Things to do for 2009

Things to do for 2009:

1) Write a Letter to Individual donors and do fundraising for GGC

2) Start a monthly prayer meeting for the Church

3) Give the Core roles and responsibilities

4) Educate the Core

5) Create a financial goal for 2009

6) Create and implement a strategic plan that will help us fulfill our purpose and mission

7) Advertise and promote the Church 

8) Inspire and motivate the Church in joining Christ as He changes the World! 

9) Get a bank account

10) Meet with Church Planters and get more info about starting a Church

New Transformers Pics!

Wow! These look awesome! Check it out:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/l081229_transformers2/flash.htm?gid=831

The Raptors are cursed!!

The Toronto Raptors suck! This was supposed to be a great year for the Raps but it has become a disaster. There is nothing wrong with O'neil and Bosh- they are great together! They are the ones keeping us in games. Actually, they are the only ones that score- and that's the problem. They can't be the only ones scoring. They need help! And they are not getting it!

Jose Calderon is a pretty good player, but he is a little too unselfish. He needs to shoot more and drive to the basket. He needs to take more initiative and take matters into his own hands because every time he passes off to one of our wing players they can't score. Our wing players are absolutely horrendous. They can't drive to the hoop or create their own shot. And when they are open they can't make shoot. If our wing players regularly and consistently contributed we would win more games! But they don't, leaving Bosh and O'neil to do all the work.

There has to be change! Bryan Colangelo needs to do something or this year will be a complete failure. Our team is simply not good enough! At this moment the playoffs are not realistic. There are just too many teams that are better than us and its really sad. This was suppose to be a year where the Raptors take a giant leap forward. But it feels like we have taken another step back. 

The Raptors are cursed. It just feels that way. We have lost players like Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter and got nothing in return. We traded Vince Carter for Eric Williams- Eric who? Our drafting of players has just been horrible. In the last 4 years we have made the wrong draft choices.

We drafted Charlie V and Joey Graham instead of Danny Granger

We drafted Rafael Araujo instead of Andre Igudoala

We drafted Andrea Bargnani instead of Brandon Roy

These 3 players are exactly what Toronto needs. They all can create their own shot and drive to the hoop. They are all future superstars! Poor Toronto! They have so many regrets! One thing is for sure- the Toronto Raptors are cursed!

New Terminator Trailer!!!

This looks awesome!! Check it out!

Being like Jesus

You hear it all the time-we need to be like Jesus. But I often wonder if somewhere along the line we have lost that truth. How come more and more people do not see Christ in the lives of Christians. When they hear the word Christian they think- judgemental, anti-gay, hypocritical, not loving, and arrogant. These aren't qualties or characteristics of Jesus Christ. Yet, as a believer whether I like it or not I have been steroetyped to be judgemental or hypocritical because I am a Christian. I don't like these stereotypes at all because it does not represent who Jesus was and what He stood for. But then again these stereotypes have been proven true from a few Christians who misrepresent Christ every single day. Some people may not care but they should because it affects us all. 

I am never afraid to tell people that I am a Christian. In fact I am proud tha I am! But what bothers me is all the negative stereotypes surrounding the word "Christian". I often wonder if I should stop saying I'm a Christian and instead say I am a follower of Christ. They should mean the same thing really, but research has pointed out that many people love Jesus but they hate the Church. How could that be??? Are we not supposed to be the representation of Jesus Christ himself?

It doesn't make sense! How come people don't see Christ in Christians?? There has to be something wrong! I mean we are known always for what we are against then what we are for. Sometimes it appears that some Christians think they are better than non-Christians. We sometimes have such pride and when we share truth we share it in an arrogant and superior manner. Whatever happened to humility?? Did we forget that because of grace we are saved! God has shown us grace, why can't we show grace to others? 

I often wonder if every Christian compared themselves to a Holy God and His righteousness and His standards, they would see that they fall tremondously short of His Glory! It should humble us to the core. But what I find is that many Christians like to compare themselves to other people and when they somehow see that they are "better", it feeds their pride making them feel higher than the rest. And I think that's the root problem- pride!

The only people Jesus offended were not the sinners but the Pharisees- the prideful and proud religious people. I wonder what Christ would say about  Christianity today? Jesus said the world will hate you because of Him. But it seems that the worlds hates us not because of Jesus but because of our pride. I truly believe that pride is the root problem that causes Christians to act UnChristian and not like Christ.

Striving to be like Jesus is not an easy thing. But it is worth spending our whole lives trying. Jesus Christ transformed lives! He wants us to become more like Him. The question is are we being like Jesus? Does our lives accurately represent Jesus Christ? Or have we become something that Christ never intended us to become?

GGC'S Core Values

Hey guys

So I was thinking of what Grace Generation Church and this is what I came up with. Let me know if I missed anything or if you have something to add

Grace Generation Church Core Values

Love God- First and foremost we are to love God and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We strive to live for Christ and become more like Him.

(Matthew 22:37-38)

Love People- We need to love each other. We need to respect and treat others with dignity regardless if they are Christian or not. We need to love those that disagree with us. We need to show them the love of Christ!

(Matthew 22: 39-40)

NO Judging- We are not to judge anyone and look down on anyone. We are not higher than anyone. We cannot act arrogant or feel superior towards others.

(Matthew 7: 1-5)

Humility- We must strive to become completely humble. We are not to compare ourselves with others but instead compare ourselves to a Holy God and His Glory and Standards. When we do that we will see that we fall tremondously short to an Almighty God. This should humble us.

(Ephesians 4:2; Romans 3:23; Luke 18: 9-14)

Grace- God's Grace is what sets us free and saves us from our sin. We are not saved by works and trying to earn our way into heaven. Since God has shown us grace, we must show grace to others. We strive to live lives based on grace.

(Ephesians 2:4-9; Galatians 5)

Unity- We must keep the Unity of the Church at all costs. We must learn to agree to disagree on issues of conviction. We must learn to work together and love each other amongst our differences and disgreements.-

(Ephesians 4:1-6; Romans 14- Romans 15: 1-7; John 17: 20-25)

Sharing the Truth- We value sharing the truth with love and respect. Sharing the truth in arrogance or in feelings of superiority is wrong. We must be gentle and respectful in sharing the Good News of God's love and the hope that He gives us. In discipline, we must rebuke the person in love and gentleness.

(Matthew 28: 18-20; 1 Peter 3: 15-16)

Acceptance- We believe in accepting anyone regardless of who they are, what they wear, or what they believe in. It does not mean we agree or approve of their lifestyle, but we want to love them and introduce them Jesus Christ.

(Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 7: 33-50; John 8:11)

Transformation Power of Jesus Chrst- We believe that it is only Jesus Christ that can transform someones life. We, the Church are only working alongside Christ- planting and watering seeds. But it is only Christ that can make something grow. 

(John 16: 1-16; 1 Corinthians 3: 5-9; John 6:44)

Family- We value the community of believers and making it into a family. Everyone should feel like they belong and that they are a part of something special. We value hanging out with each other and having fun!

(Hebrews 10: 25; Acts 2: 42--47; Acts 4: 32-35)

Dreams- We value the dreams and desires that everyone has in their heart. We believe that God has a dream for all of us. We believe He has a specific plan for our lives- a purpose that gives life meaning. We believe in helping each individual reach the dream that God has for them.

(Jeremiah 29: 11-13; 1 Corinthians 2: 9)

Discipleship- We want to everyone to as they are but we don't want them to stay where they are. We want to create culture of growth because we value everyones spiritual growth. We want people to learn and grow in their relationship with Christ. We value education. We aspire that everyone becomes educated in their faith and what they believe in.

(Matthew 28: 19-20; 1 Peter 3: 15-16)

NEW LOST Promo!!!! Wow!!!

This is awesome!!! Check it out!!!! Wow!!!!!

Wallpaper for Grace Generation!!

Hey guys

Arvin made a sweet wallpaper for our Church. You can put it on your computers or even your Blackberrys!! Let me know if you want one! 

The Holy Spirit

These past few days I have been contemplating the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Jesus when He left earth gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us. The Holy Spirit's job is guide us into all truth and convinces the world of its sin. So without the work of the Holy Spirit, no one can be convinced of their sin. We can say things and share truth but without the power of the Holy Spirit working in that individual- absolutely nothing will happen!

So I began to ponder our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Do we even talk to him? Do we have relationship with him? Jesus has gone into heaven already and left the Holy Spirit with us. I would think that we need to work alongside with Him and join Him wherever He is working. But how we do that if we don't even talk to Him?

I find that when we pray we only talk to God the Father and Jesus, which of course isn't bad or anything and I am not suggesting that it is. But it sometimes feels we neglect the Holy Spirit- we don't talk to Him as much. But if Christ is in heaven and the Holy Spirit is here and lives within us- shouldn't we talk to Him more?

The Bible says that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:6). What if every time we speak or whenever we walk in a room people sense something different about us? What if we were always spirit-filled in everything we do- in our conversations or when we hang out with people?

We have the most powerful being that lives in us! God with us- God in us! Imagine the impact we will make if all walked in the Spirit! Living spirit filled lives! I would like to encourage you to have that relationship with the Holy Spirit. Talk to Him and ask Him where he's working today. You never know he may be working in the lives of your friends and loved ones.

A romantic scene from NBC's Chuck

This was such an awesome scene-very romantic!! I love it! Take a look:

Amazing LOST promo!!

My other favorite show LOST is coming back January 21, 2009! This promo is awesome! Get ready guys- the best show on earth is back!!!

Chuck's Ratings are In!!!!

Chuck hit a season high 7.66 million viewers! Chuck has steadily increased its viewership. Last week Chuck's ratings were at 6.93 million viewers- that is a 700 000 increase! Go Chuck!

Chuck comes back February 2, 2009 with a 3-D Episode! Guest Starring in that episode will be Dominic Monaghan aka Charlie from LOST!!!

Church Thoughts Part 7

I have exciting news for you all! So I went to the Board on Sunday and talked to them about our desire to be financially independent. I told them that we felt that God was leading us in this direction. I told them our ideas of individual donors and fundraising- and that in order to do this we needed a charity number and tax reciepts. So I asked them if they can help us with this and they said yes! 

I told them our reasons for doing this:

- this will be very exciting- bring our group together- everyone can participate
- promote our church to our friends, family, co-workers etc.
- lets us take a step of faith because this is never guaranteed- allows us to trust in God
- it gives God an avenue where the impossible can happen
- allows the Bridge to be involved through prayer and also in helping us use the charitable number and issuing tax receipts
- allows them to support Pastor Roland- I think he needs it more than me

When I was talking the Holy Spirit was really in that place. There was a unique silent hush while I was speaking- it was really weird but also cool at the same time. At the end of my proposal, one boardmember commented that they felt at peace when I was talking. I thought that was awesome and a great affirmation that we are doing the right thing.

Now for our Wednesday meeting we will need to discuss ways to raise funds and how we can reach out to individual donors. I already had people come up to me and say that they are willing to support the Church. I thought that this was awesome!

This will be a full Grace Generation Church effort! We all need to pull our weight and work together. These are very exciting times! I am very excited to see what God will do! If I'm honest there is still some fear in me, but I trust God will meet my needs and the Church's needs. Let us join Christ as He goes out to change the world!

Chuck vs. Santa Claus

Tonight's episode was really good! It was darker than most episodes especially for a Christmas Episode. The episode was very intense and exciting. There were a lot of Sarah-Chuck moments, the best one was when Chuch gave Sarah his mothers charm bracelet. That brought a lot of "awwwww's" at the Chuck Party. A wonderful moment I must say!
 

Another great moment was when Reginald VelJohnson aka Carl Winslow from Family Matters was cast as Big Mike's cousin!! I did not see that coming and it was awesome! I love Uncle Carl!!! He got bigger though but it was awesome seeing him again. I miss Family Matters!

The ending was pretty intense with Sarah killing the Fulcrum Agent. Now we have to wait 6 weeks for another episode! Argh! This is going to kill me! The new episode starts February 2, 2009 with a 3-D episode! Can't wait!

Last Chuck Episode of the Year!!

Hey guys

This Monday, December 15, 2008 will be the last Chuck of the year!! It is the Christmas episode!! I'll be having a Chuck party at my house. Everyone is invited!

Chuck is on Mondays on Channel 8 at 9pm! Here is a sneak peak of next weeks episode:

Church Thoughts Part 6

Hey guys

So this will be a very short update but I found some books that I think will interest you guys. If you want to see where I believe the church should be headed than you can get a head start by reading one of these 3 books. If you read one of these books you'll have a better understanding of where we are headed in the future and the obstacles that we are probably going to face in this generation.

No Perfect People Allowed by John Burke
http://www.amazon.ca/No-Perfect-People-Allowed-Creating/dp/0310275016/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228898083&sr=8-1

This is the best book that I found on the general church. This is the model that I personally want to use for our church. Not copy the whole thing but instill their principles and some of their ideas.

They Like Jesus, but Not the Church
http://www.amazon.ca/They-Like-Jesus-But-Church/dp/0310245907/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228898185&sr=1-1

This book is more about the culture that we want to reach and what they think about Christianity.

UnChristian
http://www.amazon.ca/unChristian-Generation-Really-Christianityand-Matters/dp/0801013003/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1228898185&sr=1-1

This book is more about what the culture thinks about Christianity and how Christians should respond. This book offers hard numbers and researched data.

So if you want a head start and don't want to wait for July. Then please buy one of these books and read it. They are full of stories and they are very engaging. They don't cost that much either.

Another option is that you can just borrow it from me..lol..hahahahaha but that will take long since I read slow. So buy it!! We'll make up more ground that way.

Dave

Church Thoughts Part 5

Hey guys

So i met with a few peeps on sunday and we were thinking that in the mean time we will need to focus on 3 main things. And they are:

Evangelism/Community: So inviting friends to not just a worship service but inviting them into community. So we were thinking of doing neutral area things like watching movies, bowling, volleyball, dinner. So we want to invite them more into community and not just worship service. We believe that relational evangelism is the best technique.

Mid-Week Bible Study: This will just be for the core. We will study the Bible on church but also study this culture and generation and why they like Jesus but not the church. We want to educate ourselves as much as possible. So this will include evangelism, come as you are cultures, creating a culture of growth, authentic community, other religions, facing tough questions etc.

Sunday Service: So this will include worship and preaching. No Sunday School at the moment or ever..lol

One thing we talked about to, is that we need to stop being in cliques. The church has to be open to everyone. And everyone needs to talk to new people and make them feel like they are a part of us. Make them a part of the community and the family.

We talked about how hard it was for some to get integrated in our group. So this is a very big thing for me. We have to be welcoming and understand that we are leaders now and not just followers. Or we will never grow.

To jump start this process, I've been giving books out that people can read.

Thats about it. I meet with the next group tonight and I will have another update tomorrow. Thanks guys!

Dave

Church Thoughts Part 4

Hey guys

I need your input here..i'm wanting to thinnk about a strategic plan to accomplish our purpose statement. If you forgot our purpose statement..its this:

"To create a come as you are culture that reaches this generation for Christ and develops them into all God dreams them to be"

So im wondering about how we are going to do this:

How will we build a come as you are culture?---any ideas?

How will we build a culture of growth because we want people to come as they are but we don't want them to stay that way.---any ideas?

How do we build authentic community?--any ideas?

Discipleship?--any ideas?

How do we tell others? Evangelism?---any ideas?

How will worship be?---any ideas?

How will we support the ministry? the church?--ideas?

So I need your help!! Please reply!

Dave

Church Thoughts Part 3

So right now I'm just working on the spiritual foundation of the Church..like its purpose and why it exists.

I'm also thinking about the people that will follow me and work with me in building this church.

So I came up of Bible Study topics that we will need to study..perhaps i will start this at CNC BS..but here are the topics that I've learned about the church:

Come as you are culture: what is it?; no judging
The Impossible
The Grace to let others be
Agreeing to disagree- Unity in the Church
Evangelism
Introducing them to Christ first- as the focus...then to His ways
Let God Change others
Working with God
Our Lives must appeal to them
Community: Authenticity
Loving God
Loving our neighbor
The difference between conviction and truth; respecting each others convictions
The Power of the Church
A place for people to heal

These are topics that I want to inject into the church's DNA..and why not start it with the ones that are going to follow. If you have any topics let me know!

Somehow I've been trying to figure out how to communicate the purposes of the Church. Here are my ideas:

Meet with individuals or small groups of people- this I am going to do soon..so I will be meeting with people soon

Website
Slogans
Brochures
Sermons
Bulletin
Bible Studies
Logos
Power point

Here are some of my expectations that I've written down for people that will follow who come from the Birdge

Earlier, I expressed that I want people to follow, but I don't want them to just sit there and do nothing...I want them to be a part of the process..to help out and make this church their own as well

So here are some of my expectations (not sure if expectations is a good word for it...lol):

Serve in the Church (help out, pull your weight, use your gifts)
Support (Financially, Prayers, Encouragement)
Tell (Witness, invite their friends, we won't grow if no one invites..lol)
Unity (Will work hard at preserving the unity of church, preserving community)

So i'll be meeting with you soon and I hope you guys agree with these expectations..lol..becauseI would love for all of you guys to come. I think it will be simply awesome! See you soon!

Dave

Church Thoughts Part 2

Hey guys

Here is Church Update #2

Just to also clarify what "come as you are" means..it also means that we want to introduce them to Christ and that Christ can change their lives. And when they do have an encounter with Christ they cannot help but change.

So they come as they are but we don't want them to stay where they are at or stay the way they are forever- we want God to change their lives, to grow in love, to grow in their relationship with God, to go depper

I also learned that we don't need to register with the government just yet. When we register it would mean we would "incorporate" the church. This won't happen until we get bigger..so for now we will not go this route..the only disadavantage is that I can get sued if something bad happens.. but if we were incorporated they cannot sue me..they would sue the church..i think i spelled "sued" wrong..is it "suit"? But anyways there advantages and disadvantages

So what we should do is open up a bank account for the church. So we we can handle our finances that way. This would mean we need a treasurer..someone that knows money and taxes. Dianne????..lol

I know that we have plenty of people that want to follow from the Bridge..and I think thats awesome!

I do want to meet with the potential followers in the near future to discuss the philosophy and vision of the church. One thing thats for certain is that if people choose to follow from The Bridge, we would want them to work with us and help us build the church. We don't want people to follow if they are just going to warm up a seat and just sit there...lol..we want people that will help out, play their part, serve the church, witness/invite friends and support the church. 

It is our dream that we can instill this philosophy into the church so that it can become the DNA of the church for future generations to come. Just imagine that if everyone in the church used their gift and did their part- imagine the impact it would make. We would be obeying God and God will surely do great things.

But that's it for today..look for something tomorrow

David

Church thoughts Part 1

Hey all

So I wanted to write my notes on the computer..but I decided that I should include your guys input..so I'm writing it on facebook..then I'll put it on file somewhere later. Anyways, this will kind of show you what I've been thinking and going through..till we reach June..so here we go!

Church name: Grace Generation Church (GGC)..this is tentative..but so far it has recieved the best feed back

Purpose Statement: "To create a come as you culture that reaches this Generation for Christ and develops them into all God dreams them to be"

Key Words:

"Come as you are"- you are welcome, no matter your lifestyle; orientation; or beliefs

- doesn't necessarily mean we agree or approve of your lifestyle, but we want to love you, care about you and introduce you to Jesus Christ

- come as you are means a culture of love, authenticity, forgiveness, community, family and no judging.

"Reach"- we want to reach this generation; tell them about Jesus

" For Christ"- everything we do is for Him. We love Him and serve Him!

"Develop"- we want people to come as they are, but we don't want them to stay that way, we want them to grow spirtually, in love, in life, in their relationship with God and in knowledge-become better people

"Dream"- God has a dream for your life; help you realize that dream; fulfill your potential; live the life that God intended you to live, your desires, dreams, and gifts are clues to what God wants you to do, on how to serve him

Biblical Purposes

Come as you are (Community)
Reach (Evangelism)
For Christ (Worship)- everything we do is for Christ
Develop (Discipleship)
Dream (Ministry)- serve God through the plan and dream He has for you


If you read this..let me know your thoughts..if fell alseep..i still love you..lol...thanks guys! More tomorrow!

Dave

Where did this all start?

How I got to this point:

Reputation of Christians as judgemental and hateful- wanted to change that; didn't like that stigma

Read the book: Fearless Faith

Christians in mainstream Music- reaching the lost (Stacie Orrico, POD, Switchfoot)- was obssessed, knew where they were on the charts how many records they sold- thought it was really cool that Christians were going there to share Christ and not just staying in Christian Music-- it was really exciting to see

Drawn to the "out of the Christian Bubble" and into the world to save it- becoming relevant to the culture

Read the book: What's so amazing about Grace? Grace Awakening- made me think that the world needs the grace of God..I'm just as bad as everyone else but God saved me...to those that have been forgiven more love more, those that have been forgiven less love less....not to be judgemental- do not judge lest you be judged..to give grace

Lip Piercing Controversy

Drawn to myspace friends like Annie Lobert and xxxchurch- loved what they do- want to reach people that they reached- they loved people no matter what; they had amazing testimonies

Drawn to non-christian celebrities; hoping Christians were reaching them through love and not hate- joined the Holywood Prayer Network

Bible: The need for adventure- faith can move mountains; God is God of the impossible; no doubts all faith- examples of God in scripture- always doing the impossible

Bible: Jesus was always with sinners; came to redeem them; not to judge them; the seed of the Pharisees is still alive..love God and love your neighbor; love your enemies

Article: Christian Freedom- not walking on egg shells; agreeing to disagree; we are free; legalism sucks

Book: Just walk across the room- Jesus didn't condemn people or judge them..instead he saw the potential that they could be if God got a hold of their lives

Read books: No Perfect people allowed- the first book that captured the same philosophy that I believed in...same with the book " They Love Jesus but not the Church"

My heart is changing from Youth Ministry..to a church that serves this new generation..that is relevant..that seeks to impact the world; young families; young career people; college and youth

To start from scratch without the generations of tradition

The Dream

For two years, I had been contemplating and dreaming about starting a church. This has been on my mind and heart for so long. This is my dream and vision.

A church that loves people. That loves each other. That loves God!

That experiences Grace and shows grace. A place where people don't get judged. THat get helped.

A place where people get saved. That go on adventure with God. That go deeper with God.

A church that experiences true community and friendship.

A place where people belong no matter where they come from

I envision many people being freed by God. Be healed by God. Be loved be God. Be saved by God.

A church that knows how to agree to disagree on certain issues..a church that is UNITED.

A church that accepts anyone no matter their race or looks or orientation or lifestyle...we would accept them, doesn't mean we agree with them or their lifestyle..but we would share God's love for them.

A Church that sends missionaries

A Church that helps people reach their potential

A church that grows an army of soldiers for God- soldiers that love people.

A church that is relevant to this culture. That understands the culture. A Chuch for this Generation!

A church that has a dynamic and powerful worship services

A church filled by the Holy Spirit

A Church where its members are taught to think, to ask questions, to contemplate, to test

A Church where its members are educated

A Church that will reach the community

A Church where no perfect people are allowed

A Church where freedom reigns and legalism is dead