Greetings everyone. While we continue to work on completing things like the web site and church logo many other items have been completed. One such issue, as reported in a previous blog, is that of Blythewood Presbyterian Church's first home. Could I get a drum roll please. As of today, July 26th, we have finalized an agreement to begin meeting at St. Marks Lutheran Church beginning August 8th. The red brick church is located on Main St. (Wilson Blvd or 521) immediately to the right of Blythewood High School's football stadium. We will meet at 4:30pm on Sunday afternoons. In addition, we have secured the use of Blythewood High's auditorium and are tentatively scheduled to begin meeting there in October. Both locations represent answered prayers. God has opened these doors and we have been welcomed with open arms. Check back often for more exciting news.
Bert
We are Discovering, Living and SHARING the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Worship/Prayer - July 19
Things are moving forward and it is exciting!
We are continuing with the Daily Prayer Focus to help unify us in prayer throughout the week.
Worship Service!!!!! Our "soft launch" worship service will start on Sunday, August 8th! Details of time and location are still being finalized and will be communicated asap. This will be a simple service for our core group to praise God together, pray, fellowship, and be encouraged prior to moving towards a more public launch (called a "hard launch").
Be thinking of ways that you can get involved in planning and participating on Sunday's (once we start the "hard launch"). Here are some decisions that are being finalized:
- Children's Sermon! We will be incorporating a time for our kids to hear a short creative lesson directly from Rhett. This will be neat for our kids to get to know Rhett.
- BP Kids Worship Service - once a quarter our worship service will be 100% kid friendly! This will be fun to worship together as a family. We will be meeting to brainstorm the details and planning.
- We will be forming some teams that are needed for the "hard launch". Some of the teams are - A/V Team (sound/lights/slides), Creative Worship Team (videos, creative ways to do creeds, etc), Sermon Prep/Study Team (study the next sermon series and provide suggestions), Greeters/Welcome Team, Prayer Team.
These are exciting times and I can't wait to see us celebrate the transforming love of Jesus Christ together!
JP
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Church Life- Focus on "Living"
As I listened to Rob's presentation about evangelism last Sunday, I couldn't help but think on how interconnected "living" and "sharing" are in our mission statement. If we are going to engage in "lifestyle evangelism" as a church, it becomes absolutely essential that we are living lives that reflect the power and grace of Christ's redeeming love. However, I think our society has done a good job distorting what it looks like to "live in Christ," so we as a church need to recapture the Biblical truths of living with our Savior.
One way I hope we can do this is through Life Groups. The Church Life team will be sharing more details on these groups in coming weeks, but as I stated in an earlier post, Life Groups will meet for food and fellowship at the conclusion of our Sunday worship services. In looking through the gospels, it is clear that Christ took a very relational approach to ministry....he was constantly with his disciples, sharing the joys of a wedding, the agony of a funeral, and the simple fellowship of a meal. In this spirit, the goal of Life Groups is to give us the opportunities as a church to grow in our relationships with each other.....to share in all of life's ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and through it all, to have people to walk with as we seek to live in the path of our Savior.
One way I hope we can do this is through Life Groups. The Church Life team will be sharing more details on these groups in coming weeks, but as I stated in an earlier post, Life Groups will meet for food and fellowship at the conclusion of our Sunday worship services. In looking through the gospels, it is clear that Christ took a very relational approach to ministry....he was constantly with his disciples, sharing the joys of a wedding, the agony of a funeral, and the simple fellowship of a meal. In this spirit, the goal of Life Groups is to give us the opportunities as a church to grow in our relationships with each other.....to share in all of life's ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and through it all, to have people to walk with as we seek to live in the path of our Savior.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Transforming Love of Jesus Christ
...the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ.
Do not conform an longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
In this verse, the concept of "be transformed" comes from the Greek word that we get the English word, "metamorphosis" which means:
Our desire is to discover, live and share how we can be transformed from crawling on our bellies (caterpillar) to soaring with wings like eagles (butterfly). There is something beautiful about this.
rhett
Do not conform an longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
(Romans 12:2)
In this verse, the concept of "be transformed" comes from the Greek word that we get the English word, "metamorphosis" which means:
a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly. (Dictionary.com)Our brokenness, selfishness, pride, deceit, anger, hurt... need a profound change from complete yuck to conform more to God's Image (how we were created). This transformation comes from the love of Jesus Christ which gives us the best view of God's mercy (of which Romans 12:1 refers).
Our desire is to discover, live and share how we can be transformed from crawling on our bellies (caterpillar) to soaring with wings like eagles (butterfly). There is something beautiful about this.
rhett
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Administration
The admin team has completed most of the necessary "paperwork" functions. We are now a proud banking customer at First Citizens Bank on Blythewood Road and will be meeting this week with 2 locations in our attempt to finalize our first home. A team is working on web site development, and another group is focused on a logo design. As we continue to work through the details involved in our church plant it is encouraging to see the passion and enthusiasm grow. We are now in a position to receive tithes, gifts, donations, and special offerings. We are preparing to meet the immediate needs and ask you to give prayerful consideration to whether you may be able to support the new church and provide assistance to the start up phase of our journey. We acknowledge the loving generosity of those who have already come along side us as we are discovering, living, and sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Offerings may be made payable to: Blythewood Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 789
Blythewood, SC 29016
Check back often to get the latest information and updates.
In Him,
Bert
2 Corinthians 9:7
Offerings may be made payable to: Blythewood Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 789
Blythewood, SC 29016
Check back often to get the latest information and updates.
In Him,
Bert
2 Corinthians 9:7
Evangelism
Today we learned that coming to know Christ is a process or a series of "mini-decisions" on the way to conversion. There are many obstacles to be overcome along the way, and people will be at different points in the process when they come into our lives. Keep Matthew 13:1-23 and the parable of the sower in mind as you move forward.
As believers in Christ, we are called to present an accurate picture of Christ through our witness to others. God will use many resources or believers as a person moves along through the process to accepting Christ. Your role many not be to "close the deal" so to speak.
Your role may be to simply reflect God's love through your life, thereby serving as a witness. For others, your role may be to share how Jesus has impacted and transformed your life. Still others, may have the opportunity to read the Bible with this person or perhaps you will be blessed with that rare opportunity where you are actually present when the person gives their life to Christ. Whatever your role, take heart, God has a plan to use you in a mighty way for His honor and glory.
Rob
As believers in Christ, we are called to present an accurate picture of Christ through our witness to others. God will use many resources or believers as a person moves along through the process to accepting Christ. Your role many not be to "close the deal" so to speak.
Your role may be to simply reflect God's love through your life, thereby serving as a witness. For others, your role may be to share how Jesus has impacted and transformed your life. Still others, may have the opportunity to read the Bible with this person or perhaps you will be blessed with that rare opportunity where you are actually present when the person gives their life to Christ. Whatever your role, take heart, God has a plan to use you in a mighty way for His honor and glory.
Rob
Monday, July 5, 2010
Worship/Prayer - July 5
My first Blog ever!
A quick update from our launch team.
Prayer - We have been sending out the daily prayer focus emails to help each of us to corporately join together as we prayer for the many different aspects of the church plant. We are exploring and brainstorming other ways to encourage corporate prayer because prayer is the fuel behind God's work!
Worship - We went on a field trip last Sunday (June 25th) to Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, SC to give us some ideas outside of our current frame of reference. We have had great conversations thus far and we will be working towards more specifics on how we can FRAME up our worship service. I can't wait to see how God forms our time before, during, and after our worship service.
Praise be to God!
JP
A quick update from our launch team.
Prayer - We have been sending out the daily prayer focus emails to help each of us to corporately join together as we prayer for the many different aspects of the church plant. We are exploring and brainstorming other ways to encourage corporate prayer because prayer is the fuel behind God's work!
Worship - We went on a field trip last Sunday (June 25th) to Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, SC to give us some ideas outside of our current frame of reference. We have had great conversations thus far and we will be working towards more specifics on how we can FRAME up our worship service. I can't wait to see how God forms our time before, during, and after our worship service.
Praise be to God!
JP
Chuch Life Update- July 5th
Here is a quick update on what is going on in the world of Church Life for Blythewood Pres. Currently, the Church Life group is working in five different launch teams to develop the programs needed to help our new church live out our mission of discovering, living and sharing the transforming love of Christ. Here are the teams:
1) "Life Groups"- This launch team is developing a program to help our church engage in authentic, life-on-life relationship building. In a nutshell, Life Groups are Sunday lunch or dinner groups that will immediately follow our regular Sunday worship service. The unique element of these groups will be the fact that membership of groups will rotate every three months to make sure that we are all getting a chance to invest in the lives of everyone else at BPC. Just as importantly, the simple chance to share our homes and lives with each other should provide a great, inviting environment to engage in some "lifestyle evangelism" with those that might be less willing to set foot in a traditional church setting. Just as Christ openly shared his life with his disciples, our hope is that Life Groups will give people at BPC the chance to gain encouragement and wisdom from the full body of believers.
2) "Discovery Groups"- Instead of Sunday School, we are working on a Wednesday alternative to provide chances for folks at BPC to further their discovery of the depth of Christ's love for them. Once these are up and running, Discovery Groups will give us a group of electives to choose from that will be relevant to where you are currently in your walk with Christ. As with Life Groups, Discovery Groups will rotate every few months to give everyone fresh perspectives and a chance to interact with fresh faces.
3) Pre-school and Nursery- This group is working to ensure that we have quality care for every child that sets foot in BPC (wherever that may be!)
4) Student Ministries- Working to create authentic and memorable opportunities for our youth to grown in their knowledge of and relationship with Christ.
5) Congregational Care- Working to establish the programs needed to care for those in need AND to establish the events that are so essential to Christian fellowship.
If you have questions about any of these groups or would like to get plugged in to one of them, just let me know and I'll be happy to help! Also, please be on the look out for a brief survey from Church Life in coming days that will help all five teams.
Patrick
1) "Life Groups"- This launch team is developing a program to help our church engage in authentic, life-on-life relationship building. In a nutshell, Life Groups are Sunday lunch or dinner groups that will immediately follow our regular Sunday worship service. The unique element of these groups will be the fact that membership of groups will rotate every three months to make sure that we are all getting a chance to invest in the lives of everyone else at BPC. Just as importantly, the simple chance to share our homes and lives with each other should provide a great, inviting environment to engage in some "lifestyle evangelism" with those that might be less willing to set foot in a traditional church setting. Just as Christ openly shared his life with his disciples, our hope is that Life Groups will give people at BPC the chance to gain encouragement and wisdom from the full body of believers.
2) "Discovery Groups"- Instead of Sunday School, we are working on a Wednesday alternative to provide chances for folks at BPC to further their discovery of the depth of Christ's love for them. Once these are up and running, Discovery Groups will give us a group of electives to choose from that will be relevant to where you are currently in your walk with Christ. As with Life Groups, Discovery Groups will rotate every few months to give everyone fresh perspectives and a chance to interact with fresh faces.
3) Pre-school and Nursery- This group is working to ensure that we have quality care for every child that sets foot in BPC (wherever that may be!)
4) Student Ministries- Working to create authentic and memorable opportunities for our youth to grown in their knowledge of and relationship with Christ.
5) Congregational Care- Working to establish the programs needed to care for those in need AND to establish the events that are so essential to Christian fellowship.
If you have questions about any of these groups or would like to get plugged in to one of them, just let me know and I'll be happy to help! Also, please be on the look out for a brief survey from Church Life in coming days that will help all five teams.
Patrick
SHARING
We are SHARING the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ.
Then they said to each other, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves."
Then they said to each other, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves."
(2 Kings 7:9)
Good News is to be shared with others. I grew up in a home of eight children. It was awesome to come home with good news (i.e. a good grade or making the team) and have a chance to share it with the family. I got to tell so many people. It was even better if the
good news was also good news for them (i.e. we are going to Captain's Kitchen or we're having ice cream after supper). It energized me to share something that brought joy to others.
The wonderful Truths of the Gospel are what we should be most excited about sharing with others. How awesome that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him can receive forgiveness and GRACE instead of the punishment we deserve!!
This is not just good news - it is critical news. If, when growing up, our house caught on fire - I could not imagine hesitating to share the good news that there was a way of escape. This is the mission of the Church- telling others of God's Transforming Love that rescues us from sin and death.
We are not to keep the Good News to ourselves... we are to SHARE.
rhett
Good News is to be shared with others. I grew up in a home of eight children. It was awesome to come home with good news (i.e. a good grade or making the team) and have a chance to share it with the family. I got to tell so many people. It was even better if the
good news was also good news for them (i.e. we are going to Captain's Kitchen or we're having ice cream after supper). It energized me to share something that brought joy to others.The wonderful Truths of the Gospel are what we should be most excited about sharing with others. How awesome that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him can receive forgiveness and GRACE instead of the punishment we deserve!!
This is not just good news - it is critical news. If, when growing up, our house caught on fire - I could not imagine hesitating to share the good news that there was a way of escape. This is the mission of the Church- telling others of God's Transforming Love that rescues us from sin and death.
We are not to keep the Good News to ourselves... we are to SHARE.
rhett
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Living
We are Living the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
The transforming love of Jesus needs to be our benchmark (reference point) for our lives. As a spouse, parent, son, brother, follower of Christ... the Truths of the Gospel are to impact (compel) the decisions I make, my responses to my circumstances and the way I love (the way I live).
We are committed to be a church that together - lives the transforming love of Jesus Christ. This will be exemplified in our life on life approach to ministry.
p.s. Emily Curry's dad (Mike Mills) says that there is a benchmark in Longcreek. Whoever sends me a picture (and location) of it, I'll buy a milkshake :)
A GREAT sign of a Healthy Church
We had our first BPC fellowship at Tim and Tammie Hunter's on Saturday, June 26. We were joined by an intense thunderstorm - but still got in a fun swim.The pot-luck meal was INCREDIBLE!!!
I think a GREAT sign of a healthy church is the quality of a pot-luck.
Great food, Great fun, Great fellowship... and the Gamecocks beat Clemson on their way to an NCAA Baseball National Championship!!!
I believe we are on track for something quite special :)
rhett
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