A message to thrive church….12.15.10
A message from Tom to THRIVE Church….
Hello Thrive! I wanted to share three things on this Tuesday night as we getting ready for Huge Christmas season!
# 1 THIS SUNDAY is our annual Christmas Party! We are excited…here is why you should be too…
* We are going to be rocking out some Christmas tunes. Our band has assured me that they will be bring in a whole new vibe to some of our seasonal fav’s!
* Believing the message will expand our Hearts toward the real reason for Christmas -JESUS!
* It’s our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition! Let me say it right now…bring your best but you don’t have a chance…I have a sweater that will make you cry.
* It’s POTLUCK SUNDAY. We are chowing down together as a Church! If you grew up in church you know exactly what I’m talking about. Here’s how it works…. everyone brings a big dish of food and after the 11am service we all stuff our faces…it’s that easy and it’s going to huge.
#2 We are Kicking off the “Our Gift” CHRISTMAS OFFERING. As a church we are are bringing our best gift to Christ to meet needs locally and around the world. Click on www.thrivechurch.cc to see the opportunities that we have this year. Together we are going to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through our generous giving……
#3 Christmas services this year are going to be AMAZING!!! I’ve seen reports over the past few years that indicate that people are more likely to visit a church at Christmas than any other time of the year. AND…knowing this here at Thrive Church we will always gone all out to do everything possible to use this time to present the Gospel in a way that is clear and understandable.
I honestly believe that this years presentation is going to be one of the clearest, most powerful presentations the Lord has ever led us to present. So…I’m asking all of you to…
Pray hard every single day from now until then…asking God to draw people to church and change lives!!
the best is yet to come…Tom
OUR GIFT…
OK -It’s official Christmas has “Hit the Elmore house”.
How do I know? Well…the first gift that my wife hid for Cole has been found and already played with. Growing up I learned that that “hunt” for pre-Christmas gifts was almost more exciting than opening the Gifts on Christmas morning. I am glad that my two year old is learning the joy of the hunt and I will enjoy hiding future gifts in the deepest part of our attic….
As a church I hope that we can grab a hold of the REAL MEANING of Christmas. What is it? I believe it’s this…..Giving to those that need and can’t give to them selves. Before I go all theological on you, remember this – that’s exactly what Christ did for us. He gave us the gift of Grace. A gift we could not give it to our self.
As a church I want us to LIVE THAT OUT this season. That’s why we are stepping up as a church and collecting our “OUR GIFT Christmas offering” on Dec 19th. We are going to help meet needs and make a difference in 4 areas that are BIGGER THAN US. Our Goal is to POINT PEOPLE TO THE REAL GIFT – CHRIST. I am excited.
Here’s an overview of the needs that we are partnering with for OUR GIFT Christmas offering this year.
1. Helping provide Gifts to children that are in need through Katy Christian Ministries / Santa’s Sleigh Program for underprivileged kids.
2. Launching a Benevolence Fund for families in 2011 that are facing job transition or deep financial need within our church.
3. Helping launch other LIFE-GIVING church plants that will come out of the blocks in 2011. (Note we had 4 major partners that helped Thrive launch less than 2 years ago – we are the result of others generosity – time to pay it forward)
4. Partnering with www.watermisions.org to develop clean water in poverty stricken countries. Every 15 seconds someone dies from a result of contaminated water. Let’s do something about it.
Am I excited – you bet! If every person in our church gave $100 to Our gift. We would be able to reach and even exceed our goal!
We are collecting OUR GIFT on Dec 19th! Jackie and I are praying about what we are going to give on the 19th. It may even mean we choose to give give up a few gifts for our self so we are able to give to others….Let’s pray together and bring our BEST GIFT to Christ!
If your ready right now…go to www.thrivechurch.cc and you can give your gift.
Go for it.
Merry Christmas -Tom
OUR STORY…
Why do we go to church?
Let’s be honest , A lot of people have no idea. Last Sunday I shared what happens when when your personal God Story actually becomes OUR God Story…what’s the difference? It’s this…the first one is all about you. The Second is about US. One is individual effort and interaction between you and God. The other is about us becoming LIKE HIM. It’s rooted in community, doing life together and authentic connections.
Someone recently asked me, “when do you know if your church is going to make it”?
After choosing not be offended and choosing not to accidentally spill my hot drink on him I started thinking about his question from a different angle. What are the indicators of real community? What does a real, vibrant spiritually alive, non religious church look like?
I’m not sure I have all the answers but here are a few things that I have seen push a church’s toward one story – OUR STORY if you will
It happens when..
1. When We ENCOURAGE each other -Deut 31:7-8
2. When we STAND withe each other during tough times – 2 Cor 1:3-4
3. When we make a deliberate choice to FORGIVE – Col 3:13
4. When we PRAY for each other constantly – James 5:16
Are we making it? Not sure I care….
Is Thrive becoming OUR STORY to people that desperately want a connection with GOD. Are we are forgiving, encouraging, standing and praying for each other?
That’s when it becomes OUR STORY…and that’s the only story that really matters.
Tom
New Series this Sunday…
3 Things I am Praying for…
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Philosophy, Thrive on November 23, 2010
I recently sat down with a bunch of pastors and the topic of prayer came up. It was refreshing to hear that I wasn’t the only one that struggled with this spiritual discipline. Over the last few weeks I’ve been attempting to be more focused on prayer. It’s helped me recognize and respond to God during my daily routine.
Here are the 3 things that I’m praying the most for.
1. My wife and kids!
I realize that the area that the enemy would love to destroy is my family. Right now more than ever, I’m asking God to protect, reveal and strengthen my family.
2. Our Church
As we build community my prayer is that we also build deeper connections to Jesus. A church that puts others first and cares about the lost world around them becomes a powerful church. My prayer is that our community at THRIVE becomes more powerful as a result of our prayerfulness
3. My Mom
As many of you know my Mom has ALS. Its a disease that I’m praying God supernaturally shows up in. My Mom is staying with us right now and every day we spend time talking and sharing stories but I am desperately asking God to heal my mom.
What are you praying about right now?
PS – this Sunday kicks off our new series at Thrive we are calling “Your Story…in six words or less” It’s going to be strong – see you there!
Tom
What I’m learning about MONEY!
- Image by Toban Black via Flickr
This Sunday was incredible……we talked about money!
I know what your thinking…..really….All I can say is stepping into the role of a lead pastor has pushed me to really dig into the scriptures and get a fresh understanding on this issue.
Last Sunday at THRIVE we were honest and real and about the topic of Money. It was fun to see the light bulb for people. We discovered together what God really says from the Bible. In addition talked through what the term “Blessing” really means. Monetary Blessings are the lowest form. God often has bigger plans for us that just giving us more cash.
The result? We have 15 families taking a 90 Day challenge to give God their first 10%. Their living out Mal 3:10 and putting God “to the test”
Oh by the way – Did you know that there are over 2,350 scriptures in the Bible that refer to wealth of finance’s. One more sign that this is a big deal to God….
here’s the outline from last Sundays message.
I God OWNS it all and ENTRUSTS you with SOME
Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Deut 8:18
II God gives me freedom to CHOOSE how I USE it
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10
“The Purpose of Tithing is to teach you to always put God first”
III God invites us to give in GRATITUDE and as a demonstration of our PRIORITIES and faith in his promises
Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (HCSB)
Giving is a Spiritual INVESTMENT, not EXPENSE
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
IV Only God can GIVE you financial SECURITY
The most important thing that God is doing in the world is through the local CHURCH – that is the center of all God’s activity and LIFE CHANGE.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
PS – We are kicking off a new series this week we are calling – “Your Story…in six words or less.” It’s about how your past, present are about the story that God is writing in your life!
See you soon – Tom
It’s a Thanksgiving Party!
This Sunday night we are meet up at the Villagio Town center in Katy for our first annual “THRIVE Thanksgiving Bash”. Knowing how our church likes to have fun…I think it’s going to be a WILD NIGHT. Now don’t worry it’s going to be family friendly everyone will get a chance to meet someone new. Here’s a few reasons I think you and your family should come…
1. Kirby Dean’s band rocking out some serious 80′s / 90′s hits
2. Kids can get their faces painted up by professional face painter ( Yes there is there such a thing)
3. You get a chance to talk to people at THRIVE that you don’t know and could hear some of the cool Growth Group stories that are out there…and I know they are out there
4. I will be guest singing on Sweet Home Alabama….just joking that could close the party REAL EARLY!
5. The Restaurants are awesome and the weather is supposed to be beautiful
See you there – this Sunday / 4-7pm / Villlagio Town Center / Westheimer Parkway / Katy TX
Tom
Shuffle Up and DEAL!
I am PUMPED! Our big CARDS for CLEAN water Texas Hold’em event happening on Nov. 19th at Westlake Prep. It could be one best nights we have had yet! We are going to find out what happens when you get a bunch of card players together to make a difference. I know it’s going to be fun hanging out and raising money for clean water in foreign countries. Lately as I have been looking at the epidemic of unsafe water around our world, here’s a statistic that hit me hard…every 15 seconds someone dies from unclean water illness. EVERY 15 SECONDS!
That’s a big deal!
If you know someone who plays Hold’em bring them with you. We are going to have some serious food, great raffle prizes and the winner of the night will be walking away with a new iPAD. The truth is I think we can all think of at least one person that loves playing cards and would never step foot in a church. Let’s make this night count and grab the opportunity to help people connect in community.
Sign ups are this Sunday. If you are like me and wait to sign up at the last minute – don’t – Space is limited.
PS – this Sunday is going to really STRONG. Its our third week of our series “Faith, Hope and Luck” – we are talking about what happens when you pray and God doesn’t answer . Going to be huge!
Tom
Full tank (part 1)
One of my prayers lately is “God help me to live with a full tank”. If you know me, you understand that I have a tendency to run “full throttle” all the time.
My mind is always spinning and I’m often find my self thinking 3 steps ahead of where I’m currently at. More now than ever I think God has been helping me see the value of margin and “taking a break”. Now to all of you that think that pastors only work one day a week, please feel free to follow me around for a week and you clearly how dumb that is.
Launching a church is hard work and often long hours. It’s because of that I am learning to slow down and look at my personal dash board. How am I doing spiritually, relationally and physically. I have come to grips that God has wired me uniquely with a type A personality. What that means is I need to pay attention to the warning signs of burnout…here’s what I’m looking out for.
1. When people I deeply care about become problems I wish I could avoid.
2. When my favorite parts of ministry turn simply into due dates and tasks to finish.
3. When I’m being productive and my soul aches for God’s voice.
4. When thinking about God’s vision for my family and church no longer fires me up.
I am thankful that God is so loving. He’s helping inwardly understand that ministry is more like a marathon than the 100 yard dash. It’s in the marathon that we begin to understand who God really is. We laugh and enjoy His people and grow into our potential.
Tom
Full Tank (part 2)
It’s becoming increasingly clearer that I have to keep my Tank FULL. Now I don’t know about you but I love to push my gas tank to the limit. When my light comes on telling me that the tank is almost empty, I like to think “how many more miles can I get”. This little game has nearly made me the guy that “pushes his car down the road” many times. It also drives my wife crazy when she gets in my car and has to rush to the gas station. I try to explain my little “man game”. I explain it involves risk, incredible skills of estimation and great courage. She doesn’t buy any of it. I am sure she will go her death bed trying to understand it.
My little game can at times be exciting and exhilarating. It often seems fun to keep pushing the limit- see how far you can go and how much ground you can cover before you break down. I’m convinced after counseling 100′s of people that this kind of thinking doesn’t work with your heart. As a husband , Dad and pastor I remind myself daily that I need a full tank to THRIVE (yes I’m using that word). I want to go for the long haul in ministry and with my family. There are three areas that I need stop and fill up daily and weekly.
1. My Time with my Wife and kids
2. My Connection to God
3. My Clarity of where I’m going!
“God is not cruel, but he is not lenient, He is true! He is not safe. He is unchanging;therefore we must change. We must learn in order to succeed. Our failures do not influence our grades but our unwillingness to learn from them does” -Leading on Empty
Tom
