- We have room for EVERYONE! It doesn't matter what your past looks like or what kind of mess you're making of your present, we have a place for you. We are not perfect people and we don't expect you to be either. Today, there was a kid in my 10:00 Adventure Park service who ran to meet his Dad at the end of the service. One year ago, this Dad was struggling with substance abuse and wouldn't have greeted that sweet little person with the biggest bear hug known to man...but today, because of the influence of FPC, he did!
- Coffee. It isn't important to everyone, but it is to me! I'm so happy that Kate makes such great coffee and there is always a cup waiting for me when I show up. AND the rebellious side of me really wants to take it into the auditorium. I've tried every trick I know to slip in my bag but the guilt is always too much with the Pastor's Wife breaking the rules. Confession is good for me and it's the small things, like coffee, that make life great, right?!?!
- ECUADOR! Obviously, this list is in no random order because anyone who knows me knows I'm a missionary and that would be #1. For Scott and me, leading this amazing trip each Summer, has completely changed how we pastor, how we perceive and live life, even how we parent our own kids! It has been such an honor to see our children fall in love with a country that they heard about their entire lives and now to be able to travel there to love on our Ecuador family - INCREDIBLE! This year, we are taking our 10th trip to Ecuador with our FPC family. Some of you have been with us nearly all of those 10 years and how great it is to see Ecuador through the eyes of a 1st time missionary - LOVE IT! (July 9 - 17, 2011) wanna go ;o)
- Cindy Britt. This chica has revolutionized our Check-In process for kids, Birth through Age 5. For those of you who have kids that age, you know what I mean! We get you through that kiosk ASAP and get you into that very packed auditorium. As the Director of Children's Ministries at FPC, I couldn't do what I do without volunteers, like Cindy. She observed a need, found the solution, trained herself and her team and now we have a more efficient plan. As I was driving up today, I knew Cindy and her team were there and I wasn't worried about a thing. LOVE IT!
- Our Rocking Music! These guys work so hard to find music that is relevant for today's generation, rehearse like crazy, show up at 7:15 am on Sunday and stay through the end of the 3rd service, for one purpose - to lead YOU and ME in worship. I love them and I'm honored to sing alongside of them!
- Kids. I love KIDS! When we came to FPC 9 years ago to pastor this local church, my goal was to build a children's ministry where kids really wanted to be. A mom said to me this morning, "When we drove past FPC this week on the way to a basketball game, both of my boys pointed to the church and said THAT IS THE BEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD!" Thank you, Conner and Carter for the massive compliment and thank you to their Mom, Tara Stevenson, for sharing that with me - that one sentence made my heart smile, today!
- Our Messages. You may think that Scott shares everything with me BEFORE he shares is on Sunday but he rarely does. The only time he tells me what he is going to say is to ask my permission to say something about me - that could be very tricky! I am completely blown away that my husband, Pastor Scott Neal, consistently brings a fresh and God-touched word, each and every Sunday. I told my Dad this week that it seems like his brain would eventually run out of stuff to say but he never will. As long as he continues to share about the never-ending, all consuming love of Christ, there will always be something for him to share. He's cool - love him!
- YOU. You are why we do what we do. You are the reason how we do what we do. You are behind every heartbeat of what goes on at Forest Park Church on a Sunday morning. Our purpose for being here is to introduce you to the love of Christ in an environment where you don't feel condemned, ridiculed or rejected. Scripture never describes the behavior of Jesus in that manner and we REFUSE to do that to anyone. Once you encounter the love of Jesus, you'll change - everyone does. It is just who HE is!
Lana
No comments:
Post a Comment