I am getting ready for my family easter egg hunt, (yes my children want more sugar), and I am reflecting on what a great weekend we had at Timberlake Church. Here is some of what we saw –
1. 77 people made a commitment to Christ
2. More people involved in ministry on a single weekend than ever before at Timberlake.
3. The largest weekend attendance in the history of our church.
4. A powerful time of worship
5. A great video testimony
6. Our first Easter at Timberlake Ballard
7. A celebration of the greatest day so far in human history. Jesus breaking the bonds of sin and death. A time to reflect on and experience God’s power and love.
I have had people ask me, (a lot of people), what we mean by No Weird Stuff at Timberlake. Let me explain…
1. We are all about God. We are a church, not a political or social organization promoting some agenda or cause. We talk about Jesus, how to know him and what it means to follow him.
2. Our music is good. We don’t think you need to adopt a musical style that most people gave up on fifty years ago to follow God.
3. We value authenticity. This means that we don’t change who we are because we stepped inside the doors of a church. What you see is what you get. We also try to explain things so if you are new to church, you will not feel left out by insider language.
4. We like people. Clicks in life are discouraging, in church they are disheartening. We have decided to do what Jesus did, accept people as they are, and allow the Holy Spirit to point out how we are called to change.
5. Truth is important. We do not try to avoid difficult truths, but to wrestle with them together.
6. We like to laugh. If you want a somber experience, not the right place. We believe that there is great joy in knowing and following God.
I am looking forward to a great Easter this year at Timberlake. We have added a fourth Service time to our Redmond Campus : Saturday April 3rd 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday April 4th at 9:00 a.m.. 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Timberlake Ballard will have their Easter Service on Sunday April 4th at 10:30 a.m.
We have made room for you and your friends. I hope you will join us.
I have received a number of questions lately as to what does it mean that we will have a second physical church campus (we already have an internet campus). Let me try to answer some.
Q. Why do a second campus? Same reason as we do Redmond, to see lives changed by God. There are other great churches there, yet we believe that we will be a better connect from some people.
Q. Will it be the same? For the most part yes. The weekend message and music will be the same, but with different teams at each campus.
Q. Who will Lead the Ballard Campus? Trent Meng will be the campus pastor, I will also give leadership there as well.
Q. When does Ballard Start? The church that is there Ballard church will officially have there first weekend as Timberlake Ballard on March 28th.
Q. How do I help with Timberlake Ballard? You can contact trent@timberlakeonline.org
Monday, February 22, 2010
If you attend Timberlake I want to tell you about a big event coming up, it is our 411 event on March 6th at 6:45 p.m. following our Saturday Night service. A 411 event is when we take some time for information, inspiration, celebration. It is also when I answer questions in a way that we would not normally do so at a weekend service. Anyone is welcome to attend and childcare and food are provided.
In this meeting we are talking about changes at Timberlake. There are some changes Timberlake that you have been able to see: More people at church, the starting of the preschool and a lot of people taking their next right step, such as Baptism. (By the way we have another one this weekend Feb 27/28. ) Yet, there are some more exciting changes on the way that I would love to share with you. I will spend some time talking about what is going to change and what is staying the same as we move forward as a church and what that means to you. I hope you will put this on your calendar and join me then.
Something amazing has unfolded in the last couple months. A church in Seattle has decided to close independent operations and will become part of Timberlake. We are not sure the exact form this new campus will take place, but it will represent the vision and mission of Timberlake, while adjusting to the context of the church. In future posts I will be answering some of your questions and lay out the vision for expanding the work that God has given us at this new church campus.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
One of the things I love about being the pastor at Timberlake is that this is a church committed to not only hearing God’s Word, but putting our faith into action. (James 1:22) In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, the response has been amazing of those of you who want to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
This weekend we will have information available as to our response as a church. It will involve praying, sending financial resources to credible ministry partners and sending a team to Haiti to help. If you are interesting in being part of a team let me know.
Great weekend at Timberlake! I continue to be in awe in what God is doing.
1. Amy did a great job leading in worship with the team, thanks for using your amazing gifts, I know Jillian appreciated the break.
2. Tons of people signed up for next steps – Membership class in a week and a half should be the largest ever at Timberlake!
3. Thank you to all of you who signed up to Host Small groups, this next season should be a good one.
4. Lots of new people serving in ministry, thanks for jumping in to serve.
5. Terri (my wife) and I feel blessed to be here at Timberlake and serve Christ with you.
6. I am looking forward to this next week and what the work God continues to do in us and through us.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Brit Hume on Tiger Woods
“The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.”
I am not sure if Brit Hume is a Christian, but it is true that our faith does matter as we deal with our failures.
This was another great weekend at Timberlake. I am very thankful for what God is doing.
1. Reset – I think this new series is going to be a good one
2. Collin did an awesome job with the special
3. Burt has done great work editing compelling video testimonies, this weekend was no exception
4. It was great seeing a bunch of folks come back from Christmas eve
5. I did not get in trouble from my wife for telling about the “discussion” we had
6. A lot of people made next step commitments in regards to the church and their faith
7. Met with my board, I can not believe we are already moving towards our second campus, but I am excited that we are taking this step of faith
