The Thread 2009-1-13
Hi Guys,
You know, this has all been such an amazing journey. In the last few weeks, we had our largest outreach turnout, had our largest attendance (due to the Christmas Party), we entered a new year, Lori and I bought a house, we moved (which I might add that all of the 20-some people that came to pack, move, and unpack our house on Saturday and then to clean on Sunday and Monday are AMAZING!!!! Thanks so much to everyone and thanks to Jen for watching Anna during the day. I mean, did you guys see Peter Kim???? That guy is a LEADER! Hahahaha! And Kevin is a workhorse!). OK, that was a major aside. Hahahaha.
But, at any rate, we have changed, moved and grown over the past months in amazing ways. As a matter of fact, you may not have noticed it on Sunday because we were all too busy being blessed by Jason’s worship team’s set or Pastor Fidelis’ KICKIN’ message, or the fact that Justus has a voice like Andre Crouch and Barry White mixed together or because David knocked our socks off, but we had our largest attendance EVER! And listen, we are VERY careful not to double count people who attend both services.
So, that’s success isn’t it? Well, not necessarily. And here’s why. We are growing at a break neck rate right now and ministries are getting legs and running, which has always been our hope and dream as a church, but at the same time, we are a different kind of church aren’t we? And what I mean by this is just what I am going to simply explain here.
There are two kinds of churches.
1 – Attractional
2 – Missional
Both are wonderful and have over the years done amazing things. If you are looking at a church that has great programs, performance and perfected style, the attractional church is for you. If you are looking for something that may have this, but is NOT focused on it, but instead has another focus, you may want to look into a missional church.
The Missional church is a church that is focused on a few things, two of which I am going to mention here.
1 – Discipleship (True Disciples)
2 – Presence (The Kingdom of GOD)
This is NOT to say that the attractional church does not have these, it’s just not their primary goal. They have this as a part of a larger picture. As for me, it IS MY GOAL to make disciples that live in between two worlds and are always on mission. (I will have to teach on this in depth in the future, because this simple intro is NOT enough to really develop the idea of being missional).
However, with that said, all I want to say is that the high attendance in our services might be the beginning of success and success in our mind is that a larger portion of our people become truly developed followers of Jesus. I would love it if 90% of us were absolutely IN LOVE WITH JESUS and our neighbors around us. I hope that this will be the outcome of all of the great things happening at the Tap. You see, the parties, the fun, the moving, the newness, the life, the worship, the sermons, the laughter, the tears, the… (You fill in the blank), it’s all just part of a journey that draws us right up next to Poppa.
I want to share Henry Blackaby’s thoughts today from his site, read them below and today, let’s make a covenant together to be DISCIPLES and to allow GOD’s word and His people at all costs to have access to our inner beings. What do you think? I think that if we choose to do this daily that no matter whether we stand or fall, as long as we get up one more time than we fall, this is success for our year. What do you think?
At any rate, read this and be blessed!
Church, you have the favor of GOD!
Blessings!
Pd
____________________
The Penetrating Word of God
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)
Does God’s word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions.
When God’s word speaks to you it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God’s word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God’s word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God’s word on the matter.
One way you can escape the discomfort of conviction is to avoid hearing God speak to you. You may neglect reading your Bible and stay away from places where it is taught. You may avoid those whom you know will uphold the truths of Scripture. The best response, however, is to pray as the psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23). Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Eph. 5:26). Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind.
Dustin Hedrick
Head Pastor
The Tapestry Vineyard Church
PO Box 2394
Kensington, MD 20891
Phone 301-251-4082 x13
Fax 240-206-3244
Email dustinhedrick@tapestrychurch.com
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