New Leader Training quote (from a veteran leader)

“The group leader training was an incredible use of my time. I have led or been in groups off and on for the past 15 years (we could even mention us being in one in our previous lives) Leading before kids was pretty easy. I would study, pray figure out am ice breaker and roll. Group would go smooth we would pray, icebreak, study and pray and go. No distractions. Then came kids and TONS of distractions and no time for much of anything. I still tried to follow the same routine and it would function but not grow or be as fulfilling as we wanted it to be, I didn’t know why. Then when we had our group leader training I learned more about having a champion and why it was like a light switch came on the frustration level(at myself) went down and I realized where I went wrong. I needed help-I couldn’t do it like before and this is probably more how God designed it to help more people and grow. I’m very fortunate to have the best co-leaders in the world, but I wasn’t utilizing them. Now we have better direction, more purpose and time to make the group be the community it should be.” – Sam Wampler

The Next Training is January 18th, 2009.  Email HERE to sign up, or drop by the Info booth early in 2009.

It’s Beginning to look a lot like…CHRISTMAS!

Wow.  I love Christmas.  For of course, many reasons…but mostly because I’m committed to making Christmas-time better for my friends & family.

Here’s Ed Young’s take on Christmas…

Christmas is s big deal. That may seem like an obvious statement, but not for the reason many might think. Yes, it’s a big deal in our culture—it’s the centerpiece of the winter holiday season. Yes, it’s a big deal for retailers—it’s when they typically go from red to black in their financial forecasts. Yes, it’s a big deal for kids—they wait with bated breath for the arrival of Santa and Christmas morning. And yes, it’s a big deal for families—when loved ones get to spend lots of quality time together (for better or for worse).

But the really big deal about Christmas is what it means to the church. Christmas is the new Easter in the church today. The poinsettia and lily crowd is becoming just the poinsettia crowd. For one reason or another, people who give church just a passing glance all year long will brave the elements and attend a Christmas service. They might get warm fuzzies about “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” They may have nostalgic memories of attending Christmas services as children and hearing the story of that special baby born in a manger. Whatever the reason, they will come.

My prayer is that, when they do, I will be ready and you will be ready to introduce them to the Savior. When they step into our Christmas services next week, we need to prepare their hearts for Christ to step in and rearrange their lives. That’s why it’s so important that our message at Christmas doesn’t stop with the traditional story of Christmas. You can’t talk about the Christmas story without talking about the Easter story. In reality, it’s all one message. Christ was born to die. He was destined to step into time and space as a baby so He could walk that long road to the cross as a man.

That’s why I’m so excited about this and every Christmas.  It’s not just the story of Christ’s journey on this earth. It’s the story of everyone’s journey to, or away from, the Savior. We all have a monumental choice to make—to take a step toward Jesus or away from Him. The wise men made that step; the shepherds made that step; Mary and Joseph made that step. And men, women and children throughout history have been making that step.

The journey continues this Christmas. We have the awesome privilege to walk alongside many hundreds and thousands of people as they are presented with an opportunity to make an eternal step towards the Savior; so that He, in turn, can step into and change their lives forever. God’s best to you this Christmas as you share the only real and lasting message of hope in very uncertain times.

*** Make sure you are leading your group towards Christ this season (6lb 5oz baby Jesus – AND the Easter Jesus) and have a Merry Christmas!