New Series: Journey

Everyone probably remembers the 70's - 80's rock band "Journey." Their song, "Don't Stop Believing" is the number one downloaded song of all time on iTunes. For the next four weeks, we are going to use four of the band's greatest hits as backdrops to a new series called Journey.

The word journey- is defined as traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time, or a passage or progress from one stage to another: the journey to success.

You may not know it, but you are on a journey. And your journey is taking you to a particular destination. Do you know where you’re going? And equally important, do you know where you
are going to end up?

I Peter 1:18-21 (msg) says: Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Be here at Faith Chapel the next four Sundays for Journey: Where Are You Going?

4/19- "Faithfully"

4/26- "Don’t Stop Believing"

5/3- "Open Arms"

5/10- "Separate Ways"

Five Things a Church can Learn from Opening Day at the Ballpark

Baseball's opening day for most teams is tomorrow, and that got me thinking about the feeling and excitement of the stadium on opening day. I recently did a small teaching with the entire pastoral/support staff here at Faith Chapel using this example.

Opening day is so exciting. There's a spark in the air and anticipation fills the voices of fans. There's a unity in the stadium unlike any other day. Everyone is rooting for the home team to win. Fans can be seen giving "high fives" to people they don't know as a player delivers a big hit or a pitcher strikes out the opposition.

Everything is clean and freshly painted. It's like the entire stadium is inviting you to enter and be a part of the big event. Workers are energized and freshly trained. Even the players are more willing to mingle with fans and accommodate their requests.

This sounds a lot like church. In fact, every day should be "OPENING DAY" at church! We should carry that friendly smile and greet everyone with warmth and acceptance. They should also be willing to accommodate their reasonable requests. The church should be clean and fresh.

The unity produced by sincere community gives way to excitement and celebration. When this is directed to the Lord, the church is filled with a Spirit of anticipation and faith. Why don't we make everyday OPENING DAY?

Here are my five take-a-ways:
1. Unity- everyone on the same team
2. Clean and inviting conditions- you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression
3. Hospitable and friendly customer service- everyone one should feel welcome
4. Excitement gives way to Celebration- it's contagious and we should express ourselves openly with great joy.
5. Staff/Ministry leaders are well trained-

{look up Col. 3:23; 1 Cor. 14:12; 2 Cor. 8:7}