Weekend Reflections

It was a good weekend and I enjoy taking a moment to reflect.

1. Getting my family back.

Many of you endured my Cyber-moping last week while my girls were in Ocean City, MD. I missed them so much, but they came back to me on Friday. It was a good reunion, and we spent Saturday afternoon and evening together playing on the swings, trampoline, and coming home to get in bed. It was nice to be able to read together and pray on mommy's bed.

2. Small group on Friday.

The weekend started with a specially scheduled small group night. We had adjusted our group time because some of the group was away during the week. I shared my thoughts during our small group, and pretty much I felt that Friday night was not the best night to do a group meeting. The reason is because I was tired, and I think the others were too. Friday night is just such a time for relaxing and unwinding that it's hard to get "up" for discussion. We had some trouble with our DVD too, that didn't help.

3. 1200-1500 Challenge.

This week in my message I shared a glimpse into the future of SRC. About six months into starting this church I realized that we had already drifted away from the mission. Well, not drifted away so much as realized that we didn't really have direction on how to pursue it. I knew that it must be founded in the heart of serving our community. It must be acted out in the compassion of Christ. That's why we designed the Compassion Journey. It is a catalyst to create a reaction in our lives to the world around us. In November we'll begin a year long effort to know our community, and become known to our community. We will conduct between 1200-1500 face to face contacts in our area of the next year through surveys, interviews and focus groups. I'm really excited about an intentional way to know the people who God has called us to serve. And do you think 1200 contacts might change the face of SRC? I do. Get ready to volunteer, you'll get a free T-shirt.

4. A sense that God has a plan for us.

My final reflection of the weekend is a feeling that God has a plan for us. I preached on the Good Shepherd this week. And I genuinely felt like God was releasing us to lead our community. I think that we will change. I think there are changes for us on the horizon, but I have a strong sense of destiny. God is shaping and positioning us to be a significant church in the greater Annapolis area; making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey God's word.

Thanks,

--Ben