5 Thoughts for NMC

Thought #1 - The story is much more than the staff.
I met with one of our SOAR intern's college supervisor this Summer.  As we sat in the Fieldhouse, he said, "So you are a church of 2500+ in a small town, tons of ministry and outreach going on, how did this all happen?" I get this type of question a lot.
I will be quick to point out the fantastic leadership of our Senior Pastor and the significant tenure of many pastors on staff (4 at 20+ years, another 5 at 10+ years).  But, I will also say that the greater story of NMC has to be the dads, moms, teens, businessmen & women, teachers, stay-at-home moms, who have leveraged their gifts talents and abilities for the sake or our mission.  YOU are the story.

Thought #2 - We have been blessed, now we are called to be a blessing.
One of the biggest reasons I have sought to lead our Student Ministries to pursue initiatives like Maasai Night, Kids In Need, or Teens and Trafficking is that I want our students to take the incredible blessing they are living under and bless others.
Luke 12:48 - From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Thought #3 - If the building gets taken out, we better still meet.
We are blessed with a pretty awesome facility.  Yet, the church is not the building... it's the people.

Thought #4 -  If your a parent, say thanks to the volunteers investing in your kids/students.
I get a lot of thanks from parents for investing in their student.  I really appreciate those thanks, but the truth is that my investment in students is significantly less than our Small Group Leaders and Youth Class Teachers.  They are the "hands on" people at NMC Student Ministries and NMC Children's Ministry are the volunteers.  When you pick up your kid from the Depot, be sure to say thanks!  When you see your student's Small Group Leader, let him/her know your appreciation.

Thought #5 - If you aren't serving, it's time!
The health of this church inside and outside it's walls is directly proportionate to the amount of people choosing to be participants in God's Kingdom over being spectators of God's Kingdom.  We desperately need Male Workshop and Small Group Leaders in Student Ministries.  Children's Minsitry can always us more teens and adults willing to invest in our kids.  GET IN THE GAME!

You know, I wonder if any of you reading this thought one of my thoughts would be "OUR GREATEST DAYS ARE JUST AHEAD?"  Well, it wasn't, but I do believe it's true.