I am so excited about what is happening at The Gathering. You are stepping up to the challenge this year by reaching beyond yourself to be a blessing to people you will never know. Rather than allow God’s blessings to terminate on yourself, you are determining to be a channel of blessing to the world….
Category: Church
Amazed
I have to take a minute to say how thankful and proud I am for The Gathering. The more I think about what Scripture says the Church is supposed to be, the more I see The Gathering becoming that. That word “becoming” is so important as we must remember we’ll never arrive this side of…
On Mission
The report yesterday on the mission day in Atlanta was awesome. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for The Gathering. So many important doors are being opened and it’s incredible to watch our people excited about walking through them. On Saturday, we had 7 people join with a great team from Birchwood Baptist…
Hypocrisy
The charge of hypocrisy is the one I most often hear levied against the Church and used as an excuse by those who want no part of it. “I don’t want to hang out with a bunch of hypocrites” This is often the claim made by those who fail to realize that that statement is…
Real Community
I’ve been thinking about the real purpose of church and what we’re supposed to be about. Ultimately, of course, it’s to glorify Christ by making disciples (Matt. 28:19-20), but how do we do that together…as a church; a family? Hebrews 10:24-25 came to mind: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to…
Good Interview on Small Churches: Paul Cunningham
UPDATE 3/25/10 – For some reason, the creators of this promotional video have chosen to no longer promote and marked the video as private. Sorry if you didn’t see it as it really was a good and important interview. Guess I’m definitely not going to the conference now. I don’t know that I’m going to…
The Warehouse
I’m looking forward to The Warehouse this Friday night at The Gathering. A couple of local bands will be leading worship along with our own Worship Project Band from The Gathering and I will be giving a talk for about ten or fifteen minutes on significance. If you live in or near Chattanooga, you definitely…
A Rant.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the state of The Gathering and where we’re going and how we will get there. I am incredibly encouraged by the spirit of the people who currently make up this Body and the excitement that is present about our future. There is a focus on the Mission here that…
The Gathering Fan Page
Just want to give a heads up that we have created a Fan Page for The Gathering. It’s a great way to stay abreast of all that is going on at The Gathering. Our main web page will always be available, but along with Twitter, Facebook is a great way to get “up-to-the-minute” updates and…
Church, 7 Days a Week
Love this video. Don’t know where this church is, but if they’re also preaching the Gospel like they seem to be living it, they’ve got it going on. This needs to become the goal of The Gathering (and every other New Testament church for that matter).
The Gathering…in a year.
I had someone ask me this week where I hope The Gathering will be in a year. It didn’t take me long to come up with a few things I hope to see this church being in the coming year: 1. Strong disciples. That is something every church intends to accomplish, but few actually do….
What Does Organic Church Really Look Like, Anyway?
Thinking a lot about church lately. Yeah, I know – it’s my job. But I’m thinking more in terms of reformation and growth. You know, what we’re really supposed to be…and be about. At our church, we’re in a place where we’re re-thinking how things are done – What’s important. What’s NOT important. I find…
My Enemy is NOT My Brother
In this battle, I must be keenly aware of the tactics and make sure I can identify the nature and strategy of my enemy and attack HIM and not engage in “friendly fire.” I must humble myself and realize that I can so easily put rounds in the barrel and the cross-hairs on my friends…and I’m not afraid to pull the trigger.
Something’s Stirring at The Gathering
I’m not exactly sure what it is yet, but I get a strong sense that God is beginning to move within The Gathering, which could result in a revival, an awakening, and a growth spirt like we’ve never experienced before.
Dr. Alvin Reid on The Cost of a Great Commission Resurgence
I came across this exceptional article by Dr. Alvin Reid of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, titled Do We Really Want to Pray for Revival? The Cost of a Great Commission Resurgence. If you care anything about the Church (the organism, not the institution), please take the time to read this insightful and challenging article.
Perserverance
I always love when God begins to do something special; when He begins to move among His people and take them to new levels. I love it…and I hate it. Well, I don’t really hate it, of course, but I don’t enjoy what inevitably comes. Attack! It seems that every time God begins to do…
Let’s go interactive! The Gathering on Twitter.
You now have the opportunity to get up-to-the-minute updates on what is going on at The Gathering as well as interact with those who are following. Prayer requests, reminders, and announcements will be posted regularly. Just one more way we’re building community at The Gathering. Get a free twitter account and start following. http://twitter.com/thegatheringmbc
Ridiculously Blessed
I am continuing a series on the Lord’s Prayer called “GodTalk.” It’s been interesting to slow down and really look at what Jesus was telling us to do in that short prayer. Yesterday, we looked at the phrase, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We’ll take that in two parts with the topic yesterday focusing on both the source of our provision and what we are to do with it once we have it. [Read more]
Catalyst Conference, Day 1
I really don’t know that I can adequately put into words all that I’ve experienced today. After a very challenging day getting down here and actually getting to the conference, I understood why things prior to the conference would come with such difficulty: God had some radical things to teach me that could make an…
The Gathering Storm
Yesterday was a great day worshiping at thegathering. Music was spectacular and I enjoyed bringing a challenge for us to become “The Gathering Storm,” taking on injustice, hopelessness and meaningless in Chattanooga. I am encouraged by the spirit of those who make up thegathering and looking forward to how God pulls us into becoming difference-makers…
Going for Gold
As the Olympic Games get set to begin in the next couple of weeks, our church has a special connection. Our own Joe Smith will be serving as the Team Manager for the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Please pray for Joe, not only in regards to safety and success, but so that Joe’s desire to…