Things are not as they APPEAR
Recently someone shared with me what they thought
about our church. It was very insightful and then came this
line: “LFC is too big to get connected with.” We are growing
larger and smaller at the same time. We are seeing many new
faces come to our church but we have also made attempts at
seeing people get connected to small groups (currently taking
place) Life Transformation Groups (ongoing) which are very small
groups of people who are praying, sharing what they have been
reading in scripture and holding each other accountable – a
great way to grow deeper in your faith. Another way is Doing
Church as a Team – creating small groups who are serving in
various areas of the church, based on their passion and calling.
What I realized after our discussion is that things are not
always as they appear. LFC is, what some would consider, a large
church – but we do have many ways for you to connect.
- Like
looking at the optical illusion of the young woman and old
lady. You will see them both - depending on your ability to
change focus and perspective. These ladies have been used to
illustrate 'all is not as it seems' for a long time. But I
hope you:
-
Don’t allow LFC to appear to be too big for
you to connect with others – because it is not.
It
is our heart to help people connect with God and friends!
Relationships are important around here and we want you to
become connected with others. To that end we offer ways for you
to do so, but you can always linger after a service and reach
out to someone you have never met.
Another thing I hear is that LFC is too big to
need me. “It appears” as someone recently said: “There isn’t
really anything we can do at LFC, you have lots of people
serving.” Honestly we need over 30 additional team members for
our children’s department, we need new members on our tech team
with the addition of our new cameras and the ability to provide
a ‘video venue’ in anticipation of continued growth. We are
praying for people to help us with the creative end of service
planning and those who have theatre or stage crew background to
assist us with production each Sunday and on special events.
Being humbly honest, our staff is running hard to keep up with
the demands of LFC and doing a great job. Truth is, LFC needs
you. God has a plan for this church and a more compelling vision
is in front of us. Not just to be busy but to provide ministry
to and for our people and out to our community.
-
Don’t allow LFC to appear to
be too big for you to use your gifts and talents, because it
is not – we need you. We have a place for you.
Another thing I want to make sure you understand
is this: LFC does not have it all together. Recently someone
said: “LFC really has their stuff together.” Well, I don’t know
what stuff he was referring to, but I do know we don’t have it
all together. We are human and by design we are all flawed. The
old line is this: “You won’t ever find the perfect church and if
you do, don’t go there or you will mess it up.”
We know we are not perfect – this is why we are
doing our best to grow and change and keep on learning
-
Don’t allow LFC to appear to
have it all together because we don’t – but we are working
at being the best we can be.
If you are not sure what really is – just ask
our staff or one of our key leaders. If you don’t know who they
are just contact our church office and we will connect you with
the right person.
In
his book, IF GOD WERE REAL,
John Avant says that the “essence of a genuine prayer for
revival is this:
God, change everything about me that you need to
change. Change everything about our church too. Do in me - and
in your people - whatever it takes to bring you honor and
glory. Help us to be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill
your Great Commission. Even if it means I never like another
song I sing or sermon I hear in this church, may we do things
that will bring this community to you. May I never get my way
on a committee or like the kind of people who come here or the
times of the services or anything else if, instead, we can reach
people who aren’t yet here. Bring this kind of revival to our
church, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
I
Amen this prayer and ask that God help us not appear to be what
we are not but to appear to Him as His church.
We have a place for
you - let us know how we can help you get connected.
Pastor Bernie
LFC: Extending Grace – Exploring Grace – Experiencing Grace –
Expressing Grace
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