Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor

September 12, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

As we finish the home stretch of worshipping together in this facility, (this Sunday is our Goodbye Celebration), I am so grateful for the way so many are stepping up to make the transition “Back to our Future” for those hundred-plus Sundays in the High School a strong move of increased ministry.

Last Sunday was our “big-ask day” for doing life together at Damascus Road in this new season—and this congregation always steps up. What a high energy day! We had 577 folks total in both service. From those hearts, let me share some of the commitments made in three critical areas:

Keeping our Children’s Ministry thriving in the High School is mission-critical to our DNA as a church and I have always been so grateful for the strength of that team. After last Sunday we had 30 new volunteers step up and sign up to support the 35 members already on the team. There is still one need—and that is in the pre-K, four year old class, so consider committing there if you can.

Rajendra’s message on being formed by God for community definitely spoke to hearts. I am still reeling from the statistic that the AVERAGE American spends almost five hours a day watching television and most adults in the U.S., including 90% of men, don’t have a single close friend (apart from their spouse if married). In the fifty years since television and other media have entered our lives, clinical depression has jumped 10-fold. In this country of isolated hearts, we want to be a community where each person is known and knows, is accepted and accepting, is loved and loves. Last Sunday brought over 50 new sign-ups for small groups, which brings our total for the fall-semester of Life Groups to around 350 people committed to doing life together.

Maybe the biggest new WOW of all I’ve saved for last. Without the four new, once-a-month Mobile Set-Up teams for the High School, we couldn’t even hold each Sunday’s Children’s or Adult services, so that ask was big—and the response was overwhelmingly encouraging. We had ONE HUNDRED people total sign up for the four teams, which means we will be able to organize around a set-up unit and a tear-down unit after we’ve all learned the ropes in October. All of you who said yes—and rumor has it Dr Glynn and Woody’s Honduras-Green team isn’t through recruiting yet—would you ALL please come by 8:00 a.m. on September 24 th to watch and help with the initial set up as an orientation. We’ll also plan some fun team-competitions (Go Blue!) and some quarterly team after-church get-togethers to celebrate the joy of serving in community.

There are days as a pastor when I can look heavenward and say to Jesus: “You know, this crazy thing called the local church is often messy, but so joyful when we all get off the spectators’ bench and onto the field.” Obviously, just nine years old, DRCC has much to learn, but we’re on our way toward some great teenage years!

I’ve been with a number of people just before they died or just as they died. Many of you have also. Here is the truth: In those last moments, not one said: “Bring me my diplomas, awards and professional certifications—I just want to read them once more.” Or “Show me the pictures of that new car, big-screen TV, or my rental properties or second home, so I can enjoy them a bit more before I go.” When we’re dying, it all comes so clear and we realize the only thing that matters are the people who are in the room and the ones we wish were there. All that matters is the difference our lives and love have made in other lives—and all the stuff that got in the way of that now seems so foolish. Wisdom is learning that now. Damascus Road —you are becoming wise. Keep it up.

“No matter what I say, what I believe, [what I own] or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (Msg)

Love,
Richard

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