Bick's Quicks

Questions to Ask Guests

We opened our West County Campus three weeks ago; today is our grand opening.  Our creative team did a great job in developing creative elements to introduce The Journey to our new community.  Today many of our guests attended because they received a personal invitation, a postcard or saw the new signs on our building.

Our teams did a great job of making our guests feel comfortable.  I had the opportunity to interact with several guests and found out a lot of great information through asking simple questions.

• How long have you been attending The Journey?
• How did you hear about us?
• Do you live in the area?
• Are you new to Church?

Ask your guests questions.  They'll be happy to talk with you and you'll learn from what they have to say.

Some of the Words heard in the Sermon Today

Jesus Grace    Gospel    Football Bug Zapper

Scholarship    Heresy    God Regeneration Bouquet

Salvation Glory Webster Groves Texas    

Hint Belief    Question    Snuggie    Christmas Hero

Defeat    Dr Pepper Sewer    Ice    Victory    Faith

Believe Truth    Love Commandments

FLE by the Numbers

This past weekend we hosted the Financial Learning Experience with Joe Sangl, it was very powerful and our people responded.

• 500 participated in the experience
• 104 said they'd like to discuss their situation with one of our Financial Coaches 
• 101 said the were interested in the small group study.    

  I received these comments from the web and via email:

By the way.... great idea bringing Joe in.  Was there any doubt about the need for that when you looked out into that packed house yesterday?  (I am now grinning ear to ear)  Our God is such the Restorer and He set many people on the journey to becoming financially restored through you guys.  GREAT JOB!

Today was AWESOME!!! Great find. You should be proud of the job that you and the team did today. I've been going to various events at Springcreek and other churches for many years now. Today's was the BEST, by far!!! Got my credit card picture with the squares all printed out. 

We've got important work ahead-raising up more Financial Coaches, helping people connect in groups and doing the work of letting God speak into our finances.  Pray for us as we move forward....

  

Talking $ at Springcreek

Joe Sangl is at Springcreek today helping close to 500 of our people learn how to become financially free.  This ain't your momma's financial workshop.  Joe's energy, humor and simple message are making a difference.  

Christmas Letter-The Back Story

Right now our teams are out on stage presenting what began as a brainstorm during a recent programming meeting.  It's definitely incredible to see something that began as a few thoughts on a white board become a reality.

Scott-pulled together some incredibly innovative pieces via video that really help move the story along-he's super talented.

Simon-carries the bulk of the story on his shoulders and is doing an incredible job.  He began his work at SC as a janitor, I'd say he's moved up the ladder pretty well.

David-even though late to the 1st script read thru, did a great job of writing the "Uncle Marvin" piece that helps bring the message home.

Our desire was to put together a piece that would communicate one story-even in dark times there is hope. 

Some of our Springcreekers are facing a challenging Christmas season this year.  Personally, I know several who have lost their job, seen their retirement shrink and are trying to figure out how to survive. We knew this year's message had to make sense and not come off as cheesy, out of touch and inauthentic.

Last night I heard the following.....

"That was powerful" 

"Just what I needed"

"My last day on the job is this Wednesday, I needed to hear that tonight."

"That was right on target"

Thanks God for taking a few thoughts and using the team's talents to meet people where they are.

Confession on Confessions

People have told me things that would shock you right into next week.  It's an occupational reality in being a Pastor.  I remember sitting in a Pastoral Counseling class in Bible in college and hearing the professor, who seemed as old as the Bible itself, instruct us on the necessity of not appearing surprised upon hearing the indiscretions of our congregants.  Little stayed with me from that class except for his comment that day.  God knew I would need it for future use.

I realize that when it comes to confession those who come to unburden their souls are looking for help, mercy, grace, freedom, forgiveness.  They just don't know it yet.  They know they are filled with pain, guilt, shame, frustration and the burden they've been carrying has become unbearable. 

Every story has a similar vibe.  “I was ________ so I _________ and now I feel _________. What do I do now?”

 Scared, vulnerable, hurting, hopeful they wait for a response. In those seconds of silence before I even speak a word they are wondering if it was worth the risk to share their dark secrets with another living breathing human.

It's a holy moment.

It's a healing moment.

Hiding never helps.

Confession heals.

 

Creekside before the Swell

I'm sitting "creekside" in our new cafe, enjoying a cold dr pepper with ice, wireless access and thinking through the day before the crowds arrive for our first Sunday services.

It's great that we have a new facility, our people were just blown away by it last night. It's important to remember that facilities are just vehicles for ministry.  Here are some cool recent ministry moments.

• Megan returned from her trip to Kenya and writes about it here.
• A single mother returned for the third week in a row with her baby-she said she loves it here. 
• Matt and Heather a newly relocated couple came for the second time-they're really cool people.
• I met the Pagan's last night-they were one of the first 100 who helped start Springcreek.  

And for me the highlight of the week had to be when my daughter Olivia shared with us the she decided to give her life to Jesus.  She'd been at DOG (Depend on God) camp and our Children's Director Tammy had explained how to have a relationship with Jesus, Liv prayed and asked Jesus to be her Savior.

More to come.

The Dinosaur Resurrects/Counter Intuitive Dating

A few of you may know that I'm pinch hitting in our Student Ministry these days as we're in a transition phase.  At 40 I never imagined that I'd be speaking to students again.  I always told myself that when my own kids were in the student ministry it was probably time for me to be doing something else...but here I am, and right in the middle of a dating series.

The pain of my misfortunes and miscues long gone...the memories sandwiched somewhere between a Journey power ballad, Prince's 1999 and my fav 80's relationship movie, Some Kind of Wonderful.

I'm working off-site reading a dating book.  (bet that looks kinda funny)  The book is a great one, very much different from those I read back in the days of lock-ins and giant all you can eat pizza feeds.  Datable raises some good points...

It (your crush/teen relationship) will not last
How much you put in = How much it hurts
The way it begins = The way it ends

Looking back on my experience I know they are right.....as a student back then I would have disagreed, strongly.  Pray for  me...PLEASE!

Last week I grew a zit right in the middle of my forehead....some call it stress...I'm chalking it up to a desire to relate.

Sun, San Diego, Students

I thought I'd have more time to blog..but that's not been the case.  Here's a brief update on what's been happening in my world...

• It was 80 degrees in Dallas yesterday!  Yikes!
• I'm now in San Diego with Keith and G-Thug for the National Pastors Conference.  I attended a critical concerns course discussing some of the cultural issues we're facing as a church.  (Role of Scripture, Politics, Homosexuality and Pluralism) May blog on that later...good stuff.
• Students-I've been spending some time with our Students as we are in a time of transition with our staff leadership in that area.  I've been impressed with the leaders and students, they're hanging tough and spiritually grounded-evidence of good leadership. 

Sushi is on the agenda today.....hmm...

We Arrived

We made it to Kenya at 9:30pm local time, which is about 1:30 US time.  We checked into our guest house in Nairobi tonight and will be back in air tomorrow morning at 8am heading out to see the Katito ADP.

Everyone is doing well, we're just weary from the road.  Already I've been impressed by the hospitality and beauty of the Kenyan people.  I look forward to the days ahead.

Updates might be hit or miss depending on the internet connection...stay tuned.

Thanks for your prayers.  It's midnight here so I'm signing out.