I love my small group. I just had to get that off my chest. Our group constantly challenges me in my faith...my marriage...my parenting...my investment in others. I love the "diversity" in our backgrounds and faiths. I love that we can all share our struggles and pray for one another. I love that we don't have all of the answers about God and the Bible and what is going on in this world. We are doing life together. And I have to tell you, that's fun!
When we moved to Chattanooga a year and a half ago, we really didn't know a whole lot of people. Even showing up on Sunday as the pastor of a church, relationships weren't flourishing. But when we joined our small group several months later, everything changed. We now have a group of people that we not only meet with every week, but we call them friends. And we are so grateful for them.
So how about you? Where are you experiencing Community? Do you have some people who are pouring into you and you have the opportunity to return the favor? If not, why not check out Group Link at Rock Point. From my vantage point, you won't regret it.
Here's the Group Link...link. Check it out!
Rock Point Group Link
Heath
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 - a Great Year at Rock Point!
This morning I'm reflecting on the past year at Rock Point. This has been an absolutely amazing year as we have experienced God's blessing in so many ways. Here are just a few of the thoughts I have been reflecting on...
* In January we were given the opportunity of meeting in the Chattanooga Christian School Fine Arts building. Wow! What an amazing opportunity that has been! This facility has been a true God-send as it has met all of our needs being a start up church. Thank you so much administration at CCS! We appreciate your willingness to let a small start up church invade your facility one day a week. We hope we have been as much of a blessing to you as you have been to us.
* At the end of 2007 we had almost 95 people involved in small groups. Today we have right at 175. I'm no math whiz, but I believe that is about 80 new people in groups! If you believe that life change happens best in a place like small group, this number should get you pretty excited!
* Our Sunday worship service attendance has grown 15% from January to December. Our children's areas have grown almost 35% in the same time frame! Many of those new faces have expressed that they weren't interested at all in church until attending Rock Point. Goes to show that people are investing...inviting...and asking people to attend church with them. As a pastor this is so encouraging!
* We began our first Starting Point in Fall of 2008 and already have interest in another group beginning early 2009. Some great stories of life change have come out of that group.
This is only a snapshot of the exciting things that have taken place at Rock Point this year. I am so grateful for every moment that God has given us in 2008; the good...and the bad. Sometimes you have growing pains along the way, but as a church we are learning and growing. I am so excited to see what God does in 2009 as we partner with Him. He is always faithful and it is my prayer that we continue to be faithful to the mission of leading the people of the Chattanooga area into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a part of this endeavor with us.
Have a Happy New Year and I can't wait to see you this Sunday at Rock Point!
Heath
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Intersect Project
Recently about a dozen people from Rock Point joined Habitat for Humanity to assist in finishing up a home to be moved in that day! The team touched up paint inside the house, constructed a storage shed in the backyard, as well as hung some shutters and siding. The cool thing was they also helped the lady move into her house that was provided by HFH.
Here is a quote from the Volunteer Coordinator from HFH:
"I know your group got a LOT done and our construction crew was really
pleased – look forward to having you back with us week after next!"
It's so exciting to be part of a church where those who attend are active in making a difference in their community. Thanks to those who participated on this day and we look forward to hearing stories in the future about various service teams and small groups who jump in on the Intersect Project.
Heath
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Turkey Day here we come...
I don't know about you, but it's rare that any Holiday really has a significant impact on my life. For some reason, we in America see Holidays as merely a day off from school, a day off from work, and reason to eat a lot of food. For me, Thanksgiving has become this. I actually often call it "Turkey Day" instead of Thanksgiving. Of course having a day off from school...work...spending time with family...experiencing a great feast...is all fine and dandy. But this Thanksgiving I wanted to stop and reflect on what I am truly thankful for. So, here is the beginning of my "Thanksgiving list 2008".
* I am thankful for my family. Sounds very cliche', but it is so true. I often don't let them know how thankful I am for them. I have the best wife and kids in the world. I love you guys!!
* I am so thankful for my church. Recently I was thinking to myself, "If I wasn't pastor at Rock Point, would I still go here?" I had to honestly say that I would! That is an incredible feeling to have as Lead Pastor. The staff and volunteer teams create such awesome environments and we have some of the greatest people in the world at Rock Point. I am truly grateful to serve with you.
* I am thankful for my small group. My wife and I have been involved with many small groups over the past 10 years of marriage, but this group is absolutely one of the best. I so much appreciate each and every person in that group.
* I am thankful for our new home. Moving from another city was definitely a transition, but our family is so grateful to be living in Chattanooga. What a great town to live in!
* Finally, I am grateful for my relationship with God. Once again, can sound very cliche', especially for a pastor, but this is so true. It's probably the relationship I most take for granted, but it is the relationship that is the most valuable. My Heavenly Father loved me enough that He sent His Son to die for me...in my place. "Thank You!" does not even come close to truly expressing this kind of gratitude. But sometimes that's all I can utter. So God...THANK YOU!
The list could go on, but I don't want to bore you. So how about you? What are you truly thankful for this year? Pause...think...reflect...make the list. Make this Thanksgiving more than just "Turkey Day"...
HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
Heath
* I am thankful for my family. Sounds very cliche', but it is so true. I often don't let them know how thankful I am for them. I have the best wife and kids in the world. I love you guys!!
* I am so thankful for my church. Recently I was thinking to myself, "If I wasn't pastor at Rock Point, would I still go here?" I had to honestly say that I would! That is an incredible feeling to have as Lead Pastor. The staff and volunteer teams create such awesome environments and we have some of the greatest people in the world at Rock Point. I am truly grateful to serve with you.
* I am thankful for my small group. My wife and I have been involved with many small groups over the past 10 years of marriage, but this group is absolutely one of the best. I so much appreciate each and every person in that group.
* I am thankful for our new home. Moving from another city was definitely a transition, but our family is so grateful to be living in Chattanooga. What a great town to live in!
* Finally, I am grateful for my relationship with God. Once again, can sound very cliche', especially for a pastor, but this is so true. It's probably the relationship I most take for granted, but it is the relationship that is the most valuable. My Heavenly Father loved me enough that He sent His Son to die for me...in my place. "Thank You!" does not even come close to truly expressing this kind of gratitude. But sometimes that's all I can utter. So God...THANK YOU!
The list could go on, but I don't want to bore you. So how about you? What are you truly thankful for this year? Pause...think...reflect...make the list. Make this Thanksgiving more than just "Turkey Day"...
HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
Heath
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing...
Sometimes it's important for me to step back and ask myself the question, "Why?" "Why is it important to exercise?" "Why is it important to spend time with my wife and kids?" "Why should I have this meeting?".
The question, "Why?" either forces us to face up to what we're doing or revisit our original purpose. Often times this question can be a wonderful reminder and a huge motivator in accomplishing a task or mission.
Recently I asked myself this question as it pertains to Rock Point. "Why are we planting a church in Chattanooga?" The Mission of Rock Point is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Sounds pretty simple, but I honestly can get so distracted by other areas that I forget "why" we do what we do every week. This is an unbelievable mission!! God has granted us the opportunity of introducing people who are far away from Him into a relationship with Him...He has granted us the opportunity of helping people redefine the way church looks...He has granted us the opportunity of representing Him in the city of Chattanooga!! What a great privilege! I get so excited thinking about this. When I revisit the "why" of Rock Point, I get a new found enthusiasm and motivation as to what our mission truly is.
So how about you? If you're a part of Rock Point does the thought of this mission fire you up? Often we see the church building/organization as the true "Church". By doing so, we have limited ourselves. The church goes way beyond the walls of the building you meet in on Sunday. The environments are merely the vehicle of presenting the truth of God in a real and relevant way. The mission then falls on the true "Church". Big responsibility...Big deal...Big God!
Thanks for partnering with us in this mission. I can't wait to see you all Sunday.
Heath
The question, "Why?" either forces us to face up to what we're doing or revisit our original purpose. Often times this question can be a wonderful reminder and a huge motivator in accomplishing a task or mission.
Recently I asked myself this question as it pertains to Rock Point. "Why are we planting a church in Chattanooga?" The Mission of Rock Point is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Sounds pretty simple, but I honestly can get so distracted by other areas that I forget "why" we do what we do every week. This is an unbelievable mission!! God has granted us the opportunity of introducing people who are far away from Him into a relationship with Him...He has granted us the opportunity of helping people redefine the way church looks...He has granted us the opportunity of representing Him in the city of Chattanooga!! What a great privilege! I get so excited thinking about this. When I revisit the "why" of Rock Point, I get a new found enthusiasm and motivation as to what our mission truly is.
So how about you? If you're a part of Rock Point does the thought of this mission fire you up? Often we see the church building/organization as the true "Church". By doing so, we have limited ourselves. The church goes way beyond the walls of the building you meet in on Sunday. The environments are merely the vehicle of presenting the truth of God in a real and relevant way. The mission then falls on the true "Church". Big responsibility...Big deal...Big God!
Thanks for partnering with us in this mission. I can't wait to see you all Sunday.
Heath
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Church in a tough economy
If you have a 401(k), stock investments, grocery shop or just watch TV, it goes without saying that you are aware of the difficult financial times we are in. Every business, family, and non-profit organization is concerned about our financial future, and rightly so. We at Rock Point are constantly evaluating and reevaluating our financial situation to continue to move forward with excellence while wisely utilizing our resources. We believe that what is happening at Rock Point is as valuable as anything that is taking place in the Chattanooga region. Because of this, we have a commitment to make to those who attend Rock Point:
The Staff, Elders and Leadership at Rock Point are committed to 2 things:
1. Being the best stewards we can be of the resources we have been entrusted with...
2. ...while continuing to create relevant environments to effectively lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
This is not easy as creating engaging environments can be expensive, but in our estimation, life change is worth it.
My family currently sponsors a Compassion child who lives in Africa. If you are not familiar with Compassion, they provide an opportunity for people who have been blessed to "adopt" a child who is less fortunate. For a moderate amount we are able to provide food, school and shelter for a child on the other side of the globe.
Recently at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta GA, a young lady who was a Compassion child and is now receiving her Masters degree here in the states was asked about how difficult it can be for people to give during these tough economic times. The following was her response:
"Changed lives and raising up future leaders with integrity who know God, and creating environments where children and adults can come to know how much God loves them is a guaranteed investment in all economic times."
WOW! Those words echo our desire and as long as the Lord allows Rock Point to exist as a church, we will continue to pursue this with our whole hearts.
As your pastor, I greatly value your continued confidence and support which allows us to respond wisely to the current economic situation but not retreat one inch from leading people into a growing relationship with Christ.
Heath
The Staff, Elders and Leadership at Rock Point are committed to 2 things:
1. Being the best stewards we can be of the resources we have been entrusted with...
2. ...while continuing to create relevant environments to effectively lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
This is not easy as creating engaging environments can be expensive, but in our estimation, life change is worth it.
My family currently sponsors a Compassion child who lives in Africa. If you are not familiar with Compassion, they provide an opportunity for people who have been blessed to "adopt" a child who is less fortunate. For a moderate amount we are able to provide food, school and shelter for a child on the other side of the globe.
Recently at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta GA, a young lady who was a Compassion child and is now receiving her Masters degree here in the states was asked about how difficult it can be for people to give during these tough economic times. The following was her response:
"Changed lives and raising up future leaders with integrity who know God, and creating environments where children and adults can come to know how much God loves them is a guaranteed investment in all economic times."
WOW! Those words echo our desire and as long as the Lord allows Rock Point to exist as a church, we will continue to pursue this with our whole hearts.
As your pastor, I greatly value your continued confidence and support which allows us to respond wisely to the current economic situation but not retreat one inch from leading people into a growing relationship with Christ.
Heath
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Let's Get Started
Do you have questions about the Bible, God or Christianity?
Are you a new Christian or just coming back around to church?
Would you like a safe place to discuss and ask questions about faith?
YES?! Well, at Rock Point we have a great environment for you, Starting Point. Starting Point is a fantastic place to discuss areas of the Christian faith and ask some tough questions that you might have previously felt uneasy asking. Starting Point is a group of 10 people that meet for 10 weeks during our 11:30 service at Rock Point. The group will begin meeting early November.
Our orientation is this week at Rock Point at 11:15 (immediately following our 10am service and right before our 11:30 service), and will last approximately 15 min. We will briefly discuss what Starting Point is all about...introduce the leaders...and give you an opportunity to sign up for the group.
If you are interested or have questions, please shoot an email to startingpoint@rockpointcc.org.
Oh yeah, if you are "on the fence" about signing up, maybe this video will help you out!
Are you a new Christian or just coming back around to church?
Would you like a safe place to discuss and ask questions about faith?
YES?! Well, at Rock Point we have a great environment for you, Starting Point. Starting Point is a fantastic place to discuss areas of the Christian faith and ask some tough questions that you might have previously felt uneasy asking. Starting Point is a group of 10 people that meet for 10 weeks during our 11:30 service at Rock Point. The group will begin meeting early November.
Our orientation is this week at Rock Point at 11:15 (immediately following our 10am service and right before our 11:30 service), and will last approximately 15 min. We will briefly discuss what Starting Point is all about...introduce the leaders...and give you an opportunity to sign up for the group.
If you are interested or have questions, please shoot an email to startingpoint@rockpointcc.org.
Oh yeah, if you are "on the fence" about signing up, maybe this video will help you out!
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