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Sunday Mind Dump

• I LOVE my church!
• There is just something totally awesome about the acoustic worship we do at Meadow from time to time. Always seems to come at the right time in my life too.
• I am convinced we have the most dedicated volunteers on this planet - so selfless in their serving!
• What's happening with the REX you ask? We got an email from the seller's realtor and we should be getting a formal response to our offer tomorrow or Tuesday. KEEP PRAYING!!
• Had two people trust Christ this morning! Woo Hoo! THAT is where its at!!!!!!!!
• Automate the Important is really catching on. We have more than 3x the number of people signed up for online giving now than we did a few weeks ago.
• I'm starting to realize the importance of having an office with four walls and a door. There are times I just need to get alone and be quiet and it can't happen with the way we have the offices set up now.
• Buddy is really doing well with Flyball and I am enjoying it too. He only has a couple more classes left and hopefully he will be invited to practice with the team over the summer.
• It's hard to explain but Sunday afternoons I am just toast and need a good nap and night's sleep...it's called the "holy hangover". Sometimes it even lasts into Monday.
• I REALLY hope and pray the seller accepts our offer. We so need our own building. Growing relationships is so key to a growing church and our not having a permanent building works against that - especially on Sundays.
• Started riding my bike again for the summer. Always hard to start up - hard on my butt!!
• I am so thankful for the staff at Meadow ... Rachel, Keldon, Pat, and Lisa are a team I love serving with!
• The closer we get to the start of "My Church Rocks" on June 3rd the more pumped I get. God is really convicting me as I study and write for this series. It could be the most significant series at Meadow this year!
• Fishing opener is next week. I usually don't go out on opener. Too many crazy people who are out more to party than to fish.
• We have got the greatest realtor working with us on the REX. If all realtors were like her, we wouldn't have had a housing market collapse!
• Vision Forward group is meeting on Monday nights and working on freshening up our values, mission statement, vision statement, and strategy. This is a group of men and women who love Jesus and love Meadow - it is a real privilege to team up with them on this.
• Heading to see Avengers in 3D - gotta go. Later! 

Mark Your Calendars!!

We've got a great summer planned at Meadow - lots of FUN for the whole family!! So get your calendars out and block off the following dates. More details will come as we get closer to the actual events!

• Sunday, June 3        "My Church Rocks" series starts
• Friday, June 22        Bowling Night
• Sunday, July 1          Party Sunday
• Sunday, July 15        Barking Good Time BBQ
• Sunday, July 29        "Five Lies of the Devil" series starts
• Sunday, July 29        Chaska River City Days Parade
• Sunday, August 5     Shakopee Derby Days Parade
• Monday, August 6    MeadowKIDS VBS

We want to pray for you

It doesn't matter if you are a regular attender of Meadow Spring or not - we want to pray for you. You may have never even come to Meadow - we want to pray for you.

If you have something going on in your life and you want people to pray for you - we want to pray for you. If you know someone who needs prayer - we want to pray for them.

We have a special text number - 952-373-1445 - that you can text 24 hours a  day, seven days a week with any prayer request. That request will be received immediately by a group of people who will pray for you right then.

All requests are confidential and you don't even need to give us your name. We just want to pray for you.

I invite you to put this number in your phone contacts because if you don't need prayer today, you will need it someday and you can just pull up the number, text your request, and know people are praying for you.

So...how can we pray for you today?

Text to 952-373-1445

Guest Post by Nicole Peterson

In our emphasis on "automating the important", I asked Nicole Peterson to tell why she gives online.

Here's her story...

I started using on-line giving as soon as it became an option.  I am self-employed and when I deposit, my earnings varies just as much as the amount of my earnings. I like the flexability of tithing from my business deposits.  I have made on-line giving a part of my business acoounting routine.  

Before on-line tithing I would find checks written to church that had been in my purse for weeks on end or I wouldn't know if I had missed giving until I got a report from church.  

This works best for me.  It's just another way to keep God in the center of my life, since tithing is all about my relationship with God anyway.  Thanks for having on-line giving as an option, it really works best for me.

Thanks Nicole!

There are four ways to give at Meadow:

1. On Sundays when you attend
2. Using the postage paid envelope you receive in your Sunday program
3. Using your bank's "bill pay" feature to automatically schedule a bank check to be sent to Meadow
4. Online

Online giving is very easy, safe, secure, and confidential. You can give via direct connection to your bank account or by using your credit or debit card. You can set up a one time contribution or a regular scheduled recurring contribution. You can change the amount anytime you want and you can change the frequency anytime you want.

It really is easy.

I encourage you to try it. Here's the link: Meadow Online Giving

Your Opinion Matters

Why would anyone even be interested in giving their opinion on church values, vision, strategy, etc.? Sounds kind of boring if you ask me.

We ARE asking you because your opinion and questions matter and you can help us shape Meadow in being a more effective church that brings more people into a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ.

You see, in an effort to become more effective in who we are as a church and what we want to accomplish, a group has been meeting for a few months now to revisit and rewrite our values, vision, strategy, etc.

Here are the five values we have written and would like your opinion. Do they make sense? Are they clear? Which one or ones stand out to you?

1. Reaching those who are disinterested and dissatisfied in church through culturally relevant methods.
2. Encouraging people to be Christ-like through Biblical teaching.
3. Creating a strong community of Christ-followers who actively serve, support, and pray for each other.
4. Coming together to celebrate the greatness of God.
5. Pursuing excellence in all we do with the resources God gives us.

We meet again tonight and would value your opinions and questions.

Thanks!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Solid start to the new series - "The Perfect Kid"
• I love it when people use the text number to send prayer requests and comments during the service.
• Our term offers have been submitted to the seller of the REX but we haven't heard back yet. I hope we hear back early this week. I don't do patience very well. Correct that - I don't do patience at all!
• KEEP PRAYING about our offer submitted for the REX Theatre!!!
• Went to our first Flyball tournament this weekend. Buddy didn't compete but we took him to help acclimate him to the chaos and intense level of activity.
• Dealt with a tough subject this morning of parenting "relationship rich" kids not "relationship poor" kids.
• I've really been enjoying having my quiet times in the middle of the night. The house is so quiet and it's just me, my Bible, and Jesus.
• Offering was down this week. That always brings on a higher level of stress for me.
• I am really having a hard time not getting more excited about the REX possibility. I feel really good about the terms we are offering but the big question is what will the seller think.
• We are really hurting on the "building community" level and I believe a major contributing factor to that is not having our own building. I am sensing that more and more and more.
• Once again I am amazed at our volunteers. We have the most dedicated and selfless men and women and teens serving Christ through serving people at Meadow.
• Had a great discussion with the Vision Forward group on what are the distinguishing characteristics of Meadow and the conclusion was our spirit of volunteerism and our Sunday morning environment.
• By moving to the REX (IF it happens), we will only be able to strengthen those two distinguishing characteristics.
• KEEP PRAYING about our offer submitted for the REX Theatre!!!
• As of today, Sandy & I have been married 30 years, 4 months, and 10 days - but who's counting. Oh...and I'm still madly in love with her!
• Started writing and working on next teaching series ... "My Church Rocks" and it's looking like this will be a real life-changer! I LOVE talking about the church!
• Got an email today that reminded me that in ministry a leader needs to have tough skin but a soft heart.
• KEEP PRAYING about our offer submitted for the REX Theatre!!!
• Time for ice cream!
• Oh...one more thing ... I LOVE my church!

Tomorrow at "The Perfect Kid"

What if you could prevent making a critical error in parenting that too often every parent (including me) unintentionally makes as we raise our kids? It's an error that has an immediate and temporary positive pay-off, but in the long run has a detrimental effect on the decisions our kids make and the friends they choose.

Tomorrow at Meadow, I will be talking about that critical error and what we as parents can do to prevent it from happening in our families.

In addition to the message, we have an AWESOME time of worship planned with the following songs:

• Rain Down
• Furious
• You Never Let God
• God Is Able
• Awakening

Don't miss this kick-off to "The Perfect Kid" ... and invite your friends to come with you! 

Why I Give Via E-Check (Automatic Bank Check)

In addition to being the founding pastor of Meadow Spring, I also financially contribute. I give at least 10% of my pre-tax income to Meadow, and I wanted to share some of the reasons why.

First, I believe in the mission and vision of Meadow. I’m proud to be a part of a church that cares about reaching people far from God. I’m proud to be a part of a place where the mission is to bring people into a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ. Every time I hear a story about a family put back together or a teenager who decides to follow Christ or a man who finally gets back in church, I know that my contributions played a small part in that. People’s lives are being changed and this church is a part of that. Jesus said that our treasure would follow our heart, so because my heart is with this church, I want to financially support it.

Secondly, even though they are grown and making their own decisions now, I want to be an example to my kids. I’m tired of hearing people complain about teenagers and young adults…they are just following our example! I don’t want my kids (or others for that matter) to be selfish, to only care only about their iPads, clothes, cars, and friends. I want my kids to care about other people. That’s not gonna happen by accident…I have to be intentional about modeling that. I cannot tell them to care about others and then spend 100% of my paycheck on our own needs and wants. Parents, we’ve got to be responsible for teaching our kids to be generous, and we can’t do that if we are not generous ourselves.

Thirdly, I give because God commands me to give. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to tithe, and obedience wasn’t an option. In the New Testament, Jesus talks a lot about giving and money. Paul writes about money. He tells Christians this: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Every week, we automatically give to Meadow through our Wells Fargo "bill pay" because that honors God. We want to honor God, even when it’s difficult, even when things are tight. There have been times that we’ve gone without something, but we never cancel the contribution to Meadow.

Fourth, it helps me be consistent and faithful. Because it is an automatic check that is cut by the bank, I have it planned and everything else happens after that. God tells me my tithe is to be the first thing I do with my paycheck. Automating the Important via an e-check helps me to do that.

I do all of this online.  It’s convenient, and it keeps me from forgetting to do what’s really important to me. 

I want to encourage you to automate the important by either setting up an automatic check to be cut by your bank and sent to Meadow, or going to our website and setting up your online giving profile today. It's easy, secure, confidential, and will take you less than 5 minutes. You can give one-time or set up a recurring contribution and with summer approaching, "automating the important" will help you be consistent through the summer - even when you are gone.

Here's the link to our website online giving.... Meadow Online Giving.

Give it a try!

REX Offer - Prayer Needed!!

We had a GREAT Leadership Team meeting last night as we discussed the offer we'll be presenting in hopes of purchasing the REX Movie Theatre in Chaska. The specifics of the offer and negotiations will be kept confidential to protect the process but if you have questions, please ask! I will answer them as I can.

The formal offer will be presented sometime this Friday. We don't know when we will hear back from the seller.

WE MUST BE PRAYING!!! In fact, so critical is prayer in this that I am looking for at least 20 individuals to commit to focused and specific prayer over the next 5 days to pray for the offer being presented and the seller as he/she reviews it and responds. Of course if we have more than 20, that is even better!

If you would be interested in praying in this way, please contact me at john@meadowspring.org and I will communicate with you more specifics and regular updates over the 5 days. I know many people read this who are not regular attenders of Meadow. You don't have to be a regular attender to pray. Just contact me at john@meadowspring.org.

Guest Post from Rachel Carlson

I remember the months before Ellie, my first child was born, I was like a rocket ship ready to take off. I had spent the last 8 years working in the childcare field, if anyone, I thought, was prepared to be a mother, it was surely me. In the first 24 hours, I found out, hmmmm…maybe not. The nurses came to take Ellie out of the room to check her hearing at 3am. I cried for the whole 2 hours constantly buzzing the nurses asking when they were going to bring her back, sobbing to Tim between calls saying “They can’t just take her like that and keep her so long”. Tim learned in the 1^st 24 hours that parenting was going to mean stepping up as a supportive husband as well! He went between consoling me to laughing at me that he could already see into the future and what the 1^st day of kindergarten was going to look like (and he was right, I cried the whole 2 hours she was gone). I spent more time calling my mother and mother-in-law asking about what color things in the diaper mean, calling my friend Jena and my aunt Brenda about nursing, bothering Linda about what the right thing to do in every situation was, then I think I actually did parenting!

3 kids later, I have learned one thing, the more I think I know, the less I seem to know. I always look forward to John’s parenting series! Some may wonder “Why a parenting series at church?” Because we must regularly return to God and his Word to understand how to be loving parents. Having children stirs something in us, it motivates us to improve every aspect of our lives, even our commitments to our marriages and to the Lord. Having children often motivates parents to get right with the God. That’s amazing! I love that Meadow is commited to help bring people into a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ, support marriages and support families.

Parents have a sacred responsibility to raise our children. Parents need to walk securely in our God-given authority to raise our children. We need to trust God for the ability to parent our children and not to become discouraged. When God gave us our children, he knew that we would not be perfect parents, yet He still gave us this task. On any given day, if we looked at the immediacy of our children’s behavior and compared it with our vision for them, we could easily become discouraged. If there was ever a lesson in perseverance, parenting would be one. We have been given a great calling and gift from God to humbly pursue parenting our children.

In today’s fast paced world, we are constantly bombarded and so are our children. Families look different, marriages look different, and parenting looks different…our world is different. Parents and kids today are facing many challenges at face paced rates. Just when you think you have one thing figured out, your kids have moved on and are 3 steps ahead of you. Things you didn’t think you had to worry about until they were 16 are popping up at 12. Conversations you thought would happen at 12 are happening with their friends on the bus at 8. How do we even begin to relate to our children? The influence that we have on our children cannot be overstated. As parents, we have a huge opportunity to positively influence our children. Children will catch much more from our lives than from our words. I cannot control the world around me. But I can make personal choices in my marriage, in my home and in my faith that will influence my children greatly. As much as we hate to admit it, our children are a reflection of us. My Mom said to me the other day “I just don’t understand how she turned out this way” speaking of her granddaughter…I busted a gut. “Really?” I said, “Have you met her mother? Furthermore, have you met my mother????” She didn’t think it was so funny; I am still laughing! Which might only go to prove that parenting never ends.

My desire with this series is that Meadow can help equip parents with God-given tools to help them raise their children and grow in their faith. If we take our responsibility seriously, we will experience God’s blessings. Parenting is indeed an adventure of faith. 

 

Looking for The Perfect Kid?

Are you looking for The Perfect Kid?

Facing challenges raising your kids? Are there times you wish you could just walk into a store and purchase The Perfect Kid? Life would be so much easier. Welcome to parenting, and no, it doesn't get any easier.

We love our kids from the moment they take their first breath and we want to be the best parents possible. We provide for them, love them, direct them, carry them, pay for them - but let's be honest, some of life's highest highs and lowest lows are often associated with parenting and trying to be the best parents possible.

When you combine the ages of my two kids, I theoretically have 47 years of parenting experience under my belt. If you add my wife's 47 years to that, the two of us have a combined 94 years of parenting experience (theoretically!).  That means we should know what it takes to be a great parent - right? Truth is, we have made a lot of mistakes and look back and now see things we would do differently if we had the chance.

There lies the frustrating part - we don't get a second chance at parenting. It is an "on-the-job" learning and training experience. You really don't know how to parent a 12 year old until you have a 12 year old in your house. And if you have multiple kids, each kid is different so parenting one child one way doesn't always work for parenting another child the same way.

That's why we are launching a four-week series on parenting and building stronger families beginning this Sunday, April 29th at 9:30 am.

In this four-week teaching series, you will hear how we tend to pursue great experiences with our kids at the unintentional expense of developing solid and life-altering relationships. You will learn just how much influence you as a parent can have on your child's life today and who they will be tomorrow. You will also discover what to do when a good kid goes bad.

This series is obviously for parents. Parents of every child - young and old. It is also for grandparents, couples who want to have kids, and singles who want to get married and raise a family. In other words, this series is for everyone!

For more information, directions, and a short video trailer visit www.MeadowSpring.org

BTW...if you could list some of the top joys of parenting and some of the top frustrations of parenting - what would they be? What's your experience? What have you done right? What would you do differently if you could? I'd like to hear your opinions!

See you Sunday!

Sunday Mind Dump

• Solid morning - I think.
• Messages on money are always hard to gauge reactions.
• I could feel the tension this morning - good tension but it was tense.
• As tense as it was for people, I was probably 100x as tense! I knew I was going to be stepping on some toes and creating tension.
• Kicked off the service with one of my favorite songs - "Let It Rise" - that song so totally rocks!
• Easter Special Offering: $18, 015.00
• Six month commitments: $64,164.00
• I am so totally amazed and proud of everyone at Meadow Spring and their sacrificial generosity!
• Today was Volunteer Appreciation Sunday and hands down, our volunteers are absolutely awesome!
• I love reading the prayer requests and comments on the Communication Cards - real people, real hurts, real requests.
• Buddy started training on "the box" at Flyball training. This is one of the toughest parts of Flyball to train.
• I made a set of jumps and a training "shoot" that simulates a box. We'll set it all up in the back yard for training.
• Leadership Team meeting is this Tuesday evening to discuss our offer on the REX. Please pray!
• I started having my quiet time early in the morning and not early as 6 am early.  I mean early as in 2 am early when I wake up and can't go back to sleep, I'm getting up to spend time alone with God reading the Bible and praying. I'm really enjoying it.
• Starting new series next Sunday - "The Perfect Kid". Pumped about it! Go to www.MeadowSpring.org for a preview video.
• Make sure you invite your friends and neighbors and fellow parents - this series is going to ROCK!
• Started emphasizing "Automate the Important" today and 9 people requested more info! That's awesome!
• I'm sending out an important email tomorrow - if you don't get it, let me know. It means I don't have your email address.
• Next Sunday - every kid that checks into MeadowKIDS get free ice cream PLUS all elementary kids will be coming in the theatre with their parents for worship time!
• Time for some popcorn!
• Later

My church rocks because...

You're walking down the street wearing a "My Church Rocks" tshirt and someone walks up to you and says, "Oh yeah? Tell me, why DOES your church rock?"

You say...

FREE Ice Cream for Your Kids!

Kids love ice cream (I love ice cream!) and on Sunday, April 29th, every kid who comes and checks into MeaowKIDS will get a coupon for free ice cream!

Why are we giving out free ice cream? It's just a cool way to kick-off a new teaching series on parenting and building strong families called "The Perfect Kid" (check out this 60 second video HERE). While raising the perfect kid is actually impossible, we will be looking at what the Bible say about how you can be a better parent.

My messages will be:

• April 29th: MY Walk
• May 6th: Three Questions Every Parent Should Ask
• May 13th: When My Kids Come Home
• May 20th: When a Good Kid Goes Bad

PLUS...starting on this Sunday, all elementary kids will come into the theatre to be with their parents for the worship time and then be dismissed to their classes before the message. I am PUMPED about this as families will be able to worship together! So parents, be sure to check your elementary kids in and bring them into the theatre with you!

If you have any questions, contact Rachel at rachel@meadowspring.org.

Oh...and make sure you invite all your neighbors to come too!

Thank you Rachel

Five years ago today, Rachel Carlson joined the staff team at Meadow and it has never been the same since. Okay...so she sucks at math - but fortunately, addition and subtraction are not high on the "required" list for what she does. What she does do is amazing as she leads our Family Ministry.

She is a true leader who invests her time into the ministry of leading leaders and loving kids and teens. Aside from the grace of God, the vibrancy of our kids ministry and the relational strength of our teen ministry is due to her leadership and heart. She loves Jesus, loves kids, loves teens, and loves Meadow - that is the perfect combination for who she is and what she does.

She and her family have made tremendous sacrifices in the last 5 years in order to see the kingdom of God grow and prosper through our Family Ministry at Meadow. It only takes a few minutes with her to hear her heart passion for families to be strong in their relationship with Jesus.

Thank you Rachel for 5 great years of ministry and partnership. I look forward to the next 5 (and the next 5 and the next 5 and the next...)! It has been a real joy to serve with you at Meadow!

Sunday Mind Dump

• A good solid day at Meadow.
• One word ... "volunteers" - Wow! We have the most dedicated volunteers I've ever known!
• I got to the movie theatre extra early today and saw them in action. I am totally impressed with all they do ... running cables, setting up staging and lights and stage designs and speakers and tables and mixers and computers and cameras and backdrop and signs and projectors and screens and chairs and making coffee and cutting & setting out bagels.
• And that's all BEFORE 9:15 am!!!
• THEN...after the service, they tear it all down again! No doubt Meadow volunteers are heroes!
• Is it muggy outside or is it just me?
• Still adding up the numbers from the Imagine Special Easter Offering - so far it is awesome!
• Today, I was reminded of how being portable does not encourage "hang out" time after the service. This is a major reason we need our own facility - so we won't be rushed to get out of the building.
• Fixed grilled asparagus for lunch - yum!
• Still trying to get used to the new offices. It will work for the temporary, but I think I'm gonna feel like I'm studying in a storage room.
• Got a new copier in this week! Sweet piece of technology!
• Did I mention how awesome our volunteers are?
• We'll be having a Leadership Team meeting in the next couple weeks to discuss making an offer for the REX. Start praying NOW!!
• Let's ask God to give the seller a heart for the church.
• Buddy had another great night of Flyball training. After only three weeks, he's pretty much ready for training on the "box" which is a major element of Flyball.
• I've built a set of Flyball jumps to set up in the backyard so we can train and race during the week at home.
• Confession...I'm in a prayer slump in terms of spending extended time in focused, uninterrupted prayer. I'd appreciate your prayers.
• Another solid offering today. Always amazed at what Meadowites give. God is planting seeds and lives are being changed.
• Starting a new series on parenting and building solid families in two weeks called "The Perfect Kid". I love talking about God's truth for families!
• "My Church Rocks" starts first Sunday in June - already brainstorming some cool things for that series including t-shirts!
• The closer it gets to making an offer on the REX, the more excited I get BUT I need to be realistic and not count on it as a done deal yet.  We have a long way to go before - or even if - it happens.
• Later!

Buddy's new hobby - Flyball

We've been bitten by the Flyball bug and we are lovin' it!

What is Flyball? It's a relay race for dogs where they race down a straight course, jump over four jumps, grab a ball that is ejected from a "box", and then race back over the four jumps to the start/finish line where the next dog does the same thing. There are four dogs per heat and two teams race each other simultaneously.

Check out this video ... Dogs Gone Wild

We're getting in weekly training sessions at Bloomington Obedience Training Club. We've only been to two training sessions with Buddy but he seems to be catching on primarily because he loves to run and loves balls. Here's a short video of Buddy from last week's training session.

 

Today I will be building a set of jumps and an adjustable training "chute" which will help Buddy in training during the week at home.

Stay tuned for more video and updates!

Go Buddy!

Awestruck

Sunday, April 22^nd will be a significant Sunday for us as I announce the totals of our recent emphasis on the last 6 months of our Imagine campaign and our desire to purchase the REX Movie Theatre in Chaska. As of the writing of this, I don’t know the total yet because we are still receiving offerings and commitments in the mail plus we are extending the Special Easter Offering through this Sunday.

I am awestruck by the sacrificial offerings and commitments given so far! I don't know the total of the Special Easter Offering yet, but I can say what we have had come in exceeds what I was praying for!! Wow! I say...Wow!

I have been so thankful these past few weeks for the stories and sacrifices I know many are making. And to hear the stories of how God is already outgiving the givers is absolutely amazing!

The three most significant elements of these past few weeks?

• Baptizing two men who were publicly proclaiming that they are now followers of Christ!
• Seeing one person surrender their life to Jesus on Easter weekend!
• Hearing the story of another man who gave his life to Christ almost two years ago and has not even thought about suicide since then!
• Hearing the story of a woman who has learned through the teaching at Meadow to take joy in the trials of her life because it grows her faith!

There is no doubt God is at work at Meadow – your church! And regardless of the amount of our Special Easter Offering or the financial commitments that were made for over the next 6 months, these four elements represent what we are all about – bringing people into a refreshing relationship with Jesus Christ!

If you have not already made your financial commitment or given to the Special Easter Offering, I encourage you to do so today or this Sunday. You should have gotten a commitment card and Special Easter Offering envelope in the mail. If you need another one, let me know. We have a few extras.

You can also give online via a credit or debit card by going HERE and following the easy instructions at the bottom of the page.

As I think about what is happening, I continue to be overwhelmed with your commitment to our vision to be a church for those who are not in church and do not have a refreshing relationship with Christ. It is obvious you are committed to building God’s church!

My mind continues to go to Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20, “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”

See you Sunday!

 

Amazed & Honored

Unless you've been hiding underneath a rock, you are fully aware of our dream, prayer, hopes, and pursuit of purchasing the REX Theatre in Chaska. While we still have some major corners to turn, there are two words that kept coming to my mind today as I went for a walk...

Amazed ... I am amazed at the vision of those who attend and call Meadow their church home. I am amazed at the generosity of giving. I am amazed at the level of faith as people pray, serve, and give toward the purchase of the REX. I am amazed at the financial gifts some are trusting God to provide because I know their financial situation doesn't realistically support what they are committing to give. I am amazed at the stories that come to me of how God is blessing people who are giving beyond what they could ever dream proving the pay-off is always greater than the sacrifice and that you can't outgive God!

Honored ... I am honored to be a part of a God movement called Meadow Spring. I am honored to be one of so many who are financially sacrificing and contributing. I am honored to offer my financial sacrifice. I am honored to deny myself a few earthly pleasures in order to contribute. I am honored to be called a Meadowite. I am honored to use my gift to build God's kingdom at Meadow. I am honored (and humbled) that God would allow me to be part of such a God-thing.

Lastly...if you have given and financially committed to our pursuit of purchasing the REX - I say thank you from the depths of my heart. From those same depths, I urge you - if you have not yet financially committed to be a part of this - to step forward and sacrificially give and offer what may seem small to you but combined with everyone else's faith and giving at Meadow amounts to huge possibilities.

You can give toward our pursuit of the REX online using a credit or debit card by going HERE and following the link at the bottom of the page.

Be a part of something great. Be a part of something only God can do. Experience and share in my amazement and honor!

Our Values

Over the last couple months, a group of Meadowites have been getting together to revisit our values, mission, methods, and strategy.

The first task we have tackled is to come up with the core values Meadow stands for. Below is the "draft" of five values. These are in working condition which means they are not in order or in their final form yet. But we'd like to know what you think?

Are they easily understood? What, in your opinion, does each one mean and respresent? Is anything missing?

1. Reaching the unchurched through culturally relevant methods.
2. Encouraging people to be Christ-like through Biblical teaching.
3. Creating a strong community of Christ-followers who actively serve, support, and pray for each other.
4. Coming together to celebrate the greatness of God.
5. Pursuing excellence in all we do with the resources God gives us.

Our next meeting is Monday, April 23 at 8:00 pm in the church office center. All who want to assist in evaluating these values and spending time in focused prayer for Meadow are welcome. Email me at john@meadowspring.org for more info.