Element Church Insider

To say today was exciting is an understatement.  I’ve been waiting for today’s Element Baptism, Tailgate and BBQ for a long time.  Here are my ruminations on they day.

— Pastor Andy took a bunch of teens to Desperation conference in Colorado Springs, CO this weekend.  Pastor Grant was one of the adult sponsors in the room along with another adult and two teen guys.  At 1 AM early Saturday morning one of the  teen guys led the other one to the Lord.  HOW COOL IS THAT?  Two adult sponsors  sleeping and the teen leads the other to Jesus.

— THEN, that new believing student comes to church today AND GETS BAPTIZED!  Saved at 1 AM, baptized the next day at 1 PM.  VERY cool.

— We baptized THIRTY FOUR people today.  ALL of them “going public” with their faith.  From children to adults it was awesome.

—  We set up a stage in the church parking lot, had a horse trough filled with water and served burgers, hot dogs with all the fixins.  We’ll get some video and pictures up as soon as we can.

— Seriously, our volunteers KNOCKED IT OUT today.  Our team was just killin’ it.  Setting up tables and chairs.  Grillin’ burgers and dogs.  Getting food and condiments all set out.  Cleaning up.  Helping with the baptism. Serving people.   It was AWESOME!

— Pastor Grant, GREAT job getting things put together today!

—  I was able to baptize someone today who was on my prayer list for over a year to get saved.  I was able to develop a relationship with him and a few weeks ago HE GOT IT!  Today, he went public with his faith in Jesus.

—  On the application when asked “why” he was getting baptized he simply put “Because the Bible says that after your saved you should be baptized.”  I wish more Christians had the simple “Cause the Bible says so” mentality.

— We continued Untouchables today.  Took on the issue of Gossip:

— We don’t take gossip seriously enough because we don’t take sin seriously enough.

— It’s not just about NOT talking about people.

— You can’t just shut your face, you also have to shut your ears.

— People who listen to gossip but don’t repeat it are just as guilty as the ones who repeat it.

—  Gossip is not just a woman’s issue, it is a humanity issue.

— I spoke from Proverbs chapter 26.  It was VERY challenging for me this week.  I think gossip is something that ALL of us battle.

—  Announced our new sermon series today.  Starting August 2nd, we are doing a series called “The Church XXXPosed”.

— My heart has been heavily burdened recently with the plague of sex in the church.  Pastors, families, churches are being destroyed by  sexual sin.  We’re going to take aim square at it through August.  It is going to be a very open, honest and biblical look at our sexuality.

— I’m uploading the promo video to YouTube as we speak.  I’ll post it on here asap so you can use it for an invite.

— Third service was a disaster today.  My cordless headset mic went out.  The corded mic I grabbed from the platform was crackling.  The wireless handheld they gave me didn’t work.  We finally got a mic to work.  This was all RIGHT in the middle of my sermon.  To say I was frustrated would have been an understatement.

— At one point I said “If I throw this mic please don’t gossip about me”.  lol

— One of the air units, one of the MAIN ones in the worship center was not working either.  It was SMOKIN’ hot in there.  \

— Alright, that’s about it.  Needing to rest up.

Following Christ,

Jeff

GREAT services today.  Was good to be back in the saddle after a week off.  Here are my ruminations on the day.

— I’m wiped out.  It’s amazing how much preaching can wear you down.  Still have Partnership Class tonight, and a date with my wife.

— My voice was REALLY feeling it today.  Sab told me a few weeks ago “If you’d quit yelling at us (at church) maybe your voice wouldn’t hurt.”  I do get worked up.  No lie there.

— Good turnout and energy today.  I hate summer church attendance, but it is what it is.  Not many churches increase in attendcance over the summer.

—  We take the summer opportunity to really focus on aiming at the church.  Did that last year and this year.

—  We have 27 people signed up for baptism on Sunday.  Not sure all will follow through with that, but GREAT interest.  Gonna be a blast.

— We started Untouchables today.  Last year we took aim at social issues of the day. This year we are taking aim square at the church.  We are tackling three issues I think the church needs addressed on.

— I talked about character today:

- God cares FAR LESS about our accomplishments than we think, and FAR MORE about our character than we choose to act.

- We must stop thinking about our accomplishments and start acting like God accomplished something in us.

-  As Christians, its not that we want to hang out in the darkness, we just want some of the darkness to hang out with us.

-  I can’t experience the grace of God, until I acknowledge the truth of God.

— Didn’t hold any punches today when talking about character.  Too many Christians act as if sin is no big deal to God.

— Preached through acts 5:1-11 today.  It’s the story of Annanias and Saphira.  It’s a powerful story of how character matters.  Many people use it to talk about money.  I don’t think money is the issue in their story, character is.

—  Had a TON of FTG’s and was able to connect with a lot of them.  I LOVE hearing that FTG’s enjoyed the service.

— My sis and bro-in law were in church today.  I am so proud of them and where God is taking them in their life and ministry.  Was great to have them in church before they head overseas to follow God’s call.

— Alright, more on my mind but I need to review my partnership class notes.  Have Partnership at 4 PM.

— An Elementer is watching Jaydah for us tonight AND loaning us their convertible corvette to take out on a date.  CAN’T WAIT!

Following Christ,

Jeff