Into The Mystery

Any Marketing Ideas

jbrought — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:00:30 +0000

I must confess, creativity does not come natural to me. As I got back from Seminary, I found myself in the middle of the new fall schedule. Marketing became an issue for me. I have spent many hours and money on renovating our youth facility. It is an amazing place for ministry.

I know many people in ministry and friends associated with ministry. I would wonder if there is any marketing ideas that you have found successful. We have done some marketing, but I am not fully satisfied.

Any advice would be appreciated….

Home away from Home

jbrought — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:01:37 +0000

Over the last two weeks, I spent them in Kansas City, MO. I am currently a seminary student. I enrolled at Nazarene Theological Seminary in the fall of 2002. It has been a long 6 years, but the end is in sight. My trip was good, but I missed the family so much. I got back home and I could not believe how big Jack is getting. Noah seems to be talking more as well. It was good to get home….

During the two weeks at seminary, I met up with two guys. These dudes are crazy… Josh is from Pennsylvania and Ryan is from Los Angeles. We had a great time together and they made the trip go by faster than it would have. It was awesome, except for the ex-long foot-long chili dog from Sonic. (There is 450 sonic restaurants in the Kansas City area, according to our server) This stat is crazy, more sonics than McDonald’s. Of course I do not know how reliable our server was…

Had a great time… Go cougars!!!!!

Reflection from Sunday’s Jacob’s Well Experience

jbrought — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:18:36 +0000

On August 24, 2008–> I had the opportunity to visit the 11:00 service at Jacob’s Well.

The most important aspect of the service is the sense of community. You cannot come into the service and not recognize the role and importance of community. Examples: Small area with lots of people, close seating arrangements. Highly personal environment among people, communion every service, and the clasping of hand during the benediction.

The worship service was not about me, but was about educating the community.

The Lord’s prayer was written in the backdrop of the stage.

Both Pastoral figures were wearing shorts–> “Come as you are” Theme

Old Church structure with stain glass windows

Candles around the front of the stage

Most worship songs were speaking to the importance of creation. Had recycling bins for the bulletins.

Environment seemed to be an act of worship.

http://jacobswellchurch.org/

Check out their website and if you have a chance to visit, I would recommend highly!!!!

Feel free to respond

Mizpah

jbrought — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:33:41 +0000

This week I have been studying the book of Samuel. I preached a few weeks ago on Samuel 3 and God waking him up in the night. As I was reading Samuel 7 I noticed a place referenced, “Samuel was the leader of Israel at Mizpah.” Mizpah is also the place where the Philistines are going to attack when God intervenes with loud thunder that threw the Philistines into panic. I did some research on Mizpah, here is some interesting findings.

Mizpah is mentioned for the first time Biblically in Genesis 31 when Jacob and Laban agree at Gilead to a godsent peace. They built a monument of stone and named it Mizpah saying, “The Lord watch between me and you when we are absent one from another.” A website I visited mentioned that Mizpah matured into the universal symbol of affection, trust, and human values. Mizpah bears many messages: I am thinking of you, Take good care, Forgive me, I like you a lot, all will turn out well, do not give in, there is hope, you mean so much to me, you are a wonderful person, you are so special, etc.

Maybe we could use a little more “Mizpah” in our world today.

Memorial Day Weekend

jbrought — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:00:48 +0000

I very much enjoyed the weekend festivities. Sunday was an amazing graduation theme. We had 14 graduates present for the morning worship service and 53 people for the cookout that night. I got to meet parents that I had never met before. We had Black Angus Hamburgers (only the best) and hot dogs. There was also a softball game that took place that night. I got into the game late, but had a base hit. (I batted 1.000 for the day) Overall the weekend was good, but so much for rest. I am so tired today!!! Hope everyone else had a good Memorial Day weekend.