johnlaeger.com

Sunday Mind Dump

• In spite of a lower attendance, we had another great morning at Meadow.
• I LOVE my church!
• LOTS of new guests today!
• Over 100 names were turned in of friends who will be prayed for and invited to come to Meadow on September 16th and beyond! Wow...just imagine what that will be like!
• I am also totally stocked about all the people who committed to serving - especially serving in MeadowKIDS!
• We have the greatest team of volunteers and today it grew exponentially!
• Got several calls this week of life tragedy and crisis happening. Not a week goes by that I don't hear about how life is beating people up.
• I'm taking some time off this week to get some R & R and try and get some focused writing in.
• Tomorrow? ... Sandy & I are going to the fair - cheese curds, fried pickles, pork chop on a stick ... YUM!!!
• "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" - anybody have a satisfactory answer to give someone who has just experienced an unexplainable and horrendous life tragedy?
• Since I admitted and went public with my struggle with depression, I have had more men come to me to talk - have had two talk to me this past week. Depression in men is real - very real.
• I am really looking forward to starting the new series "Christian Atheist". It's gonna be one of the most relevant series we've done all year.
• Had a few tech issues this morning but all is good - just a reminder that we are imperfect and God still uses us!
• Back row of seats are not in!
• This week, I'm going to order in the tables and chairs for the lobby. Pray that they will come in by September 16th!
• This week the previous theatre owner will be taking the final boxes out of the building so we can have access to it all!
• We are starting to talk and think about maybe bringing on a youth intern to lead our jr & sr high teens.
• Again...I am so floored and grateful by all the people who stepped up and indicated they would serve in ministry today! Meadowites are AWESOME!
• I'm setting up my study at home for a place where I can get alone and do more focused research, writing, and planning.
• All worship Sunday is going to ROCK!!
• Larry Tindall is speaking next Sunday in my absence. He has spoken before and I totally appreciate him. He loves Meadow and gets our vision and calling!
• One of the scariest things to do is try and wrap my brain around what I believe God is about to do at Meadow. Am I ready?
• I'm cooking supper ... guess what we're having? Starts with Pizza and ends in "anch"
• Two service volunteer schedule is coming together! Woo Hoo! God is putting everything in place!
• Who are you praying for and inviting to come with you on September 16th?
• We've got some awesome Growth Groups and a special Bible class planned for this fall. I'll explain more on September 9th.
• That's enough for now. Time for supper.
• One more question...what are some of the biggest fears you have when inviting someone to come with you to Meadow?

Meadow is different... (keep reading)

I just got this email from someone at Meadow. It's AWESOME!! Keep reading...

* * * * * * * * *

Meadow is different. a good different, a comfortable different, and encouraging different, a get to know Jesus better kind of different etc.

I LOVE how Meadow has it be up to you to fill out what you feel comfortable with filling out on that card. I am not going to lie I was so hesitant at first giving any information for fear of someone showing up at my house.

I LOVE how Meadow has that Communication Card that has everything on it that you can join or mark or if you have questions. This too took me awhile to mark a box. However, having it there every Sunday helped to make it easier.

I LOVE how Meadow encourages all to volunteer and you don't have to wait until you are a "perfect Christian". Volunteering where you are at is HUGE, I think this is where it was for me in my latest growth as a Christian.

I LOVE how Meadow puts the verses up on the screen so I don't have to look like an idiot trying to find the verse in the Bible. I pretty much know whether a book is in the new or old testament but to find it fast during sermon and to remember which book it is located after or before is not what I want to spend my time doing. Having the verse there and on the notes makes being in church so much more relaxing. I don't know about other people but I love the fact that I don't have to look stupid looking up verses during a sermon.

I LOVE the music and band that Meadow has. Seeing the words up on the screen makes being part of praise and worship so much easier. Once again not looking through a book to try and find the right page or song. Plus I don't have to wear my cheaters to see the words LOL. (one suggestion on this would be to put in the corner of the screen the title of the song and who sings it)

I LOVE how Meadow is on Facebook and Twitter and I think this really helps to make people feel more connected. When people are able to see something every day they become more comfortable with it and then going there doesn't feel so new and uncomfortable. One tends to already have that comfort zone with the place.

Mind Dump - Thursday Special

• Need to unload some stuff hanging in my brain.
• Right now, as I write this, I'm listening to the worship set scheduled for our all worship Sunday on September 9th. Wow! This Sunday won't get here too soon!
• I get totally excited when I see and hear of Meadowites inviting friends and family to come to Meadow with them!
• I'm taking some time off and out of the office next week to do some serious writing and try and get a little R & R plus spend some well-needed time with Sandy.
• I can't express enough how important responding to the email I sent out last night is. If you didn't get it, check your junk mail folder or let me know and I'll re-send it to you.
• I honestly believe we are on the verge of a great explosion of growth and ministry and going to two services and seeing more people step up to serve are two critical elements of this happening.
• Who are you inviting to come with you on September 16th?
• September 16th message is ... "Believing in God but I Don't Really Know Him". What does it mean to really "know" God and how well do you know Him?
• September 23rd message is ... "Believing in God but I'm Ashamed of My Past". Is there something in your past that continues to haunt you and keep you from enjoying the full life God wants you to enjoy? I'll be talking about how you are not your past and how to get past your past.
• Here's a question to think about for this Sunday... "What role should celebrating and partying have in the life of a follower of Christ?"
• I didn't sleep well last night. Didn't get to bed until after midnight and when I did, I felt like I was wrestling with my pillow and covers. Plus I had some major issues of Meadow on my mind.
• I am so thrilled with the worship leadership of our newest staff member - John Pennucci. Wow...we have always had great music, but there is just a spirit and leadership about him that is taking our music and worship to new levels already.
• Two services starting September 9th ... 9:00 & 10:45 am. We need you to step up and serve if you are not already. Where will you be serving?
• I don't want to be an average "normal" church! Average is boring. Average is expected.
• Probably our biggest ministry of need for you to serve in is MeadowKIDS. If you love kids and love to have fun - you're qualified!
• Sign woes...the sign we wanted to put up does not line up with city zoning so we have to go with a different kind of sign. It will still say Meadow Spring Church but it won't be exactly how we want it to look.
• Did I mention we are going to two services and we all need to pray for and invite as many friends as we can possibly invite?
• I'm taking September 2nd off. Larry Tindall will be speaking. He loves this church and I'm glad he is filling in while I'm gone.

Sunday Mind Dump

• I got chills down my back today when I challenged everyone to stand and make a commitment to reading and obeying the Bible. Wow...I don't think there was anyone who stayed seated!
• Lots of new people today!
• Before the service, I spent time out in the hallway greeting people rather than stay in the auditorium - hmmm...I really enjoyed it. Gave me the chance to see people that I don't normally see.
• I'm tired.
• Had some awesome Meadowites over for tacos today. I so love hanging with people from Meadow!
• I love it when people use the text line for prayer requests.
• Loved the new song John taught us today and the graphics on the screen during Indescribable really brought some refreshment and new life to that song!
• Wow...was it ever hot in there. We've got to get those funky thermostats figured out or get new ones that are "people friendly".
• Although I'm tired, I am so pumped for our Grand Opening coming up on September 16th!
• If you're on Facebook and have not indicated you're "Going" to the Grand Opening, go here NOW and RSVP!! Meadow's Grand Opening
• Two services starting September 9th! 9:00 & 10:45 ... Wow! Gonna be AWESOME!!
• Ren Fest traffic wasn't too bad today. I think it picks up after the State Fair.
• Had lunch again at Pizza Ranch this week - WOW...that is great food!
• Next Sunday is a HUGE Sunday as we turn in our commitment cards indicating where we will be serving and who we are praying for to invite to come on September 16th!
• I'm starting to meet with various construction companies about costs and process for tackling Phase 2 of our remodel which will be the MeadowKIDS and MeadowYOUTH rooms. If you know anyone in the construction business who might be interested, I'd be interested in having them contact me.
• Our attendance has been up and strong. We are running, in August, the same numbers we usually run during the school year. God is really up to something great at Meadow!
• We've got some Meadowites who are really getting beat up by life. This isn't the forum to give details, but prayers are needed.
• Tech team started recording the service today with a different "mix" - you will need to check out the video to hear the difference - especially in the music.
• Well...my mind is now dumped.
• I LOVE my church!
• Wait...one last thing - make sure you go here NOW and RSVP ... Meadow Grand Opening and invite ALL your friends to come!
• Yes...I said ALL your friends!
• Later.

Meadow Spring and the Renaissance Festival

It's that time of year when the Renaissance Festival takes place and traffic increases on Highway 169 - sometimes to stop and go levels! My suggestion is to avoid Highway 169 as much as possible when driving to Meadow on Sunday mornings.

If you are coming from Shakopee, I suggest going south on County Road 17, 79, or 15 then turning west on County Road 78 toward Chaska. County Road 78 will take you right into downtown Chaska.

If you are coming from Bloomington, I suggest you exit at Marshall Road (County Road 17). Go south to County Road 78. Turn west and County Road 78 will take you right into downtown Chaska.

It might sound complex, but it is actually extremely easy and might only add a couple minutes to your drive time, but you will have avoided the traffic on 169!

See you Sunday!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Another awesome morning!
• I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about John P's worship leading and the sound of the band that is just different - REALLY good different.
• I know I say this every week, but I'm totally impressed with the level of giving by those who call Meadow their church home.
• We are still making some adjustments with our systems now that we have our new building. What are you seeing that needs to be changed or adjusted?
• I am totally loving this cooler weather today.
• The text only prayer line continues to get more and more activity and I love it!
• Working with a couple friends who are going through divorce - that sucks.
• Anybody else totally tired of the election already? The Facebook and Twitter posts are increasing about who's who and I'm tired of it.
• Grand Opening buzz continues to build! Wow! It's gonna be a great day and it's gonna start some fantastic things at Meadow.
• Starting a new series on September 16 called "Christian Atheist...Believing in God but Living Like He Doesn't Exist". Check out this 55 second video ... Christian Atheist
• If you are on Facebook and haven't confirmed you are "Going" to our Grand Opening, you can do that now here ... Grand Opening at Meadow
• We are taking a HUGE step of faith and going to two services on September 9th. We will be doing 9:00 & 10:45 am services.
• September 9th will be communion and worship with our band leading the entire service. I am already pumped and ready for that day!
• I got a new desk center in this week. It's helping me feel more like I have a real office now and not a table stuck out in the middle of a big room. Thank you Meadow for your giving and making this possible.
• The challenge this morning was to make a prayerful commitment to inviting friends and serving on a ministry team. I got some good feedback and although we won't be asking for people to turn in their commitments for a couple weeks, we are already getting people stepping up to say, "Count me in!"
• Questions are being asked about the sign out front and when will we get a sign. We have submitted our sign design to the sign company, but this sign will cost us between $8,000-$10,000 due to some repairs necessary on the front of the building first. We need to wait until we have the cash before we can put the sign up.
• Questions have also come up about whether there is a need to continue giving toward the Imagine Building Fund. The answer is "YES!". The cash for the sign and for lobby chairs and tables will be coming from funds given to the Imagine Building Fund.
• If you have a second, I'd appreciate hearing your opinion and ideas on possible teaching series. What are some issues you see happening in the community? What issues do you see people struggling with? Feel free to post a comment on Facebook or email me at john@meadowspring.org.
• Well...my mind is now dumped. I'm out.
• BTW...thanks for being Meadow! I love leading this church!

New Saturday Evening Routine

My Saturday evening routine has always been to go to the church office, go over my notes for the morning, spend some time in prayer and get focused on the next day. I take Saturday afternoons and evenings very seriously in getting ready for what God has up His sleeve for Sunday morning.

Now that we have our own building, that routine is changing slightly but the personal impact is immeasurable. I am not going to the office as I did, reviewing my notes, but then I walk the building praying for you and for everyone who will be coming to Meadow in the morning. It is an awesome time of communion with Jesus!

I walk into the MeadowKIDS rooms and pray for the kids and parents and teachers. I walk into the hallway and lobby and ask God to fill them with a buzz of friendship and community. I pray for the volunteers who will be greeting, serving, ushering, teaching, leading, etc. I go into the auditorium and walk by every seat and ask God to open hearts and minds and to change the life of the person who will be sitting in that seat. I walk up on the stage and pray for each person in the band. I walk by the tech booth and pray for the tech team.

It is a quiet but powerful time of prayer and worship for me and it pumps me up for Sunday!

See you tomorrow!

More AWESOME Changes Coming!

Here's the deal...based on the buzz we are already hearing about Meadow and our new building, we are moving to two services starting September 9th. Two services will most importantly mean more room for more people to come and discover a refreshing relationship with Jesus!

Times will be 9:00 & 10:45 am.

Now...let me be totally transparent with you. We cannot do this with our current volunteer force. We have the most amazing volunteers but reaching more people will take more of us volunteering to serve those who come through our doors.

If you are not volunteering we NEED you to step up to the plate and become part of one of the most exciting elements of being a part of Meadow Spring!

I will be explaining more this Sunday but in a nutshell, here is where we have volunteer opportunities just waiting for you to say, "Count me in. I want to serve so we can reach more people!"

First Impressions: This is the team that greets and welcomes everyone on Sunday, takes care of the coffee and bagels, and ushers. Preparation time for this team is ZERO. All you need to do is be put on a rotating schedule and show up! Contact Sandy Laeger at slaeger@gmail.com to be a part of this team.

MeadowKIDS: This is the team that helps our kids have the time of their life every Sunday morning! Don't let this ministry scare you! If you can sit down with a group of kids and help them have a good time while learning Biblical truth - you are qualified! Preparation time for this team varies from 30 minutes a week to ZERO! Most of the time, you just show up! Contact Rachel Carlson at rachel@meadowspring.org to be part of this team.

Tech: This is the team that runs the sound system, stage lighting, and projection for our services every week. There is a little training involved with this team, but if you love techy stuff and like to turn knobs and work with computers, this team is for you! Contact Pat Laeger at pat@meadowspring.org to be part of this team.

Music/Band: This is the team that brings us our awesome music and leads us in worship each week. There is room for both male and female vocalists, guitar players, drummers, and key boardists. If you qualify or know someone who does, contact John Pennucci at johnp@meadowspring.org.

We are in some of the most exciting days of Meadow Spring and we don't want anything to hold us back from reaching more and more and more people for Jesus! YOU can and will make a major difference in making that happen by volunteering.

God is positioning us for some tremendous growth of seeing new people come to Meadow. We want to welcome and serve them. YOU will enable us to do just that!

Don't forget...we are starting two services on Sunday, September 9th. 9:00 & 10:45 am.

Where will you be volunteering?

 

Sunday Mind Dump

• I just can't find the right word to describe this morning and "Wow" seems so weak of a word!
• I honestly don't think the music has ever sounded as awesome as it did today.
• The spirit of worship was extremely strong!
• The place was PACKED! Definitely going to seriously consider two services already!
• Got a few things we need to tweak...some signage issues, some ushering tweaks, some tech tweaks
• Totally loved looking at all the pics and status' that were posted to Facebook.
• I NEED some BBQ ribs bad ... yes, I said "NEED". It is an issue of pure survival!
• Solid offering again - wow...so impressed with the giving at Meadow.
• It was awesome to see people hanging out and not in a rush to leave.
• Brunch was a success - and the food? Deeeelicious!
• We NEED tables and chairs!!
• It was John Pennucci's 3rd week with us and his 1st with the full band. God is already using his leadership to raise the level of excellance and worship engagement.
• Several people asked when are we going to get our sign on the front of the building ... Answer? When the funds come in. We are committed to doing things as we have the money.
• I am SOOO proud of the Meadow volunteers - Meadow wouldn't be what Meadow is without them.
• I had the privilege of officiating at the wedding of Myron Peterson and Kay Conrad on Saturday and it was AWESOME! Perfect day for it and what a great family!
• I missed the Derby Days Parade. I had a previous commitment. This was the first parade I missed in like forever!
• I'd like to hear from you - what did you think of the morning? Anything you saw that we need to work on or change or add?
• One person emailed me and said, "I invited 15 of my friends and 6 of them came!" Wow...can you imagine if everyone did that! Just imagine the impact!
• MeadowKIDS blew the walls out today...it is amazing to see what Rachel and the volunteers did to those rooms!
• There was one major mistake this morning...not enough Snicker's Salad at the brunch. It was gone by the time I got through the line!
• If we go to two services...what are the best times to go to? 9 & 10:30 or 9:30 & 11:00? Which do yo think would be more attractive and convenient for your friends?
• Okay...my mind is dumped.
• Later.
• See you next Sunday!

This Sunday - Brunch & Hang-out In Our New Building

Not only is this Sunday the first Sunday of worship in our new building, but following the service we are sticking around to hang out and have a brunch! AND...we don't have to hurry out! We can hang around as long as we want!

Please bring "brunchy" food to share because it's potluck. If you need groceries or need to pick something up last minute, Coopers Market is right across the street.

Also - bring lawn chairs for your family. We have not purchased chairs yet so the brunch will be like a picnic inside! (You could also go outside too if you want.)

I am so PUMPED for this Sunday and look forward to seeing you all there!

If you have any questions, email me at john@meadowspring.org!

See you Sunday!

 

First Sunday in New Building - What to Expect!!

The staff just told me to chill out and that everything will be fine, but I thought it important to communicate a few things on what to expect this Sunday as we celebrate for the first time in our new building!

First...I have to say how honored and proud I am to lead such an awesome church filled with the greatest volunteers. In just four weeks, we have accomplished more than anyone ever imagined! Just some of what we have accomplished this past four weeks:

• Totally remodeled lobby
• Cleaned carpet
• Completely remodeled the MeadowKIDS rooms
• Hung signs and posters
• Electrical work completed
• Security system tested
• Phone & internet installed
• Totally moved everything from the mall and Marcus Theatre
• Installed and hung lights from ceiling in auditorium
• Hung projectors from ceiling in auditorium
• Installed ADA ramp in auditorium
• Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned!!

There are some things still to be done as the money comes in. For example:

• Main sign out front is still to be installed
• Lobby tables and chairs are still to be purchased
• Miscellaneous lobby furniture still to be purchased
• MeadowYOUTH furniture still to be purchased
• Install additional seats in auditorium
• Miscellaneous things like replacing light bulbs, additional indoor signage, and additional lighting in MeadowYOUTH and MeadowKIDS rooms.

Now, what can you expect this Sunday:

• Expect an AWESOME time of worship!
• Expect a sense of "Wow! God is so good to give us this!"
• A message I am PUMPED to give!
• New and outstanding rooms for MeadowKIDS!
• A bright lobby to hang-out in before and after the service!
• A fantastic potluck brunch after the service (bring "brunchy" food)

How can you get the most out of this Sunday?

• Come early to grab a cup of coffee and look around
• Check your kids in to MeadowKIDS (and watch them light up with excitement!)
• Come in the auditorium and find a seat
• Stay for the brunch afterwards and enjoy the building God gave us!

We are expecting a large crowd so it would be advantageous to come early, find a parking spot, grab a cup of coffee, look around, and make your way into the auditorium to find seat!

I am so PUMPED for this Sunday! I have waited 14 years for this day and now it is here! Wow oh Wow oh Wow! God is so good and this Sunday we will experience His goodness at a whole nother level!

See you Sunday!