There are times when I look back at my actions and think, ‘Oh Dear Lord, I actually did that?’  You know the feeling.  Your cheeks get all flushed and you are horrified by how you acted.  Typically these visions are centered around my adolescent years and college years – those awkward times when I was socially inempt and clueless.

I still have those thoughts for even recent events.  Now there are 2 approaches.  You can really beat yourself up.  I’m really bad about this simply because I’m harder on myself than on others.  But what good does that do except to put you in a funk and search out things to numb the feeling – Krispy Kream Donuts and Frappacinos do well.  The only problem with this is, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  And that is on all levels.

Then there is option 2.  Evaluate, learn, and move on.  Don’t dwell.  Don’t constantly relive a moment – that’s called OCD…or CDO for you really bad cases.

Self improvement is a great quality.  Self condemnation is a destructive one.

Awesome.  Amazing.  I think a pivotal point in our church history.  Our volunteers are pumped!

Now that I’ve slept and have had a chance to digest everything I took in, I have one big take away:  Do we really want to do this without God?  Do we ever get on our face and beg God to show up?  Of course we want God to be there, but does it translate into prayer?  We need systems.  Have to have them.  But be careful not to allow the systems to overshadow the work of God.

Perry Noble commented on how all of the sudden a lot of people began to show up.  He was asked what were they doing.  He honestly couldn’t come up with an answer.  “Nothing.  We were doing nothing special.  No flyers, no mailers, no attendance push.  They just showed up!”

We say the phrase alot, “Work like it depends on us, pray like it depends on God.”  Problem is most tend to do the first part really well.  Now let’s pray because it DOES depend on God.

Lifepointer’s, let’s pray that God begins to rock our world!  Let’s pray that he just messes us up so much that we have to look at what God is doing and say….had to be God.

I think this is the best thing Lifepoint has ever done.

www.lifepointgivesback.org

Rick Warren has a saying that I think may get overlooked – “Every member is a minister.”  Sure it sounds good, but maybe we don’t take too much stock in it.

There is a member of our parking team who’s father is gravely ill.  Doctors are only giving him 24 hours to live.  They’ve stopped treatments and are simply making him comfortable.  Kristen (Guest Services) filled me in on the details and let me know that Tom was keeping in touch with the family and making sure they had what they needed.

I lost it.  I couldn’t help but weep.  Strangely I wasn’t crying about the situation.  I knew God would take care of the family.  He IS taking care of them.  I was crying because of the journey God has brought Tom through.  I was so proud I couldn’t handle it.  I remembered when Tom first came to Lifepoint.  I’ve seen his struggles.  I’ve watched how he’s bought into the vision.  I’ve seen how God has transformed him.  I knew I was witnessing what we value at Lifepoint – life-change.  And that is what makes this job so rewarding.  Watching people like Tom get it and become a minister in their own rite.

This job rocks.

Did I mention it was ‘Black-Tie’?

Friday I was blessed to take part in something I’ve never seen before…. a church pulling out all of the stops to say thank you to its volunteers.  What an incredible night!  If you are a church, you need to do this!  It was a great night to cast vision, celebrate victories, actually dress up for a change, and just plain have fun.  (I’m kicking myself right now for forgetting my camera at home.  Have a great pic I’ll share with you tomorrow.)

Some of the responses I’ve gotten:

“Thank you for such an amazing night! Lifepoint Style!!!!”

“I think it will be a long time before my heart is back to it’s normal size.”

Thank you to Carrabba’s for giving us such a great deal on the food.  Amazing grub!

And thank you again volunteers!  We could not do this without you.  (And we learned what it’s like to do it without you.  The entire event was done by staff and staff families.  Long couple of weeks!)

KIDSPOINT DIRECTOR

Part-time salaried position directing the Lifepoint Church childrens program for approximately 100 children from birth to fifth grade. The director role is focused on identifying, equipping, and developing leaders in the three key segments of our Kidspoint ministry (nursery, pre-school, K-5). Ideal candidates will have experience in education and ministry leadership. Compensation will be salary equivalent to two days of work per week. Candidates will be expected to grow with the ministry which has been expanding by over 50% per year. Interviews will begin the week of December 8^th with a hiring decision expected prior to Christmas.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* A love for Jesus and a sold out passion for the vision of Lifepoint Church

* Great organizational skills including time management

* A strong attention to details

* A great leader with proven experience in leading adults

* Very encouraging personality

* A Great Team Builder

Please download the application for employment below and email it to jweatherton@visitlifepoint.org

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

It is amazing to see the changes in Lifepoint over three years.  From Pastor Daniel and I driving up on the weekends, to the single screen setup and mint green walls of the Marshall center – nasty.

What really excites me is the ability of the leadership to change with the times.  Just recently we made some leadership changes to better set us up for future growth.  This involved me moving from Worship Arts Pastor, over Creative, Worship, Tech, and Setup/Teardown, to a full-time Administrative position, taking the Setup/Teardown with me.  I'll now help keep the business side of the church running like it should and lead worship in a rotational schedule along with 3 other worship leaders.

Josh Lazar is now our Worship Arts Pastor and we know he is going to do a great job!  It is exciting to see Josh be able to work within his giftedness.  He has an amazing creative mind!

Looking forward to what the future holds!

At Lifepoint we talk a lot about creating environments…environments for Adults, Children, guests, and volunteers.  Kudos to Kristen for helping create an environment for the Christmas Eve planning session.  Christmas lights, candles, 'Candy-cane Lane' Christmas Tea, and even presents for everybody!