Saturday, September 13, 2008

What IS our best work?

“Our greatest asset on earth is to touch Heaven in prayer” I heard a pastor say recently, while quoting another pastor. But pastors are busy people. Is it the best use of our time to drive across town to the City Mission to pray with a room of people from all over Cleveland?
http://agreatercleveland.org/
We’ve all been to prayer meetings before, some that disappoint us. What if they only talk about prayer, but don’t ever pray? What if it’s not lead well? What will I not get done while I’m at this prayer meeting?

Those are all legitimate questions. When I took my associate and attended the prayer meeting last month, I found a room full of loving people who care deeply about what God is doing in the city. The meeting was lead with excellence. We were given good direction for our prayer time. The meeting started and ended promptly, with helpful hand-outs (which I brought home) to guide us in prayer. To maximize our time, a boxed lunch was provided to either take with you or to fellowship and network for a few minutes before leaving.

I can’t tell you a month later what I didn’t get done in order to attend. What I can tell you is that I left there feeling like I did the most important “work” a pastor can do and that is join with other Christians to talk to the One who has the power to make a difference in this city we all love.

That’s why I’m signed up to attend the next prayer meeting on Friday, September 26. I might just be the “best work” I do all month! Everyone is welcome to attend. Hope to see YOU there!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

A Special Day at Rockside Church!

Today was our Fifth Anniversary at Rockside Church! Guest Speaker, Matt Anderson challenged us to celebrate what God alone can do, what God can do through me, and what God can do through us. We began by thanking God through worship with an incredible reunion band lead by (former staff) Lydia Travnik and Bryan Karas, (present worship leader) Dan O’Keefe, Brad Link, Londa Churchill and Jason Winkler. We saw a video of testimonies and enjoyed a great dinner complete with birthday cake.

At the end of the day, I want to solute a special group of people and that's the scores of hardworking volunteers, the laypeople. I celebrate the people who have hosted and lead Journey Groups, our volunteer youth director who has been faithful and hardworking from day one, the set up and tear down guys, those who process offerings, bake pastries, host missionary dinners and events, print bulletins, care for babies, work Kids Church, usher, come early for prayer, organize events, run sound, create PowerPoint and videos, make schedules, teach Bible studies, work city events, the list is endless. I celebrate the awesome laypeople that keep the Church of Jesus Christ moving forward. Happy Birthday, Rockside Church!

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord..."