Invest and Invite – Easter 2010

Over the past 3 weeks we have been discussing the aspect of living on purpose. The fact is God created you for more than you are currently living for. He created you for a purpose; the purpose of reaching others for HIS kingdom. For Easter we have asked that everyone invite 3 people to the Sunday service. Maybe you are thinking, “I can’t do that”. YES, you can. God has designed you specifically for this time and purpose. I want you to read some interesting facts I found out about living the evangelistic purpose.

DID YOU KNOW: Building relationships in a Christian community is a strong motivator for coming to church. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed want to “be around those with similar values” and 31 percent would consider returning to church “to make friends.” Finally, a similar number would return “to make a difference/help others” (30 percent) in their community.

1. Over half of Americans say they would visit a church if they receive a personal invitation from a family member, friend or neighbor.

2. The latest LifeWay Research survey found that people are most willing to hear about a local congregation through a family member (63 percent) and through a friend or neighbor from the church (56 percent)

3. According to one survey, 48 percent of Americans are willing to receive information about a local congregation through an informative ad in the newspaper, 46 percent are willing through an outdoor sign or billboard, and 45 percent are willing through letters mailed to the home.

All this news should be great motivation to invite people for Easter. The bible says “God has set eternity in the hearts of men”. God is already doing the work for us. We just have to capitalize on His leading.

One way you can invite people is by using our website and the Invite a Friend page to invite a friend by email. You can check it out here.

I will see you THIS SUNDAY for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT…

Sincerely,
Rob

P.S. – I have included a funny video below on how NOT to invite people to church. Enjoy!

Who, Me? YES, YOU!

In the first part of our message series WHO, ME ? Prepared, Empowered, and Improved (Listen here),we discussed the topic on living on purpose. God has bigger plans for us than we can ever imagine. The foundation of a GOD idea is the what, and the reality is the how. Here is the point: God ideas always come with a what but never come with a how.

On March 28 we are going to be unveiling the BIGGEST announcement in the history of Clearview Church. This is a vision that takes faith, purpose, dedication, and commitment. We as the people of the church are going to have to start living more on purpose, vision, and faith than we are on our own understanding. The time is here! God has given us the vision of what but we are asking him to show us the how. I’m ready, are you?

Our vision for Clearview Church is to REACH communities and INTRODUCE people to Jesus Christ AND WE NEED YOU TO BE A PART. Easter Sunday is only 3 weeks away! Did you know that more people attend church on Easter Sunday than any other time of the year? I am asking you to invite 3 people to our Easter service on Sunday, April 4.

NOTE: Click here to invite a friend by email.

Over the next 3 weeks I will be providing motivation to help us invite others to Easter Sunday. Let’s get ready to reach our community.

Below are some interesting facts I saw recently.

DID YOU KNOW: Building relationships in a Christian community is a strong motivator for coming to church. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed want to “be around those with similar values” and 31 percent would consider returning to church “to make friends.” Finally, a similar number would return “to make a difference/help others” (30 percent) in their community.

Recently I found some statistics about Americans and invitations to church. Take a close look at #1 and let this motivate us all to invite people to Clearview on Easter Sunday, April 4.

1. Over half of Americans say they would visit a church if they receive a personal invitation from a family member, friend or neighbor.

2. The latest LifeWay Research survey found that people are most willing to hear about a local congregation through a family member (63 percent) and through a friend or neighbor from the church (56 percent)

3. According to one survey, 48 percent of Americans are willing to receive information about a local congregation through an informative ad in the newspaper, 46 percent are willing through an outdoor sign or billboard, and 45 percent are willing through letters mailed to the home.

10 Things to Believe About Your Spouse

Yesterday, in LOVE IS A VERB – Multiple Choice Marriage, I talked about there being a gap in every relationship. HERE IS A FACT: In EVERY relationship there is a gap between what we expect and what actually happens. Our question of the day was this; What are you going to put in that gap? You can either choose to believe the best or assume the worst about the other person. We all have to learn to be aware of the gap and go positive instead of going negative in our minds.

In the beginning of yesterdays message I talked about this big sign that hangs above my desk in our offices. It’s a mandate on the 10 Choices a Leader Needs to Make About His Staff. I want to share them with you right now, but after every decision I need to make about my staff, I want to rewrite it as if it were written for spouses. Would you please take time to read those with me. If you would like a copy, please just post a comment and I will get you these 10 mandates ASAP.

10 Choices a Leader Needs to Make About His Staff
10 Choices a Person Needs to Make About Their Spouse

Leader #1 – Choose to believe the best about the people on your team rather than always assuming the worst about them.
Spouse #1 – Choose to believe the best about your spouse rather than always assuming the worst about them.

Leader #2 – Choose to trust them to make decisions that matter without having to run every minor detail by your for your approval.
Spouse #2 – Choose to trust them to make decisions that matter without having to run every minor detail by your for your approval.

Leader #3 – Choose to believe that when they ask particular questions that they aren’t being disloyal but rather seeking clarification.
Spouse #3 – Choose to believe that when they ask particular questions that they aren’t trying to be difficult but rather seeking an opinion.

Leader #4 – Choose to believe that they really do love the church and want to see it thrive.
Spouse #4 – Choose to believe that they really do love you and want to help you.

Leader #5 – Choose to lead through inspiration and revelation–NOT intimidation, humiliation, condemnation and manipulation.
Spouse #5 – Choose to lead through love, inspiration and revelation–NOT intimidation, humiliation, condemnation and manipulation

Leader #6 – Choose to listen to them before making a decision that will directly impact them.
Spouse #6 – Choose to ask them listen to them before making a decision that will directly impact them.

Leader #7 – Choose to value them as a human being and NOT just a person who can perform a task.
Spouse #7 – Choose to value them above every human being and NOT just a roommate, helpmate, or sleepdate.

Leader #8 – Choose to take a few extra minutes to coach them through the “why” of a particular decision so that they are equipped/empowered to make the decision on their own the next time.
Spouse #8 – Choose to take a few extra minutes to help them make decisions so that you can agree as a couple.

Leader #9 – Choose to allow them to present the solution to the problem they are telling you about.  (A great leader will always have a solution to whatever problem they are bringing to your attention)
Spouse #9 – Choose to allow them to present the solution to the problem they are telling you about.

Leader #10 – Choose to point out all of the things they are doing well instead of just focusing on the areas they are messing up.
Spouse #10 – Choose to point out all of the things they are doing well instead of just focusing on the areas they are messing up.

Thought of the Day: Always believe the best and give others the benefit of the doubt. Make LOVE A VERB!!!

Love from the Husband – Charles Spurgeon

This week on LOVE IS A VERB we are tackling the issue of submission inside of a marriage. The Bible would put it this way in Philippians 2:3 – “Treat others as better than yourselves.” I think that is a great lesson for all of us and especially us husbands. I read an article recently by the great church theologian Charles Spurgeon. It’s short but very important for all of us to understand, especially husbands. Here it goes…

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church.” — Ephesians 5:25

What a golden example Christ gives to His disciples! Few masters could venture to say, “If you would practice my teaching, imitate my life;” but as the life of Jesus is the exact transcript of perfect virtue, He can point to Himself as the paragon of holiness, as well as the teacher of it. The Christian should take nothing short of Christ for his model. Under no circumstances ought we to be content unless we reflect the grace which was in Him. As a husband, the Christian is to look upon the portrait of Christ Jesus, and he is to paint according to that copy. The true Christian is to be such a husband as Christ was to His church. The love of a husband is special. The Lord Jesus cherishes for the church a peculiar affection, which is set upon her above the rest of mankind: “I pray for them, I pray not for the world.” The elect church is the favourite of heaven, the treasure of Christ, the crown of His head, the bracelet of His arm, the breastplate of His heart, the very centre and core of His love. A husband should love his wife with a constant love, for thus Jesus loves His church. He does not vary in His affection. He may change in His display of affection, but the affection itself is still the same. A husband should love his wife with an enduring love, for nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A true husband loves his wife with a hearty love, fervent and intense. It is not mere lip-service. Ah! beloved, what more could Christ have done in proof of His love than He has done? Jesus has a delighted love towards His spouse: He prizes her affection, and delights in her with sweet complacence. Believer, you wonder at Jesus’ love; you admire it—are you imitating it? In your domestic relationships is the rule and measure of your love—“even as Christ loved the church”?