Three for Tuesday

29 04 2008

Hey Element Church! Three things I’ll blog about in this post.

#1 I literally nightmared about Element THE ENTIRE NIGHT! It was horrible. Sweating, waking, getting up wondering if it was real. I had a dream that Adam intentionally sabotaged Sunday morning cause he was mad at me. We were yelling at each other in the worship center with people coming in for church. Worship was HORRIBLE, I didn’t have my sermon prepared and people left in droves during my message. IT WAS SCARY! It seemed so real. I dream A LOT and I tend to dream more when BIG decisions come in ministry. I was that way in every other pastorate I’ve been in. I then woke up at 5:50 AM jumped out of bed and yelled “OH CRAP I’M LATE!” I TOTALLY thought it was Sunday morning and I’m supposed to meet the boys at the office for the trailer at 5:45 AM. I started to grab clothes and I said “WHAT DAY IS IT?” I could not remember what day it was. Thankfully my wife told me it was Tuesday or I may have driven all the way to the office. LOL CRAZY!

#2 We’re praying and waiting for final word on the lease. Keep praying and we’ll post as soon as we know. We have received $5,000 so far from two people that we’re putting toward The Climb! I had a WONDERFUL conversation with an Elementer today who came into our office and handed me a check for $2000. They are SUCH a blessing as a part of our church, whether they gave ANY money they are worth a TON to us! You know who you are and I want you to know how much you are appreciated. Thank you for letting God work in and through you!

#3 Thursday the staff of Element has an AWESOME opportunity. An Elementer who works in the aeronautics division for the state has set up an opportunity for us to fly over Cheyenne on Thursday for the National Day Of Prayer and pray over the city. Each Capitol city of each state in the America is trying to have a fly over prayer. We get to participate in Cheyennes. How cool is that? This Elementer contacted a company to set all this up. The president of the company asked what pastor was flying. They said “The pastor of my church.” “What church?” was the response. “Element” The president replied “Oh, you mean Jeff?” The Elementer asked how they knew me and this past Sunday was the president’s first Sunday attending Element. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That just doesn’t happen. Grant, Adam and I are planning on going up at this point. Curtis couldn’t make it. He can pray as he flies his fancy helicopter all over the city. LOL I’m jealous and bitter if you didn’t notice! Element needs a helicopter. HA!

I’m headed to Gillette with the band tomorrow to go up and serve our mother church! High Plains Community is a HUGE part in who we are. Element wouldn’t exist without them. I’ll blog on Thursday and post some pictures and/or vid of the event.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, church life, church planting, updates

Blog Link

29 04 2008

Hey Element Church!

Adam has a new post up!

Curtis has several new on his blog!

Check em’ out!


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Categories : Element Church, blog link

Life Groups Serving

28 04 2008

We had some Life Groups who served in some cool ways recently and though I’d share those quickly.

Some of Matt and Reagan Kauffman’s Life Group served as Chaperone’s at Prom this past Saturday night. I would never have thought of doing that and thought it was VERY cool. Way to go Matt and Reagan! I think they’re just trying to re-live high school.

Adam leads the worship team each Thursday as a Life Group. Two Saturday’s ago they played a gig for LifeChoice just before their Life Walk to raise money for the ministry. The band took out the whole set up and led worship for the walkers before the event. Life Choice is an incredible ministry serving women who are dealing with unplanned pregnancies. We try and support them as much as we can. Then this Wednesday the whole band is driving up to Gillette to play for a youth outreach night at our “mother” church High Plains Community Church. Good job Adam!

Element Knitters. This is a ladies Life Group and they knit TONS of stuff and give it to the Safe House here in Cheyenne. They are continually serving by making and giving these items away. They make washcloths and put them in baggies with essential toiletries for the people at the Safe House. Great work ladies!

I know Grants group has served at the Comea House a couple times serving meals.

The staff really isn’t a Life Group but we take turns each Friday serving lunch at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. My Friday is this Friday. I enjoy it every time I go! Good job staff! (Can I tell myself good job?)

Thought I’d update on that. Please try and get involved in the community Day of Giving May 9th here in Cheyenne. It’s a great way to serve lots of different people!

Serving,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Life Groups, Serving, church life, church planting

Building update

28 04 2008

Hey Element Church! Just wanted to update where we’re at with this building. First off, let me say I’m blown away at your support of us as your leaders! You guys are such a blessing to serve. I wouldn’t want to take this mountain with anyone else but you guys!

#1 Our realtor stopped by the office today to update the progress. He actually advised me on Friday not to announce this to the church on Sunday. Did I listen? Of course not. lol He said things are looking good. The ownership group is meeting tomorrow to discuss the final details. Pray for God’s will and provision please. We should have a final lease to sign by Wednesday or Thursday. I’ll definitely let you know.

#2 “The Climb” That is what we will be calling your opportunity in joining us financially in taking this mountain. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to pay for the remodel and building costs as we move in. Maybe you happened upon this blog or you follow Element Church from a distance and would like to help support our move into this building. We’ll announce the final details of The Climb on Sunday if, Lord willing, the lease goes through. If you’re an Elementer, please be praying about what God would have you do financially to climb with us.

#3 I received a REALLY cool email today with some other confirmation of the opening of this building: “I also wanted to share with you that when you spoke of the new building, we listened intently. Then when you spoke the words “600 Carlson Ave” my mouth dropped. My coworker was in the process of leasing that exact space. She talked adamantly about her plans for her new business. They then realized that this space wasn’t going to work for them and are moving on to securing a different location. It was wonderful to see how God had been working to allow that space to remain available for the church. I came to work this morning and told my coworker of your message on Sunday and she’s excited. They are now planning to attend the parenting series next month.”

This is NOT a done deal yet so PLEASE keep praying. I share these details at church and on this blog so you can join us in praying for God’s provision and for His will. We will have an “even if” faith in all of this. “But even if He doesn’t…” we will still follow, trust, love and serve our God! AMEN?

Waiting,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, church life, church planting, updates

Sunday Rumination (4-27-08)

27 04 2008

Hey Element Church! Man oh man am I wiped today. I think three services affected more today than any other. Much of it had to do with just the heaviness of the message upon me today. The future for Element is SO exciting but the HUGENESS of what God is asking us to do is so far beyond me. We announced today two MAJOR pursuits in Element Church:

#1 August 1st we’ll be bringing Pastor Grant on staff full time. Up until now Grant has worked for Frito Lay full time and donating his time to Element. That needs to change for Grant and for our church. We have grown so quickly that Grant can’t keep up with the connecting and small groups and we can’t go any longer without him being able to. SO, we are stepping out in faith to hire Grant full time. I CAN’T WAIT to have him in the office, ministering to YOU every day.

#2 We are in pursuit of a building to lease for the ongoing ministry of Element Church. WE NEED SPACE if we are to grow any more. God is HUGELY blessing us with people coming to Element and we don’t want that to stop. This will be a HUGE step of faith, but one I think we have to take. We are working on a lease for about 16,000 square feet of space on 600 Carlson Ave. The worship center will hold 300 - 400 people. It would house our offices, kids and a MUCH NEEDED youth space. We’d have the ability to expand into existing empty space adjacent to what we’d be getting if needed. We have a local contractor who is donating his time to help lead the project. As a team of 6 last Spring we laid hands and prayed over the building for God to give it to us. Two months ago I received a phone call from an ownership group that heard we were needing space. They said “We have some space with think you’d be interested in.” It was the building we prayed for. More details will be coming this Sunday. PRAY PRAY PRAY for God’s will to be done in all of this. This is our mountain. I’m advancing onto it and need YOU to go wit me!!

Here is my other rumination on the day.

— I am more tired today than maybe any other Sunday at Element. I am SPENT! Feel emotionally and physically drained. Wouldn’t want it any other way. Typically means it was a good day at church.

— The theater employee was 30 minutes late in opening the door this morning. That adds some stress.

— Had MAJOR technical problems again today with audio/visual stuff. It’s starting to REALLY bug me. Getting VERY distracting and I don’t like it. Not sure what to do.

— Adam played TWO originals today. He wrote the song Yearn a couple of years ago and is an AWESOME worship song. I think it’s good enough to “make it”. He then sang a new song he wrote today called “The Heart of a Warrior”. It was based on my heart of a warrior sermon I did on March 30th. I LOVE the fact that we can do original music. Adam wrote another one inspired form our Eternity series that we’ll bust out real soon. It too is AWESOME!

— We’d love to do an Element Worship CD some day. Put some of our original stuff on it. That would be cool.

— PACKED HOUSE TODAY! 505 in attendance. The Sunday I announced we were going to two services we were way down in attendance if I remember correctly. It was confirming to bust 500 again on the day we’re announcing that we are pursuing a building.

— This building scares me for a couple reasons. #1 I don’t want to be about a building. We ARE NOT buying but leasing this space. It will be a 3 year lease. I FULLY expect to move in three years to another, larger location. Either that, or plant another church from Element. (Not me personally, but Element daughter a church) Maybe a video campus here in Cheyenne. (That is a whole other blog) #2 The risk! This is by far the BIGGEST decision I’ve EVER made in ministry. Moving here affected just my family. Moving now to a building affects our entire church. This is a financial risk for us. We have it made at the theater. But I don’t want to “have it made”. I want to anticipate God will show up when we need him. He won’t lead us down a road He can’t provide on. Financially this is a faith move for us.

— 1st and 3rd service were full. In 3rd we had folks on the front row. I hate that. It’s so uncomfortable. Heard one of the families on the front were first time guests too.

— 55 in e:coustic today. That’s up from previous weeks. That’s good!

— I preached on mission, vision and where we’re going as a church today and how we’ll get there. I want to blog a little this week about what I preached on. I think our decision making process is so helpful to what we do. Maybe it can help another pastor who reads this. Maybe not. I’ll blog it anyway.

— Partnership class this Sunday at 4 PM. Don’t miss out on that. If you want to take the next step in Element to get more plugged in and be a part of what’s going on you need to come to that.

— Seriously, Elementers, you guys are the GREATEST! I absolutely love, LOVE leading this church! Can’t imagine not doing this.

— That’s it for now. Blog more later.

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, Sunday Rumination, church life, church planting, decisions, updates

First steps

25 04 2008

While at my grandma’s house in St. Louis, our 4th child took her first steps. Jonah took his first steps at her house too many moons ago. Something magic about their house. We didn’t have our video camera, but thanks to the beauty of technology I caught it on my Blackberry.

We get SO excited for steps our children take don’t we? First smile…first roll over…first crawl…first words…first steps. All those steps of life we celebrate. How much more does God and His angels celebrate when we take steps in Him? Every step you take, every move you make (sounds like a song huh?) in God’s direction He celebrates. Anyway, just thought of that. I love what I heard a pastor recently say and I’ve used it since. “Christianity is a series of steps” It really is. What is your next step in your faith? What is He asking of you?

Stepping toward Him,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, discipleship, family, updates

This is how I feel about Sunday…

24 04 2008

Hey Element Church! I saw this on a fellow pastors blog. He used it for the same reason. They are announcing some big stuff this Sunday at their church. What God has laid on my heart and what I am sharing at Element on Sunday makes me feel like this little boy. We’re talking about what’s next at Element, at it scares the living daylights out of me. HA! It scares me in such a way that we MUST rely totally on God. That’s a great place to be. Again reminded that if I can accomplish what God asks me to do in my own power, then God didn’t do anything. I want to be a part of something that it’s obvious, “God has to do this!”.

Ready to skate,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, church life, updates

Back in the saddle

24 04 2008

Hey Element Church! Our family made it back in town and I’m hitting the grindstone hard to catch up. I intended on doing a couple of blogs while I was away from our hotel room but I forgot my laptop charger so that didn’t happen. I got some catching up to do. Some blogs rolling around in my head. Thank you for your prayers for us and our family. There were definitely felt and appreciated. We had a wonderful time celebrating the life of my grandpa. Numbers of people came to the family visitation on Monday and told my Grandma “I wouldn’t have known the Lord if it weren’t for your husband!” WOW! My grandpa had asked my dad to officiate the funeral and he did a fantastic job. I was so proud of my dad. I can’t imagine doing my own father’s funeral no matter how much he was ready to go. It’s still your dad. We had some great laughs, good cries and memory sharing moments with all of our family. My grandparents were married for 65 years. I’m not sure you could remember life without your spouse after that long. Even though my grandma knows it was best for him to go, she was really struggling with the love of her life not around. My grandma had a stroke a few weeks ago and that is adding to her difficulties as well. She is VERY independent and will now rely on family to help her get around, get dressed and take care of her. Thank you for those who offered your kind words of condolences and support. You guy’s are the greatest!

Following Christ,

Jeff


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Categories : family, personal, updates

Sermon Series Sneak Peek

18 04 2008

Hey Element Church! If you’re on the “inside” here you get the heads up on what’s coming next. We’re announcing our next sermon series Sunday, but you find out today. I’m super excited about this series. It’s called “Little Rascals: From Diapers to Diplomas”. It will be my first time EVER talking about parenting. I know not everyone is a parent and we will be intentional about making sure that each sermon can relate to everyone in all stages of life. I am DEFINITELY not the perfect parent and in already preparing for this series am being challenged. If you’re an Elementer and a parent, you need to be at this series. If you’re an Elementer and NOT a parent, you know parents and you need to be at this series. Anyway, here are the graphics for the series. Enjoy.


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Categories : Element Church, church life, graphics, updates

Is it from God?

18 04 2008

Hey Element Church! I posted here and here on making sure that what we do in church is actually God asking us to do it. That our “vision” for a church or ministry IS the call of God. While those two posts definitely didn’t cover or answer all the possible variables in the call of God, or hearing the voice of God, I still believe it’s true. We shouldn’t move unless we are dead sure God is behind it. The Israelites didn’t move in the wilderness until the cloud lifted and went before them. Moses’ vision to lead the people of Israel was ludicrous, but God was behind it. Joshua’s vision of taking on Jericho was a death sentence, yet by simply walking God showed up. Nehemiah’s vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was laughed at, yet in 52 days it was done. How do we know if our vision is from God?

We have some major decisions coming our way at Element Church. In fact, over the course of the next week some of the biggest decisions I’ve had to make as a leader will occur. Second guessing takes place. Sleepless nights. I dream a lot about decisions while I sleep, and I’ve done that. God has given us a vision to be and do certain things at Element Church, and with that it brings LOTS of uncertainty. It brings risk. It brings fear. I read lots of other pastors blogs. I don’t agree with everything I read, or everything these pastors believe. If I only read or listened to people that totally agreed with me, how could I be stretched? I could I be SOLID in what I believe? So keep that in mind as I share what I read on another blog this week. Now, while this is not a “dead set recipe” for knowing, I thought it was some good insight. This is from Perry Noble.

How do you know if your vision is from God? Great question…here are a few suggestions…

  • If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
  • If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God. (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
  • If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.

Something to think about,

Jeff


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Categories : Element Church, church life, church planting, updates, vision

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