The Christmas Guest

Tonight is the night. They will be here soon. You have invited guests over for dinner. Lots to prepare for. It’s part of being a good host, right? No guest is going to feel welcome in a dirty bathroom with no towels. Dirty dishes in the sink, dusty furniture, clutter on the couch, and clothes in the living room will not fly. Taking a look in the front yard might be in order as well. A fresh mow on the grass, some weed clearing, and getting the kid’s toys picked up off the driveway might be in order. But it doesn’t stop there. A good host usually will be ready to serve-up something a little tastier than Sunday evening eggs and toast. You might even make sure the “good plates” are out and you use silverware that matches. Five minutes before you will hear the knock on the door, you will want to lecture the kids to be on their best behavior. Why all the hassle? Because you know that everything reflects on the host.

If you haven’t had guests over recently, think again. Every Sunday morning at BridgePointe we are hosts. According to the Bible, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”(2 Corinthians 5:20) We represent Jesus every Sunday morning to those outside of our spiritual family. How we prepare for guests at BridgePointe reflects on Jesus himself. 

In anticipating our guests’ needs, we ask intentional questions:

• Is the web site fresh and easy to navigate to information pertaining to guests?
• Is parking adequate?
• Do the outdoor and indoor signs clearly point the way?
• Are guests greeted with a warm welcome?
• Are the children’s programs and parents given our best attention?
• Are the bathrooms clean and the facilities and decor inviting?
• Do we acknowledge and appreciate guests from the stage?
• Do we translate spiritual truth in relevant ways to for those unfamiliar with church?
• Is our quality in our program presentation equal to the importance of our faith?
• Are people led to an opportunity to say “yes” to God’s grace for the first time?
• Is information easily assessable?
• Is there a path towards “next steps” in drawing close to God?

But you’re the true host as well! Are these traits true of you as an ambassador? 

• I fervently pray for God to open doors and hearts to share my faith.
• I invite people to church in ways that are natural to me. 
• I am authentically “real” in my dress and personality without acting religious.  
• I come to church on time so I can introduce myself to people sitting around me.
• If I volunteer on Sunday, I give all attendees my best attention.
•        I volunteer on Sunday to effectively serve people when it’s most needed. 
• I worship passionately believing that Jesus is the best way to live and the only way to die.
• I refrain from judging others on Sunday who dress and look different than myself.
• I don’t assume that everyone I meet is a Christian.

As ambassadors of Jesus, our readiness can make an eternal difference for an unchurched guest. I’m excited to meet your guests this holiday season as we begin a new series this Sunday, designed just for them, called “A Christmas Conversation”. Make sure they are invited to our Christmas Eve Services as well. 

I hear the knock at the door. They’re here!

The Greater Vision

Last Sunday was a historical moment for BridgePointe Church. For the first time in almost 10 years, we took a step forward out of our mobile condition towards a more permanent home. What a day! On that day, we stood on the shoulders of great leadership teams, countless hours of work, hundreds of stand out volunteers, and the dedicated hearts of the BridgePointe family. You, BridgePointe, are the reason I dream about the future. 

The Arnold Mill facility we occupied last week for our worship center on the lower lot, and the facility for the Pre-School on the upper lot, is intended to be an intermediate step towards a greater vision. Our greater vision is to occupy a larger warehouse unit at the upper level parking lot, directly across from the Foundry. This business park with its’ ample parking, proximity to popular Downtown Woodstock, agreeable owner,  and cost effectiveness of starting with a primitive warehouse are attractive features. We believe we could build a future with many options for growth at this location.

Of utmost importance, the larger warehouse would allow us to have our Pre-School environment under the same roof as the worship center. The Elementary School facility would then be in close proximity at the Foundry. We have a value for family that we want to reinforce and our kids facilities would be an upgrade from anything we have experienced before. Our intention is to bring the offices at the Foundry into the warehouse and turn the existing offices into the small group areas for the kids. Having us all in just 2 facilities on Sunday morning, right next to each other, would be ideal. Although we are grateful for the intermediate worship center and Pre-School facility, having three separate facilities on Sunday morning is not the best long-term option in making things practical for families and attracting guests on Sunday, which is a primary value for us.

So, as we spend the next couple of weeks settling in we are at the same time preparing a presentation to cast an informative vision for the bigger picture. Our two signposts in going forward will be to demonstrate strong and consistent giving in our weekly offerings and to raise the needed dollars for the basic and entry level build out costs. 

But for now - we want to celebrate the moment with genuine gratitude for God’s hand over BridgePointe and the incredible resilience of this church family to move forward!  Our current Sunday series, “One Small Step for Man” is designed to stretch our faith and belief that God does great things through us to draw close people close to Him. Come this Sunday and receive a small keepsake to remember this important milestone. 

We’ve made history. Now let’s envision the future!

We were here

The truck had just come to pour the cement that would create our new backyard patio and sidewalks around the house. It took them all day. The kids had one aching question:  Can we sign our name in the cement before it dries? Its every kids dream, you know. Even with young kids there is an innate desire  to be remembered. God has put a similar hunger in all of us. We are all drawn to opportunities where we can carve our initials with an act of compassion towards another and leave something behind that states, “We were here”.

As Christians, we do this by giving ourselves away and investing in others. When we live selflessly, only then do we outlive our life. I’m convinced the first Christians in the book of Acts were moved by this hunger. Look for yourself:

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.  (Acts 2)

These believers ordered their lives around their divine purpose and we have an opportunity to do the same. As the Holiday season starts, you will hear of two opportunities:

Angel Tree-  Starting this week you can adopt a child’s Christmas gift request by taking an ornament from the Angel Tree at church. The children represented are from a local community that could use our help this Christmas. Follow the directions and return the gift. You could also sign up to deliver the gifts with the church as well.

All for One-  We will encourage everyone to pitch in $1 on each Sunday, from November 18 through December 23. During this time we can give a little relief each week to a church family or individual who is out of work. Look for the $1 container at church starting November 18^th, Sunday.

You could also be a part of our First Friday Block Parties.  The first Friday of each month a team cooks and/or serves dinner to a local community that needs our help and friendship. See the church web site under “Local Compassion” to learn more and sign up.

Let’s at least do for one what we wish we could do for everyone! Carve you initials with an act of compassion towards another this holiday season!