UPDATE!

Things have been going great for Redeemer! I told Jacqueline last night that I'm really excited about the things that are happening. I'll share some of the "tangible" things, but there are many others that I can see happening on the fringes.

Last week we had a mission team from Shades Mountain in Birmingham, AL. They passed out invitations to over 3,000 homes and hosted two block parties. We had over 100 people at both block parties and made some great connections. We also had our second highest Sunday ever yesterday - 85! 8 of those adults were first time guests and many of the children were too. In fact, one lady brought 3 neighborhood kids who came to the block party and asked to come to church with her. Two other ladies came because of the postcards. And others came from various places - including one couple who said they got the postcard when we first started - wow. That's return almost 2 years afterward. We also had a couple who had just moved to town on Wednesday!

While attendance has been up and down, we've been over 80 3 times since the end of March and are averaging 70. Of those, we're having about 50 adults each Sunday, so it is definite progress.

Our music ministry is experiencing some exciting growth as well. Continue to pray for God to send musicians. In the past few weeks, we've added a drummer and have a good contact with an electric guitarist. Jared has also written a couple of worship songs that they are currently recording.

Another area where I've continually asked for prayer is our Children's Ministry. We have made some big steps in that area. Several people have begun teaching and are doing an incredible job! We're having kids ask to come back and getting mad if they miss a week! Keep praying for leaders as we are rapidly approaching a time where we need reinforcements. Specifically, pray for another leadership team for our older children's class.

Personally, I want to ask you to pray for me for a couple of things. One, I'm wrestling to get my time and work under control. I want to "work hard and play hard." I want to fully engage with work, but also fully engage with the boys and Jacqueline.

Second, pray for me to pray. As things have gotten busier, that area has slipped and God is reminding me that the most important thing I can do is pray. A part of that is equipping you to pray too, so I'm trying to get back on that!

Thanks for your prayers.

FEBRUARY/MARCH UPDATE



MEMBERSHIP CLASS

The crew above are the brave few . . . the first to attend the Membership Class at Redeemer. We had 23 adults attend our first class and apply to become members. Of these, four are committed to baptism in April and another two are considering it.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Our latest semester of Community Groups started in February. We have 35 people signed up so far. There have been great comments coming from all of the groups. It's exciting to see them developing relationships with one another.

CHILDREN'S CLASSES

We are finally getting children's classes from birth to 5th grade. Until now, anyone above Kindergarten was coming to the service. I'm really excited about the people who are helping to teach the classes. They love the kids and are awesome servants.

ONE FINAL PRAISE

March 29th was a record Sunday for us. We had an all-time high of 87 people. Of those, 63 were adults and 24 were children. It was really exciting. 10 of the adults were out-of-towners or people who would not be back, but even without them we broke the old record of 74.

PLEASE PRAY FOR US

None of this really matters much if God isn't behind it, so we are beginning some focused prayer leading up to Easter. Keep praying for:

- God to draw people to Himself through Redeemer
- Opportunities to invite and share
- For the Spirit to make the Gospel clear to those who need to hear it
- For God to use the mailings that we are sending out as well.

One additional prayer request is for musicians. Jared is working hard to develop our worship and we really need some additional instruments. Please pray for God to send them our way.

Thanks for praying for us!

JANUARY UPDATE

In keeping with my new format, I wanted to give you an update on how the beginning of the year has gone. I'm always worried when we go through a season where things drop off a little. The ever-present question is "Is this temporary and going to reverse soon or is it a trend that should invoke mind-numbing panic?"

Well, we had a little "Holiday Season Droop" but we've rebounded well the first of the year. I've started focusing on our adult numbers (because they give a more accurate measurement). We had 52 adults last Sunday and 47 this Sunday, so things are going well; everyone is excited and encouraged. Good times. 2009 is going to be great!

This year I'm intensely focused on taking some serious strides in my personal leadership. I've set some ambitious goals and I'm really excited about the shifts taking place. Here's some of what I'm doing in 2009:

- I will read 52 books.

- I will read 30 chapters of Scripture a week.

- I will lead a Pastor's Network with area pastors so that we can take Jesus' church to the next level.

- I will lead Redeemer to average 100 adults by the end of 2009.

- I will finish a marathon in 2009. I'm looking at Fargo, ND to knock out a marathon and check off three new states on my list.

Just figured I'd get those out there . . .

Here's the thing . . . these are some of the easier things that need to take place. If they are to happen, there are deeper things that have to take place. People need to throw themselves on Jesus' grace, attitudes need to change, obstacles have to be moved, in short, God has to come through.

We really need your prayers to see these things happen.

Several things that I am particularly burdened for this year are:

- People to encounter and follow Jesus. I'm tired of playing around. Time is short and people need Jesus.

- Training leadership. Honestly, I've always been lousy at this. I need serious help with this.

- Financial provision. We need to be able to stand on our own two feet by the end of the year. That's a big step.

Grace and peace.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I spent the other night reviewing the things that God has done in 2008. It's been a really exciting year.

We've seen:

- 3 people baptized (and we already have 2 waiting for this year).

- Redeemer grow from my family of 5 to an average of 62.

- Jared Totten join us as Worship Pastor. He's doing an incredible job. We've also added Matt LeFeber who plays bass and djimbe (hand drum).

- Over 30 adults participate in Community Groups in the Fall semester.

- I was accepted and participated in a Pastor's Coaching Network with Nelson Searcy. It was probably the greatest thing I've done to grow as a Pastor.

- We helped furnish a new home for a single mother who lost everything she had in a fire.

- Almost every week, we get a comment about how God is at work in people's lives. One example is this note I received - "By the way, great service today! It was like you heard our conversation on the way to church! It seemed like you were talking directly to us! Kind of scary:)

Requests for 2009:

1. God, make me the leader that I need to be to help Redeemer fulfill all that God wants for her. If Redeemer is going to take the next step as a church, I have to take the next step as a leader.

2. God, help me to ask, equip, and involve people in your work at Redeemer. I have to do a better job of asking people to get involved, casting vision for them, and working with them to find the best fit for their gifts.

3. God, give us 100 adults a week in 2009. This would basically double what we have now and allow us to become self-sufficient. Most of our support is ended this year and the rest will cease at the end of 2009, so that is an important goal.

I'm excited about 2009 and the plans that we have. God is doing some amazing things in bringing people together. I look back and see that He has been in control and provided at every step. Thank God, He never changes!

One final administrative note:

Everybody's been asking why I haven't been posting the blog as often. Quite frankly, I've gotten a little burned out on it. It seems like I keep saying the same things over and over.

I'm planning to re-focus on posting once a month (probably around the 15th). That way, I can give you a picture of what the month looked like, as well as more in depth requests that you can pray for. Additionally, it will allow me to concentrate my efforts so that I can post on the blog and get the newsletter out. Lately, I've gotten neither done.

11/17/08 UPDATE

So I've been reminded by several people that I haven't updated the blog in a few weeks. 2 reasons - I've been really busy and I've gotten tired of just saying the same things.

With that said, I'll try to bring you up to speed.

We've been in the low 60's in attendance every week.

I had one person indicate that he wanted to become a follower of Jesus and be baptized. I'll be following up with him.

I've had several great discussions with relatively new attenders. I always get excited hearing from people who haven't been going to church that get involved with Redeemer.

You can pray for us as we are making our plans for next year. There are tons of things to be planned - community groups, outreach events, sermons and worship services, budget . . . It's just all a bit overwhelming at the moment.

10/27/08 UPDATE

We had a great day on Sunday. Actually, it was a great week for me. I spent a lot of time reviewing where we are and where we've been and its been great to see God's faithfulness.

We had a celebration service. Jared had a couple of friends come in, so we had a full band and spent most of the service singing and worshiping. I set a record for the shortest sermon I've ever preached (which isn't saying much).

Here's some of what I shared with the church:

The first two weeks of the year we had 25 people (after 16 to close out the last Sunday of the year - Yikes!).

We averaged 42 for the year until September.

Our previous high attendance was 74 - 50 adults and 24 kids. Our second highest attendance was 62.

During the last 7 weeks, 5 times we had more than 62 people. We averaged 60 for that time.

The last two Sundays, we've had 50 adults and 49 adults (our record is 50).

We had about 80 different adults attend during those 7 weeks.

We had 32 adults participate in groups.

Twice we set a record for offering.

Following the service, we baptized 3 people. There are several others who want to be baptized but couldn't participate on Sunday.

In short, its been a good several weeks. I challenged everyone to continue to do the things that they did to get us here - invite their friends, read the Bible, join a group, serve, and take the next step.

It's a good time to be at Redeemer. Thanks for your help in making it happen by praying and supporting.

10/20/08 UPDATE

What a week! I traveled a lot this week. It was good stuff, but it was tiring.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jared and I traveled to Tampa. I had my coaching network, which was challenging as usual. This month, there was a training time for worship pastors as well. There were several things that really "clicked" for me. I'm really excited about the next couple of months.

On Friday and Saturday, Jacqueline and I went down to Kansas City. She ran her first marathon and finished in 4:37. I was really proud of her - she set a big goal and did what was necessary to get it done.

I was really kind of struggling on Sunday. You just never know from week to week what can happen. I was pretty tired, so my faith and energy were on low ebb. At 5 till there was only one other family in worship. However, God came through yet again. During the second song, I started noticing movement as people were coming in. We ended up with a great crowd - 63 (with 50 adults). Again, we had several first time guests.

Pray for me in the coming weeks. There is a ton of stuff to get done . . . and most of it involves some concentrated time to think things through, plan them out, write it down. Really exciting, but necessary, stuff.

Also, we're having a celebration service this Sunday. After that, we'll be having a baptism and cookout. Pray for me as I follow up with several people to see if they are going to participate. I know I have several opportunities to share the gospel through it.