weekend report

Pastor Wendell led us this weekend.  He has a tough job, he manages our budget and he teaches us personally how to manage a budget and he teaches us about God's budget.

We always get complaints when there is a teaching about money.  People think it's theirs.  They are very deceived .  Maybe that's where the saying "the truth hurts" came from?  I was very challenged.

Yes, I already give but look how much I still have...can I justify that before the Lord?  Will He say "Well done good and faithful servant"?  Or will He say  - "wow, you had a lot"?  Challenging.

I am proud to be part of a ministry that tells the truth and challenges us, otherwise, why bother coming? Worship was especially sweet this weekend and I totally believe it's because we were obedient as a ministry - even if some people complain.  We aren't called to proclaim the truth and we did.

Our setlist:

I Will Boast - Baloche
Alive In You - Hillsong
Pastoral Prayer - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Praise the Father, Praise the Son - Tomlin
Stronger - Hillsong
The Whole Earth - Gateway
Message:  Devoted - Wendell Anderson

To watch our services on line go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

dreaming differently

"Dream as if you were not limited by money"...so was the charge we recently received as Director's facing the task of budgeting for 2011. Even the word budgeting suggests limitations. So how much dreaming should we do? Will it be discouraging if our dreams are not realized?

Actually, our dreams are seldom realized - but, that shouldn't stop us! If their were no dreamers nothing would ever change. The new would soon become old and 'good enough' would be our mantra.

Dreamers imagine what could be, what would be inspiring to others and often come closer to what we really need than the logical people that constantly aim them back toward reality.

So tonight I dreamed of what could be - after all our God is certainly capable of the unimaginable and I would guess enjoys the creativity and longing of the dreamers. And...in the midst of dreaming I pray for His guidance and for only His will in all that might be in 2011!

budget time again

My least favorite time of the year...I have to attend my first go 'round of budgeting tomorrow. This has a tendency to make me not look forward to work!

It is going to be a tough year again. This makes things difficult. But, it is a great opportunity to once again be creative in our planning.

How do you face things you don't enjoy? If you are in any area of leadership, you realize there are many tough things we must do that are not enjoyable! I guess it's an opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership...to encourage the teams, to get really creative in order to continue to raise the bar on excellence - even if it means another year of really worn out equipment.

I take this time of the year very seriously and know my responsibility to follow God's direction for our ministry requires me to prepare well, try not to leave out any details and look forward to the new year determined to move the mission forward! A big responsibility that can translate into many lives changed for eternity! What a privilege!