Brian's Corner
Season’s Greetings!
This is an exciting season to be in. As Christmas is quickly approaching, we are planning an incredible Christmas Eve Service. Our Christmas Eve Services will be:
- Saturday, December 22 at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm.
- Sunday, December 23 at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am.
- Monday, December 24 at 6:00 pm.
We are praying for God to really use these services to speak to our guests.
We are also moving along in our building project! We’re moving trees and getting ready to lay our new parking lot. We are having a groundbreaking ceremony on December 9th at 5:00 pm. I would strongly encourage you to come to this event before our next leadership meeting (which happens to be at 6:00 pm that night).
Though 2008 may seem like it is far away, it is quickly approaching. I’d like to share a few hints with you to help you establish a few goals for spiritual growth this next year. Please prayerfully read the following article and set some goals to grow with God in 2008.
Love,
Brian
A Plan for Personal Growth
God calls all of us as Christians to grow in the Lord. But, God especially calls Christian leaders to this because we’re supposed to be an example of Christianity that others can look to and emulate.
However, growing in the Lord doesn’t just happen, does it? Growing in the Lord requires a plan.
I’ve found that a lot of Christian leaders don’t have any kind of plan for their own personal growth. And one of the reasons for this is because they think growth is automatic (which it’s not). I know people who’ve been Christians for 25 years and they’re not even close to being a true disciple of Jesus yet!
As we’re heading into 2008, let me encourage you to set aside some time this month and put together a one-year plan for personal growth. Here are some things that will help you in this process:
- Set aside time for personal growth on a daily basis, and on a weekly basis. Mark it in your calendar if necessary.
- Try to apply what you are learning. Ask yourself, “Where can I use this? When can I use this? Is there someone else who needs to know this?”
- If possible, try to grow with someone. This person could be your spouse, if you’re married. It could be someone in your small group. It could be a friend of yours.
I want to also give you some possible resources while you’re planning for personal growth for this upcoming year. There are 3 main resources:
- Time alone with God in prayer, and Bible reading on a daily basis. I would encourage you to sign up for the “Reading Through the Bible in One Year” program we have at Church.
- I would encourage you to try to listen to one teaching CD per week for one year. There are lots of CDs you can check out at the Bookstore taught by myself and others.
- I would encourage you to try to read at least one Christian book every quarter. If you’re married, read one book on marriage this year. If you’re a parent, read one book on Christian parenting this year. I would encourage you to read at least one book on Christian leadership this year.
The main thing that keeps people from growing on a consistent basis is the fact that they have no plan for growth. If you’ll spend a little bit of time putting together a one-year plan, you’ll be amazed at how much you will grow spiritually by the end of 2008.
Update on Recent Events
On October 27th, 2007, VCNP joined a valley wide effort to paint hundreds of homes owned by elderly/disabled/low income residents. Over 120 Vineyard adults and youth descended on the four assigned homes; 6 hours later we stood on the street with their owners and wept with joy at the transformation. Throughout the following week, we received wonderful feedback from the homeowners we served. When given the opportunity, our congregation quickly takes up the challenge to bless others and makes a difference in our community! I love our church!
-Dave Johnson, Associate Pastor
In early November, approximately 100 women gathered at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, for a fantastic time of worship, teaching, fellowship and ministry. Guest speaker Janet Drez was inspiring on the topic of faith. Here are what some retreat attendees had to say about the weekend:
- “I felt God’s presence in every song and every topic….”
- “God really spoke to me…and helped open me up for ministry…”
- “I savored the fun, friends and fellowship.”
- “Worship brought me to tears and cleansed me.”
Next year, our retreat will be Nov. 6-8.
-Thora Anderson, Associate Pastor
Nearly 100 attendees gathered for the 2007 Marriage Conference! Jack Bethel and David and Paula Gray spoke at the event, highlighting crucial issues for marriage. We also had several break out sessions that challenged couples to build a strong foundation for their marriages. Many couples experienced healing, restoration, and renewed love through the event.
-Emmanuel Qureshi, Associate Pastor
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Events and Highlights
Here are some major events that we can expect to see soon:
- Illuminate, December 2, 6:00 pm
- First Friday Encounter God, December 7, 7:00 pm
- Groundbreaking Ceremony, December 9, 5:00 pm
- Leadership Meeting, December 9, 6:00 pm
- Momentum, December 10, 6:30 pm
- Youth/Children’s Christmas Play, December 14, 7:00 pm
- Illuminate, December 16, 6:00 pm
- Christmas Eve Services, December 22 – 24, various times
- Illuminate, January 6, 6:00 pm
- Updraft, January 11, 6:30 pm
- Musicians’ Night, January 13, 6:00 pm
- Momentum, January 14 and 28, 6:30 pm
- Child Dedication, January 19, 4:30 pm
- Cry Out, January 19, 7:00 pm
- Illuminate, January 20, 6:00 pm
- 50 + Event, January 21, 6:00 pm
- Women’s Conference, January 25 – 26
- Compassion Block Party, January 27, 12:30 pm
- Illuminate, February 3, 6:00 pm
- Women’s First Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 am
- Women’s Evening Bible Study (WEBS), February 6 – 27, 6:00 pm
- Water Baptism, February 10, 6:00 pm
- Valentine’s Dinner, February 8, 6:00 pm
- Women’s Conference, January 25 – 26
- Momentum, February 11 and 25, 6:30 pm
- Celebrate Recovery, beginning February 14, 6:45 pm
- Cry Out, February 16, 7:00 pm
- Illuminate, February 17, 6:00 pm
Upcoming Classes:
- Reducing the Risk Class, December 2, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Advanced Ministry Training, December 2 – 16, 11:30 am (Room A)
- The REAL Story of Christmas, December 9 – 16, 10:00 am (Room A)
- Through the Bible in a Year Introduction Class, December 9 – 16, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Food Bank Interviewer Training Class, December 9, 10:00 am (Meeting Room)
- Small Group Leader Training Class, January 13 – February 3, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Experiencing God, January 20 – April 20, 8:30 am (Meeting Room)
- Newcomers’ Class, January 20, 9:45 am (Rooms A and B)
- Small Group Hosting Class, January 20, 10:00 am (Meeting Room)
- History of Christianity Class, January 27 – March 2, 8:30 am (Room B)
- Mentoring Training, January 27 – February 10, 8:30 am (Conference Room)
- Reducing the Risk Class, January 27, 10:00 am (Room A)
- Contagious Christianity, January 27 – March 9, 11:30 am (Room A)
- Parenting is Heart Work Class, January 27 – February 3, February 17 – March 9 (Room B)
- Water Baptism Class, February 2, 4:30 pm (Meeting Room)
- Marriage 101 Class, February 3 – March 9, 8:30 am (Room A)
- Colossians Readings, February 3 – 24, 10:00 am (Room A)
- Women’s Leadership Training, February 3 – 10, 10:00 am (Meeting Room)
- Holy Spirit Class, February 3 – 17, 11:30 am (Meeting Room)
- Water Baptism Class, February 10, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Water Baptism Class, February 10, 11:30 am (Room B)
- Introduction to Leadership Class, February 17, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Discovering My SHAPE For Ministry Class, February 24 – March 9, 10:00 am (Room B)
- Food Bank Interviewer Training Class, February 24, 11:30 am (Meeting Room)
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