So someone sent me a link to this Elf Yourself website thing. I uploaded a few of the staff’s pictures and figured it would bring some joy to your life. Somehow Chuck’s face ended up looking like a ghost, and Barb looks blurred like something out of “The Ring,” but it’s still funny stuff.
So at the staff retreat I gave everyone on staff a Nerf Ball. I told them a story of my first ministry-
“I was doing an internship at this church and there was a Nerf Ball lying around. We would throw it at people’s faces, try as best we could to hurt one another with it- we had a blast. One day I asked the pastor who headed up my internship, ‘Why do we have that ball in here anyway.’ He responded, ‘You know how you go through the honeymoon period in ministry? People, programs, and life is just great… but, somewhere in the mix you end up having a day that makes you want to ball up and cry. Or better yet, you want to send a hateful email or pick up the phone and give it to them. Well, one day I had that for the first time and I remember coming back to my office and squeezing the life out of that stupid little Nerf Ball. You know what I didn’t do? I didn’t make any stupid phone calls or any poor emails. I let God process it with me. It helped.’”
So, I figured I would keep that going with the staff. Gave them each one along with some little things I hold dear, and a little thank you gift for the holiday season. What did it turn into instead? Well let’s just say I am now scared to death of Barbara Austin if there is ever a Nerf Ball around, or I want to be on her side- Enjoy the following video.
Don’t ever fall asleep during a staff retreat. It won’t be pretty.
So the retreat was really great. We have some great plans for Assimilation and Discipleship that the entire staff worked hard to hammer out.
We also are launching the new program the last week in December and that website you all check out each week- it’s getting a huge facelift in 2009.
There’s also rumors of changes in the lobby and more… but you’ll have to stay tuned.
Oh, we have a couple funny videos from the retreat we’ll be posting tomorrow.
Jason *over and out*
It’s morning… and here’s our view from the 3rd floor, but it’s chilly out here- I’m heading back inside. Last night was really great for us as a staff. We had a chance to share our hearts and then really bond as a team. There is something that happens when people just let go of the responsibilities around them and open up to one another. We played some games, watched ‘The Office,’ talked for a long time about things I will not repeat in print (no need to incriminate the staff who all seem to have a police record of some kind and love it when you call them Rosco… weird).
But one thing I realized last night watching them interact, laugh, and share about their families- they are just the same as everyone else. They have the same fears about their children, the same joys when it comes to marriage, the same excitement when it comes to doing ministry, and the same heartbreaks when it doesn’t always work out. They are serving and doing ministry here, not because it strokes their egos, but because they love God and love people.
You should be proud of them.
You should be praying for them.
You should want to ask them what we talked about this weekend and how you can help.
And… we all should be excited about what God has in store for Forefront.
More on the retreat later.
Jason *over and out*
Here is the upstairs of our beach house before the natives became restless this morning. This is where the future of Forefront and the planning of things to come will take place. You can see the yellow sheets hanging up on the walls- all over the room we have scriptures and quotes about leadership, God’s divine appointment, our mission, the direction of the early church, etc. It’s inspiring around every turn.
Here is a shot of a blurry mess. Let me explain. We have a projector scrolling through hundreds of names. Your names. The people of Forefront. It’s been going since we got here and will continue until we leave tomorrow evening. We’re praying for you and your families. Thinking of you. It’s a constant reminder that this church is not about the staff, a name, a logo, programs, events- it’s about people. Everything we are talking about this weekend revolves around people. So if you feel a little extra nudge today or feel a tingling sensation- it’s because we’re praying for you (or maybe you just got the chills, and need to turn up the heat in your casa!).
Until next time,
Jason *over and out*
So the staff is taking a break from the normal daily grind to get away this weekend. We’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to use a house in Nags Head for 3 days as we look to the future of where Forefront can grow, move, and ultimately reach our entire community with the love of Jesus.
We’ll be talking about some of the things that cannot change, as well as some things that have to change. God has tasked our entire staff, volunteers, leaders, and church with a huge goal- Love God, Love People, Turn the World Upside Down.
I am asking that everyone at Forefront take some time to pray. You might wonder what you should or could pray for, here are some things we could really use some prayer over:
I love Forefront and the way God continues to move here. I am excited and blessed to be the lead pastor here and your staff is one of the best staffs in the state, hands down. The journey we’re on is amazing, and God is going to lead us to some life changing ground.
So let’s get moving.
Jason *over and out*
This is the view my computer has right now. It’s staring at me. All day. Everyday. Never stops. Usually I am writing messages, creating ideas, sending emails, enjoying communication, etc.
Today, I am staring back.
As a Christ-follower God has given me a joy unlike any other. He promises a joy that will be made complete in each of us. I make a promise every single day to not let anything, anyone, or any circumstances steal my joy away.
Sometimes I keep that promise, sometimes I let things get to me. I rationalize and say it’s “human” and it “just happens,” but every once and awhile I give in and allow things to steal the amazing joy I have in Jesus.
So today I’m staring. I’m staring at the computer as it’s logged in to Biblegateway.com to a passage I’ve visited almost daily for the last 3 weeks:
Psalm 92 (The Message)
1-3 What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!
To announce your love each daybreak,
sing your faithful presence all through the night,
Accompanied by dulcimer and harp,
the full-bodied music of strings.
4-9 You made me so happy, God
I saw your work and I shouted for joy.
How magnificent your work, God!
How profound your thoughts!
Dullards never notice what you do;
fools never do get it.
When the wicked popped up like weeds
and all the evil men and women took over,
You mowed them down,
finished them off once and for all.
You, God, are High and Eternal.
Look at your enemies, God!
Look at your enemies—ruined!
Scattered to the winds, all those hirelings of evil!
10-14 But you’ve made me strong as a charging bison,
you’ve honored me with a festive parade.
The sight of my critics going down is still fresh,
the rout of my malicious detractors.
My ears are filled with the sounds of promise:
“Good people will prosper like palm trees,
Grow tall like Lebanon cedars;
transplanted to God’s courtyard,
They’ll grow tall in the presence of God,
lithe and green, virile still in old age.”
15 Such witnesses to upright God!
My Mountain, my huge, holy Mountain!
I’m not perfect and I know I don’t always do it right… but I am going to hold strong to these words and thank God for the work he is doing in me. I am praying he is doing it all you Forefronters as well.
Jason *over and out*
So we’ve been at this for one week at the Beach and a few days for Chesapeake. The back story is there is a guy named Kyle MacDonald, who started out with a little red paperclip and traded his way up to get a house. It’s amazing. And currently his is trying to trade the house.
Anyway, at the beginning of the series we gave three people at each campus a little paperclip and told them to, “Trade It Up.” So far, we have one person who traded to a lighter, a few dvds, to $25. Another person has been rumored to be posting their paperclip on Craig’s List… Hmmmm. We’ll be posting pictures as they send them in and we’ll see where it goes from here.
What would your goal be if you were “Trading It Up?”
Until next time,
Jason *over and out*
After Vince’s message and talking about instant gratification with money, possessions and stuff, I thought this video was classic. Oh, and later today we’re going to start posting our “Trade It Up!” stories and see how our contestants are doing. Until then, check out the video.
Jason *over and out*
