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"Tied Up By Religion" - Talk About It

I'd like to invite anyone - from Meadow or not - to engage with the question below and post your comments. Is it possible to get an online dialogue going?

This is a take-off from the first message of "Freedom FROM Religion". BUT...it's not necessary that you were at Meadow to comment. All comments are welcome!

Read it over, then go back to Facebook and post your comment(s)! I'd really like to hear your input and comments!

• Why do you think some churches attach rules and regulations to a relationship with God instead of simply following Christ?

Okay...your turn. What are your thoughts?

Here's last week's service if you want to watch and listen to it.

Tied Up By Religion from Meadow Spring Church on Vimeo.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Solid Sunday. I think the message really hit home for a lot of people.
• Music and worship were outstanding. The last several weeks have been off-the-chart.
• Keldon Ellis was with us leading a couple of songs - did a really nice job! He'll be back in a couple weeks to lead the entire worship service.
• Had our first "Bootcamp" class. Love teaching people how to grow spiritually!
• I am absolutely beat!
• Leadership Team met and discussed some tough issues but I am so impressed with their faith and desire to see what's best for Meadow. Stay tuned for some cool things!
• Cranks me the wrong way when people mock others for going to Meadow. Thankful that people won't let it discourage them.
• Had more first time guests today! Totally love that!
• Love it when people text during the service! One text said, "I LOVE this topic. We could do SO MUCH MORE & avoid so much suffering if we removed religious differences."
• Only had eleven bagels to give out today....Ahhhh...only ELEVEN BAGELS - how can we do church with only ELEVEN bagels!!!?
• Absolutely impressed with our tech team and how they manage the sound, lights, and media - nice job team!
• Watching the Pro Bowl.  Pretty lame if you ask me.
• We've got some challenging opportunities knocking at our door.  I'm FIRED UP about them!
• Thanks to Spencer Carpenter and Pat Laeger for shoveling my driveway!
• Is it okay to take a nap at 7:00 pm?
• Can't wait until next Sunday when I teach on God's better way to connect with Him. It will BLOW YOU AWAY!
• Two weeks from today we start "40 Days in the Word". Without question, this will be the most important series we've EVER done at Meadow - EVER!
• That's it. I'm out. Later.

Inside my mind on Saturday evenings

What exactly goes through my mind on Saturday evenings? How do I get ready for Sunday morning?

It's a lot of mental battling trying to get focused. I fight this battle by thinking through and playing over and over in my brain my notes and a few other key scriptures such as:

• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be knows to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
• I must decrease and He must increase.
• I believe. Help me in my unbelief.
• Keeping my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
• Nothing is impossible for God.
• I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation.
• Not by might. Not by power. But by My Spirit says the Lord.
• Be still and know that I am God.

I also do a lot of praying for people.  I will pray through my cell phone contacts and/or my Facebook friends asking God to bring people to church (not necessarily Meadow because it isn't about Meadow) and will change their hearts and minds and lives.  I pray through every aspect of the service, mentally walking through it minute by minute. I pray for our volunteers and staff who will be serving.

I invite you to take on a different perspective on Saturday nights ... join me in praying and preparing for a morning of God-sized stuff!

Five reasons I am FIRED UP about tomorrow!

First: The meaning and purpose of religious ritual is a REALLY hot issue. People are talking about this on the news, on Facebook, on Twitter, in the blogosphere.

Second: Meadow has never side-stepped the tough issues of reality and we aren't going to side-step this one.

Third: This community is filled with "religiousity" and we are going to make it clear that you don't have to be religious to be a  Christian. In fact the word "religion" comes from a word meaning "to bind" and Christianity is all about freedom from not bondage to some religious system.

Fourth: A lot of people are going to be set free from religion! I TOTALLY believe this. This series is going to set people free who are trapped in the thinking they can please God by following rules, rituals, and traditions. Following religious activity to please God is only wasted energy! It gets you nowhere!

Fifth: The foundation of this series is Jesus and a relationship with Him. Meadow is about Jesus - all about Jesus and we are going to worship Jesus, teach Jesus, commit to Jesus.

I can't encourage you enough to join us over these next two weeks. Even if you consider yourself a Christian, you are in danger of (as so many Christians already are) trying to please God by some external religious activity. Words do not exist that express how absolutely critical this series will be for you too.

And don't come alone...get on the phone, send a text, post on your friends' Facebook wall, do whatever you have to do to get as many people here as possible. This series will be life-changing for everyone!

P.S. A great way to invite your friends is to post this video on your Facebook wall along with an invite. Check it out.  "Freedom FROM Religion" trailer.

Six reasons I LOVE MeadowKIDS at Meadow!

#1 – It’s safe! Background checks have been run on every Meadow staff member and every volunteer that has any contact with children (or students!) There is a solid check-in system where not just anyone can come pick the child up from their class...and someone is always present at the check-in desk to make sure random people don't start wandering around the kids' area.

#2 – It’s fun! I love the fact that “fun” is a value in MeadowKIDS!!! Where in the world did we ever get the idea that kid’s must suffer through church? Heaven is NOT boring, it’s going to be a massive party/celebration, church should be as well (especially for kids!)

#3 – Our Volunteers Are Awesome! Our volunteers love children! They do not do what they do out of duty but rather delight!!! If a volunteer in MeadowKIDS does not absolutely love children then they need to be moved to another area. Kid’s can read right through an adult…and a ministry that isn’t based out of love for children will be unfruitful and ineffective.

#4 – Our Kid’s Know God’s Word! Parents are going to ask their kids two questions every Sunday…"Did you have fun?" (This one is first 90% of the time!) and "What did you learn?" There is NEVER a week that our kids are not learning something from God's Word about following Him. Seriously, when a church commits to teaching children about Jesus in an environment that they love and in a manner that is on their level then they are making an investment in the next generation!

#5 – They Are the church of TODAY! I don’t believe our kids are “the church of tomorrow.” I believe they are the church of TODAY! I believe they matter TODAY! We need to invest in them TODAY and teach them about Jesus TODAY and help them grow up with a great view of church TODAY then their tomorrow will look a lot different!!! We need to spend money on them TODAY and not wait for a month or a year or 5 years when something better happens. Disney spends money on them! The Cartoon Network spends money on them! Meadow should spend money on them!

#6 - They have an AWESOME Pastor! There is no one better to lead our MeadowKIDS ministry than Rachel Carlson. She has a passion for kids and a passion for adults to model, teach, and lead kids! She has a deep burden to see MeadowKIDS be nothing short of excellant and God-honoring. If you want someone to light your fire and excitement for kids ministry, just ask Rachel "Tell me about MeadowKIDS?"

 

New to Meadow? Something just for you!

Every Sunday immediately following the service there will be a "Fresh Start" meeting which briefly explains the most basic elements of Meadow. You will hear about a "Fresh Church", "Fresh Growth", and "Fresh Values". You will also have opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  This meeting is strictly a "no obligation" meeting, lasts only 10 minutes, and takes place in Theatre 1.

Anyone is welcome but especially if you are new or newer to Meadow, I highly encourage you to come!

"Freedom FROM Religion" Discussion Group Starting

Next Wednesday (Feb. 1), Sandy & I will be hosting a two week discussion group based on my messages from "Freedom FROM Religion". It will be at our home on two consecutive Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm and is open to anyone...regular attender of Meadow or not.

Of course it will be important that you attend Meadow this Sunday and on Feb. 5th as our discussion will be a follow up of the messages. If you can't make it, you can listen to the messages online at www.MeadowSpring.org.

I'd like to invite you to join us for these two weeks.  Please message me on Facebook or email me at jlaeger@gmail.com if interested or have questions.

Mutual Aid

I have been on the Shakopee Fire Department for almost 18 years and there has never been a fire we couldn't and didn't put out. However, there have been fires where we needed help.

In the fire service world, getting help is called "mutual aid". It's when one city has an agreement with another city or cities so that if a situation arises that is too big or additional resources are needed, they can be called to come help. Because the reality is that there will be calls and situations where help is needed. The fire can't be put out by one department alone.

Reality is that most problems that happen in life can be handled quickly without any help. However, reality also tells us that there will be problems and situations arise that cannot be handled quickly or alone and "mutual aid" is needed. You can't get through it alone. You need help - real help.

This is where the church shines (at least at Meadow). You are never alone - regardless of your situation or problem. Even if its something due to a choice you made that got you into trouble or pain. Even then the church will be there to help you.

I can't encourage you enough to come and check out Meadow if you don't have a regular church home. We are not perfect by any sense of the word. In fact, one of our montras is "No perfect people allowed." And this starts with me, the pastor.

However, I believe you will find a group of people who will accept you and be with you in your pain and life situation - whatever that might be. And most likely there will be someone at Meadow who is or has experienced the exact same thing.

We meet every Sunday at 9:30 am in the Marcus Movie Theatre located in the Shakopee Town Square Mall.

Check us out at www.MeadowSpring.org

If religion isn't working for you ... keep reading.

You don't have to be religious to connect to God. In fact, religion doesn't connect you to God at all. And if you think or feel connected to God because of some religious ritual, you are living in a false comfort with extremely dangerous implications and consequences.

I have too many friends who have been told by the church that they aren't welcome or they can't connect with God because they are not following certain rules or have disobeyed church tradition or have not been practicing certain church rituals. I think specifically of the divorced mother who was told by the church that God won't accept her until she changes. Or the gay couple who was told they are not welcome in church until they change and start obeying church law.

I remember one specific instance where a woman was told she couldn't sing in the choir because she was wearing pants and only women in dresses were accepted! I remember the little boy who was told he couldn't play his toy drum in the Christmas play because drums aren't acceptable in church (which totally floors me because God encourages the loud beating of drums to praise Him!)

I AM TIRED OF THE CHURCH ACTING LIKE THIS! IT'S NOT RIGHT!

If you have been beat up or confused by religion - or know someone who has - you really need to come this Sunday to Meadow. I am starting a new teaching series called "Freedom FROM Religion". I will be talking about why religion is so attractive, the dangers of religion, and most importantly I will be talking about a better way to connect with God than religion.

I can't encourage you enough to come and bring EVERY friend you know who doesn't go to church. This will change the trajectory of your life and you will learn how you CAN connect with God without being religious!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Totally solid Sunday again. I love Meadow!
• Had a really good interview with a potential new Worship Leader. Excited to see where God takes this!
• Had a great crowd inspite of the freezing rain.
• I really need a DQ hot fudge shake right now.
• Walked in today and set up team was all done! They so rock!
• Next week is going to set A LOT of people free from religion!
• Great to see more of my friends come today!
• Love our prayer texting during the service and how people use it!
• I'm already tired of the political campaign - anyone agree?
• Freedom FROM Religion is going to be AWESOME! Invite ALL your friends!
• I am so beat on Sunday afternoons - my recliner is my best friend
• So amazed with our band. They have actually stepped it up to a new level of doing more music and have not missed a beat as we look for a new worship leader.
• Offerings have been down last few weeks which is a little concerning.
• Thinking about starting Weight Watchers this week.  Anyone have any tips from experience?
• I need ideas to blog about.
• Our lease is up in October so we need to start seriously talking about what we are going to do if Imagine fund is not where it needs to be to purchase our own building.
• Where's that DQ hot fudge shake?!!
• Meadow is the egg-mcmuffin of churches!
• I'm out!

Why January 29th Could Change Your Life

I am fully aware this is going to create some controversy and challenge many in their thinking...especially if you grew up in a church that had various rules, traditions, or rituals that were either taught or implied as necessary to follow and observe if you were going to connect to and be accepted by God.

I am willing to create that controversy because I also believe something of much greater value will happen. This series will set many free from these rules, traditions, and rituals as they hear and learn there is a better way to connect with God ... and it isn't religion.

I know too many people, who are trying to follow certain rules and traditions such as only reading a certain version of the Bible, having to attend certain religion classes, getting baptized, wearing certain clothes, and others ... and these rules and rituals just aren't working for them. They aren't any more connected to God by following them than if they didn't.

I also know too many people who have been divorced, are living together, living a gay lifestyle, recovering from drugs or alchohol, had an abortion, suffering from depression, or even spent time in jail - and the church has pretty much communicated that before God will accept them, they need to change and "measure up" to various standards. Because of this, they have concluded that God only accepts "Christian-like" people. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If you don't have a church you regularly attend, I can't encourage you enough to come to Meadow on January 29th and February 5th. You WILL hear how you can connect with God without all the rules, traditions, and rituals of religion.

If you have any questions about this series or about Meadow, PLEASE don't hesitate to comment or email me at john@meadowspring.org. 

Meadow Spring meets in the Marcus Movie Theatre located in the Shakopee Town Square Mall in Shakopee. For more info and directions, visit www.MeadowSpring.org.

Sunday Mind Dump

1. LOVIN' the new theatre but we need to adjust the sound volume and mix.
2. Great lunch with the First Impressions Team. What an awesome team!
3. Woke up with a zit on my nose. First zit on my nose in over 30 years!
4. Love it when people text in prayer requests and comments DURING the service!
5. Current series is a good one, but I'm FIRED UP about the next series starting..."Freedom FROM Religion". Probably going to challenge - maybe offend - churchy people.
6. Had some new families again today - THAT is cool!
7. Looking forward to going to the new Ignite service this evening. Not often do I get to go to a worship service just to attend.
8. Sandy's new car is really nice. We've never had a car this nice before. Thank you Lord!
9. I continue to be amazed at the quality of music and worship our band of volunteers leads us in! Today, they knocked it out of the park!
10. Just reviewed next Sunday's message - last message in the current series - already I can't wait to teach it!
11. Time for a nap...I'm out.

Ignite ... New Contemporary Service in Chaska

Meadow has never been about just Meadow. You will not grow in your faith if you are not in church. So, we want you in church - a church that worships authentically, and teaches scripture truthfully. And we realize Meadow is not the "flavor" of church for everyone.

That's why I'm excited about a new contemporary service starting at Crown of Glory Lutheran Church in Chaska. It's called "Ignite" and starts this Sunday at 5:30 pm.

Here's how this service is described on their Facebook page...

"The service will provide scripturally focused messages geared to help us find a connection between the timeless teachings of Jesus Christ and the joys and challenges we all face. This worship experience is intentionally unscripted and has free flowing atmosphere offering an authentic encounter through prayer, confession and forgiveness and sacred rituals such as communion."

If you live in Chaska and/or can't make it to Meadow because of your Sunday morning schedule, I encourage you to check out Ignite this Sunday!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

• Felt SOOO awesome to be back at Meadow after a couple "off" weeks!
• Really good & solid Sunday!
• Totally pumped for 2012 and what God's gonna do!
• So proud of our music and band. They haven't skipped a beat over the last month!
• Had a couple new famlies here!
• My dog "Buddy" is OBSESSED with tennis balls!
• Group of people prayed off-sight during the service for the first time and I could tell!
• "Freedom FROM Religion" promo kick-off and good buzz already about it!
• Met with a group of "pray-ers" after the service who are committing to daily prayer for Meadow and an upcoming series.  I'm fired up about what this is going to do!
• Had a new drummer and he really nailed it!
• LOVED the new theatre and feeling closer to people!
• Watchin the NFL Wildcard games - havin a hard time getting into them.
• Bagels and coffee were again - rockin awesome!
• Talked to a potential worship leader this afternoon. Excited to see where God takes this!
• Meadow volunteers rock!
• Someone gave me an autographed picture and hand drawing from THE Famous Dave!
• Just reviewed my message for next week and already can't wait for church!
• Tired of religion?  Make sure you come for sure on January 29th!
• Lovin this MN weather but I'd still like to get a real Minnesota blizzard - anyone with me?

What's your "Sunday Night Mind Dump" input? Feel free to comment!

Why I'm FIRED UP About Tomorrow @ Meadow

1. If I wasn't fired up, I should stay home! (And so should every pastor who isn't looking forward to Sunday!)
2. I get to teach and I LOVE teaching the Bible!
3. It has been two weeks since we've had a full service and I SOOO need it!
4. I get to wear my blue Converse tennis shoes!
5. I'm starting a new series and tomorrow talking about one of THE primary issues that makes God smile!
6. I was at band rehearsal this morning and wow is the worship going to rock!
7. No greater group of people to hang out with than Meadowites!
8. We're meeting in a new theatre and the energy will be through the roof!
9. A new prayer team will be praying DURING the service for your requests!
10. God is going to change lives and assemble a group of people ready to charge hell with a squirt gun!

Why are YOU fired up about tomorrow @ Meadow?

P.S. If you haven't been to church in a while (or like never), maybe you should come and check Meadow out. We meet at 9:30 am in the Marcus Movie Theatres at the Shakopee Town Square Mall.  Just come and see that's all...just come and see.

Texting Your Prayer Requests

952-373-1445 is the number to text when you have a prayer request...any prayer request...from anyone whether you attend Meadow or not. The cool thing about this is when you text a prayer request to that number, you can be assured that prayer for you and your request will be immediate. We even encourage you to put this number in your phone contacts as "Meadow Prayer" to make it easier for you to recall the number when a need comes up.

To help us pray more specifically for you, we ask that you not only text the prayer request, but include your name. We would rather pray for you specifically by name than to pray for "that person".

And starting this Sunday, when you text a prayer request in during the service (9:30 - 10:30 am), there will be a "prayer team" outside the theatre who will receive that prayer request and begin praying for you immediately. They will also be praying for the worship and message of the service asking God to move in hearts and minds.

I believe we are going to see answered prayer more this year than in any previous year. I believe we are going to sense and know God's presence in our worship services more this year than in any previous year.

Don't delay...put that number in your contacts and use it!

P.S. If you would like to be part of the Meadow Prayer Team for praying during the services, email me at john@meadowspring.org.

New Improvements this Sunday!

When you come to Meadow this Sunday, there will be at least three new things that will improve your Meadow experience!

New Series: I am starting a new teaching series called "What if...?" We'll be exploring three of the foundational elements that make Meadow Meadow. This will be an extremely relevant and uplifting series. If you are thinking of getting back into church in 2012, I can't think of a better series to start with. You will hear what makes Meadow tick and be able to decide of Meadow is the right church for you in 2012!

New Prayer Team: Starting this Sunday there will be a group of people outside the worship service praying for the service and for the prayer requests that come in during the service. If you think of a prayer request during the service, just text it to 952-373-1445 and it will be prayed for immediately! BTW...if you are interested in being part of this team email Lisa at lisa@meadowspring.org.

New Theatre: We will begin meeting in Theatre #5 this Sunday. This will be a MAJOR improvement in our worship experiences. It is a bit smaller (only 60 seats smaller) but that's one of the benefits because it will raise the energy and dynamics of our worship. In addition to this, there is more room for the stage and band, it is closer to the theatre lobby, and the seats are nicer. You WILL notice a positive difference this Sunday!