Loud & Clear

Clovis Hills: a redeeming church

We say it alot around here. There’s a church for everyone. No matter your dress style, worship preference, beverage necessity or preferred baptism method, there’s a church somewhere that fits you.

But what about Clovis Hills? Who do we fit? What’s our uniqueness?

Pastor Steve and I had a telephone interview this week with the Willow Creek Association. As we talked about our history, defining moments, biggest failures and most important learnings, one thing kept coming around.  We are a redeeming church.

I can tell you story after story of people who’ve come to Clovis Hills wounded, a jerk, abandoned, burned out, a snob or disconnected. We’ve seen marriages fall apart and end in divorce, yet both continue to attend here. We seen folks with huge abuses in their past come to health and be restored to life and ministry. We’ve had guys who were the meanest, nastiest guys you’d ever run into transform into the nicest, loving-est guys you could imagine. Totally different people! I still can’t believe it sometimes the transformation that happens around here.

Pastor Steve even once started a special growth group he called the X-Min (similar to the comic name) that was made up of about a dozen ex-pastors attending Clovis Hills. Some had simply burned out. Others made personal mistakes that cost them their positions.

I’ve always wondered where these guys went after they stepped down from ministry, especially those in disgrace. Apparently, they come to Clovis Hills. Here they are anonymous, just themselves and rediscover God’s love, grace and purpose for their lives. They’re in growth groups, in ministry teams (some are greeters!), and other areas. It’s amazing to me.

On September 7, we’re starting a message series called Redeeming Grace. One of these pastors is going to co-teach with Steve for two of those weeks, sharing his own story about his fall and his restoration. It’s going to be an amazing series!

Pastor Steve has said from the beginning Clovis Hills is about Changed Lives. And while some staff including myself, and perhaps even you, have managed to create some image in our own minds of what we think Clovis Hills should look like and be, and have wondered sometimes at why we aren’t everything we wished, Clovis Hills is still a place where life change happens.

So who are we? What’s our identity, vision and uniqueness?  We’re the place the broken, the bruised and the battered find refuge, God’s grace and purpose for their lives. What an awesome place to be!

Now let me clarify. Some will think that this shouldn’t qualify as a uniqueness. After all, isn’t that every church’s mission? Well, yes and no. My parents church is a missional church. Seekers don’t go to their church really. But they are constantly doing community projects, sending missionaries, equipping leaders. That’s their uniqueness. Other churches are discipling churches. Or worshipping churches. God seems to gift churches as uniquely as he does people.

Every believer and church should follow the Great Commandment (love God & people) and the Great Commission (teach them to follow Jesus). HOW they accomplish that exactly is part of their uniqueness.

If Clovis Hills isn’t your church home, what is your church’s uniqueness?

Summit Week!

Well, it’s finally here!  The week of the Leadership Summit. We’ve been working on this so long, it’s going to be odd when it’s gone.

Last night I was at training (I’m going to be an usher). Got pumped up by Dave Love, encouraged by Moses with a dose of bonding with my fellow ushers.

Today, Jen and I are setting up the projector. Tests tomorrow and Wednesday.

I’ll give you updates on all the boring stuff going on behind the scenes as we prepare. Hope you’re coming. It’s going to be great!

creative element potential problems

When programing an element for your worship or youth service, there are a couple things you should think through first.  Potential technical problems should be near the top.

Check this out.

Thanks Dana for sending this my way.

By the way, if anyone knows a WordpressMU plugin that would make this thing show up on my page, let me know. I’ve tried a few, but no go so far.

prequal to greatest TV show below

If you know me well, you’ll know that I think the new Battlestar Galactica is the greatest show on TV right now. The fact that it is ending is only softened by the knowledge they chose story over dollars, and opted not to string it out simply to make money.

With the impending end of BSG, we may now take comfort the producers got the greenlight to create a prequal about Caprica. The trailer is below.

Wonder about the girl who’s a perfect copy? SPOILER: she’s a cylon. Betcha didn’t see that coming! Ok, maybe you did. Anyway, enjoy!

Crazy Products #2

Here we go. One pill is all you need to take care of that pesky sin issue. The good thing is, if you carry the bottle with you, you can do whatever you want!

Also, I never realized that forgiveness tasted so much like lemon…

Tag line provided: One a day makes the sin go away.

My tag line:  Forgiveness never tasted so good!

Your tag line?

wonderflonium is exactly how it sounds

Stop whatever you are doing right now and go immediately to www.drhorrible.com.

You may have heard some of the best programing isn’t coming out on tv, but the internet. This is proof.

oh yes, Heroes is coming back

If you are one who follows, as I do, the awesomeness of Heroes, you will be pleased to know there is a new trailer out for the new season, coming September 22.

You may partake of the nectar of anticipation below.

Crazy Products #1

In the last week, I’ve seen some crazy products on the shelves. I’m going to start posting them for your viewing pleasure. If you run across others, send me a pic and I’ll add it to the list. It’s crazy what people will buy.

Crazy Product #1

You might not be able to read it, but the tag line is “A drink worth standing in line for.”

Leave a comment and add your own tag line. Here’s mine:

“The only choice for the working class.”

Influence set preview

Here’s a little preview for our set this coming weekend.

I’m leaving town for some family stuff I’ll fill you in later about, so won’t be here this weekend to take a pic of the finished product (complete with haze, lighting and awesome worship people). You’ll have to wait a little for that. Maybe Paul Haugen will post a pic. You can bug him on his blog, The Open Door (link to the right).

Enjoy.

Weight Loss Challenge: week 5

Today’s official weigh in:  221
Last Weeks official weigh in: 220
Official start weight:  225.5

So I know the solution. It’s getting to it that’s the problem. It’s one simple word:  excersize.  The week I lost more than one pound?  At the gym.  Since then?  Not once.  There’s a ton of interruptions and another big one to occur next week I’ll share shortly. Still, eating well helps you stay the same weight.  Excersize takes it off.

Now… can I get my arse to the gym? That’s the real questions. Stay tuned to find out.