"Do they know we are Here?"

Many church leaders ask themselves the question . . .do they know we are here? That's the exact question that our leadership team was asking! You see, we have just moved to a new location after being in the city for 10 years plus we moved into a generic place (a small mall in our city) so after being there for five months, we wanted to know.

Grant it, we are still working on signage, both on the mall sign and in front of our building, but we have done a few things in the neighborhood, so it was time to fine out if they knew.

So we gathered 9 teams and off they went for a short time in the neighborhood. In a short 45 minutes, they were able to knock on 158 doors and talk to 68 people. Our plan was a short and specific attack. Two simple questions . . 1) Could they name any churches in our city and 2) Have they heard of a church called "The Chapel" (that's us). Well, the survey says!! 11 people had heard of us. It's a great place to start from . . . and we hope the numbers will only increase as we have planned events in the neighborhoods surrounding the mall. As well, we hope to have more signage in the next few months.

We realize that this is only the first step. Our prayer is that our events in the neighborhoods and we pray that it will increase the interest of what is happening behind our front doors.

Pray for us . .

Have a Great Day

David

"Ask me I dare you!"

Some of my friend and I were talking about accountability on Sunday and it's amazing how many people view accountability as a negative. We get a picture in our mind of a Parole officer checking up on us so we don't have to go back to prison. But is there another way to look at Accountability?

I say YES! The way that God see's accountability. God has a deep desire for us to return to the state he intended us to be in the first place. He also knows that we are very skilled in fooling everyone into believing that we are heading that way, including ourselves. Along with that, I truly believe that He also has great confidence that we want to move away from that state of foolishness to faith, but we need a little help.

Help comes in the form of accountability. When we think about the right view of accountability, I think this way . . .a willingness to give an honest account of your life to others. So, accountability partners are others with whom you can be open and honest about your failures in an atmosphere of love, trust, and acceptance. The goal is for each of you to become more like Christ.

I would wish that all of us would move from a foolish state to a faithful state filled with change and Christ like character.

Here is a list of things to think about and talk about with your accountability group.

Have you been with a woman/man anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
Have you exposed yourself to any material that may be harmful to your relationships?
Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
Have you given priority time to your family?
Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
Have you just lied to me?

There are others, but that would be a good start!

Have a Great Day

David

"Second Impressions"

Ever year, our leadership team uses a tool that keeps us focused throughout the year. You and I know this tool by the title, GOALS. One of our goals as a leadership team is to advance in our care and efforts in a area we ca calling second impression.

I explained it this way the other day to a friend. If a visitor to our church will increase there effort by coming back after their first visit, we should increase our efforts in getting to know them.

We all know that we get a folks of all ages checking the church out. Every church that I know has a plan to thank them for their visit. It's just common courtesy to do this. Our church is no different. We have a common area that we direct visitors to. They are warmly greeted and given them a gift. They are also asked to fill out a short information card. With this information, they are followed up with a letter.

But what do you do when they come back? Yes, most churches thing about the steps from the front door to the family room. But have we really thought about the next few steps into the group after they come back the second time.

Well, do you have any idea's . . . . will love to hear them.

Have a Great Day

David