Seven Things The Church Can Learn From Disneyland

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1. WELCOME PEOPLE:  The staff at Disneyland was always helpful and inviting.  They made you feel comfortable from the time you boarded the parking lot tram on your way to the park.  What would a church look like if it welcomed people from the moment they entered the facility?  What if they were greeted with a smile, provided information about the church, and was escorted to a seat?  They would never sit alone and they would definitely want to stay.
2. CLEAN FACILITIES:  During one of the parades, some Mickey Mouse confetti shot out and got into Main Street.  As soon as the parade was over, there were about 5 vacuum machines, a number of manual street sweepers, and it was definitely a neat street again.  Churches need to be well maintained and cared for.  This goes from the pews (or chairs) to the restrooms to the nursery.  If you clean, it shows you care and we definitely should care for God’s church! 
3. BE READY:  I have been to Disneyland many times, but others were new or haven’t recently attended.  The staff there was ready for any situation, was accommodating, and made sure that the guest’s enjoyment is a priority.  Shouldn’t the church make visitors a priority?  Be prepared for their questions instead of judging them, be prepared to direct them to restrooms, and be prepared to meet the need no matter how small it is.  After all, Jesus always met the need!
4. ORGANIZED:  With the exception of California Adventure, Disneyland is one of the most organized and well planned parks.  In church, I have long debated if the church is an organism or an organization.  It is BOTH!  Not only are we a living, breathing growing church, we also have structure.  Lack of organization leads to chaos and a chaotic church is not what God wants.  Doesn’t He want some order when we come together
5. CHANGE:  I was disappointed when the Star Tours ride was not available.  I was informed that they were doing some remodeling of the ride.  Remodeling means change, but in my mind it was perfect.  “Change” is the word we don’t want to hear in our churches.  Nobody likes to change, because they don’t see the value of it.  Change in churches means, we have to do things differently to keep connected to people and so our regulars don’t fall into a rut.  If we didn’t change, why would we have websites, emails, or COMPUTERS?  Churches need to lead people into change.  After all, don’t we change our mind when we have JESUS? 
6.   .  ABOVE EXPECTATIONS:  I have seen the Disneyland fireworks over and over again.  It is a true highlight of the evening.  I thought I would see the same big, bright fireworks I had seen before.  To my surprise it was a well coordinated, audio, visual and live entertainment event.  It went above my expectations.  When people come to church, we should go beyond their expectations.  We should deliver the best customer service for JESUS!!!  After all, our God is a big God!
   7.  COME BACK:  When people were exiting the park they had two choices.  They can leave the park and not return or they can leave the park and have their hand stamped so they would be able to return that day.  We have to create an environment where people would want to return.  Don’t get me wrong our church is not for everyone, but we should have quality worship, bible teaching and connecting with people so that they want to return.  Why?  Because Jesus is in those things and He will draw them near when the church is doing what God has shown them to do.

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Sunday afterthought 2.28.10

Here are my Sunday afterthoughts:

*Having many things to do can wear you out, but God's love should never wear you out.
*Having a church family means alot, but I appreciate it much when you see them in action with you.
*We learned that being a Christ follower means nothing without love!
*When people are hurting, we need to help. Be in help mode.
*My grandma's memorial service was done well with songs, bible verses and prayer.
*My grandma sought to bring many to the church, when God called her home and the service was done, there was at least 300 People at Trinity Cristo Del Rey!
*Losing a loved one is tough, but our memories will never fade.
*I will see my grandma again one day, will you see me or her?

Ready, Set, ACTION!

The Cast: The Eleven and a few others.
The Play: Acts (of the Apostles or Church or whatever you want to call it).
The Director: Holy Spirit

I really wanted to begin reading and discovering a particular book of the Bible. As I read the verses from Acts, I was amazed of the insight I had missed. Acts is truly a beautiful story of how the church began. You may find it boring, perhaps uninspiring, but very early on we are introduced to the Director of this movement. His name: The Holy Spirit. From Chapter 2 on, He is the Director of the Church. He puts leaders together, sends them on journey, He enters into the hearts and minds of people. His work continues even though many reject the messenger.

Over the next 28 weeks (there are 28 chapters), I will be sharing some insight, thought, or principle from each chapter. I hope you will join, read and discover what God did when the church began.

Get Ready....Get Set....Get Action!

Afraid of church?

Are you afraid of church? Perhaps you are not familiar with church culture, traditions or just have a bunch of questions about God and Jesus. North Point Community Church is launching an online church.

I would invite and encourage you to get connected. Just watch this video for the launch date and please let me know if you connected with them. ~Pastor Waldo

North Point Online - Promo 1 from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The Church that hurts

It is amazing when churches lose perspective. When I say "church", I really mean the people. After all, church would not exist without people. It has been said that, "Church would be perfect if it did not have people in it."

God has created a community of believers to exist in a local setting to carryout his mission, purpose and plan. But one of the first things we need to be reminded of is "love". Not just any kind of love, but the love that comes from someone who is far greater than anyone on this earth. A love that extends beyond human reasoning, beyond any love we can see today demonstrated. Even when people don't deserve it, God's love extends to them as the sun's rays extend to our faces.

The church that hurts is the one that has lost it's love. John talks about the church of Ephesus. In it he writes (from the words of Jesus) from Rev. 2:3-4:

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

This sounds like a great church. A church that has undergone great trials and works so hard in the name of Christ. It is not tired, but strong. It sounds like a church you and I should be a part of. It sounds like a church that would welcome visitors, people who do not know Christ, but are searching for him. But watch this next verse. Verse 4.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Vers 5 tells us what we (the church aka people) should do:

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

This morning, I repent. I have lost my first love. I have lost HIS LOVE. I must labor now, I must lead now, I must go now. Church...will you join me?

Health, School, Church and Graduation

It has been awhile since I have updated my blog. I apologize to the vast number of followers. Here is what has been on my mind lately, so please bear with me.

HEALTH
Since the beginning of the year, I am getting close to having used my sick time for a total of three weeks. I am glad I was healthy when I was younger and so I have accumulated alot of sick time. But that is not the point! I have had acid reflux, sinus/congestion and most recently back problems. I left work early yesterday, because my stomach was not functioning well (you know what I mean) and I felt sort of anxious. The doctor's office said to stop taking the Motrin. I know have to do something. I am not the healthiest person. I am going in for regular blood work today, hopefully there will not be any further health issues. (UPDATE: I couldn't find my insurance card, so now I can't get my lab work done! UGH!)

SCHOOL
I am almost done with second semester Greek. It has been fun and interesting learning new words and help me better appreciate the writers of the New Testament. I have my take home final due on Monday and my project due by next Monday. I am taking this Monday off to complete my final. I have really appreciated eveyone who is in the class. Each one brings a great talent to the class. If I don't see any of them anymore, I know I will see them in heaven.

CHURCH
This is the heart and soul of what I want to do. We have started off a new series called Marriage 101. I would like to invite all of you to attend (www.csbcfamily.net). We have had our ups and downs this year. I am preparing to compile a purpose statement after we have had a series of meetings. I am going to work, pray and ask God to help me to present it. Our leadership team has to be on board with this. The church has to get pumped. We have struggled with our finances and are going to have to address this area soon.


GRADUATION My son is graduating soon and then heading off to boot camp a month later. He is anxious, worried and a bit stressed and so are we.

Somehow, God is in the midst of all this. Sometimes I can't see him, fell him, or hear him. But that is not His fault, it is mine.

So how is your day?