A Special Message

Thanksgiving Blowout: From St. Matthew to Pathway

Sunday, November 23, 2014 - 5:32 PM

For 28 years St. Matthew (soon-to-be Pathway) has gathered the Sunday Night before Thanksgiving at 5:32 PM for an event aptly named the Thanksgiving Blowout. It is a long standing tradition that has served our body well for the election of elders and deacons, sharing an old fashion potluck dinner while engaging in fun and frivolity.

The term “Blowout” came into existence because the delicious food was plentiful and the entertainment was over the top.  Before there was “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” there was “The Blowout.”  Before there was Ryan Seacrest, Nick Cannon and Carson Daly there was Judy Madden, Sherri and Chris Sechrist Jerry Wood and many more. And, before there was Kelly Clarkson, Bianca Ryan or Regan James, there was YOU, the people of St. Matthew (soon-to-be Pathway) singing, dancing, and acting, I guess you could call it acting. There was so much laughter, joy, clapping and fun we practically blew out the roof of the building and thus “The Blowout” was born.

Like many St. Matthew (soon-to-be Pathway) traditions “The Blowout” has changed over the years. We no longer gather in an overcrowded Mound Cafeteria for 3 ½ hours sitting on little round stools designed for little people to sit on for less than 30 minutes.  We no longer assemble a make shift sound system and pop in cassette tapes so the singers can sing and the dancers can dance.  We no longer have to suffer through , I mean enjoy,  7 different  7-year-olds all singing “Tomorrow” on the same night back to back to back plus countless amateur, some funny some not so funny, vaudeville like skits.

Yes, much has changed in 28 years but we will still gather this Sunday evening at 5:32 in the ARC to elect elders and deacons, share an old fashion pot luck dinner and engage in fun and frivolity. Here is the Plan for this Sunday Night, November 23.

5:32 Potluck Dinner

6:15 Church Business Meeting (keep on eating)
Elect Elders/Deacons & Construction Update

6:30 Social Media tutorial for the evening, Andrew Dolan

6:35 Emcees Chris Bohon and Josh Fortney

Celebration of and Honor St. Matthew’s History

Celebration and Honor of who we are today

Celebration of the future and becoming “Pathway”

 7:25 Activites

Receive your free Pathway T Shirt  

Selfie Photo Stations for posting on Social Media

Shop the Pathway Store

Tour the Construction Site, write scriptures/prayers on floors/walls  Sign the bible to be placed in the Time Capsule

Fellowship with your St. Matthew/Pathway Church family.

8:00 Depart at your discretion, but we will turn off lights at 8PM.      

Please wear a St. Matthew T-shirt if you have one so you can easily put on your new Pathway shirt for the photo ops. Bring a covered dish and an appetite for some historic fun as we, again, Blow Out the roof by honoring the past, giving thanks for the present and stepping into the future God has prepared.



Connecting people to people and people to God,

Rick

A Brand New Name: Pathway Church

The bigger the plane the longer the runway needed to get the flying machine airborne. 

After several years of discussion and prayer, your session unanimously voted in their December 2011 meeting to proceed with rebranding and renaming our beloved church so as to maximize our efforts to connect with the un-churched and de-churched. Six months later a rebranding team was called out from the body to create and execute a process that would present 3 -5 names to your session. The Rebranding Team consisted of Jeff Ogden (chair) Arlen Fuhlendorf (founding member), Liz Mitchell, Lana Horadam, Bill Whatley, Cheyenne Davis, Nedra Lamar and Josh Fortney.

The Team spent much time in prayer and scripture, seeking counsel from a marketing firm and inviting the congregation to submit their own name ideas. The team submitted regular reports to the session and finally in June of this year, presented 5 names for consideration. Your session spent much time praying individually and collectively before voting at our July stated meeting and unanimously agreeing on “Pathway Church.”

Since we are and will remain Cumberland Presbyterian, we presented the new name to the Board of Missions of Red River presbytery for approval in August. They enthusiastically concurred in the recommendation and will present to Presbytery in October for final approval. 

 

1318 people showed up to worship God and celebrate “The Reveal” last weekend. God received a standing ovation by a packed house Saturday Night when the name and logo was made known.  Simultaneously a rainbow appeared over our property signifying to all who witnessed God was in approval as well.

The plan is to pull back the throttle on the metaphorical airplane called “Pathway Church” between November 23 -29 and soar into the promise of God’s preferred future. Please continue to pray as we pick up speed these last 10 weeks of transitioning into our new name. We will keep you posted as the plan transition plan unfolds.

“Thank you God for all you done in and through us while flying under the banner St. Matthew and we look forward to the future as we follow in the Way of your Son and the Path laid before us. Father, may you, your Son and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all that we do. In Jesus name, amen.”

Connecting Generations,

Rick

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:06

 

Good Bye July & Hello August!

"Good Bye July 2014! You will long be remembered as a month where God moved among his people.”

• Scores of adults said ‘YES’ to serving our children and youth.
• 169 children took over our entire facility to attend Pine Cove Camp and be energized by the Holy Spirit of God.
• 184 children and youth, 34 adults filled up four buses for a 5 day trek to Camp Wow. There a group of imperfect humans were introduced to the perfect love of Jesus.
• We sent mission teams of 10 and 8 to Mexico and Nicaragua.
• We finally have “engineered dirt” that is ready to receive the 19,500 square foot foundation upon which our Connecting Generations facility will be built.
• We had four GREAT weekends of worship led by Josh, Judy, Jeff and Chris.
• Our Rebranding Team and Session is getting closer and closer to a BIG announcement.
• Dallas and I finally have a daughter in law and at least the HOPE of grandchildren.

“Hello August 2014! We are eager to witness and participate in all God has in store for us.”   

• Families moving into the area will be longing for invitations to join you in worship.
• Children are gearing up for school and that means Little Red School House will joyfully receive our school supplies and clothing for the least of these.
• Youth Week, August 9-17.
• Youth led worship August 16-17, founded on the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6.
• Other weekend worship celebrations will focus on “Envisioning” the importance and the how to, when it comes to sharing our faith with friends and family.
  
• Family Ministry will be praying over and inviting servants to say “Yes” to children and youth  for Wednesday Night and Sunday morning ministries.
• August 22, Family Ministries will host an event at Hurricane Harbor so we can invite our “unchurched” family and friends to a non threatening, non churchy, fun event. See the website to purchase tickets.
• Our Session and Executive Leadership Team will be strategizing how to reveal our new name and how we can all participate in the transition.
• Foundation forms will be laid. Trees and marquee on Thomas Street will come down and work for covered drive through will begin.
• Dallas and I will NOT be sending a child to school or college for the first time in 28 years.

Thank you God for mild summer temperatures, a spirit filled July and the hope of a life changing August. And thank you for our incredible Church Family!  In Jesus name.

Amen. 

Rick

Somethings Will Never Change

Our landscape is changing as we move into the future, but the essence of who we are and what we are about remains rock solid.   “On Christ the solid rock I stand”

We are NOT changing:

-          Our mission and purpose, glorifying God, reaching the lost and making disciples

-          Our DNA and Core Values

-          Our Denominational Affiliation

-          Our commitment to both traditional and contemporary worship

-          Our commitment to Small Groups, Family Ministry and equipping the body to

Provide pastoral care to each other

-          Our commitment to be a Recovery Community

-          Our commitment to be “user friendly” to surrounding communities and organizations.

-          Our vision to be a regional and teaching church

-          Our vision to birth satellite churches

-          Our vision to develop our entire 14 acre campus

We ARE changing and improving:

-          Our facility by expanding our Children’s Area and Foyer Space.

-          Our facility by adding defined information, sign up and children check in stations, a coffee bar, two gathering areas, a baptistery, covered drive through, and office space.

-          Our facility by upgrading the ARC bathrooms

-          Our exterior and interior signage.

-          Our website and social media presence.

-          Our commitment to training and developing paid and lay servants

-          Our vision for future staff openings.

-          Our Brand and Name presence.

Any organization or person who lives in the past will not exist in the future. Any organization or person who compromises their core values or who they are will eventually crumble.  But any organization or person, who stays true to their DNA, purpose and values while creatively adapting to an ever changing culture will thrive and be relevant for generations to come.

We are planning on being in our New Facility before Easter 2015.  Between now and then leadership will be feverishly working to create a transition plan so we are ready to move in and function at a high level from the beginning.  We will also be continually tweaking and modifying our current signage and parking to minimize construction disruption.  We sincerely appreciate your patience and positive attitude in the midst of so much change.

Your Rebranding Team and Session have been fully engaged in the process of prayer and discernment as we move closer and closer to a new name.  Please continue to pray for these two groups.  I suspect we will have more to share by the end of the summer.   We will soon be developing a plan to execute the rebranding of our new name to our own church body and the community at large.   Stay tuned.

Yes, much is changing but much is staying the same, especially “on Christ the solid rock I stand.” Let’s stand firm together, arm to arm, hand to hand as we move towards God’s preferred future for our local church body.

Connecting Generations,

 Rick

Connecting GENERATIONS

Connecting Generations is a big vision, a vision much bigger than 19,500 square feet of additional space.  A vision much bigger than a large Children’s ministry area that includes a room for nursing mothers, special needs children and more space for all the children God is entrusting into our care. This vision is much bigger than the expansive community space which will house a new visitor’s center, baptistery, coffee bar and a view of the new playground.  This vision is much bigger than connecting our two worship areas with a common space that will create opportunity for unity and new relationships.  This vision is much bigger than the $4.7 million price tag.

Connecting Generations is a big vision because nothing is more important than partnering with God to reach the lost and make disciples.  Jesus saves, we make disciples but we cannot make disciples unless they are a part of the body. They will not become a part of the body unless they believe there is enough room for them in the “inn.”

For 27 ½ years God has allowed me to assemble every month with the humble spiritual giants you elected to serve on session.   We have been blessed with bold, courageous, visionary leaders.  They are strong in their faith and fiscally conservative.  They are cautious and at the same time they are risk takers. They are mission driven. They love you and are grounded in both the word and prayer.   It is an honor to serve alongside spirit filled men and women who love God, love you and dare to cast a God inspired big vision.  

I am excited, thrilled and ecstatic about God’s preferred future for our church family. We are growing in spirit and in number.  Thanks be to God!   Everyone in a growing family has a role to play so let me remind me you of our roles.

 

1. Pray. Pray every day asking God “How would you use me to Connect Generations to each other and to Jesus?”  Sign up for the prayer vigil, (call 817.295.5832 and ask a staff member to sign you up) setting aside 15 minutes this Friday and Saturday to pray with the body for what God wants to do among us.
2. Two year pledge commitment. Our goal is to raise at least $2 million over two years to minimize our debt load.  The commitment is a financial sacrifice beyond the tithe.  Our gifts will not be equal in amount but if they are equal in sacrifice we will reach our goal and beyond.
3. Bring your completed pledge card to worship this weekend or mail to the church office if you are going to be out of town. 
4. Join your church family for a 15 minute Ground Breaking ceremony, Sunday, June 8th, 12:20 pm. 

Yes, Connecting Generations is a big vision, but we have a big God and we know that our church family has a big heart for God and his mission.  Nothing is impossible for God!  Together we can and together we will, connect generations to each other and to Christ.

I am proud and humbled to serve as one of  your pastors. 



Rick

Connecting Generations

For the next 4 weeks, you will be hearing and seeing much about our next Campus Development construction project and Connecting Generations capital funds campaign.  God has spoken, the vision is clear, the need is great, and the time has come to act.

Those in worship last weekend received a trifold brochure describing the need, the timeline, description of the project, estimated costs and a request to pray asking God …“Lord, what do you want to accomplish through me as it relates to Your will for this church?”   If you were out of town or serving down the hall when the brochures were distributed, rest easy, one will soon arrive in your mailbox.

God cast this vision for our church body over 25 years ago. Some of you may remember we were on the cusp of building similar space plus a 1500 seat worship space seven years ago when the Great Recession shook the economic foundations of our proud nation and our own church family. The project was postponed, and we began to make the needed financial adjustments to our budget so we might live within our means.

To be transparent, even before the Great Recession, I was not at peace with the timing and scope of the project itself.  Today, I am completely at peace and confident the project and the time are not only right, it is God’s perfect timing and plan.

I woke up in the middle of the night June 2013. No person or situation was particularly on my mind, but I sensed the very clear urge that I needed to pray.  I went to my prayer place, took my rosary in hand and began to meditate on the power of the cross and the love of God.  I did not hear a voice speak, but it was as clear as the voice Ray heard in the movie Field of Dreams. “It is time.” 

 I walked into the office later that morning and told Allan…”It is time to call our architect and see if we can modify our existing plans and build additional children’s and community space.” Session met the next night, and I told them the same thing. Shortly thereafter, I shared the same with the Executive Leadership Team and then the entire staff. 

Much has happened since God awakened me that June summer night, but the message remains clear while the need is even greater.  It is time to Connect Generations, past, present and future, to each other and more importantly to Jesus.

Please pray. Please read every piece of information that comes your way. Please attend your next small group meeting and watch the video that will help give you get a better understanding and picture of what is about to happen. If you are not in a small group, please use the Connection Tear off in worship this weekend to sign up and attend a onetime gathering to learn more about the project.  We are not using or paying an outside consultant. We have a team of laity from our own church family who are leading this endeavor to Connect Generations to Jesus and each other.  

Many, young and old are coming to Christ. Disciples are being made. The love of God is healing hurts, habits and hang-ups. “It is time.” It is time to take another bold step in our purpose to glorify God and share the love and grace of Jesus with as many people as we can. Connected to God and each other we can. Connected to God and each other we will.

Thank you for loving God and your church.

Humble and proud to serve as one of your pastors,

Rick

Who Will Love Them if We Don't?

Today’s Headlines:

“Three Dead Fourteen Wounded.”

“Mudslide Death Toll Rises to 30”

“Dad Convicted of Killing Daughter.”

“Children Live, Parents Died In Crash.”

“22% US Children Live in Poverty.”

Who will love them if we don’t?

Neighbor News:  53% marriages end in divorce.  41% of us will be diagnosed with cancer.  Most children will be born out of wedlock by 2016.  Over half of teen-age Face Book users are lonely in real life.  Depression and closet alcoholism plague rising numbers of American women. 70% of Americans hate their jobs.   Pornography is a $12 Billon US business that the evil one is using to erode male integrity.

Who will love them if we don’t?

I will never forget 4 year old Jacob standing next to me while I was reading the paper. “I love you daddy.”   “I love you too Jacob” and I kept on reading.  “I love you daddy.” “I love you too Jacob. Let daddy finish reading the paper.”   “I love you daddy and I am going to do something about it.”  Jacob then jumped up and through my open paper throwing his arms around my neck squeezing tight.  “I love you daddy.”

For the past five weeks we have been studying and praying about God’s love. For the past 30 days we have engaged in reading, journaling and discussing what it means to love others, to forgive others, to reach out to others, to love others as God loves us.   

It is time to do something about it.

Are you building relationships with people who are not like you? Are you getting to know the story of the clerk, the UPS driver, the new family in your neighborhood?  What about the friend who sits alone at lunch or the person sharing the same hospital waiting room, do you know their name? 

“This is how we know what love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”  I John 3:16 

It is time to do something about it.

Who have you invited to the Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Services? Where are you serving? Are you praying for people you know who are lost? Are you praying for how you can participate in the expansion of our facility to make room for everyone God is leading into our midst? Are you praying for our rebranding efforts so you are ready to embrace the new name and help us fulfill  the mission God has placed upon us to reach the lost and make disciples?

Who will love them if we don’t? It is time to do something about it.

I’m all in. Are you?

Ash Wednesday and a New Message Series

Ash Wednesday Worship and Lent:              March 5^th, 7:00 PM, ARC

Christians around the world will gather in a place of worship tomorrow, Wednesday March 5^th, to be marked by a cross made out of ashes.  This ancient tradition practiced on the first day of Lent is a symbol of beginning a forty day season of confession and repentance. After 1517 and the Protestant Reformation, many mainline denominations abandoned the practice of the being marked by the ashen cross because they wanted to distance themselves from their Roman Catholic heritage and the
“showiness” of wearing a cross on the forehead.  In the past 30 years, Evangelicals have returned to their roots, again embracing repentance and the imagery of being outwardly marked by a cross made of ashes.

Please join us tomorrow in the ARC to as we begin one of the most holy seasons of the Christian year.  This 30 minute powerful, prayer focused worship time will prepare you for the journey to Easter and the joy of the Resurrection.  I will be looking for you!

Journaling:               Spiritual Discipline

We are going to learn and practice the discipline of journaling during this Lenten season.  Bring $3 on Ash Wednesday or weekend worship and pick up your Lenten journal. We only ordered 600 so do not procrastinate!  We will explain and get you started on using your journal in weekend worship.

New Message Series and Small Group Launch:          March 8-9   “Love, God” Study of I John

“What’s love got to do with it?”  Everything!  You name it, marriage, parenting, friends, hobbies, work, politics, money,  love impacts every area of your life.  How many times a day do you use the word “love?”  ……. I love my wife. I love my husband. I want somebody to love. I love going to bed.  I love my new outfit. I love chipotle. I love baseball. I love chips and gummy worms.  I love it when Spring Break and time change weekend happen on the same weekend. (That last one was sarcasm J )

What’s love got to do with it? Everything.  Beginning this weekend, we will begin a six week of study of I John and the over used, water downed, but desperately sought after word called “love.” In worship, we will dig deep into the scripture. In our small groups, we will grow together in our understanding and practice of love in every area of our lives.  

Women and Men, young and old, long to love and be loved.  And yet, nothing is more complicated.  Truth is, most of us mess love up because we are not very good at it and some of us do not even know what love is.  

Invite a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker and let’s relearn how to receive and give love. Most of all, invite someone who does not believe in God or who has been turned off the church or who simply needs to be loved by someone who will never betray or hurt them.  “Love, God”

I am praying for you. Please pray for me.

Rick

State of the Church Address

Fantastic! Marvelous!  Superb! Magnificent! Unbelievable!  Exciting!  Growing! Moving! Intense!

Do you get the picture? Are things perfect? Absolutely not. We have much to learn, much to accomplish and areas where improvement is direly needed, but we are experiencing a season of God’s favor unlike I have witnessed in my 27 years as your pastor.

• Percentage of our congregation serving is the highest ever
• Most  ever believer’s baptisms in 2013 and 2014  off to a Wow start
• 52 solid Small Groups meeting year round
• Families being transformed through Family, Women’s and Men’s ministry.
• Most evenings, every room in our facility is in use.
• Grief Share has become a Community Ministry
• The depth and width of our Outreach Ministries is strong and far reaching
• A PSK audit and local Banks testify that our financial health is in the top percentile of
• all churches in America.
• Guests, especially young families are flowing through our doors every weekend.
• You are embracing the concept of Celebration, Community and Call
• You are embracing the importance of inviting and sharing your faith.
• Worship attendance across all 5 worship celebrations averaging 1100 a weekend
• I am proud of how our staff is growing and strengthening their servant leadership skills.
• We have three young, talented, high quality young men preparing for ordination.
• We are becoming a disciple making church.

In fear of sounding like an infomercial I will refrain from saying ”Wait…there's more”, but there really is. I am over whelmed and thankful beyond measure for God’s favor and your commitment to the mission. Below are a few headlines you could see in 2014…….

• Revealed and discovered BHAGS changing the world for area children and youth…
• 24 year old Sanctuary remodeled just in time for Palm Sunday and Easter
• 13,000 Eggs gathered and a great time had by all at the annual Community wide Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
• Over 1,000 attended Good Friday Worship, 3,000 on Easter
• Men bonded with parent-less young men on Nicaragua Mission trip
• Job Opening: Facility Manager
• Gregg Gammon and Perry Allan will respectively serve as point leaders for Building Construction and Construction Finance Campaign.
• Porte- Cache  on Thomas street completed. Parking lot demo begins by June 1 to proceed with construction of New Community Space (connecting ARC & Sanctuary) , Nursery and Children’s space. 
• St. Matthew High School Graduates ready to do their part to change the world.
• Ground  Breaking for Mission outpost in Ethiopia to take place  after rainy season
• Record attendance at Vacation Bible School and Summer Camp. Young disciples challenging adults to grow in their knowledge of the bible.
• Jorge Chaco smiling in heaven. Birthday gift to Jesus proceeds help fund the completion of church in Rio Bravo. Two Mission trip groups provided the skill and muscle. 
• New Message Series:  “Radical Followers”
• Rebranding Efforts  to be revealed by Thanksgiving
• 10th Anniversary of our Birthday Gift to Jesus surpasses the million dollar mark
• New Community, Nursery and Children’s space dedication, January 2015

Blog already way too long so I will stop……..but I hope you get the point……..the state of God’s church can be summed up in one word….”Blessed.”

Dream Big!
Rick