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Bottom of the Page
David R. Fletcher
Executive Pastor
September 3
Welcome to a New Look!
The Chapel launched a new website and this new e-newsletter this month. Bring out the balloons and confetti and celebrate with us!
Grant Erikson, our Director of Communications, has worked with many members and staff to determine layout, content and style. He has a terrific team and they have brought many great ideas.
The website has had my highest priority. We want to give you ministry stories and information so that you can see what God is doing through The Chapel.
If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to e-mail me. My door is always open.
September 10
Ever go to the kitchen drawer and find a dull knife? At The Chapel, may you always find our pastors sharp and regularly honed! Here are two examples of how your pastors are growing to serve better with you in ministry.
Today, we had Jim Tomberlin meet with our pastoral leaders. Jim launched the multi-site initiatives at Willow Creek and now helps churches around the country. He has spoken at several of my events for Executive Pastors and is one of the top leaders in the country concerning multi-sites.
Our Embrace Tomorrow vision is to develop 7 new sites and venues. So, we sought out the best person to advise us, challenge us and share national ‘best practices.’ We are planning to start Resonate II, a new venue at the Green campus, in early 2010. We also hope to launch another one or two venues in 2010.
Next Monday, we are hosting an event for our pastors, consortium pastors and area church leaders. Scot McKnight is coming for a Super Monday. He is a widely recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. Then on Tuesday, a few of us will spend all day with Scot, studying through the book of Galatians. In the future, expect some great preaching from Galatians!
September 15
On Tuesday, I spoke to thirty or so of our missionaries. The topic was Biblical Conflict Resolution with a specific application of the 7 A’s of a Confession. Romans 5:1 says that because we are justified with God, we should live in peace! Part of living at peace with others is confessing when we have done wrong and being forgiven.
So many of us approach an apology like the fast food window at McDonalds. We order a happy meal with a “burger of forgiveness.” While driving away, we quickly eat our burger.
Often we approach forgiveness the same way. Without explaining much, we say “will you forgive me?” It is hollow and insincere. Instead, we ought to follow Ken Sande’s “7 A’s of an Confession.” Ken says, “many people have never experienced freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally.”
- Address everyone involved—all those whom you affected
- Avoid if, but, and maybe—do not try to excuse your wrongs
- Admit specifically—both attitudes and actions
- Acknowledge the hurt—express sorrow for hurting someone
- Accept the consequences—such as making restitution
- Alter your behavior—change your attitudes and actions
- Ask for forgiveness
See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.
With the missionaries, I had a tremendous time talking through God’s Word and applying it to everyday missionary life. Having been a missions pastor for many years, and having been to over 40 countries, I have a great love with those who serve God overseas. We gave away copies of Ken’s book, The Peacemaker, to many of our missionaries. This book is a must read!
We all have had issues that we need to confess and find freedom:
- Speaking poorly to a family member
- Writing a judgmental or harsh email
- Being angry for weeks at a friend or neighbor
- Hurting our spouse by doing or not doing something
Our pastors work hard to be God’s best and to serve with you in ministry. Are you staying sharp? In a group? Serving in the church or community?
September 17
Finding the best person for the job can be a herculean task. I thing we should look far and wide, asking God to bring to us bright, talented Christians for our staff.
In our current search for an administrative assistant for our youth department, we have received 120 resumes—so far! We often place paid ads in the Akron Beacon Journal, free ads on Craigs List and notices in our bulletin and website.
Each applicant receives an email response when we receive their resume and another email within three weeks. I am training our staff on the “best practices” of how to telephone key applicants, helping us determine best fit. For most positions, we do group interviews in the department and a final interview with me—and for some positions with Paul. In treating all applicants with dignity, we want to live out Christ’s gospel of the kingdom in how we hire staff.
Talking about positions, we have restructured Hal Webb’s stewardship department. In just a few days, we will be advertising an Accounting Manager position.
Also, high on Paul’s and my priority list is a new Singles Pastor, and we included it in the budget year that began September 1. That search will be on a national level, using great contacts of ours from around the country (your pastor friends should check out the Great Resumes page on the XPastor site).
Gary Glosner has open positions in the Facilities Department. We are also looking for a Video Intern in the Communications Department.
Feel free to let your friends know about these positions. Have them send their resumes, with a cover letter, to Tami in the HR department (Tami is volunteering for 10-15 weeks to help us organize this area).
Let’s remember this. The role of staff is not to do your ministry. According to Ephesians 4, pastors should be “equipping the saints for ministry.” It is your “job” to do ministry—it is ours to equip you to do it.
September 23
A heartbeat of the New Testament is “the priesthood of all believers” (I Peter 2:9).
This means that every Christ-follower can pray directly to God. Every Christ-follower can directly intercede for others to God.
This also means that every Christ-follower must have a place of service, a place to exercise his or her priesthood.
There are some great training times coming up. Hone your “practical priesthood:”
- Operation Preparation for Disaster Relief will provide instruction to be prepared to offer physical and spiritual relief quickly, efficiently and effectively to those suffering the effects of a disaster. Saturday, October 3 at the Green Campus; 9:00 am-3:30 pm. Read more …
- Learn how to run sound for ministry events. “Sound Training,” October 8, every Thursday evening for six weeks from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Green Campus, Room 124. Contact Rick Zuercher.
- If you are considering a second marriage or already are remarried: We will explore critical questions you need to ask. Discover what it takes to know whether you are ready to marry again, identify your love styles, how to combine a family, and how to become soul mates. Green Campus, Room 211, Sundays, 9:00 am. Contact Joey Martin.
Read more about these and other “big events” at The Chapel on the events page.
If Jesus were to come back one year from today, how would he find you? Would you be prepared, trained and equipped? Would you be serving actively and joyfully as a believer-priest?
Please don’t be disappointed when he comes back. Today is the day of salvation and today is the day of service.
October 8
Input from the congregation is vital to making good decisions. When we were planning the new website, Grant Erikson sent out a survey to many folks. The response was tremendous. We learned what you read online, what you liked and what didn’t interest you. Your input helped us develop a stellar new website.
Now, we are brainstorming about giving our Sunday bulletin a facelift. How can we make it better? How much can you read on a Sunday morning? What can we add or subtract?
Grant Erikson and Carmen Beasley have developed a ten question online survey for you to share your thoughts. Feel free to forward this to other members, family and friends (Chapel connected or not). Our plan is to have an improved bulletin by the end of the year.
Also by the end of the year, we will add “information video screens” (e-info) in the hallways. Instead of spending wads of money on posters, we will have full color ministry pictures and information on these e-info screens. There will be various channels, such as missions, children, and the sermon (live from the worship center). The screens are even remotely powered off and on, so we can save electricity.
By carefully using technology, we are cutting our costs and improving the quality of our information to the congregation and newcomers.
Thanks for your help with the bulletin survey. Your input is essential.
October 15
Each January I travel to India. I made a ten-year commitment to teach pastors and this will be my fourth year.
India is a long journey by airplane. Ten hours from Chicago to London and then another ten to Bangalore, India.
More than a physical voyage, India is a long spiritual trek. The Hindus believe in karma, being judged for your works when you die. Then you are reincarnated based on how well you did. There are thousands of idols, each with food and flowers brought in sacrifice.
Christ-followers bring concepts like resurrection—that God personally knows you and eternal life is based on a relationship with Christ. Paul talks about sacrifice: “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1).”
My twenty students are pastors who come from all over India. Several travel five days by train to come to class. Another takes eleven days to come to Bangalore. They are hard working pastors, church-planters and teachers in Christian colleges and seminaries. The students study with me for 5 years, earning a doctor of ministry degree.
This is a part of my life and ministry that most of you won’t see. It is very near and dear to my heart. I have great affection for these Indian pastors who are working so hard to share the love of Christ.
Each of us has a different part to play in God’s world. Have you found your part?
October 22
On Tuesday, I spoke to thirty or so of our missionaries. The topic was Biblical Conflict Resolution with a specific application of the 7 A’s of a Confession. Romans 5:1 says that because we are justified with God, we should live in peace! Part of living at peace with others is confessing when we have done wrong and being forgiven.
So many of us approach an apology like the fast food window at McDonalds. We order a happy meal with a “burger of forgiveness.” While driving away, we quickly eat our burger.
Often we approach forgiveness the same way. Without explaining much, we say “will you forgive me?” It is hollow and insincere. Instead, we ought to follow Ken Sande’s “7 A’s of an Confession.” Ken says, “many people have never experienced freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally.”
- Address everyone involved—all those whom you affected
- Avoid if, but, and maybe—do not try to excuse your wrongs
- Admit specifically—both attitudes and actions
- Acknowledge the hurt—express sorrow for hurting someone
- Accept the consequences—such as making restitution
- Alter your behavior—change your attitudes and actions
- Ask for forgiveness
See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.
With the missionaries, I had a tremendous time talking through God’s Word and applying it to everyday missionary life. Having been a missions pastor for many years, and having been to over 40 countries, I have a great love with those who serve God overseas. We gave away copies of Ken’s book, The Peacemaker, to many of our missionaries. This book is a must read!
We all have had issues that we need to confess and find freedom:
- Speaking poorly to a family member
- Writing a judgmental or harsh email
- Being angry for weeks at a friend or neighbor
- Hurting our spouse by doing or not doing something
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