Hey Guys! I want to encourage all of you and your sheep to join us Sunday evening March 25 for our second Waypoint conference called “Finding your PLACE.” It will be from 5-7 that Sunday evening. The format will be a little different. It will be in the FLC and it will be an interactive workshop with Jay McSwain the founder of PLACE Ministries. Some of you have gone through this process before and I would ask that you still make plans to attend so that you gain a deeper understanding of this powerful resource. I also ask that your C-Group make plans to sit together. Why is this event so important?
A couple reasons. 1) For the church. We believe that God has gifted and equipped each member to share a role in minstry. Many people over the years have served in roles out of guilt and obligation. Often times, people serve in a role that is outside of there giftedness and passion areas. There will be times that this must occur, but it should be on a much smaller scale instead of the norm. The reason? People become frustrated and ministries flounder. When you find your PLACE, people are fulfilled and ministries flourish. As we open the new building, there will be many vacancies that need to be filled. We are anticipating growth and we want to have the right people in the right place. This intentional process will help you to understand how to serve and where to serve.
2) For our members. I have often heard that from people that North Side is too big and that it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. I can’t think of a better way to debunk that myth by offering a process is solely about the individual. Not many churches inthje country large or small can say that. I think it is so neat that we can help our people understand that God has uniquely designed each of us for a reason. It doesn’t have to be just inside the walls of the church but often times outside. It is important to know if you are more of a “people” person or if you are more task oriented type of person. It is important to know what you captures your heart; to serve in areas of passion. It helps to understand the way you communicate and the way others do as well. Here is a biggie. It helps you to say yes where you should and no where you shouldn’t. I could on for a long time but I think you understand.
3) Personal – this is the tool that God used to open the doors for me to enter into to ministry. I struggled with a lot of different things but God allowed me to understand the way that I am wired and that helped me in more ways than I could explain. I understand my strengths, I know when I should say yes or when I should say no. I understand the way that God has gifted me and why it is so important.
For some, this will be an absolute light bulb moment, for others, a mere confirmation of what God is doing in their lives and what he wants to do. Each person will need to complete an assessment before they come. They are free of charge and are available electronically or in hard copy. I will be passing around a signup sheet in each C-Group folder. I will get the assessments to you as soon as I know how many for each group.