Live... Without a Net!!!

7 Lyrics that Rock My World

I'm not a musician, but I love music. Someone asked me not too long ago, "What's your favorite song?" I honestly had to reply that asking me to choose one favorite song would be like asking me to choose my favorite daughter!

That said, there are a few lyrics that really move me. Not that these are the only ones. There could be many more, but here are seven that are among my favorite.

• "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me a sinner condemned unclean." - Charles H. Gabriel (I Stand Amazed)
• "You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning." - Chris McClarney and Anthony Skinner (Your Love Never Fails)
• "Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel." - Charles Wesley (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
• "Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder at the mention of Your Name. Jesus, Your Name is Power, Breath, and Living Water, such a marvelous mystery." - Jennie Lee Riddle (Revelation Song)
• "I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One Who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered. All I am is Yours." - Joel  Houston (The Stand)
• "'Cause I know that you're alive. You came to fix my broken life. And I'll sing to glorify Your Holy name, Jesus Christ." - Matt Crocker (Fire Fall Down)
• "Is this for real? Can it be? A Savior came! O What a King!" - Kevin Gardner (Just the Way I Am)

What lyrics rock your world?

Three Big Things...

The totals are in for Gateway's Tornado Relief Offering... $6,513! You guys rock!!!

We've got a HUGE Sunday coming up... Baptism, Graduate Recognition, and Stories! It's gonna be a big weekend!

Jesus is up to something incredible among us at Gateway! So... INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! We want them to be a part of it all!

3 Reasons Every Church Should Change Its Stage Design... Often!!

It generates interest - There's this memorable scene from the movie European Vacation where the Griswold kids, Russ and Audrey, are trying to watch TV in London. They are completely disgusted to find that every channel is showing the exact same documentary on how to make cheese... The sad thing is that some churches have been "making cheese" for years... limburger cheese at that! But face it, the staff and members are tired of looking at the same old out-dated paint and paneling. Those that aren't tired of it don't ever really notice it. What they would notice is a fresh coat of paint, new drapes, something that highlights the message, or anything that breaks the week after week visual monotony. Long-term uniformity stifles growth and fosters apathy. "Stifling" and "apathetic" should NEVER be words to describe the church.

It gives creative people an outlet for their gifts - You've probably got several people who've been gifted with a talent for graphic, artistic, and interior design. Let them know what you're going after in your messages, encourage them, fund them, and let them go to work! You may have to provide some direction for some people (i.e.- remember the environment complements the message... it doesn't drown it), but in the end it's well worth it! One more word... pastor, unless you have a degree in art, DON'T MICROMANAGE YOUR ARTISTS. Let them pick the paint!

It helps keep pastors from becoming slack! - Face it... It's far too easy for pastors to become lazy. After you've spoken to the same group of people for a little while, you have a tendency to lose a little of your edge. You don't push yourself as hard to prepare. Your messages are tired and you become jaded. You fall into the "catch phrase" trap where you learn to string a few words together in order to evoke an "amen" or two. But... there's really nothing fresh to your messages, because you don't challenge yourself anymore. Now, changing your stage design won't do anything if laziness is a natural part of your character (If it is, you need to get out of ministry now!). But for the pastor who's willing to push himself, a group of creative minds who work along with him to alter the worship environment is a gift. You knows these people are working hard to complement the message God has given to you. You know you have to step up your efforts in preparation and execution, because you're no longer a "one-man show" when it comes to proclaiming the gospel on Sunday mornings. You've got an entire team that have designed, built, painted, and assembled (for God's glory) a fresh environment for the gospel to be proclaimed. You'd better be on top of your game. You'd better have prayed like a Calvinist, and prepared like an Arminian. Your role as a leader in preaching the Word absolutely demands it! That whole Iron sharpening iron thing...? It really comes to life in an arena that's constantly being updated to drive home the gospel.

New Summer Series - HEIR!!!

Some people seem destined for success. They are well-connected; they've attended the best schools; they have the best mentors; they have all the potential in the world. They couldn't possibly fail, could they?

The sad truth is that many of them DO fail. Potential isn't strong enough to override deep character flaws, and unfortunately the world is littered with the failures of those who 'coulda,' 'shoulda', and 'woulda.'

That's what makes the life of a man named Elisha so amazing. He was an 'heir' who lived up to (and even exceeded) his promise. So join us at G8way this June as we unpack this intriguing story and identify those parts of his character that propelled him to success.

See you Sundays in June at 9:30 or 11 AM! 

 

Pardon Our Progress!

Pardon our Progress!!!

At G8way, we're always looking for ways to better serve our guests and attendees. Our latest venture is a new family room at the back of the auditorium for parents and their small children! 

The new "Family Room" accomplishes several HUGE things for us at G8way... 

First, it gives our first-timers with small children a place to get used to G8way before going off to our kid's area, because we all know that coming to a new place can be a little overwhelming at first. The room is a great "transition" space, where adults can see (through the glass window) and hear (through the speakers) what's happening in the auditorium. The room won't be able to offer the full-on G8way experience, but hey, as long as it helps our new-comers get their feet under them at G8way, it will be doing exactly what it's intended to do!

Second, the family room helps us minimize distractions in the auditorium. It's sound-dampening walls help keep little noises (and bigger noises) contained. We're all about people meeting Jesus at G8way. But we also know that we have a supernatural enemy who loves to distract people from the gospel. He'll use anything he can (even the slightest noises and movements) to take people's thoughts away from Jesus. We want to do all we can to keep people's hearts focused on Christ, and in an indirect way, the family room helps us do that very thing!

Look for the construction in the back of the auditorium this Sunday, May 23, and for the Family Room to open next Sunday, May 30!

Later, ya'll!!

Thayer