Vision 09' Update - Part III

On Mission . . . Life Groups . . .

This is where On Mission vision is starting to pick up steam!

Our groups are the core of doing life together at Oso Creek. The primary place where we're challenged and cheered-on in this spiritual journey.

To this point our groups have primarily been formed around 'affinity.' You like me, I like you. Or, you're like me and I'm like you. Good stuff.

But we started asking, what if instead our groups were formed around mission? What if our groups we're not just serving occassionally, but were identified by how they were on mission?

Instead of the Lawley group, or the Kratz group, the Hufstetler group -- it was the 'Mission 911 Group' , the 'Crisis Pregnancy Center Group', or the 'King High School Group' or ______ ______ (you fill in the blank)?

And so we said, 'Why not? Let's go for it!'

Over the past couple of months we have challenged EVERY group to identify the needs around them, and where God wants them to be on mission. Now as the groups identify that place/people/need, the next step is to ramp up the on mission focus.
Some of our groups are already there, but I've told the leaders that in the past we've spent maybe 10% of our group time and energy on being on mission . . . And what if that was more like 40%? How powerfully the Kingdom will come as we have that common, sustained purpose for the King!

Now, I realize that this may mean that some groups have a hard time identifying one mission. That's OK, maybe now you have two groups!
Or, maybe some folks move to another group because their passion resonates with another group's passion. That's awesome!

The point is, how can we be living out God's purposes in every facet of our lives and our church? How can we truly live out being the 'sent ones'?

The Main Things . . .

On Sunday we had 7 folks come to the Life Group Leader Training! That's awesome!

And just as awesome for me, is that every time I teach the class I'm brought back to why we're here. It's so easy for our purpose to get all foggy as we stumble through day after day life. . .

But when we back off, it's really all about evangelism, discipleship and multiplication.

First, God's purpose is that we would carry His life preservers around everywhere we go. He's in the business of rescuing people . . . for all eternity! And we have the privilege - in the power of His Holy Spirit - to share Good News with people all the time.
And yet, it's so easy to grow selfish and tired. BUT, this IS the most important things as followers of Jesus that we do with our lives!

Secondly, we get to disciple people in their journey! Wow, we get to help people grow . . . and to bear fruit.

And as we are faithful, the fruit of multiplication pours out of our life. Our lives are multiplied and our groups are multiplied and our church is multiplied.

So, every time I teach this class I'm confronted with this picture of a tree that represents my life. Am I growing and bearing fruit that is blessing others? Am I planting seeds that are resulting in new trees? Is my life being multiplied?

How about you?

Got Group?

As you've heard me say many times, we believe that God designed us in a way that spiritual life transformation happens in groups.

These relationships are the vessel that we journey in.

Our Life Groups seek to be that vessel.

As I've talked about over the last few weeks, I want to challenge you if you are not in a group to check one out.
I want to challenge to take the 7-week test (after all 7 is the perfect biblical number :)

This week as I begin a new series on Elephants in the Church, I want to challenge you to find a group during this series and see how God uses that group in your life during those 7 weeks.

On Sunday after Celebration you'll be given a chance to join a group. I encourage you to 'go for it!' Get a group. Find some new life.

Another Reminder to SAVE September 20th!

It's 2 months out today and I'm reminding you Creekers to mark Saturday, September 20th on your calendars --- and set it aside!

On that Saturday we're gonna host an awesome Catalytic Event that blesses our community!

But it's gonna be more than that . . . Per Websters something that is 'catalytic' causes or accelerates a change by the addition of a catalyst.

It's going to be catalyzing because we are also going to begin a powerful new series that weekend in Celebration . . . AND we are going to be kicking off many new Life Groups and asking EVERYONE to be in a group for that 40-day season!

So set aside the day and pray with us as we seek God's heart and vision for this Fall!

ON Mission!

There's about a dozen High School girls at my house for another Saturday night GNO (Girls Night Out). Right now there's a lot of girly yelling and laughing going on!
(I snuck up and took a couple a pics a little while ago when they were doing some crazy game outside!)

There's also 4 ladies here - including my wife - who lead them and love them.

These ladies could be doing a lot of other stuff on Saturday night. They could be with their families at Gatti Town or at a Hooks game. They could be out at a movie with their friends. They could be sitting cozy on their couch watching their favorite TV series.

But they're here. In a few minutes they'll sit down and talk about what God's Word says about their lives. Then they'll break up into prayer groups and ask God to meet the deepest needs of these young ladies lives.

This is part of what it means for these ladies to be on mission - to be giving their lives away for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is what we want EVERY life to be about at Oso Creek!

Where are you living out your mission?

Save SEPTEMBER 20th!!

Creekers I'm asking you to mark Saturday, September 20th on your calendars --- and set aside that day!

On September 20, 2008 we're going to be having an Easter Festival size Catalytic Event that begins as we connect with and bless our community!

But it's gonna be even more than that . . . Per Websters something that is 'catalytic' causes or accelerates a change by the addition of a catalyst.

This event is going to be catalyzing because we are also going to begin a powerful new series that weekend in Celebration . . . AND we are going to be kicking off many new Life Groups and asking EVERYONE to be in a group for that 40-day season!

So set aside the day and begin to pray with us as we seek God's vision for this Fall!

Community Driven

"You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Prov 27:17 Message)

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (Jesus in John 17)

On Sunday I talked about the necessity of Community/Team if we are going to move further in this journey with Jesus. Us Before Me.

The Bible doesn't just talk about relationship, it IS relationship. It's the word(s) of God, through His Son, to us. And it's in relationship that we are transformed. Man, I know. I know what it's like to separate myself from others who push me further spiritually (and the emptiness I have) - and what it's like to be engaged with people encouraging me and to be encouraging others.

One of the passages that came to mind as I was thinking about it this week is the story of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-25 - click and check it out). The point of that story is that this young dude chose his wealth/things over a relationship with God. And he was a good guy!
But any time we choose things/jobs/self/distractions over relationship with God and others - we immediately stifle our Christian life. Period.

Why do we emphasize so passionately everyone being in Life Groups? Because it is through those relationships where we are real with others about God, that we will grow in this Christian journey. And that's the whole point! That's the reason we exist as a church! We don't want you just to occupy space on Sunday, but to be a world changer for the Kingdom of God!

And sadly, when we allow anything to get in the way of being in life transforming relationships with others, then we're no different from this young guy.
Jesus told him to come back when he was willing to invest in eternal relationships instead of earthly stuff.

It's your move. Do you need to engage deeper in community? Or to draw someone else in with you?

Mission Possible!

On Friday night one of our Life Groups (Teel's Group) had a spaghetti dinner to help support Richard and Ximena Roseland who have given their lives to love orphans deep in Mexico.

This pic is of Richard & Ximena who serve through Orphanos - a ministry to children - at a Pan de Vida Orphanage in Queretaro, Mexico.

The Teels said that they were hoping to raise $1,000 and as of this afternoon God had raised over $2,000 and folks were still giving! Way to go Teel Group!!

On another missions note, we are making plans for a couple of short term mission trips in 2008! I'll get details to you as soon they're available . . .

Group Life

9 Creekers went through Groups 101 & 201 on Sunday evening . . . All of them are already beginning, or willing, to lead groups!

What I personally love about that class is that it reminds me why community is so important to God and important to us at Oso Creek. It's awesome to hear their stories about being in a time of great need and their group gathered around them and became Jesus to them in that season. Or, as one person said, they hate missing their time together more than anything else in the week!

As we read through the end of Acts 2 (41-47) as we did on Sunday, I'm always reminded that the Church didn't begin with a doctrinal statement, or a church growth strategy. . . it began with people gathering together and seeking together how to follow this man Jesus. Seeking to love Him and love one another. I pray that we never lose focus of the simplicity and power of community.

In the wee hours of this (Friday) morning a woman who was a very dear member of one of our Life Groups passed from this life to the next.

Paul said that 'nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

Life and life abundantly! For the follower of Jesus, even in 'death' there is just more LIFE . . . IN Christ Jesus!

Check out this great blog by one of our Creekers - Kim Galloway - as she reflects on Helen's old life, her new life, and what it means to LIVE in Christian community.