Saturday was a marathon. I had a 3 PM wedding and fought Christmas shopping traffic to get back for our 5:05 service @ 5:03. Just in the saint nick of time! Yes, I promise I'll stop using my invented phrase after Christmas :)
We finished the chase the lion series this weekend. Wow. We haven't done a seven-part series in a long time. We rarely go more than 3 or 4 parts. Why? Because I get bored :) Plus I feel like most series have a shorter shelf-life. I think shorter series are a better fit with the rhythm of life in DC. Plus I think new series help us create momentum!
This was my last weekend preaching twice on Saturday nights. I think going to one live message on Saturday nights will be a little more sustainable.
I think we felt some of the holiday flight that happens every year at this time of year. About 80% of our congregation goes home for Christmas. DC is a ghostown over the holidays! Of course, some people stay here and it's a joy when out-of-town family visits NCC. I love meeting extended families! I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility when I meet parents of NCCers. I feel like they are entrusting us with their kids!
One more thing. If you weren't in the 11:00 @ Union you missed it. About half way into my message, one of our homeless attenders walked down one aisle all the way to the front; walked all the way across the front row right in front of me while I was preaching; and shortly thereafter walked all the way back the other aisle :) Tough to keep your composure and concentrate when that happens :) I almost gave him a high five :)
I love the fact that we have people at NCC who don't know church protocol. That's exactly who we want to reach. And it adds the element of surprise :)
We finished the chase the lion series this weekend. Wow. We haven't done a seven-part series in a long time. We rarely go more than 3 or 4 parts. Why? Because I get bored :) Plus I feel like most series have a shorter shelf-life. I think shorter series are a better fit with the rhythm of life in DC. Plus I think new series help us create momentum!
This was my last weekend preaching twice on Saturday nights. I think going to one live message on Saturday nights will be a little more sustainable.
I think we felt some of the holiday flight that happens every year at this time of year. About 80% of our congregation goes home for Christmas. DC is a ghostown over the holidays! Of course, some people stay here and it's a joy when out-of-town family visits NCC. I love meeting extended families! I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility when I meet parents of NCCers. I feel like they are entrusting us with their kids!
One more thing. If you weren't in the 11:00 @ Union you missed it. About half way into my message, one of our homeless attenders walked down one aisle all the way to the front; walked all the way across the front row right in front of me while I was preaching; and shortly thereafter walked all the way back the other aisle :) Tough to keep your composure and concentrate when that happens :) I almost gave him a high five :)
I love the fact that we have people at NCC who don't know church protocol. That's exactly who we want to reach. And it adds the element of surprise :)
3 Comments:
Mark, just wanted to say I love your heart. Your comments on the homeless guy and meeting the parents resonated. I am a 10yr planter now who rented a theater, owned a theater, now looking at doing theater again w/multisite and a 'super young' (lots of college age, lots of parents) church.
God's strength to you.....have a great and grand Christmas with your family....Bobby Lepinay
Hey Mark,
Thanks for blogging. Do you have any advice for a church of approx. 200 who need to add another service because we are out of space? We think we are suppose to do a Saturday evening service to reach out to those not coming Sunday morning, but we can't find information on "small" churches adding a Sat. eve service vs. another Sunday am serice. What does it look like for the children's and youth ministries?
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Patti
Patti,
I'd trust your gut instinct, but I would also survey your congregation. I think you want a "core group" of people to be the nucleus of that second service.
Also, approach it as an "experiment." If it doesn't work in another time slot you try a different one :)
My two cents,
Mark
Post a Comment
<< Home