For the past five weeks we’ve been teaching (@MapleGrove) a series called Miracles. This week we used the illustration of Jesus’ first recorded miracle in the Bible – when Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding.

You can listen to the message here. (Week 5 – Water to Wine)

So the basic point of the message is this; if you want a miracle from God you have to do what God tells you to do.

• (Jesus) mother said to the servants, “Do whatever (Jesus) tells you.” John 2: 5

• …faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

• Because Jesus and the servants obeyed, a miracle happened.

• …I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:18

And of course, with all the doom and gloom about the economy right now, Pastor Gary can’t help but using the example of finances to illustrate the point. Do you want a miracle with your finances? Are you obeying God? Don’t tithe? If you want your finances to get better, tithe. Try it. The bible says “test me”.

And here’s where it get’s interesting… he’s heard about a church where they offer a money back guarantee. Sounds a little risky, doesn’t it?

Then, after thinking out loud “do I want to do that?” … he says “I have that faith” … “For the rest of the year, if you tithe, and God doesn’t bless you, I will personally give you your money back.” Not from the church, but from his own pocket!

I’ve heard of other churches that have done this, it’s not all that new, but I have yet to find one where the pastor has done it personally. Now that’s personal faith.

If you would like to give to MapleGrove Church, you can start the process here.

A year ago our average Sunday attendance was just over 100.  Now, we’re averaging 170.  We’ve already had three Sundays over 200 this year.  Our biggest Sunday last year was in the first two weeks of December (are we ready?).

Every week we hear a story about someone who has found the true, loving God through MapleGrove – one person recently shared that “MapleGrove is the first church I’ve ever been to that is more about what we CAN DO than what we CAN NOT.”

Kids @ MapleGrove are now experiencing their own praise and worship every week and have nearly doubled in attendance since spring.

Student LifeGroups are meeting weekly, and our monthly Catalyst event had over 65 people its’ first month, drawing students from all over Lapeer – many of whom have never been at MapleGrove before.

We got to be a part of baptizing 11 people in August.

Adult LifeGroups were started again in September and during the FIREPROOF series almost 70 people attended.  Many people’s marriages were touched by this message.  More to come on LifeGroups soon!

People are also getting to know each other better and meet each other’s needs directly on-line through Facebook.  There are over 75 people from MapleGrove using this great tool.

We just had our first Harvest Party, and are about to have our first Winterfest.  We plan to have these become annual, highly anticipated, events for our community.

The clinic continues to expand its services, and we continue to help meet the needs of the pregnancy center and the refuge.  Several new Compassion children have been sponsored by MapleGrove members.  …  Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. – Isiah 1:17

There is a growing buzz in Lapeer about Jesus @ MapleGrove.  This buzz creates a crowd just like it did when Jesus performed his first miracles (… they went out and spread the news about him throughout that region (Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)), and this growing crowd creates a couple issues;

Parking – our parking lot is in overflow mode.  We are having the grass area south and west of the south lot kept clear of snow, so that those of us with vehicles that can handle it can park on the grass there.  We are encouraging people we invite to park along the east side of the lane in front of the building in special “guest only” parking.

Seating – Many new people like to have the choice to slip into the back few rows their first several times here, so are asking team members to leave those rows open for our newest guests.

Thanks to all of you that have shared your time and talents with others through your work and service @ MapleGrove.

I thought it was a joke when I first heard it. On April 10 the top 8 contestants on American Idol sing “Shout To The Lord”. I have to say this is the best I have ever heard it done.

If you’re not sure how to use this in your church, I suggest reading “Pop Goes The Church” before you make any critical comments.

One of my new favorite restaurants is Red Robin. Not because of their Royal Red Robin Burger(R)…

“This is the aristocrat of all burgers because we crown it with a fresh fried egg. In addition, topped with three strips of hickory-smoked bacon, American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomatoes and mayo.”

… but because of their attitude about service.

Yes, Red Robin, you do “WOW” me. My 16 year old son thinks it’s because of the “World-Famous Bottomless(TM)” Steak Fries. Yea, they are great, but it’s more about the fact that you can’t run out before they are bringing you more.  The drinks are always full too.  And the general attitude they have towards “WOWing” you.

The graphic is from the front of their comment card.  Yes, their goal is to “WOW” you.  Why? Because they want you to come back for more.  They want you to tell your friends.  They know what this means for business.

When I talk to church leaders, I often get resistance when I use the term “WOW” associated with a church.  Sorry guys, but it’s not just a show.  It’s about wanting people to want to come back.  It’s about wanting people to tell their friends.  It’s not about the show.  It’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.

What do you do at your church that people can say “WOW” about?

This, my second year at Change Without Compromise, I really expected most of what I was going to hear would be review. Boy was I wrong. Brad Powell was able to drive home the need for change in the church without compromising the message in a new and engaging way that was totally different than last year.

Here are some of what I felt were his key overall points;

• You have to create your service for the people who aren’t there yet, without neglecting the people who are.
• The church isn’t the temple, the people are.
• Always create new and fresh opportunities for momentum -
  • do things different
  • do things memorable
  • do things fresh & creative or people will think God is boring and irrelevant.
• Accept short-term losses, for long term gains. (Lose the right people)

About Leaders:

• You have to have the right leaders
• Invest in leaders and building teams
  • get rid of wrong leaders
  • help your leaders understand the issues (what church is supposed to look like)
  • develope new positive leaders
• Build teams of positive influencers
• Expose the need for change

Jesus never did the same miracle the same way twice. Why do we “always” do it the same way?

The church must be:

holy – set apart

• nothing to do with culture
• everything to do with character

missional – sent into

• everything to do with culture

And I hear the 2009 conference will be HUGH!

And most people would agree. We can’t please everyone. But does that mean we shouldn’t try?

When Paul wrote to the Christians of Corinth, Greece he said “we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” He was talking about giving away his right (according to Jesus) to be paid well to preach the gospel, but wouldn’t this apply to our personal “rights” to do things the way we want to do them apply here too?

He goes on to say he “becomes all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” for the sake of the gospel. This meant following Jewish traditions to win the Jew, becoming week to win the week, following the law to win those that follow the law.

Today that might mean using popular music to reach the culture that listens to that music, learning about popular movies and TV shows to make your point with people that are into that culture, dressing, talking, and looking like the culture you are trying to reach.

Jesus told us [Colossians 4:6] to make our message “taste good” as food is “seasoned with salt” so that we make the most of every opportunity.

But what does our market like? What are their preferences? How do they talk? We should know.

I think this is the “training” Paul was talking about when he says “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” If that means dressing up to reach business people, then dress up. If that means dress down a bit when you work with homeless people, then dress down. Jesus could care less what you wear.

I’m not saying we should “sin” to win sinners, but when it comes to personal style, music preferences, design and art, there are many ways to look at what we do and test it against what the people our message is to would like.

What do you think?