Missionaries for CLC
I had a little fun yesterday in both services, using some plastic balls and wire trash cans to illustrate the fact that we need some CLC 'missionaries' who will commit to worship here on SATURDAY for the next 6 months, in order to free up much-needed parking spaces and chairs on Sundays for new folks and unchurched people who haven't been able to get on the property lately.
I felt pretty dumb when we learned recently (as a staff) that we miscalculated our parking needs when building back in 2001, and as a result, at least until we expand the parking lot in some way (that's another story - we're working on it and we need your prayers for favor), we will never be able to fully maximize the building - because if people can't park, they can't attend. For instance, we had (by actual count) over 850 people in the building last Sunday at the 11:15am service when Bishop Tudor Bismark was here, but we can only provide parking on campus for about 600! That means, if we had ample parking, we could grow to more than 2,000 in attendance in our 3 services, whereas we've been bumping our heads against a 1,200 ceiling for the past 3 years because people couldn't get into the parking lot at the later Sunday service!
So the simplest solution until we expand the parking lot is to try to 'balance' the attendance at our 3 weekend services and the best way to do that is to get some committed CLCers from the 2 fairly-full Sunday services to instead attend the Saturday night service. That will enable guests and unchurched folks (who almost always visit the later Sunday service) to find a parking space and a chair, where they can receive from the Lord - which makes all those wonderful CLCers who unselfishly gave up their preferred attendance time a genuine missionary!
If you already volunteered yesterday, THANK YOU! If you agreed to consider the change, I'm PRAYING for YOU! And if you're just reading about this for the first time, won't you join those brave folks who will worship on Saturdays for the next 6 months in order to help others receive from the Lord? (Who knows, you might discover you enjoy having all-day Sunday for yourself!)
We'll be offering Youth ministry for our Fusion and Consumed students on Thursday nights beginning in September, so you won't be forced to choose between what's best for your kids and what's best for reaching others. Meanwhile, keep praying for us as we seek a more permanent solution. Chris and I love you and we're excited about our future together!
I felt pretty dumb when we learned recently (as a staff) that we miscalculated our parking needs when building back in 2001, and as a result, at least until we expand the parking lot in some way (that's another story - we're working on it and we need your prayers for favor), we will never be able to fully maximize the building - because if people can't park, they can't attend. For instance, we had (by actual count) over 850 people in the building last Sunday at the 11:15am service when Bishop Tudor Bismark was here, but we can only provide parking on campus for about 600! That means, if we had ample parking, we could grow to more than 2,000 in attendance in our 3 services, whereas we've been bumping our heads against a 1,200 ceiling for the past 3 years because people couldn't get into the parking lot at the later Sunday service!
So the simplest solution until we expand the parking lot is to try to 'balance' the attendance at our 3 weekend services and the best way to do that is to get some committed CLCers from the 2 fairly-full Sunday services to instead attend the Saturday night service. That will enable guests and unchurched folks (who almost always visit the later Sunday service) to find a parking space and a chair, where they can receive from the Lord - which makes all those wonderful CLCers who unselfishly gave up their preferred attendance time a genuine missionary!
If you already volunteered yesterday, THANK YOU! If you agreed to consider the change, I'm PRAYING for YOU! And if you're just reading about this for the first time, won't you join those brave folks who will worship on Saturdays for the next 6 months in order to help others receive from the Lord? (Who knows, you might discover you enjoy having all-day Sunday for yourself!)
We'll be offering Youth ministry for our Fusion and Consumed students on Thursday nights beginning in September, so you won't be forced to choose between what's best for your kids and what's best for reaching others. Meanwhile, keep praying for us as we seek a more permanent solution. Chris and I love you and we're excited about our future together!
posted by Pastor Jerry McQuay at 9:11 AM
1 Comments:
Pastor Jerry,
Just read your blog. It won't be easy to stay away on Sundays but I'll make every effort to come on Saturday night for service these next six months. The problem there is the Saturdays I have come have only made me return for more on Sunday. Maybe you shouldn't be such a great teacher. :-) So if you see me on a Sunday morning during this period you'll know I got a ride with someone--car pool for church.
Maureen
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