled to be done by 6pm. With a good showing of willing hands we could be done sooner, so don’t be afraid to bring help. There are no age restrictions, so if you feel your child is able to help out with the following feel free to bring him/her along. (10+ years)

Come ready to tear out and haul away dry wall, duct-work & insulation. If you have any of the following please bring them with you:

Wheelbarrows
Step Ladders
Crowbars / hammers
Shovels
Brooms
Work gloves / safety glasses

The Howell Center is located 11950 Howell Center Drive Charlotte NC 28227!

You can drive yourself there or meet at the church at 12:45 to follow others over.

Computer Failure

2009-03-17T09:33:00.002-04:00

I know, I know.......my BLOG is late. I have a good reason. My laptop is broke. It is down for the count.

Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow.

One thing....a man just came into the church office. He introduced himself and said that he and his family have come here once. They came last week. He then said that his wife has had a virus attack her heart and she is now on life support and not expected to make it through the week. Wanted to know if we could help as this was going to be the church they chose after coming once.

Of course, we told him yes. It was one of those moments that i hate as a pastor......then I reflected on Sunday's straightforward message. WOW.

Please pray for this family even though I will not yet give their name.

Third Project Exceeds Goal!

2009-03-16T07:53:00.002-04:00

Hundreds of volunteers worked hard and also brought stuff to be sold in our special garage sale this past Saturday. As you know, all sales were for Christ Our Shepherd Ministries here in Matthews. In talking with Christ Our Shepherd they had shared with us that they were in need of supplies and materials for the ministry that amounted to needing just over four thousand dollars. So that is the number we set for our goal.

It was cold and rainy on Saturday. So volunteers cleared out the auditorium and every inch of the atrium area on Friday night. Many volunteers worked till Friday and then came back very early on Saturday to get "stuff" set up. By 8am it was pouring rain....but people were flooding into our building looking to find a deal.

Deals were found and stuff was bought. By noon much of what was brought had been sold and we exceeded our goal for them. Today we will cut Christ Our Shepherd a check for $5,000! The people there could not believe it and were very thankful and excited. In these tough economic times places like Christ Our Shepherd have their request for help go up.....but their giving goes down.

Great job Team Church! This is the BEST way to celebrate our 10 years as a church in this community! Doing what we have always done.....Reach and Impact those who are not in church and those who are need.

This event was spearheaded by our Home Team Ministry and the Newton Home Team won the prize for making the most money! Great Job!

This coming Sunday we have a BIG work afternoon at the Howell Center. We need strong, tough and gritty men, women, boys and girls to be a part of the demolition crew that will rip out the ceiling, dry wall and other things in the indoor therapy pool area. This job will not take long if we have a bunch of strong backs! Plan to be at the Howell Center in Mint Hill at 2pm THIS Sunday!

"I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their position in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your who you are in life—this is indeed a gift from God."

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

One more note: Sport fans everywhere are excited! March Madness is here. That's right all over the country College fans are pumped! This is a great month! Spring Football practice has started on College campuses everywhere! This is truly a great month for college sports. It is the official start to the 2009 college football season!

Cold & Rainy .....Ministry Still Goes On

2009-03-13T08:06:00.003-04:00

Well... the Spring like weather is gone. It is cold and rainy and will be that way all weekend. The mountains are even getting snow again!

Some may think that we will cancel our third mission event in our ongoing 10-year anniversary celebration. If you think that....you don't know the people of Team Church very well! We have promised Christ Our Shepherd Ministries a HUGE yard sale where they will get all the proceeds! We are going to deliver!

If it is raining in the morning......the entire yard sale mission event will be held in our building. We will clear out the chairs, turn on some music and let people shop-til-they-drop! If we have to we will use the Atrium area, the up stairs kids area, the hall way and every square foot we can. It will seem like a morning at IKEA...minus the Swedish Meatballs! (ADHD moment....have you been to that place. What a ingenious concept. One way in...One way out. You have to walk through the whole place if you want to buy one thing. Of course that means.......you are tempted like a kid in a candy store for the two hours that it takes to traverse the mammoth place. I felt like I was in Epcot center going to different "Rooms" in your house.....thought over!) Please make sure your Home Team knows, your church friends know, your neighbors know and that everyone knows.....the largest Yard Sale in the South Charlotte area is on tomorrow morning! Christ Our Shepherd Ministry is counting on us and we will be there to help them raise a ton of money as they continue to help those in need in Matthews.

Do you have a friend that you have been thinking of inviting and bringing one Sunday? This is A GREAT Sunday to bring a new person who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus! As a matter of fact....everyone should make it a goal to get at least one person here this Sunday. I promise, just like every Sunday in our Graceful series....this one will be talked about! It will change lives!

Use our web page WWW.Teamchurch.com

to invite people and share the excitement about Team Church. They can read about Team Church, watch powerful videos, watch and/or listen to Sunday messages and learn about our other great ministries.

Also, be praying as we have our third preview service at Team Church Lancaster County. We are getting ready for the big launch on Easter! You can go to our website and click on locations on the top of the opening page. This will give you the option of clicking on the Lancaster location.

See you Sunday!

New Life In Christ

2009-03-12T08:40:00.005-04:00

I watch the news. I read the news. I keep up with what is happening in politics and our country. (I am always frustrated by adults who complain about something in our country but do nothing to help it or worse yet......they are CLUELESS about what is really happening. They don't know what is happening in government or in the world.)

Because I keep up with what is happening I found myself a little irritated and sad this week when it comes to what is happening in our country as far as the continual decline of Christian values and morals. I see current government trends and fear for the country that we will turn over to our kids. Things spiraling down and out of control while many Christians just pretend that nothing is happening adversely to the moral fiber of our great country. They seem clueless to what is happening and are only concerned about what they are doing this weekend and will the rain affect it.

In this mental state I drove onto our church campus yesterday afternoon. At that moment my mental state began to change......I was reminded again of what we are doing here at Team Church and that it is making a difference. I walked into the atrium area and saw teenagers and college kids setting up for pursuit. They were serving with a smile and enthusiasm that only comes from dedicated teenagers! I stepped in and saw the "all-high school" band and tech teams warming up for Pursuit. Those kids are good!

While standing and waiting for my meeting that was to start at 6:30pm....I watched as younger kids came in with their orange Team Kid T-shirts on and were running upstairs with their parents in tow....excited about the night. Then I had a Baptism talk with a man from our church who will be one of the many being baptized next Wednesday. His story of where he has been and where he is now reminded me of why we do what we do at Team Church. He thanked me for what Team Church is doing for his family....I should have thanked him for letting me hear his story. As I walked out of the office heading for my Home Team I saw teenagers hanging out eagerly waiting to get into Pursuit. This site gave me hope that all teenagers are not just what we see on T.V. At our Home Team I sat with young families who are reading, searching, and studying about how to raise their kids in a godly way in a culture that is fast becoming more ungodly in values and legislation.

That night I came back to the church to pick up my son from Team Kid and had a teenager come running up to me to say that she is getting baptized next week and wanted to know if I would be the person to baptize her? She was smiling from ear to ear and excited about her faith, her church and life.

I got in my Jeep (top off) drove home with my son and a friend's daughter and listened to them talk about Team Kid and how they can't wait for the next "Season" to start in three weeks. With the moon shining down and the stars lighting up the night.....I heard God whisper in my ear: "Things are not all how they should be....but the joy and excitement about New Life in Christ you saw tonight is the Hope that made this country great and will be the only Hope your kids can count on for the future of their lives and the future of America."

Team Church has never been about resting and just watching the world go by.....we are involved, interactive, engaging and willing to meet culture where it is and lead it to where God wants it. We are not afraid of our culture nor are we antagonistic toward it.....but where we see it going astray we are willing to hit it head on and stand up for what is right. To make a difference that is positive in our neighborhoods, city, state and even country.

I am glad you are a part of this life-changing place we call....Team Church.

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15

A big day in a boy's life

2009-03-11T05:40:00.003-04:00

Yesterday when I got home from work I was privileged to share in my oldest son's big day. A coming out party of sorts for a boy........he got to mow the yard all by himself. I personally hate yard work. I don't enjoy it all. I like a nice yard but I really don't like "working in the yard." However, at age 11 Peyton was looking forward to it. He could not wait to crank up the mower and set out on the yard. The grass only needed mowing in a few places but I let him mow the entire yard for practice. I told him he had to figure out the best "plan" in covering the whole yard. I walked with him to show him how to line it up straight with each "swipe". I showed him how to let the auto drive off while turning it and how to set it back straight before engaging the tire again.

When he was done, it really looked nice. The best part for me was watching his face as he turned off the mower, dumped the grass and rolled up the cord from the edger. He looked satisfied. He felt like a......well...he felt like a "man". He had the look of accomplishment that comes from when you complete something for the first time that you have been looking forward to doing.

Now..... I know their will soon come a day when he will not see mowing the yard as a privilege. He will see it as another thing in his list of chores. However, for a little while, he sees it for what it is to him. A right of passage. Something fun that makes him feel BIG. Their will be a day ( I hope for his sake it is at least a year) that he will not want to do it....for now he loves it and asked how long did I think it would be before the grass would grow and he could do it again.

In thinking of this and then also listening to Mr. Clint (our kid's pastor) I love the fact that at Team Church we have a kid's ministry that does all the normal church things that happen at many places. However, we also have a Kid's pastor who is a man, an ex Air-Born army guy, a sports guy who loves kids and lets boys be boys. In a day and culture with so many single parent homes and little boys who don't get a chance to be "little boys" our Kid's ministry is a great place for boys. I know this Sunday afternoon a bunch of them are going back into our back 40 acres to spend the afternoon in the woods doing what 4th and 5th grade boys love doing. They will climb trees, make forts, jump the little creek, have contest of who can do certain things that go along with being in the woods. They will have a great time and they will be doing it as part of a "church" event.

Our kid's ministry of course does all the normal stuff like crafts, games, Bible learning, stories and the like. However, I know my son has always enjoyed the extra life skills and more boyish practical learning about how to be a boy who will be a man in this ever changing and sometimes "anti-boy" culture we live in. Great job Clint and the entire Kids Ministry Team.

Team Kid and Pursuit have their last night of the Winter Season tonight. Don't let your kids miss it!

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." - Mark Twain

10 Year Anniversary Project # 3 this Saturday

2009-03-10T05:32:00.003-04:00

This Saturday in the church parking lot hundreds of people will be bringing their good used stuff to sell at our HUGE Home Team's Yard sale. Here is the best part.....ALL money made from EVERY sale will go to Christ Our Shepherd Ministries in Matthews. This is a place in need of money as they help serve single moms and their kids here in the Matthews area.

Each Home Team is setting up their tables and will take care of their own "Stuff" coming and going. If you are looking for some great buys in challenging times.....this is the morning for you. Please tell your neighbors and friends about this event. I know that many people at Team Church are bringing nice stuff that they were going to use in their own yard sale....but instead are bringing here to sell with their Home Team for the good of Christ Our Shepherd. Click Here for details.

This is a perfect example of Teaming up with our community! We will have it rain our shine.....

Speaking of shine.....what great weather we had the last three days. I went bike riding on Sunday afternoon with Peyton and some friends at Col. Beatty Park to enjoy it. That place was packed. From the bike/walking trials to the play ground. It reminded me of one of the reasons we purchased and got rezoned all 60 acres. It would be great if we could very soon get our playground installed along with our walking trails. The playground we have planned and rezoned for is like the ones you see at such parks and would be greatly used by Team Church folks and those in our community. I know these are tough economical times....but I am trusting God to allow us to get that playground in....sooner than later. What about you?

Their is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.
French Proverb

"There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end the choice you make...makes you!" Legendary Coach, John Wooden

I have never done that before

2009-03-09T07:54:00.002-04:00

On Saturday I was thinking of what could I possibly do to get across the importance of Grace Giving. At 2am on Sunday morning I awoke with idea confirmed in my mind. I hope the site of me on the stage with with a suit on with no pants or shoes is forever impressed on your mind. (Now of course....the checkered shorts I had on was just that....they were shorts and not boxers)

Let me remind you today that Grace Giving means that we discover joy, pleasure, excitement and thanksgiving when we give back to God from what He has given us. I hope everyone took home some of the fake money we had printed (almost like what the government is doing...) and will look it over every time you pull it out of your wallet or purse and see that it says "Everything Belongs To God", "In God We Trust" , 2 Cor 8:6 and a few other reminders. Here is what we learned yesterday:

Biblical View Of Money/Stuff: Everything belongs to God, comes from God and is distributed by God.

* Joyful giving comes from a heart that is thankful for what we have been given!
* Joyful giving happens when I TRUST God completely.
* Joyful giving is easy because I know God will bless me.
* Joyful giving comes when I KNOW that it Blesses Others.
* Joyful giving flows from being obedient to God.

Today as you leave this BLOG...say a prayer for all those who are really struggling today in these economic times.

Pray for the church in St.Louis who had a gunman walk into their early service and shoot the pastor while he was preaching. Pray for the pastors family as he leaves behind a wife and 2 kids.

I hate it.......but need it

2009-03-06T05:26:00.004-05:00

It is 5:30am and I am getting ready to leave for my work out. I really hate working out. I like the results of being healthy and all that comes with a good workout regiment....but I don't really enjoy it. What I would rather be doing right now is still be in bed sleeping where it is warm and cozy. Hmmmmm....I think there is a spiritual lesson here. Can you draw your own spiritual lesson from the above statement. C'mon....you can do it. The teacher in you wants to draw the parallel.

As I get ready to go....it is still pretty cold out side. This reminds me that THIS Sunday all of our winter Team Church clothes will be on sale. Sweatshirts and jackets will be $10 and everything else will be $5. (In the voice of those crazy sales guys on car commercials) EVERYTHING MUST GO....TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW SPRING/SUMMER STUFF!

Also, as I get ready to leave I am reminded that TIME CHANGE is this Sunday. We will be Springing Forward. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead! Trust me you do not want to miss this Sunday's service......it can change your life even in these hard financial times.

Well.....time to hit the cold weather and get to my workout. Yipeeeeee

See you Sunday. Come ready for a great day, bring a friend and lets get ready for a great Spring at Team Church.

Big Plans For The Howell Center

2009-03-05T08:05:00.004-05:00

This time last year, my wife and I made one of the hardest decisions of our lives. We placed our mentally and physically handicapped daughter in a home. We believed it was best for her and our family. One year later....it is always hard to know that your daughter lives in a "special home" and not your home. We miss having her with us....but we know that it is best and she loves being there.

The Howell Center is located off I485 and only minutes from our home. Over the last year while going to visit Ellie I have noticed that the Howell Center is in need of some outdoor playground equipment and other such things. Knowing that we were having our 10 serving projects to celebrate our 10 year anniversary...I contacted the Howell Center about us serving there and providing some clean up and some new outdoor play areas and just nice sitting areas for the people who live there. They were of course delighted. However, they wanted to know if we could first focus on their largest need....that being their indoor therapy pool. The roof had started leaking 5 years ago and other things went wrong too. So, they closed the pool down 5 years ago. As you can imagine, for many people there who can't walk and live their lives in a wheelchair this has taken away their only means of free movement. It also is a great physical work out for people with physical disabilities.

Once they asked us to look into it......I brought some Team Church members who work in this kind of area over to the Howell Center to see if they thought it was possible. As expected, they said this would be hard. It would be challenging. It would cost lots of money. It would take a lot of volunteer hours.......SO..."YES! Let's do it!" We have set our goals to redo the indoor pool room AND do the out door recreational areas. BIG GOAL....BIGGER GOD!

So started what will be a five month process. As you read last week a Middle School Home Team went over and cleaned the pool area. We have a Team Church lead crew that has made an attack schedule for the next few months. We have also caught the attention of a local store that may help with some material donations. We have had other companies that are represented by our volunteer crew to chip in with some free or at cost supplies as we have to completely redo the inside of this pool room. Everything from sky lights, to dry wall, to a new bathroom. Ty Pennington would be proud.

Next week we will release the workday schedules. Here are the days to be looking for 3/22 , 4/5 and the BIG day is May 16th. Not all can do each day we have...but maybe you can hit one.

For now I need to put out the call for a professional electrician. We need someone to monitor and advise in this area. Please email Kurt Wood for information.

When this is done.....it will be the single greatest volunteer project we have ever accomplished......and it will be for people who will never sit in our great seats at our church. This is what I love about all 10 of our service projects. They are truly mission focused and it is costing us where it hurts....our time and money.

In these hard economic times people like the ones we are helping can't count on a Spending Bill from the Government....nor should they. They can and should count on local churches like Team Church to do the job of the church.

Great job TEAM CHURCH

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
- James 1:27

Did Team Church Make That Music Video?

2009-03-04T05:30:00.003-05:00

The service ended on Sunday with a powerful song and video. Since Sunday I have talked to people who thought that the video of the shadow figures behind the screen was something we purchased. Nope.... that was Team Church actors being filmed on Tuesday night up in the room where the projector is located and shines onto the the big screens. Brad, our production pastor, filmed them from the opposite side of the screen and made the shadow figures. What you saw on Sunday was a video of the actors dancing. It was pretty cool!

Throw in the song and it was a moving experience at the end of the service. For those who were not there or those who want to show others the video.....we will see if we can get it up on our website or facebook.

This past Sunday was a perfect example of what we aspire to do each Sunday. Give you truth that can be used practically, an experience that is memorable, worship that is meaningful and an overall service that taps into all your senses so that you leave with a powerful impact from God. Of course this happens each Sunday with people who are Christians and those who are not. Why? Because Team Church is place where people who do not know God or who are far from God by choice come to explore the truth of His amazing grace for their life.

Each Sunday our auditorium has many people who are spiritual seekers in it. They have come as a guest to see if this God thing is real. They have come because their life is a mess and they are maybe now ready to give God a chance. They have come because they see the difference that God has made in a friend's life and they want to see what all the "good change" is about.

People come for many different reasons......and we are all there on Sunday! We are all there and hundreds of people like the "shadow dancers" Team up and use our unique gifts as we gather as the Church on Sunday.

This Sunday will be no different.....it will be another Sunday you wont want to miss!

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

Don't forget tonight is Team Kid and Pursuit. Doors open at 6:30pm for pizza, ESPN, Ping Pong, chat time and time to just relax and be a kid. Each group starts at 7pm

New Home Team Format

2009-03-03T05:50:00.005-05:00

(Yesterday morning we had about 10 different families out sledding on the church hills. It was great. Everyone was taking pictures too. If you went out and did something fun in the snow...send us ONE picture that is your favorite to KCClark@teamchurch.com and we will post them on our Facebook.)

Did you see the Home Team ad in the Sunday Handout? We have made some changes to how we run our Home Teams. I want to encourage you to go to the Home Team page on on web site and read about it. I really like what Aldyn and her team have come up with as we continually seek to make Home Teams a viable option for all people. The best part is that you have the option of staying with a Home Team forever and ever.....or you can switch when your life setting changes, you want to study something different or you just want to meet some new people on a different day.

This new format will allow all the new people who are coming to Team Church to quickly get in a Home Team because every "Season" we add many new ones and all the old ones are available. I know I personally love the fact that the Home Team "Season" run with our very popular Team Kid and Pursuit for Students. Many parents are taking advantage of having all their kids in one of these groups on Wednesday nights....then they join their Home Team on the same night. Having all of this in 8-10 week "Seasons" keeps it fresh and key volunteers get 3-4 weeks in between to catch their breath.

Whatever you do....don't stay on the relational sideline and not get into a Home Team. They are fun, vital to relational growth, very important to Biblical growth and the best place for true Fellowship and care. For those who are parents....there is nothing better for your kids to see you setting time aside to being involved.

"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you!" Robert Fulghum

SNOW DAY

2009-03-02T08:07:00.002-05:00

What a great GIFT God gave us this morning. Yesterday we talked about making our kids a priority, making sure they know that you want to be with them and making sure you make memories. I hope that you will take some time to get out this morning and play in the snow. It wont be here long.....

My guess is many of you are like me, after the roads are clear you will need to get into the office, so....that means you have a few hours before you have to leave.

The Hibbards are eating breakfast now and will be in the snow by 8:30!

The auditorium was full of tears yesterday. That is good.....if those emotions actually determine some change in your life. If not.....just a wasted cry fest.

Have fun in the snow!

Problem With Porn

2009-02-27T07:42:00.002-05:00

Warning....I am about to go off! If you are easily offended when someone tells you the truth..you may want to not read this BLOG today!

This past week I have had way to many conversations with parents or leaders about the on-going and rising problem that many of our boys and teens are having with Internet pornography. This week we heard from some elementary boys (4 & 5th grade) that they had seen porn on their computers at home while doing research for a school project. Others in that group said they had been to a friends house and saw it there. Unbelievable!!!!

The issue is definitely huge with high school boys and we still have picture sharing on phones between girls and boys that of course gets passed around to all their friends. This is crazy......

If you read this as a parent of a boy......you should understand that your kids will at one time try and view porn at your home. They just will. So what is a parent to do????

You should do what we talk about here at least 5 times a year! GET A DARN INTERNET FILTER ON ALL COMPUTERS IN YOUR HOME! There are plenty of ones to choose from....but get one NOW! Not having an internet protection filter on ALL computers in your home is like spreading poison all over your house in every corner, on every seat, on every dish, spread all over the carpet, sprinkled on every toy.... and then hope that none of your kids will be poisoned.

Beyond basic filters, if you have teenage boys, you need to make sure that all computers have password safe entry so that the real tech smart ones can't beat the filter system. If the computer can't be turned on.....they can't beat the system. I know some families that have instituted that their computers are not allowed to be "on-line" after a certain hour at night and this is regulated by a pass word.

Some parents think....."I have a good kid who does not do those things.." Perfect, that is the kid you want to help. Remember the old saying..."Locks keep honest people honest." That is the principle here....you are helping your kids who really want to do the right thing to do it! The teenager who wants to view porn and has a car...can drive anywhere he wants and get online for it. The at home safe guards help the boys and DAD stay away in those tempting moments.

Moreover, letting your kids go to some one's house to stay the night and not checking if that home is "safe" is irresponsible for any parent. If you ask someone that you are sending your kid to their house about the use of the computers in their home and they get offended.....then that is a great sign you don't let your kid stay the night there or even hang out there all day.

Parents.....C'mon we have to start using our heads and start being the parents in our homes. Trust me, your kids may not tell you "thanks" for all the protection you provide against the evil things lurching around on the Internet....but inside they are thankful that you care enough to help them do the right thing.

Here some ones you can go online and look at for help:

Safe Eyes

Total Guard

Christian Internet Protection

There are many on line....go get one.

Lets not let our kids become addicts to porn and all the junk it does to their mind as it completely distorts their view of men/women relationships, what is appropriate and sex in general. It is an epidemic...you have the cure!

One more thing....most kids and teenagers at Team Church don't read my daily BLOG. So, please don't run to your kids and ask them if they are the ones who we are talking about. Trust me....your kids are the ones we are talking about. My son is the one we are talking about! All kids are the ones we are talking about. They don't need to know that you and I had this little talk. We want them to keep sharing freely at church!

Do You Remember?

2009-02-26T06:24:00.003-05:00

March is almost here....unbelievable! However, it is very true. It has been four months since we announced during a Sunday service that we were changing our name to Team Church. It has been two months since we made that a public announcement at the first of this year along with a short message series reminding us all of who we have always been as a church and how we were now mixing it that with our new name.

I wanted to use today's BLOG to remind you of those statements and then ask you how you are doing as you internalize the mission and game plan of your church...Team Church. Here you go...

One Purpose: Reach people where they are and lead them to full devotion in Christ.

Shared Responsibility:
• Love one another in fellowship
• Serve in the Church
• Give to God through the church
• Share Jesus with others

Personal Devotion:
• Pray
• Know and use the Bible
• Worship

Game Plan:
• Reach & Impact the Crowd
• Train & Empower our Players

Very simple....very clear....life and community changing. Every person that calls Team Church home should know the verbiage to this simple and distinguishable mission statements, values and Game Plan.

Easily described in our church tag line.....One Purpose, Shared Responsibility, Personal Devotion.

"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can...To all the people you can, for as long as you ever can!" John Wesley

Sick Kids Everywhere

2009-02-25T05:33:00.003-05:00

It is 5:30am and I have been listening to Brady, my 3 year old, cough for the last 2 hours. Poor guy sounds horrible! I know that many many families have kids that are sick and that it goes from one family member to the other and then from one family to another. I heard of one school somewhere that had so many kids and teachers sick they just canceled school for two days to stop the spreading and because they could not get anything done.

This all reminds me to remind you of our "sick kid policy" at Team Church. As much as we love to have your kids in church on Sunday....if they are sick......please leave them home. If you have any questions about what we ask you to do go to teamchurch.com/kids or email Christa or Clint in the Kids Ministry. This week we have cleaned every toy, table and the like with disinfection Lysol spray! This place is clean!

Speaking of kids.......don't forget to bring your 1-5th grader to Team Kid tonight or your Middle and High School to Pursuit. Their will be over 200 kids here tonight...I hope one is yours!

"Tis great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults, greater to tell him his!"
- Benjamin Franklin

Graceful Living

2009-02-24T05:22:00.004-05:00

Sunday we talked about Graceful Living....or....Living In Grace. I shared with you that the Bible is very clear that the "way we get into a relationship with Jesus Christ is the same thing that sustains us through our life." That of course is Grace!

It is through this ability to live daily in grace that we are able to get over our past and not feel shame and guilt in our current lives because of something we did or did not do....in our past. Since the service on Sunday, I have heard many great "take-away" truths that people told me really helped them. I thought it would be helpful to share a few of those in today's BLOG.

When we live in Grace we can walk around each day knowing that we are continually accepted by God and we do not have to worry about trying to earn his love, favor or acceptance. I compared this to great joy to going into an amusement park and having an arm band that allows you to enjoy every ride that you want as many times as you want without worrying about what the cost of each ride may be. This is way better than having to pay an amount of tickets for each ride and watching your tickets get fewer and fewer with each ride. In Christ we have freedom to enjoy this world....inside the boundaries of the "park" and in keeping with the rules of the park.

When we live in Grace we only have to live up to God's expectations. No one else! We have an audience of One....the only One who matters. God expects us to live in Grace and Truth when it comes to obedience and forgiveness.

When we live in Grace we can get over our past because God said he has wiped the record of our wrongs away. It does not matter how you feel.....your feelings are many times wrong. We have to let the truth of what God says about forgiveness transform our feelings. Many of us have to still live with the consequences of our actions. However, just because the consequences are still here and maybe painful, does not mean we have to live in continual shame or guilt. We cannot attribute our continual consequence to mean that God still holds that wrong against us and therefore we are still guilty and should feel shameful.

Grace.... it is amazing! It is the only way to live. It helps us move on from our past and helps us fore a better future as we learn from our past and resolve to live in freedom and truth.

This Sunday we will take the principle of Grace and she how it can transform our parenting! This Sunday is Graceful: Parenting. Start now thinking who you can invite to this incredible and life changing service.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain

What Our Teenagers Were Doing Yesterday

2009-02-23T07:21:00.003-05:00

I have always challenged parents to get their teenagers involved in our student ministry as much as possible. In today's culture, teenagers need more than just an hour on Sunday. They need a place to be encouraged in their faith, challenged to not give into common traps, learn what God says about life and to also serve others in God's name......all of this while having fun that is designed for their age and sometimes gender.

What was your teenager doing yesterday afternoon? playing video games? texting? watching TV? "just hanging"? Sleeping? complaining about being bored?

Here is what I witnessed a bunch of our teenagers doing yesterday afternoon:

* I went with a group of 6th grade Middle School boys and their Home Team to the Howell Center. They spent two hours cleaning, tearing down old stuff, throwing it in the dumpster.....and "sweeping" to get the indoor pool room ready for our church to renovate it this Spring as one of our anniversary service tour projects.

* On our church campus another group of 7th & 8th Grade boys had their Home Team far back in the woods of the new church property. They had their Bible study and discussion time mixed with exploring the woods, jumping over the little river back there, doing crazy things in the woods that boys like to do and planning a camp-out.

* Our High School band was practicing for Wednesday night at Pursuit....where they use the entire stage, lighting, multimedia and everything else we use on Sunday morning for a great service each Wednesday night. It is amazing to watch all of this technology being used.....by teenagers. Moreover, the entire band and tech crew is made up of Teenagers. Four different kinds of guitars (I have no clue) drummer, keyboard and a few singers. They are awesome!

* After the band rehearsal they actually had student auditions to play or sing in the band. A group of high school boys and girls were sitting in the atrium area waiting for their time to try-out. Very professional..very American Idol.

* In other areas of the building other Home Teams were gathered too. Each Sunday they may do something different...but when they meet it is a great time to be together and accomplish what I talked about at the start of this BLOG.

Today those middle school and high school students will go back to school. They will be faced with pressures that you and I cannot even imagine....because our culture has made a huge swing away from the morals and values we hold true as Christians. They are growing up without implications of authority and they are being raised in a culture that lets them believe they are entitled to the best with out having to earn it. Moreover and most alerting is that what is common now in the minds and actions of teenagers is different because of the technology that was not here when I was in High School 2 years ago. If you think "oh, it is the same." you are kidding yourself or very uninformed. More than even when we started (CSF) Team Church teenagers need constant involvement in that which is pure, good, and godly. They need a place that loves them but won't let them settle for spiritual mediocrity. They need a place that challenges them to rise far above what is now common in their culture.

Academics, Athletics and other pursuits should be gone after.....but should never be seen as more important than their pursuit of God's best. Parents are the ones who set the tone and more importantly set the weekly schedule.

So....what was your teenager doing yesterday afternoon?

"Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it." Prov 22:6

Fellowship Serivce and Baptism Coming Up

2009-02-20T06:37:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday night, March 18th, we will have our next Fellowship Service. That is also the next time we are having a Baptism celebration. If you have never been baptized as a professing Christian....this is your is big night. This Sunday morning make sure you sign up to be baptized and one of our pastors will contact you.

Our Fellowship services are a highlight and are always a great night of worship, communion and celebrating new life in Jesus Christ as people are baptized. This is a night that we punctuate our One Purpose of reaching people where they are and leading them to full devotion in Jesus Christ. It is a night that we see first hand what happens when we all Share Responsibility in our One Purpose. Moreover, it is a night when those who are growing in their Personal Devotion see the fruits of their devotion to Christ. Mark your calendars....don't miss it!

Also, don't forget to keep up with where we are in our 10 year anniversary service tour. Click here to read about how you can celebrate with us and make a lasting impact in our community.

New Series Starts Sunday

2009-02-19T07:47:00.002-05:00

Well.....I am back in the saddle. The Hibbard family had a great time away for 3 days and even got in one day of snow skiing. The weather was beautiful and the snow was actually pretty good too. (not always the case in NC...) It was different this time as Peyton snowboarded for the first time and Brady went skiing for the first time ever. For a 3 year old turning 4 in May.....he did awesome. Once he was done with the worthless ski lessons, I took him down the bunny slopes and then we hit the big time. He had a great time ridding the big lift and then skiing down the big slopes and as he said...."going really fast!"

While I was a way playing......our staff and volunteers completely redesigned the stage as we kick off a new message series this Sunday. This Sunday we start a great series called Graceful. We will look at how we can use this thing called Grace in very specific areas of our life. Here is the exciting lineup:

February 22nd Graceful Living: Enjoying today as we move on from a painful past that now causes shame and guilt.

March 1st Graceful Parenting: A new perspective on what our kids need from us can radically change our parenting style and make it more productive.

March 8th Graceful Giving: When we are a person who is truly grateful for what we have been given, then we become a gracious giver.

March 15th Graceful Dying: Dying is something that will happen to all of us. Once we conquer our fear of death....we can start to really live.

Over the last few weeks we have learned the real meaning of the word Love and how to apply it to our everyday life. This will be a great new learning on the word Grace!

Click on our website Teamchurch.com to see the promo for the new series and then make sure you invite a friend! This Sunday our Creative Arts Ministry has a very powerful presentation you wont want to miss! Arrive early and sit up front!

Three day break with family

2009-02-16T09:02:00.001-05:00

Hey!

My kids are off school for three days....so the Hibbard's are gone.

So.....no BLOG until Thursday! I don't email, BLOG, Twitter or do any of the sorts when I am gone....no way! Unplugged is the only way to go!

Anniversary Service Tour

2009-02-13T07:19:00.002-05:00

Over the next few months we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary as a church. As you know, we have decided not to celebrate in a normal way. No big banquets, no huge picnic, no one BIG night of music and festivities......nope, we are celebrating by serving on our community! We are doing 10 service projects that deeply impact some important needs in our area. Hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars will be invested in our community. Our new website has a special page to tell you about each project and give you the dates each one will occur. It is our hopes that you will be a part of as many as possible. As a matter of fact....some have taken our 10 for 10 challenge.

Click on this link Team Church Anniversary to read all about them.

Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Have you given your special card with the insignia away yet? Also, MEN.....even though V-day will be over....this Sunday I will be giving some everyday verbal romantic tips away that will help you in your quest to be what my wife calls....."Mr. Wonderful!"

Also, please whisper a prayer for those killed late last night in the plane crash in New York area. I believe that 47 people were killed....all on the flight and one on the ground.

"As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.

When can I go and stand before him?
Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

Psalm 42:1-4

Parking & Seating Matters

2009-02-12T08:11:00.005-05:00

Every Sunday I sit in the "green room" preparing spiritually and mentally for the message I am about to deliver. As I am waiting there I see the flood of Team Church vehicles come pouring onto our campus looking for a place to park. As the minutes get closer to the start of the service....available spaces get fewer and fewer. By the time the service starts (especially 2nd service) there are really no spots open.....our excellent parking team begins parking people around the drop off area and the like. The packed parking lot is great.....except for the people who can't find one.

I need for all those who are here for both services (because you are serving one service and attending another or you are a groupy who just hangs out) to park in the new grass parking area on the hillside or if it has rained recently to park across the street at the warehouse parking. The owners have given us permission to park there when needed. Many first time guest arrive a little late and do not know where to go when they get here. Allowing them to park in the upfront spots allows them to see the signs and main entrance a lot easier. Moreover, it makes their walk time shorter as they may be a little late or need more time to find everything.

Secondly, we need all Team Church regular attendees to sit up front and be willing to sit "cheek to cheek". We are doing the research and will be ready to order our 225 balcony theater seats as soon as we can financially afford to purchase them.(special thanks to those who currently sit in the balcony on the carpeted cement...there is a special place in heaven for you HA HA) Both services are continually over "80 percent" full and that practically means that it feels full and people feel like they can't sit together if they have 4 or more in their group.

Current finances is not allowing us to move forward as planned with new parking, seating and the like. So.....time to Team Up and do the best we can! This is one thing I have always loved about so many of you......you understand that Sunday morning is not always about selfish convenience. Sunday is not just an hour in your week that you show up for a great experience...Sunday is a special day that plays a part in the totality of what it means to be a life-changing church every day of every week in our community.

Great job Team Church!

"Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen."

Philippians 4:14-20

Church Coaching Center Starts Today!

2009-02-11T07:44:00.002-05:00

Today the coaching center that we are a part of and support through money, time and materials kicks off in Rock Hill. The name of the Coaching center is The Cypress Project. This is a year long teaching, coaching and mentoring process for church planting pastors or other pastors who want to bring a new direction and philosophy to their already existing church. Our very own Neal McGlohon is the founder and leader of the Cypress Project.

Currently we have 3 host cities areas. Charlotte/Rock Hill, Columbia and Myrtle Beach. For this first season of coaching we have 31 pastors from 14 different cities. Moreover, Neal led a group in Calgary Canada last month and a group up there wants The Cypress Project to possibly start a center there. As you know, we use a percentage of our mission budget to support this great cause as we seek to Team up with many other churches in their quest to plant new churches that actually reach
people who are Christians or those who no longer attend church. Moreover, we want to help these new churches become churches that impact their local community in real and relevant ways.

Steve Miller, our new pastor for Team Church in Lancaster Co. is going through the process this year and we are excited about that. Speaking of our new Team Church campus.......this Sunday we will have our 2nd preview service there as we gear up for our Easter Morning launch. We believe that there is a huge need in that area for a church like ours and the evidence is the excitement that our new campus has already experienced.

Team Church is our new name.......it is just who we are!

"There is no delight in owning anything unshared" Seneca

"Fame usually comes to those who are thinking about something else." Oliver Holmes

Our Band Rocks

2009-02-10T07:18:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, our Team Church band is in a fun competition with two other church bands from the area. This competition is sponsored by Christian radio station 91.9 You can go vote by clicking here

Get out and rock the vote!

While talking about our band I wanted to share some things that is very cool and many times unique to our church band.

KC Clark is our Worship Pastor and does an incredible job of leading this amazing band. He is the only paid person who plays or sings in our incredible band. We value excellence in our band but we also have a greater church value of serving in ones gifts and passions to help Team Church obtain our One Purpose. We each must share in the responsibility of the One Purpose as volunteers. Therefore, we have incredibly gifted musicians who play each week....however, they are not paid. A few of them are "professional" in the fact that they are paid other places to play....but not here. They are volunteers just like the people running the lights, parking cars, teaching 5th grade and wiping baby butts in the nursery. I couldn't imagine paying someone to come play in our band knowing that the only reason they are here is to collect a pay check. I have often wondered....if we paid someone to be here...then another church or organization offered more....would they leave us for that place because the money was better?

The same is true for any volunteer aspect of Sunday morning. Paying nursery workers? Paying to have a parking team? Paying to have someone work in the cafe? Serving is too much of what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ and if done correctly, it is one of the greatest joys a person can experience in the local church.

Now of course, in order to keep the high quality and commitment in our band we don't burn them out by asking them to play every week. With the amount of time they put in each week practicing for each service.....that would be unfair to ask. So we have many people who rotate through each week as they play. This means that each week our band has different people playing with each other. This shows how truly gifted they are....as a group of about 15 band members...they get to know each other but on any given week only 4-7 may be playing. They get the music one week, they come together on Monday night to practice and by Sunday morning it is incredible. Moreover, many of the songs we sing on Sunday are written and produced by the people in our band. This is how we are in the competition.......the song you vote for must be original to that church band. So go vote.....

One more thing...for those who may be wondering! Serving and volunteering in a our church does not have to happen on Sunday. We have opportunities all during the week. (We even have a clean team that comes in and cleans the bathrooms and the entire building as volunteers.) These volunteering opportunities through out the week enable the staff to also be volunteers at Team Church. That is right.....me and our staff are not above anyone else at Team Church. There are no superstars here that only work when they are getting paid. Each staff members gives extra time during the week in serving that may not be in their job description and enables us to experience the joy of Serving and Sharing in the Responsibility of the church. From day one a staff member is told that if we expect people to work full-time and also volunteer at the church.....then we do the same thing. As I have said before, what I do on Sunday is no greater in God's eyes than what the band does and what a nursery work does. We all have been given gifts, passion and a role to play.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a process; working together is success!" Henry Ford!

"When your organization operates like a strong family, you can't be knocked out by one punch!" Coach K

Stuff The Bus Went Well

2009-02-09T07:46:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, as you pulled onto our church campus, you saw a big Union County School bus parked on the grass island in front of the building. Yesterday we accomplished our 2nd service project in our 10-Year Anniversary Service Tour. Today, volunteers from Team Church will deliver our U-haul filled with school supplies to Indian Trail Elem School. It will be much needed supplies for many kids! Great Job Team Church!

Yesterday, I also gave a talk called Fake Love. I know that we all will be able to use the message and the special note card that was provided. Remember to write in the space provided on the card them give it with the sealed insignia on it.

As a reminder here is what Paul says Love Is NOT:

Love is NOT Envious!

Love is NOT Boastful and Proud!

Love is NOT Rude!

Love is NOT Selfish!

Love is NOT Easily Angered!

Love is Does NOT hold a Grudge!

If you have someone in your life that you have been Loving in a Fake way....ask God to forgive you, then give them the note card. Be sure to tell them what you have done poorly and how you plan to change. Do this.....and they will love it more than chocolate, cards, flowers, and all the normal stuff we buy at Valentines Day as we sweep through the store and "grab" something because we have been told that Feb.14th we have to......

Speaking of V-day...here is a little Bible Poetry to help the guys out on what to say in your card. Straight from the Bible in Song Of Solomon 4:1-7

You are beautiful, my darling,
beautiful beyond words.

Your eyes are like doves
behind your veil.

Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.

Your teeth are as white as sheep,
recently shorn and freshly washed.

Your smile is flawless,
each tooth matched with its twin.[a]

Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.

Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.

Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David,
jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.

Your breasts are like two fawns,
twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.
Before the dawn breezes blow
and the night shadows flee,

I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh
and to the hill of frankincense.
You are altogether beautiful, my darling,
beautiful in every way.

Prayer Works.....Story from the trenches

2009-02-06T07:37:00.002-05:00

Last Friday we had a special Economic Crisis Prayer Time. It went great....here is a personal story I received this week:

Hi Kenny

This past Friday evening, Nancy and I attended the special prayer service for the economic situation and for those without jobs or losing their jobs. We left this service with a sense of re-newness and hope for ourselves and a prayer for all others.

I have been unemployed for over a year, about 9 months for Nancy. Looking for a job is a full-time job in itself. We have searched many job placement companies on the Internet, local newspapers, walked into businesses and left a resume or filled out applications and have sent countless resumes to job postings. I had even opened my search to areas with low unemployment in other parts of the country with the thought of relocating if necessary. I have tried to begin my own small home repair and handyman business and have done work for others, but not enough to make a living. I believe its because people just don't have the money to spend or are putting remodeling and repairs on hold until the economy strengthens. I had been in construction sales (cabinets) for over 15 years but the housing construction has all but stopped. Everyday, the news has been bleak with more layoffs to come.

I had a health insurance policy and just recently canceled it because the insurance company refused to pay for recent bills (over 7K) accumulated after some extensive tests that were ordered by my doctor. I was paying $500 a month just for myself! Nancy could not be insured with this company and has not had health insurance since she was laid off last April. It just seemed we were going further and further in the hole and we really could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. However, we continued to pray and supported Team Church the best way we could, financially and as volunteers because we believe in the church and the support of the staff, but more importantly, we believe in God.

When we left the church on Friday after the prayer service, music and your message, all these re-confirmed our belief in God and the ministry of the church. Out of the blue on Monday morning, I received a call from a company I had interviewed with over a month ago asking if I was still looking for a job and would I come in for another interview?? I was offered a job after this second interview! At this point, I begin sometime around the middle of February, if not sooner. Along with having a paycheck, the company will pay for my health insurance totally and I will be able to add Nancy to the policy as well! I am excited and can only give God the praise and glory for giving us another chance. Even though I will be doing some extensive travel with this company, including most weekends, I can continue worshiping with Team Church by reading your daily blogs and watching all missed services on the Team Church website. The job and the pay is not ideal, but I am just thankful I have been offered a job (with those important benefits)!

Thank you Kenny and thank you Team Church for your support and your prayers. I feel better about myself, more than I have in a long time. Roger

WOW...that is great. In these challenging times, we need God and His people to be the "Church." Great job Team Church!

Things To Remember For THIS Sunday:

1) Please be on time, don't miss the first 5 minutes of the service.
2) Please sit close and to the front. (We are trying to think of how we can get the new seats paid for and in the balcony)
3) THIS SUNDAY IS STUFF THE BUS....for Indian Trail Elem.
4) BRING A FRIEND!

The Dream Continues

2009-02-05T08:05:00.005-05:00

Early yesterday while no one was here in the office and the Snow was still on the ground and nesting quietly on the branches of the trees.....my mind began to dream about what will be happening in the years to come on the now 60 acre beautiful campus God has given us to use.

I have a fresh since of what the property looks like as I took my two boys on a "tromp" through the new back 40 acres. We are so blessed and God has been good.

I began to dream about.....in no certain order:

* The incredible outdoor and indoor play ground we will have for the kids.

* The waking/jogging trail that will swirl its way through the woods, along the creek and around the property.

* A creatively designed and used community care building that will have places specifically helping single moms, the financially less fortunate, counseling center, celebrate recovery, pregnancy crisis center, adoption center and the like.

* A phenomenal gym for Team Church and the community to use. (Our growing Zumba crew will love that!)

* A unique and incredible building for our growing kids ministry.

* A new auditorium one day for the adult services as the Student Ministry takes over our current building!

* A great looking and functional building that will allow people at Team Church with skills in mechanics, fixing things, and the like to serve single moms and those less fortunate in ways that are real.

* A sports complex with multiple fields and courts of all kinds to allow Team Church to have fun in sports but also to allow our city a safe place for kids and adults to use our community driven facility.

* A open courtyard that connects all buildings with outdoor seating areas, benches and the like. This will be a great place to spend many afternoons in the beautiful Carolina blue skies.

* A book store, cafe and library type atrium area that has in-door & out side seating area that spills int the court yard. This will be connected to the new main building.

The dream list goes on....but you get the idea. The great thing is that this is what we dreamed about 10 years ago.....5 years ago...and last year when we launched our Expand Campaign. In some form, it is what we dream of doing in every city we pant a Team Church.

The great thing about our beautiful campus is that it will be a place that is designed for Team Church to use as we reach and impact our community AND our community to use as they lead out in their own specific passions and calling. We already Team up now with Public schools, public recreation and many more here.....it will only get better.

As a matter of fact.... Tonight while a large group of Team Church men are here going through the Tony Dungy study called Quiet Strength...another church, Champion Christian Center, will be using a part of our facility for a leadership training they are doing for their church.

Some may say.....those are BIG dreams in a time when our nation's economy is going down the toilet. That is true.....however, I believe that in a few years we will look back at these hard economical times and it will be a great testimony of God's faithfulness!

"Let's attempt something so great for God, that it will only happen if God is in it!"
- Kenny Hibbard at first Sunday service January, 1999.

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!"
- Special Olympics Prayer

The Snow Dance Part Two

2009-02-04T06:46:00.003-05:00

Either I was not paying attention or the weather men got caught totally off guard. There is more snow in our part of Charlotte today than we had two weeks ago. However, I should have known it was going to snow last night. All night Brady was telling us it was going to snow and he was going sledding again......because he had done the Snow Dance. Once again his older brother was telling him he was crazy! I thought he was being silly......he knew he wanted some snow.

The roads from my house to the church were not bad but had more ice than last time. They say it is not suppose to get warmer than 34 today. We will see. As for tonight's Team Kid and Pursuit we are going to cancel all scheduled events and programs for tonight. Please help spread the word ASAP! Also, this info will be on our website Teamchurch.com

This Sunday is our 2nd Service Project on our 10-Year Anniversary Service Tour. We will be stuffing a school bus with school supplies for the kids at Indian Trail Elem School that are in need of supplies so that they can finish the school year out strong! Please bring what you can this Sunday and help us make a huge impact in these kids lives.

Also, be looking for more details on the next 8 projects! This anniversary Service Tour idea is revolutionary and God placed the effort in our hearts last summer.....knowing that 2009 would be a tough year for many of the organizations and schools we are serving. We are getting to be "The Church" as talked about in the New Testament at a time when we each need the other. As I stated on Sunday... cool videos, great music, great teaching, creative kids ministries and gourmet coffee is a wonderful thing. However, in and of themselves, none of these makes a personal difference in the lives of people who are hurting during the week. "Being the Church" is something that happens everyday and not just on Sunday. I am so glad we get to celebrate our 10 years as a church this way in these times. Remember...Real Love is a action not a warm fuzzy feeling....it is what you do. We have always been a church that acts and I "love" that about Team Church.

Here is what Jesus said:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?

He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

Matthew 25:34-45

"The true measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do him absolutely no good." Ann Landers

How is the self evaluation going

2009-02-03T07:40:00.002-05:00

On Sunday I gave the meaning of Love found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. We learned that this word in the original Greek is Agape and the other word used in the New Testament for Love is Phileo.

Agape Love is unconditional as it is shown and given no matter what the other person does or does not do. It is also NOT feelings or affection based. That kind of love would be more for Phileo. We also took time to to investigate what the Bible means when it says that Love is Patient and Kind. We found out that biblical patience means that we are slow to anger and displeasure in the ones we love. Moreover, the word kind here is an action verb that has nothing to do with being nice, sweet or pleasant. Those are great things.....but they don't express real love.

(For a very clear message on Real Love as it pertains to Patience and Kindness...go to our website and watch it. Click here!)

So, how did your self evaluation go? Are you a person who shows Real Love to your spouse and kids? What about other family members and friends? We should never be surprised when we act in what I called UN-Love and those in our life respond the same way.....especially our kids.

A Real Love Prayer:

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for reward,
Save that of knowing I am doing your will! AMEN

Real Love

2009-02-02T07:49:00.002-05:00

On Sunday I announced that I was pulling for the Cardinals. Well....at least we got to see a great game. Also, I think the Steelers are a great team, organization and unlike our beloved Panthers....they play with intensity and passion every game. To honor the Steelers, Mike Tomlin their coach and more importantly Jesus Christ in whom Mike Tomlin lives an open committed life.....here is a statement from him last week. It too talks about REAL LOVE....as we learned yesterday!

Fatherhood comes first, then the game
Commentary By Mike Tomlin

When I am asked for my advice on how to succeed in life, I often answer: dream … dream big. And it will be a dream come true Sunday when I walk onto the field to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the Super Bowl. It is a dream made possible by the incredible effort of my players; the unwavering support of the owners, the Rooney family, and Steelers fans; and the steadfast love of my family — my wife, Kiya; my mother, Julia; and especially the man I call Dad.

Leslie Copeland came into my life as my stepfather when I was 6 years old. He was a postal worker; I had a passion for sports. He took the overnight shift so he could coach my baseball team. I worked hard so he'd be pleased with me. Over time, I began to see he was teaching me much more than how to throw a baseball or catch a pass. He was teaching me how to be a man. He was teaching me how to be a father.

I had big dreams when I was a child. But without my dad, those dreams might not have come true. He brought stability to my life. He made my world a safe place in which to think and to learn. And though not every boy may aspire to become a football coach, every father can aspire to become the dad of his child's dreams. But to make that a reality, fathers must choose daily to work toward that goal.

In my own home, that means I make my wife and our children — Dino, Mason and Harlyn Quinn — my No. 1 priority. I try to start my day by eating breakfast with my children. In those minutes, I learn what's going on in their lives, and have the opportunity to share the values my wife and I want to pass on to them.

I also try to make my life fit into theirs. When I can, I drive them to school, coach their sports teams and go over their homework. If they're proud of me for coaching the Steelers, that's great, but I want them to know that my primary purpose in life is to be their dad.

Dreams can take us far; they can take our children far. But our children need our help. They need dads who believe in those dreams as strongly as they do, men with the maturity and wisdom to guide them to the place where their dreams are within their grasp. Children need a father like my own, who day by day and year by year lifted me higher and higher, until the possibility of my dreams was well within my reach.

I would not be coaching the Steelers in the Super Bowl now if it weren't for the man who walked into my life when I was a young boy and became my dad. I've always dreamed of being a champion, but it was my dad who championed my dreams.

Note: Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, is also a spokesman for the fatherhood program All Pro Dad

It Is The Best Of Times.....The Worst Of Times

2009-01-30T07:33:00.004-05:00

I had lunch on Wednesday and Tuesday with men who do not attend our church. During our conversation both of them asked me; "how is the horrible economy affecting the church?" I bet I get asked that a least 5 times a day?

The answer......"It is the best and worst times all together!"

Over the last 8 weeks we have enjoyed a great spirit of anticipation of our new name and the anniversary "10 service project tour". The energy and excitement is high. We have had our highest attendance ever on Sundays over the last 8 weeks. On Wednesday nights, Team Kid and Pursuit are blowing the doors off! We have had many new singles and families come and join Team Church and get involved in our One Purpose. We are set to launch our new campus in Lancaster Co. and the first "pre-view" service was great. We have purchased the 40 additional acres (we now have 60 total acres) behind us as the family gave us owner financing with nothing due for 2 years. It really has been a great few months! Our staff was committing the other day how healthy our church is from the inside out.

However, these are also some challenging times. The national economic crisis has finally hit the Charlotte area and of course, Team Church. Like most companies, non-profits and churches....Team Church is feeling the affect of people losing their jobs, homes and lifestyle. We are seeing a considerable drop off of people giving financially to the church. Moreover, the amount of people who have lost jobs means that some families have stopped giving all together as they are not making anything to tithe from.

I am sad to have to share with you that the recent trends in our giving and the outlook for the next few months has forced us to lay off two of our part-time staff immediately. Stacey Sutton and Chris Faulkner have been laid off with the promise of re-hire as soon as we can. These two have done a great job and their departure has nothing to do with how they performed...we just have to make some hard decisions. Moreover, we have informed another full-time staff that if things don't turn around soon we would need to reduce them to 3/4 time at 30 hours a week.

These are challenging days....but I assured our staff that God was is control and that our faith was in His strong hands. I am praying and having faith that we will not have to trim another staff members hours and also bring back the others very soon. Part of tonight's Prayer and Care night will be for our church as well as all the individual families.

While reading this good and bad news you may be wondering....."If finances are so tough at the church, why would the leadership start a new campus in Lancaster Co. and buy more land? Great question! The answer is easy....

1) We are a tithing church. For 10 years....whatever comes in financially...10% goes back out to some form of mission that does not directly affect our church here. Currently our 10% goes to two churches in Ethiopia as we fully support the salaries of the pastors there, we also support the church planting/coaching network that we helped launch so that new pastors and churches can be trained. Also, a portion of that 10% goes to the campus in Lancaster County. That 10% has been set aside to always go somewhere else....we can't start going against that God honoring value now.

2) Because of the financial crisis we knew the country was heading in, we were willing to let the land contract go and told the owners this. They, of course, really believe in what we are doing and want us to have the land. They were willing to take a low down payment and then give us two years of no payment and no interest. The down payment came from a few specific donors who gave the money specifically for the down payment so we could buy the land. As you know, legally and morally money given specifically for land or buildings cannot be used for anything else. The land purchase is not affecting our current budget as we owe nothing for 2 years.

The reasons for the layoffs is simple....our budget giving has dipped even though our attendance has gone up. People who have jobs... but high gas prices and the like have caused them to stop giving to the church. Those who have lost jobs have also in many cases stopped giving all together.

So what do we do......we trust God that he will encourage all our people to give as he directs. We will pray knowing that God is in charge and that if we the church put our trust in Him and obey his will....we will be fine.

Don't forget that our Celebrate Recovery is here every Friday night to help those who need it!

Here is what James says

James 1:2-8

Faith and Endurance

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Do You Want Loving and Lasting Relationships?

2009-01-29T07:58:00.003-05:00

What is Real Love? How can we have a great loving and lasting relationship with our spouse, kids, parents and other people that we desire to be in a relationship?

Does the Bible give us a clear definition of Real Love? Does it give us a clear "how we should act and think" when it comes to Real Love? The answer to these is a resounding YES!

Moreover, my guess is that Real Love is much different than we may think! This Sunday we are starting a new series entitled The Most Excellent Way...to loving and lasting relationships. Click here to see it and invite a friend. This is a must teaching for all of us in our generation!

This series is for anyone who wants to really love their kids, spouse, parents, boy/girl friend and others in their life. We will see that what we think is Love may not be.....and we will see that Real Love is something special! I will be speaking on a passage in the Bible that I have never fully unpacked and taught on in it's entirety. I promise you.....I was shocked by what I discovered in my study and prep for this message series. I know you will be too!

The Most Excellent Way...to loving and lasting relationships
February 1st Real Love
February 8th Fake Love
February 15th Lasting Love

Don't Forget Stuff The Buss continues this Sunday. Many kids at Indian Trail Elem School are in huge need of school supplies to finish the school year our strong. Click here for more info! The BIG school bus will be here Feb 8th on Sunday!

Don't forget.....special prayer and care time tomorrow night here at Team Church as we come together to pray and seek God's peace and grace in these tough economic times.

"When we come face to face with God, we are going to be judged on how much we loved!"
- Mother Teresa

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
- every good teacher I ever had!

Bob Bailey

2009-01-28T07:40:00.002-05:00

As a church grows and grows.....it is hard and next to impossible for me or any of our Pastors to know everyone. This is true for anyone who comes to Team Church. This is why we have Home Teams and Service Teams and really push that everyone gets connected relationally to a group. You just can't know everyone......however, I did know Bob Bailey.

Bob, Lori and young Caroline started coming to Team Church a few years ago when we were still meeting at Butler High School. Not long after Bob started coming he shared with us that he had a tumor in his brain and the Dr.'s did not give him much time to live. As a matter of fact, during that summer he pulled me aside and said he did not think he would see Christmas. Bob made it to that Christmas and the next three. Bob served faithfully in our Cafe' when we moved into the new building and did so until he just could not physically take it any more. I use to tease him that we were always looking for "anyone" to serve and that even if he had to take "breaks" I expected him to serve faithfully....he knew I was teasing.

Over the last year Bob would come up to me in between services every so often to give me an update on how he was doing. He would tell me that it was hard knowing you were dying and that he worried for his family. I could not do much except pray for him, assure him heaven was great and further assure him that Team Church would be here for his family when he was gone. For the most part, Bob kept his since of humor and began to cope with his dying body.

In December, right before Christmas, Bob came by the church to say hi. I really did not have time, but felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to just sit and chat with Bob. We talked about Christmas, his recent stay in the hospital again and how he was glad to be out. He told me about when he and his dad use to go fishing and how his daughter loved to fish also with his dad. He told me stories from his childhood that he never had told me and while he was talking I got the feeling that Bob knew the end was coming soon.......Bob Bailey died late Monday night. His body could no longer function and the pain was no longer tolerable. I learned of his passing yesterday morning from Brad Saab our youth pastor. He had built a special bond with the family while ministering to Caroline and was there for the family as Bob passed just like I had promised. We will also be there for them from here on out too.

Bob will be missed. His dry humor will not.....ha ha...Bob would have like that one! I am glad I got to know Bob just a little.

With Bob's passing, people losing jobs, and a growing list of challenges in lives of those who call Team Church home......I am reminded again that being The Church is exactly what we set out to do 10 years ago! It is about doing life together.

Don't forget that this Friday I will be leading out in a special prayer and care time for anyone who just feels the need to pray and read the Bible as we seek God's face for peace, comfort and real hope in these challenging times. Bring your Bibles, bring your kids, bring a hurting heart, bring whatever you want....and I will see you here for a night of powerful insight, relational support and godly encouragement.

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
Philippians 4:6-8

Great News & Much Needed Prayer

2009-01-27T07:37:00.002-05:00

Well the town council voted last night.....and we were given our rezoning! We now have a campus that sits on 60 acres of beautiful land on the corner of Hwy 74 and I485. A location that will allow us to reach and impact our community now and for many years.

We now can move forward with the plans that we feel God has given to us as a church in this community. Moreover, we have been blessed beyond measure in the purchasing of this great piece of property......the owners agreed to owner financing, a lower down payment AND because of the economic times we are in....we do not have a payment or interest due for two years. However, we own it out right and can begin using the land immediately.

What a great week so far.....we have our new expanded land and our new campus in Lancaster Co. had a phenomenal "pre-view" service. It was our first of three "pre-view" services as we look forward to an Easter launch. The volunteers from Matthews and Lancaster Co. did a great job!

HOWEVER....as great as all that is.....everyone reading this BLOG is well aware of the financial crisis that is hitting our area. Everyday we are getting calls or emails that another Team Church family has lost a job, may lose their house or the like. Many families in our church are being affected by the down turn in the economy and people are hurting, scared and suffering.

This kind of circumstance is unprecedented in our generation and in our young church. On Monday afternoon when yet another call came into the office about prayer for another lost job....I felt God impressing me to call for a time of care and prayer. As a church we cannot financially help everyone....the numbers are to great. However, we can be THE CHURCH! As a church we can offer care, a shoulder and prayer. So that is what we are doing:

When: This Friday at 7pm
Where: Team Church main Auditorium.

There will be no planned special music or anything other than Kenny and other staff and volunteers leading us in prayer and Bible reading. There will be time to pray, share your concerns or situation or to just sit quietly and ask God for His grace and peace that passed all understanding. This will be a “come and go” time that we have no agenda expect to be here for those who want to pray and seek God. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN....we just know that as a church we need to offer this special night. INVITE ANYONE YOU WANT WHO MAY NEED SUCH A POWERFUL NIGHT OF PRAYER!

No childcare is provided….kids of all ages are welcome to join whomever is in the auditorium. God does not care about a little talking or baby crying…and neither do we.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9

The Best Message Ever?

2009-01-26T07:31:00.003-05:00

I thought yesterday was a great way to end our three part series called Team Church...New Name, Same Church. Over the last three weeks we have been very clear on what is the purpose, mission and game plan of our church. Just as important we have taught what expectations we each have as individuals. These expectations comes first from God and then each of us who call this place our church.

I had more than one person tell me that yesterdays message was the best one I have ever given on such a topic. I know that when I hear such things that the practical simple message I was trying to convey worked. The message of personal devotion can sometimes seem unattainable to many and therefore we never really try.

Yesterday I shared these three personal disciplines that must be a part of our lives. I shared that these do not have to be arduous tasks but should be seen as the natural flow in the rhythms of our life. These are the three things that will help us be all that God has asked us to be!

Prayer: Talking and Listening to God!

* This should be seen as conversations with God. Sometimes, all it needs to be is constant twittering to God!

* When we do stop and want to talk and Listen we can use the acrostic C.A.R.T:

Confession, Adoration, Request, Thanksgiving.

Bible: Learn it, know it and use it!

* The goal here is to know the information, the stories, the truth and then apply it to daily life. The good thing....once you know the truth and the info....it does not change.

Worship: Attitude of adoration, praise and thanksgiving!

* Worship is not music. It can be musical and for many people that is the best way they worship. However, worship is when you connect emotionally with God in a attitude of thanks, praise, conviction and adoration. That can be while taking a hike, riding a bike, singing, working in the yard.....worship is emotional and is tied to your personality.

Our new website is up...go to this section and read again our One Purpose, Shared Responsibility and Personal Devotion. Teamchurch.com

As you start another week...here is a great verse about going to work today:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23

"Hard work beats talent, when talent does not work hard!" Tim Tebow

Looking For Some Skilled People

2009-01-23T07:33:00.002-05:00

This coming April, Team Church is going to celebrate our 10-year-anniversary by re-building & building a few needed things at the Howell Center in Mint Hill. The Howell Center is a place for severe mental and physical handicap kids and adults that can no longer be managed at home. As many of you know, this is where our daughter Ellie lives now. While going there on a weekly basis I have noticed that the "high-school" play area is in need of fixing and adding some new shelters and equipment. Also, the younger kid area has plenty of fenced yard...but no play ground equipment.

Moreover, in talking with the Howell Center they are no longer able to use their in-door therapy pool because the roof has a leak right over the pool and the ceiling tiles and such have fallen in and made the pool unusable. We are not sure if we can do all of these things in one weekend.....but we sure would like to try.

A few weeks ago we had 185 adults signed up to help at the Howell Center. That is awesome and more than enough for this one project. However, we need some skilled people to join me there in a week or two to assess the damage, make plans and design a strategy for what we can do. If you are a skilled carpenter, electrician, plumber, roofer, or the like and would like to be on the point team for this major project....then email me at Chrisfaulkner@teamchurch.com

The Howell Center does not have any money to put toward these needed projects. So, if you know of a company that supplies some of the needed materials we may use...let me know and I will put whomever becomes the point person for this project on it!

I love the fact that we are celebrating our 10-year-anniversary by doing 10 different service projects in our community. I love the fact that these projects/events are truly "others" focused. In these hard economic times the need is great for many people and the agencies that support them also need help. That is why we at Team Church are continuing what we have always done....be a church in the community, serving the community, reaching the community and making an impact in people's lives who may never sit in the seats of our church.

Team Church...our name designates that we are far more than a great place to sit and learn through a Sunday message and enjoy wonderful worship. Although that happens each Sunday......the local church must be in the action business of serving, impacting, reaching for Christ and helping to make each local community a better place to live.

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:48

Have you been to our new website Teamchurch.com

Best Meeting Of The Week

2009-01-22T08:05:00.003-05:00

I had my normal Thursday morning 6:45am breakfast meeting today. It is always my favorite meeting of the week.....guaranteed! I have had a breakfast meeting with my son, Peyton, most every Thursday during school since he was in 2nd grade. I love it and most important he loves it. He will always remind me on Wednesday night that I have a breakfast meeting with him in the morning.

This meeting over the last few years has become more important as we have gone from me trying to keep his attention by playing the "Hidden Shell" game with the small used creamer containers to talking about grades, sports, sex, sports, friends, sports, God, sports, Church, sports, family business and whatever else may be happening in our families life during a specific week.

Once again while talking this morning I was struck at how fast time is going. I was also thankful that as Peyton grows older and heads into the challenges that Middle & High School will bring that he loves church and looks forward to it each week. Moreover, as he told me this morning...."Team Kid was fun and I can't wait to get to go to Pursuit."

I am thankful that our kids have a great kids ministry on Sunday and Wednesday. I am also very proud of our Student ministry and what we are providing for our middle & high school students. It makes a difference in their lives....

Here is the point of today's BLOG: As parents we must realize that the values we are setting in our home are very important. We as the parents are the greatest influence our kids will ever have if they are to grow in godliness. At the younger ages, they will value what you value and mimic the spiritual rhythms you live out. Moreover, we must help our kids and teenagers prioritize God and Church into their lives. This means regular attendance on Sunday and the learning of how to prioritize your schedule to make room for bible learning, fun, fellowship, service, worship, prayer and the like.

Great job Clint, Christa and Stacey and all the volunteers in the leadership you give to our kids! Great job Brad and all his volunteers for the incredible student ministry you provide. Together, parents and Team Church leaders, we can raise a generation that is passionate about God and dedicated to living for Him.

That does not happen in our kid's lives.....one hour a week on Sunday!

“Listen! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Quiet Strength W/ A Purpose!

2009-01-21T07:23:00.003-05:00

I have always like NFL football coach, Tony Dungy. Two weeks ago he retired from coaching at the peak of his career. When asked why he was leaving while still being young enough and successful enough to coach in the NFL.....Tony Dungy was very clear. He said that his purpose in life was to honor God and help reach men and boys with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. Football to him was a passion and career that he enjoyed AND it gave him a platform to pursue his purpose. However, now, he feels like he can do more in attaining his purpose by taking his wealth and status and focusing directly on the mission/purpose God has given him. He plans to start ministries in Tampa and Indianapolis for men and those boys without fathers. That is a man who knows who he is and what is most important in life!

A few years ago Tony Dungy wrote the book Quiet Strength. I read it and loved it! This book chronicles his life and more specifically his belief system on how to live in today's world as a godly man. This book has been turned into a great Bible study and mens group discussion. I want to invite any man reading this BLOG to join other men on Thursday nights here at Team Church for the next few weeks. It will be a great time to learn, grow and become the man God wants you to be....and also the man, husband, boyfriend, employee, employer or whatever life setting you find yourself. It starts each Thursday night at 7pm.

Also, Team Kid and Pursuit is TONIGHT! Doors open at 6:30 both start at 7pm.

"Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are givn the opportunity to perform at our best."
Michael Johnson, Olympic Gold Medal Winner

The Snow Dance

2009-01-20T07:07:00.003-05:00

Last night at 8pm my son Peyton was saying...."I hope it snows so we don't have school." I told him that the only way to ensure it was going to snow was that he would have to do the snow dance. He rolled his eyes in disbelief. I then told him it was an old dance that people long ago would use....he still did not really believe but thought it was worth a shot. After I showed him the dance, it was funny enough that he also decided it would be funny and began to do it. Of course,Brady, my 3 1/2 year old thought it was real funny so he started to do it. I told them that if they both did it together that we were assured snow and no school.

Well.....the snow came and is still falling. School is closed and I can't wait to see Brady's face. Peyton (11) is old enough to know that it "probably" did not snow because of the dance. However, Brady is going to think his dance opened up heaven and let the snow fall. That boy will be dancing every night!

I am hoping we can get some more snow before they wake up and eat breakfast. The temperature should stay around 35 degrees......could make for some fun sledding. The roads into the church were clear this morning but seem to be getting worse as the snow keeps falling.....everyone have fun but drive safely!

This Coming Sunday is a BIG day for Team Church. We have our first "pre-view" service at our new campus in Lancaster Co. Steve Miller our Pastor there has done a good job building a core group and they are ready to go. Gordon and Olivia Hann who have been apart of our church for 9 years have moved there and will also be a big part. As a matter of fact Olivia will be leading the worship band! Be praying as we have about 20 people from Team Church (Matthews) going down there this Sunday to serve in different areas. This will be a great weekend here and there. It is all about Team!

As far as the weekend services here.....it is great to see the enthusiasm that everyone has over our new name and the prep for our 10-year anniversary celebrations. Last Tuesday we had over 100 people come and give Blood to the Red Cross. They were so amazed by the turn out they wanted to know if they could come back in June! We are now working with Indian Trail Elem School to "stuff a buss" full of school supplies that many kids will need to finish the year, but.... can't afford. Be looking for details of when to bring some school supplies.

We continue to grow and progress toward being all God has called us to be! Great Job!

"Sing to the Lord a new song for he has done marvelous things; his right and his holy arm have worked salvation for him!" Psalms 98:1

Shared Responsibility

2009-01-19T07:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was very clear on what a fully devoted follower of Christ does in the local church. How each of us should Share in the Responsibility of helping Team Church achieve our One Purpose.

As I said yesterday....these are just the basics. Four basic attitudes and action that are commanded by God to be a part of your life. Four foundational marks...(not of a Christian as that comes from the grace of God through faith)....but a Christian who decides to be all that God has asked him or her to be! These are Spiritual because they are commands of God and they are practical.... because if they don't happen....the church fails. They are four fundamentals that will also change your personal life into more than you could ever imagine.

What you will see all over Team Church is this motto:

Shared Responsibility:

We are to Love One Another!

We are to Serve In The Church

We are to Give To God Through The Church

We are to Share Jesus Christ With Others.

That is it....Love, Serve, Give and Share. Those are what each person who calls Team Church....should be active and engaging in! It is the only way we have a healthy church that accomplishes the high calling of God for our individual lives and our this church.

After listening to the message yesterday....were you willing to "sign-up" and let us know you agree with the One Purpose of Team Church AND that you will Share in the Responsibility of that One Purpose?

If you missed the message...please go and listen or watch on line sometime this week!

As I said yesterday.....full devotion takes action and not just emotional and mental agreement. Our One Purpose will not happen just because we think it is a good thing to do or because we prayed about it. It happens when after praying about it....we act! This year has started off better than any year in our 10 year history.....I can't wait to see what "we" all get to do and be apart of this year!

Team Church in Lancaster Co. has it's first "practice" service this coming Sunday. Be praying that God will our new campus to fulfill our One Purpose there too!

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing!" - Walt Disney

I would be willing to bet......

2009-01-16T07:41:00.003-05:00

I would be willing to bet that the people on the plane yesterday that was bound for Charlotte but crashed landed in the Hudson River were not thinking these things while strapping on their life vest and preparing to crash land in the Hudson River...

.....I wonder how my 401k is doing as the market closes today!

.....I cannot believe that my house is no longer valued like it once was!

.....I am ticked that I was passed over for that promotion!

.....I still can't believe the Panthers lost to the Cardinals!

.....I wish I had spent more time traveling and working and not with my kids!

.....I wonder how my company's stock will do at the closing bell!

.....Man, I am glad that I bought that new flat screen and X-BOX 360!

.....Good thing I stayed mad at my spouse and did not talk to him/her today!

.....Guess if I die,I will go back to dust because their is no God or heaven!

.....No need for a quick prayer, I don't believe in God!

I think you get my point. I watched a few interviews and heard the comments from the passengers. At that moment.....what is really important in this life becomes real clear. Moreover, one guy said....EVERYONE was praying! There are no atheist in foxholes or planes that are cashing!

Last Sunday we talk about the One Purpose of Team Church. This Sunday we will share the life changing practical spiritual commands of God that each of us is to do as we Share in the Responsibility of the Purpose of the church. Four words.....that will change your life.

"I am only one, but I am one!
I can't do everything, but I can do something
And that I can do, I ought to do
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do." Edward Hale

The Place To Be!

2009-01-15T07:02:00.002-05:00

Last night I picked up my son from Lacrosse practice and brought him to Team Kid. When I drove into our parking lot.....our church parking lot and campus looked like a happening courtyard area at the mall. After checking him into Team Kid I sat in my Jeep and watched all the kids, teenagers and adults milling around and having a good time. Some were playing games in the atrium area, others watching ESPN on the flat screens, some eating pizza and having a coke, teenagers were "hanging-out" like they enjoy doing and even the parents were chatting with each other and enjoying some coffee. The whole scene looked awesome....and the night had not really started as that was just the "hang-out" time from 6:30-7pm.

At the moment I knew we were now providing something we had never really done before. Our campus was alive with relationship building, energy, fun, inspiration and learning....all in one place for the whole family. This was a night for worship, growing, and learning to become more like Christ.

1st - 5th grade were upstairs at Team Kid. A place where they learn the Bible, memorize the truth in the Bible, worship, breakout into Home Teams to discuss what they are learning and how they can apply it to their life.....all this in a fun way so that a kid wants to be there. My son came home again and showed be his Playbook (Bible reading, questions and weekly character building things to do) and said he was looking forward to another Team Kid Season. 75 kids were here for the first night!

6-12th grade were in the main auditorium at The Pursuit. A place where these students worship weekly with a Student led band, tech crew, and the like. They enjoy great music, teaching, and friendships to help them navigate these tough years. However, this group is not designed to just help them be "good" ....it is designed to help them to live a motivated and committed life to Christ that will impact their lives and this community. 133 students were here for the first night.

Many adults have chosen this night for their own personal Home Team night. So many of the rooms on campus have adults meeting in them for group time. Other adult Home Team groups go off campus and meet as they know their kids are well taken care. Still others use it as a great night to reconnect as husband and wife. ( I saw a few drop their kids off and head to dinner.....for many married couples, that is a ministry to them as they need that time.)

This is an aspect of the dream vision I shared this time last year. I shared that I felt very passionate about being a church that was more than just a place to come for an hour or so on Sunday. I believe very firmly that kids, teenager and adults need more than that if they are to be all God wants them to be!

Great job to our staff and the many volunteers that make Wednesday night....The Place To Be!

As we think about where we have come and where we are going as Team Church:

"Faith is the confidence of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see!"
Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is not the absence of fear....it is moving forward anyway!"

I said I would not do it this year...but I did

2009-01-14T08:04:00.006-05:00

Last night I watched it......on the DVR so I could fast forward through the commercials....but I did watch it. I laughed, I liked the human stories and as usual I enjoyed the mindless drivel that is American Idol.

I had told myself I would not watch "another" year of this crazy show. However, crafty and smart producers mixed with many foolish people seeking at best...... easy, quick, sudden riches and at worst....they get 60 seconds of ridiculous fame. This makes for an enjoyable laugh every show. Adding the new lady as a full-time judge help to break the 8 season rut of similar banter between the Simon, Paula and Randy.

So I watched.......the whole thing and was glad to hear it comes on again tonight. It is crazy, but, I like it. Ever wondered what makes some people like one TV show and others hate it? I can't stand shows like LOST, Law & Order SVU, ER, 24, CSI, Prison Break and the like. My wife loves them! However, I can watch the same ESPN Sports Center at 11pm ..even though I already saw the first airing of it at 6pm. My kids can watch the exact same DVRed Sponge Bob over and over. For the most part, most of these TV shows are mindless or fantasy and that is why we like it.

So what does this BLOG entry have to do with the Team Church? Nothing really.....just mindless reading today. I will be back to focused values, vision and information you can use on Thursday. However, I bet you laughed a little or at least I made you think about what you do or do not watch.

Actually....here is some info to remember: Team Kid & Pursuit start tonight at 6:30pm.

"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." St. Francis Of Assisi

Team Church & Red Cross team up to save lives!

2009-01-13T05:43:00.002-05:00

At 5:30 am this morning the Red Cross truck pulled into our parking lot and started to unload the beds, the needles, the blood banks and the like. Starting at 7am this morning over 150 adults from Team Church will roll in here to give their own Blood!

This blood of course will be used to save lives in emergencies and other times that life saving blood is required in medical procedures. The blood given stays here in Meck County and is used for our city. This is a great way to kick off our year long 10 year anniversary celebration. As you know, we are doing 10 outward focused service projects to our surrounding communities.

In talking to Janice Walters, the Team Church volunteer who is leading this effort, she tells me that she feels compelled to do this! Why? Because a few years ago she was having a surgical procedure when things went wrong. The end story is that if it were not for the Red Cross Blood Bank.....she would have died. She knows that without the generous giving of others people's blood, she would not be here. So......she gives back her own blood plus helps lead out in these massive blood drives.

Hmmmmmm giving your time and effort so that others may live...because you know what it is like to have been saved......that sounds like the main reason I challenged all of us to "Reach people where they are and lead them to full devotion in Jesus Christ."

I hope to see you here this morning...7am - noon.

How did the Rezoning vote go last night? It went very well! The Mayor himself made the motion to accept the motion. After some discussion it was said by a few town council members that they agreed that the best use for the property is for a church and the facilities, walking trails, natural areas and sports fields we will develop. However.....they wanted us to provide a buffer on the South East corner of our current property that exceeds the code basics. We gladly obliged their request.

So, two weeks from now we go back and will show them an example of what we are willing to do. That way there is a clear descriptiveness of what we will do and their is no confusion. For those who are wondering...."will this thing ever end?" Yes, this is it. I was assured by the Town Council that this was the only other issue and the only one to be discussed and brought up in two weeks. So, we will show them via pictures and landscape drawings what we are proposing as a buffer on that corner and then we will have our rezoning.

Patience is a great virtue that we can all develop. As I tell my sons all the time, if it is not worth working for, waiting for and sacrificing for....then it may not be worth it.

Time for me to go give some blood! Here is a question to ponder....Do you think ADHD is transmitted through Blood? HA HA

Here is a great verse for today:

Acts 20:28

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

2009-01-12T08:12:00.002-05:00

Sunday was great. What a way to start our new series under our new name as we celebrate 10 years as a church. As we said yesterday....same church, same purpose, same values, same mission.....new name.

I was personally moved when I saw so many people in both services coming up to sign your name on the wall. Knowing that together as a Team Church that we all understand and are committed to the One Purpose of this church....is Awesome and will enable us to continue the impact in our city that we have enjoyed for the last 10 years.

Speaking of impact in our city....tonight the town council will once again vote on our rezoning petition. We have submitted plans for the entire 60 acre campus here and are praying that the town council will approve it. They have deferred for three months now as we have been asked to work through some issues. Hopefully, tomorrow morning while we are all giving blood here at our Red Cross blood drive, we can report good news of the rezoning.

One last thing! Our new website teamchurch.com is up and running. Go check it out and use it weekly to stay up to date with what is going on. Moreover, share it with a friend!

In reference to yesterdays message on One Purpose....

"To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming is the only end of life." Robert Lewis Stevenson

Great Way To End The Year!

2009-01-09T08:16:00.003-05:00

No....I am not talking about the HUGE Gator win last night as the University Of Florida won the college football national championship. Although that was great!

I am talking about the way that the people of CSF gave at the end of the year. We challenged you to give to help Team Church start 2009 of with out any debt beyond our mortgage. YOU CAME THROUGH.....we hit our financial goal and were able to close out 2008 in a positive financial way! I know these are very hard financial times for all of us.....however, when we are faithful to give as God tells us....he meets our needs and blesses us in ways we cold never imagine.

As we move into 2009 lets stay ahead of the giving curve! As everyone does their part and shares in the responsibility of making Team Church a great and impacting force for God.....we will be a blessed church that in turn can bless others. Great Job!

Don't forget next Monday is the Matthews Town Council vote again for our rezoning request. Be praying that the Town Council will see our vision for this property and vote yes to allow us to serve and impact this area.

Reminders for Sunday:
1) Bring a friend or enemy!
2) Be on time and don't miss the first 5 minutes!
3) Sit up front and toward the middle!
4) Take a free Team Church window decal on your way out!

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark!" - Michelangelo

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying."
Romans 12:12

Did You See That Sunrise

2009-01-08T07:36:00.002-05:00

One of the great things of getting up early and leaving the house for work at 7am is getting to see a sun-rise like we have this morning. It was a mixture of red, purple and hot pink. Amazing.......If you are reading this by 8am you may get to see it too!

Last night as I was being blown over by the hurricane force winds and watching my son practice Lacrosse when I had that "oh no" feeling. I remembered it was a new year and it was Wednesday night.... and that Team Kid was.....then I remembered that Team Kid starts next Wednesday night.

I am so glad that Clint and our kid's ministry started Team Kid last fall. I know my 5th grade son loves it and for the first time in his life he was reading the bible almost daily, memorizing Bible verses and learning what they Bible says in a creative and fun way that is designed especially for his age. It is different than Sunday morning as they have teams that stay together the entire 10 week season with a leader that guides them through our Team Kid manual for life.

Like I did when I was growing up, Peyton will go from practice straight to Team Kid on the Wednesday nights he has practice. Makes for a long afternoon/evening once in a while but it also teaches time management, disciple of time and in my opinion is better than sitting at home watching TV of playing silly video games.

Also, for all Middle & High School students.....the highly acclaimed "Pursuit" starts next Wednesday too. Last fall was the first season for this also and over 120 students came each week! We should all work hard to make sure our kids are at these great mid-week experiences. We design them to be in 10 consecutive week seasons... that then take a break for 3-6 weeks. This ensures that each night is done with excellence, is fresh, exciting and most importantly impacting to our kids.

Thought for today as you see that Sunrise:

"Paradise is where I am" - Voltaire

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me for you are my God. - Psalms 25:4-5

Enjoying The Ride

2009-01-07T08:00:00.003-05:00

Two times last week I saw the difference between mundane and excitement.... between newness and routine... between enjoying the journey and just trudging through it. The funny thing is that I saw all of these same reactions and attitudes at the same place.

Last week while our family was in Dallas visiting my wife's family, I took Peyton and Brady on our Christmas journey to downtown Dallas via the metro train. One of the stations is only a mile from where my in-laws live. Every year when we are there for Christmas, I have taken Peyton on the train to downtown. This was Brady's first time to come with us. When we got on the metro both boys ran to their seat and began looking out the window. The entire 25 minute trip was filled with laughing, smiling, pointing and the thrill of going over the streets, under the ground, along side tall buildings and the like. They loved it!

However, sitting in front of us, behind us and all around us were people who were not having as much on the train. They looked gloomy, bored, mad and not at all interested in the sights and sound of the train ride. I noticed this same thing on the plane ride home too. The boys peering out the window, drinking "free" cokes the whole ride and having a blast when we took off and landed.

Same journeys and rides were being had by all on the train and plane. However, the enjoyment factor and attitudes of those riding were very much different. Of course, I know the answer to the difference. Some people riding were going to work, some do that all the time, some had issues going on in their life. I know, I know, I know....but something inside of me wants to have the faith of a child and the thrills of a boy riding a train, every time I am doing something ordinary and routine. I have always thought that a right perspective and attitude can always overcome routine and even challenging times.

I have never wanted Sunday mornings at Team Church to become like a metro train ride or plane trip. All around us amazing things are happening and yet because we experience it on regular basis it becomes ordinary and mundane. This is why we work so very hard to provide meaningful and impacting services. However, I also know in my own life that if my attitude and purpose for coming each Sunday is not positive and filled with expectation that something good or even great is going to happen...then Sundays and Home Team and reading my Bible can become routine and lose their thrill and adventure. Same is true with just everyday life......

So as you start 2009 off......my guess is that you will have a lot of routine things going on in your life. What attitude and purpose are you bringing with you each day of the Journey?

What is Purpose?

"Purpose comprises those aspects of life that define who we are as individuals and the kind of life we want to live and person we want to become. It is who we are and not what we do." - Jim Tressel

This Sunday I will share with you how you can ride through 2009 with the thrills, adventure and smiles of a boy riding a train!

Mural is gone...new stage design going up

2009-01-06T00:35:00.003-05:00

Our staff and volunteers worked hard Sunday and Monday to clear the stage of the Mural and get ready for our new exciting message series that starts this Sunday. I love the way we use visual aids to help make each Sunday experience a great learning and meaningful experience. The effort our staff and volunteers put into each Sunday is so that different people with different learning styles and personalities can learn and be challenged in each given topic.

We value offering challenging, risky and life-changing messages. Christianity and the local church was never meant to be a safe, easy, low risk message or experience. I love the fact that each Sunday is not just information meant to educate …..but it is presented to stimulate to action. We value transformational information that challenges us to be all that God wants us to be and do!

I promise you that the next three messages will be all of those things. I have been thinking, praying and preparing for these messages for the last few weeks...and I am very pumped to give them. If you have friends who want to know what Team Church is all about, who we are, where we are going, what we are doing in this community and the like....then bring them this Sunday. If you have friends looking for a church that is geared to make real lasting changes and impact in their lives and their community....then get them here! As we approach our 10 year anniversary we are set and primed to make even a larger impact in our community.

Be here this Sunday and don’t miss the first 5 minutes!

Here is a thought ..."If you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then one day you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them."

The first 5 minutes was all we promised!

2009-01-05T13:22:00.004-05:00

I was not there....but I heard the first five minutes of the Sunday service yesterday was very impacting. Shocking is the word I heard. I truly believe the visual will help each of us be able to have the right attitude and gratitude as we move into 2009. If you were not there....go to our website on Tuesday and watch it. Also, if you missed the AMAZING Christmas Eve service you can watch it now.

We are now Team Church! Get ready for a great new year as we begin with our new name. Our name describes who we have been and who we will always be in our city. We are a church that believes that people in the church all matter and should Team up to live the best life possible as we act as the church. However, we also believe that the local church is suppose to be active and engaging in our city. We are to Team up with others in our city to make a difference and do something significant with our lives as a church.

This Sunday we will start a 3 part series that will show very clearly what God has commissioned Team Church to be and do. We are a church that believes in being action oriented to make an impact in our world. I am so excited about what we are doing this year....I can't hardly stand it.

As Rick told you on Sunday......we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary by doing 10 specific community minded and impacting events. From building playgrounds to giving our own blood at a blood drive at the church next Tuesday....we are going to let our area know that Team Church is primed and ready as a we move into our 10th year to DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT for our city and beyond. We also will be launching our first new campus as Team Church in Lancaster county starts this Spring.

Get ready......Team Church is going to be awesome!

This year....every day's BLOG will conclude with a verse, thought or quote for the day. Here is the one I wanted to share with you today..."Attitude is the mind's paintbrush, go create a masterpiece today." (Author Unknown)

Christmas Eve Is Here

2008-12-24T08:30:00.002-05:00

This years Christmas Eve service will be very meaningful and just what you need to prepare for Christmas Morning. I look forward to seeing you at 3:30, 5 or 6:30 pm.

Merry Christmas!

Also, don't forget these important things:

1) No services this Sunday!
2) Please make sure you give your normal monthly financial gift by bringing it tonight or mailing it in. Even though we don't have a service this coming Sunday we will need to bring in the normal giving.
3) Please pray about and give to our Year End Gift.
4) Don't miss the first five minutes of the January 4th service. No church has ever done what we will do and the impact of what you see will affect you all year long. The first five minutes is going to be great!

This is the last BLOG of the year....I don't BLOG, Twitter, check email or anything else like that during our families time off. The next time you see this BLOG....we will officially be Team Church.

Team Church ...Lancaster Co.

2008-12-23T10:30:00.002-05:00

I spent yesterday afternoon meeting with Steve Miller.... Pastor of Team Church, Lancaster County. We are trying to decide the best places to lease/rent for our new campus. While there I could not help but get excited about our new campus launch next year. We will have a few "pre-view" and "pre-launch" services January through April and then have our first service there on Easter! It will be awesome!

I love the Team Church values we have and the fact that we continue to live them out as a church. 2009 is going to be great and I can't wait until we share specifically with you about how we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. 10 meaningful community service projects that will be our way of celebrating what God has done and is going to do with our church......our Team Church.

See tomorrow at one of our Christmas Eve services....3:30, 5 and 6:30!

Bring your out of town family guest and your friends for the amazing conclusion to our Mural of Hope.

2008-12-22T07:42:00.002-05:00

Our Christ Mission was a HUGE success and made a HUGE impact. Here is an email we received from one of the teachers at the end of the day.

"Hi! I am a kindergarten teacher at Walter Bickett and I wanted to thank you for the tremendous love and generosity that your church continues to show to the students at my school. You can truly never now the impact that you have on their lives (and mine). It always amazes me to see that your church gives so selflessly time and time again. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart on behalf of myself and the 15 students in my classroom that got to experience a little piece of God's love through your church!! Thank you and God bless you!"

We have done this for 8 years and every year the teachers and staff at the school are amazed at the impact that it has on the kids. They tell us that some of the kids have been coming to the school for 3-5 years and they know what is coming and start talking about it 2 weeks in advance. What do you think that the child who for multiple years experiences this great day..... thinks about God and church? They have fond memories and experiences that I believe will lead them to Christ now and in the future.

Speaking of Christmas Experiences that you won't forget. I shared with you on Sunday about the Christmas Party I went to with my daughter Ellie. (As many of you know, Ellie is mentally and physically handicapped and now lives in a special home for such kids and adults.) On Friday they had their Christmas party for the wing she lives on. While there I saw and experienced Christmas from a completely different prospective. I saw Santa hand out gifts to some of the most severely handicapped kids you will ever see. Most could not even unwrap or hold their gifts. A relative or nurse had to unwrap and then lay the gift on their lap knowing that the gift will never be played with, used or worn without someone doing it for them. I saw the look in the eyes of the other relatives that were there and I saw the look in the kids eyes as they experienced it. They had smiles and laughter....as this moment that looked to me to be very hard...was a brief moment of Christmas joy in the life journey of those who have suffered so much.

I left their thinking about how many people today are complaining and allowing themselves to be discouraged and depressed as they think about what they can't buy and where they can't go and what they don't have ......instead of what they do have. I tell you what.....if you are having a hard time focusing on the good in your life and being very appreciative for what you do have.....come visit Ellie with me over the next two days.

After you come....you will sing praises to God and be filled with Christmas joy on Christmas morning no matter what is or is not under the tree. What we learned yesterday from Joseph and Mary about having a positive and good attitude is this:

1) A positive attitude is a choice.
2) A positive attitude comes from focusing on the good and not the bad.
3) A Positive attitude comes from trusting that God is ultimately in control.

I hope we all are looking forward to Christmas and a great week!

Holiday Reminders

2008-12-19T07:55:00.002-05:00

As I write this over 700 hundred kids at Walter Bickett are very anxious. They will soon go to a special Christmas Presentation put on by our Kids Ministry and band. Then they will each have their very own Christmas party in their class room. There, they will have a wonderful party and then receive the specific gift they asked for a few weeks ago. Thanks Team Church for being a place that really does "team up" with others to make a difference. We are not just a church....We are Team Church.

Here are some more reminders as we head into the final days before Christmas:

1) Bring a friend this Sunday and on Christmas Eve.

2) A great Holiday tradition we have had for 9 years is that we honor our staff and volunteers by not having ANYTHING scheduled from Dec 25-Jan 1st. This is time to visit family, travel or just relax with family and friends that have come to town.

3) This also means that we DO NOT have a Sunday Service on December 28th.

4) Please give toward our Year End Gift by December 31st AND remember that we are not here on the 28th so please give your normal tithe this week or mail it in.

5) Don't miss our first service of 2009! I promise you....what you see happen in the first 5 minutes will set the tone for the rest of the year. DON'T MISS THE FIRST 5 MIN!

6) January 13th (7am -1pm) is the Team Church Blood Drive....it is the first of 10 community service projects we will be doing to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

I look forward to watching the Mural of Hope be completed with you this week!

Christmas Party WIth A Purpose

2008-12-18T07:09:00.003-05:00

On Friday night our Student Ministry is having a big Christmas Party. They have over 120 students that will be having a great time as they celebrate the end of school and Christmas. However, the thing that caught my attention is that all the proceeds from the admission prices is going to help buy goats! Yep....buy goats. The money will be given through our global missions initiative and will specially buy goats for needy families in Africa. The goats are a big blessing to these folks but most can't afford to buy one. So....we buy one for them.

I was thinking of how proud I am of our great Student Ministry. Then, I started thinking about me and you. What if the greatest thing we could ask for and need was a goat? Makes our Christmas wish list seem a little different and some of our "bad economy" grumbling seem silly. These are hard times for many people. However, we are having a bad year...maybe two. As we move toward Christmas lets remember that 90% of the world's population are considered rich if they can eat 2 meals a day and has a roof that covers their head each night. I was also reminded of the simple truth of what is most important to have at Christmas last night when I was snuggled up with the boys and we were watching the cartoon version of the Grinch. As you recall....the Who's that lived in Whoville lost everything but still gathered on Christmas morning and held hands and sang.

I know that many this Christmas are not able to have and do what they normally do. I hope that we all can look past what we don't have and celebrate what we do.

Bring a friend on Sunday and Christmas Eve! I think that many people living in our Whoville need it!

Christmas Prayer List

2008-12-17T07:25:00.002-05:00

The Christmas Season is fast approaching. The holidays are a great time for having fun, eating great food, watching football and enjoying the change of season. Moreover, every year at Team Church, this special season brings a treasured time of family, fellowship and a renewing of our faith in Jesus Christ! During the last nine years we have maintained a few holiday traditions that help us as individuals and as a church to experience the Christmas Season in its deepest meaning.

Be sure to Pray and Participate in the exciting opportunities coming again this Christmas season. Each one is designed to help us fulfill our One Purpose of "reaching people where they are and leading them to full devotion in Jesus Christ."

Walter Bickett School……A place to Serve and Love

Once again this year we have purchased gifts and will be providing a Christmas party and presenting the true meaning of Christmas to a public elementary school THIS FRIDAY. We have created a great missions relationship and outreach with Walter Bickett Elementary School in Monroe. Please pray for God to use this to impact these kids in a life-changing way.

Christmas Eve Services.....A place to Serve and Share

Christmas Eve has become a memorable time for our church. Many have made attendance at this special service a part of their Christmas tradition. This is a great time to invite a friend! Please Pray that God will use this service to reach many people for salvation through Jesus. Times are 3:30, 5 and 6:30pm

Year End Gift……A time to give

Every year we take time out to be thankful for our blessings and to give over and above our normal giving. Our Year-End-Gift gives us a real and practical opportunity to give sacrificially at a time when so many are more concerned about what they are receiving. Each year we present to you needs we have as a church or the needs of others that we would like to help meet. These needs are not budgeted items and would go unmet if not for our Year-End-Gift.

This year we are in need of playing catch-up on some budgeted items that we were unable to purchase because normal budget giving dipped in the hard economical times.
Would you pray and then give as God leads. Everyone can give something and the reality is that when it is all added up.....every one's something adds up to enough to meet our needed goal. Would you pray and then give specifically toward this year end gift. All money given or mailed by December 31st will go on your 2008 tax record.

Team Church name change goes public. Starting in January we will be officially Team Church. Pray that God uses this in great ways as we start year 10!

Team Church (Lancaster Co.) will start in the pre-launch phase in January. Pray that God uses this to reach a whole new area and that we are set for our Easter Launch!

Thanks for Praying!

Today's Bible Reading 2 Peter chapter 1-3

Family Pictures

2008-12-16T07:39:00.002-05:00

Last night we had an "appointment" at a picture studio store in the mall. It has been a long time since we have done this because our two smallest little angles hate having their picture taken. With Brady now being 3 1/2 years old and not planning to bring Ellie until another day....we thought we could get some good pictures of the boys now and then take Ellie back by herself on another day.

No Deal.......Brady either wont smile on cue or he smiles so hard and fake he looks like he is constipated and in pain. At the 30 minute mark Brady was about done with changing shirts, getting in weird positions and smiling at the dancing animals and such we were using to get him to smile on cue. Peyton, however, is like a trained animal when it comes to taking pictures. He smiles on cue and can hold it for ever waiting for his younger brother to get his smile on. He has learned that the sooner you smile at these silly things, the sooner it is over and the sooner he gets his candy bribe.

The photographer, who is my niece, was very patient and did a great job. At the 45 minute mark we finally were finished with the picture taking and now it was time to sit and go through all the pictures on the large TV monitor in the back room. To our shock we actually had about 15 good pictures from the million or so they snapped. As a matter of fact, Amanda was able to get a few really good ones of both Peyton and Brady separate and together (that never happens). After being there for over 2 hours we finally left the studio with some pictures that will be great Christmas presents for the Grandparents and a few other relatives. Perseverance........had paid off. The boys got their candy and Kelly got her pictures. I was very happy that all involved had a relatively good attitude through the whole ordeal.

How is your attitude this Christmas season? Are you hoping just to hurry and get it over with or....are you enjoying the journey that is Christmas in America. This Sunday we are going to take a close look at the real Marry and Joseph. We are going to learn from their exceptional attitude, perseverance and finally the reward at the end of the their Christmas Journey. The painting is coming along nicely. If you want an update on how it looks you can view it on our website by Wednesday.

Today's Bible Reading 1 Peter Chapters 1-5.

All Gone

2008-12-15T07:41:00.002-05:00

Last night I had the opportunity to have great seats at the Panther game. It was another phenomenal game to watch and the Panthers are looking good. I also noticed that the Panthers did their annual "Toys For Tots" with the Marines. They announced over the loud speaker that a little over 5,000 toys had been brought by the Panther Nation. The Crowd last night was over 70,000 people.

Once they announced the amount of gifts I began to think about those percentages in comparison to what our church has once again supplied for the kids at Walter Bickett. Every year we purchase 700 hundred gifts for every Kindergarten through 5th grade student at the school. That is amazing and shows the true mission minded value we have here at Team Church. (Not just church.....Team Church) Moreover, our Red Cross volunteer was shocked at the multiple pages that were filled out yesterday with names of people who said they would come on January 13th for our "On-Site" blood drive. Giving to others is in our DNA and is our life blood as a church...HA HA

It is this kind of "community impact" that has always been in out DNA as a Church.....that has led us to decided to celebrate our 10 year anniversary in a very unique way. We are going to celebrate all year long and are going to do so with 10 different community impact service opportunities. We are hoping to have one or two a month concluding with a huge church event in July! More details to come....

We are calling it our 10 Year Anniversary Service Tour! Places, Times and Dates TBA in January!

Today's Bible Reading: James Chapters 1-5! Read Carefully 2:14-26 and thank about what I just wrote in today's BLOG

What To Look For This Sunday

2008-12-12T08:27:00.002-05:00

Here are somethings to look for and do this Sunday. (in no specific order)

1) This Sunday is the last day to "adopt" a Walter Bickett child. We have about 50 left. This is always a great way to help other children experience Christmas!

2) We will be hosting our first Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 13th in the morning. This Sunday we need you to sign up and give an approximate time you will be here. The Red Cross needs a "basic" head count of what they can expect that day from us. You can sign up on Sunday or ....email chris@charlottesouth.org

This blood drive is the first Service Event of what we will be calling "Team Church 10 Year Anniversary Service Tour." Instead of having a big party to celebrate our anniversary year, we are going to do 10 projects that Teams up with our community to serve others. This is the first one.....soon you will get a list of the others that will fill the first 6 months of the year. Things like....building a habitat house, a Kershaw Easter Mission, rebuilding a hospital play yard and the like.

3) Get your Team Church gear. This stuff is high quality and we are only charging what it cost us to have the stuff made. Also, the window decals are FREE as long as they last. These are great looking vinyl window stickers that look great and help share the excitement of our new name.

4) Please arrive on time and sit up front and close to each other. Last Sunday we only had 50 empty chairs out of 500 in the first service and none of those were together.

5) Smile and look for someone who needs a "Holiday Hug!"

See you Sunday!

Today's Bible Reading Hebrews Chapter 5-8

Year End Gift

2008-12-11T08:05:00.002-05:00

By now, you should have received your annual Year-End-Gift letter. As you know, every year we give everyone a chance to finish the year out strong with a financial gift. We encourage people to sacrificially give at a time when our culture is more about what we can get. Many people use this gift as a end of year large gift to help them catch up and fully support their church.

This gift normally goes to "extra and non-budgeted" items that are not covered in our regular budget. In the past, it has been for equipment replacement, global and local missions, student ministry resources, new building and the like.

However, this year is very different. As you know, many people have felt the financial crunch of a challenging economy. Every week I hear of another person who has lost their job or has lost wages in other ways. As one might expect....this years financial mess in our country has affected our general operating budget. As we head into 2009 we are looking at some cutbacks if our monthly general giving does not go up to the level we were this time last year.

Our Year-End-Gift this year is needed to end 2008 with no outstanding debt and more specifically to allow us a financial cushion for the first few months of 2009 as we have budget items from 2008 that we could not meet that need to be met for our vision to move forward.

Would you pray about what you can give to this needed year-end-gift? As usual you can give in many different ways (stock, gifts-n-kind, etc.) and everything given is credited for 2008 taxes. Please mark your gift YEG 2008.

Times are tough for most people......however, if we are all faithful to do what God ask us to do.....then together as Team Church....we can accomplish everything God has asked us to do a church.

Christmas Fellowship Service tonight! 7pm

Today's Bible Reading Hebrews chapter 1-4

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2008-12-10T07:44:00.004-05:00

Have you ever heard from God? Do you know what it is like to know what God wants you to do and then you go and do it? What does it take to hear from God and then experience the Joy of what He is telling you?

This Sunday as we continue with the HUGE Nativity Mural and the story that surrounds that "snap shot of eternity" .....we will develop the Shepherds story. What was it they heard? How did they end up at the Nativity scene? We know that the word Nativity means "the time, place, people and circumstances of ones birth."

Who were these shepherds? And, why were they there at that special time? Moreover, how can YOU hear what they heard and place yourself in the same scene? This Sunday, make a special invite again to those you invited last week. Follow up with those you asked but they did not come. This is a moving and life-changing Mural of Hope presentation.

Also, you can go to our new Team Church Facebook and join the fun. You can watch he time lapse video of the HUGE painting canvas being built. Also, go to our website and use it to e-vite someone.

Tomorrow night we will have our special Christmas Fellowship service. Great Christmas worship, Child dedication and Communion. The cafe will be open and we will have the Christmas Mission table available for you to take a child gift tag.

Today's Bible Reading 2 Timothy chapters 1-4

Christmas Fellowship Service This Thursday

2008-12-09T08:25:00.004-05:00

This Thursday we will have an amazing Christmas worship experience. We will have child dedications, communion, sing wonderful Christmas songs and have an intimate time of worship as we head into the middle of the Christmas Season.

This amazing night starts at 7pm!

Also, please plan to pick up a Walter Bickett child Christmas card. We still have about a 100 left.

This has to be a quick BLOG as our staff is heading into a planning session for what we are doing in 2009!

Also.....yes It was at the great Panther Game last night! I was awesome!

Great Job Team Church

2008-12-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

We lived our values last week. We Teamed up as a church to create a unique and impacting Christmas Series. Moreover, YOU did a great job of inviting your friends to experience it! We had our largest Sunday crowd of the year! Great Job!

God was honored and people enjoyed it and were impacted. I had one person pull me aside after the second service and say that a friend had invited him and he was not sure what to expect. He then told me that what he needed to hear was that "God had come at just the right time and for just the right circumstance" of His life. What he now knows is that he needs Jesus Christ in his life.......and the timing was perfect!

I want to challenge you to do two things:

1) Follow up with the people you invited that came and and them if they have any questions. Also, make sure you invite them to come back this next Sunday!

2) Follow up with those you invited but they did not come. Share with them that they can go on line to our website Charlottesouth.com and watch the service and then come this Sunday to enjoy in person.

Over the next few Sundays the details of the HUGE Nativity will develop before your eyes. It will be a special and encouraging service each week leading up to Christmas Eve. Thanks again to all those who served this Sunday and made it a great day!

Be praying for our Town Council vote tonight. Also, pray that it is first on the agenda and goes quick.....I have tickets to the Panther Monday night game and want to be there by kickoff!

Today's Bible Reading 1 Timothy 1-4

700 Kids...One Great Day

2008-12-05T06:20:00.005-05:00

Have you taken a child's name from our Christmas Mission table? Every year we have EVERY child at Walter Bickett Elementary School fill our a personalized Christmas wish gift card. They put their name, grade, sex, and ethnicity on the card so that we make sure we get the perfect gift for each of these great kids.

This year will be especially important. The kids at this school come from homes that normally cannot buy gifts for their kids. This year, with the downturn of the economy ...these kids will really feel the burden. We have the chance to help make their Christmas experience a great one. Not only with a gift they have asked for, but, also with the Christmas party and presentation we as a church will provide. They will know God cares in a tangible way (a gift) and also in hearing the message of Christmas through music, drama and story telling. This is a perfect example of how we Team up with our community. Also, you should know, that we provide gift cards for every teacher and administrative person at this great school!

I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity this Sunday.! I know, for many of us, this year our own budgets are tight. One thing the we have done in our family is not make the Walter Bickett gift an extra gift.....but share with our kids that they will receive one less....so someone else can receive at least one. This helps them learn the value of serving and giving to others....even if it means that you must give up something you want.

The actual party at Walter Bickett is on December 19th. If you would like to serve at the school on that special day....email clint@charlottesouth.org

Who are you bringing this Sunday? We have tons of "homemade" cookies for them to enjoy in the atrium. This will be a great way to start the Christmas Season. See you Sunday!

Today's Bible Reading Ephesians chapter 5 & 6

Looks Better Than The Mall

2008-12-04T07:47:00.002-05:00

A Team of volunteers built the Huge painting canvass on Monday and Tuesday.

Yesterday a Team of volunteers spent most of the day and night decorating our large atrium area for Christmas. As you know, when we built our atrium we said we wanted it to look like a creative and nice looking gathering area as one may see in a nice mall. Well, our Team of volunteers have made it look and feel better than we could have ever imagined. It looks wonderful and very inviting for the friend you are inviting to see at our Nativity exhibit grand opening on Sunday.

You are bringing a friend....right?

Remember we have One Purpose as Team Church. However, we have shared responsibilities to achieve that One Purpose. Our staff and Lead Team have been personally challenged to invite someone new to this very "one-of-a-kind" Christmas presentation. I want to extend that challenge to you. These are tough times for many and many are not looking forward to Christmas as they have in the past.....you can change that with one invitation.

With the hard work of this decorating Team....whomever you bring on Sunday will enjoy the free Coffee and Christmas snacks in our beautiful atrium before getting to experience a 30 x 12ft painting come alive before their eyes....it will be awesome! However, people can only know about it.....if YOU invite them!

The Band is practicing and will be ready...
The Artist are practicing and will be ready...
The Decorators are working and will be ready....
Those who are preparing the food and drinks will be ready....
The All-Stars Kid's leaders will be ready.....
The Host and Parking Team will be ready.....
The Clean Team will have cleaned the entire church and will be ready....
I am preparing my Nativity Message and will be ready.......
God will be here and be ready.......

Who will be here to experience it? That is up to you.......

Have you been to our new Teamchurchonline.com website?

It has one page up with a counter...but also has direct links to our new Facebook page, Twitter account and my Blog.

Today's Bible Reading Ephesians Chapter 1-4!

What About The Land?

2008-12-03T07:45:00.003-05:00

It is funny how time goes bye and new things crowd into your life that take what seemed pressing to a...."what ever happened to that" thought. That is one reason why I like the daily BLOG concept for Team Church values, stories, news and current events. It is a great tool for all to use on a regular, if not daily, basis. (When people who come here on a regular basis are clueless about such info that is covered completely in this BLOG and our weekly Chalk Talk Update.....they are the horse who is thirsty while hanging their head over a bucket of water!)

This coming Monday night the Matthew's Town Council will have their final vote on the rezoning of the land. We have done and are doing all we can for them and those who stand appose to the idea to understand that we are trying to develop an incredible campus where people from this community can come and have their lives changed in many different and practical ways. Keep praying....keep the faith! Also, you can email each town council member and share with them your love and support for the Mission of this church. This is especially helpful if you live in the Matthews City area code of 28104, 05, 06.

Mayor Pro-Tem James P. Taylor jtaylor@matthewsnc.com

Bill Dixon dixonwr@aol.com

Suzanne Gulley sgulley@matthewsnc.com

Nancy R. LaFond nlafond@matthewsnc.com

Jeff A. Miller jmiller@matthewsnc.com

Cress Query wkquery@matthewsnc.com

Also, in case you were wondering.......our church Lead Team has been working very hard to make this purchase budget friendly in these hard economical times. We are very aware that many at Team Church have lost jobs or have had their income go down while cost of living goes up! We prayed about if we should move forward at all with the purchase since the economy is so bad and it is certainly affecting our monthly giving to the church. After much crunching of the numbers and praying we decided that even though we had a great deal and owner financing with only a yearly payment due each January ....the prudent thing to do was not move forward.

So...in faith believing....we approached the owners with a purchase agreement that gives the first down payment now (we have that money in hand) and then does not have another payment due for 2 years! They accepted it.....God is good! Nothing in the previous contract changes.....it just stars two years from now. However, we can fully own the property next Tuesday (the vote is Monday) and can start to use it immediately. However, we will not have to pay or owe anything for two years! That gives the economy time to stabilize and during the next two years ministry money does not have to be used for land purchase.

Moving and living in faith is never easy. Sometimes circumstances go completely different than you think they should.....but the Dream Continues if it is from God. Part of our dream... is to have a 60 acre campus for our Church that is located on the corner of I485 and HWY 74 that Teams up with our community and city to make a positive impact into the very fabric of our world.....that is people!

Today's Bible Reading Romans chapters 13-16

Embarrassing Moment In North Florida

2008-12-02T07:25:00.003-05:00

Last Friday my 10 year-old-son and I went on a Father/Son football weekend trip. We left Charlotte Friday morning and drove down to Tallahassee Florida to watch the Florida Gators beat the Florida State Seminoles. Because our trip was going to be quick and we would spend most of the time on the road or at the game......I decided to make it a cheap but fun trip and just stay the night at the nearby KOA. Peyton and I have done this before and he loves it. We take the seats out of the van and fold down the back seat. Then, we put a mattress in the back for an instant bed in a KOA. He loves the novelty of it and I love the price.

On Saturday night after the big game we pulled into our "spot" at the KOA. We were parked in the "tent" area that was right next to the huge RV area. I chose a close "tent" spot right next to the RV area for more safety and better proximity since we were the only people in a "tent" spot. We were parked next to some of the largest and most extravagant RV's I have ever seen.

It was pouring down rain when we arrived and very quiet. At 10pm we had just got settled in our "home away from home" sleeping arrangement when I decided to make sure that I had locked the doors. Not thinking clearly...I sat up and yanked on the inside door lever to see if it was locked. As soon as I did it set off our van alarm that I guess gets set when ever you lock all the doors. In the peaceful KOA setting of North Florida came ringing out at 10pm a loud honking noise from our van. Moreover, the head lights began to flash on and off while this piercing sound was going off. I jumped up and tried to turn it off from the inside....did not work. I put the key in the van and started it.. thinking that would work. All it did was set off another noise in between the horn honking.

By this time, the RV lights were coming on and the "shades" were coming up to see what the noise and commotion was all about. This has happened once before so I knew one way to stop the noise was to pop the hood and start yanking fuses out until the dumb alarm was dismantled.

So....I jumped out of the van to do just that. While getting the hood up in the pouring rain and the horn noise now right in my face I soon noticed that the flashing head lights were revealing the fact that I was standing there in my "boxers" and t-shirt. The Lord was gracious and I pulled the right fuse after the third one. By the time I got the thing turned off......it seemed like every RV owner was staring at me and shaking their heads through their plush mobile mansions. As I jumped back into the van soak-n-wet.... I saw that Peyton had hidden himself under the blankets and he mumbled.....that was so embarrassing. No kidding!

The next morning as we pulled out.....I wanted no record of the night to follow me home....so I peeled off the window decal that so proudly reads "Charlotte South Fellowship." Good thing this Sunday morning I can get a new Team Church vinyl decal to replace it! Guess what.....you can too! And they are free!

This Sunday morning I hope you will have worked and prayed hard to being a friend to our Grand Opening of our Nativity: A Mural Of Hope!

Today's Bible Reading Romans Chapter 9-12.

Christmas Time Is NOW

2008-12-01T07:35:00.003-05:00

December 1st is here! 25 days till Christmas! I love this time of year.....

As I am writing this BLOG a few volunteers and a few staff members are starting to build the HUGE wall that will be our Nativity Mural canvas. This thing will be HUGE as it spans more than 30 feet in length and 12 feet high. As we have been saying....this Mural will be painted live in all services leading up to Christmas Eve. They will be panting during the worship and during the teaching. It will be an experiential Christmas like never before. Then on Christmas Eve it will be completed! I believe this will be a life changing Christmas Series for all who experience it.......now that is where YOU come in.

We have printed out invitations for you to use to invite a friend, co-worker, family member or even just a neighbor you don't know very well. We want to pack the house this Sunday for the start of this special Christmas Series. This is another way we can Team Up......to change our city. As Team Church we have One Purpose....Shared Responsibility! Take time to pray about who you can invite....then "Do Something Significant" and go invite them and bring them with you!

This Christmas is going to be a great time at Team Church! Speaking of Team Church...if you have not watched the service from last week and learn the purpose and the practicality of why the name change....go to Myteamchurch.com and read and watch. It will answer your questions.

I have received a few emails asking me about the Gator game Peyton and I went to. Yes...we got soaked. Yes we stayed through the whole game. Yes, the Gators killed the Seminoles! It was fun but very wet.......Also, I heard that our awesome youth pastor did a great job speaking this Sunday! As a church, please never take for granted the incredible staff God has placed at our Church. They are very very very gifted and dedicated.

Looking for a great real Christmas tree that your money goes to a great cause and half the price is a taxable donation....Matthews Area Rec Association is selling NC trees on location at the fields.

Hours of Operation:

3-8pm weekdays
9-6 Saturdays
1-6 Sundays

Contact Team Church & MARA volunteer Lee Maitland at 704-560-4345 for more info.

Todays Bible Reading Romans Chapters 5-8.

2008-11-24T07:53:00.003-05:00

Well.....we did it. We announced it on Sunday. We are changing the name of our church. We will be the same church of course....but we feel like it is time for a new name.

As I said yesterday....

Reasons for a change:

1) The location where we are located is not considered South Charlotte.
2) The name CSF does not embody of describe who we are as a church and what is our DNA.
3) The name CSF is often confused and mixed up when people say it.
4) Our new strategy of being One Church...different locations means we need a non-location specific name.

Why now:
1) We celebrate our 10 anniversary in January.
2) We launch our first new campus this Winter.
3) Why Not???

for more info and continual Q/A go to Myteamchurch.com

SO what is the new name? As we unveiled yesterday we are now......

Team Church!

This Sunday you will see the name and logo changed everywhere on the inside. We will not go public on the outside until January 1st! Also, this Sunday you can buy some great new Team Church gear for Christmas presents!

Today is the last day until Dec 1st that I will have the daily BLOG. The Hibbard family is heading out for Thanksgiving....and I don't take the computer or BLOG while on vacation.......if you happen to be around a TV on Saturday, flip on the Florida Gator VS Florida State Seminole game and look for Peyton and I. We will be celebrating his birthday at the game and enjoying a BIG Gator win!

Nativity: A Live MUral Painting

2008-11-21T07:44:00.002-05:00

One December 7th, plan to bring at least one person who does not normally attend our church with you! It will be an incredible way to kickoff the Christmas season.

The Atrium area will be decorated with a beautiful and seasonal Christmas feel. We will have a nice assortment of food and drinks as you would see at any Painting Galleria or Art Grand Opening.

The Band will play Great Christmas worship music and a few classic Christmas songs.

Our Professional Painting team will begin painting on the HUGE 18x10 canvas wall. Each Sunday they will be painting live while we are worshiping, while I am speaking and while you are enjoying multi-sensory Christmas experience.

The painting will be complete on Christmas Eve!

We have printed nice invitations for you to give to one or two people that you personally know. These are invitations like you would see for the opening of a new paint gallery or just one painting on display. These are not just flyer's to be passed out....they are personal invitations. Please take time to pray about who are some people you would like to invite and then write them a personal note on the invitation and ask them to join you on December 7th!

Our goal is to give our city the most creative Christmas story telling that they can imagine so that the reality of Christmas "Comes To Life" for them. YOUR responsibility is to bring someone who needs to experience it with you!

It will be a site to behold......this HUGE painting coming to life before our eyes!

PS...The rumors are true.....I do get to help paint while I am speaking....at least on the first Sunday!

BIG DAY THIS SUNDAY.....DON'T MISS IT! 9am and 10:30am

Today's Bible Reading Matthew Chapters 8-10

BIG SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENT COMING....

2008-11-20T12:46:00.003-05:00

Tech problems this morning.....so the BLOG was late. Once again I wanted to share a note from Steve Miller, the new pastor at the campus we are opening in the Kershaw, SC area. Steve and the people that will be the core group for this new adventure will be here this Sunday. However, THAT is not the biggest news we will be announcing this Sunday! We have HUGE news this Sunday. It will forever change how you view, talk about and think about our church.

Here is a note from Steve...

I'm really excited about the big Sunday at "our" church this weekend. The Kershaw core group will all be there. We'll be available to meet and talk. It's very cool to be not only a part of launching a new campus, but also be a part of such a huge day in the life of the church. We're all pumped! Of course, we're all kind of nervous as you might guess....After all this is brand new. God has called us all to pioneer this new campus together. You'll find some application in the Scripture reading for today. In Matthew 6, Jesus says "do not be anxious for your life...do not be anxious for tomorrow" (Matt. 6:25 & 34).

Hey, it's our nature to worry over this next chapter in the life of our church, but Jesus says...even commands us to not worry about. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't plan carefully over the details of this God-breathed dream. But it does mean that our trust in God should overcome our fears. See you this Sunday!

Today's Bible Reading Matthew Chapters 5-7.

Worth The Effort and Money

2008-11-19T07:29:00.003-05:00

Not every person who calls our church home can know everything we do in and for our community. We are too large for that to happen. However, everyone should know that a big value and purpose we have here is to impact our community in creative ways that show we have an interest in being a part of the fabric of our community.

I remember when we built our creative and non-church looking building....that people who saw the plans would ask.... why? Why would we build such a building. I would always say that we are building a place that can be used for our community in different ways. That we wanted a building that would be used for normal weekly ministry, but, also one that we could help impact our community by being involved in what our city is involved with through out the year.

This week is one of those weeks. This Sunday we had our normal Sunday services. Then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night we hosted and led the Matthews Area Recreational Football banquets. Over 350 players and their parents came to the banquets we hosted. These players were challenged by two Carolina Panthers and the head coach at Butler High...Mike Newsome. Every night families from our community were here and saw our community outreach value in high gear. Tonight our Student Ministry will be here for a year-end bonfire while another sports banquet is taking place for the Porter Ridge Association.

Thursday night our Thrive seminars will fill the building and then Friday we will have our last Butler High team devotion/meal here before they head off for the 2nd round of the playoffs. Then of course....it is Sunday again.

Not every week is like this one. However, I wanted to remind you that what we promised we would do with the building you helped build....we are doing. Thousands of people come through these doors every week for all kinds of ministry opportunities. We are about changed lives. We are about reaching people where they are and leading them to full devotion in Christ. That may be on a Sunday morning...or any other day of the week.

We are a church that values teaming up with our community, other churches and the like. Together, we plan to impact and reach our community in a great way. Thanks for seeing and supporting the vision of or team Church.

Today's Bible Reading Matthew chapters 1-4

These Christmas chapters will get you in the mood for a wonderful Christmas season!

The first 10 minutes

2008-11-18T08:04:00.002-05:00

The first 10 minutes are very important.......

In the first 10 minutes I can prepare my heart and soul in an non-rushed way to hear from God.

In the first 10 minutes I can worship God with our great band as they lead me in beautiful worship.

In the first 10 minutes I feel comforted that I have checked my kids in on time and they too are not missing out on anything that the teachers and leaders have for them.

In the first 10 minutes I can make sure I sit up front and save the back seats for a guest who maybe arrives a little late because they were not sure where to go.

In the first 10 minutes I can be reminded of what the message is going to be about and then ask God to speak to me today.

In the first 10 minutes I can make sure the guest I invited understands what is going on and can help them too get ready to worship, experience and learn.

In the first 10 minutes I can clap and sing and enjoy a moment being led by an awesome band that has practiced for countless hours for just that song and that... moment.

In the first 10 minutes I can whisper a prayer for someone I noticed while walking in that seemed upset or to be having a bad morning.

In the first 10 minutes I can whisper a prayer and ask God to help KC, the band, the tech team, the stage team and Kenny to be at their best.

The first 10 minutes is the key to a great hour of worship, teaching, laughing, crying and experiencing whatever else God has for me in the next 50 minutes.

I don't know about you...but I want God's best. I don't want second rate because I missed the first 10 minutes of the service. If I miss the first 10 minutes......I short change what God wants me to know and experience. If I miss the first 10 minutes I could miss it all!

Today's Bible Reading 2 Corinthians 11-13

Dream Team

2008-11-17T08:11:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was awesome in both services as we ended with the powerful song....Shine.

I hope you will take to heart the challenge yesterday to build yourself a Dream Team. People who are in your life that are committed to God, committed and loyal to you and your dream God has given you! Here again is the Dream Team we learned from David's life and should strive to have in our own everyday journey of life.

A Dream Team needs to have:

1) A loyal friend who loves you for who you are and will be loyal at all times. David had Jonathan.

2) A truth-teller friend who will stand up for you and will stand up to you when needed. Someone who will help keep you accountable. David had Nathan who would always come and challenge his choices if they were out of line.

3) A "practical help" friend who understands the dream and will be able to get things done. This person is also someone who is gifted at things you are not and they complete your gift mix. David had the the great warrior Joab.

4)Positive and encouraging friends who are always there to give you a shot of encouragement when you are down. They are positive people who lift your spirits when the dream seems to be fading. David had three men....just called in the Bible....The Three!

The last thing we talked about was the fact that we have to remember that these are God given dreams. That means you cannot know it or follow it until you have joined into relationship with God. You must be a Christian to have such a dream. If you are reading this BLOG and have never accepted Jesus Christ as savior then it is impossible for you to grasp a God given dream. However, at this moment you can ask Christ to be you savior and He will. Like I said yesterday, if you want to talk with a pastor about this critical decision....just ask!

Today's Bible Reading 2 Corinthians Chapter 7-10

Small chapters great stories and lessons. In this season of generosity....these verses remind us what is most important.

Economic Reality

2008-11-14T08:25:00.002-05:00

The news this week has not been encouraging. The big three automakers are saying they will be bankrupt by spring. Stores like Circuit City and Blockbuster say they may not make it to Christmas.....and the list goes on.

I also know that just about every week here at our church I hear about another family who has lost their job. Some are moving to another city....some are looking for a job here. The experts say that "things" will probably get worse before they get better.

These are definitely times that test our faith and demand a continual prayer for God's grace and help. In reading through the history of the Great Depression you read that it was a time where people who had never been to church or who never really took their faith serious.....were going and asking God for help. That is the good part and we are seeing that here now at our church.

The other reality for churches during these times is that people stop giving to their local church. We are also seeing that here. Our weekly offerings are lower now ...with more people ....than they have been in 16 plus months. These are the economic realities we as a church are living through too.

I am calling for each person at our church that reads this BLOG today to whisper a prayer like this:

1) Pray for those who have lost jobs.
2) Pray for those who still have jobs but their wages have dropped.
3) Pray for our church that we can sustain at a high level with the drop of giving.
4) Pray that people will continue to give as God as asked them.

Like every other American and church challenge this country has faced, we will get through this one as we stay together under the leadership of Christ. Tough times call for tough people. Challenging times call for people of faith. Hard times call for people who also rely on God's grace.

Today's Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 15 & 16

A Message From Our New Campus Pastor

2008-11-13T07:42:00.002-05:00

As you know, we have begun laying the ground work for our first new campus. Our dream is to be one church with many campuses and to have those campuses in a variety of different kinds of places.....small towns, college towns, inner city and other places that do not normally have our style and DNA churches currently there. However, we will be one team and one church. Here is a short note from Steve Miller...a USC Gamecock grad who knows his team will lose this week to the Mighty Gators!

*********************************************************************************
Hey.....I'm really excited about what God is going to do in the Kershaw area through this new church campus. I've felt that God has been getting the people in this town ready for something like this ever since I moved here eight years ago. I met several families over that time that have had the same feeling and those folks are now the core group of this new campus site for our church. That is right....I said our church. We are one church teaming up to reach may different areas. We have already seen God do amazing things through us as individuals here in the Kershaw area and now expect even greater things as we create this new church campus!

We look forward to seeing God do even greater things as He has been doing in your ministry area. Things like.....

Teaming up with our community as we care for needs through a clothes closet, food pantry, and assistance organization.

Teaming up with our community as we send out teenagers as hometown missionaries in a town that already has a program where they work a few weeks out of the summer fixing up homes in the community.

Teaming up together in a community-wide, multi-racial, non-denominational service just like the one we'll participate in this coming Thanksgiving.

Providing a creative and culturally relevant Sunday service that will reach and impact people here like no other church is providing in this area.

Providing a local church that reaches people where they are and then are lead them in grace to full devotion in Jesus Christ.

Being a church that focuses on reaching those who have never been to church or are in need of a new kind of church experience.

This is what I have always wanted to do be a part of and now I am excited that my family and a few of our friends will have the opportunity to team up with you and impact this area.

Looking forward to meeting you all on November 23rd!

Steve Miller
***********************************************************************************

Today's Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 13 & 14

Christmas Mission 2008

2008-11-12T07:53:00.002-05:00

Our Christmas Mission is here! Every year we purchase a personalized gift for over 700 kids, their teachers and the administration staff at Walter Bicket Elem School in Monroe. This is a school that as under-privileged and at high risk kids that attend there.

For the last eight years we have been going there on the last day of school and giving them a huge Christmas program as a large group and then individual parties in each class room. The best part....right now each kid is given a blank Christmas wish list card. On this card they can ask for anything they really want under $25. (The teachers help them..) Starting this Sunday the great people of our church take these tickets, buy the gift specifically for that child, bring it here and then we take two trailers filled with over 700 gifts to the school for each child to unwrap and have a great gift.

The administration shares with us each year that these are basically the only gifts many of these kids will unwrap and get. They love it and it is a great way to Team up with a local school for maximum impact.

You can pick up your personalized ticket starting this Sunday!

Speaking of Christmas.....this year our Christmas series is called Nativity and the entire month of December will have a huge canvas wall (15 feet long and 10 feet high) on the stage that will have a live painting through each service. Our painters will be painting a huge Christmas Mural on the stage while we sing and even while I am speaking.

This Sunday we will be passing out special invitations for you to give to a few people and invite them to the grand opening of this live mural exhibit that starts being painted on December 7th. We are asking each person or family to bring at least one guest on Sunday morning, December 7th, to help us kickoff this creative and unique Christmas series.

Today's Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 12

This is a great chapter that shows very clearly a value of our church. Paul says here that each person should discover their spiritual gifts and then use them in the local church. He compares the church to that of an actual body. Our body is one...but we have different parts that are used to make the body function at it's highest potential. We have arms, ears, eyes and the like. Each has a specific role to play and if it does not work....then the body is not as successful. Same is true with the church. We are like a body with many parts. Guess what? When a few parts choose not to work and function....the church is less dynamic and successful in it's purpose and mission.

I have said it another way for nine years. The local church is like a team. Each person should commit to One Purpose of the team and then understand they have a share in the responsibility to meet that One Purpose. Moreover, as individuals we have to have a personal devotion that enables us to be ready to share in that responsibility.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T07:27:00.002-05:00

Across American today, those who have served in our Nations military will be honored and......they should be! It is a great and noble thing to go and serve one's country. America would not be what we are if not for the brave young men and women who have served and some have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

That is one thing about success and dreams that come true. They always happen because someone has gone ahead of that dream and usually had to sacrifice something of great worth. That sacrifice could be in time, money or even in their life. As we get ready next year to celebrate our church's 10 year anniversary I am always reminded of the personal sacrifice that it took from my family and many others to help lay the ground work for this dream church we now enjoy.

This past Sunday I spoke to a new core group in Kershaw, South Carolina. This, of course, is the site of our first campus in our dream of being one church that has many campuses is places where churches like ours do not exist. I talked briefly to a gathering of about 45 people who are excited about being a part of church...there in Kershaw. I began telling their leaders there about the coming excitement and sacrifice that will be a part of the new campus God is leading us to start there. We are excited to announce that we have a 4,200 square foot warehouse that we are going to lease and this will be the site of our new church campus there. The owner of the warehouse is paying all "up-fitting" cost and we will assume the lease when he is done. This is going to be awesome!

REZONING ALERT: Last night the board made their own motion without discussion to defer the vote until December 9th. They are getting false information from a neighbor about our church and the plans we have. The town council said they need more info before voting. We will be meeting with the people who have questions over the next few weeks. If you live in the city limits of Matthews....Please take the time to call and write each person on the board and express your concern of why THEY are not willing to vote for this basic rezoning. We need 6 out of 7 town council people to vote "yes." I am not sure which ones are holding up the vote, so just send a note to all of them. Let your voting voice be heard in this manner! A couple hundred calls and emails should let them know how passionate their voting public is about this matter.

Today's Bible Reading 1 Corinthians 9-11

Fail Forwrd

2008-11-10T08:08:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was such a Failure....no just kidding. As you know we learned about Failing Forward. Every dream you have will have moments of failure. Steps along the journey that are not what you thought would happen and are marked with a failure.

Remember this.....Failure Is Not:
* Avoidable
* The Enemy
* Irreversible
* Final

Failure can be used as a learning step and one that test your resolve! Those who never move because they are afraid of failure....will never live their dreams. Those who stop every time a failed step is taken....will never complete any dream journey. All great God given dreams will have the risk and reality of failure. The difference between living in our dreams or not.....is our perception and response to those failures.

As we have learned as a staff at this church....if you are not having a few failures...you are not trying hard enough and taking enough calculated risk! Dare to Dream.....Act on those dreams......be resolved in your heart to fail forward!

Go to our interactive Believe In Now website to read others dreams and what they are doing and record your own. Myteamchurch.com

Today's Bible Reading 1 Cor 7 & 8

One of the favorite passages of married men! Chapter 7:1-5 talks specifically about few things in marriage. First of all in the troubled times these folks were living, Paul agrees with a statement that he had already made earlier to THESE people about staying single. There are times in a person's life or in the setting in which they are living that getting married is not the smart thing to do.

However, Paul tells them, if they desire to be married and thus sexually active then they should get married even though it may not be the bet time and of course they should only have sex with their spouse. Moreover, Paul addresses an issue that was happing in marriage. That being the issue of the two becoming one. Meaning that when you get married your body no longer belongs to you alone...but to your spouse. Sex in marriage is not only a beautiful event...it is also a need in marriage if the marriage is to be healthy and fulfilling. Paul even gives a warning, never deprive the other from this married act except for mutual consent and because you are devoting yourself to prayer. If a spouse is put on a sex diet.....then Paul says it becomes very hard for that person not to look around at the cheap fast food places around town!

CRAVE

2008-11-07T08:20:00.002-05:00

This afternoon our Student Ministry is leaving for a weekend retreat. (What a great weekend God has given them as far the weather.) Please be praying for them as these are special times for teenagers to get away for a few days and refocus, recommit, and set their sights on living a God honoring life.

As many of you know, we launched a new Wednesday night service just for students this Fall. It has been awesome! Every Wednesday night they have averaged over 120 teenagers here for great teaching, worship and a safe place to hang with friends. Great job to Brad Saab and his dynamic Student Ministry Leadership Team. These volunteers put in tons of hours to serve our students. Great job and have fun this weekend!

Speaking of volunteers.....we are looking for some people to serve in one of our largest community service projects and outreach to the community. November 16-18 we will host the Matthews Area Rec Association football banquet here at the church. This is a free service we offer to the Association. The best part is that we will have over a 1,200 players and families here for the event AND we bring in quality speakers to share with the players about Character, Integrity, Academics, Athletics and doing their best. The speakers also share freely about their faith and how God leads in all these areas.

This years speakers:

* Current Carolina Panther and former Butler Bulldog...Kenny Moore.

* Former Panther and Super Bowl winner with the Buccaneers....Casey Weldon

* Head Coach of the Butler Bull Dogs...Mike Newsome

This is a great event that we Team up with every year! If you would like to serve one of the nights....please email chris@charlottesouth.org

Today's Bible Reading Galatians 5 & 6

I love the principle in 6:4 as it says that each of us should test our selves against what God has called us to do. We don't need to compare our self to others...just to what God has asked us to do according to the gifts, passions and opportunities He has given us.

The Water Split

2008-11-06T07:28:00.003-05:00

As you know, we have been in a contract for the 38 acres behind our current 20 acre parcel. Since the beginning, the owners have been willing to offer us owner financing over the next 6 years at one payment per year due every January. Our first yearly payment would not be due until January 2010. However, to actually purchase the land and start to use it, we of course had to come up with a higher down payment of 125K at closing. From that point we would own the land and could start using it and immediately make plans for fields, walking trails and of course future expansion.

Our Lead Team had decided that the best course of actions was to refinance our current building loan and use the equity to pay the initial down payment and then use budget money to make the yearly payment to the family. However, as you know, the bottom fell out of our economy and the banks that are not closing.... are not lending either. So, with only a 1/4 of the money needed to close, we "kept walking toward the river" and seeking to get the land rezoned and praying that God would find a way.

Last week two families who love this church and the long term purpose God has for it stepped up in these hard economical times and gave sacrificially. Their gifts gave us a total of 75K to offer to the family as the best we could do with a down payment. We offered this reduction of down payment and no changes to the original contract or payments for 2 years and "stepped into the water" that is economically raging at flood status toward our dream.

God showed up and the family has accepted our much lower down payment offer and no additional money needed until 2011. The final rezoning should happen this Monday night and we will close on those beautiful 38 acres behind us on Tuesday. Securing this property with owner financing was a smart treat 9 months ago......who would have ever known that it would be the only way to go in these banking crisis times. Now, we can continue to move forward with our long-range dream of having a large campus on the corner of 485/74 that impacts our city in amazing ways. This dream is both short term and longterm....and it starts with small steps.

Dreams that come from God are worth pursuing......be here Sunday as we look at how to Fail Forward when our dreams hit bumps in the road.

How is your personal dream life going? I read today on the Myteamchurch.com site about a mom in our church hat has started taking drum lessons because she always had a dream to play the drums in a band....but never MOVED. She is moving now and having a blast!

Today's Bible Reading Galatians 3 & 4

Galatians 3:28-29 is a great verse for our wonderful new presidential reality. It says that in Christ their is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. What this means is that if anyone of any nationality, color or gender has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior then God sees us all the same with no favoritism. God does not like one person anymore than another and each person on this earth has the privilege of coming to faith in Jesus Christ through the grace offered on the cross.

This is the verse my good friend, Pastor Stacey Lemay, used a few months ago when he brought his predominately black church to join with us for a great baptism service where black and white were baptized here in an amazing display of racial harmony when we are all in Christ! We will be doing that again at the first of the year.