Tag Archive - Access Church

Two Changes That Occurred When Our Portable Church Landed

January 28, 2013 in Peace Love & Unity with 6 Comments

That's the place!

That’s the place!

Just over a year ago the church where I am connected found a home. We had been a “portable church” for 5 years (I’ve been there for 3.5 years now…). Being a portable church was a challenge. There was a small group of people who showed up to church very early on Sunday morning to help unpack 30,000 pounds of our environments from a truck and trailer to set up for our services. Because we had a solid group of people contributing to the effort it was accomplished in just a few hours before and after the service.

After we moved into a facility our lives changed a little and became much easier.

Continue Reading…

Genuine Love

January 9, 2012 in Peace Love & Unity with 7 Comments

One Lord, one faith, one baptism... there is just 1

Rich Barrett summed it up pretty well. “I’ve never seen anything like it… these people genuinely care for each other… they are concerned about what the next volunteer will find when they walk into this place filled with chaos.”

This is a special place filled with believers who share genuine love for each other… for everyone.

Nearly 5 years ago God brought together a small group who shared a vision… they started from scratch. From that vision God’s glory has reached a new pinnacle in our city.

Yesterday our portable church completed the move into a permanent facility.

What a glorious day it was… what a glorious day it is!

I could just rattle on about it, but why?

What’s it really all about?

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:3-6

It’s real.

It’s about peace, love and unity…

and being in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

That’s pretty much it.

Where will it go from here?

giving away North Point Christmas CD and “Fields Of Gold” by Andy Stanley today

November 11, 2011 in Odds & Ends with 3 Comments

I’m giving away a copy of the North Point Christmas CD and the book “Fields Of Gold” by Andy Stanley in appreciation of your support for I’m Just Thinkin’. These were provided by Access Church (Rockin’ it!!)

Here’s how you get in on the action…

- Go to YESTERDAY’s post and submit a comment. If you’ve already commented yesterday you’re in the drawing… how easy was that :)

- I will randomly select the two winners on Tuesday and announce via Twitter.

… I’ll e-mail the winners to firm up a mailing address and ship you the goods.

pop culture goodness in the church today

November 3, 2011 in Peace Love & Unity with 4 Comments

Casey Darnell at Buckhead Church

So much of what I write about popular culture is basically ripping on it in general, and me extensively, as I have my fair share of pop culture indulgences.

I don’t think the world today is all bad. Since I’m a total optimist I wanted to share a thought on how popular culture is being successfully used in churches today to create an inviting environment that tends to draw people, including non-believers, into the church and helps them feel comfortable while they are there.

My first experience with secular music at church was at Buckhead Church in Atlanta several years ago. I was invited by a girl I was dating who lived there at the time. I think Steve Fee played a Bon Jovi song (Sorry Andy , I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Bryan Adams :) ). I did a double take to see if anyone else was kind of freaked out by this. I mean, I was thinking they surely must have an escape tunnel like in Hogan’s Heroes, because if too many people found out about this there is going to be trouble… like this is crazier than mentioning sex on a God blog… thankfully, everyone seemed to be on-board so I was at ease.

Soon enough, I found other churches that were following the lead by the evangelical movement.

Very cool.

You’ll hear some non-churchy songs when you come to my church ( Access Church, a strategic partner with Buckhead, and North Point Community Church). The music is a little loud for some people. Generally, our worship music includes 3 contemporary christian tunes. We will also occasionally have an opener or closer that may be mainstream, and sometimes non-christian background music is playing during entrance/exit times. Some of the band is even hired from within the community, we mix it up a lot! I believe this is another excellent opportunity to draw more and more people in that otherwise would not attend.

I think pop culture goodness in the church today is huge!

It shows that christians are real people.

We need that.

We need to connect with mainstream society more.

Our God is working in wonderful ways!!

Where do you see God’s goodness in popular culture today?

How do you feel about secular music being played in church?

Making Myself Replaceable

September 13, 2011 in Breathing Deep with 2 Comments

Our production team leader at church got married recently. It was a beautiful wedding. Then came the honeymoon – what are we going to do without Kevin leading production for 2 Sundays in a row?

At church we hang our hat on “Making Myself Replaceable.” We’re a growing organization where thinking on your feet and change are the norm.

Making Myself Replaceable… in the corporate world, we used to call this delegating… now it’s all about empowering your team…

Teaching the people on the team everything there is to know so that anyone who follows in my footsteps can pick up where I left off and keep moving forward… then all the people grow right along with the organization.

Making Myself Replaceable… Kevin has done it at our church… we made out just fine in his absence… ONLY because he displays true leadership skills.

Is this an emphasis in your organization?

Will the people walking in your footsteps be able to pick up where you left off?

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