Making the Connection

This week, we’re starting a brand new teaching series called RED HOT through the book of Song of Solomon and it’s gonna be HOT!

At one time, the Jewish people were not allowed to even read Song of Solomon because of its steamy content. But, today, you hear explicit talk everywhere you turn. And yet most people will admit that they’re like Mick Jagger and “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” And in our age of Sexual Revolution, people are more frustrated and unfulfilled than ever.

Right now, there’s a song on the charts from Trey Songz called “I Invented Sex.” I’ve got news for you, don’t believe him. God is the One who invented sex. And He knows how it’s best.

At TCC, we never shy away from addressing real life issues and neither does God’s Word. So over the next six weeks, we’re going to dig into what God has to say about sex and relationships. And I’m already pumped about the potential this series has to take our marriages (or if you’re single, your future marriage) to a Whole ‘Notha Level!

I’ll see you this Sunday as we kick it off with “The Spark of Attraction” at 9:30 and 11am!

Before we get too far into the new year and 2010 overtakes us with it’s own victories (as well as new lessons learned), I wanted to take a quick look back at the ground we took as a Connection Church family in 2009. I’m thanking God that over the last 12 months:

• We saw 101 people make first time decisions to trust and follow Jesus!
• We baptized 48 people (211 people since 2004)!
• We served over 7,000 people from our county through our community events like The Big Hunt, Mega-Sports Camp, Trunk or Treat, and Connection Christmas Eve’s Eve!
• We prepared and delivered 825 Lunches of Love to hungry children in our community!
• We sent 20 people on a mission trip to the interior of Belize with the PALMS Puppet Team and saw 100′s make decisions to follow Jesus!
• We commissioned Zak, Amber & Couper White and their team to plant Revolution Church in the Schertz/Selma/Cibolo area to start a spiritual revolution!
• The many volunteers who put in countless hours to create the best opportunity for people to connect with God, others, and others with God!

As we begin 2010, I’m more excited about our future than ever before! We’re already beginning work on building out our new location on FM-967 between Buda and Kyle to position us to fulfill our vision to see Hays County changed one life at a time. Greater Things are still to come!

Our newest quarter of Connection Groups started this week with lots of new people connecting with a group. We’re already getting great reports of things that are happening as groups have started meeting.

Last summer, we overhauled our group system in some key areas and have improved our group system to make it healthier and help them grow.

I am making our most recent Connection Group Training Guide available for free to anyone who wants to use it for their own groups. I recommend that you adapt it to your own setting and culture. If you’ve got questions about some of the specifics, feel free to comment on this post. I’d also love to hear from you about what’s working in groups at your church so that we can learn from you too.

Click on the link to download:
Connection Group Leader’s Training Guide

I’m so pumped to have Javier & Juanita Castillo and their 3 kids on our team. You see, Javier has been a pastor for many years. He has a heart for reaching people far from God. When he was leading Kyle Community Church, he found all kinds of ways to actively engage them in serving the community. And I’m honored that several months ago, they chose to follow God’s leading to join us at TCC.

On Sunday, Javi was one of the first people at Hemphill. Instead of striving for position, he said, “I may not get to preach every week, but if you’ll let me be responsible for setting up the chairs, I’ll be the best Minister of Chairs you’ve ever seen.” WOW!

They have stepped up to lead a Connection Group, and on Sunday they filled the group in one day just by meeting people and inviting them to their group.

And then, I was totally humbled after everyone was gone to see Javi & Juanita in the broom closet mopping up water that had leaked all over the place (the water was there when we got there in the morning, and not even our mess).

Their enthusiasm, support, and encouragement are off the charts. So Castillo’s, you are our Jesus Freaks of the Week!

TCC's First Celebration at Hemphill

Sunday was a great day of victory with our first day at our new temporary location. There was a great “feel” with many new faces. The vibe was a return to the days when we used to meet at Tobias. So I want to give you the top 10 reasons we like being at Hemphill for now:

10) It gets us Lean, Mean, and Back to Basics. We get to remember that we’re not about buildings.  At the core, we’re all about seeing lives changed. TCC has never been about all the bells and whistles. We’re flexible and can adapt to whatever environment we’re in. We’re going to see more growth while we’re at Hemphill.
9) The Bathrooms are “Fun-Sized.” Only in an elementary school can you relive your early years of school with miniature toilets.
There’s more Freedom and Less Rush. Now, we’ve got more time to connect with each other in a relaxed atmosphere, something that TCC has always been about. This move helps us do what we do best.
7) Indoor Baptism! We can move into the warm school for baptism instead of being outside in the freezing cold. Sign up for our next baptism on January 31st.
6) Serve a Service, Attend a Service. Moving to a smaller meeting space gets us back where everyone can serve every week and still get to be a part of worship. Are you plugged into a ministry team?
5) Interactive Sermons. Yes, occasionally I accidentally spit when I’m speaking. When we are this close, everyone can personally get involved in the message.
4) Saving Money. Because it’s not as expensive to rent the school, we’re able to save the difference to invest in our soon-to-be location. Give online here.
3) No More Rattlesnakes. By the time we left the PAC, there had been over 30 rattlesnakes found since the start of school this year. We even found one in Volunteer Central.
2) A Missionary Move for our Future. AT TCC, we do Whatever It Takes to fulfill God’s vision. It’s never about our comfort. It prepares us for our future, but while we’re there, we want to reach as many people in the surrounding area as possible.

And the number 1 reason we’re glad to be at Hemphill for now is:

1) Coffee and Donuts in the Service. Yes, now you can stay hyped up on caffeine and sugar during the Celebration Service!