Setting Pace for the Nation

As most of you know, we are an extraordinary church when it comes to Small Group participation. Barna Research Group states that the average church in America has 23% of its congregation actively participating in small groups. Over the last three years Greenbrier has averaged 76% of our congregation actively involved in community with one another. I believe we have this deep level of commitment to each other because we make the intentional choice to be in each other’s lives extending God’s love in service. What an amazing blessing it is for us to have such a strong culture of connectivity and accountability!

We are blessed to have small groups in Powerkids, CrosStone, Propel, and Adults. From the very young to the young at heart, Greenbrier instills the value of being in community with one another. I am thankful our children grow up realizing the importance of building a strong relationship with God and each other. What a rich heritage we impart to our children. Praise God for all the awesome teachers who give and give and give to bless our children.

Next time you are at church, spend some time looking at our Small Group wall. You will see the faces of servant leaders. Take a few minutes to pray for our leaders who accept the challenge each week to prepare themselves to minister to the rest of us. As a pastor, I thank God for those that share my heart to lead others in a growing relationship with God.

The Reason We Do What We Do

Many people ask us: Why do you help the homeless? How can you be around those people? We hear statements like: They smell bad. They drink, take drugs and live on the street. They need to solve their own problems. They are ruining the neighborhood. They are in trouble with the law.

I thought I would share why we are working with the homeless and why it does not bother us to be around them. Yes most of them smell bad. Yes some of them are alcoholics, drug addicts, even prostitutes. Yes they have issues in their lives. And some of them are in trouble with the law. The truth is God created all of them in the same image as you and I. He loves them the same as He loves you and me. Jesus hung on the cross for them as much as He did for you and me.

We all have problems in our lives. No one is perfect or has it all together. The poor lifestyle these people are living is a result of bad decisions and unforeseen events. The problems they are dealing with are out in the open and more evident than many other people. But they are still loved by God!

As a Christian it is our responsibility to reach out to whomever God places in our life. For this moment God has given us the street people in Portsmouth. As Pastor Eric’s sermon on Jonah demonstrated that it is not about us, it is about God’s plan for someone else. God wants to involve us in His plan to reach out to people and bring God’s love, peace and mercy to them. I look at them as wounded, broken and in need of repair. I cannot fix all of their problems. I can tell them about God. I can allow God’s love in my life to overflow into their lives. How can I look down at them when God looks at them in the same way he looks at me?

There is no magic formula or credentials required to reach out to people. The only thing required is our willingness to ask God to use us and allow Him to direct us. We must be obedient when God gives us a direction to go, even if we feel uncomfortable or unprepared. God already knows our strengths and weaknesses so when He asks us to do something He will take care of the details. So for this time in our life God has given us the street people in Portsmouth. This is our Nineveh. What is your Nineveh?

(Email excerpt from Living It small group member – Tina Jones)

Men of 24 – Outreach Project

Calling ALL men @ Greenbrier. We have the opportunity to complete the improvements at the community center at Geneva Mobile Home park. You will receive an email in the next few days from the leaders of Men of 24 who are spearheading the completion of this project. We have targeted October 11th and 18th as potential dates to have work teams assembled. It is amazing what we can do when we come together with single focus to do good and glorify God.

Keep your eyes open and check your inbox for more details. Whether you have specialized skills or can just barely swing a hammer, you can join the team.

It’s LAUNCH time!

Our church is made up of great people. We are great people who love to be in relationship with one another. That’s why I am looking forward to our small group launch this Sunday, September 7th and next Sunday, September 14th as well. You will have the opportunity to sign up for the small group of your choosing. I want to encourage you to find a group. It’s the best way to find community. It’s also a wonderful place to use the gifts God has given you. Some of the highlights of my experience @ Greenbrier have taken place in a small group. I found life-long friends, new insights/perspectives, and a safe place to walk out my faith.

Next time you are in church, look to your left and then to your right. The people around you need your gift and life experience. Guess what, you need them as much as they need you.

If you need help selecting the “right” small group for you or your family, please come see me.