Hi Michael -
I was a little choked up on Sunday, so unfortunately my bumbling around couldn’t fully expressed how I felt on Sunday. I was choked up because you were so excellent. You have a way to relate to everyone, young or old, affluent or poor, in the dumps or high on life. You truly have an awesome gift to relate God’s message. You were able to relate what is said in the Bible in such a special way. I loved how you made jokes and dummed down the Bible for me. Honestly as you know I am not a Biblical scholar and much of the Bible is ashamely unknown to me.

I loved how you put everything up on the screen that you were reviewing. For me (who didn’t have a Bible) I didn’t feel excluded in any way because the information was all there. There were so many things that I loved about the experience, so I am going to go on for awhile. I loved the greeters…they were awesome! All smiles and welcoming. Although I don’t have kids, I know the kids section was special. I loved the band! You have such talent in your Church, and it was visible to all this day. The band was so awesome. I loved how you took a current song (which consequently is on my iPod and unfortunately I never truely listened to the words) and used it as a tool in your sermon. That was so unique and caught my attention right off the bat. I was truly inspired by your sermon and also all that you have done in this past year. The bookbag drive, the bike drive, and trick or trunk are all inspirational and honestly awesome lessons on how its the little things that make the difference.

I have no doubt that Catalyst Church will be instrumental in the community and more importantly the citizens/people of that community.

Your church is something that I wish I had when I was younger. Granted my religious experiences were mine, I think what you are doing will inspire other churches out there. Honestly as I mentioned on Sunday I wish their was a church like yours down here. I have been searching for a church like yours for years. Every chance I get I will be present at your services. I know your next service will be just as awesome with just as many people. You have started that burning bush for many people (myself included), and once there is light there will be no darkness You have started something very special and I am honored to have participated in the launch. I wouldn’t have missed it! I look forward to watching this church grow into more magnificent wonderours things.

Hi, there is so much that I wanted to say, I wanted to share some of the feed back, I hope I don’t forget… 1. AWESOME 2. AWESOME job to you and your team 3. great message, the kids even commented they loved that you were funny and made it practical, and used “connections”. 4. the band “was cool” and raised “The Spirit” (also from the kids), 5. Beth, Ally’s sister loved the music and asked me to meet her next week to go back 6. told the kids we would go every other sunday d/t work schedule and dad’s weekend, my son informed me that he will be going next weekend 7. My son said he wants to get involved in the community out reach things w Catalyst 8. My son said he felt good like he belonged…. so much more all great things good work great job …..WOW

Launch Team… THIS IS NOT NORMAL! Thank you for all you are doing. Thanks for serving God. Thanks for trusting God. Let’s keep this going!!!

WOW!!! Our Launch Team REALLY did a phenomenal job!
I seriously could not ask or dream of being in a better situation as we get ready to launch!
Thank you all so much for helping us get where we are.
Our first chapter is complete, and I can’t wait to get started on our second chapter.
Greater things are still to come!!!

I can’t believe it is almost here! Finally!!! Our launch is upon us already. All along we have been laser like focused on a few things. We want to do a few things as excellent as we can, rather than doing several things mediocre. We want people to say”wow” and “I can’t believe this is your first service”. I think there will be several statements like that.

Anyway, that is a really long way to simply say, I really hope YOU’LL come out and join us.

9.13.09
Keigwin School
Middletown, CT
CatalystChurch.tv (for more info)

OUTREACH ONE

We gave backpacks away this weekend. My wife ran into one of the teachers from the school. She was ecstatic and very thankful. She let us know that she felt like this was a huge deal. She also let us know that there are many many kids who go to that school bringing their school supplies in a Stop and Shop plastic bag. Wow! Thank you to everyone who helped make a difference. Let’s keep going. Let’s keep reaching out so we earn the right to tell them about something so much greater than backpacks!

OUTREACH TWO

We have a family that has gone to the Shepherd Home the past 2 or 3 times. Faithfully serving and loving the homeless people who are currently staying at the Shepherd Home. This Sunday was maybe the coolest Sunday ever! Two people showed up at church from the Shepherd Home. How crazy awesome is that! Food is good, but it won’t really satisfy. Thanks everyone for loving people so that we can tell them about the ultimate act of love. Thanks for reaching out so that we can let people know about the only thing that will ever really satisfy – a relationship with Christ.

KEEP REACHING OUT / START REACHING OUT

You guys are awesome. I can’t wait to see what’s next. If you have been sitting back on the sidelines, now is the time to drop the pom poms and get in the game. We need you. The community needs you. Greater things are still to come… but will you have a part in it???

We have a special guest blogger today! While he doesn’t know it,  Im sure he won’t mind…

Galatians 5:10-12 (New International Version)
“I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.”

I woke up this morning and the Lord began to realign my thinking. Many of you who know me understand that my heart is to see cultural shift and transformation. Can a nation be born in a day? Can our nation turn back to God and be blessed and not cursed? I believe so.

One of the ways this will take place is through believers getting past the walls of the church and bringing the Kingdom to the areas of society which influence culture. Special delivery! Here comes the Kingdom! We will do this in a spirit of excellence and in a way that is relevant…

Wait a second. Is excellence, relevance?

Being relevant is having significance and demonstrable bearing to the matter at hand. I believe that the church needs to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that is tangible, significant, accessible and relevant. However, that is not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to preach the cross. The purpose is to explain and instruct on the ultimate act of pure love that brings man to the point of making eternal decisions. It is through the vehicle of sacrifice that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. If your ultimate goal is to be relevant (let’s use the more sophomoric terms “cool” or “liked”). Then you’re going to be disappointed. The cross is not popular. It’s offensive…or beautiful.

Many of us are praying for revival! What is revival? Many of the revivals in the past brought true cultural transformation in portions of society. But did you know revivals often cause riots? It did in the book of Acts! And it still does today. Many historic records of past revivals in America describe a scene in which the masses are running to the front during a revival meeting to repent. However, did you know that others were running out of the meeting cursing, offended, and quite irritated?

We do not believe in ultimate salvation where everyone comes to the Father by any means necessary. No, Jesus said that those who have seen him have seen the Father. No one comes to the Father without going through him first.

Maybe your vision of reaching the lost (un-churched, pre-Christian, seeker, spiritual journeyman/woman – pick the choice that best suits your style) is presenting a church service with professional bands, smoke and lights. Personally, I love smoke and lights. Or maybe you’ve rejected such nonsense in favor of the more “post-modern” approach by going to the local pub and discussing the meaning of our existence. Or perhaps your style is building long term relationships and having access to people’s hearts. We write volumes about which approach is effective, scriptural, and relevant in 2009.

But, if you are a true follower of Jesus, eventually the conversation will go something like this: “now about the cross…”

Mike Smith, Ignite Center