August 10, 2007
Dear Resurrection Family,
I'm writing this e-mail from our Sanctuary where I and 375 Resurrection members and staff are joined by 400 pastors and leaders from other churches at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. We've heard from some terrific leaders, and experts in the field of leadership. It is a blessing to simply receive from others and to sit and listen. So far we've heard from Bill Hybels, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, Floyd Flake, a pastor in New York and former Congressman, Marcus Buckingham, author of First Break All the Rules, and a number of other books, Harvard business professor Michael Porter, and Colin Powell. This afternoon we'll hear from pastor and author John Ortberg and then from filmmaker Richard Curtis. Tonight I'll meet with Resurrection attendees to talk about what we've learned so far, and what it might mean for our church in the future.
This weekend I'll complete my time away from worship to finish a book that I've been working on for the last year. The book is titled, Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Politics, and Morality. It will be released in March of next year and I hope it will be helpful to a wide swath of Christians who find that they don't fit on the religious right or the religious left, who notice the world is not always black and white. Last year the Pew Foundation conducted a nationwide survey of over 2,000 Christians - and the survey found that an increasing number of American Christians were looking for a middle way between the two sides in America's culture wars. I think our church has represented one take on that middle way for 17 years. I'll share with you more about the book as its release draws closer.
I only have a couple of things to share with you in this week's e-mail:
1. This Weekend in Worship: Don't Miss This!
2. Urgent Need for Children's Sunday School Teachers
3. Get Ready for The Voyage!
1. This Weekend in Worship: Don't Miss This!
This weekend in worship you are in for a treat. My friend Jessica Seay will be our preacher, and Regi Stone will provide the special music. Jessica is a great preacher and leader and her leadership is recognized across the denomination. She pastors First United Methodist Church of Bixby, Oklahoma, a suburb of Tulsa and the church where I served as youth pastor in 1985 - my first ministry job. Regi Stone is a Christian recording artist and minister of music. His focus is hope - the hope we have in Christ - and how people who've struggled a bit can find hope. You'll be blessed this weekend in worship.
2. Urgent Need for Children's Sunday School Teachers!
Fall Programming begins August 19 and we are currently unable to open classrooms in some areas due to a shortage of volunteer teachers. There are no qualifications necessary, other than having a heart to love God and enjoy working with children. We train and equip you with all of the resources you need. We are looking for approximately 75 more people and have openings in classes of all ages. Areas of greatest need include our 10:45 Sunday school hour and also on Saturday and Sunday evening. Please don't assume someone else will do it. We need YOU! If you can help, or just need more information before deciding, please contact Teri Chalker at teri.chalker@cor.org or call her 913-544-0723
3. Get Ready for The Voyage!
This weekend in worship you'll see the video promo for the upcoming sermons that begin a week for this Saturday/Sunday called, The Voyage. I am really excited, and chomping at the bit, to share with you these messages. This will be a fun, inspiring and motivational look at the spiritual life, and a chance to think together about how we move beyond shallow and superficial spirituality to a depth of faith and Christian life that God longs for from us. I want to encourage every one of you to be here for the first sermon in the series - August 18/19 - it may be one of the most important messages for you and your spiritual life, and for our church, all year.
Well, that's a quick look at what's coming up. I'll have more to share when I'm back in the office!
Blessings!
Adam