Archive for July, 2018
Posted on July 26th, 2018 by Andy Johnson
Within the next two to three weeks, schools all around Middle Georgia will open their doors again to students. The beginning of the school year is a chance for new patterns, new relationships, and the formation of new and healthy habits. Let me highlight some opportunities that lie ahead and encourage you to include them in your planning.
Sunday, July 29 – Next Gen Preview Day – As part of our Church & Home strategy, this day allows children and students moving into a new...
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Posted on July 19th, 2018 by Andy Johnson
North America. South America. The Caribbean. Eastern Europe. South Asia.
No, I didn’t just tell you all of the “bucket list” places I’d like to visit. These are the “here, there, and everywhere” destinations we have sent mission teams to this summer. Nine trips in all, in fact. Perhaps you’ve prayed for some of these, seen pictures on social media, or partnered in some way with a participant.
I think it’s appropriate to thank the Lord for these opportunities to be a...
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Posted on July 12th, 2018 by Andy Johnson
One of the challenges that large churches face on a weekly basis is providing a welcoming atmosphere to guests. In a church like ours, where 2,000 or so people worship on a Sunday morning, it can be easy for a newcomer to be lost in the shuffle. Our goal as a church should be for guests to feel welcomed, comfortable, and clearly directed from the moment they enter our parking lots.
In a recent book by Lifeway President Thom Rainer, he lists ten factors related to a happy guest...
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Posted on July 5th, 2018 by Tim McCoy
In his ground-breaking book, The Purpose Driven Church (1995), Rick Warren recounts a study he made a few years ago of the 100 largest churches in the United States. He writes: “Although I discovered that large, growing churches differ widely in strategy, structure, and style, there were some common denominators. My study confirmed what I already knew . . . : Healthy, large churches are led by pastors who have been there a long time. I found dozens of examples. A long...
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