January 31, 2010
· Filed under Personal Growth, Uncategorized
I am currently reading Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli. In it, I came across a story that really moved me. There is a section where Michael points out what he appreciates about one of the characters from the story. I copied the section and “tweeked” it a bit by adding a little here and there and also putting in my name. I read what was before me and was overwhelmed with God’s love.
If you have a second, please read what is written below and put your name in the blanks:
“What I love about _________’s “life-story” is his/her stubbornness. Impervious to intimidation, resisting the limits of life’s script, he/she refuses to believe he/she has no place. Rather than life’s script limiting him/her, __________ finds a way to enhance the script, to fill it full of life and laughter and surprise. I love my __________ so much! He/She has not strayed from the unique traits I gifted him/her with. He/She has remained true to My original design for his/her life.”
-Your Father, Your Abba, Your Daddy
For those who know me well, it is obvious that I am not “normal”. I am not your average guy (for example, I do not care for sports, but I love cartoons). One of my goals in life is to always maintain the heart of a kid. I never want to “grow up” if that means not laughing hysterically at least once everyday, challenging my self to face my fears, allowing my self to learn new things, and being amazed by God’s sights, smells, and sounds.
But often times I look around me and realize just how different I am, and I start to feel insecure about the person God has crafted me to be. I start to question whether I should just fit that certain “adult mold” and blend in.
But that is not the type of person God has planned for me to be! For each of us, God has placed within our personalities unique and special ways to behave. I hope we all examine who God has crafted us to be and run with it! I hope we all take that roman candle that is our personality, allow God to light it, and hold it high as it explodes with color and noise into a dark and wonderful night sky.
January 29, 2010
· Filed under Uncategorized
Grace family,
Due to impending weather, Grace Community Church will not have services this Sunday, January 31, 2010. As this is written there is no snow falling, but the weather forecast is currently very threatening for our area, so the school system, in a precautionary measure, has cancelled all school activities for the weekend, which obviously impacts us. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but thankful for the advance notice and understanding of the need to protect the well-being of large numbers of people.
Please take this opportunity to enjoy some family time, rest, and spend some time reading the Bible and praying on Sunday. A few notes for those of interest:
*If you had planned to invite a friend, have them come with you next week. We will launch our new series for adults and children next week.
*If you normally give to the church or other causes we support, you may make those donations online (http://www.gcomchurch.com/give), mail them to Grace Community Church, PO Box 3136, Clarksville, TN 37043, or save them for next Sunday.
*If you have prayer needs or other items to communicate to the staff, please send them to office@gcomchurch.com
*Please pay special attention to the Grace website (http://www.gcomchurch.com) and the Grace Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/gcomchurch) for announcements you would have received Sunday. You might also want to make sure you have joined the Grace Facebook group, where we often send emails.)
Thank you for your faithfulness. Be safe and we look forward to seeing you next week.
Grace staff
January 25, 2010
· Filed under Children's Ministry
So I am in my office this morning preparing schedules for Sunday when all of a sudden Katrina (Director of Grace Acres) walks into my room with a bright smile on her face. She tells me that she has a story for me. Here it is:
So Katrina was at McDonald’s yesterday with her Family. While they were there, Katrina overheard a kid talking about Jesus dying on the Cross for our sins. The boy spoke with enthusiasm and was animated. He told his parents that he never knew until now that Christ actually died on a cross for his sins.
Of course, Katrina was stoked just to overhear a child talk about Jesus in such a way, but as she got up to leave Katrina noticed that the boy still had his Cross Street sticker on his back. Katrina approached the family and they had a wonderful conversation about how much of an impact Cross Street and Grace Acres has made in the lives of their kids, and the mother of the boy said that her son loves Cross Street!
What is Cross Street all about? We are about starting a REVOLUTION in a child’s life. A revolution is a change for the better, and we hope that change begins when a child accepts Christ into his or her heart. After that, Cross Street helps children grow in their loving relationship with Christ by teaching them about WISDOM, FAITH, and FRIENDSHIP!
I want ALL of the CS Volunteers to know that you help make this possible each and every Sunday! Because of God placing you in this ministry, little REVOLUTIONS are happening all the time!
THANK YOU,
Adam Bayne
Director of Cross Street
January 18, 2010
· Filed under Children's Ministry
As the Children’s Pastor here at Grace Community Church, I am always trying to look ahead. What needs to be improved? What’s the next step? God is continually moving this ministry forward, but God also has me step back sometimes and look at where we are right now.
Those moments usually occur on Sundays when all is in full swing. All around me the wheels of ministry are turning, but for a moment all slows down for me in order to step back and look at what God is up to. He shows me the smiling faces of children having a blast while learning about God in small groups. He shows me kids dancing and singing during Large Group, praising our mighty Father. And this past Sunday God showed me what He is up to through a prayer designed by our 4th and 5th Grade boys. Their group leader, Judy, approached me after the 10:00 service with a smile on her face and a poster in her hand.
“Hey Adam, I just wanted you to read a prayer our boys came up with,” she said. Our Bottom Line in Cross Street this past Sunday was “If you want to know God Better, then Talk to Him”, and Judy carried out an activity where all the guys would help design a prayer. Here it is:
“Dear God, we praise You for our church and community. Thank you for sending Jesus to Earth. We ask Your help and blessings on the people of Haiti. Help us lead a life that glorifies You. Forgive us our sins and let us learn our memory verse. Continue our faith in You. Thank you for teaching us to pray. Amen.”
Change is good, and thinking ahead is a necessity. But to be honest with you, as long as I see God crafting the hearts of our Cross Street kids in such a mighty way, then I will be blessed to be a part of such a movement.
November 15, 2009
· Filed under Personal Growth
Ever been frustrated with God, or maybe even angry? I know I have at times. But I am so thankful that God looks through that haze of emotions and centers His love and affection on me when I am shattered. Remember, God is big enough and cares enough to take on your anger and frustration so that you can move past the pain.
November 13, 2009
· Filed under Children's Ministry
What I am noticing so far in Children’s Ministry is that the building of relationships is the most important component. Sure, we need effective curriculum, but trying to teach without building a strong connection first is pointless when it comes to teaching kids about what it means to live out a life of faith. After all, I see children every Sunday who are passionate about attending Cross Street (Grace’s Children’s Ministry) not because we will be talking about the story of Nehemiah and all the lessons we can learn from that incredible story the next week, but because they feel like they are welcomed and have connections with their Group Leaders and other kids in their group.
At that point, Group Leaders can cover curriculum that teaches kids all about this wonderful life we have in Christ, and because trust and relationships have been formed the kids are able to soak in tons of knowledge in a safe environment that encourages kids to dive in and take risks, knowing all the while they will be accepted and loved.
October 12, 2009
· Filed under Personal Growth · Tagged Children's Ministry
As a person, a Christ-follower, a husband, a father, and a Children’s Minister, I am excited about continually growing! I never want to be 100% satisfied with who I am. Now, please do not get me wrong, I want to love who I am and be comfortable within my skin, but to me, if I am not taking this life, my one shot, and going all out . . . then I am not captivated by life itself.
After all, life is a gift from God, and I do not want to take this gift, put it in a box, and slide it under my bed as I sleep life away, all snug and warm. I want to take this gift of life and let it explode with excitement and joy. Knowing all the while I will never get too comfortable because change is always in motion. Instead of sleeping in that cozy bed, I want to rip open that box, take out my life, and run out into the wild and feel the heat from a blazing sun or the cold from a rainy day in October.
Growth is a constant part of life whether you like it or not, so today I choose to accept that truth and make life count for all that it is worth. How about you?
