What's New?

Some "new" stuff that is either in the works or in prayer around Rock Bridge:

New Equipment:  The Wink Theatre is getting (or has gotten) new projectors, new lighting, new speakers, and some other "new" tech. stuff that should finish a major technological upgrade to the Wink.  When we bought it 3+ years ago we knew we'd need to add this stuff when we could and through The Next Step we've been able to do so. 

New Staff:  We're adding Alfred Turley as our Groups/Connections Pastor.  He'll start March 1st.  We're also looking at the worship pastor position in Calhoun.

New Environment:  We're thinking about adding new environment right after each worship service where people can meet some of the staff and ask questions about the church for about 10-15 minutes.  We always to make it easy for people to #1-meet people and #2- get useful information about our church.  Additionally, as we grow larger we have to be intentional about growing smaller as well. 

New Networks:  One thing that I will be doing more of this year will be connecting with other pastors/church leaders from around the country.  The whole "iron sharpens iron" concept.  This is something I have not done much of, but I know I need to in order to keep growing as a leader and minister.  The end of this month I'll be joining about 10 other pastors in Alpharetta for a 1-day roundtable.  This group is going to try to meet 3-4 times a year.  I may also get the opportunity to be part of another pastor's group that will meet in Dallas 3-4 times over the next 18 months.

New Leaders:  One of our greatest challenges as a church is the ability to raise up new leaders.  We are a volunteer-driven church and are very dependent on an army (or navy) of volunteers to make our ministries happen.  As we grow, we need more people to be able to lead small groups, host teams, children's groups, Student Area Bible studies, etc.  How we recruit and equip people to do these things is something we are working through right now.

New Initiative:  With Vision Sunday and Easter all falling back-to-back this year, we may be doing some really cool and creative outreach and marketing stuff.  (By the way, Vision Sunday is March 16th -- WHO will you invite???)

New Campus:  For the past few months I have sensed God telling us to "wait" about starting a 3rd Rock Bridge campus.  However, just this past week I began to get a sense of peace and boldness (2 key markers of the Holy Spirit's guidance) about our next site.  No details yet, just prayer, the Holy Spirit, and some great possibilities.