Well, it’s August and if you are a part of the YOURplaceCHURCH Launch Team, then you know what that means... It’s time to begin our Launch Team meetings. Some might ask, “What in the heck is a Launch Team meeting?” Well, I am glad you asked. The days of renting a hotel room and running an ad in the paper are over. If you want a church plant to be successful in this day and age, then you start with an awesome group of people who are committed to launching with success.
What happens during a Launch Team meeting? We will get together once a month for the next few months and pray, strategize, build vision, and set team assignments. It is a great time to build relationships as well as get to know the direction YOURplaceCHURCH is heading.
Who can be a part of the Launch Team? Great question...the answer is: anybody who shows interest in being a part. I would say if you are interested, then come and check out a Launch Team meeting. Our first one is scheduled for the end of August. We are working on the venue location now, and I will post it as soon as it is nailed down. Ultimately, when we get moved in to Pryor, it will be in our home.
So all that being said, if you have any more questions about YOURplaceCHURCH or being a part of the Launch Team, feel free to send me an email at Darian.rains@sbcglobal.net.
Until then “Love God, Hate sin, and Live!!!”
Darian
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Starting Fresh
Have you ever started over in life? A new career, changing cities, new friends, finding out where your new favorite restaurant is going to be. It can all be a little unsettling in the beginning. Tyra and I have moved our family back to Oklahoma, and even though we are closer to home, it’s all new to us. Having to find out where the kids will go to school, where we will do our shopping, and trying to create a sense of home is, at times, different to say the least.
But even though it’s all new, we are so glad that God has directed us to start this rockin, life giving, ministry called YOURplaceCHURCH. We thought about taking the “job” as the new pastor at an existing church, (even was hired at one point to do just that) but once we began to move that direction we had a strange feeling inside. You know the one that’s like taking a shower with your socks on. “Something just isn't right here.” Well, it took a little bit for us to recognize it, but once we did we made the adjustment and carried on.
One thing about starting a brand new, radical to the max, life giving, relevant, cool, relational church that is different from taking over a church, is that we have the freedom to start fresh. The people who come will not have to “unlearn” or change their philosophy of how church should be. We know that some people will like it and others will want that same traditional style that they grew up with. (We just may not be the church for them.)
The other thing about starting a new church from scratch is just that it’s “from Scratch.” We don't have a sound system, computers, over heads, cool banners, and all the equipment (or even a building) that comes when you take over an existing work. So we get to believe God for everything. Especially the finances to provide all that. It takes people who believe in us and what we are doing here in Pryor Creek, OK. People that feel, in some ways, compelled to partner with us in this “new thing.”
If you would like to help partner with us during the launch phase of YOURplaceCHURCH, we would happily receive all that you would like to do. You can follow the link to our website www.yourplacechurch.com and click on “Donate.” All of your giving is tax deductible, and you will receive a follow up email that can serve as your receipt.
Thank you for partnering with us as we help Pryor find their place in the Kingdom of God at YOURplaceCHURCH.
God Bless,
Darian
But even though it’s all new, we are so glad that God has directed us to start this rockin, life giving, ministry called YOURplaceCHURCH. We thought about taking the “job” as the new pastor at an existing church, (even was hired at one point to do just that) but once we began to move that direction we had a strange feeling inside. You know the one that’s like taking a shower with your socks on. “Something just isn't right here.” Well, it took a little bit for us to recognize it, but once we did we made the adjustment and carried on.
One thing about starting a brand new, radical to the max, life giving, relevant, cool, relational church that is different from taking over a church, is that we have the freedom to start fresh. The people who come will not have to “unlearn” or change their philosophy of how church should be. We know that some people will like it and others will want that same traditional style that they grew up with. (We just may not be the church for them.)
The other thing about starting a new church from scratch is just that it’s “from Scratch.” We don't have a sound system, computers, over heads, cool banners, and all the equipment (or even a building) that comes when you take over an existing work. So we get to believe God for everything. Especially the finances to provide all that. It takes people who believe in us and what we are doing here in Pryor Creek, OK. People that feel, in some ways, compelled to partner with us in this “new thing.”
If you would like to help partner with us during the launch phase of YOURplaceCHURCH, we would happily receive all that you would like to do. You can follow the link to our website www.yourplacechurch.com and click on “Donate.” All of your giving is tax deductible, and you will receive a follow up email that can serve as your receipt.
Thank you for partnering with us as we help Pryor find their place in the Kingdom of God at YOURplaceCHURCH.
God Bless,
Darian
Patience
Well, summer time is in full swing. I don't know where you live, but in Oklahoma it’s hot, baby!!! Every day over 100 degrees. But just as quickly as it heats up, it will cool down. And with fall in our future, so is FOOTBALL. Many of you may not be aware of this, but I live with a future Heisman Trophy winner. My son Taylor is going all the way in his football career. Last week he started 8th grade conditioning camp. You know, those early morning drills where you lift so much weight that it seems like your guts are about to explode. Then they bring in some trainer (Taylor's just happens to be a chick) who forces you to do all sorts of weird palates moves using muscles you swore you never had before. And just when you think it’s all over, you spend the last 30 minutes running until you throw up. Literally, the first day I saw kids ejecting their breakfast right there on the football field!
This is one of those experiences that I will never have to face. Though the grueling practice of conditioning camp is abhorred by every football player on the earth, it is still the key factor to why Pryor Junior High football team has gone undefeated in the past. It’s called getting in shape, and when it’s over we all love the results of our persistence.
In some ways we all face those moments when it seems like if we have to go another day like this then we are going to explode! For you maybe it’s working at a job you don't enjoy, or sitting next to that person in class who, quite literally, annoys the crap out of you. Either way it’s conditioning you to be a better person.
For us it’s been starting this church. We have loved the opportunities God has given us to meet people, connect with others in the community and building the thing that, we believe, has been placed in our hearts. However, because we still have properties in Topeka on the market to sell, we can't buy a house in Pryor. We are forced to live 30 minutes away with Tyra's parents and anxiously await the necessary end to our real estate endeavors in Kansas. Don't get me wrong, Papa and G-ma are awesome as grandparents but not having our own space is a little unsettling. And I won't even go into all the thousand$ of dollars we have spent, trying to float two households in two different states.
I guess that’s when you take those scriptures that say, “But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:4 and “having done all, to stand. ...Stand therefore,” Eph 6:14 King James calls it Patience.
When you are forced to embrace patience it can seem like your guts are going to explode, but the results of becoming completely mature and not lacking anything are well worth it.
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. If you are facing some things in your own life, know that even though it may seem a little tough right now, “this too will pass.” Soon God will deliver you out. He always comes through.
Keep your chin up
Darian
Those of you interested in more info on YOURplaceCHURCH or have a desire to give towards the launch budget go to www.YOURplaceCHURCH.com
This is one of those experiences that I will never have to face. Though the grueling practice of conditioning camp is abhorred by every football player on the earth, it is still the key factor to why Pryor Junior High football team has gone undefeated in the past. It’s called getting in shape, and when it’s over we all love the results of our persistence.
In some ways we all face those moments when it seems like if we have to go another day like this then we are going to explode! For you maybe it’s working at a job you don't enjoy, or sitting next to that person in class who, quite literally, annoys the crap out of you. Either way it’s conditioning you to be a better person.
For us it’s been starting this church. We have loved the opportunities God has given us to meet people, connect with others in the community and building the thing that, we believe, has been placed in our hearts. However, because we still have properties in Topeka on the market to sell, we can't buy a house in Pryor. We are forced to live 30 minutes away with Tyra's parents and anxiously await the necessary end to our real estate endeavors in Kansas. Don't get me wrong, Papa and G-ma are awesome as grandparents but not having our own space is a little unsettling. And I won't even go into all the thousand$ of dollars we have spent, trying to float two households in two different states.
I guess that’s when you take those scriptures that say, “But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:4 and “having done all, to stand. ...Stand therefore,” Eph 6:14 King James calls it Patience.
When you are forced to embrace patience it can seem like your guts are going to explode, but the results of becoming completely mature and not lacking anything are well worth it.
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. If you are facing some things in your own life, know that even though it may seem a little tough right now, “this too will pass.” Soon God will deliver you out. He always comes through.
Keep your chin up
Darian
Those of you interested in more info on YOURplaceCHURCH or have a desire to give towards the launch budget go to www.YOURplaceCHURCH.com
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