On my mind this afternoon

A little mind dump for Thursday afternoon:

• Funny how ministry never stops…it’s something you think about 24/7…and even when you go on vacation (or staff members do) you have to do a lot of advance planning to cover all the bases.
• While it is a 24/7 job, I appreciate the flexibility it lends me.  I am assistant coach on my son’s all-star team and we are running 2-a-day practices (7am-9:30 am then in then 2 more hours in the evening).  It’s only one week like this…but glad I can work crazy hours and still do stuff like this with my son.
• We prayed a send-off prayer for our short term missionary - Josh Feehs - one of our teenagers in Brazil sharing the gospel for 10 days.  Here is the link to pictures and updates: FCA Missions Trip
• Not sure how I feel about Diet Coke with Vitamins added to it nor how I feel about Rosie O’Donell doing the Price is Right show…neither feels right.
• Our new church sign came in today…glad to finally update our road sign we put out every Sunday morning…it was time!  Scott posted some pics here.
• Anxious to take the family to see Evan Almighty.  I was pleasantly surprised by the preview clips I have viewed online.  Steve Carrell is a funny dude and it looks like a positive message.  BUT NO, I’m not jumping on the bandwagon and preaching an “Evan Almighty” sermon series at LCC

Letter to the Congregation

The following is the text of the letter I am mailing out to our congregation today.  Some big news to share…

June 20, 2007 

Dear LCC Family, 

Hello!  I hope your summer is off to a great start.  I hope you and your family have a chance to take a summer vacation.  It’s so important to get away from the busyness of Northern Virginia life. 

I am writing to share with you some news that is both exciting and sad at the same time.  Scott Stem, our Student Pastor, has accepted a position at Sycamore Creek Church in Ohio.  He, Andrea and Addison will be leaving us probably sometime in August.  Scott has done a tremendous job over the past 4 years in both part-time and full-time roles at LCC.  It is sad because we are losing someone we love who has been a huge part of our church in our early years…but it is exciting because of the opportunity that God has opened up for Scott and his family.   

Sycamore Creek is located just outside of Columbus, Ohio.  The church is very similar in style to LCC and they are averaging close to 500 people in attendance.  This new position will allow Scott to focus about 90% of his time and energy on teenagers which is his primary passion.  This is a great step for Scott in his ministry career and he has my full support and blessing.  I am proud of what God has done and is doing in his life.  I look forward to hearing great reports of how God uses him at SCC. 

When we are able to confirm exactly when the Stems will be moving, we will have a farewell for them on their last Sunday with us.  Stay tuned for that information.  In the meantime, be praying for them in this transition and for the sale of their home here. 

You may be wondering what this means for LCC.  I am working with the Pastoral Advisory Team concerning the covering of Scott’s responsibilities.  Our current plan is to hire 2 part time individuals: a Youth Director and a Children’s Director.   Josh and I will divide up Scott’s miscellaneous duties and I will directly work with the life groups until we have a volunteer for that position.  Please pray that God leads us to the right people for these positions.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.  

God bless,   

Steve Markle, Lead Pastor

Monday Minute…

It’s a busy Monday…but here’s a quick recap of yesterday and some other tidbits…

• The outdoor service was a blast…yea it was hot…but not unbearable.  The band rocked and the service went pretty well.
• The HIGHLIGHT for me was the baptisms…5 more people were baptized on Sunday bringing our 2007 total to 20.  This was our prayer goal for 2007 and we’ve reached it midyear.  I think it’s one of those prayer requests that God really wants answer :-)  The picture is from yesterday’s baptism.
• I got some great homemade father’s day cards from my kids.  They also gave me some great cologne from Hollister…I just wish I looked like the guy pictured on the box it came in…oh well…
• My son and I started all-star practice this morning at 7am.  We are having 2-a-days this week - morning and evening.  Lots of fun…lots of sweat! 
• Several families in our church are hurting due to deaths in their families.  I feel a heavy burden for these families.  Please pray for our church families.

Father’s Day

With tommorow being Father’s day, I thought I’d post a few thoughts running through my mind on the subject of fatherhood…

• My dad was a great dad and still is.  He is 64 now and a great friend and great grandad.  He and mom were in town for a day and it was great to just spend some time with him and watch him play with our kids.
• I notice dad sleeps a lot more…he dozes off very quickly on the sofa
• I love being a dad.  I love my 3 kids so very much.  I cannot wait to see what they become as they get older…but at the same time I love who they are right now.
• I’m so thankful for my relationship with each of my kids…I don’t take it for granted…especially when I get to observe other kids and their parents.
• My parents apologized for not getting me something for Father’s Day…which doesn’t really make sense…but they told me they think I am a great dad…which is worth more than any gift.
• I’m really looking forward to our Father’s Day service tomorrow.  The outdoor service should be a blast.  It’s going to be Sunny and 90 degrees…I think I’m going to preach in shorts, t-shirt and sandals…pretty cool!

He’s 14

My son is 14 yo today.  I can clearly remember that day…6.15.93.  The long awaited arrival of our first child.  He was a big baby boy…10lbs. 1 oz…He sure has thinned out :-)  Happy Birthday Z!

20 Tips for Using Google Better

I came across this article on the Simplicity blog that I subscribe too.  I was surprised how much I didn’t know about using Google.  Click here for the article.   #8 is especially helpful…and will save me some time when looking for a calculator!  Check it out.

Comeback Churches

I finished reading this book last night.  It was pretty good.  It was based on a study of over 300 churches who had declined or plateued but now had made a comeback.  Not too many overwhelming suprises.  Mostly confirming in my mind what we are currently doing right as well as areas where we need to improve.

One interesting discovery was in the area of preaching style.  Although almost all the pastors used a variety of approaches, the favorite style of preaching of comeback churches was verse-by-verse preaching.  This style was more than twice as popular as topical. 

Free Starbucks

I’ve gotten free coffee at the local Starbucks two weeks in a row now.  It’s all about timing.  If you order a cup of coffee and it’s not ready…as in still brewing…and you have to wait…then it’s free.  Here’s a hint:  if you see one of the two brews not ready (as in mild or bold), then order that one.  Free advice from a coffee snob.

Looking forward to Sunday…

We had a blast at last year’s outdoor service in July.  This year we decided to move it back a month combine it with Father’s Day.  Check it out!

Kickball Anyone?

I remember the awesome kickball games of my Elementary School years.  Check out the event we are having on June 23rd.