C180 December Service Highlights

Hey Friends!

Just a few highlights of the CHURCH180 service we had just last night ....

1. Realizing more and more that we have an incredible group of people on our Launch Team. They really pulled together to make everything happen really smoothly! They did it with amazing attitudes!
2. We may be one of the smallest churches in town (at least for now) but we're doing ministry in some ways that some of the largest churches in the world aren't doing. I'm so proud of our team!
3. We've had some great musicians to play in our services and they've made a huge difference in the atmosphere of worship! 
4. Lesson learned: If at all possible, don't play a video live from the internet! We rehearsed it several times without a hitch but when we did it live in the service, the main illustration video was preceded by a beer commercial! Ha! Only at CHURCH180 huh?
5. We're grateful that we're providing an "outside the box" church for people that haven't found a church elsewhere or can't go elsewhere (due to the times they meet).
6. Christmas is more than just Jesus being born. It's about God born as a baby and born to die. It's about a God coming to be our perfect and complete sacrifice.
7. Figuring out that when people have a sense of ownership, they are more passionate. 
8. Lesson #2 Learned: Inviting someone to church begins first with establishing a trustworthy relationship outside of church first. People don't care if you invite them to church. They DO care if YOU care about them and meet them right where they are.
9. Just when you think that you're not ready for a particular task God has given you, pray. Then watch God fill in all the gaps. (I felt this way about the message I preached Sunday night.)
10. God is at work and we are fortunate enough to see some of what He's doing. 

The Refreshing Sound Of Profanity

I realize you're already not fond of this title but stay with me.

Nearly all of my life, I've lived in a "bubble." I grew up in the "Bible Belt", in a Christian home, went to church, went to a Christian college, went to a Christian grad school, and have spent nearly all of my adult life working in a church or other Christian environment. For Pete's sake, I bet our dog is even a Christian! Ha! You see, I've been in my "safe" little Christian bubble. Chances are that maybe your life isn't too much different huh?

Recently, I've been very intentional about trying to break out of the "bubble" and really spend time with people that aren't like me. I've taken a risk at leaving my comfort zone. I've stepped off the ledge. Some of you may think I did that a long time ago! Ha!!

In a recent 5 month vacation from my bubble, I've been in small group settings and even in one-on-one conversations with individuals that used just about every four-letter word there is. Profanity like I've never heard it before. And you know what? It was just about the most refreshing thing I've heard in a long time!! You know why? Because it meant that I was intentionally placing myself around others who aren't in "the bubble." And you know what else? I think Jesus spent a good bit of time out of His "bubble." As a matter of fact, He left heaven to come to earth. If that isn't leaving your "bubble", then I don't know what is!!!

Hear me out. I don't say this to be judgmental about those who use foul language. I say all of this as an indictment upon myself for being too satisfied to live in a bubble for so long. I say this as an indictment on anyone who's unwilling to leave their bubble for the sake of leading someone to Jesus. He's the One who left His bubble to save and forgive you and me (lot's of bubbles here).

So .... besides watching a sketchy movie or overhearing someone else's conversation, have you heard the refreshing sound of profanity lately? Have you been refreshingly uncomfortable in your surroundings? Have you left your bubble?


If not, find a needle, pop that bubble, and get going!!!