Church FAQs Promo Spot #3

Ok, here's the last run that we did last weekend at ALC. If I receive enough feedback, I may post some of the outtakes.

Can't see the forest for the trees...

I have heard that statement many times over the past week. Here's a great blog entry by Ben Decker regarding communication weeds.

sermon notes circa 1940s (?)

Here are some sermon notes from a sermon my grandpa preached around the 1940's...I must say, I am quite impressed with typed notes!

It is a message on salvation: a good old fashioned hell, fire, and brimstone message to be sure!

























Also, my grandfather was a Baptist minister. Here is his marriage license...married by a WOMAN in 1942. lol. A little ironic, dont-cha think?


Thanks for marrying my grandparents, Ella!

Like walking from one room into the next...

My grandfather died today.
He has been ill.
He has aged well.
I am happy to know that he isn't suffering, that he is experiencing the hope he preached about in the back towns and countryside camp meetings of his Baptist roots. My mom, 3 aunts, and one uncle are grieving much. This was there last living parent.

BUT:
According to the Bible, we don't grieve like a person who has no hope (I Thess 4:13). We still grieve, we still have pain, and we still hurt. But we have hope. We shouldn't grieve as if this is the end.

What we consider loss is only temporary, for the end of this life is but a beginning of being wholeness, of clinging to the hope we have heard about over and over again. No, death is simply like walking from one room into the next.

Promo vids #2...i think it is funny

Ok, so here is our week 2 promo...I gave props in the last post.
Any problems watching the vid? Go to the original post
@ natedrye.com
If you laugh, let me know...

A little Conan, a little recycle, a lotta fun...

We have a new series coming up mid-November called, Church FAQs. Basically, we want to answer threatening questions people may have about our church, ALC. Questions like: why did you play a Michael Jackson song? what happens to my money after I put it in the offering bag thing? what does this church believe about the virgin birth? what do you see happening here in the next 2-3 years?

Those are just samples, but we're allowing everyone to ask a question via our website, text, email, or just easy paper and pen style with a connection card. So, we have some short video promos to promote the series. We sat down some of our church leaders (myself included) and had them volunteer ALC Secrets.

It may not be what you think, but here ya go:
(if you can't view the video, watch in the original post at www.natedrye.com)


So, whatcha think? More to come soon...

My dog ran away a lot...

When I was a young boy, I had a dog that ran away a lot. I can't really say that I blamed him. His name was Scruffy, and I was a bad dog owner. I didn't walk him, I kept him on a chain in the back yard, I whined when I was told to feed him, blah blah blah. Elementary school children learn responsibility in very odd ways.

When Scruffy ran away, it like he was running for sweet freedom. Seriously, you would have thought he was a POW that finally caught a break. I couldn't catch him. I don't even know why/how he "got loose." He always seemed to break free around the first day of school, oddly enough (lol).

It always irked me that he ran so hard once he was free. But then again, why wouldn't he? I was a horrible care giver. My mom pretty much cared more about Scruffy than me. She just MADE me do the right things and take responsibility. She would always say the same things to me: "He will stop running if you stop chasing him. And if you actually let him go, he may come back on his own." And he did...Scruffy always came back. He didn't come back because of me, though. I am convinced of that. Honestly, I still can't figure out why he would come back.

Responsibility is funny. Not in a lol kind of way, either. When it is forced on you, you're frustrated all the time and disdain the pressure (like me and Scruffy). When you take it willfully, like in a job, you are consistently trying to relieve the pressure by owning your role. There is a lot to be said about actually owning responsibility, especially when it comes to following Jesus, and in leading others on the same path.

I think that, as the church of Jesus, we have a tremendous responsibility: to own our roles as followers of Jesus in a way that leads those around us into a deeper connection to Him. Whether we sing, teach, serve, or smile...we are compelled to do so in a way that draws attention to Jesus. Think about that. If we actually do that, we may think that it is important that we value and prioritize, and, dare I say, lead with our actions when it comes to our actions as a Christ follower (some people would call this ministry).

We should at least conduct ourselves in a manner where other people will not want to ever "run far far away." I think love may play a factor here.

^15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Colossians 3:17, The Message)