First of the Month will be a regular way to connect with Dave, hear his heart and God's direction for our church.
First of the Month ~ September 2010
On Sunday September 19th and 26th we will do a two-part series entitled "What To Do After The Financial Meltdown" to help you cope with the tremendous financial challenge so many are facing. As your pastor and I know I speak for the elders, we are deeply concerned about how our SCBC family is doing in these tough and often discouraging financial times. During this series you will receive the tools to help you either dig out from the financial meltdown or manage what you have left. In either case our goal is to give you some biblical and practical help that can make a big difference with your finances. We are also going to start a fantastic small group series taught by T.V. personality and financial expert Dave Ramsey. I can't tell you how strongly I hope that many of you take advantage of this outstanding material Dave Ramsey has to share. His material is sweeping churches around America because of its practical and biblical approach. Everybody I know is using this material in their church today.
Prayer Launch
The other piece of ministry I am thrilled to announce to you is the Prayer Launch that will happen on the weekends of October 17th and 24th. The staff and the elders have been brainstorming, praying and asking God to help us become a truly praying church. So far what we have come up with through our as a result of our brainstorming sessions and our review of various church models on prayer has been very exciting. If you have any ideas of what kind of prayer approach or ministry you think God might have for us please let us know. Drop us an email or put a note in the offering. In the next month we will be putting the final touches on our prayer strategy, so don't delay.
Worship, Serve, Grow
This fall we are going to be hammering home the need for all of us at SCBC to be about three things: Worship, Serve, and Grow. This fall I am going to encourage you to do all three of these actions as you become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Worship, Serve, and Grow are three of the most important holy habits a follower of Jesus can do. It's not enough to say you are doing one of the three or two of the three, we feel God wants us to do all three actions consistently and intentionally. So we are going to strongly and without apology encourage you and challenge you to Worship weekly, Serve regularly, and Grow intentionally.
Love, Dave
first of the month ~ August2010
I have a question for you: “What makes you mad?” Pretty basic question isn’t it? Yet as simple as the question is, the answer to is actually quite revealing.
So allow me to ask it again, “What makes you mad?” “What pushes your hot button or makes your blood pressure rise?” Is it the dog who barks too loud, too long, and too late at night in your neighborhood? Or is it the person who bites his/her fingernails in public and to your horror, begins to move to his/her toenails? Maybe it’s the person in the car next to you that has his music, if you can even call it that, blasting so loud your car begins to shake? Or how about the person who has a full-on conversation with her cell phone during the middle of your favorite movie? Or how do you feel about the person who drives 25mph in a 65mph zone and moves so slowly you are tempted to go get them a horse and buggy, you know, something they can handle?
Here is another question I have for you, “What makes you mad about church?” Is the music so loud that you have to wear airport level earplugs? Or the worship center so cold you bring your Eskimo coat with knitted slippers, so as not to receive frostbite? Maybe you get upset when the message was too hard, too soft, to convicting or too light? Or you get frustrated with what people wear or don’t wear? Finally, do you get angry when a leader in the church doesn’t do what you think he should have?
As people we can get mad at a lot of things and even at a lot of people. I can and do get mad at times and so do you. Getting mad is a part of life. The question I have is, “Are we getting mad at the right stuff?” Have you ever considered that? Are you getting mad at the right things? I think it is worth considering. It has been my experience that when it comes to the church, many of us get mad at the wrongs things. Sometimes in God’s family we get mad about our “preferences” not God’s “priorities,” our “style” choices, not the Lord’s commandments.
I have another question? Have you ever considered what God gets mad about? Maybe if we knew what angers God we could better evaluate our own anger and see if we have legitimate anger or illegitimate anger? Honestly, don’t you think we ought to get angry about the stuff God gets mad about and not get so uptight about stuff God doesn’t? Allow me to list for you some things that anger God: A critical spirit angers God, as does a complaining and grumbling person. Just ask the people who didn’t make it into the promised land what cost them entrance. Regrettably they would tell you it was their critical, complaining, and grumbling spirit.
Another thing that angers God is a person who gossips, talks bad about people and spreads dissention in the family of God. Actually gossip, spreading negative news about someone and dissention doesn’t just make God mad, He says he hates those things!
Another thing that makes God angry is when his people think worship is for them instead of for Him. God created worship to be for His glory and not our consumption, His enjoyment and not our self satisfaction. Worship is directed to God and for God. When we spend all our time critiquing the service we miss the point of worship. Instead of asking ourselves if we liked the songs and the message, we ought to be asking God if he was pleased with our worship of Him?
God also gets mad when we rob Him of His financial offerings. He rebukes His people when they give stingy and half-hearted offerings to Him. He calls them “robbers” of his generous financial gifts.
One more thing: God gets upset when His people are not on mission, when we are not intentionally introducing people to the love of Jesus.
Here are some examples of angry people whom pastors would love to hear about. “Pastor, I am so angry; we are just not reaching enough people with the love of Jesus and I am willing to do whatever it takes to see people come to Jesus.” “Pastor, I am so upset because so many people volunteered to serve that there is no place for me.” “Pastor, I am so frustrated, the financial giving is so high we don’t know what to do with all of the overflow.” “Pastor, I am so mad because we are not making enough changes to reach people for Christ and to spare them a Christless eternity.” “Pastor, I am really ticked off because we are not doing enough to help the poor.”
I have spent the last few weeks thinking about whether or not I get mad at the right stuff, and I have to be honest with you, many times the only things I get frustrated with are the things that might not meet my needs or my expectations. How about you, are you getting mad at the right stuff? Ask God to check your spirit. If you get mad at what God gets mad about disregard this article. But if you spend way too much time and energy getting angry at things God doesn’t, it might be time for you to ask God to change your heart. If you are always mad at the Bride of Christ, which is the Church, then you need to repent and ask God to help you and heal you.
First of the month ~ july 2010
What does a prayer less church look like? VS What does a prayerful church look like?
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
-Leader Driven - Whether the church succeeds or fails is dependent on the strength of one or two celebrity leaders.
VS
-Spirit Driven - The church is dependent for success or failure on the grace of God, and the church seeks the Spirit to work in them and for them and to initiate the success of the mission.
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:3-5
-Consumed with numbers alone - The failure or success of the church is determined solely by the number of people in the seats and the amount of money in the plate. (Bucks and Buns)
VS
-Consumed by mission - The church cannot stop thinking about the mission that God has given to the church to make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey all that God has commanded.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matt 28:18-20
-Whiners / Gossipers - The church believes that the success or failure of the church is basically up to the church staff and people, therefore every time something doesn’t go exactly as they wish they must complain out of fear that the church will be destroyed.
VS
-Pleaders - The church continually pleads with God to build his church as he promised, and trusts that he can work out every problem that they face.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 16:18
-Complacent - The church is content to let others do the heavy lifting.
VS
-Soldiers - The church views themselves as soldiers in the army of God. Prayer is not just a plea for help; it is a proclamation of the ultimate victory of God and his church, and the churches battle cry to enter the fray through service and mission.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Tim 6:12
-Idolatrous - Ultimately a church that does not pray has placed something above God, maybe it is personal comfort, maybe it is a certain system or program, maybe it is a certain person, maybe it is a way of doing church, maybe it is simply ourselves.
VS
-God Centered - The church belongs to God, he brought it into existence through the power of his word, Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. The church is built squarely on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church is a community of priests, and everything the church does is ultimately in response to God, and comes out of a white hot passion for his glory and fame.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5
-Lukewarm
Rev 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
VS
-SOLD OUT
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matt 13:44
With Love,
Dave
First of the month ~ june 2010
I don't know about you but I am glad the summer is almost here. Summer is a much needed time of relaxation and vacation for most Americans. My family is actually going to spend a few days together on vacation. Getting everybody together is not easy, so this will be a real treat for Patty and I. My prayer for you and your family is that this summer you can get away, take some time to relax, do some exploring, get some exercise, take a hike or paddle a canoe. Get away and get some down time. That is part of what summers are for.
Having said that, don't take a vacation from God. Summer is a wonderful opportunity to recoup and relax physically, but it can also be hazardous to your health spiritually, if you are not careful. You miss one week of worship, then two, and before you know it a month has come and gone and you have missed out on God. I strongly want to encourage you to not take a vacation from God this summer. My prayer is that you will continue to worship Almighty God on a weekly basis. Even when on vacation you will decide to find a church in the area and worship there. Keep reading your Bible, and continue to pray as if your life depends on it. All through the summer at Santa Cruz Bible Church we will be enjoying our series on the Book of Colossians entitled, "Lies People Believe." This series will give you so much help and so much freedom as you discover how God's truth can set you free to live a life of joy and impact. Also, in these difficult days please continue your sacrificial giving because even though you might be gone a week or two, the bills keep coming every week.
Finally, I want to let you know how blessed I am to serve the Lord with you. My family and I love living here and are enjoying getting to know each one of you. SCBC has a great staff, a wonderful Elder Board, and hundreds of awesome people like you. That is why I am so confident that best days of Santa Cruz Bible are coming our way. God is working and active and we are so grateful to spend our lives with all of you.
With Lots of Love,
Dave
First of the Month ~ May 2010
As we go through the New Testament in our DDP (Daily Devotional Plan) what has jumped out at me and convicted me like never before is the importance of trusting Jesus.
• Will Mary trust God to birth the Lord Jesus as the Angels had taught her?
• Will Zacharias trust the Lord to give him the son he and his wife had so longed for even though he is getting up in years?
• Will Joseph trust God to help him raise the Lord of the universe?
• Will the early disciples trust Jesus enough to leave everything behind and follow Him?
• Will the Lame man trust Jesus to teach him to dance?
• Will the disciples trust Jesus to feed 5000 hungry people some fish & chips?
• Will Christ's early followers trust that Jesus will indeed rise from the dead like he promised?
• Will the Rich man trust in Jesus more than his money?
• Will the religious leaders trust in Jesus more than their religion?
Our walk with the Lord Jesus can be summed up in one word, "trust." What is the Lord asking you to trust Him with? Is it with a job, a relationship, or a friendship, a marriage or even your finances? The choice has always been and will always be - who are we going to trust; the world or the Word of God or the people or the person of Christ, the stuff of this life or on the Sovereign King of the universe?
As I study the Bible it is clear to me once again, that the only one worthy of my trust is Jesus. As the nursery rhyme so elegantly puts it, "trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
I know many of you are experiencing tough times, maybe some of the toughest times in your lives. What God's word has reaffirmed to me and what I want to encourage you with is - that Jesus is worthy of your trust. So, go to Jesus, run to him if you must and then trust Him. He will see you through these difficult days.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straights. Proverbs 3:5
Love, Dave
First of the Month ~ April 2010
Today I had the privilege of working with some wonderful SCBC family members who came together to serve the homeless in Santa Cruz. It was such a wonderful experience to serve side by side with people who love Jesus and love people. I was part of the kitchen and serving crew who served 1100 people this past Tuesday. We could barely keep up with the amount of people who needed a hot meal and a cool lemonade drink. Paddy Brady and his wonderful team worked so hard and with such love and cheerfulness the love of Christ shown from their lives.
As part of the serving crew we walked miles back and forth feeding people delicious spaghetti, rolls, and salad. We even had people with supplies of Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on the spaghetti. The team served the food fresh, with love and kindness. I couldn't stop thinking about how happy Jesus had to be that his people were doing what He asked them to do, to care for the lost and the least, the broke and the broken. I was thinking about how the Lord Jesus would have been at this event to help the homeless. Then it dawned on me that Jesus was there-- in the hands, smiles, care, concern, and love of His people. I kept thinking about what Jesus told us, "Whatever you did to the least of them, you do to me."
The first part of our Mission Statement says, "SCBC is committed to introducing people to the love of Jesus." We introduce people to the love of Jesus by our serving them, our care towards them, and our love for them. I had the honor of seeing a bunch of our people introducing people to the love of Jesus this week. When I came to the event to check-in, the attendant said something like, "Who are you and who are you with?" I told her that I was the Pastor at Santa Cruz Bible Church. She got tears in her eyes and said, "Your people are so wonderful. They have done so much. Just go right in." I was so thankful to be a part of Santa Cruz Bible Church, knowing the great reputation of serving and love that was obviously present that day.
As I reflect on the attendant's questions, "Who are you and who are you with?" I think they were really important. Who am I? I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed, part of the family of God, a son of the king, and a receiver of God's grace and mercy. That is who I am! Who am I with? I am with a group of hard working, Jesus loving servants from Santa Cruz Bible Church who love God and love people.
Do you want a more meaningful life? If you do I encourage you to love God and love people---and rub shoulders with people who introduce people to the love of Jesus. You won't regret it. I know I didn't.
Dave
First of the Month ~ March 2010
As we go through the New Testament in our DDP (Daily Devotional Plan) what has jumped out at me and convicted me like never before is the importance of trusting Jesus.
• Will Mary trust God to birth the Lord Jesus as the Angels had taught her?
• Will Zacharias trust the Lord to give him the son he and his wife had so longed for even though he is getting up in years?
• Will Joseph trust God to help him raise the Lord of the universe?
• Will the early disciples trust Jesus enough to leave everything behind and follow Him?
• Will the Lame man trust Jesus to teach him to dance?
• Will the disciples trust Jesus to feed 5000 hungry people some fish & chips?
• Will Christ’s early followers trust that Jesus will indeed rise from the dead like he promised?
• Will the Rich man trust in Jesus more than his money?
• Will the religious leaders trust in Jesus more than their religion?
Our walk with the Lord Jesus can be summed up in one word, “trust.” What is the Lord asking you to trust Him with? Is it with a job, a relationship, or a friendship, a marriage or even your finances? The choice has always been and will always be – who are we going to trust; the world or the Word of God or the people or the person of Christ, the stuff of this life or on the Sovereign King of the universe?
As I study the Bible it is clear to me once again, that the only one worthy of my trust is Jesus. As the nursery rhyme so elegantly puts it, “trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
I know many of you are experiencing tough times, maybe some of the toughest times in your lives. What God’s word has reaffirmed to me and what I want to encourage you with is - that Jesus is worthy of your trust. So, go to Jesus, run to him if you must and then trust Him. He will see you through these difficult days.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straights. Proverbs 3:5
Love, Dave
First of the Month ~ Jan 2010
Dear Family,
I can't believe it is 2010. It sounds so futuristic don't you think? I am so excited about this year and I want to share with you why.
Starting January 1 as a church family we will begin reading the Bible together by using the DDP Devotionals. Each day we will:
• Read a chapter a day from God's Word
• Write down an important insight
• Pray over what God is telling us, and
• Live it out
Read it, write it, pray it, live it!
I can't wait to hear all the stories of God working in and through our lives as we spend time in his Word. If you want God's blessing in your life then read his Word:
"Blessed is the man (woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
If you want God to transform your life then read his word: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 If you want blessing and transformation from the Lord the only way to get it is by daily spending time in God's word.
I am also excited about our new series entitled, "Family Matters." It will be starting January 10. I will be sharing with you a five week mini-series on how to raise a spiritual family in these difficult times we live in. The series will be both Bible based, honest, straight forward, and I will share practical tools to help you and your family become all that God created you to be. I strongly encourage you to come.
To coincide with the "Family Matters" series we will launch our Growth Groups. There will be special questions that we will help your entire group help each other in the parenting endeavor. We want to encourage all of you to join one of our Growth Groups in January. Real community, support, and maturity happen in the context of a small group. I want to encourage you to sign up today for a group. If your group worked well, sign-up for that Growth Group again. If you want to try another one, feel total freedom to do so, no questions asked. It is okay to try another group.
2010 is going to be a great year for SCBC, and I hope you will be a part of what God is going to do in us and through us.
Love, Dave
Letter to the Body ~ Dec 16 2009
Dear Santa Cruz Bible Church Family, December 16, 2009
As the year comes to an end, we look back with much gratitude on the amazing things that God has done in 2009. SCBC has become a place of outreach where all of Santa Cruz can come to learn about the unconditional love of Jesus. As part of this, our church family has created two extremely successful outreach efforts: the Fall Festival and Santa Cruz’n Christmas - where our community experienced the love of Jesus in a fresh and new way. At each event, we had well over 300 volunteers from our church body! What a wonderful testimony to the work that you all decided to do together.
We have multiple reasons to be encouraged and celebrate what God has done at SCBC, but we also need to honestly address the challenges of future ministry efforts for the kingdom. At present our finances have fallen behind our projected budgetary needs by about $80,000 with six months of our fiscal year remaining. Because we are a family, the Elders would be remiss by not bringing this to your attention and addressing it as we should.
The Elders are aware that times are tough, but it is our responsibility to make you aware of the SCBC finances. God is not limited by a recession. He is the ultimate Provider, and it is a biblical mandate to faithfully give of all our resources – time, talent and treasure. Therefore, the Elders have agreed that we will take the lead and model what we are now asking of you all. The Elders are committing to increase our giving not just in December, but for the rest of the fiscal year. We request that each of you ask God what additional offering He would have you give for Him in December and throughout the fiscal year.
Our mission at SCBC is to “introduce people to the love of Jesus and grow them into fully devoted followers of Him." We have had an exciting year where God has used us to reach our community and now we look forward with great anticipation to all God has in store for our church family in 2010. Join us as we all partner together this coming year to make Santa Cruz Bible Church a place where people can experience the love of our Savior in an authentic and exciting way.
In His service,
Your SCBC Elders
"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works."
Psalm 145:4-5 NIV
December 2009
Keeping Christ At The Center Of Christmas
Our goal is to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas. It is His birthday and so in honor of Him we want to make sure He is the real reason for the season. Don’t allow the busyness and the pace to pull you away from the Savior. “Unto to us a child is given.” Let’s make a commitment to keep Christ at the center of Christmas.
Santa Cruz’n Christmas
Imagine it is the 1950’s with muscle cars, the local dinner, girls walking around in poodle skirts, and guys wearing their hair slicked back. What a fun time to remember. Well, happy days are here again. December 11 and 12 from 6:00-8:30pm our campus will be transformed right before your eyes. You and your family can experience a Hay Ride, go have a burger at the diner, enjoy a fun puppet show, get to know some animals at our wonderful petting zoo, and be touched by a moving drama presentation. There is truly something for everyone. This will become one of your favorite family traditions. So come and join us, but don’t come alone. Invite a friend or a neighbor to join us. One night bring your family and the second night bring a friend, or a coworker. You will not regret it. We are going to have a fantastic time together.
Daily Devotional Plan (DDP)
Starting January 1 we are inviting the entire SCBC family to join us in a simple one year Bible devotional plan we call Daily Devotional Plan or DDP for short. The DDP includes reading one chapter a day in the Bible, writing down some easy notes, and reading a prayer for the day. We want all of the SCBC family to do this together. The DDP will help you keep track of your studying, reflection, and prayer. I am asking you to try this and see if God doesn’t begin to do some wonderful things in your life because you are daily reading and applying His Word. We will be selling the DDP at cost.
A Gift To Jesus
We know the economy is difficult right now and some of you are really struggling. We are doing everything we can to give some financial relief. For those of you who are doing okay we need you to step up to the plate and help us end the calendar year in the black financially. Would you be willing to make an extra effort to offer the Lord Jesus a financial gift this Christmas? We really could use you sacrificially help. As I am writing this, we are over $ 60,000 behind and will your support we can erase this deficit. I am asking you to prayerfully consider helping us.
Sports Leagues
Don’t forget to sign your kids up to one of our up-coming sports leagues. We are so excited to offer a variety of sports to your kids that not only allow your kids to have fun, learn some skill, but also grow in their relationship with Jesus.
November 2009
Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
I can't believe that I have already been here one year. The time has gone so quickly. I want you to know that I feel so blessed to be your Pastor. It is such an honor and a privilege to serve the Lord with you. I love being here with you, and I look forward to many days ahead as we get to join the Lord in the work He has for us.
ShareFest
Patty and I had such a great time working side by side with some great Santa Cruzers as we sanded, painted, gardened, and built benches for Gault Elementary School. It was so enjoyable to see the enthusiasm and the sacrifice of so many people demonstrating the love of Jesus to our neighbors.
Growth Groups
We have heard such wonderful feedback from those who joined our Growth Groups. We know they will be ending soon, but if your group is going well, keep going. If your group just didn't mesh well, come back in January and just find another group, no questions asked and no guilt given.
A Must Attend Service
On November 8, it is imperative that everyone attend one of the morning services. On that day we are going to look at our last church from the Book of Revelation and that church is SCBC. I have asked the staff and elders to give me their feedback as to how they think the Lord Jesus would evaluate our church. On November 8, I will share with you some of that feedback. I'm telling you, this is a service you don't want to miss. I hope to see everyone there.
Dave
October 2009
There are two areas I would like to focus on this month. One is "yeah God," while the other is a challenge.
Growth Groups
We have had a tremendous response in our new Growth Groups; almost 380 people signed up to participate in one of our Growth Groups. We are hearing some wonderful comments coming from all over the county. Here is a smattering of what people have been saying over the past couple of weeks:
1. "I forgot how much I need a group to help me grow."
2. "I grow best in the context of a small group."
3. "I was scared to attend our first group, but it has been great."
4."It feels good to see God working at Santa Cruz Bible again."
5."I love the people in my group."
We praise and thank God for the new day He is bringing to SCBC.
Youth Ministry
I want to encourage you as a parent to make sure you take an active role in your child's spiritual life. I am always impressed how parents make their kids get involved in sports, recitals, dance classes, school work, etc... Parents do this because they want the best for their kids. What is worrisome to me is that many of those same parents, who demand so much from their kids educationally and developmentally, require so little from their children spiritually. Just as a good parent makes their kid go to school because they know school is good for their child, so a godly parent strongly encourages their teenager go to youth group because they know spiritual development is the most important development a child can have. My encouragement to parents is this, stop giving into all your kids' excuses as to why they don't, or can't, or shouldn't have to go to youth ministry. You would never accept those excuses in their academic education. Why in the world would you accept those excuses when it comes to the Lord? Parents, I love you. So in love I'm asking you to be more responsible and take more initiative in your teenager's spiritual development. Encourage them to go to youth group on Sundays or ------- during the week. Don't take no for an answer. Here is one thing I do know. Teenagers who grow spiritually and have a group of friends that want to grow spiritually usually end up spiritual adults.
Love Ya,
Dave
September 2009
Dear SCBC Family,
Fall means many things to many people, especially those with children. For those of us with kids, it means not only school, but a complete change in the schedule. And like most of you, we too, are headed for a new season of change. With that in mind, I want to not only email my September “First of the Month” letter, but felt it was important to mail it to you also, assuring everyone could get brought up to speed.
A New Day
I hope you are as excited about our future here at SCBC as I am! Someone has wisely said, “In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you’ve been through, what really matters is where you are going.” I know we’ve been through a lot in the past few years, but what matters now; the only thing that matters now is where we are going. God isn’t through with us yet; He has great plans for us. I truly believe that with all my heart. It’s a new day for Santa Cruz Bible Church. I’m so thankful that God has privileged me to partner with you, as we join our powerful God and experience what He is going to do in us and through us. It’s a new day!
A New Mission
This fall I am so looking forward to sharing with all of you, our new Santa Cruz Bible Church mission. After months of prayer and seeking God’s direction we will lay out for you where we are headed. I want to strongly encourage you to attend my next series, “The 8 Warning From The Book Of Revelation” so that you can catch a glimpse of our new mission for SCBC.
A New Goal
I’m calling the New Goal, “8 for 8”. “8 for 8” is our desire to have every single adult that attends SCBC join a short-term small group for eight weeks, so that we can share with all of you our new direction as a church. We are asking for only eight weeks. Not nine weeks or ten weeks, just eight weeks. We will have small group options scattered throughout Santa Cruz County in order to make it easy for you to participate in one of these groups. As your pastor I am asking every single one of you to trust God and be a part of one of these groups.
A New Worship Service Approach
Starting September 13 we will be starting a new worship service approach. At 9:00am will have our Contemporary Service. The Contemporary Service will have a softer sound, brighter lights, and utilize the choir more. While the 10:45am Alternative Service will have a bolder sound and more progressive feel. Pick whichever one works for you.
A New Look
The next time you come to Santa Cruz Bible Church you will instantly notice a new look. The lobby has been freshly painted and some new pictures will soon be going up. Some new furniture is coming in order to create a warmer feel and a more family atmosphere. It is a new look for a new day!
A New Switch
In order to create more community and to better utilize the wonderful Book Store we have, we are making a switch. We are in the process switching the bookstore and the church library. This switch is happening as we speak. Our goal is to capitalize on the wonderful resource of the bookstore. We will open up the entrance for easy access and highlight a “book of the month” to help you get the best Christian resources in your hands. We will provide quality books and tools to help you raise your family, build your marriage, cope with difficult times, and grow spiritually. The church library will move over to the coffee house and offer the same quality materials as before.
Our commitment is to team up with people like you to impact our community for Christ!
Get Excited ~ God is doing a New Thing,
Dave Michelson
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now, it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 42:19
August 2009
Four Months New Service Pilot Program
After much prayer, listening to your desires and the need to position ourselves to reach more people for Christ, the leadership of SCBC has decided to enter into a four month new service worship structure format. Starting September 13, 2009 and going through December 31, 2009 we are going to try this two different worship style approach in our Sunday morning worship services.
Now before I get too far ahead of myself, let me explain what a pilot program means. A pilot program is just what it implies- a short term experiment. For example, for the next four months we are going to try an experiment to see if a two service worship format is beneficial to our church family. After the four month trial period is over, we will evaluate how it is going, and one of three conclusions will probably be reached. First, we will decide the experiment was worthwhile but not worth continuing. Second, we might decide that the pilot program was working but needs to be enhanced or modified. Third, it went well and the pilot program was such a success we need to make it a permanent fixture.
You are probably asking yourself, "What is the new service format going to look like?" Here is the answer to your question. At 9:00am we will start what we are calling our new Contemporary Worship Service on Sunday mornings. At 10:45 we will begin our new Alternative Worship Service. Below are descriptions of both services:
The Contemporary Worship Service at 9:00am
At this service the lights will be brighter and the sound a bit softer. There will be the Adult Choir there at least once to twice a month. The drums will be quieter, and the song selection will include at least one hymn each week, combined with contemporary praise choruses. The service will have the same message, by the same speaker, and include the same special elements as the 10:45, but with a softer sound.
Alternative Worship Service at 10:45am
The sound will be a bit stronger, with the drums and electric guitars even louder. We are going to push the worship a bit further to a more modern song mix and more volume. The service will have the same message, by the same speaker, and include the same special elements as the 9:00am service, but with a louder sound.
So there you have it, my first "First of the Month" newsletter. I am so excited to try this new approach to better communicate with all of you.
Looking forward to seeing the great things God is about to do,
Dave