So, if you haven’t found a place to attend church regularly,  or, you’ve just moved into the area, we’d love for you to visit Emmaus.  There are lots of great churches in the area (trust me, there are…they can offer a lot more than we can), but maybe Emmaus might be what you’re looking for!

Just a heads-up–we have a newcomer’s dinner once a month at my home….it’s a chance to get to know me and my family, plus, it’s a sweet opportunity to hear about how we started, where we are, and where we’re going as a church!  Also, it’s a great environment to ask a few questions!

The second reason it’s a bug deal is because I am learning to fail well and God knows it! Unleashing people into their areas of passion is so much more fun than trying to control people and micromanage. And the more we try to control, the less effective we become!

I could talk like I’ve turned the corner, but I’d confess I’m human. But I’m learning, as a pastor, to fail well.

As I think about our new church, I am convinced that it is more about the kingdom of God than it is growing big. It’s easy to idolize the church rather than participate in the kingdom that God is building. God is so much more concerned about what happens outside the 4 walls of our church than what is going on inside. It’s so much more than coming to church and getting fed.

Jeff told a story about a poor mother in Russia who said to a group of Christians delivering Bibles to her village, “my daughter cannot eat Bibles.”

Let Emmaus be about people, not concepts. Let Emmaus be about serving, not being served. Let us be more about the kingdom–let Jesus build his church. It’s about bringing life out from the church, and into culture.
Besides, how many miracles took place IN the temple?

I think women win by fearing God and by being themselves. When a woman fears God, they embrace and trust God for all that they have need of. Their security comes from knowing their identity in Christ. This makes them strong, inspirational, and attractive on many levels.

This kind of woman is to be praised! Take time to compliment a woman today and praise her for who she is!

What I find facinating, as I sit here at a Starbucks, is that our target audience is people just like me. But, what does “just like me” mean? My height? Weight? Age? Marital status? My religious beliefs? Interests? Or can they be more than that? Can they be life experiences, struggles, passions, questions, and pursuits? I think they can be.

So, for all the people who aren’t sure they belong, who are broken, who never feel like you fit in….you belong here. Why? Because Jesus didn’t come for the healthy, but the tweaked. And if we’re honest, we’re all a little tweaked.

The risk I take in sharing a couple of these stories is that people will think how great we are (or worse, how great I think we are).  But, make no mistake about it…it’s about Jesus.  I got a chance to reconnect with a friend who hasn’t gone to church in years.  She said she, “I’m ready to begin anew.”  Another said, “We’ll be back…this is exactly what we’ve been looking for.”  Another said, “our kids loved AdventureLand!  They memorized a Bible verse!”  Yet another said, “Next week we’re gonna bring our family with us.” 

Let’s not beat around the bush here…the REAL reason why people are excited about Emmaus is because of God.  He is there.  He is there drawing people to himself.  That’s it.  We can’t manufacture, produce, or manipulate God’s presence there. 

This is what I want Emmaus to be known for…that we are place where people can find God.  People can belong at Emmaus no matter where they’re at in their spiritual journey. 

This Sunday is “Rubber Hits the Road” Sunday.  Hope to see ya there!

So, since Emmaus is about you, and not about us, then you should come check us out this Sunday!

Jesus was an influential person.  Paul was an influential person.  But when we think about Timothy, Paul’s on-the-job intern, we see an unsure, timid, and apprehensive leader.  Sure, he was only about 18, but, being 18 about 2000 years ago when the life expectancey was about 35-40 was middle aged back then! 

Whether you are timid or bold, talkative or reserved, shy or borderline obnoxious (like me), you are influential!  As Christians, letting our light shine in our culture has less to do with me as a pastor than it does you who live out your day to day lives where the rubber hits the road. 

The ultimate question is are you intentional about your influence?  Do you know how people experience you?  Do you comprehend what’s at stake?  How you live is imp0rtant. 

I have come to understand this: most of the people around you would rather watch a great sermon than hear one.  The one you preach is the only one they may hear today, this week, this month, or this year….or ever.