Live... Without a Net!!!

The Heart of a Great Church

_{I've been around enough to know that some churches are doing great things in our world today. On the other hand, I've been around enough to know that the opposite is equally true... that some churches are doing nothing even remotely similar to great in our world today. Sometimes these latter churches aren't trying. For others it could be personal agendas, long-standing sin, leadership issues, pride, lack of fortified faith, immorality, or any number of things that keep them from achieving their God-given potential.}

_{^{But what are the factors that push a church away from failure or sustained mediocrity into success?}}

_{^{Those factors lie within the heart of each great church. Success is the natural result of those factors becoming so ingrained within the church's culture that her people do whatever they must live them out everyday. These things are...}}

• Honor - A specific kind of honor... honor for God. Honor is one of those things that's easier to talk about than to actually give. You see, it's impossible to separate honor from obedience. Great churches understand this. They know that calling Jesus "Lord" without doing what He says makes them the world's greatest LIARS (Matt. 7:21)! They obey God in what He's explicitly revealed, and trust him to show the way in the things He's yet to reveal. And the amazing thing is this... God honors those who honor Him!
• Service - Jesus' church will never be closer to His heart than when she follows His example. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Great churches know that there's a lot of truth in the old saying that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. They leverage their resources to serve not themselves, but "the least of these" loved by Jesus.

_{Find a great church, I promise you they're doing BOTH of these! Honor and service flow from great hearts, and great hearts beat in great churches!!}

_{Now, what's the heartbeat of your church?}

10 Totally Random Unconnected Thoughts

1. I have not seen (nor do I ever care to see) a single episode of 'LOST.'
2. I actually have to admit that I like love our family's new poodle (and no... I have no intentions of turning in my 'man card.')
3. I'm stoked that Julia wants to learn to play guitar.
4. Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project is a fascinating read.
5. The 'Mango Habañero" sauce at Buffalo Wild Wings is totally off the chain!
6. "The churches that give away the most, worry the least." - Casey Graham (I couldn't agree more! ... thanks G8way for being one of those churches!!!)
7. The older I get, the more I understand my parents' love of green grass and beautiful flowers.
8. These words always move me.
9. Daytona and Disney - Two places I'll be the first week of August!
10. Without a doubt, this is the most beautiful woman in all the world!

Elisha

Have you ever known anyone who seemed to be able to accomplish remarkable stuff just because he/she was around? It's true that some people appear to have the Midas touch, and everything they touch turns to gold. But have you ever noticed that many people who have this "gift," use it most often to enhance themselves, their reputations, their influence, their bank accounts, or something else that they call their own?

So... there's this guy in the Old Testament who always seems to be associated with oddly amazing stuff. His name? Elisha. The fact is that wherever he would go, strange things were bound to happen...

• chariots of fire would appear
• overcoats would miraculously part rivers
• bears would come out of the woods to maul disrespectful teenagers
• axe heads would float
• entire armies would go blind
• poisonous soup would become edible
• muddy waters would make people clean
• leprosy would leave one person and go to another
• enemy troops would be routed by angels
• a little bit of bread would feed remarkable numbers of people
• the number of times a king would hit an arrow on the ground had tremendous significance for his nation's future
• and a whole lot of other things!

However, I suppose that my favorite Elisha story is the one that happens several years after Elisha had died. Several men were having a hasty funeral for one of their friends, and somehow or another, the man's body got thrown into Elisha's grave. Upon touching Elisha's bones, the dead man CAME BACK TO LIFE!!! Don't believe me??? Read this!

But, for all of the amazing things that happened whenever he was around, Elisha never used these things to enhance himself. For him, it was all about trust, obedience,and giving glory to his God.

For these reasons, Elisha's story continues to be intriguing today. And that's why we're excited about our next series here at G8way Community Church. Join us for "Heir" Sunday mornings in June 2010!

See ya!

Thayer

The Story of Zac Smith

The next time you're tempted to complain, remember watching this. Then say, "God is still God, and God is still good."

 The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

This story had a new beginning this past Sunday, May 16 when Jesus healed Zac's cancer for good as He welcomed him into His presence... Pray for his wife, his children, his other family members, and his friends, but pray no more for Zac. He no longer needs it!

BTW - You can learn more about Zac's journey on his blog... It's an incredible read!

And remember... God is still God, and God is still good!

Thayer

Weekend Impressions

Here are 14 things are rockin' my world right now!

1. At G8way, one of our five core values is Excellence. Though all of our teams operate at extremely high levels, you must realize that our worship team is reaching new heights every week. I am so proud to serve alongside those guys (and girls!) I just hope that one day Scott DeCarlo will love me as much as he loves his new Macbook Pro! :)
2. Speaking of core values, I walked into the children's area this morning (The Big Top) to find boulders all over the stage. Actually they were paper bags painted with stone texture paint, but wow... they looked just like HUGE ROCKS! What does this have to do with our core values, you ask? Well, our fourth core value is Relevance. We must reach every age group we target in a way that opens their eyes to the truth of the gospel in a way that's culturally relevant to them, and our children are no exception. In a day where Disney and Nickelodeon spend millions to get our children's attention, we can't afford to be "cheesy"  when we present the greatest message to ever rock the world. Amy, you totally knocked that one out of the park. I was very impressed, and by the way, the actual waterfall wasn't none too bad, either!
3. Just in case you're wondering, our other core values are: Jesus Christ: For this and every generation. Life Change: Broken lives made new. Maturity: Spiritual growth through discipleship and service.
4. Read this, and then really think about it... "In the end there are no "great" worshipers--only One whose greatness demands our total, unending worship." - Bob Kauflin
5. Read # 4 again...
6. Remember it is impossible for us to consider redemption apart from the context of slavery. Redemption is the cost required to set a captive free. Sin is a the master of the entire human race, but God, at the expense of His Son, paid the cost once and for all for us to be rescued from judgment to forgiveness and mercy, from death to life, from slavery into TRUE AND LASTING FREEDOM!
7. Membership class was a blast this afternoon. We've changed up the format to make it more interactive and more evangelistic, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Oh, by the way, it's shorter, too! :) For more info, on our next membership class, contact us at info@g8way.cc!
8. I couldn't be more excited about what God's setting the table to do in our worship over the next two weeks... I believe He's getting ready to completely blow us away!
9. In light of # 8, do what you must to make sure YOU are at G8way over the next two weeks, and that you do everything in your power to invite and/or bring ANYONE that you know who needs Jesus. These services are gonna be special!
10. First Sunday, June 6, 6 PM - Mark your calendars... Baptism, Child Dedication, Graduate Recognition! One word - AWESOME!!!
11. Read # 4 again...
12. Our next message series will be about one of my favorite players on the OT scene - Elisha! That's coming in June, followed by a series on relationships in July, and another series we're calling "The Fab Five" in August... more details coming soon!
13. Hey guys... I wasn't lying about that 6 second rule when it comes to hugging your wife... Not five, not five and a half... six full seconds! Why? Because it's the minimum amount of time required during physical contact for our systems to release of serotonin and oxytocin into our bodies. Serotonin and oxytocin both stimulate senses of intimacy and help to ensure bonding. Wow, God totally set that up... Just another reason to be amazed that we are fearfully and wonderfully made!
14. Now after reading # 4 again, tweet it or put it as your Facebook status... It's totally worthy!

Later ya'll!

Thayer

Lookin' Back, Lessons Learned

Yesterday’s zoo trip was totally off the chain. I had a great time with Madi and her friends, and aside from the HUGE traffic jam on HWY 64, it was a really good day. (And though though the traffic was difficult, I did make it back in time to get to Julia’s Sports Award Banquet at Norwayne tonight!)

One of the more interesting parts of the day, however, was when I drove through the little town where I had my first staff ministry experience. You have to go through there to get to the zoo from here, and when I saw the church sign I got to thinking about who I was almost fourteen years ago when Amy and I first walked into that church. In some ways it seems like forever since that time. In other ways, it seems like only yesterday.

Overall, our short time there (only 6 months) wasn’t always positive. I learned about some things to do… and some things NOT to do in ministry. There, I remember discovering church politics, name-dropping among pastors, work ethic in ministry (or lack thereof), inter-staff jealousy, and the importance of planning… Actually the experience was quite a “welcome to ministry” moment for me, but comparatively speaking, it probably wasn’t that much different from some of your career (or ministry) experiences.

A few weeks, ago a friend of mine who is a third generation Citadel graduate, and I were talking about how people should always evaluate (positively and negatively) your life experiences. He said something that really struck me. In fact, I hope I never forget it. As he was dropping him off at the Citadel for the first time, his dad told him, “Son, they can chew on you, but they can’t eat you.”

Now that’s pretty cool… life (and the experiences it brings) can do a lot to you. It can beat you down or lift you up. But the important thing is to learn something from everything! I certainly did in that little church! In truth, there really is no such thing as “wasted time” as long as you evaluate, learn, and grow from whatever life throws at you. Life’s a great teacher, but it’s up to us to become great students. What have your experiences taught you, and how have you grown during and because of those times…?

Something to think about!

6 Things I'm Excited About!

1. Our church raised more than $3,200 for flood relief in Tennessee through “A Day for Nashville.” Giving away that which we’ve been blessed with is a part of worship that we will not neglect.
2. I’m headed to the NC Zoo tomorrow with a bunch of 4th graders. Actually, I’m most excited about going with one particular 4th grader – my Madi! Here she is…
3. WE had 37 students last night at wIred Student Ministry! My man, Tim Whitman and his vols are building something special with G8way Students… Can’t wait to see what God does through them!
4. I can’t wait to worship God at G8way this Sunday… If you’ve been there over the past few weeks, you know EXACTLY what I mean!!! The experience has been amazing, but manufacturing an experience isn’t what we’re about… We’re about JESUS!!!
5. I love Membership Class! It gives us an opportunity to hang out with people who wanna buy into the vision that is G8way Community Church. I believe we’re on the cusp of some pretty amazing things at G8way, and God’s actively assembling HIS all-star cast of everyday people WHO are gonna change the world from right here in Pikeville! Maybe that cast includes you!!!
6. First Sunday in June (June 6, 6 PM) is totally gonna rock!!! Infant/Child Dedication, Baptism, Graduate Recognition… those are just a few of the things we’re planning that night! For more information on any of these, let us know!

Later, ya’ll!

Thayer

Weekend Impressions

Maybe it’s just me, but the Sundays are becoming more and more incredible every week…

Ladies, if I read you right, I believe the Fondue Station was a big hit. BUT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!!! We love all of our mothers at G8way… And just in case we ever need reminding, none of us would be here without you…

Speaking of mothers, G8way was proud to honor and assist all the “mothers and others” in greater Nashville, TN yesterday. Yep, we put together “A Day for Nashville” with all of the undesignated receipts in tithes and offerings going to flood relief in Nashville, TN. That’s right…. ALL UNDESIGNATED RECEIPTS! Together, we were able to collect $3,241 which will go directly to Cross Point Church’s Flood Relief Fund… Our bros and sistas @crosspoint_tv will continue to minister to people’s physical and spiritual needs in Nashville long after the CNN cameras go back to Atlanta, and we’re happy to get in on what God’s doing (and will do) there!

I can’t help but be more impressed each week by our volunteers. Let me give a shout-out this week to all our worship team and media volunteers… You guys completely and totally rock!

Membership Class is this Sunday, May 16 just after second service! Click here to register!!!

Look for a staff addition this summer at G8way… For those of you who attend every week to see what’s happening onstage each week, I don’t think you’re gonna be surprised!!!

First Sunday @ G8way this June 6 will be awesome… Baptism, Baby Dedication, and Graduate Recognition… Can’t wait!

Good Night Everyone!!!

Thayer

A Day for Nashville

OK, people! You want your church to be part of the solution to the world's need? Then this post is for you!

Many of you know that in January G8way Community Church did our part to help out earthquake victims in Haiti. In March, our students rocked the house with 30 Hour Famine to draw attention to the plight of and raise money for those millions who go without nourishment everyday. Every month our church supports local/national/international missions through organizations such as the IMB, Campus Crusade for Christ, and the Wayne Pregnancy Center.

Well, here's what God has laid upon our hearts now...

Unless you live under the proverbial rock, you cannot help but be touched by the floods that have devastated large parts of Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee (especially Nashville). Many have lost EVERYTHING. Relief workers need equipment to assist with relief efforts. Clean water is scarce, almost non-existent (water treatment plants do not work during floods), and people are hungry. These people need help.... Now, not sometime in the future, is the time to be the church!

So here's what we're going to do. Everything that we receive as tithes this Sunday, May 9 will go directly to flood relief in Nashville. Yes, you read right... EVERYTHING!!! We're calling it "A Day for Nashville!"

On Monday morning, May 10 we will make a contribution to the Cross Point Church's flood relief efforts in whatever amount you bring back to God the day before. Cross Point and Pastor Pete Wilson are a part of the Nashville community and will be continuing to minister in the city long after the flood's no longer front page news. We can also rest assured that our participation with them will not only be about meeting people's physical needs (though those are pressing), but about helping people find the hope that only comes through Jesus Christ!!! And... If you want to go ahead and make an online donation directly to the church's flood relief fund, you can do so here!

So... what I'm asking you to do is pass the word (post it on your Facebook and/or Twitter profiles, blog about it, whatever) and bring it generously this Sunday. I'm praying that God will receive the largest single offering that we've ever received here at G8way Community Church! I trust that you will do your part, as your church does her part!!!

God Bless!

Thayer

Weekend Impressions

Another great weekend at G8way...

We didn't really plan for it to happen this way but we finished our corporate fast on the same day that many of us also finished reading through the Bible in 90 days. It was a more than fitting conclusion to both!

Our family had an awesome day @ the beach on Saturday. Without a doubt, ocean truly proclaims the breadth and depth of our God's majesty and power.

The Sundays keep getting more powerful each week at G8way... There is a stirring, and the undeniable reality is that God is up to something in our midst! People are coming to know Jesus every week! I can't wait to see what HE does next!!

We will have a huge baptismal service on Sunday evening, June 6 @ 6 PM... Put it on your calendars!

What is "IT?" Submission, Service, & Standing in Awe!

We have the greatest service teams of any church I've ever been a part of... Preschool, Children, Students, Tech, and Guest Services!

And our worship team... One word, "WOW!!!" I'll be singing "With Everything" for the rest of my days.

Communion was especially meaningful last night for quite a few reasons... First, communion is always special. Second, fasting does amazing things for your spiritual sensitivity. And third, Kevin Gardner does an incredible job through song in helping our hearts prepare! It was a wonderful experience,

Special thanks to Stacia and Kerri for getting everything together last night!

Have a great Monday, folks!!

Later,
Thayer