Well, we were making phone calls today and the guy who rededicated our first sunday and who was having trouble with his wife was one of our contacts today. Barak called and talked to guy. His wife came Sunday but I thought she may have not liked it really or something. You know how you can just tell. Well, the guy said they wouldnt be back Sunday cause his wife wanted to check out where they used to go in another town. He likes it with us and said they may be back later but you know. I am having my first bout with rejectiona nd its hard when I know it is bound to be due to our small space. I wouldnt want to go there if I were visiting! ANd I'm the pw! I cant comprehend why they built it for twenty people! I am discouraged! We need space and we need it affordably and soon. We are limited and howm many we can invite. Yet if people dont come we cant justify moving you cant move on "hypothetical people".; Please say a prayer for us. We need wisdoma nd favor and direction. Its not fun feeling rejected!
I think what happens with us is people always say they like us, but we're small - about 30-4o people. and - we are soo stinky friendly that we appear desparate. We try to tell our people not to "overwhelm" visitors - but that is like telling a baby not to be cute. Don't know what to do about it either - but I can certainly identify with it.
POW: I wish we had your problem. We definitely are not overly friendly. In fact, a lot of our church is not friendly at all -- at least to the newcomers. We're praying for some more friendly people. Dh addressed this from the pulpit. Of course, CA got mad. How dare people tell us that we're not friendly! One of the new people in church even asked about CA's wife last week.... "what's up w/ her? She looks mean!"
We're hoping to have a "meet & greet picnic" soon & encourage interaction.
We understand your dilemma, Cassandra. We've all been there at some point or other. I agree you can't look desperate...but don't be afraid to pour the friendliness on. Just be yourselves.
I understand the whole building stupid issue...our previous church was the epitome in building stupid...my dh inherited so many problems and quite truthfully not only was the building not really planned well in the first place (way, way, way too small and not practical) but........they were basically not on enough acreage to build anything of substance. (I mean, a really good size sanctuary that would justify spending that much $$) It was a very frustrating thing. My dh said if he made the mistake it would be one thing but he inherited this mistake and felt if he couldn't relocate the church he really wouldn't be able to do anything of "truly" greater substance in that place. Very difficult. But I digress...
ALL THAT TO SAY WE UNDERSTAND! ALL OF US HAVE BEEN THERE, SOME ARE STILL THERE. You will make it. We're praying for you. God will send in those who are to come alongside you and stand with you in raising up that work. DON'T LET REJECTION GET THE BEST OF YOU. It's very difficult to minister with a rejected spirit. You have to minister out of wholeness and the overflow of your heart. Realize who you are in God -- MIGHTY!
We are leaning toward growing through Bible studies in our home right now and I want to run my plan by you guys as a sounding board and see what you think. An aquaintance of ours about an hour away from where we are, moved there three years ago and knew no one. He started having people over for coffee and dinner every single noght of the week. He started building friendships and relationships with them, telling them what his vision for a church was and over a years time was a hundred people strong. THey then went to look for a building and started growing from that core group. Now they are at 3000 people and still growing on three campuses. So we are going to adapt that approach to fit us. Since we are limited in space for WORSHIP SERVICE, I told dh dont let that stop us from getting to know people and spending time with them and doing Bible study or what ever they want to do. THen when we DO find a building we will have people pumped up and ready to go along with the current 4 or 5 core families we have. Start blending current with new people from the front in our home and even if we have to have people over several noghts a week, our worship service will not be how we build our crowd, loving and meeting people will be how we build our CHURCH and then we we get room for everyone to come to our WORSHIP SERVICE then we have the crowd. Instead of feeling limited and kind of hopeless this has breathed new hope and fire there. How does it sound? Have any of you done it? We all know people want relationships and things for their kids. So if we all go into this vision together, it seems liek that would be better than putting our eggs in the one basket of perfecting our worship service to attract people. Get what I mean? Ideas! Whatcha think?
I believe you may be on to something about not trying to perfect the worship service right now in your small space...maximizing your home group and then taking that vision into a new larger meeting place sounds like it may be a better fit.
Have you all ever gone to a "church planter's boot camp"? The A/G has them and I'm sure other organizations do too. It's one of the most valuable things you can do to get ideas. Wonderful!!!
I think the homegroup idea is awesome too. But I don't know about doing it every night! That may be too much and you do need to protect your family time.
Yeah we were talking about that last night after I posted. When school starts up in a few weeks we will have those sort of things to work around so we will have to revamp the schedule. And we think this method will be great because it is more for the unchurched becuase those already in a church arent going to want to leave it. But those who are not in church or new converts will be more apt to get on board on the ground level of this vision. I am excited because dh now feels recharged about getting out there and meeting people. Which is why I am excited about school. (Though I am nervous about going from private to public but it seems like a good school district so I plan on getting very involved and know what is going on) Thanks for the encouragement. That helps me know we are on track! All you ladies are wonderful!
Cassandra
PS How did you get your picture on the avatar Diana? I tried and cant get it, I wish we could put our pics on there too.
Since we are on the topic of pictures, Deanna I love yours too. You look someone that anyone could bear their soul to, but they could also have a good time with. My kinda pw.
Thank you. I am not photogenic at all so when I find a good one I frame it! Good pictures of me are few and far between. ANd since my figure isnt what it was, I like headshots! haha But thank you. You ladies are so sweet. I like Pastor Deanna's with her hubby at easter. Looking sharp!
Thank you. I am not photogenic at all so when I find a good one I frame it! Good pictures of me are few and far between. ANd since my figure isnt what it was, I like headshots! haha But thank you. You ladies are so sweet. I like Pastor Deanna's with her hubby at easter. Looking sharp! Cassandra
Whatever! You are SO photogenic, at least from what I see in that picture .
But I do agree that headshots are very forgiving to an "imperfect" figure, lol!!
This is actually one I took of myself by holding the camera way out from me and I took them and took them until it was what I was wanting. I felt really stupid at the time but it turned out good. SO then I turned it black and white on my editing software which is even more forgiving. Thanks again. So sweet. Pastor Deanna, do you worry about having your kids pictures on th einternet? My dh really doesnt want me using our family picture on our website. What do you gals think since we are talking about pictures?
Yeah we were talking about that last night after I posted. When school starts up in a few weeks we will have those sort of things to work around so we will have to revamp the schedule. And we think this method will be great because it is more for the unchurched becuase those already in a church arent going to want to leave it. But those who are not in church or new converts will be more apt to get on board on the ground level of this vision. I am excited because dh now feels recharged about getting out there and meeting people. Which is why I am excited about school. (Though I am nervous about going from private to public but it seems like a good school district so I plan on getting very involved and know what is going on) Thanks for the encouragement. That helps me know we are on track! All you ladies are wonderful!
