Posts Tagged God
HIGHLIGHTS FROM A GAME CHANGER WEEKEND…
Wow – what a powerful weekend for our church! We experienced some amazing things, I thought I would take a minute and share with you some of the wins and challenges we are facing…Before I jump into it, I have to say “hats off” to our amazing volunteer teams. I had the chance to walk around since I was not preaching and I have to say they are creating some irresistible environments for people connect with Christ. Really proud to be serving God with such an amazing force.
* Our guest speaker Cal Rychener /Lead Pastor of Northwoods Community Church in Peoria IL, NAILED it as we talked about GAME CHANGER : Forgiveness – powerful illustration of how our refusal to forgive keeps us tied up, I saw hundreds of cards being dropped on a bench with peoples names that that they were going to forgive. LOVE IT
* Our band sounded better than ever – when they kicked off Black Eyed Peas “Let’s get it started” – I knew we were in for a great day and our closing song “Healing has begun” by Matthew West – off the chain…
* Standing in the middle of dozens and dozens of 3-5 year olds singing in worship to God, our kids team is one of the best in Houston!
* Walking through our parking lot during the 11:26 service and realizing “we have to make more space for guests”. We were again over 80% full in our main parking lot! It’s a challenge – but we are going to solve it!
* Watching the FAMILY BINGO Night happen after our Sat. night service– it was amazing to see Bingo rocking in our church
* Hearing from our card counters that people gave their LIFE to CHRIST in the services this weekend – that’s what matters most! Go GOD!
* Meeting first and second time guests and seeing their faces after the service, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that God is moving in people’s hearts through our church.
It’s getting fun! more soon….
Tom
A letter to thrive church…
Posted by tomelmore in General, Leadership, Thrive on September 21, 2011
Hello TC
Here’s 4 things on my heart for YOU, US and our FUTURE
1. We had nearly 600 people show up last weekend and plus….people gave their life to Christ! I love what God is doing in families at TC. It’s mind-blowing – we still a new church and God is working through us!!!! I love it. We can’t forget that the church exists to help people FIND and FOLLOW Christ…and when it happens – it’s worth celebrating!
2. Last Weekend was one of the most FUN and EYEOPENING services yet! As we jumped into week two of our “Perfect Family” series we talked about the end game with our kids…..it’s not getting them to leave the house or go to college…it’s having a life-long FRIENDSHIP with them. In order to get one we have to engage in a healthy behaviors during the earlier 3 phases – NURSE, KING / QUEEN and COACH. You can’t jump phases and you have to ask God for help – especially if you came from rough home life yourself. God has great plans for your family – believe it.
3. This weekends message is titled…”Survival Guide to a Blended Home”. Coming from a blended home myself, I understand how over 50% of our population feels. Can God heal, change and help homes that are blended? Does God meet single parents with an additional grace for their situation…YES! Can’t wait to share what God has helped me live through and put in my heart for this huge topic!
4. People have coming up to me every week and introducing them self to me. One Question I have begun to ask every time is “have you signed up for a Growth Group”? Groups are more than a program or a calender filler – they are the life blood of what our church is about. Church doesn’t begin when you walk in the doors- rather when you walk out….that means we should be more about relationships than facilities and programs. That’s where Groups step in -they are the best place to grow your faith, make friendships and get encouraged and supported…all the things a church should do… I am beyond pumped for this seasons groups…..Zumba, study groups, basketball, cooking….I think we have it all….except you – click www.thrivechurch.cc for a group list / sign up. Groups start the week of Oct 3
That’s it – loving you, our church and our future….bring a friend to church this weekend….seriously!
Tom
Do you remember the 90′s?
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I looked the up the 90′s on this new thing I’ve heard about called the “Internet” and was quickly reminded of my 90′s memories. Whether it was watching Pearl Jam on MTV (when they used to show videos) or sitting with my wife as we had our eyes glued to “friends”….If you have forgotten what the 90′s were really like…Here’s the reminder as we get ready for week 4 of “Old School”!
* The Simpson’s
* Boy Bands
* Nirvana
* Micheal Jordan / Chicago Bulls
* Hootie and the Blow Fish
* Grunge and Flannel shirts
* 90210
* NKTOB
This Sunday is 90′s week for our “OLD SCHOOL series. It’s been a lot of fun traveling back through different decades as we look rituals of Historic Christianity. This Sunday we talking about PRAYER. This is one of spiritual disciplines that I struggled with for a long time. Actually many people struggle trying to connect with God through prayer. We are going to find out how Prayer can be the missing link to a REAL, MEANINGFUL connection to Christ.
* Last night I watched the rehearsal for the closing of Sunday’s service. I died laughing…it’s crazy -in a good way, seriously don’t leave early – we are truly saving the best for last.
* Let me challenge you to bring a friend to church – don’t wait for Easter to invite someone. Grab lunch with them after and talk about what you experienced together…it could be the beginning of something Huge in their life…
* It’s official -Come dressed in your favorite 90′s outfit to church this Sunday and you might win a commemorative 90′s prize!
Have to go listen to “even-flow” to get ready for the weekend.
Tom
3 Things you should know….
Still reeling from our Our Christmas services. They “blew doors”. I am so proud of everyone on our teams that made it happen. If you haven’t heard… tons of people made commitments to Christ and our attendance from last year was up 125% – that’s crazy -I’m learning… that’s God.
Here are three things you need to know…
1. JAN 2 WE ARE BACK! That’s right our next service is a whole week away. We are launching into the new year with a series we are calling “irresistible”. It’s all about how my wife feels about me…OK that’s a joke. It’s really about how some places in life just “pull us toward them”. Starbucks – Target….you name it. There are things that just make sense to us and draws us back to those environments. We are going to talk about what an Irresistible church looks like! Going to be Fun!
2. END OF YEAR GIVING – If you are wanting to give in time to receive 2010 credit from Uncle Sam….make sure you visit www.thrivechurch.cc and do it online. You can give your tithe or toward OUR GIFT in the same spot. Easy…
3. HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? Recently Jackie and I are hearing about some huge needs in people’s lives. I believe pray connects and empowers God to change our situation’s. If you have a something going on that you want us to pray with you about shoot us an e-mail at info@thrivechurch.cc
The best is yet to come
Tom
You’re a STAR….
Our Christmas service’s are only 2 days away. I can’t wait. The band is going “bring it”. Our videos for our services are phenomenal and I’m pretty psyched about the message. We have given out almost 1000 tickets and our team will have worked hundreds of hours to make the stage look great.
What’s going to make our Christmas services life-changing? YOU! You see God always works through people to bring people to Him. We talked last Sunday about each of us have the potential of being a Star during this Christmas season. Just like the star that the wisemen followed that lead them to the Christ Child. A star is bright and was essential for those guys to find the Messiah.
Who are you leading? I know I can think of a hundred reasons to let someone else be lead – let someone else be forgiving – or be an inspiration to others. The problem is I can’t control them…I can only control ME. So that means I if I believe that God can work through me – I should try and let Him.
So go make that call – invite someone to church this Thursday and Friday. Trust that God has already gone ahead of you and is working in the other person’s heart. You can be a Star……Go do it
PEACE -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
Sunday Recap
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, General, Thrive, Wrapup on November 3, 2010
WOW – what a day at Thrive Church….So in awe about what God is doing! Here are a couple thoughts….
* Sunday we kicked off our new series “Faith, Hope and Luck”….I feel like we are headed into a “right now” series for our church. I am pumped for this Sunday.
* Just became Jesus can or we think he should does not mean that he will – not our job to put our expectations on God but to learn how to follow Him fully.
* We learned together that circumstantial faith is fragile and can be easily derailed by life’s pressures and pleasures.
* Jez Barbacy, Jessica Caldwell our band did a great job leading everyone into worship – Let me say it – our band ROCKS!
* Brought the winner of the Kidz costume contest on stage for the closing of the 11 am service. She was Dorthy from the Wizard of OZ..love it!
* Our Road Crew Team reported that they set up our entire facility in 53 minutes flat!
* Had dozens of people ask me “what happened to my head” – all I can say is that I am learning the price tag of laying on the beach without sunscreen – lesson learned (hopefully)
* Our ONE youth team had it’s first annual “Pumpkin Smash” night. Imagine….100′s of Pumpkins – baseball bats , food and teenagers – It was a Big messy WIN for everyone.
Three more things… Read the rest of this entry »
7 reasons your church plant won’t make it
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, Family, General, Leadership, Philosophy, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive, Wrapup on October 27, 2010
Just came across this blog and thought you would enjoy it. By the way – all the reasons are 100% true….
Tom
Here are seven reasons your church plant won’t make it.
1. You imported your vision, mission and strategy from another church because you really don’t have a vision, mission or strategy.
2. You’re drunk with vision but haven’t developed healthy systems.
3. You sacrifice your family in the name of ministry.
4. You don’t talk about money.
5. You’re a cheap church planter who won’t spend money on leadership development for you or your staff.
6. You download all your sermons from the Internet because you don’t study, pray or read your Bible.
7. You started a church because, deep down, you have a problem with authority and don’t want a boss.
Michael Lukaszewski is the lead planter of Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, Georgia.
Seven things that made me smile (this week)
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, Family, Next Right Step, Philosophy, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive on October 16, 2010
I thought I would give you a recap of some of the beset moments of my week.
1. Last Sunday and our worship night at Thrive Church – Baptizing the 12 people that said “YES -I’m going public for Christ”….amazing stuff!
2. Slipping out mid day to see the movie ” Secretariat” with my wife…the movie was good – spending time with my wife was better!
3 Sitting in our Parenting 101 Growth group and learning that real parenting should happen between the conflicts – not during them.
4. Talking to my Mom on the phone about her coming down as soon as she gets her new “wheel chair friendly” van – so excited, love her so much.
5. Having the privilege of praying with Tina Martin as she continues to battle with cancer on the brain. You never know how much faith you have until you need it…she has TONS!
6. Seeing my in-laws arrive on Wednesday. It’s a gift to have family in our house (and help with the kids)
7. Thinking about our vacation that starts this Sunday after church, come this Sunday it could be the shortest message yet – Going to be on a boat in the ocean….ready to relax and refresh.
Smiling right now
Tom
Why Men Hate Going To Church
Posted by tomelmore in General, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive on October 15, 2010
We just had our first Tuesday night growth group a couple days ago. It is made up of a bunch of guys trying to figure out life and faith…and I loved every second of it.
I must say our group this week came out of the gate strong. As we sat around and smoked cigars and drank IBC cream sodas (the best soda ever made) we also shared our family background and talked about how we ended up at Thrive. We made a commitment to explore a book called “Why men hate going to church” by David Murrow. Growing up in too many churches the only man that actually practices his faith is the pastor. Lately this has really bothered me because the circle I sat in last week was filled with men ready to conquer something – ready to live out their purpose and asking God ”how can you use me”? It was stinking amazing!
As I dig through our book and reflect on last Tuesday night …Here are a few thoughts
Read the rest of this entry »
