The Grace Middletown Moment: Recent Episodes
Jeff Harrison
Lots happening in March! Here are the big rocks:
1. ESSENTIALS: Begins March 2 @ 8:30
2. Financial Peace University: March 3
3. Leadership Meeting: March 13, 6:30pm
4. SERVICE TIMES CHANGE! March 16th. [New service times--9:30 and 11:00]
5. Volunteer Fair: March 16th
6. Volunteer Appreciation Event: March 23
Parking Lot:
* Let's clean the toilet and...
* Let's love the hill!
In this episode Pastor Jeff reminds us of the mission and how to stay focused on the mission. In order to really demonstrate what this looks like in real time, a story regarding a recent encounter at the campus was shared.
Announcements:
1. Night to Shine this weekend!! Let's Go!!!!
2. Men's Breakfast this Saturday morning.
3. Financial Peace University is still open for registration!
Takeaways:
1. Park as far from the building as you're physically able
2. Look for people you don't know...look for people standing or sitting by themselves. Introduce yourself!
3. Wear your new green "Here to Serve" shirt when serving as often as possible.
4. Hyper/Full Preterism = Heresy. See: 2 Timothy 2:17-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.
In this first episode of Season 3, I sat down with Pastor Mike Evans for a few reasons:
1.) Introduce Pastor Mike Evans to our campus!
2.) Discuss our new format for season 3
3.) Have a great conversation around an often misunderstood subject.
Be sure to like, review, and share!
In this episode I sit down with Laura Schock, the Worship Director at the Middletown campus to discuss our next Team Value: Take it on the Chin. I heard someone say recently, "When you need to learn quickly, learn from others.When you need to learn deeply, learn from experience.” After discussing key concepts like: feedback, criticism, and blindspots in this episode you’ll get a small taste of how to grow quickly and deeply.
Dates to make sure are on your calendar:
1. As you connect with those who are new to the campus please be sure to invite them to our next Welcome to Grace experience on the 29th of this month (after each service, wear your favorite team’s jersey, or your favorite team’s shirt).
2. Reminder to you ministry team leaders/co-leaders that we’ll be having our next Leaders Gathering on Monday, Jan 30th @ 7pm at Middletown Campus
3. Our Semi-Annual Business Meeting is happening on Sunday, February 5th in Washingtonville at 6:00pm.
Key takeaways from the episode:
* Our responses to change will always be caught more than taught.
* Change is evitable...our response to change is up to us.
* Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
* "Clutch and shift!"
8th value: Protect this House. I know what you're thinking, "Isn't this an Under Armour slogan?" Maybe...but it's so much more than that! Our 8th value speaks to all things communication, triangulation, and playing the role of a peacemaker.
Are you guilty? ...Is this a habit? ...What's your next step if you've let your guard down in regards to this subject?
Something is coming: three exciting and intentional updates as to how we do ministry and discipleship at our campus. Listen in for more details!
What does building an army have to do with developing as a leader? Is it possible that the answer to the question is found by looking at our own personal development? In this episode of the Middletown Moment I sat down with John Terpstra to discuss that possibility and consider what is actually at stake when we refuse to "build" an army.
As a servant leader, how's your attitude and is your attitude worth catching? In this month's episode we discuss how to spot and handle attitude problems on your team.
Key Announcements/Dates:
-Safety/Active Shooter Training....March 19th (this Saturday). Register ASAP
-April 9th....Campus Cleanup
-April 10th...Palm Sunday Potluck lunch
-April 17th...Easter Sunday! (National Give up Your Seat in the Worship Center for Guests Day)
-April 23rd...Women's Breakfast
-April 24th...Baptisms!
Be sure to subscribe to podcast to receive new episodes!
Listen in on the conversation between Tyler Collins, Branden Brown, and Pastor Jeff Harrison as we discuss week 2 of the sermon series "Lion Heart".
Other resources:
Grace OC Podcast/ Binge Mode
YouVersion Bible App
Abide Bible App
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Show Notes:
Team Value: Play Motion Offense
In basketball, motion offense is a fluid approach where the players are always moving and always aware of where each other are. It only works if the team is in tune maintaining complete awareness. We want our team to be anticipating each other’s moves and needs even before they happen. We will fight against silos and work to complement what other team members are doing.
Books:
1.) All In by Mark Batterson
2.) Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby
Three Questions to Consider:
1.) Before the crisis, what would you have said is essential?
2.) During the crisis, what have you done without?
3.) After the crisis, what do you need to leave behind?
Scripture references:
* 1 Kings 19:19-21
Grace OC Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209815500101783/
In this episode Pastor Jeff talk about GCC value #4-- Love the Hills, and shares pertinent directional information for Team leaders.
1.) 2 Timothy 1:7
2.) Middletown Campus is closed. Includes any & all groups, classes, etc that meet on site until March 28th
3.) Lead a group off-site? Consider other options: Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc.
4.) The next 14/15 days can be the finest 14/15 days ever for our campus!
5.) Let's think innovatively...creatively...blaze a trail!
6.) Stay tuned for weekend digital experience links and info...SHARE SHARE SHARE as soon as this information becomes available.
7.) Share website: graceoc.com/COVID with anyone needing further information or assistance.
8.) Read Psalm 91
Important dates:
1.) Friday, February 28th from 7pm-11pm will be a Grace-wide prayer night at all of our locations. Including in MTW, I look forward to seeing you then!
2.) Monday, March 30th at 7pm is our next Grace-wide quarterly leaders gathering in WASHINGTONVILLE
3.) Our next New to Grace experience will be a breakfast on March 15th from 8:15-9:15
Value 2: Sharpen the saw
An adage says, “Time spent sharpening the axe may well be spared from swinging it.” The mission of Grace is a massive undertaking. If we want to be effective for the long haul, we need to ensure that we are the most effective tools we can be. We must maintain our health spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This also includes the idea that we must constantly be learning and growing to continue increasing our effectiveness over time.
BOOKS:
Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby (https://tinyurl.com/exp-God)
Small Groups with Purpose by Steve gladen (https://tinyurl.com/sm-grps-prps)
Leading Small groups with Purpose by Steve Gladen (https://tinyurl.com/ldng-sm-grps-prps)
Lead by Joel Comiskey (https://tinyurl.com/lead-j-com)
8 Habits of Effective Small Group Leaders by Dave Early (https://tinyurl.com/8-habits-eff-sm-grp)
Emergency Response Handbook by Groups (https://tinyurl.com/em-resp-handbk)
Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (https://tinyurl.com/vines-complete-exp)
Steal the Show by Michael port (Public speaking) (https://tinyurl.com/steal-show)
Failing Forward by John Maxwell (https://tinyurl.com/fail-4ward)
Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be by Leroy Eims (https://tinyurl.com/be-leader-meant)
What’s Your Story Icebreaker Questions for Small Groups by Cheryl Shireman (https://tinyurl.com/what-u-story)
BIBLE REFERENCE:
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Walvoord and Zuck Bible Dictionary (https://tinyurl.com/bible-know-comm)
How to Get Into the Bible Stephen miller (overview of the Bible) (https://tinyurl.com/how-get-into-bible)
The One Year Chronological Bible (https://tinyurl.com/chronic-bible)
Then & Now Bible Maps by Rose Publishing (https://tinyurl.com/then-now-maps)
APPS/Websites:
ReadScripture (synopsis videos with drawn illustrations and voice over and general Scripture)
Strong’s Concordance
Blue letter Bible (BLB) (view side by side Bible translations)
Verses (memorize scripture)
Bible Memory (memorize scripture)
Bible Gateway (Read, listen to Scripture. plans)
YouVersion (Read Scripture and Bible reading plans)
gotquestions.org
Listen in on my conversation with Josh Marcolina as we talk about all things worship...and about CLEANING THE TOILET. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear Josh's heart and background.
Team Leaders keep in mind that we want our teams to produce:
1.)Health––strive to help those on your team be free of anything that may hinder their growth. That could include relational, life, or sin issues. Are you aware of the general life situations of your team members? Are you praying for them often?
2.)Growth--ultimately we want those who are a part of your team to take their next steps of spiritual growth. How can you help them know Jesus more, grow in obedience, and be on mission? Are you working to "give ministry away" this month? *What percentage of your time is spent on doing ministry as compared to developing others in ministry?
3.)Relationships--as a team leader be sure to help your team build connections, build trust, and share the responsibilities of your team. What opportunities has your team had to connect this month during and outside of the weekend? Are you providing space for your team members to hear how God is at work in each other's lives?
4.)Development--being a part of a team should help people sharpen their life, ministry, and leadership skills. Are you helping them develop those skills?
Questions about those four elements? Let's talk soon!
Also be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, February 13th @ 7:00 for our first ministry leaders gathering of 2020! It's going to be a great time, so please plan on being present and feel free to invite key leaders of your team!
Join us for the second episode of The Middletown Moment as we talk about the team value: Kneel before you run.
Important Reminders:
Communion--December 22
Christmas Eve services -- 5:00 & 7:30// be sure to park in the upper lot!
*Leaders Gathering -- January 6th, Washingtonville @ 7:00
Join Joan Grogan and I as we discuss our Team Value of LOL, all things parking lot team, and upcoming events in November
Upcoming Information:
1. Baptisms November 24th
2. New to Grace breakfast November 24th/ 8:15am-9:15am (Pastor Jeff's office)
3. Financial Peace University (FPU) Live Simulcast at Grace Middletown on November 20th at 6:45
4. Christmas Eve Service Times// 5:30, 7:00 Grace Kids Jr. ONLY