Mike Henderson

Charlottesville Church

How much different is having a church in Charlottesville different from somewhere else?  While there will be a few minor differences pastoring a Charlottesville Church also has its similarities.

For instance, in our area there are thousands who have not responded to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Plus there are thousands more that claim to be Christ-followers but are not attending for various reasons.

With that in mind I would like to think that every Charlottesville Church had a passion to reach those not in the fold or those who have strayed.

This coming Sunday I will be unpacking the vision of New Hope, a Charlottesville Church, and talking about the upcoming year and what it will be like for us to be a Charlottesville Church in 2010.

Check the Scenery

Well, it's here.  A brand new year.  There is something about 'new' things.  New books, new stores, new coaches, new clothes, and new cars.  So when a new year rolls around it gets us thinking.  We don't want our new car scratched, our new clothes to get snagged, and our new year to get messed up.

What we fail to do is look around.  Do we like the scenery?  Does the scenery tell us that we are on the right path and headed in the right direction?

Make this year a year of progress.  2009 ended for the most part just the way we lived it.  What we did every day and every week and every month eventually led us to where we ended up at the end of the year.

To be honest I am not a big new year's resolution type person. If I need to make a change in June why wait until January.  On the other hand as I said there is something about starting a new year.  There is an emotional and psychological side to beginning a new year.  It's like a spark that has the power to ignite a huge passion within us.  

So maybe it is time to rejuvenate, get out of a rut, or create some new patterns.  With that in mind I cannot wait until Sunday, January 3 as I share the "KEY" to an incredible 2010.  This Sunday at New Hope has the potential to change your life and your entire year! 

Two Points of View

As consumers we have heard from various sources about particular stores or organizations.  And for the most part we have already drawn conclusions, sometimes based on hearsay.

Now what we have concluded may change should we ever have a personal encounter with the store or organization.

For instance, I hear lots of complaints about Wal-Mart.  In fact, I even hear some say they would rather pay more and go to Target.  Not me.  Actually I have no complaints with either store, but then I am not looking for a reason to go to either.  However, I prefer low prices.

Before Circuit City went out of business I used to hear how Best Buy had terrible customer service but Circuit City's was excellent.  Was one right or wrong?  Just depends on who you talk to and what their story was.  

The truth is someone may dislike the very store you love.  We are different.  We have different stories, backgrounds, and desires.  What is truly amazing is the fact most people tenaciously hold onto their opinion as if it is fact and can be no other way.  

With so many stores and options at least we should be able to purchase what we need.  In a similar fashion churches are different.  One of my pet peeves is church bashing.  Just because one church does not meet someone's expectations does not mean it is incapable of meeting someone else's.

We need all kinds of churches in order to reach all kinds of people.  I could list various 'kinds' of churches. I am thankful for Wal-Mart and Target and for different churches.  Some churches are more known for their music, others for their kid's program, some their student ministry, and the list goes on.

At New Hope we will probably never be good at ten things, but we can be good at a couple.  Some will come as a first time guest and may decide to hang around.  Someone else will come and have a different point of view.  Probably due to their current needs, background, etc.  

At the end of the day there will still be two points of view.  Neither is right or wrong, they just are.

Sunday Reflections

Sundays are always too short.  I think one thing I like about setting up and tearing down is that it lengthens the time at New Hope and being around others.

Coming early and hanging around afterwards gives us time to talk about life, catch up, and even get into some football talk.

Speaking on the End Times is always challenging and fun.  I love the subject, but it is more teaching than applying the Scriptures.  My passion is to have people wanting to come every week, engage with the Word of God, and then use that information for life change and life enhancement.

Because prophecy contains so many details it can seem daunting.  But all biblical truth is not grasped overnight.  Yes, salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ can be digested in a matter of moments. However, even that subject is like a swimming pool.  There is always deeper waters to explore.

This Sunday I will be wrapping up the series "What in the World is Going On" and tackling the subject of Armageddon.  Should be fun.

Critics

Over the past couple of months much has been written about and posted on the web on the topic of criticism.

One post was written by Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers.

Another post was put up by Jason Curlee.  

Both posts are excellent so no need to duplicate what they so well said.

However, I did want to add some things that I have observed also.

One is that most critics are hurt-full.  That is they are full of hurt, so they retaliate.  For instance, if you have a bad day at work what do you do?  You come home and kick the dog, if you have one.  The point is you are full of hurt from work and are taking it out on someone else.

Another observation has been critics tend to be care-less.  They really don't care.  They just want to vent. They are not interested in seeing a solution, they simply want to chime in.

Finally, they tend to be cantankerous.  Rather than be kind they fall on the side of anger and mean-spiritedness.

At the end of the day most critics probably are clueless.  They have no idea how they are coming across. And they are unaware of all the necessary information that is needed to offer helpful criticism.  Of course lack of that information never stopped a critic.  One quick example.  I was watching the Giant-Charger football game and was critical of the Giant coaching at the end of the game.  Then on ESPN radio I heard former great Viking Chris Carter break it down in a way I had not thought.  Without going into details I realized that I needed to soften my criticism.  Lesson learned.

So why all the writing on critics?  I guess no one is immune.  Whether you are a team leader at work, a manager, a boss, a CEO, or owner you will be receiving criticism on a regular basis, and you must understand criticism and know how to handle it.

Drama in the Church

Over the past couple of weeks a common theme has popped up on Twitter, blogs, conferences, and personal conversations.  That theme has centered around complaining, criticism, and drama in the church.

Just this past week I was able to spend some time at Elevation Church in Charlottte, NC where pastor Steven Furtick and Perry Noble of New Spring Church in Anderson SC both addressed the topic.  In fact, Perry mentioned that he had just returned from a week in counseling in Colorado. He said that only 10% of those in ministry will retire in ministry.  Wow!  We must ask why.

Also, some have written about C.A.V.E. dwellers in the church.  Those are people who are Consistently Against Virtually Everything.

Now here's where it hit me recently.  I invited a friend in the area to New Hope.  I have not known this person long, but they are not in church.  Why?  This individual grew up in church where her father was the pastor.  But then she said, "There was always drama in the church."

So let me get this straight.  Because someone or some group of people had to have things their way and as a result created drama in the church a pastor is out of the ministry and his kids no longer go.

That's just plain sad!  Somewhere people in the church have gotten sidetracked in between the Great Commission (reaching others) and Burger King (have it your way).

The result: Drama in the church, church attenders dropping out, pastors quitting the ministry, and lost people not being found.

That's troubling.

When we should be encouraging (1 Thess. 5:12-13), or esteeming very highly pastors and evangelizing lost people, we are engaging in drama in the church.

Weekend Reflections

The weekend started with soccer and halloween.  Both went well.  We won soccer 2-1 and I invited everyone to New Hope who knocked on our door for Halloween.

Sunday began with rain and an extra hour of sleep.  However, the rain seemed to have little affect on our service. We had a good crowd for part 1 of our prophecy series, "What in the World is Going On?" 

The kids loved the inflatable.  And everyone stuck around after church for the chili cookoff.  That was a big hit also.

So you might say we went 3 for 3 this Sunday.  Message on the end times, an inflatable, and chili.  An unbeatable combination.

This week we will be looking at America's role in the end times.  Fascinating stuff happening right before our eyes.  Three more messages.  If you missed this Sunday you can watch online by Tuesday evening.

Part 2 is just a few days away!

Fall Open House

Five Big reasons to be at New Hope this Sunday and bring someone with you.  It's truly a can't miss Sunday.

1.  Brand new series on end time events, "What in the World is Going On?"

2.  Costume contest for the kids, the day after Halloween.

3.  An extra hour of sleep.  Great time to invite someone.

4.  Inflatable for the kids.

5.  Jesus said go out and invite people so that His house would be full.

See you this Sunday, Can't Miss Sunday!

Something Missing

Recently I was out of town and stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.  I tend to like that particular chain.  The price is economical, their breakfast contains the necessary fiber, protein, and the popular cinnamon bun.

One problem.  There were no cinnamon buns.  What's up with that?  Now I am sure not everyone missed what was missing, but don't you hate it when you go somewhere and expect something and it's not there?

When I think of New Hope, I try to process things thru the same grid.  People come expecting some things and if what they are looking for they will be disappointed.  

Now obviously we can't provide everything.  For instance, we do not observe the Lord's Supper every week. For some that would be missing a crucial element.

While you could go crazy trying to 'have everything' someone could expect, we have simplified it a little.

Every week we do not want to be missing a welcoming atmosphere, heartfelt worship, or an encouraging message.  Also, we want the kids to have fun and learn something from the Bible.  Those are the things we don't want to have missing.

We could also include things like excellence, harmony, and order.  I mention things like that because if you were to go to Lowe's you may not think going in 'I hope to get help in an orderly fashion,' but if it is missing you will notice.

One of our goals every week is to not miss anything.

Sunday Reflections

Today's message was fun to preach as I truly believe everyone is uniquely designed by God.  As is often the case the video clips were well received and illustrated biblical truth.  Carol found both clips for me.  While I believe God has given me the gift of teaching I still appreciate the help of others.

Our attendance continues to grow with notable increases over the same time last year.  Every week I am reminded that tons of people live in the area without a regular church home, but would come to New Hope if they knew we existed or were invited.  Most of all guests come from the internet (a large number were online last week to view last week's message) or by personal invitation.

New friendships are being made.  It was fun to watch two girls run toward each other this morning when they arrived. Newly made friends excited to see each other at church.

One thing I realize that after a certain number of people I miss seeing many who were there. It's nice to have Dan connecting with so many. I still do my best to connect with others before and after the service.

I like being the first to arrive and the last or almost the last to leave.  

We changed up our setup and moved the cafe and added some more signage. Some small tweaks, but definitely thought all the changes added to the atmosphere.

Two more messages left in our series "One Month to Live."  This has been a fun and challenging four weeks of messages.  Anxious to finalize the final two.

One final thot.  Can you believe that chatter about our Christmas Eve service has already started?