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From the Pastor
"Vision"
by Pastor Bill Berger
Last week we discussed the Vision of All Saints. In
continuation of last week's discussion, it is important to consider what it
means to be a growing church.
The more
we grow...
1) ...the
greater the PRIVILEGE
I never want myself or anyone on our staff to have
a sense of entitlement. We're only
servants--I Corinthians 3:5.
2) ...the
more COMPLICATED things get
Sin complicates your life in negative ways. Growth complicates your life in positive ways. Learn to thank God for complications!
3) ...the
harder it is to maintain UNITY
Vision
is the key to unity! The larger you get the more frequently you need to cast vision. Unity doesn't happen by
default--Ephesians 4:3.
4) ...the
better STEWARDS we need to be
Growth raises
the stakes. With greater
responsibility comes greater
accountability.
5) ...the
more ABOVE REPROACH we need to be
I Corinthians 10:23 says, "Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial." As our leadership
expands, there can be an unhealthy and
unholy tendency toward the
permissible end of the spectrum! Guard against it. As our influence expands,
leaders need to move toward the
beneficial end of that spectrum!
6) ...the
easier it is to exist for those who ALREADY BELONG
As a church grows it is very easy to give in to centripetal force--we become inward-focused and ingrown. The Great Commission is centrifugal--go into all the world.
7) ...the
easier it is to do ministry out of MEMORY instead of ministry out of
IMAGINATION
The beginning of the end for every entrepreneurial organization is the moment they stop
doing what got them to where they are! You need to keep making mistakes. You need to keeping experimenting. Don't repeat the past. Create the future!
8) ...the
more we have to remind ourselves of WHY we're doing what we're doing and WHO
we're doing it for
There is a fine
line between building Thy Kingdom and
My Kingdom. As your circle of
influence grows, you need to stay Christ-centered.
Thank you for taking this ride with us. See you
Sunday,
Pastor Bill
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This Sunday
"...in the Mirror."
James 1:19-27
Bill Berger, Pastor
We are going to finish up chapter 1 of James by looking at anger and humility -- an interesting combination to say the least. Anger can be used for good when trying to defend or protect or it can be cancerous and can eat away at your heart. There are marks of cancerous anger that identify a proud heart. The only way to keep those things at bay is to keep the mirror of God's word with us at all times. The mirror of God's work prevents anxiety and fear. When we hold the mirror of God's work up to our self daily, it reminds us to feed our soul and mind with the truth and goodness of who God and Jesus are and what they have done to assure us. Such an incredible moment to realize the vastness and depth of God's love inspite of our warped selves. God is good all the time!
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Journey
is where it all begins. This is where we take the first step, together,
to discovering the abundant life in Jesus Christ. On one level, Journey
is the door to everything All Saints -- it is how we get on the same
page in how we define our church character and culture. However, it is
much more -- Journey is about being equipped with the knowledge and
skills to help navigate this incredible adventure of life in Christ.
JOURNEY 1:: Beginnings
Believe, doubt and seek your way to Jesus
Journey
begins with an exploration of what it means to believe, doubt and seek.
We start here because we recognize that we all come to All Saints with
our own presuppositions and questions. Journey: Beginnings is a safe
place to ask these questions or express our doubts.
JOURNEY 2:: Growth
After
exploring how believing, doubting and seeking all play a part in the
life of a Christ-follower, we will explore the essence of Jesus'
invitation to trust and follow him. We will look at living with grace
as our foundation. Rather than doing this abstractly, we will focus on
trusting and following Jesus in the real contexts in which we live and
begin simple spiritual practices that enable us to grow.
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Service Teams Highlight of the Week
Here at All Saints, we want the people of
Seattle to know and understand the reality of an abundant life in
Christ. This can only happen if we live out our faith in the same
places where we live out our lives. The 1 + 1+ 1 forumla is a way to
bring together our faith and our personal lives to coexist as one. The
formula includes 1 church gathering + 1 service team + 1 life group. In
the coming weeks, we will be highlighting each service group. We want
to let you know more about the awesome opportunities to serve the
people of All Saints and the people of Seattle.
All Saints - Custodial Arts:
Help keep our building clean, presentable and welcoming to everyone who walks through the doors at All Saints. Contact April Mower at custodial@believedoubtseek.org / 206.280.7444
In Seattle - New Horizons:
New Horizons Ministries is a nonprofit Christian ministry that formed in 1978 in response to the growing problems of youth involved in street activity in downtown Seattle. Volunteer opportunities at New Horizons are almost limitless. Whether you want to serve in a food group, provide office help, or work directly with the youth, there are many ways to get involved. Katherine has been volunteering here for a year and would love to share some of her experiences with you. Contact Katherine Barnard at katherinembarnard@gmail.com
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 HOW-DEE!!! Hang
on, partners, because Kids Church will never be the same now that Little Dogs on the Prairie are loose!
During the 11 o'clock service, kids will meet downstairs to journey back in
time to the Wild West. Each Sunday contains a heap o' stuff: an opening game or
activity that will get your li'l doggies fired up for the lesson, an
interactive Bible Story, a craft, and just a doggone good ol' time!
We can't wait to welcome your kiddos the first
Sunday of October to the Wild
Wild West!
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Just so you know...
Our
fall season of Life Groups is in full swing, but it's not to late to sign-up!
There is something for everyone this fall, so check out the new 1+1+1 brochure
or the "Involvement" link at www.believedoubtseek.org
to sign-up today!
The next Get To Know All Saints Lunch will be held on November 8th, downstairs in the multi-purpose room following the 11am gathering. If you are new to All Saints in the past 6 months, join us downstairs for food and discussion. Get to know All Saints, ask questions, and enjoy good food. Please sign up for the lunch at the Concierge desk, or email life@believedoubtseek.org
Healing Hearts- Post Abortion Trauma Recovery Group: Healing Hearts is a small group class for women with abortion in their past.
It's a safe, confidential environment to experience healing and restoration,
led by women who know first-hand what you're going through. Starts,
Saturday, October 3, from 1-3pm and runs for 10 weeks. Call or email Patti
Lozano for more information: 206-819-3207, pattihlozano@yahoo.com.
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We need your help at All Saints!
Here are a couple of specific ways that you can serve at All Saints!
The Reading & Announcements Team is looking for a new leader and new team members to help with announcements and reading scripture during our weekly gatherings. If you'd like to help, please contact the office at: life@believedoubtseek.org
The Children's Ministries Team and the Nursery Team are looking for additional volunteers to help teach and assist in the classrooms and nursery on Sundays during both gatherings. If you would like to join one of these teams, please
contact Tammara Beck at kids@believedoubtseek.org or Jenn Gifford at nursery@believedoubtseek.org
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Central America Missions Trip Update
Thank
you to everyone who indicated interest in the Central America Missions
Trip. The team is being formed and will be comprised of around 15
people that will head down to San Salvador, El Salvador from November
7-14th.
The
group's primary focus will be to help address medical and construction
needs while forming relationships among the people there. We will keep
you posted as the date comes closer, but we are asking the All Saints
Community to first and foremost, pray. Pray that Jesus continues to
lead in the planning process, with both our team and the agencies down
there that we are working with.
Secondly,
support the team in tangible ways. The team is an extension of the All
Saints community, and represents not only Jesus, but All Saints, in the
work that they will do, so get to know the team members and consider
supporting them tangibly. There will be more information on this as
plans become finalized, but join us in this adventure as we continue to
serve Seattle and beyond.
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All Saints News is sent out regularly to the community to engage and inform people of all that takes place through All Saints Church. This and previous updates are available on the All Saints website.
If you have any ideas, submissions, or comments, please send them to life@believedoubtseek.org
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