johnlaeger.com

Sunday Mind Dump

• I think I say it every week, but... wow, oh wow, oh wow! This morning was seriously off-the-chart freakin awesome!
• Today might have been the best Sunday ever at Meadow.
• We were 85% full in the auditorium and that includes setting up the extra chairs AND we still had a few regular attenders volunteer to just hang out in the hallway!
• Our next option? ... Maybe hanging chairs from the ceiling?! Ha!
• Seriously, our remodeling will not come too soon and in just six weeks, we will be revealing all the details - I can't wait to explain it all!
• Started something new today - video stories and today's was nothing short of awesome!
• We will be posting these videos online so keep watching.
• Had a new guest post this on her Facebook page ... "Wow, did I do something cool this morning! They turned our town's movie theater into a contemporary church. You sit in the theater (cup holder for your coffee, of course) with big screen, incredible band, comfy seats, warm and welcoming atmosphere. And look, they give all first time visitors a popcorn box containing a bible, worship info, and microwave popcorn! Still humming the music. Wonderful weekend!"
• And...check this out... she mentioned to me that her post has already encouraged two of her friends to come with her next Sunday!
• The new chairs worked AWESOME!
• Sandy & I are leaving for a week of vacation this next Saturday and I HATE being away from Meadow but I really need this break.
• Yes, we are going somewhere VERY warm and will be totally out of contact which will force me to relax and set aside church and just focus on being with Sandy.
• Had an amazing meeting this past week to nail down the design of the new auditorium - I really can't wait to show and tell all we are designing.
• This week we will be nailing down the design of the MeadowKIDS Center, the MeadowYOUTH Center, and our new Fellowship Center.
• Had some major technical issues this morning, but our band and tech team pulled it off! Thanks to  Dave and Pat!
• Nursery was PACKED! I have so much appreciation for the MeadowKIDS volunteers in there - they have a level of patience I just don't have!
• Sandy has the Oscar Red Carpet on ... oh yeah (can you hear my excitement)
• But based on what the preacher said this morning, we probably should watch this instead of what I want to watch...The Walking Dead.
• I probably spent an hour today just looking at the pics and reading all the status updates of those who were at Meadow today. I LOVE it!
• My daughter (Jessi) moved home yesterday. It will be good to have her home - she brings so much brightness and laughter to our home!
• LOVED meeting all the first time guests today!
• Tara Berg survived her first week on staff as Adminitrative Assistant. I'll be easy on her for a couple more weeks, then it gets serious! :)
• We are putting together a mobile "app" for Meadow which will make watching videos, listening to messages, giving, reading a free Bible, and more - a lot easier.
• Should be up and running in a couple weeks.
• We introduced the largest single group of new members this morning - THAT is awesome!
• I have never been more excited about ministry as I am today and yes, I really do love my church and believe every Sunday is going to be smokin' awesome!
• Here's my question for you...I'd like your opinion on this: Our remodel, realistically, won't happen for several months. What do you think is the best action to take before then to give some relief to our full service? ... Should we go back to two services? Should we start a video venue in another theatre or the lobby? What do you think? Write your suggestion on Facebook and let's solve this problem together!

Sunday Mind Dump

• PACKED - and once again proved the church experts wrong that people stop coming once you reach 80% full!
• Had to set up extra chairs!
• Had "Pizza with the Pastors" after the service and had the largest group of new people we've ever had in our history for a "get to know the staff" event like this!
• We REALLY need the remodel...NOW!!
• Loved talking to and meeting all the new people at "Pizza with the Pastors"
• Worship & communion were awesome!
• Offering was through the roof!
• Had another great focus group meeting with the architect this past week. Now we are ready to start putting all the ideas into a first draft design.
• We've got $30,000 worth of chairs being donated! Yes, I really did say $30,000!!
• Marriage series starts next Sunday. Check out the video trailer HERE.
• REALLY looking forward to this series and each of the staff taking a Sunday to teach the one message on marriage they would love to teach.
• Booked a vacation to someplace really warm and totally out of touch with reality.
• I love Meadow and hate to be gone, but I need this vacation. Sandy & I need to get away to just be with each other without any kind of distraction.
• My daughter got a new job closer to home so she is moving home this next week...so much for being empty-nesters!
• I do like having her around. She really brightens up the environment!
• Welcome Tara Berg to the Meadow staff!
• Speaking of the staff...I am so honored to be able to serve at Meadow with our staff. They truly love Jesus and love the church - and with that combination nothing will stop us!
• And don't forget our awesome volunteers - best I've ever partnered with to do ministry!
• Started wearing contacts again this week & the best thing about wearing contacts is all the cool sunglasses I get to wear now!
• Easter is only 6 weeks away. We will probably do at least 2 services to accomodate all the people who will be coming.
• Next Party Sunday (baptism) is March 24 and I am already PUMPED to celebrate through baptism those who have made commitments to follow Christ!
• I can honestly say that Meadow is alive and a place where God is changing lives and doing things bigger than any one single person.
• This church is so not about me.
• I've been getting my elbows dirty in the kitchen cooking and baking - kind of enjoying it and yes, I proudly display my man card as I cook in the kitchen!
• We are welcoming new members next Sunday and I think we are welcoming more new members in one Sunday than we ever have! Woo Hoo!
• NASCAR kicks off next Sunday with the Daytona 500. Go #14!!
• I am truly loving ministry right now and I KNOW the next few months are going to be absolutely AWESOME!!
• Actually I've never been more optimistic and pumped about the future of Meadow than I have now.
• I LOVE my church!

Sunday Mind Dump

• In light of the weather, I was VERY pleased with the crowd today.
• Had an AWESOME focus group meeting with the architect to discuss the new auditorium. This...is...going...to...be...so...cool!
• I am amazed at the unity of everyone who is giving input for our remodel - even the architect was amazed at how we work together and are on the same page.
• I am so proud of our volunteers on a day like today when others can't make it and they step it up to cover so all ministries are manned.
• My time alone with God in the minor prophets is really cool! It's like a breath of fresh air.
• We've got a whole bunch of people who are joining the church. We'll recognize them on Feb. 24. I am PUMPED!
• Are you sitting down for this one?! ... This past week, we had two people (who don't even attend Meadow) donate 150 chairs. These chairs sell for $200 each! That's $30,000 worth of chairs!! And they were basically donated to us ...yes...I said DONATED!!!
• We will use these chairs in the lobby, in the auditorium for extra seats, and in an overflow venue we are working on.
• We are exploring setting up a second venue in another theatre where we would broadcast the service via video. This will open up even more seats in the auditorium plus create a unique worship experience for more people!
• Booked a vacation this week. I am so stocked about what God is doing at Meadow and I hate to even think of missing a Sunday, but I can feel my energy draining and I need a break.
• This vacation is one where I will be completely out of contact but I have absolute confidence in our staff and leaders to lead the ministry here. I will rest easy knowing things back home are okay.
• We have scheduled a capital campaign for after Easter and we are in the planning and preparation phases right now. Things are getting real exciting and intense for me - another reason I need to get away for a break before it picks up speed to about mach 5!
• This campaign will be all about building the dream we've had for years - seeing it become reality!
• We changed up our eating about a month ago - basically eating a lot healthier, no fast food, no wheat, eliminated pop and pretty much all sugar - I've lost 12 lbs so far! Bring it on!
• BUT...lots of bacon, steak, eggs, chicken...and even Famous Dave's is still being consumed - I LOVE eating healthy!
• Got our next focus group meeting this Tuesday with the architect to talk through MeadowKIDS, MeadowYOUTH, and fellowship areas. Gonna be another exciting night (Tuesday) - We'd appreciate your prayers.
• "We're Married...Now What?" starts in two weeks. This will be a unique teaching series for us on marriage as each staff person will teach for one Sunday. Each staff member will be teaching the one message on marriage they have always wanted to teach - gonna be AWESOME!
• Something is haywire with our wireless signal in the auditorium and our "moving" lights are inoperable. Rats...gotta get that fixed - might be a software issue that needs upgrading.
• The worship set for next week already has me drooling! Plus we are celebrating communion - this is going to be an awesome Sunday! (But then - every Sunday is awesome at Meadow.)
• Oh...AND..."Pizza with the Pastors" is after church. We get to hang out with some of the newer Meadowites!
• I have never been as excited and pumped about ministry as I am right now! And each week, it only gets better!
• I LOVE my church!

Sunday Mind Dump

• This was one of the best Sundays EVER at Meadow! Wow!
• We were 95% full and once again proved the church experts wrong.
• We (staff & leadership team) have already started discussion of what we can do to free up more seats.
• One idea that keeps coming up is to send a video feed to the lobby for overflow.
• Our remodel will not come too soon!
• Speaking of remodel - I am stoked that we have hired Bauer Design Build to design and build our Phase 2.
• It really is not an option. We NEED to remodel so our new building does not prevent people from coming!
• Got a message that even our overflow parking was full! Wow!
• Had another great membership Class 101. A bit smaller than the last one which is nice because it allows for more interaction.
• One thing I don't like about the first Sunday of the month? No bagels!!!
• Band was totally off-the-chart today! Wow! Not sure they can get any better (but they  usually prove me wrong!)
• Sandy & I are planning a vacation to somewhere warm and relaxing. I really hate to be away from Meadow but things are going to get real intense in the next several months and I need to get away before it all comes!
• We've got about 60% of our adult attendance involved in Growth Groups!! That is so awesome!!
• Had more first and second time guests today! Love it!!
• One of the elements of our remodel is to enlarge our auditorium, but we are looking for suggestions as to what we can do alleviate the pressure until that happens. What ideas do you have?
• I started reading the minor prophets this week in my time alone with God in the mornings. I'm amazed at all the practical and challenging nuggets contained in those small books.
• If you haven't heard, little Abby Olson, the young girl with cancer we have been praying for, is not doing well at all.
• The teaching that is going to be taking place in each Growth Group is going to totally change the every area of life for those who are coming. It's not too late to sign up and get into a group!
• I'm really looking forward to "Pizza with the Pastor" on Sunday, January 17th. I love to talk to and get to know the new people to Meadow.
• Another idea just started floating around to aleve the seating pressure ... send a video feed to the one theatre we are not using and project the service up on the big screen.
• What do you think?
• We'll be introducing the next series next Sunday. It's a great subject and the way we will be teaching it is another first for Meadow. I'm totally looking forward to it.
• Lisa Tindall will be stepping down from her staff position of Administrative Assistant to give her time to her family and new baby coming. It will be tough to see her go.
• BUT...Tara Berg will be joining our staff as Administrative Assistant and I look forward to how God will use her and her strengths to help build our vision.
• Next Sunday we are also going to start telling more stories of real people at Meadow who's lives have been changed by Christ and His grace.
• Seriously...some of these Super Bowl commercials are totally stoooooopid (and inappropriate!)
• Next time you see Gary Oliver, give him a big high five or bear hug. He showed up extra early today to shovel the sidewalk all by himself! Thanks Gary!
• I am also absolutely impressed with our MeadowKIDS volunteers - wow....they are loving and handling all the new kids and families and doing it with big smiles on their faces...no doubt our MeadowKIDS ministry is awesome!
• Had a close pastor friend come to this morning. I didn't know it until I saw the communication cards. Wow...totally honored to have him there!
• I love my church and am so enjoying the ride God is bringing to Meadow right now!
• Later!