Core Team
We have been called out so that others may be hauled out. Hopefully this creates a word picture that draws you to the grander of Jesus’ call to be fishers of men. It does for me.
A couple things from last night that I need our team to respond back to asap. First, I need everyone to confirm the following information for me:
First and Last Name (So I can ensure spelling is accurate)
Contact Phone Number
Email
Birthday
Shirt size
Second, our Core Team will make Launch Gatherings happen. Here are the dates for the Launch Gatherings for October through January. Here’s what I need for you to do: reply via text (to the text that included the link to this email) with the following…
Rank your top three dates for set up (arrive at 8am at Northgate Family Chiropractic to set up chairs, communion, coffee, and greet those arriving)
Rank your top three dates for tear down (we typically have many hands to this, but these individuals will ensure tear down is complete and the office is cleaned up).
Rank your top three dates for serving children’s ministry. Every launch team person who can is going to serve at least once in this capacity. If you’re concerned about having to prepare something, don’t be. Everything will be prepared for you… you just show up and serve the kiddos. This will be done in pairs (either a couple or two individuals, sometimes three individuals).
Here are the Launch Gathering dates:
October 10th
October 24th
November 14th
November 28th
December 12th
December 24th
January 9th
January 23rd.
That’s all for now. I hope you were encouraged by last night! I certainly was. Remember, as for the space to invite people to for Storied Church, the Launch Team gatherings are a good on-ramp. Over the next several months, we’ll lean into this more. And remember, we aren’t inviting people to church, we are inviting them to a space where they can be inspired to celebrate their life with Jesus by having it first celebrated by those pursuing being like Jesus.
Love you all,
Tim
The Eternal, Better Life
This will be brief, but hopefully will give further glimpse into my heart and hope for us as a church moving forward.
Along with many family and friends, Kayla and I celebrated the life of her cousin, Kyle, today. Last Friday, he took his own life. It was devastating to hear about. It has been painful to watch so many loved ones walk with severe hurt and sadness. There are many, many questions. Many of them will go unanswered. This past week has caused me to question. Matter of fact, if you were with us this past Sunday night, I shared that question with you. It has been born out of what I believe is one thing followers of Jesus could do better and make immediate impact in the lives of others around them.
When Christians live like this life is the best, can we truly give hope to others who believe this life offers only the worst?
There are many people around us that believe this life has nothing good to offer. In North Springs, many people, younger people in particular, have believed this life offers nothing but the worst; no hope.
What if we as disciples of Jesus lived this life in light of eternal, better life to come? How might we be able to inspire others to celebrate this life with Jesus if we actually lived believing we are stewards and not owners ? Could we impact people in our influential sphere by not scratching for more, for better, for what we think is ours for the taking? I’m convicted that areas of my life have been lived in such a way that communicates I think this life is the best. My hope for Storied Church is that all who take part in our mission will never stop looking for greater Jesus-like influence in this life, but always holding in tension that we are kingdom-minded for the sake of others. We must live as givers of hope for those who need it.
So, what does this mean? For Kayla and I, we want to take captive every opportunity before us and ask the Lord, “Will this make Kingdom impact or our kingdom impact?”
There are many who need hope around us. They need hope that something good can occur in this life. They need hope that something makes sense of this life when it is hard. They need hope that something truly is better and worth celebrating as they wait in anticipation for it. They need Jesus. We can offer Jesus to them. I truly hope that is what we are known for - in all areas of our lives.
I look forward to navigating this with each of you. I look forward to those who will experience hope because of it, too.
Let us hold these words as more valued to hear than anything this week.
“Well done, my good and faithful [voluntary] servant. You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” - Jesus, Matthew 25:21
All for Jesus,
Tim
Things to know…
What does becoming a leader look like within Storied Church?
That’s a great question! And the answer is simple: Gather, Serve, Give, Inspire. As a church planter, I want everyone to become a leader in our church. As we talked about this past Sunday, we will Multiply Everything: Disciples, Leaders, and Churches. As the point person for Storied Church, commitment is a big deal to me. Generally in life, when I notice consistency in commitment, it immediately flashes the “potential leader” lightbulb in my head. Within our church, when someone consistently Gathers, Serves, Gives, and Inspires, they are putting out the “leadership potential" vibes!
Where did I get this framework from? Life experience, leadership training, and Jesus. He himself said, “If anyone is willing to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus called many people to follow, but few rose to the expectations he set. And as your pastor - leader, I will never call any of us to rise to low expectations. Jesus didn’t.
So one last question. Gather - Serve - Give - Inspire?
If GATHER, then show up to gatherings and events to encourage others not to give up.
If SERVE, start with helping us set up on Sundays and seeking out ways to make our launch gatherings better. Schedule a time with me so I can learn your giftings and passions and help you serve intentionally and selflessly.
If GIVE, start giving. Pick a percentage of your income, and trust in the One who richly provides, not in provision (START GIVING NOW).
If INSPIRE, then begin asking other people questions to learn their story so you can help them see God at work. Need a place to start inspiring? Do this at our gatherings every week. Come early and get to know a fellow believer and launch team person so you can mutually be inspired!
When you do these things consistently, you are informally a leader at Storied Church. You are fully engaged. It will easily recognizable. Someone like me would be crazy to not ask you to lead more! And I want to.
No Gathering Labor Day Weekend.
We are a church on mission, to inspire people to celebrate their lives with Jesus. We do that gathered. But we also will do this intentionally, scattered. So, we are intentionally not going to gather Labor Day weekend. Why? A few reasons.
Some of y’all need a true Sabbath. No work to provide or survive. You need rest and to rest in God’s grace. I love us gathering together, but I will also fight the slippery slope gathering can become in terms of legalism (doing things to be good with God). Take this weekend and allow Jesus to fill your cup to the brim so that it will pour over into others.
On the flip side, we need to be strategical about normal rhythms of American life that we can use to inspire others. Throw a BBQ this weekend for others (Want help or resources, just ask!). Take a friend or a family to the HOT AIR BALOON LIFT OFFS & GLOWS! Be intentional with this weekend and inspire others and help them believe their story matters to Jesus.
We’ll pick back up gathering on Sunday, September 12th at OUR NEW TIME of 4pm at Northgate Family Chiropractic!
I love you all and love growing in Jesus together.
All for the Kingdom,
Tim
What we value most…
What we value most, should be clear to others.
…should be evident to others. Sure, as a church, people will know us by some of the catchy slogans we use and other uniquely creative means. But what will truly mark everyone we engage with will be our values. This past Sunday, we started a five-week series talking specifically about our Core Values:
Celebrate Stories
Give Irrationally
Gather Intentionally
Multiply Everything
Live Fearlessly
If you missed Sunday evening’s message, you can watch it HERE. It’s short, but hopefully, encouraging and empowering. One thing that is not included in the video is a question all of us are to ask three different types of people: someone we love, someone we like, and someone we leisure with. These three people could be your spouse, a best friend, and a workout buddy. Or it could be your mom, your barista, and someone you’ve rubbed shoulders with at the coffee shop. Whoever they are, ask them the following question: “What’s it like to be opposite a story shared by you, heard by me?” Their answers will hopefully give you an idea of how well you listen and honor people’s stories.
KID’S CELEBRATION DAY THIS FRIDAY!
This Friday, Northgate Family Chiropractic is having their end of Summer Kid’s Day Celebration. If you want to bring your kiddos, just call and sign them up! The number to do so is: (719) 497-4229. If you’re wanting to help Marc and Lauren make this event the best ever, meet me and others at Maxliving, 12245 Voyager Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 at 9am for setup!
Love you all!
Tim