A Vibe I'm Having

I haven't posted anything real reflective since the Worship God blogs. Partly because I've been on vacation, having several leadership meetings, and generally getting ready for the new ministry year that we kick of this Sunday.

But I have a breather here this afternoon, so I wanted to take the chance to share with you what I'm feeling. We are really in a groove right now. That seems odd perhaps for some of you because:

--You know that our kids ministry has doubled over the summer and we are in serious need of more kids team vols.

--You know that we have completely halted ministry expansion so that all of our energy can go into equipping and serving our current leaders better and developing new leaders well.

--We have rotated 3 elders off of our leadership in the past 4 months (None due to moral issues, all due to rest/personal issues)

--We are scraping the bottom of the barrell financially.

But I'm as encouraged with Crew as I have ever been. We're growing deep right now in so many areas that I want everyone to know of:

--Our leaders are starting to own their ministries. We've had several great conversations that resulted in renewed goals, objectives, and plans for the fall. These are beginning to be implemented so that the way we serve our city and Crew will be more effective and transforming.

--Our current leaders are excited about being developed theologically, biblically, strategically. We have kicked off a new system of developing healthy leaders at Crew that will equip our current leaders better and make sure new leaders are set up to be Christ centered servant leaders.

--New Christians are developing in their relationship with Jesus and unbelievers are becoming believers. Another baptism is coming soon.

--Our corporate gatherings are richly and powerfully reminding us of the cross of Christ and the response corporately has been amazing. The worship team is of the right mindset and posture as they serve us through leading music and song on Sundays.

--We are developing great relationships with United Way, City Hall, and key buisnesses in Huntington. Whether it's the 5K, the riverfront meetings, the softball league project, water giveaways at Ritter Park, or the marcum terrace playground. We are engaging our city well.

--We are also growing in size. We have several new families and college students worshipping with us and joining our team. So we'll need to work hard at meeting new folks and connecting them to Christ, our small groups, our mission, and our lives.

So it is a busy hectic time of good life change for our church. With that comes many obstacles and difficulties. But they are the right kind to be having. I feel great about it.

Sorry that this post wasn't the typical one you get from me. But that's all on my heart today and I wanted to let you in on that. Pray for Crew, pray for our leaders, pray for what part you may have in serving one another and our city.