 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
Bottom of the Page
David R. Fletcher
Executive Pastor
June 24
From Acorns Grow Great Oaks
Many times I have commented on ministry with kids, the local community or somewhere on our globe. Today, let me highlight great work that was done on our church grounds.
The “New Beginnings” class decided to do a work project on the Akron Campus. After talking and planning with our Director of Facilities, Gary Glosner, they scheduled a work day. One recent Saturday, they brought over 20 people to plant shrubs, mulch and beautify the hill between the Fir Hill parking lot and the lower parking lot. 
On seeing the results, Gary said, “Wow! Great job by a great class!” See the results for yourself in the before and after photos.
Our vision is that every class and every small group have a ministry. The New Beginnings class had an idea for a ministry, pursued it and did some great work. This happens so many times at The Chapel. There are so many stories that I could tell about people doing wonderful ministry.
The principle is that “From acorns grow great oaks.” If you do a ministry project together, great things can happen. You will model a life of Christ-centered service to your kids. You can invite newcomers to your class or group, cementing relationships and helping their spiritual growth. You serve others, sharing the love of Christ.
By the way, I hope that you are in a class or group, if not contact Stephanie Nesbitt. For your spiritual well-being, you need to be in a group.
The Bible is clear that ministry “belongs” to God’s people. Ephesians 4:12 says that Christ gave pastors and teachers “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” We all have a vital part in ministry. Have you found your place to serve? Have you found your small group?
July 1
Failure of a Campfire: Success at VBS
Recently, I went camping and scuba diving at a local quarry with Marshall Holmes. On the first evening, he asked me to start the campfire. I rounded up the wood, put it in the fire pit, squirted on some lighter fluid and got the fire started. Well, it was started but didn't last too long.
I tried hard but all I did was use a lot of lighter fluid. I worked on that fire for another 45 minutes, got some fine embers, but it really was a failure of a campfire. Marshall came out of the camper and I told him that I had botched it. He took a look at the fire, poked a log, propped up the steel ring of the fire pit, smothered the existing fire by tossing on three more logs … and in 45 seconds the fire was alive … in five minutes it was roaring.
Some things I do give mediocre results. Get the gifted person in the right role and things work really well.
At VBS last week, we had so many gifted people "doing their thing." There were the right people doing the right ministry. We had close to 400 kids and 125 volunteers each night. Rhonda Neumeyer wrote to me:
The exciting thing is that we had double the 4th and 5th graders this year. We started with double and ended with double. This is huge!
A family with a pizza business brought their pizza wagon to feed the teachers and their families free of charge. "They did finally put out a donation jar at our request." Thanks so much for people using their giftedness for the cause of Christ.
The opening program was FANTASTIC, the best we've ever had. The kids were mesmerized and really participated. There was an excitement in the worship center that was really contagious. Kenton has truly elevated it to a level that we could have never accomplished on our own and I am so very thankful for what he has done.
The missions project really resonated with the kids this year. I honestly don't know why, but we collected almost double the offering of last year.
The Family Carnival was a huge success! I would estimate close to 1,000 people attended. We rented one additional inflatable, but I think next year we need to rent 3 additional inflatables. We gave away 600 ice cream sandwiches, 600 cans of pops and 480 bags of chips.
I've saved the best until last. We had over 20 decisions for Christ last week and that's what it's all about!
July 8
Visitors
I heard recently that since the beginning of the year, several hundred people had visited The Chapel. About half of the visitors came through a personal invitation by a friend. The other half learned about the church through our website.
There are some great lessons to learn from this:
- You are vitally important as you invite friends to The Chapel.
- Our website is important in telling people about our church.
The warmth that you convey, and the love that you show to visitors, is so necessary. Many people get their first glimpse of a church through a website. But, they see that we are Christ-followers through how we treat them.
We have revised our website a year ago, added the e-info screens and redid the bulletin. All of these are just tools. They are tools to help us connect with visitors. Communication to existing members and especially visitors is so challenging!
But, the most important part of The Chapel is "Christ in you." You are Christ's ambassadors. We can have all the tools of websites, screens and bulletins, but without love, it is all a pile of junk.
Thanks for sharing the love of Christ with our regular members and with newcomers!
July 15
Fifty Years From Now?
Do you ever wonder what things in Akron will be like in 50 years? What will the city look like? What will The Chapel look like? Look at a 5-year-old today, and that child will be 55--he or she will someday be able to answer our questions.
I am passionate about reaching children, youth and young adults with the gospel. They are the ones that will carry the torch into the future. Church for those of us over 45 is a great place--and we need to enjoy our spiritual home--and see that the next generation carries the flame.
Remember a few weeks ago when I commented about Vacation Bible School? I received the following brief email from Susan Linger: How exciting! I remember the 4th or 5th grade VBS very well. We studied the Tabernacle and made a model of it. I still recall that model when the Tabernacle is mentioned these 50+ years later.
Susan was in VBS over 50 years ago and the lessons learned are still with her! Can you imagine the impact that her teachers had? I'm sure that most, if not all, of her teachers have been with the Lord for many years. Yet, their impact continues.
Some wonder why we do some of the things that we do at The Chapel. Why all this talk about home groups? Why the change for this or that? We do it because Susan Linger was reached with words that fit her when she was in the 4th and 5th grades in VBS. People didn't speak to her in Latin or make her sing in antiphonal style.
The gospel never changes, but the way that we talk to people changes. The way that we do church needs to fit our culture. Hooray for those young and old alike who are more passionate about sharing Christ than about sharing culture.
If The Chapel is going to be alive for Christ in another 50 years, then we need to give great worship to people of all ages. We need to do all we can to make it a spiritual home for older folks, middle-aged ones and for those who will carry the torch for the next 50 years.
I won't be here in 50 years, except for a miracle from God. But, the seeds that I plant in the lives of others—those will grow into mature trees and bear much fruit. The money and time that I invest now will have great dividends in 50 years.
Thank you Susan, and so many others, for giving us a great message! None of us are going to take any of our money, houses, cars, "toys" or any such thing with us. In fifty years, most of those things will be rusted and decayed. But, people will continue throughout eternity.
July 22
Not Exactly a Quiet Summer...
I don’t know about you, but my summer isn’t exactly quiet.
Tami and I have been working in the backyard, clearing out lots of shrubs. With lots of work, we can now see some trees in our backyard.
At The Chapel, we are in the middle of budget setting. All the staff leaders have come and presented their budgets. Now, we need to sort through their desires and come up with a workable budget for the fiscal year that begins on September 1.
With Dave Smith going to Willow Creek in Chicagoland, we have some staff changes. First we want to give Dave a wonderful thanks and farewell. He has been wonderful to have on staff and we will dearly miss him. We need to reassign those who reported to him and that is going to take a few weeks.
I have a publisher who wants a book from me by September 1. I hope to meet that deadline and that they will like the book! I’m on pins and needles writing and hoping that it will be accepted by the editor.
Paul and I have been emailing and talking by phone often. He is having a productive time in Italy but longing to be back with us! I’m looking forward to his return and hearing him in the pulpit again. Paul is a dear friend and I know that we all miss him. Soon!
I have planned some seminars in the fall and spring to help Executive Pastors and church leaders. We will host them in North Carolina, Washington DC and in Dallas. These are great learning times for me as scores of church leaders come and talk about ministry.
And, I need to get my plans together to teach in India in January. This will be my fifth of the ten-year commitment to teach pastors in the Doctor of Ministry program. Wow, time flies!
Back at The Chapel, we are looking forward to a new fall program for our High Schoolers. Steve Garcia and his team are diligently working on a new Sunday morning youth event. We are going to have an exciting time for the youth on each campus with great Bible teaching. Because of the changes, we are going to need more workers in the children’s ministry … can you help?
Drop me a line and tell me about your summer! Keep an Acts 1:8 mindset!
July 29
Changes in our High School Ministry
This summer we have announced changes in our High School Ministry. We found that our church needs an exciting Sunday morning meeting that gives God’s Word each week.
We had been trying to have the main High School meeting on Sunday night. Yet at this time in our church life, the Sunday evening meeting was not meeting our needs. So, we listened to many of you and went back to the drawing board.
Our Youth Pastor is Steve Garcia. He and his team have worked diligently this summer to create a new format for Sunday mornings. Thanks to each volunteer and staff member! You are valued and this extra effort is greatly appreciated.
There will be a great High School meeting each Sunday morning at both campuses.
They will use a rotating format for worship and teaching each month:
- Week 1: Worship & Teaching
- Week 2: Teaching through story
- Week 3: Worship & Teaching
- Week 4: Discussion-based teaching
Every member of the pastoral leadership team has given input on this new High School event. With the pastors, it’s “all hands on deck.” We love our youth and want to see an exciting place where they can connect with others and learn from the Word.
Implications for Chapel Kids
Since January of this year, many of our high school students have been involved in Chapel Kids. Beginning in September, those student volunteers will no longer be helping Chapel Kids at the 10:40 hour.
Will you consider helping Chapel Kids? Janice Kelley has revolutionized our children’s department. There is an exciting large group time, terrific teaching from the Word, and a place for you to serve! Contact Janice Kelley.
Will you join me in prayer for our children and youth? Please pray for the volunteers and staff. We want to have a church where our kids are excited to come to church and learn to be Christ-followers.
August 5
Should I Lead a Home Group This Fall?
I am wondering if I should lead a home group this fall.
Tami and I have led and hosted many small groups. These groups give a place for people to call their spiritual home. It is a place to study the Bible, pray and develop friends.
Our groups have always grown so much that we have multiplied them. We would begin with about seven or ten people, then it would grow to fifteen, then to thirty. I am always training new leaders in these groups. When we multiply, there are proven leaders ready to take the new groups. When we were in Dallas, one group of ours multiplied into three groups. It was exciting to see people get connected and grow deeply in their spiritual lives.
The Chapel has some Short-Term Groups this fall. These Short-Term Groups will go on for six weeks (September 14-October 17) and are a great way to see if you would like a home group.
So, Tami and I are wondering if I should lead a home group this fall. Our house is in the Brimfield/Mogadore area and it would be a great way to get to know folks in that part of town. I love to shepherd a small group of people. I always watch to see what God will do and how lives will grow!
It’s not like I don’t have anything else to do. I work a huge plateful of hours for The Chapel. I’m sending a book to the publisher on September 1 and I help executive pastors around the country and pastors in India. So, I have lots to do … but there is something special and wonderful about a home group. Home groups are a terrific way to connect with other people and with God.
If you would like to be in a short-term home group, contact Dane Allphin. Check out your busy schedule. Are you too busy for some spiritual growth? Ask God if this would be a good thing for you to do. Tami and I are praying about a home group. Pray with us.
August 12
Here Is What I Can Do!
I have been thinking about the need in kids’ ministry and wondered how I could help. My schedule is challenging and I go between both campuses on a regular basis. What could I do?
When I was down in Green, I stopped by Janice Kelley's office. I said, "Janice, what can I do?" We talked for a bit and she said, "David, it would be great if you could help with our greeters and sign-in area."
So, that is what Tami and I will be doing for the next ten weeks. When not needed in the church services or a class, I will spend some time in kids’ ministry. Tami will join me as we love to serve together.
What can you do? Stop by the registration tables or check it out online.
We all need to be serving. If you eat spiritual food without spiritual exercise, then you will stagnate!
To whom much is given, much is expected.
August 12
Here Is What I Can Do!
The renovation work on our Chapel Kids classrooms is underway. The photo is from a few weeks ago. Gary Glosner, our great Director of Facilities, tells me that the classrooms will be ready in a month or so.
We are investing the money in classrooms because our kids are worth it. For The Chapel to be a strong church, we need a kid's ministry that teaches the Bible in fun and relevant ways. One seminary professor said, "It is a sin to teach the Bible in a boring manner. The Bible is an exciting book and we need to teach it with great creativity."
During the year, we "scrimped and saved" so that we would have the funds for the classroom 
renovations. Yes, our General Fund giving is a little low right now--about 3%. But, this doesn't mean that we don't move forward with strategic projects. Few things are more significant right now than giving our kids adequate classrooms. Our kids and grandkids need a strong biblical education.
The Chapel is on the move with the gospel ... join us! We are going to have a fantastic kid's and youth ministry. We will be known as a church with worship that inspires us, sermons that teach and challenge us. Our outreach to the local and global community will be second to none. Worship, Community and Mission is our spiritual DNA.
Renovations improve where we do ministry. You can improve how we do ministry. Ephesians 4 says that ministry belongs to every Christ-follower. The role of pastors is to "equip the saints," not to do the ministry. Check your Bible on it! That means that we all need to be involved.
E-mail Janice Kelley to get involved in Chapel Kids. As I noted last week, Tami and I are going to help. What are you doing to reach the next generation?
August 26
Join Us!
Tami and I decided to lead one of the "starter" groups this fall. It will be a wonderful opportunity for a new group to get started and run for six weeks. We will see where it goes from there.
Want to join my group or another group? Contact Dane Alphin, our Community Groups Pastor. I can't promise that you will be in my group, but I would love to have you.
Questions to see if you need a group:
- Are you praying with other people about spiritual change and growth?
- If you went into the hospital tonight, who (other than family) would care enough to be with you?
- Are you investing in other people? Are you helping others grow spiritually?
- We will meet six times for Bible study, prayer and a great time of getting to know each other. We may choose to meet after the initial six meeting starter period.
- I will be looking to discover new leaders and train them on how to run a great small group with me.
- You need to be committed to personal spiritual growth and coming to each meeting.
One of our groups multiplied three times, spawning new groups in our location of the city. It is so hard multiplying, but the concept of the "empty chair" is vital. This concept means that you always consider an empty chair in the group. The group is always open to newcomers and welcoming to them.
Come and join us!
Receive E-News |