Upcoming Series at Waterfront

Starting Sunday, we begin our Christmas series (yes, It’s that time already) called “The Untold Story.” It looks at the Christmas story we all know and love from some different angles. It will help us see how God used the most unconventional means possible to do the impossible!

For more info, check here.

And another…..

This from www.consumingworship.org.

Become+a+Better+Reader2008-11-25+18%3A45%3A25Jeff+M.+Miller

A Generous Church Model

I just read about this, and thought it was too cool to not pass on. There’s a new church start-up—Waterfront Community Church—founded by a former Willow Creek staffer, that can actually say 100% of it’s member’s/attendee’s offering money is focused on ministry outside their church walls.

The church is, “Using a missionary model, eight sponsors cover Waterfront’s expenses, including salaries and rent, so all of the weekly offerings go straight to the community.”

Wow. That’s pretty incredible. I wonder if their weekly offering are greater because the givers know the money is actively going to help those in need, rather than “just” paying salaries, the light bill and the building payment? I wonder if an established church could ever successfully transition to this kind of model?

Kudos to Waterfront Community Church for actively living out pure religion. James 1:27

Yet another web article

Here’s yet another web article on Waterfront. View it here.

Check out this blog, I really like it!

Christianity Today Article

Check it out here.

And the article that started it all….

This article appeared yesterday in the Chicago Tribune. You can view it online here.

I love how the secular world views what we are doing. They don’t think it’s crazy at all! But, by and large, the established church views us with what appears to be skepticism and doubt. And, I guess, I would too : )

The key for us is to not make our financial model who we are, but in line with who we are. We are a humble people who wish to love God and people well. If we do that, we will obey what Jesus said was the “greatest law” and we will glorify Him in the process.  As it says in Matthew 22:

The Greatest Commandment

34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

More buzz on the web……

This is from generousnews.org

A Community of Artists

Starting tomorrow, November 19th, we begin having weekly Arts Small Group gatherings. This will be a bit different from traditional small groups in that, well, artists are different anyway, right? But what will make this unique is that we will split the evening into equal parts fellowship, devotional time, and worship. This will allow our growing arts community to achieve the following goals:

Boy, do people like pizza

I believe that pizza may just be the single greatest motivator this planet has ever known. If you ever want to get help moving, make sure your kids come to dinner on time, or make sure your party doesn’t have any no shows, just be sure to have pizza!

Last Sunday we did just that. We had our first ever “Pizza With The Pastor” event. These are semi-regular events where new attenders can meet the pastor and staff, get questions answered, and hear the vision of the church. We were hoping to get about 20 or so who would be willing to stay after service. But, and I’m not sure of the exact count, it looked like the whole congregation got up at the end of service, and went straight in the meeting room! Thankfully, our amazing First Impressions team was prepared, and we had plenty of food and drinks to go around.

Many were interested in small groups, and getting involved. This is the start of something special!

The power of pizza…………

This could be an opportunity…..

To love well, and to be God’s hands and feet in this crazy world. My prayer is for the christian community to respond to this election with the kind of love and grace that characterizes us.

I did not vote for him, but I now submit to his authority as Commander In Chief.

Romans 13

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.