matt's thoughts

no denying she's mine :-)

website sneak peek

Ben's been working on the first draft of our new site.  It is still a work in progress, but I'm loving it.  Much of the design is a carry over from historychurch.org, but that's not a bad thing in my book.  There is much more to come as we build it out and play with some ideas...but for now we are on our way!!  You can get your exclusive preview [here] 

reverse welcome packages

I spent the afternoon yesterday with my wife and a friend of ours from our small group handing out some reverse welcome bags to the business in the town center where our church is going to meet this Easter.  Last week Tricia, my daughter Hope, and I stuffed some gift bags with tons of goodies, and yesterday we hit the streets shaking hands and meeting the people who work in the Town Center.  Folks were taken aback when they discovered we were selling anything...just bearing gifts.  :-)

I was so struck by how many people were blown away at the audacity of a church meeting in the Town Center.  One guy asked me, "why is your church meeting here?"  I told him simply, "because this is where people are!"  It was exciting to see the surprise and interest on peoples faces when I described to them what church in the town center might look like.  After my description a bank teller I was talking to just said..."I'm definitely going to check that out!"   I'm anxious to see the doors that will open from these steps at building relationships with our neighbors! 

gear!!!!!

There are so many exciting and miraculous things that have happened for us in this move to the Town Center.  Just found out this week that one of our guys just happens to have a week off during the week we need to head up to Detroit to pick up the cases and gear that will make our portable solution in the theater work.  Its going to be a blast road tripping with Ed and Ben! 

The techie in me though is most excited about a pair of these tucked away in those cases when we get there.  :-)

less than 10 to go...

I have been watching in awe as the counter on our 100 campaign site has been steadily dropping.  As of this morning we are down to 9 opportunities left!  Wow...I can't explain any of this as anything other than the sovereign hand of God!  Hold onto your hats...this is going to be something good!

Sunday Afternoon Pics

I couldn't compete with Ben's post title...crud!  Hope and I spent the afternoon making a snowman, and then headed in for a some hot chocolate to warm our bellies.  Here's how you know you're a father of little girls:  A simple cup of hot chocolate turns into a tea party.  :-) 

interesting morning

so it was snowing a little bit when i left for church this morning.  this is a picture outside of my truck after church.   we got about 3 or 4 inches just during the time we were in church!  that's a lot for us here in the DC area.  needless to say we had a smaller than normal crowd, but it ended up being a good morning of worship, prayer, and some time to share what God has been doing in our lives.  sometimes its nice to have God disrupt our routines....

been drivin'

I've been sneaking in some of the sessions from North Point's Drive conference that they have posted online throughout some of the admin time during my day lately.  Good stuff!  Definitely worth the time and the attention whether you are on staff at a local church or volunteering. 

Check it out [here]

ht: los on the video

Great Morning

We had a really great service this morning.  Worship was amazing...there was some great energy in the room, and folks were so responsive in worship.  I don't really have an explanation for this other than, we have been praying, and that makes a difference.  :-)

Jesse our lead guitarist stepped up and rocked the drum kit...unbelievable...he was amazing!  Jeff played electric this morning and lead out on a couple of the songs.  He was amazing as well.  I was so psyched that our team really stepped up when we had to switch up the roster.  We are so blessed with the musical talent at our church...

I had the opportunity to speak this morning and wrap up our "Space" series as Ben was leading a break out session for one of our children's teams.  I thought that went well.  I spoke on unity from the second portion of the High Priestly Prayer in John 17.  In preparing I was blown away that here we have Jesus praying for the church...those who believe because of the ministry of the apostles and the first thing that he prays about is unity.  I think I was struck by this because I'm not sure that is a reflection of us as Christians very often. 

Here was a our set list:
Your Grace is Enough
You Never Let Go
Blessed Be Your Name
How Great is Our God

no ruts...

Ben has a great post today about our pursuit to not let our traditions, and default modes of doing things dictate the way that we lead our church...habit is never a good replacement for the creative influence of the Holy Spirit.

I think working in the more creative parts of ministry this is even a greater temptation.  Once we find things that "work," there is a great temptation to default to that and never allow ourselves to be pushed and stretched...