Thursday, August 19, 2010

Change of plans...

Jeremiah 29:11 says,  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This scripture recounts God's promise that He had a plan for Judah after their 70 year exile in Babylon.

 

We all know that God has a plan and a plan for our lives. I had a life plan. I was given certain skills and abilities from God which allowed me to have a successful business career. And MY plan was to retire on my 62nd birthday. I made this plan when I was still living in New York and was thinking ahead to what my future would look like.

 

Well, this past Sunday, August 15th, I turned 62. But God's plan obviously trumped my plan.

 

Instead of saying goodbye on August 15th, 2010 to my job in the business world, and goodbye to my business associates as I had planned so many years ago, I began, on my planned retirement day, a "new" career. I was giving a sermon at the HRCC Lexington campus. It was our first "practice service" with me as a campus pastor, my new career. Isn't that interesting? So much for my plan!

 

Change of plans? I'll say! Sunday, standing there, delivering a sermon on my planned "retirement day" and officially starting a new assignment was the best birthday I have ever had.

 

This was God's birthday present to me. Thank you God.

 

I love God's plans! (and His birthday present to me)

 

In Christ,

 

Mike

 

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

This service brought to you by....

 
...the Core and Launch Team from the Lexington Campus. We decided to let these teams serve and fill every volunteer ministry this past weekend at East as our Lexington team heads into the final stages of our preparation for our August 29th launch of HRCC's 5th campus.
 
It takes a minimum of 38 volunteers to be adequately staffed for each of our services at East. We had some of the team pulling double duty serving as greeters and ushers and a couple of other double service volunteers. It was a great experience and everyone did an excellent job. Thank you teams! It was awesome to see the Lexington campus praise band for their first public services after several weeks of practice after the band was created. I heard great reviews!
 
It's only 6 weeks to launch and the next weeks will be busy finishing up training, purchasing of equipment, practice set ups and a couple of practice services in addition to our promotion and marketing to get the word out about the launch. We've learned from our experiences with the other 4 campuses as we launched so we pretty much have our time table and planning sequence "down" based on these experiences.
 
We still can use anyone who wants to help for a short while or longer term as a core or launch team member. Just contact me and we can discuss.
 
Several things you can do to help. Pray...pray every day leading up to the launch that God will bless our efforts and that we are honoring God in all our preparations. You can support financially. The Gospel is free but ministry isn't...particularly a multi-site strategy which is one church in multiple locations. If you wish to give, please designate your gift for the Lexington campus. You can support us by giving your gift at any campus or you can support us with an on-line gift. You can serve... as I mentioned above, we can always use more volunteers to help us get launched and up and going.
 
Thanks so much for your prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
Mike  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

53 days: 21 hours: 14 minutes and 2 seconds

This is how long it is until the launch service of the HRCC Lexington Campus (or at least it was when I typed the title in). I have been so excited anticipating what God is doing as we continue to ramp up for the launch on August 29 at 10:30 am. Directions on website at highrockcommunitychurch.com. Click on Lexington campus.
 
At present we have 24 adults committed as Core Team members and almost as many committed to be a part of the Launch Team that will help us and support us for 60 days or so after we launch. We still need more members for both teams if you're interested.
 
Some have asked what our planning schedule looks like. We've been meeting monthly since January and several times a month in April though June. If you are interested in the planning calendar, here it is from today on:
 

July 9th – Core Team and Launch Team meeting for July 17 & 18 planning (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm) East Campus

July 10th & 11th - Saturday & Sunday - Mike's Pastor's Choice message - West Campus - attendance optional

July 17 & 18 - Saturday & Sunday - East Campus - Lexington Campus Team does all the services at the East Campus

Saturday July 17 at 6 pm and Sunday July 18th at 9:30 & 11 am

All Core Team both days – we will have our Lexington praise team, Mike gives message, all ministries staffed by Lexington Core Team & Launch Team - Video promo - Campus wide special offering for Lexington Campus

July 18th – Sunday - Core & Launch Team meeting at Y – Go over the plan for launch sequence and the schedule

July 25th - Sunday - Lexington campus training at Y (10:30 am - 12:30 pm)

AUGUST

August 1st - Sunday - Lexington campus training at Y (10:30 am - 12:30 pm)

August 7th – Saturday - door hangers; distribute invite cards Time (TBD)

August 8th – Sunday - practice set up at Y (9 am -12 pm) – Afterwards - launch party at Hilliard's house on the lake

August 14th – Saturday - door hangers; distribute invite cards (TBD)

August 15th – Sunday - 1st LIVE FULL PRACTICE – core & launch team (7am -1 pm)

 

August 21st – Saturday - door hangers, distribute invite cards, (TBD) & Community event in Lexington @ Grimes Park

 

August 22nd – Sunday - 2nd LIVE FULL PRACTICE - 7 AM -1 PM - Invite Friends

August 27th – Friday - 24 hr fast (optional) and prayer for Launch

August 28th – Saturday - door hangers; distribute invite cards, (TBD)

Cook-out and prayer meeting at the Carol & Kevin Brady's house in Lexington

Sunday, August 29th - LAUNCH SERVICE!!!!!!

 

Again, if you want to be a part of the Core of Launch Team please contact me. I want to thank all of you for supporting us and praying for the launch and the campus.

By the way, it's now 53 days: 20 hours: 55 minutes and 22 seconds 'till Launch!!!

 

In Christ,

 

Mike

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

"We're almost there!"

Almost a year ago I wrote a blog asking "are we there yet?" I was referring to the launch of our 5th campus. At that time we were looking to launch in the fall of 2009. However, God did not open any doors for us showing us a location and timing.
 
Instead, He opened the door for the launching of the West campus. We were faithful to His leading and put our immediate focus on the up fitting of the building He made available to us. The West campus was launched on November 1, 2009. All the while, the 5th campus which we felt God leading us to launch in the Lexington/Midway area was still be planned. Actually the plans for this 5th campus have been in works for almost 2 years as we searched for a location and decided on timing.
 
Well, to answer my year old question...we're almost there! We will be launching the Lexington campus on Sunday, August 29, 2010. We have our Core Team of current HRCC members from other campuses who have committed to at least 1 year of service and support for Lexington. At this point we have 23 Core Team members. We have been meeting as a group since January. We are talking to others who feel led to be part of the Core Team families and individuals. We are also discussing with others who have said they want to support the campus and help with the launch and serve with us for several months. We're calling these faithful volunteers the Launch Team. I will keep everyone posted of our progress and ask that if you have a desire to help us that you contact me at the church.
 
We have been looking at many buildings over the past year but nothing has opened up in a manner which clearly indicates to us that "this is the place" God has selected for us. We are continuing to look for a building and when the time is right and we feel that God has shown us the location and timing, as he has in Denton, Kannapolis and West, we will we react. So while we wait for that revelation of location, we have decided to launch the Lexington campus as a "portable" church. This is how we launched the Denton and Kannapolis campuses.
 
We will launch in the banquet and meeting wing of the J. Smith Young YMCA in downtown Lexington. We have almost 6000 square feet of space and will have 3 rooms to use, one as the worship area, others for Kid's Club and nursery and welcome area.
 
I will use my blog to provide updates of our progress towards launch. We ask that you keep these plans and efforts in your prayers. Again, if you want to help in any way, please contact me.
 
In Christ,
 
Mike
 
 
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Monday, December 28, 2009

Rewards in Heaven

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

In my sermon I delivered this past weekend at the HRCC East campus, I mentioned that the Bible mentions at least 5 rewards or "crowns" we may receive in Heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Good works will not get us into heaven, as the Bible specifically tells us that we can only be saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. But being willing to do good works for the Lord will bring us certain types of rewards as you will see in the Scripture verses I will list in this blog.

The Bible specifically talks about 5 different crowns that will be given to some of God's people when they enter into heaven. If you look closely at what these crowns are going to be for - they will be for work that is done for God that is beyond the normal scope of what the average Christian may attempt to do. This is for work that goes far, above and beyond what the average Christian may actually strive for.

The Crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

This crown will be given to those who have lived a good and righteous for God while living down here on this earth.

. The Bible says that all men have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of our God. But what God does want from each one of us is at least some kind of concerted effort to try and live our lives "right." We all know right from wrong. God just wants each one of us to choose to do the right thing when faced with certain temptations or choices to do something bad.

The Incorruptible Crown (the victor's crown" – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The apostle Paul describes in this scripture that those who run in any kind of a race, all run with the goal of obtaining some kind of prize. He then goes on to state that those who run a race in order to win the prize are temperate in all things. In other words, there is a lot they have to give up in order to be in proper condition to run that race.

God calls some people to do things that will require some sacrifice and temperance in the way they will live and conduct their lives. Some people may be called to be a Bible teacher in a far off and poor country. They will literally be working for pennies. They will have to sacrifice the bigger money they could have made had they stayed home in America and taught in the states.

I believe God is telling us in this passage that if He does put this kind of special call on your life that will require you to give up many of the normal things of this life - that you will be greatly rewarded for this sacrifice once you enter into heaven. This verse also seems to be implying that these people will also receive this victor's crown for the sacrifices they were willing to make for God in order to successfully complete the call and mission God had called them to do.

The Crown of Life "the martyr's crown" – James 1:2-12 and Revelation 2:10

This next crown has been called by many the "martyr's crown." Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation and/or physical death on His behalf.

I do not think there is any question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! It is the greatest act of bravery and courage that you can show God the Father. And I believe that all of the Christians who have been martyred for their faith in God and Jesus throughout history will not only be given this crown of life, but will also be given some real special rewards once they enter into heaven.

The Crown of Rejoicing (the soul winner's crown" – 1 Thessalonians 2:10-19

This next crown has been called the "soul winner's crown." The apostle Paul is calling those that he has saved his "joy" and his "crown of rejoicing." The word "crown" seems to be implying that God will be giving a crown to those who have been instrumental in getting other people saved and led to Him through the blood of His Son.

The Bible does not say how many people you actually have to be instrumental in getting saved in order to be able to receive this crown. My guess is that it will be relative. God will simply be judging you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others.

The Crown of Glory (the shepherd's crown" – 1 Peter 5:1-4

God will be giving His teachers and shepherds this crown due to the extreme importance of bringing up others into the knowledge and ways of God. Once you get saved, this is just the beginning. God wants you to grow in His knowledge and grace by reading the Bible and learning as much as you can about Him, His Son and His Holy Spirit. The problem is that the Bible is hard and dry for many people when they first try and read it on their own. They do not understand half of what they are reading. This is why teachers and shepherds are needed.

God is always looking for teachers and shepherds to help teach and educate His flock. However, you have to spend some serious quality time in the Bible and have a good understanding of the basics before He can really use you to teach and educate others.

 

For those of you who have been in the Word for quite some time and have a real good understanding and grasp of all the basics - I really believe that God can use you to help teach and shepherd others. It doesn't mean you have to sign up to teach a Sunday school or be promoted to the office of a teacher.

All of these crowns will be permanent, incorruptible and will never fade away. They will be eternal rewards bestowed upon those deemed to be deserving of them by God the Father for extra-ordinary service rendered on His behalf while living down here on this earth.

I hope this summary helps in your understanding of the types of rewards we have awaiting us in Heaven based on our service and good works for The Kingdom while on earth serving Jesus.

 In Christ,

Mike

References; Charting the End Times, Tim LaHaye & Thomas Ice; bible-knowledge.com

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thank You Small Groupies!

I want to give a shout out to all of our High Rockers who are in small groups. We have increased our participation in small groups to 33% of our average weekly adult attenders (and for you "number nerds" like me...that's 254 people now in small groups). As some of you know, we have been on a campaign to increase our small group participation and have so over the last 4 months.
 
It's not just about numbers so we can say we have X % of our High Rockers in groups to check off some box. It's about getting as many of us in small groups so each of us can continue to grow in our Christian walk and spiritual maturity. Unless you are in or have experienced a small group you really don't know what you're missing.
 
In addition to going into a deeper study into the past week's message (or an independent study) at our weekend services we experience awesome fellowship and support from our fellow groupies. It's really hard to explain in mere words what support we get from our groups. Friendships begin and deepen, activities together as families or individuals grow and outreach to group members, the HRCC family and communities surrounding our campuses happens as we share our love for Christ outwardly as we are commanded to do in the Bible.
 
As each HRCC campus grows larger, we have to grow smaller at the same time. This is were our small groups come into play. In HR 101 we discuss that the heartbeat of HRCC is our small groups.   
 
If you are not in a group and would like to know more, please contact me at the church.
 
 
Hope to see you in a group!
 
In Christ,
 
Mike      
 
 
 
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Monday, October 12, 2009

Telling Your Story

As we are wrapping up what has been a great message series on Becoming a Contagious Christian, we talked this weekend about Telling Your Story. This is simply our story of what has happened in our lives after we accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives and what a difference God has made in our life. We must be prepared because sooner or later, someone will ask us what has caused the change in our life.
 
Remember 1 Peter 3:15 " Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
 
Maybe you have a story and are already "ready" to share as we are reminded and commanded to do in 1 Peter 3:15. But if you haven't thought about your story yet and would like some suggestions to help organize your story, take a look at the following. Here are some suggestions to think about as you put your "story" together.
 
We do not want our story to be a "canned" presentation. We want it to be natural and conversational. It is helpful to  spend time writing out the answers to the following questions. This information will help you flesh out and organize your story. Don't worry about getting it perfect or writing fully formed sentences. For now we want to just get the main idea down in a few quick phrases. You can refine it later.
 
1) What was your early spiritual background, and how did it affect you as you grew up - your feelings, attitudes, actions and relationships?
 
2) What caused you to begin to consider following Christ?
 
3) What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ?
 
4) Specifically, how did you receive Christ?
 
5) How did your life begin to change after you trusted Christ?
 
6) What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian?
 
This outline allows you to relate your story by sharing what was your life was like before you became a Christian; relates how you met Christ (received Christ) and finally how  your life is now after meeting, trusting and accepting Christ.
 
After you have reflected on your answers it's a good idea to practice your story with a friend to become more comfortable telling it. Any of the pastors are available to help you. Or discuss this with your small group members (you are a member of a small group - right?). Or discuss with a family member.
 
The Holy Spirit will open the hearts of those He has prepared to be open to hear about Jesus and He will use you as a voice to share His story by sharing your story.
 
If you heard my message I gave at the East campus several weeks ago I mentioned that statistics show that only 3 out of every 100 Christians ever even share the Gospel. Here at HRCC let's not be a part of this sad statistic.
 
I love sharing my story with my friends and family. I am so excited and proud of what God has done in my life and I know you are also.
 
DON'T KEEP IT A SECRET!!!!!
 
In Christ,
 
Mike
 
 
 
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