The Messenger - January 14
by Rev. Neal Neuenchwander
January 14, 2008
"Innovation"
I have become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some.
(1 Cor 9:22)
Have you ever thought about the Apostle Paul's "church growth" techniques? They were so unusual! Rather than simply staying in the synagogues and disputing rabbis there, he went out into the market and the streets. He preached in religious gatherings, public squares, and private homes. And he didn't lose a bit of sleep if others disagreed.
I'm not Paul (and neither are you), but I am intrigued by those who take the ancient faith that we know and find a way to make it new. Some do this through music, creating a whole new style of worship (and now, a whole genre of CDs) that features "Contemporary Christian Music." Some do this through new, well-written plays (and now, through DVDs) that make our faith more vibrant in dramatic ways. And some do this through programs of systematic outreach that meet distinctive human needs.
Some churches have the tendency to hear about programs that worked elsewhere and try them immediately (with varying degrees of success). Others have the tendency to reject this out of hand, saying "no, that's just not us." But the most effective churches are very thoughtful in this process, sorting through a wide variety of techniques and evaluating each based on the needs and perspectives of the communities that they serve. Innovation is the standard in this kind of church, and they don't lose a bit of sleep if one (or more) great efforts flop.
Our Presbytery has hired a man named Stan Ott to help old, established churches develop an innovative streak. He does this through a process called "Acts 16:5", and he has brought this process into service in several Presbyteries throughout the United States. Most churches who have tried it are quite enthusiastic, and church leaders in our Presbytery will have a chance to consider it beginning at 4 p.m. next Thursday, January 22.
The elders on our session have already endorsed this process, but most of them are WAY too busy with ongoing church business to initiate something new. And that's why I'm writing YOU. We need some folks who'd like to see some brand new faces in our church. We need some folks with energy, and we need some folks with time to meet, think, learn, and implement some of these techniques.
The great thing about this process is that you will NOT work alone--you'll be working with a team from our church and with several other teams from different congregations throughout the South Bay. You'll have a chance to learn what "works" in many different places, you'll have a chance to consider it in our context, and (with few exceptions) you'll have a chance to try it out as well.
If this sounds like fun to you, please call me at 310-702-4743. I will be assembling car pools even as you read these words.
Neal
Jan. 9 Calendar Highlights
| Friday | Tennis & Breakfast | 08:15 am | Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal | ||
| Youth Hangout | 7:30 - 9:30 PM | Contact: Randi and Todd Bender | |||
| Saturday | |||||
| Sunday | Adult Sunday School | 8:30 - 9:30 AM | Contact: Rupert Loyd | ||
| Children and Youth Sunday School | Begins During Service | Contact: Sue Headley | |||
| Worship | 09:30 am | Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy | |||
| Monday | Women's Bible Study | 01:00 pm | Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | ||
| Youth
Praise Band |
6:30 pm |
Contact:
Tim Gray |
|||
| Tuesday | Beachcomber Beta Group | 02:30 pm | Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal | ||
| On Hiatus | |||||
| Wednesday | Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's | 07:00 am | Contact: Bob Erbacker | ||
| Women's Bible Study | 01:00 pm | Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | |||
| Cherub Choir | 04:30 pm | Contact: Emily Anderson | |||
| Gospel Gang | 04:30 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Kings Chorus | 05:30 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Voyagers | 06:30 pm | Contact: The Larsons | |||
| SonLight Singers | 06:30 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Chapel Bells | 07:00 pm | Contact: Nan Roberts | |||
| Prayer Fellowship | 07:00 pm | Contact: Rupert Loyd | |||
| Jr. High Fellowship | 06:30 pm | Contact: Todd Bender |
A Look Ahead
- Jan. 16 - Jr High Winter Camp
- Jan. 31 - Student Min. trip to Downtown Disney
- Feb. 1 - Super Bowl Party in MacDonald
Hall. . . Co-Sponsored by Student Min. and Venturing Crew 731
Wanted: Editor-Publisher to take over The Messenger
As of January 31, Eric is moving on and Adult Discipleship is in need of someone to take over The Messenger.
You should be familiar with email applications, Internet browsers and information retrieval. A desire to write and basic HTML knowledge is a major plus!
Please contact Keith Headley.
Blue 42! Blue 42! . . . HUT, HUT!!
What is better than watching the Superbowl with friends?
Watching the Superbowl with friends on a very large screen and eating a bunch of great food. On February 1st, at 3pm we will be gathering in MacDonald Hall and watching the Superbowl together. You are not only welcome, we WANT you there. Crew 731 is providing the drinks and cups. Student Ministries is making popcorn. You bring your favorite appetizer to share.
See you there!
January 14th – Choir rehearsals resume – see you then!
4:30 – Gospel Gang * 5:30 – King’s Chorus * 6:30 – SonLight Singers
DATES FOR GOSPEL GANG
February 8th, March 8th, April 5th (Palm Sunday), May 3rd – sing in worship
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
Sunday, June 7th – Our spring musical in worship
Tech Week is June 3rd – 6th)
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
DATES FOR KING’S CHORUS
February 15th, March 15th, April 5th (Palm Sunday) - sing in worship
March 27th and 28th – Youth Rummage Sale
April 26th – First Pres Rockin’ Diner (after church)
(Tech Week is April 19th- 25th)
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
DATES FOR SONLIGHT SINGERS
January 11th, 18th, 25th – SonLight Super Bowl Sub Sandwich Sale orders taken
February 1st – sandwich orders delivered after church
February 22nd, March 22nd, April 19th – sing in worship
March 27th and 28th – Youth Rummage Sale
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
May 22 – SonLight Tour begins at Harbor Terrace
May 23 – May 25 – SonLight performs on Catalina Island
May 31st – SonLight Superb Salad Show (after church)
(Tech Week is May 26th – 30th)
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
Don't
Forget to get your Super Bowl sandwiches from SonLight
Singers!
You get a sandwich, chips, soda and a cookie.
Only $5.
