Pacific Church Network

Merry Christmas

December 2014

Two Are Better Than One

This fall I have been volunteering to paint the trim around our church. Every now and then I have a couple spare hours so I get the ladder and paint, hoping to get most of it done before Christmas. On one particular late afternoon painting session, I received a call, so, leaving the paint up on the ladder, I stepped down to talk. It's not good to paint and talk on the phone. It's also not good to talk on the phone and try moving a ladder because you might forget the paint was left up on the top! I did just that, and quickly hung up. Me, the church doors, outside walls and sidewalk were covered in paint. Yes, I did have a drop cloth, but the paint exploded beyond the drop cloth. Realizing help was needed to wash the paint off everything, I quickly got rid of my paint covered clothes and found the nearest paint free clothing, which happened to be from the Christmas closet, so I now looked like Joseph. Looking for help, two wonderful staff members came to my assistance and we cleaned everything up. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor" Ecc. 4:9.

Have a good December, and whatever you do during this busy Christmas season, try not to do it all by yourself. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.

Merry Christmas,

Jim Smith

Executive Director
Pacific Church Network

The Christmas Story

He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Luke 2:5-7
NLT

Three Ways to Turn Visitors into Members this Christmas

Christmas visitors are not like normal visitors.

Every year, a significant percentage of them will leave your Christmas services with good feelings, but no thoughts of returning. They came because it was the thing to do. They don't expect to be back until Easter.

How can you change those expectations so they'll return sooner?

Answer: You can't. Only God can change a human heart.

But you can help that heart change.

Worst Christmas Gift Ever

What's the worst Christmas gift you ever got or bought?

Probably the worst Christmas gift I ever got was some kind of European man purse. I opened it up and immediately said, "I hate this. I will never use it." To add insult to fashion injury, the person who had bought it for me (with perfectly proper motives by the way) was sitting right there eagerly waiting for me to like it.

Ho, Ho, Holy cow. It was another awkward moment inspired by the not-too-bright Greg Stier.

That was probably the worst present I ever got. The worst one I ever bought was for my wife. It was our first Christmas together and I was genuinely excited for her to open it up. I'm usually the "wait until Christmas morning" kind of present opener. But I couldn't wait. I told her "you have to open this now."

2015 Annual Meeting

January 25, 2015, 3:45pm - 8:30pm

Every year we gather together as a network to share ideas, and support and encourage each other in light of the challenges of church ministry. This year we'll have breakout sessions led by Brian Howard, Jesse Mendez, Robert Bishop, Emilio Núñez and more that share practical ideas of what is working in churches today, plus an inspirational gathering for all. Board members and other business matters of the network are presented at this time as well.

Redemption Hill Church, 16153 E Russell Street, Whittier, CA 90603
Directions

3:45-4:45 Breakout Sessions
4:45 - 5:45 Dinner (RSVP thru registration link below)
6:00 General Session

Breakout Topics Include:

"How to Dramatically Increase Your Church's Giving," "How Our Small Church is Reaching Our Large City," "How to Keep The Second Generation In Your Church," "Ministry and Marriage," "What Every Man Should Hear About Leadership From a Woman's Perspective," and more.

Childcare provided for children ages 2-5 years old. Please let us know if you need childcare on the registration form, or call or email us at: 909-944-5900 or info@pacificchurchnetwork.com.

2014 Video Presentation

REGISTER HERE

Cena de Navidad - Hispanic Churches Christmas Banquet

The annual PCN Christmas celebration for pastors, leaders and their wives will be held on Saturday December 13 at 6:00 pm:

La Iglesia Bautista de Bell Gardens
7301 Perry Rd., Bell Gardens, CA, 90201

(562) 927-1810

Costo: $5.00 por persona

For more information and to register, call the offices of Pacific Church Network: Emilio Núñez (714) 512-1330 or Laura Harder: (909) 944-5900.

¡Les esperamos!

Church Votes Unanimously Yes

On Sunday, November 23, Valley Bible Church of Vista, CA voted to call Kevin Ibañez as their senior pastor. Kevin is married to Andria and they have four children. They met and both graduated from USC. Kevin also attended Fuller Seminary and is currently finishing his training from Golden Gate Seminary. Kevin was born in New York City, but at the age of 3, he and his family moved to San Diego where he grew up. Kevin is currently the youth pastor at Sunrise Church in Rialto. He will start preaching at Valley Bible on December 21. Congratulations to Valley Bible.

Couples Retreat was "Fantastic!"

On Sunday, November 2, 34 pastors and their wives traveled down to the Inn at Laguna Beach, the beachfront destination for the one-night free getaway. All the wives said this was a "perfect" getaway and gave a big thumbs up. The event provided an opportunity for pastoral couples of churches who have signed the Pacific Church Network covenant to relax, build new friendships and refresh their marriage. Brian Howard led the Sunday evening sharing time, and Jim and Vicki Smith led a Monday morning Ministry and Marriage Workshop. Every year Pacific Church Network is planning to provide this for all member church lead pastors and their wives.

Baptisms and New Members

Pastor Jesse Mendez of By His Grace Community Church in Riverside is excited that in 2014 their small church has had 23 baptisms and 14 new members join their church which is now averaging 84 on a Sunday. With this strong growth rate, they are now looking to purchase a church to allow for further expansion and kingdom ministry.

"Sharpening Your Sword"

evento de capacitación de PCN

How to communicate the Word of God more effectively. Led by Craig Parro and Patricio Paredes from Leadership Resources, this Spanish training event is FREE for Pacific Church Network and Transformation Ministries Members. ($10 for all others.)

Saturday, February 28

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Iglesia Bautista de Bell

4900 Clara Street, Cudahy, CA 90201

Registro

We'll Take Your Church Furniture

Is your church making changes to your facilities, such as replacing pews, older tables, chairs, or other items? If so, you might want to share the items you are replacing with a fellow church in the Pacific Church Network. We have churches who would appreciate receiving usable furniture that your church no longer needs. Before you discard your items, please call or email the PCN office at 909-944-5900 or info@pacificchurchnetwork.com if you would like to share your items. Thank you!

Reaching Your City

Tom Mercer

This free training event for Pacific Church Network and TM member churches ($10 for all others) will feature Tom Mercer, Senior Pastor of High Desert Church in Victorville, CA. HDC has grown from a small church of 150 to over 8,000 in the past 30 years using a very simple but effective way of reaching people with the gospel. Come hear Tom as he shares his story and some very practical ways to implement outreach principles in your church. Lunch is included.

Tuesday, March 3

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
San Antonio Heights Community Church

2520 N. Euclid Avenue, Upland, CA 91784
909-944-5900

Church Roof Falling Down

Pastor Dave Metzger from Lakehills Community Church in Lake Elsinore noticed that his church roof was not looking so good. After calling in a general contractor, they found six beams above the sanctuary were cracked or broken! They will have to meet in another smaller room in the church while this is fixed. In spite of not using the auditorium, over Thanksgiving, they still fed 150 needy people! They had a challenging event, but had awesome testimonies, and Pastor Dave still had the opportunity to share about Christ.

10 Ways to Drive Away Guests

If you attend a church regularly, you've probably noticed the phenomenon. A guest shows up for a worship service, but he or she never returns. It is, unfortunately, a common issue in many churches.

Thom Rainer did a Twitter poll to ask these first-time guests why they chose not to return to a particular church. While some of the responses were anticipated, he admits being a bit surprised with some of them. Though his poll is not scientific, it is nevertheless fascinating. Here are the top ten responses in order of frequency. Read more

Clergy Housing Allowance Upheld

The clergy housing allowance is safe for now. Last week, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a Wisconsin federal district court, which struck down the venerable clergy housing allowance. As a result of the Seventh Circuit's decision, clergypersons who serve churches, synagogues, mosques, and other worshipping groups, may continue to exempt certain parts of their compensation from federal income tax. The news comes as welcome relief to worshipping groups. Read more

Pacific Church Network

909-944-5900

pacificchurchnetwork.com

info@pacificchurchnetwork.com