russbutcher.com » Church http://russbutcher.com A churchplanter's missional influence in the lives of those "least likely to go to church". Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:20:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Five Reasons we are launched Church at the Grove Social Circle http://russbutcher.com/five-reasons-we-are-launched-church-at-the-grove-social-circle/ http://russbutcher.com/five-reasons-we-are-launched-church-at-the-grove-social-circle/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:20:10 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1311 Our Social Circle campus pastor Nathan Boyd shared this with our launch team a few months back in preparation for launching our second campus in Social Circle.  We must continue to advance the gospel through church planting and multiplying movements!

1. Because we understand that found people find people…and we will not stop doing whatJesus commanded us to do.

  • Matthew 28:18-20- “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of age.”
  • Matthew 9:35-38 – “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field”

2. Because we understand that saved people serve people…and we will not stop doing what the Bible commands of us.

  • 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
  • Matthew 20:28 – “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

3. Because we understand that growing people change…and we will not stop praying for Jesus to change us.

  • Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

4. Because we understand that we can’t do life alone…and we will obey what the Lord has instructed us to do in Hebrews 10:24-25.

  • Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
  • Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”

5. Because we understand that we cannot out give God…and so we will obey what God’s Word teaches.

  • Malachi 3:6-12- ‘”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
  • Proverbs 3:9-10- “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine
]]> http://russbutcher.com/five-reasons-we-are-launched-church-at-the-grove-social-circle/feed/ 0 Let’s Keep Growing: 3 ways for Church at the Grove to continue to grow! http://russbutcher.com/lets-keep-growing-3-ways-for-church-at-the-grove-to-continue-to-grow/ http://russbutcher.com/lets-keep-growing-3-ways-for-church-at-the-grove-to-continue-to-grow/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:26:31 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1293 We have experienced enormous blessing over the last year and specifically over this past month as we have launched our new campus in Social Circle!  We continue to see new people added to both our campuses this month!   We are growing and it is exciting!

Here is my BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL and desire for Church at the Grove right now!  Are you ready?!
Let’s keep growing!  Yeah, I said it!  Let’s keep growing and here are the specific areas I want us to focus on growing:
Let’s keep growing numerically!  
  • I will never apologize for wanting and desiring our church to grow numerically.  Do a word study in the book of Acts on the word “numbers” and you will see that Luke records over and over when people were added to the church.  If our mission is to lead people to follow Jesus and Make Disciples then we should be adding people.
  • I want to see 100 people baptized this year!  There, I said it!  I believe it can happen.
  • I believe that we can average over 500 people in attendance by September this year!
Let’s grow spiritually!
  • I want us to have more people reading their Bibles daily.
  • I want to have more people engaged in serving their community.
  • I want to have more people being transformed into the image of Jesus in every area of their life.
  • I want to see more people sharing the gospel with their family and friends.
  • I want to see more people investing in people and inviting them to our Sunday CATGrove gatherings.
  • I want to hear about more families having a nightly family devotional/prayer time.
  • I want more marriages to grow stronger and healthier.
  • I want to see more people involved in Community Group Bible Study.
Let’s grow relationally!
  • I would love to set a record this fall for how many people are involved in Community Groups.
  • I challenge you to make more time to simply develop your friendships and relationships this year.
  • Make time for people.
  • Come early and stay a little late on Sundays so you can have a conversation with some people you don’t know that well.
  • Plan to get to know some of our newer attendees over this next month!
  • Remember, we are about PEOPLE!
I love Jesus!  I love what He is doing.  I love Church at the Grove!
]]> http://russbutcher.com/lets-keep-growing-3-ways-for-church-at-the-grove-to-continue-to-grow/feed/ 0 Forgotten Heroes http://russbutcher.com/forgotten-heroes/ http://russbutcher.com/forgotten-heroes/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:16:14 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1287 Most of us are familiar with the powerful story of the Apostle Paul’s conversion.  He is on the road to Damascus in route to persecute more followers of Jesus when he is surprised by a bright light and an unfamiliar voice.  He is blinded and was led to Damascus where he stayed for 3 days without sight, food or water.

Enter the forgotten hero!
Ananias is mentioned simply as a disciple of Jesus and God speaks to him in a vision.  Acts 9:10-12
Ananias responded in obedience to what would have been the more modern equivalent of making a visit to ”Adolph Hitler” for the purpose of laying on hands and giving sight back.  Ananias was skeptical but made the walk and carried out his small part in the miraculous transformation of a former 1st Century terrorist.
Ananias played a small but vital part in the sovereign plan of God to use the Apostle Paul to spread the Gospel!
Ananias has been called one of the forgotten heroes of the faith.  
Forgotten heroes are those that play seemingly small roles in Kingdom Advancement but in reality their roles are indispensable in the Kingdom of God!  
Who are the Ananias’s of our day?
  • Those that setup and breakdown in a church plant.
  • Those that hold and take care of babies so young couples can hear the gospel.
  • Those that quietly serve the sick, hospitalized and troubled behind the scenes.
  • Those that serve and teach our children on Sundays in an age appropriate setting where they can hear the gospel.
  • Those that help and serve the poor in a community but never get notoriety nor want it.
  • Those that love on our teenagers weekly in our student worship environment.
  • Those that count money, stuff envelopes and lick stamps.
  • Those that pull trailers, swing hammers and replace broken things.
  • Those that run sound, cameras and edit video.
I could go on and on and on…….
I am thankful for the forgotten heroes in my life and in the life of Church at the Grove!  We could not do it without you!
Are you willing to be a forgotten hero?
]]> http://russbutcher.com/forgotten-heroes/feed/ 0 This Week at the Grove http://russbutcher.com/this-week-at-the-grove/ http://russbutcher.com/this-week-at-the-grove/#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:33:45 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1277

Mid-Week Video Email 11.17.11 from Church at the Grove on Vimeo.

]]> http://russbutcher.com/this-week-at-the-grove/feed/ 0 Missional Responsibility & Investing in Others with a Purpose http://russbutcher.com/missional-responsibility-investing-in-others-with-a-purpose/ http://russbutcher.com/missional-responsibility-investing-in-others-with-a-purpose/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:41:25 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1258 We set out as a church over 5 years ago to be intentional in our efforts to reach people disconnected from God and the church.

We know that most people come to Christ on the arm of a trusted friend.

How are you doing at investing in people and inviting them to join you at Church at the Grove?

Remember, you gotta come yourself if you are going to bring somebody with you or have them meet you at the school!

Who are you investing in?

Here is the concept behind our Core Value “Missional Responsibility”:

We desire to fulfill the mission God has given the Church.  In both Old and New Testaments we encounter a God who is on a redemptive mission in the world.  In fact, we are astounded at the lengths to which God will go in pursuit of his mission to redeem the crowning achievement of his creation – people.  In North America, the term “mission” has been associated with either sending called people to other parts of the world or giving financially toward reaching others around the world.  With the United States now being among the largest mission fields in the world, and the fact that there are now multiple generations born and raised in a post-Christian culture, we must address the need for churches to think “missionally” in a local context.

What if each individual believer and household could see their home as a “base” for missional operations to reach the entire neighborhood for Jesus?

This is a core desire for Church at the Grove.

]]> http://russbutcher.com/missional-responsibility-investing-in-others-with-a-purpose/feed/ 0 The Clash of Cultures and The Great Commission; Remembering 9-11 http://russbutcher.com/the-clash-of-cultures-and-the-great-commission-remembering-9-11/ http://russbutcher.com/the-clash-of-cultures-and-the-great-commission-remembering-9-11/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:29:32 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1249 I will never forget standing in the Kennesaw Mountain High School cafeteria the morning of September 11, 2001.  I turned to see my pastor, Mike Linch, walking toward me as if he were late for a meeting.  I had arrived early to teach character education to Cobb County high school students.  Mike began to tell us how a plane had hit one of the twin towers in Manhattan;  we all went to the school office to watch a television monitor as another plane hit the other twin tower.  The groans and audible anguish filled the school office as everyone watched the events in real time.  At first, there was silence; then, there were horrified responses of panic and despair.

Those of us at the school to teach character education were asked to go to our classrooms and were given permission to turn the television on with the students.  I spent the morning with high school students, watching as the towers crumbled and life as we knew it was transformed before our eyes.  We talked, cried and comforted one another.   Adolescent problems didn’t matter in light of what we observed on that morning.

That morning was significant in shaping my calling to plant a new church. It galvanized my motivation to take the gospel to the unchurched and those far from God.  I was challenged to view the events of 9/11 through the lens of the Great Commission.  I couldn’t help but wonder what the eternal destination would be for over 3000 people that perished on that day.

It is normal and understandable to be horrified, angry and experience a gamut of emotions in the middle of all the circumstances surrounding the attacks of 9/11.  We experienced loss and grief as a nation.  Our security was challenged and we felt backed into a corner.  As the dust settled, the natural and human response became vengeance.  I completely supported the leadership of our nation based on scripture in Romans 13, but I believe strongly the Body of Christ has a Biblical mandate that is distinct from the State Government.  I think of the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:43–45 (HCSB)
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies  and pray for those who  persecute you,  45 so that you may be  sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

On Sunday morning September 11, 2011 at Church at the Grove, we will be celebrating 5 years as a church.  We will celebrate the many decisions of individuals who have turned to follow Jesus and the many baptisms that have taken place as a result.  In the midst of this celebration, we will pause, pray and reflect on those life-changing events of 10 years ago.  Our challenge that day will be simple:  The hope of change in this world is not revenge, bombs, bullets or even the ballot box.  The hope of this world is taking the Gospel to all people, groups and nations.

We must not allow the contemporary clash of cultures to distract us from fulfilling the timeless mandate of the Great Commission!  Maybe our focus of the Gospel should be toward those that consider us among their greatest enemies.

Matthew 28:18–20 (HCSB)
18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 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, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,  I am with you always,  to the end of the age.”

]]> http://russbutcher.com/the-clash-of-cultures-and-the-great-commission-remembering-9-11/feed/ 1 The Negligent Church and This week in The Grove! http://russbutcher.com/the-negligent-church-and-this-week-in-the-grove/ http://russbutcher.com/the-negligent-church-and-this-week-in-the-grove/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:25:09 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1246 ‘You will not find in all of history any church that has flourished after it became negligent of the outside world’ CH Spurgeon

I was talking with a friend today sharing some of the story of Church at the Grove and I was so excited talking about what God has done in five years of life-transforming ministry.  I get excited when I reflect on the past, rest in the present and envision the future of Church at the Grove!  My friend commented about how many churches struggle maintaining their focus on reaching people outside the church over the long haul.  It is a difficult task to maintain an outward focus but it is the very heart of God to make His name known to all people.

I came across the Spurgeon quote in the first line above and my heart ached at the thought that CATGrove would ever be negligent of the out outside world.

My prayer is that we would continue to flourish in the years to come by focusing on The Great Commission.  Let’s resolve to maintain our focus on the outside world and God’s love to for those that are yet to be reached.

Luke 15:7 (ESV)
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Let’s stay focused!

This Week in The Grove:

5 year anniversary!
On September 11 we will celebrate an incredible 5 years as Church at the Grove! (Insert applause & cheers) These 5 years have been significant in seeing many people turn to follow Jesus & seeing lives transformed as we have impacted our local community and even touched lives around the world.  September 11 will be a big day and we want everyone who calls Church at the Grove home to be there and to bring your family and friends to join you!

Two Services on September 11
We have continued to see our CATGrove family grow and as a result, we need to create more space for new people.  On September 11 we will launch with 2 Sunday morning gatherings at 9:30 & 11am.  This is to create another opportunity for you to invite your family and friends that you have been praying for and investing in!

Community Groups begin September 11
Our new Community Group semester will begin Sunday September 11! I am convinced that one of the important elements to our growth this past year (God gets the credit, of course) was our Community Groups this past year.  We had more groups and more people connected to groups than ever before!  Please choose a group over this next month and get connected to other people in the church!

Church at the Grove Social Circle
This coming January we will launch a 2nd location gathering in Social Circle.  God has called us since before we ever launched our 1st gathering to be aggressive in ADVANCING the gospel through planting new churches and new locations of CATGrove!  I am asking everyone to please pray about being a part of this launch team that will help get this new gathering started.  It will be one of the most exciting things you have ever been a part of.  Consider making this your campus, consider giving one year or six months to help get Social Circle started.  We can’t do without people like you.

]]> http://russbutcher.com/the-negligent-church-and-this-week-in-the-grove/feed/ 0 Still Dreaming (repost) and This Week in the Grove! http://russbutcher.com/still-dreaming-repost-and-this-week-in-the-grove/ http://russbutcher.com/still-dreaming-repost-and-this-week-in-the-grove/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:13:45 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1243 Still Dreaming For:

  • I am still dreaming about a church that effectively reaches people far from God!  I am dreaming about reaching those that have never been in church and those that left church years ago for one reason or another!
  • I am still dreaming about being a church for those already following Jesus but have grown weary of being a part of churches that have given up on reaching people outside the church and simply keeping those on the inside happy!
  • I am still dreaming about reaching thousands and thousands of people and always struggling to keep up with baptizing those who have turned to follow Jesus!
  • I am still dreaming about being a church that has to have multiple services on Sunday to accommodate all the people God is reaching through us!
  • I am still dreaming about beginning new campuses in nearby communities that need a church passionate about reaching people far from God!
  • I am still dreaming about being a church-planting church that is consistently launching new churches locally, nationally and across the globe!
  • I am still dreaming about being a pastor of a church that consistently invests into young leaders that plant churches and have impact in communities locally and globally.
  • I am still dreaming about being the godly leader and example to a faith community that models leadership, marriage, parenting and godly living God’s way!
  • I am still dreaming about being at a location for the long haul for the maximum influence and missional impact!
  • I am still dreaming about living for the glory of God and the good of people!

What are you dreaming about?

5 year anniversary!
On September 11 we will celebrate an incredible 5 years as Church at the Grove! (Insert applause & cheers) These 5 years have been significant in seeing many people turn to follow Jesus & seeing lives transformed as we have impacted our local community and even touched lives around the world.  September 11 will be a big day and we want everyone who calls Church at the Grove home to be there and to bring your family and friends to join you!

Two Services on September 11
We have continued to see our CATGrove family grow and as a result, we need to create more space for new people.  On September 11 we will launch with 2 Sunday morning gatherings at 9:30 & 11am.  This is to create another opportunity for you to invite your family and friends that you have been praying for and investing in!

Community Groups begin September 11
Our new Community Group semester will begin Sunday September 11! I am convinced that one of the important elements to our growth this past year (God gets the credit, of course) was our Community Groups this past year.  We had more groups and more people connected to groups than ever before!  Please choose a group over this next month and get connected to other people in the church!

Church at the Grove Social Circle
This coming January we will launch a 2nd location gathering in Social Circle.  God has called us since before we ever launched our 1st gathering to be aggressive in ADVANCING the gospel through planting new churches and new locations of CATGrove!  I am asking everyone to please pray about being a part of this launch team that will help get this new gathering started.  It will be one of the most exciting things you have ever been a part of.  Consider making this your campus, consider giving one year or six months to help get Social Circle started.  We can’t do without people like you.

 

 

]]> http://russbutcher.com/still-dreaming-repost-and-this-week-in-the-grove/feed/ 0 Run!!! People are watching & this week in the Grove! http://russbutcher.com/run-people-are-watching-this-week-in-the-grove/ http://russbutcher.com/run-people-are-watching-this-week-in-the-grove/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:41:56 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1240 My son Caleb played tee ball/coach pitch baseball this past Spring and it was a hoot to watch these little 5 & 6 year old boys play baseball and interact with one another! We were constantly laughing watching these boys play.

There was one little boy that particularly caught my attention (and everyone) each time he rounded third base!

Each child is greeted with the crazy applause of parents, grandparents and other attendees as if it was the seventh game of the world series as they round third base on their way to home plate.  One little boy would round third base every time with a huge smile on his face and he would maintain eye contact with the fans in the stands the whole way across home plate.  Often, he would actually miss home-plate because he was so focused on the fan support. He was absolutely enthralled with the encouragement from the fans as he made his way down the third-base line to cross home plate.

This is a great picture of how important “community-life” is to the individual Christian as they “run the base paths” of life in the world.  We are not meant to live our Christian lives alone.  It is the encouragement of others that offer Christ’s strength and support as we travel through life.

Remember that you can run farther when others are watching!  That is why you should not neglect being involved with other believers in small groups or teams that serve together.

Here are a few things going on at The Grove this week:

Volunteer Appreciation Night August 28 6:30pm-8:30pm at Lenora Water Park
Make sure you get your reservation in for this fun night for you and your family!

5 year anniversary!
On September 11 we will celebrate an incredible 5 years as Church at the Grove! (Insert applause & cheers) These 5 years have been significant in seeing many people turn to follow Jesus & seeing lives transformed as we have impacted our local community and even touched lives around the world.  September 11 will be a big day and we want everyone who calls Church at the Grove home to be there and to bring your family and friends to join you!

Two Services on September 11
We have continued to see our CATGrove family grow and as a result, we need to create more space for new people.  On September 11 we will launch with 2 Sunday morning gatherings at 9:30 & 11am.  This is to create another opportunity for you to invite your family and friends that you have been praying for and investing in!

Community Groups begin September 11
Our new Community Group semester will begin Sunday September 11! I am convinced that one of the important elements to our growth this past year (God gets the credit, of course) was our Community Groups this past year.  We had more groups and more people connected to groups than ever before!  Please choose a group over this next month and get connected to other people in the church!

Church at the Grove Social Circle
This coming January we will launch a 2nd location gathering in Social Circle.  God has called us since before we ever launched our 1st gathering to be aggressive in ADVANCING the gospel through planting new churches and new locations of CATGrove!  I am asking everyone to please pray about being a part of this launch team that will help get this new gathering started.  It will be one of the most exciting things you have ever been a part of.  Consider making this your campus, consider giving one year or six months to help get Social Circle started.  We can’t do without people like you.

]]> http://russbutcher.com/run-people-are-watching-this-week-in-the-grove/feed/ 0 JESUS!!; Living in the Tank & This Week in the Grove! http://russbutcher.com/jesus-living-in-the-tank-this-week-in-the-grove/ http://russbutcher.com/jesus-living-in-the-tank-this-week-in-the-grove/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:46:34 +0000 Russ http://russbutcher.com/?p=1235 I can sometimes get overwhelmed with hearing stories and reports about how people are struggling through life with difficult circumstances.  Many of you are suffering through marriage, financial, health, or a myriad of other crisis circumstances and difficulties.  Life hits us square in the face sometimes and the only thing we can do is trust God and rely on His strength and power to get us through.  I would like to share with you a story I came across recently as we think about how we all live in a “tank of inescapable circumstances.”

In the Northeastern United States, codfish are a big commercial business. (Story via Chuck Swindoll)

There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in the sections farthest removed from the northeastern coastline. But the public demand posed a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. So they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, the cod still lost its flavor, and, in addition, became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.

Finally, some creative shipper solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank of water along with their natural enemy – the catfish. From the time the cod left the East Coast until it arrived at its westernmost destination, those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank. And, you guessed it – when the cod arrived at the market, they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.

Each one of us is in a tank of particular inescapable circumstances. It is painful enough to stay in the tank. But in addition, there are God-appointed ‘catfish’ to bring sufficient tension to keep us alive, flavored, alert, fresh, and growing. It’s all a part of God’s project to shape  our character so we will be more like His Son. Understand why the catfish are in your salt-water tank. Understand they are part of God’s method of producing character in your life, and mine. Let’s not lose the flavor or the salt.

Important Things at CATGrove to be aware of:

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT THIS SUNDAY!

Another big announcement this Sunday you don’t want to miss!

Our students are gathering for 2 more Wednesdays at UNITED.  Tonight is at Monroe High School with the CATGrove band leading.  Next week the summer finale will take place at Walnut Grove High School and I will be speaking.  I hope to see your middle school and high school students these next 2 Wednesdays at 7pm.

Be praying for our Social Circle Launch this coming January!  Is God leading you to be a part of that launch team?  Please send me an email, call me or speak to me on Sunday if you are interested.

THANK YOU!

Because we can’t do it without you and to show appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do, we offer our 2nd annual Volunteer Appreciation night!

Sunday night August 28 at Lenora Park @ 6:30 we will gather for a night of fun at the water park.  It will be for the entire family of those that serve in any capacity at Church at the Grove!  Please begin to RSVP to our office by phone or email to let us know you plan to attend.

Group Link is August 7!  Save the date that night so you can connect with one of our Group Link homes and connect relationally with some other people in the Church at the Grove family!

I hope you are having an awesome summer!  Please continue to pray that God will use Church at the Grove to impact this community and the world!  Make it a priority to be at our Sunday gatherings and bring a friend or family-member with you.

Consider where you will connect in a Community Group this fall.  Remember that circles are better than rows when it comes to building relationships in the Body of Believers.

Continue to invest in conversations and relationships with people in your neighborhood, family, and circle of relationships.  These are the best and natural places to invest in people and share the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.

Keep praying, Keep investing, and Keep inviting!

]]> http://russbutcher.com/jesus-living-in-the-tank-this-week-in-the-grove/feed/ 1