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What’s News at Bethel
By Paul | May 23, 2007
Latest updates of exciting stuff going on around here!
Next year’s thematic goal is already ramping up, and the Beatitudes series by Pastor Dave is one way hearts are being prepared for our goal of Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with Jesus. Pastor Dave was motivated by God to teach this series after he participated with other pastors in Christ College, a multi-day time to study God’s Word with other pastors. During this time it was emphasized that the fire in the belly of the early church was their love for Christ—to the point of dying for Him. The Beatitudes provide a pithy, practical foreshadowing of what is to come in the next year of emphasis on God-lover.- The video venue (video venues are when the sermon is fed live or recorded into another location, which has a different “feel” to it) team is making recommendations for an October-ish launch. Of the ideas on the table: a venue with an Unplugged environment (mellow), a Wired environment (more upbeat), and Encore, which would be a Sunday evening environment. Technology advancements are already being implemented around the facility, and many teams will be needed to make these venues successful.
- We welcome Phil Antilla on board this summer as a music intern, serving alongside Chip Roebuck.
- A Director of Student Ministries position has been established and applications are currently coming in. This person would oversee both middle and high school, and we hope to fill this position by fall.
- A Worship Director position has been proposed and needs to be approved within the budget at the annual business meeting on June 10. This person would oversee all the music-related ministry at Bethel.
- Over 15 new small group leaders have said YES to leading a small group this fall to respond to the need for leaders, as the church seeks to get as many folks into a group for the 4-week coordinated sermon series/small group lesson in September.
- The new building addition should be ready for use around the middle of July.
- The West Pasco church plant with a venue format is currently being “explored”, as to potential locations.
- Bethel learned many lessons with making INVITE its thematic goal this past year, as it seeks to be a learning organization. INVITE will always be a value at the church, because it’s what Jesus did and what He wants us to do; however, closure to this goal will be June 3.
- In a recent staff meeting, to prepare the staff for pursuing Jesus, thematic goal chairperson Kelli Templeton asked the staff 3 questions about the Beatitudes series (truths so radically-different, so counter-cultural than our American culture). How would you answer? (feel free to comment below)
- What am I learning about the person of Christ?
- How do I appreciate more what Jesus did for me on the cross?
- Which Beatitude has had the most personal impact on me and why?
May 26th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
The Person of Christ is the Kindest Person I know and yet the longer I serve Him and The more I get to know Him the more fear of Him and His Word I walk in. I notice I tread more carefully these days in Him and yet there is wide open spaces for me to enjoy in Him as well. I am learning that He really does mean what He says and though there is mercy and grace for me in my failings and successes there is a Holiness that requires even my thoughts to come into alignment with Him. He expects more of me today than yesterday, a consistant obediance and change of behavior. Though He is Kind He is to be feared as well. How I want to please Him.
Because of this growing fear of Him and His Holiness, I realize how much more I fall short of it and am growing more appreciative of what Jesus did for me and mine on the cross. The Lord has given me a clear picture of myself without Him; I’m a bag lady on first street on earth and in a hell of all hells for eternity. How can I not become more appreciative of what he did for me on the cross that day.
“Blessed are the merciful…”
The Lord is searing Prov. 3:3ff upon my heart, “Let mercy and truth never leave you Stephanie…”. As a truth seeker/teller, this is one of my longterm weaknesses I am sad to say. BUT GOD is not finished with me yet and each crisis and trial that arises gives me one more opportunity for The Lord to refine this neccessary part of His character in me.
It hurts so good.
May 26th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
To answer Kelli’s question #3, it wasn’t just one, but rather two in combination. Blessed are the poor in spirit and blessed are those who mourn. Then when Pastor Dave defined the difference between major/minor surgery I knew why they impacted me so — God was doing major surgery. I felt very conflicted inside after each of these sermons. They had made me look hard and deep at myself and #1, I didn’t like what I saw, and #2 the “whoa is me, I’m a man of unclean lips” feeling just overwhelmed me. Part of me hated the idea of coming to service to hear the rest of the series, but the bigger part of me knew that I HAD to. A new Christian group called “Rush of Fools” has a song out right now called UNDO that every time I hear it, I think of the beatitudes. This sermon series is easily the most impactful emotionally and spiritually that I have ever heard Pastor Dave preach in the 16 years that I have been attending Bethel. And Dave never has “bad” sermons. I thank God and Pastor Dave for this series because of the significant paradigm shift that I have experienced due to it. I hope that Dave goes past the beatitudes into the “what next” part (Salt & Light)! I don’t think that we will ever fully grasp the enormity of what Jesus did for us in coming to be with us, show us God in the flesh, show us how God sees us (from more than just one angle) and finally the enormity of the sacrifice that He offered due to my/our trash!