johnlaeger.com

Sunday Mind Dump

• What a refreshing morning! Even I learned and soaked in a ton of wisdom from my dad!
• I'm really loving the two service format.
• Total attendance is still high - (when does the summer slump begin?) Ha!
• BUT...we've got a ton of room in each service so invite, invite, invite!!
• Looking for a couple to lead our youth ministry. Tim Carlson won't be able to lead it this fall due to his schooling. If interested, let me know!
• New coffee makers today. Personally, I thought the coffee was PERFECT!
• Our prayer text line is being used more and more. Just got another prayer request via text. So glad people are using it!
• Worship today was off-the-chain awesome! Wow! I am so appreciative of our band and the tech team behind them!
• We've got a critical Leadership Team meeting Monday night. Appreciate your prayers.
• Our street is an absolute MESS - nothing but 100% mud! Literally knee-deep mud! A 4x4 truck got stuck last night! Can't wait for it to be ready to drive on again.
• Had a great response for people interested in lawn maintenance.
• More 1x guests today - love it!
• This has been a GREAT Father's Day. Got to celebrate with my dad, my mom, my wife, and my kids!
• I grilled steak and shrimp and asparagus and squash and zucchini - AND it turned out AWESOME! I'm drooling all over my keyboard just thinking about it!
• Seriously, pray for Meadow and the leadership. We've got some critical decisions to make in our journey of growth.
• And just in case you are interested - we are switching trash collection companies. (I know you feel better knowing that.)
• Looking forward to our men's breakfast next Saturday - we've got a great group of men signed up. Gonna be awesome!
• River City Days team is shaping up too - I am really looking forward to this weekend of outreach and LOTS of public exposure for Meadow!
• The pile of pink erasers continues to grow! Keep bringing them!
• Have you downloaded the Meadow Spring app yet on your smartphone? It's free! Just go to your app store and search for Meadow Spring Church. Share it with your friends too!
• I'm watching "Call of the Wildman" as I write this - this guy is CRAZY! Almost as crazy as Swamp People! Where in the world do TV producers come up with these ideas for redneck shows?
• I need a couple electric skillets for the men's breakfast. Let me know if you have one I can borrow.
• I'm not teaching the next three weeks - John Pennucci and Pat Laeger are teaching and leading a series on worship. I'm thinking of visiting some other churches and seeing what I can learn to apply at Meadow.
• Love reading all the Facebook status updates and looking at the pics and videos people make and take on Sunday mornings at Meadow. Spreads the buzz even more!
• I ... love ... my ... church!
• Later!

Sunday Mind Dump

• SO glad we went to two services! Wow! Total attendance was crazy today!
• The buzz between services was so cool! Each week there seems to be more and more!
• Had a great Membership Class today. I LOVE talking Meadow and vision, strategy, structure and what we stand for.
• With all this wet weather, I hadn't mowed my lawn in a week. When I finally did, I found a whole heard of giraffe hiding!
• Okay....maybe not a whole herd of giraffe. It was just a few.
• Had more new guests today...invited by friends and family. Love it!
• We've got more and more people here simply because they saw our building. I'll be totally honest and say I didn't think the physical building itself would be such a high profile piece fo marketing.
• Did you see all the erasers in the lobby? The pile is growing - keep bringing them!
• Love hearing and reading the stories of people and the life Jesus is leading them out of!
• Looking forward to having my dad here next Sunday to speak and answer your questions.
• You've turned in some GREAT questions. Keep 'em coming!
• The band really rocked it this morning and Shari Kvam has got some pipes! Wow!
• The street in front of my house is a total mud pit - literally. They are digging it up to replace sewer and water and it was only dirt - but with all this rain, it is now MUD.
• If you come to my house - come at your own risk!
• We are taking a little break from #GodTweets with my dad coming next Sunday and then a brief 3 week series on Worship taught by our own John Pennucci and Pat Laeger.
• Mark July 7 down and DON'T MISS IT! The plan is to commit the entire worship service to worship. It...will...be...awesome!
• Speaking of worship, we are exploring the idea of having a monthly mid-week service dedicated entirely to worship and communion...little or no teaching - just music, worship, and communion.
• There are a few bumps we need to work through to make it work, but what do you think?
• First and new monthly email newsletter is going out this week. Do we have your email address? If not, let us know.
• I broke our large format printer this week. And just at the wrong time when I was going to print more posters for the outside poster cases! RATS!!!!! Gonna take a week or so to fix it!
• Our plan for Chaska River City Days is coming together. We've got room for more people to be on the team to hang-out at the booth to help people get to know Meadow better!
• Did you notice the amazing amount of "fog" in the service today? Yeah...we had a minor glitch with our fog machine and FILLED the auditorium with fog! :)
• I'm still looking for two high director's chairs. If you have a couple or know someone who might and we could use them for a Sunday, let me know.
• I am totally enjoying ministry right now...things are just really clicking and God is changing lives at Meadow.
• I'm not kidding when I say every Sunday is just like Easter Sunday!
• Later!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Another great morning at Meadow!
• Totally impressed with our band the acoustic worship set they brought today.
• Total attendance in auditorium between the two services is still up there even though this was the second official Sunday of summer. 
• Looks like we are in store for a summer of growth and expansion!
• My son and his wife got a dog - Oakley. Now when they come over we have FOUR dogs running around the house and yard! Sheesh!
• I am whipped. Still getting used to doing two services.
• Had a great meeting with some Meadowites to brainstorm on ideas for Chaska River City Days. LOTS of awesome ideas came out. Gonna be GREAT!
• Two words...Pink Erasers
• Looking for a great deal on PINK ERASERS? Here's a link to Amazon.com ... Pink Erasers on Amazon.
• I am really loving this "#GodTweets" series.
• A new newsletter via email will be going out this week. Do we have your email address?
• We are officially a Love INC partner church. We are partnering with 24 other churches in the community to do good and help others in need.
• We're going to be making new Meadow Tshirts. Gonna flood this community with people wearing MeadowWEAR! Stay tuned!
• Hey...if you are visiting another church this summer, pick up as much information on the church as you can and get it to me. I love stealing...umm...I mean LEARNING from other churches! :)
• Today's weather is PERFECT!
• Chaska River City Days - we need volunteers to man shifts at the booth. Who's in?
• Had more first time guests this morning. LOVE IT!
• Installed new coffee makers this week with a new vendor. Did you have coffee this morning? What did you think?
• Met last Tuesday with the architect and builder and had a great meeting - we are really narrowing this new advanced remodel plan down. This week, we'll have several sub contractors come in to look at the actual work we need done.
• Really excited about the team of Meadowites who will be serving at The Simpson House and Feed My Starving Children. I love it when Meadowites meet needs and do good to help others!
• Duck Dynasty ... can't stop laughing!
• Looking forward to my dad being here on Father's Day to speak. Don't forget to send me your questions.
• I seriously can't get over how awesome worship was this morning - and I got to experience it twice!
• The prayer text number (952-373-1445) is getting more and more use. That's cool. I count it a privilege to pray for the needs of people at Meadow.
• Gonna get the boat out this week and finally go fishing!
• Hard to believe that we are only one month away from the anniversary of closing on our building! Wow! Time has gone by fast and the growth has been absolutely refreshing!
• Well...my brain is drained. I'm out.

Sunday Mind Dump

• REALLY awesome morning!
• Each service had LOTS of empty seats because of our recent move to two services but total attendance was great!
• I forgot to tell people its a holiday weekend and they aren't supposed to come to church!
• If this is any indication of what the summer will be like - we are in for an epic summer!
• LOTS of first time guests today. Not sure how many popcorn boxes we went through but it was a lot!
• Opening number went really well - I am totally impressed with our band and tech team being able to pull it off.
• We basically put it all together starting on Thursday.
• Grilled kabobs for lunch...mouth-watering delicious!
• Grilling a roast tomorrow and I'm already drooling!
• Have an important meeting Tuesday night with the architect to review the new advanced plans for our remodel.
• One of our first time guests heard about Meadow from Facebook. All the rest heard about Meadow from a friend who invited them.
• I'm really enjoying this "#GodTweets" series. SO relevant and practical and real! And next week is going to end with an AWESOME practical challenge - I'm already PUMPED!
• I am so proud of the band! The size of the crowd (smaller) in each service has not lessened their spirit and energy in leading us in worship.
• The buzz between services continues to grow as people from the first service stick around and people coming to the second service come early. LOTS of buzz!
• Had a MAJOR case of throat gunk in the first service this morning. Wow! Felt like I was clearing my throat every 5 seconds.
• We are officially becoming a Love, INC partner church. This is going to open the door to multiple avenues of additional ministry to our community.
• Overwhelmed by the generosity of Meadow in giving funds to Elevate Church in Moore, Oklahoma.
• It's hard to believe that one year ago, we were closing in on a confirmed deal for the purchase of the Chaska REX Theatre.
• What, in your opinion, do you see as different at Meadow now that we've had our own building for almost a year? I'd like to hear from you!
• As I write this, I'm watching the "X Games". These guys are absolutely out of their minds!
• On Father's Day, my dad will be a special guest during my message time. He has agreed to answer questions about his faith and what has kept him strong in his relationship with Christ. I'm really looking forward to this Sunday. Send your questions to me.
• We received confirmation this week of our booth for Chaska River City Days. We are doing something that has never been done at River City Days. The sponsors are even impressed! This will be awesome!
• Well...its time for ice cream. Later.

Sunday Mind Dump

• First Sunday of two services and it went really well.
• Pretty much an even split in attendance from one service to the two.
• It will take some adjusting on my part. It's different preaching to a larger crowd vs a smaller crowd. But its only a matter of time before each service "feels" full with the growth we are experiencing!
• Had several first time guests - again! Wow!
• I am tired though. Preaching once is like working a solid 8 hour day. Preaching twice is, well...
• Our volunteers really rocked it today - totally stepped up to the plate in the need for volunteers to staff two services.
• We want to have people sit in the lower part of the theatre. This will help us keep a "full" feel. We had ushers assisting with this this morning but it was kind of awkward.  We'll try something different in the weeks to come.
• Considering we had A LOT of regular attenders gone - our total attendance was outstanding today!
• Offering was really good and after last week's offering, we can take another breath!
• I got a new toy this week - a self-propelled lawn mower. Never had one before and I feel like I'm learning how to mow all over again.
• I was really looking forward to this new series going through Proverbs and after this morning, I'm looking forward to it even more! I have so much fun teaching!
• A new guest said, "People are so real here. No suits and ties. Just real life people." - LOVE IT!
• Been getting some awesome feedback on things we can do to make the two service layout better. I love it when people offer suggestions and opinions.
• The time between services with our bagels and coffee worked really well this morning. It was awesome to see people hanging around, coming early, and interacting! A year ago, this would not have happened.
• Might have to stop wearing my chucks to teach in. There's no arch in them and with two services, I am standing a LONG time - need more arch support than these give. Rats!
• The best advertisement we have is YOU. Nothing beats a personal invitation to your friends to come to Meadow!
• Sandy & I are planning a garage sale in the next few weeks. I hate doing garage sales but they sure help clear out "stuff". Remember...one man's junk is another man's treasure. And have we got a lot of "treasure" for you!
• Can't...keep...my...eyes...open.
• We are working on getting our Facebook page more exposure. You can help by inviting your friends to "like" it.
• We confirmed this week that we will have a booth at Chaska River City Days. We're planning a FREE photo booth. Bring your friends!
• We will also be participating in the Sunday morning pancake breakfast at River City Days with our band being one of the bands performing.
• We're starting a "Meadow Spring Cruisers" group. If you're a car enthusiast, let me know - you're welcome to be part of it!
• I'm thinking about organizing a monthly or semi-monthly men's "grill n chill". Yes? No? Anyone want to help me with it?
• If you live in Chaska or Chanhassen, watch the paper this week. There might be an article in it about our growth and moving to two services.
• I'm out.

Sunday Mind Dump

• CRAZY morning!
• Next Sunday - TWO services start. 9 & 10:30 AM!
• I really love how we do baptisms.
• LOTS of music today - and it all was awesome!
• Updated pledge total = $273,979.00!! Wow!
• Like I said this morning - knowing this church and the sacrifices and life situations many are in - this is an AMAZING total! I am so proud of this church!
• And we've already collected about 20% of the that in cash!
• The more actual cash we have, the better it will go when we seek financing from a bank.
• Our next step is to start talking to banks. Don't stop praying. This is a critical piece of the process!
• Next Sunday ... Two Services 9 & 10:30 AM ... MORE Meadow!
• Yes, I did say we threw out the original master plan and have come up with a better plan!
• Yes, I did say our current auditorium will stay our auditorium (it's a GREAT auditorium!)
• Yes, I did say we are going to commit two theatres to our MeadowKIDS and each room will have classrooms AND a large activity center designed just for them!
• Yes, I did say we are going to invest some major dollars into creating a youth center for our teens!
• I am so PUMPED that we will be investing our dollars into our kids and teens - this is going to be awesome!
• Bapticuzzi sprung a leak! It held up for today's baptism but we'll need to do something different for next time - we've patched our bapticuzzi liner twice already.
• Thinking about our next baptism & Party Sunday will be outdoors at Fireman's Park in Chaska. What do you think?
• I have really enjoyed these last 6 weeks of the campaign but to be honest, I am SO looking forward to getting back into the "norm" of things at Meadow (if there is such a thing as a "norm")!
• Did I mention that next Sunday we are adding a second service? Two services starting next Sunday - 9 & 10:30 AM.
• Invite! Invite! Invite! Invite! Invite!
• General offering today was REALLY low! Ouch!
• Not counting the extra chairs we had in the auditorium - we were over 94% full today and had people standing in the hallway.
• For those who missed this morning - we will be posting the portion of the morning where I explained the new remodel plan and the total. We'll post it on Facebook and possibly YouTube.
• My parents are here for a few days - it seems like forever since my mom was able to be here for Mother's Day. It's been a great day.
• Grilled steak last night and today was chicken breasts, burgers, brats, and hot dogs. I'm so glad the weather is better and PERFECT for grilling.
• Taking some time off tomorrow. After the last several weeks, I'm tired. Heading to the zoo with my bride, daughter, and parents. It will feel good to take a brain break.
• We confirmed having a booth at Chaska River City Days. This will be a GREAT time of community exposure and outreach to hundreds and hundreds of people!
• Our band will also be particpating in the community pancake breakfast on Sunday, July 28 as part of  Chaska River City Days. We will not be having our regular services on that day.
• We want to get more serious about increasing the "fans" on our Facebook page. You can help us...recommend the Meadow Facebook Page to all your friends. Let's see how many fans we can get this week!
• So...go now and recommend our page to your friends! Ask them to "like" it! Spread the buzz!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Wow! What a day!
• Second highest attendance ever in the auditorium and highest attendance in MeadowKIDS!
• Music was totally off-the-chart!
• Yes, I have calculated the total of all the pledges! No, I will not reveal it until next Sunday!
• I will say that, as expected, we won't be able to do all we want, but we will be able to do a lot more to improve our building had we not done this campaign at all!
• The Buiding Team and Leadership Team have an important meeting this Tuesday night to discuss the total that came in and our next steps. Your prayers are appreciated!
• Yes, we are going "back" to two services on Sunday morning starting in two weeks - May 19th!
• The two services will be at 9 & 10:30 AM.
• We've GOT to add another service! We realize this past week that there are a lot of people not coming and/or not coming back because they can't find seats!
• Yes, we are doing this at a very risky time that is traditionally a lower time of attendance for churches...but as I said this morning - we are not traditional!
• And, based on all the names that came in today of people who will be invited to Meadow starting May 19th...we are going to have two very exciting services!
• Check out the #GodTweets promo video HERE.
• Next Sunday is Party Sunday...baptisms, child dedication, worship, and announcing the total of pledges that came in for Building the Dream!
• I so LOVE this church!
• I have really loved the teaching and events of this campaign, but I am ready to move on to new series and get back to a more "normal" Sunday morning (if there is such a thing as "normal"!)
• Had a TON of first time guests this morning.
• Offering was great - again.
• I'm writing an article to submit to the local newspapers about our growth and going to two services. Would you pray for me and this article? It can have a HUGE impact on helping to increase the buzz about Meadow even more!
• Remember...THIS NEXT SUNDAY - service is at 10:00 AM.
• Remember...IN TWO WEEKS - we start two services at 9 & 10:30!!
• Check your email this week!
• Who are you inviting to start coming with you on May 19th!
• "God's Not Dead" is my new favorite song! I can't think of a better song to have stuck in my brain!
• Next Sunday is Mother's Day AND Party Sunday! Come party with your mom at Meadow!
• One more thing... Go Wild!

Four "Big Event" Reminders!

Remember when you were really little and it was the night before you were going to get up early and go fishing for the very first time? Remember? You couldn't sleep you were so excited!

THAT is how I am feeling about this coming Sunday!
 
I love Sundays and I love Meadow – but this coming Sunday is going to be a one-of-a-kind and will be one that goes down in Meadow history!  I can’t wait!  The music will be awesome!  And the climax to the service is going to be unforgettable!
 
We have spent the last several weeks praying and talking and hearing the challenge.  The staff and leadership have already turned in their 3 year pledge commitments and have set the pace for the rest of us with an astounding $154,196.00 in pledges!  Yeah God!
 
The challenge is to follow the sacrificial pace of giving in faith already set by the staff and leadership.  And this coming Sunday, we finally get to come together as an entire church and demonstrate the power of putting our small faith in the hands of a BIG God by turning in our three-year pledges to resource “Building the Dream”!
 
Here are four valuable reminders…
 

• Bring your commitment card.  You will be getting one in the mail this week.  If you don’t or misplace it, we will have additional cards this Sunday.  If you have questions – email me and just ask! 

• If you won’t be here please mail in your commitment card so we can include it in with everyone else’s.  You will also receive a postage paid envelope to use for this if needed. 

• Be in your seats at 10:00.  If you come into the auditorium at 10:01 – you will miss out!  This means you might have to come a bit early to get your kids into MeadowKIDS and grab a cup of coffee in order to be in the auditorium and in your seats at 10:00!  It is going to be a blast! 

• Lastly…I am praying for you.  God is doing something great at Meadow and He is using you to make it real!  I know this is a challenge and I know it is not easy for you, and I know there is a level of anxiety associated with this.  But God is faithful.  As you lay it down before Him, He will bring blessings into your life that only He can bring.

 
“You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure.  For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.  And God will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.  Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously.  And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God.  You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 9)
 
Please call or email me if you have any questions!  I am totally looking forward to this Sunday!  We are going to be part of a real miracle of God!
 
See ya then!

Sunday Mind Dump

• I am so freakin' proud and inspired by our staff and leadership!
• Worship this morning was AWESOME! (literally)
• Had a fantastic "Pizza with the Pastors" and met some new awesome Meadowites!
• I really am surprised at how many people are coming to Meadow because they drove by and noticed that the movie theatre is no longer a movie theatre but is now a church.
• God is bringing some amazing people to Meadow - I am so stoked for the days ahead!
• Seems a statement I made today is creating quite the buzz ... "This Sunday is the last Sunday until next Sunday."
• Lovin' this weather.
• Thought my message today was a bit off. Not sure why. Just a gut feel that it lacked something.
• Had a great week of Group Fellowships. Great people. Great questions. Great interaction.
• Totally stunned by our leadership and that they have already committed to over 30% to our financial goal!
• I am already PUMPED for next Sunday - it's gonna be a Sunday of extreme Meadow unity.
• We are talking about what do to about the overcrowded situation in our auditorium until the remodel - going to two services seems to be the best option. Not sure when we would do it, but we are talking about it.
• The fear we have is that we are having A LOT of new guests come but how many are not coming back because it is just difficult to find a seat? We absolutely CAN'T let that happen!
• Fishing season is just a few weeks away!
• Another mailing is going out this week - watch your mail. If you don't get something by Wednesday, let me know.
• Been hearing stories that reflect the spiritual war and challenges we are facing at Meadow...people losing jobs, health issues...God is, no doubt, moving at Meadow and Satan is doing his dirty work to discourage as much as he can.
• I so love my daughter. She brings such a sense of joy and brightness to my life. Thank you Jessi Laeger!
• We've changed up the service order (when we do performance songs, announcements, message, etc.). Maybe its just because its new and I need to get used to it, but I'm not sure about it yet.
• Took the dogs to the dog park for the first time this past week. It felt so good to get out and let them run and go for a walk outside (weather is awesome!)
• Several have asked me if I was at the explosion in Shakopee this past week. Yes, I was there and it was massive. Glad no one was injured. It had the potential of being deadly.
• I love my church and I really do get seriously excited about each Sunday. I truly believe each Sunday will be better than the previous one! (And next Sunday is going to ROCK!)
• Love it when people use the prayer text line (952-373-1445) and I count it a privilege to pray for you.
• Speaking of prayer...there is going to be a TON of prayer for Meadow this week!
• Here's what I'd like your input on...if we go to two services, something we don't want to lose is the buzz before and after the service created by people talking with each other. With that in mind, how much time do you think is best to have between services to keep the buzz growing?

Sunday Mind Dump

• Today could have gone better. Wasn't bad, just off a little. Like running 7 out of 8 cylinders.
• Still love my church!
• Still pumped about what God is doing!
• Already excited about next Sunday!
• 88% full in the auditorium - again. Wow!
• I love seeing a full auditorium, but I fear there are people not coming because it is difficult to find a seat.
• Had a great Group Fellowship following the service. LOVE all the questions that are being asked about Building the Dream!
• Looking forward to all the Group Fellowships and hanging out with Meadowites all week!
• No, I didn't shovel my driveway this week - even with 8" of snow! I don't shovel snow in April!
• Our mobile app is now available for Android phones. Free at the app store.
• iPhone app is coming shortly.
• Have a friend who went missing after threatening suicide. Still haven't heard from him. You're prayers are appreciated as we wait and keep looking.
• Got a phone call from someone who just gave her life to Christ and was wondering how far Christ's forgiveness goes. I loved telling her that it is absolutely complete!
• We have averaged 84% full in the auditorium over the last 8 months and 90% full in April alone!
• We have GOT to get this remodeling started!
• Had an off-the-chart offering today!
• Was an intensly rough week for our country and my heart goes out to all those in both Boston and West, Texas.
• Even though both terrorists have been caught (or killed), I still have an emptiness in my gut about the whole thing. Our world and country desperately need Jesus.
• One question that keeps coming out about Building the Dream... "Are we still having cup holders?" Answer? YES!!
• Not only been a rough week for our country, but it has been a week at Meadow where sin and its consequences in the lives of people have seemed to surface more than usual.
• So appreciate all the volunteers who have stepped up to the plate and have helped with the Building the Dream campaign and all the logistics. Seriously, we couldn't do it without them.
• Got an email from someone interested in starting a Meadow Car Club. Hmmm - I've never thought of it. I wonder how much interest there would be?
• I have been some great input on future teaching series. This summer will be a series through Proverbs, plus a series on Worship. This fall will bring a series on Spiritual Gifts and Prayer.
• I'm also working on a series called "Not a Fan" based on the book by Kyle Idleman. This could be a dynamic series about whether a person is a fan or a follower of Christ.
• Well...I gotta head out to the next Group Fellowship.
• Later!