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Sunday Mind Dump

• Yes, I talked about money today in church and no one got up and left!
• We were over 75% full again today and once again proving the church experts wrong who say once you reach 75-80% full, people stop coming.
• LOVED seeing a full house - especially on a Sunday when we clearly let people know we are staring a series on money.
• To be honest, whenever we do a series on money - it is always well received.
• Wow! It's really snowing out there. I might have to shovel my driveway!
• Had several new families return today - THAT'S always cool!
• Interview meeting for tonight has been canceled due to weather and road condition. RATS!!! I was really looking forward to it.
• We'll reschedule it for later this week - so keep praying. We are interviewing two design build firms and will be choosing which one we will hire and partner with to design and do our Phase 2 remodeling.
• What does the Phase 2 remodeling include? Enlarged auditorium, customized space for MeadowKIDS and MeadowYOUTH, a multi-purpose community room, offices, and a few other improvements.
• The biggest and most expensive challenge will be leveling the stadium seating floor in all the rooms except the auditorium. But...it has to happen for our kids and youth especially.
• My daughter came home for the weekend. She always brightens up the weekend when she comes home.
• Question and Answer time after the service didn't go so well. We've never done it before so I had no clue how it would work out. Guess we found out!
• Got some encouraging feedback this week from some Meadowites about our need to work a bit harder at raising the level of community and fellowship. I love it when people who love Meadow offer suggestions! Keep em coming!
• In light of that, we are taking some intentional steps to encourage people to stick around more after church - which is something we really never have done. An old habit from our portable days when we had to vacate the building ASAP. Guess old habits do die hard!
• Our next membership Class 101 is next Sunday. We've got another great group of people coming.
• I love teaching Class 101. It allows me to share our vision and stay in touch with those who are newer to Meadow.
• I am so impressed with our Tech Team. They really do pull off some amazing stuff every week...from the lights to the sound to the projection - it all flows together with professionalism.
• If you want to be impressed too, just walk up there some Sunday and try to count all the knobs and buttons and keys and levers they have to operate - all so we can make the greatest message on the earth sound and look the greatest.
• This weather makes me think of fishing - and not the kind where you sit on a frozen lake. I mean, "stick your boat in the water and wet a line for 'ol bucket mouth" fishing.
• Next message series after "Money Mayhem"? ... its on marriage and its called "We're Married...Now What?"
• I am so PUMPED about the weeks and months leading up to the summer. I think we are going to see God show up at Meadow in AWESOME and UNEXPLAINABLE ways!
• One of the exciting things about Class 101 is being able to read the stories of people and how they became followers of Christ - I love reading about life-change.
• We are working on putting together several video stories of how God has used Meadow to help change lives. We will be showing these in morning services starting soon.
• Well...looks like the snow on the driveway isn't clearing itself. Guess I better get out there and start shoveling.
• Later.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Solid morning. Love seeing a full house!
• FINALLY got the HVAC fixed so we had heat in the lobby!!
• Heat was important today with wind chills below zero.
• The cold temperature and the holiday weekend did affect our attendance. Down a bit today but still healthy.
• Offering was WAY down - rats.
• I really enjoyed teaching Class 101. I love that class because I get to share our vision and what makes Meadow tick.
• I love walking into the auditorium before the service and seeing and hearing all the buzz going on.
• Love seeing people connecting and building community.
• Had several new families again today. Heard about Meadow via newspaper, Facebook, and invite from friend at work!
• After preaching and then teaching Class 101...I am absolutely WHIPPED!!
• Oh...and I'm FREEZING
• Next Class 101 is in two weeks - Feb. 3rd. If you haven't taken this class - I highly encourage you to come!
• One of my favorite things to do on Sunday mornings is to stand in the hallway and just greet and talk to people as they come in. I LOVE Meadowites!
• Between the Leadership Team, the Phase 2 Remodel Team, the Capital Campaign Team, the staff, and our volunteers - I am convinced more than ever that Meadow is in the greatest leadership hands!
• Growth Groups are filling up. I anticipate this wave of Growth Groups will be PACKED with spiritual growth and community building.
• John Pennucci's six-month internship is over and he has agreed to stay on staff! THAT is AWESOME!
• Starting new teaching series next Sunday - "Money Mayhem"
• Check out the video trailer - one of our most creative trailers. Watch it here.
• We'll tackle what the Bible says about spending, saving, budgeting, giving - and depending on God to meet all our needs.
• Getting one's money under control and getting out of debt is always a top goal for the year. We will talk about getting out of death in this series too.
• Hadn't had a diet pepsi in over a week. Had one this past week and it tasted awful. Just sayin.
• I REALLY loved teaching Class 101 today and had a GREAT group of Meadowites taking the class!
• We might be getting a pop machine to put in the lobby. Based on my previous comment about diet pepsi...I won't be using it but I hear if we put Mtn Dew in it, it could be the most popular gathering spot at church!
• I LOVE getting the emails and messages from people explaining how God is using Meadow to guide them into a refreshing relationship with Jesus!
• If you have a story - any story of how God is working in your life - I want to hear it! Email or message me!
• Some MAJOR decisions will be made these next few weeks regarding the path we take in our Phase 2 remodeling. We would really appreciate your prayers for wisdom and insight!
• Well...the game is about to start and I have some other communications to get out.
• Later.

Three Things I Am Extremely Thankful For

I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!

1. I am thankful for our VOLUNTEERS! In my 28 years of ministry, I have never been connected to such a dedicated team of people! This last Sunday, in order to free up more parking spaces around the church, they chose to park across the street and walk in the frigid cold temperature! I was totally impressed with the First Impressions Team and how they helped everyone feel welcomed, find a seat, provided coffee, and smiled! The MeadowKIDS Team continues to amaze me in their love for kids! Wow! They pour out their hearts every Sunday into the youngest of Meadowites! And each week I am more thrilled with the MeadowBAND! Just about the time I think they have hit the climax of leading us in worship, they step it up even more! I am floored by the musical talent of these awesome volunteers!
2. I am thankful for our STAFF! No one loves this church more than our staff. Their enthusiasm, even during times of struggle, is absolutely contagious! I love each one of them and their families. I love talking strategy with them. I love dreaming with them. Most of all, I just love hangin' with them! The pool of wisdom and commitment that exists among Rachel Carlson, John Pennucci, Pat Laeger, and Lisa Tindall is second to none. I am sad that Lisa Tindall will soon be leaving the staff. With her baby almost here, she is stepping back from her staff position to give her full attention to her family. BUT...the awesome news is Tara Berg will be joining our staff and she will be bringing with her great input, organization, and an equal love for Meadow!
3. I am thankful for each MEADOWITE! There is no one in all the world I would rather be with and grow with than the people of Meadow Spring! You are all AWESOME! With the growth God is bringing to Meadow, you are welcoming it with open arms and smiles on your faces! This past week, you sat toward the middle and in the lower section to open up the more convenient seats for our new guests! Wow! THAT is impressive! I've been associated with churches who frown on new people walking in and would never think of giving up "their" seat! You are the most givingest group of people I know! You love Jesus! And you love Meadow! The building we are in would not be possible without YOU sacrificing financially! Wow! Oh wow!

I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Speechless for how today went!
• PACKED house again!
• Thanks to our awesome volunteers for parking in the overflow parking lot! You opened up spots for more people to get to Meadow and find spots close to the building.
• Yes...our volunteers are the best!
• Had a great Phase 2 Design Team meeting after the service. We have narrowed our choices down to two firms and will be conducting interviews in the next couple weeks to narrow it down to one!
• The band knocked "Live Like You Were Dying" out ... of ... the ... park!
• Lots of new guests today. God is bringing and bringing and bringing people to Meadow and I love it!
• Got a banjo for Christmas and had my first lesson this past week. I can assure you that Earl Scruggs has nothing to worry about!
• Got a great group of people signed up for our membership class ... Class 101.
• It's not too late to sign up and come! Just let me know at john@meadowspring.org
• Love reading the comments people make on Facebook and Twitter about Meadow and what they are hearing during worship and the message.
• Remember...if you are using Twitter, use hashtag #meadowspring so all your tweets about Meadow will be in the same group as everyone else. You can see what others are saying!
• Important meeting tomorrow night with a capital campaign consultant company to explain to us what they can help us with in financing Phase 2 of our remodel.
• There are no words to express how excited I am about getting started on Phase 2 of our remodel. I've already seen some concepts of what could happen and it is AWESOME!
• Started the Wheat Belly way of eating last week and I'm down 5 lbs! Look out Biggest Loser!
• You don't want to miss next week as we totally unveil the next teaching series. We might even unveil it early this week on Facebook. Trust me, this series will be relevant to EVERYone ... yes, I said EVERYone.
• For this next series, we're going to do something never done before at Meadow...we're going to have a Q & A time AFTER every service for anyone who wants to stick around and ask questions about the message.
• Need a new exhaust system for my truck. Anyone have an extra $400 laying around to help me pay for it? Sheesh!
• One element of our Phase 2 remodel is the conversion of two theatres into one large auditorium. This will be HUGE in giving us more room in the auditorium. BUT...we need to get creative until then because we are busting out of the seams!
• We're making some schedule changes with our MeadowYOUTH. Stay tuned to what's happening!
• I LOVE MY CHURCH!
• I'm getting behind in my writing. I need to take a couple days and just write to get caught up.
• I'm always amazed at how God is working at Meadow in spite of who's leading the church.
• I want to go see "Zero Dark Thirty". Who wants to go with me?
• We are planning a teaching series on marriage that starts end of February. Gonna be another first for us at Meadow as the entire staff will be involved with teaching this one! I'm already PUMPED!
• Later.

Sunday Mind Dump

• Wow! Ran out of seats! Ran out of parking! "Packed" doesn't even begin to describe it!
• Love reading the Facebook posts and seeing the pics from the service that people post!
• Love this picture taken by Bill Adams from the front row! Looks like I have zombie eyes!
• This week is a critical week as we start getting the proposals from various design/build firms who are interested in our Phase 2 remodeling project.
• Congrats to Jordan and Tara Berg on the birth of Adeline this past week!
• Confession...I was kind of cranky this morning when I got to church but the worship set totally changed that! Wow...it's amazing what corporate worship can do to one's attitude.
• I'm going gluten-free with the Wheat Belly Diet. It's a total change in how we think and eat - the learning curve is intense but Sandy & I are going to give it a great shot and see what it does!
• Did you see the short video put together of our worship set this morning? Check it out on my Facebook page.
• I know today was the first Sunday of this series, but next week we will be introducing the next series starting on January 27th.
• I'm always asked which series is my most favorite. My answer is the one we are in and the next one!
• I'm also asked if I really am pumped all the time about Meadow. YES!!! And the pastor who isn't excited about his/her church needs to find another job!
• Vikes lost. Say no more.
• You have GOT TO sign up for a Growth Group! Seriously, the study all groups will be doing will literally change your entire life and everything about your life...your relationships, your marriage, your parenting, your finances, even your physical health!
• Some of the HVAC units are just not working right - it is FREEZING in some of the rooms! We've got to get that fixed or I'm gonna need to preach on hell just to warm us up!
• A new family drives 45 miles one way just to come to Meadow!
• People were actually sitting in the front row! When that happens, you know we are running out of seats.
• Gonna have to get creative on parking and making more room for people to sit next week. We've got some ideas but are open to suggestions. What suggestions do you have?
• We WILL have more room next week so don't let that discourage you from inviting your friends. BRING THEM NEXT WEEK!!
• I am so proud of our MeadowKIDS volunteers! They totally roll with the punches and are ready to handle the number of kids who are coming!
• With that said, we are seriously thinking of dividing our elementary kids up into upper and lower elementary.
• Had a great discussion group after church today and talked about using more people to tell their stories about what God is doing in their life.
• I'd really appreciate your prayers this week as we evaluate the different design/build firm proposals. This is a critical time for our church. You'll hear more as we progress.
• Well...that's it folks.
• Later.