WHY 3 SERVICES?

Beginning January 5, 2014, Weymouth Community Church will go to 3 services, planned to go through May. As we approach the summer, we will re-evaluate, to see what God wants us to do.
On the last Sundays of September, October, and November, we tested 3 services. The feedback we received was very positive. There are many benefits in having 3 services, especially in our very unique, awesome, and tiny facility that God has blessed us with! Most of those who call WCC their home were not bothered by the 3 services; and most were very open to whatever the leadership decided to do. We have such a great spirit and wonderful people here at WCC. We have read, carefully, any comments (including any concerns), and have taken all the comments into consideration in making this decision. Let me share some of the main reasons we have decided to go to 3 services; and then please feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us!

We are a life saving station
On December 15, 2013, I preached a message entitled: "PRAY, INVEST, INVITE". It introduced an evangelism (sharing the good news about Jesus Christ) strategy, that will serve as the foundation of our outreach efforts as a church moving forward. If you have not heard that message as of yet, please get on our church website, www.weymouthchurch.com, and listen to it for more information. The basic reason we have an outreach strategy, is because God has called us to "make disciples", as our main purpose for existing. We are to go out, and in Christ's love, reach the "lost" (those who do not yet follow Jesus) for God's glory. The other option is to be inward focused, and become more like a social club. Going to 3 services, in our present circumstances, is a reminder that we are not here for ourselves, or to foster a small, safe, comfortable, fellowship. We are here to support and strengthen one another, by God's grace, to reach more people with God's love; and then to bring them here for the purpose of helping them take their next steps in Christ. We want to make more room for them.

We are full
If you were to come to 1 of our 2 present services, you could find some room still available, in the very front, in the corner of the balcony, in some other spots around the worship center, and even on people's laps! There is, presently, room to squeeze some more in there. And on days where more people are gone, on vacation, or because of sickness or weather, there are other empty seats where others could take their place. But, according to research and experience, there comes a time when those we are trying to reach see us as full. That normally comes at the 80% mark. When we are 80% full, in any service, it makes people feel like there is "no room" for them. It might not make sense to us, but it seems to play out that way in real life (most of the time). Our capacity is 110, and my unscientific test revealed that, including the balcony, with no extra chairs set up, we can "comfortably" (room for a regular sized adult to sit, plus room to put a Bible or purse, etc. next to them) seat about 100. That means that the 80% mark is 80 for any service (this is the kind of math I know how to do). Our average attendance in the first service (8:30 a.m.) has been 77 over the past several months; and in the 11 a.m. service, it has been 98. So, in the first service, we are just under the 80% mark, and in the 2nd service, we are very much over it. History has shown that if we do not make more room, we will probably continue to reach who we are reaching, but not many more. Our numbers will remain the same. We need to make more room.

We can all hit a "3" on Sunday mornings
Until God provides a new place for us to worship, we want to be thankful for what He has given us, and make the most of it. We also want to focus on a process of discipleship: how to help people be in environments, where they can take their next steps in Jesus. On Sunday mornings, with 3 services, everyone has the opportunity to participate in 2 key programs, and one other activity - all of which are a part of the discipleship process at WCC. Everyone can attend a worship service (8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 a.m.). We need those who attended one of the earlier services during our testing Sundays, to continue to do so; but most of all, everyone can choose their service based on what works best for their family and for those they will be bringing with them. Going to worship service allows for us, corporately, with all ages and stages of spiritual growth, to worship through fellowship; giving; singing; and the teaching and application of God's Word. With 3 services, you also have the opportunity to attend a Bible study (Sunday school class). This is provided for all ages. Unlike the large group setting, this is normally a smaller group, with those in your own stage of life; and you have the opportunity to learn about and discuss the Word of God together. Small groups is the 3rd program we will offer for everyone, but that will take place off site, in homes, and will re-start, officially, in the fall of 2014. The 3rd thing you can do, however, in another time slot, is to serve. Serving God and others at WCC is something we ask of everyone who calls WCC their home; and Sunday morning is one of the prime time slots for serving. You can do all 3 of these on a Sunday morning, if you choose. There will be some adjusting, and potentially some sacrifice on your part; but just remember why we are doing what we do, and that might help us all stay focused. Take advantage of this opportunity, while you have it; and let's grow together!

Our intention is not to become a mega church. We may always be "small", relative to larger churches in our area. We are already over twice as large as the average church in America. But, the goal for us is not to have a certain number of people. The goal is to help more people in our community take the next in their spiritual journey. For us to accomplish that goal, by God's power and grace, we have to structure ourselves so that more people feel like they can come and grow with us. It is with this goal in mind, that we want to fully test 3 services for several months, see if God will choose to bless it; and then prayerfully decide how to proceed from there. Please join us in this exciting journey!

I HAVE 5 TEENAGERS - LET'S CELEBRATE?

Tomorrow, on December 22nd, I will officially have 5 teenagers. Teresa and I are protesting. My question mark at the end of "celebrate" in the blog entry title is not a mistake. It seems like we are supposed to celebrate, but why do we feel like we want to go into a closet and cry? Our dilemma is not related to whether or not we like teenagers. We love teenagers - especially ours! They are awesome; and parenting them is a privilege. There are unique challenges to parenting teenagers; but then again, every stage of life and parenting has its challenges. I think the real question as to whether or not it should be a celebration has to do with the feeling of old age that it brings to us as parents with growing children. We know the time is short, and if they are all teenagers, it also means that they are soon going to living somewhere else, not with us - building their own families. It is sad. We miss the little ones (don't talk to me about grandchildren yet), and the feeling that this was just beginning. We now have the feeling that things are ending. Don't you feel sorry for us? Probably not. It is life, isn't it? We grow older, and things change. We don't think we are old enough to have 5 teenagers. Don't you agree?

Happy Birthday to Caleb and Gabrielle, our two youngest; and turning 13! I can still remember holding both of you, one in each hand, at the same time - soon after your birth. God had already given us 3 amazing children, and you were the two that filled up our family, as He designed it. We are so thankful for both of you, and have seen God's hand in your lives up to this point. God has used you both to bring us incredible joy over these 13 years. We look forward to seeing how God is going to keep working in and through you over the next several years. We are glad (deep down) that you are now teenagers, and will continue to enjoy the time God gives us to walk along side of you. Enjoy!

THE SPORTS ANNOUNCER'S FUMBLE

It is hard for sports announcers to fumble, since they no longer play the game. But, last night, Ray Lewis, the former Hall of Fame linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and current analyst on Monday Night Football, "coughed it up" big time. Rarely do announcers have the opportunity to talk about their faith openly, in that kind of setting. Ray Lewis did last night, on "Monday Night Countdown", which is the pre-game show for Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN. There was an emotional segment done on a little 7 year old girl, who was an incredible Baltimore Ravens fan, but died in the Newtown, Connecticut shootings at a school. As most stories like this, it was heartwarming, and "tugged" at your heart.

In the story, the family had received a very inspirational, encouraging note on an autographed picture, sent by Ray Lewis, who was playing for the Ravens at the time of the shooting and loss of this young girl. The dad read the note during the story, and then the announcer who reported the story, turned to Ray Lewis, and asked him about his motivation for writing such a note - a very personal note to the family following the tragedy. The note had talked about having trust in God, and the belief that the little girl is in Heaven; and they will see her someday.

It was when Ray Lewis was asked the question and he answered, that I believe he "fumbled" - at least as it relates to the opportunity to speak the biblical truth about God and eternal life. Just as in the note, Ray Lewis talked about how everyone is going to Heaven someday; and that is the reason we can get through tragedies like this. That was the basic message he gave - in a very passionate, heart-felt way, as only Ray Lewis can do. I respect him as a hard nosed football player; but I feel badly for him, and for many who may take his words, and believe that their eternal destiny is already secured with God in Heaven forever.

That belief is usually called "universalism" - that everyone, eventually, will make it to Heaven. That allows for the Catholic belief in a place called "purgatory", where you might wait for awhile, pay for your sins, and then make it to Heaven. But the Bible gives a very different viewpoint - and speaks the truth in love. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). There is no other way. We are all responsible to come to Jesus Christ, to confess Him as our Lord, and receive the free gift of eternal life. When it comes to children, who are young, or those who have handicaps that make it difficult to understand and express true faith, I leave that in God's merciful hands. I would not doubt if they, including this young girl in the story, were chosen by God "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1), to be one of His children. But this does not mean that everyone, regardless of their faith, or lack of it, will make it to Heaven.

Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart, that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

It is a tragedy when anyone dies, and even more so when a 7 year old girl is struck down by a murderer. But, in the eyes of eternity, in the perspective of God, there is a greater tragedy coming: when people who thought everyone goes to Heaven will have to stand before a righteous God; and find out that it is simply not true. We only get to Heaven once we trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Ray Lewis' plan sounds good to us; but it is not God's plan - it is not true. God, in His mercy and grace, is "desiring all to come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2). This is your opportunity to embrace the truth found in Jesus, as stated in the Bible; and in this case, not to listen to a charismatic, passionate communicator - Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. Everyone fumbles; and this may have been one of his most costly ones.