Sefton Village 2009

What's been happening at the best place in the world...

Church Hopping

I was reading Roger Blackmore's blog today and came across this article about church hopping. Someone was talking to me today about a church that was growing so fast ... but mostly by Christians who wanted a change and wanted a new scene. This is common the world over. Seems like these are a million excuses to leave a church and any one will do. But anyway ...

These are the top ten things church hoppers say, as listed in Bob Franquiz’s excellent book, Zero To Sixty

1. “But my old church…” This usually means they want your church to be like their old church.

2. “I just need time to be fed.” This means, “I don’t want to do anything. I’m here just to sit and see what I can get out of this church, so don’t expect me to serve in any way, shape, or form.

3. “I’m looking for a church that teaches the Word.” This means, “I’m looking for a church that dispenses lots of information without challenging me to do anything.”

4. “We came here because we are looking for deep teaching.” This usually means their last church focused too much on actually obeying the Word. They want a church that just talks about the Rapture, the Second Coming, who the Hittites were and the identity of Theophilus.

5. “I should know my pastor.” This means, “In my last church, I got to know the pastor, but when the church grew, and the pastor couldn’t have dinner with us every Tuesday night, I left and came here.”

6. “We want a church that’s focused on discipling people.” This means, “I want a church that’s focused on me, not people who are lost.”

7. “I wish you wouldn’t focus so much on what people need to do.” This means they don’t like commitment, they don’t like to be told the Bible actually tells them how to live and follow Jesus. They want to come to church, live in their sin and have no one tell them this is wrong.

8. “I wish you wouldn’t talk about money.” This is the best way to tell a pastor “I don’t give.”

9. “My old church/pastor was…” The way people come to your church is how they will leave. If your first conversation with them is all about their last church and pastor, that is how they will leave your church and how they will go to their next church.

10. “Pastor, I’ve been talking to a lot of people and they all say…” Translation: “Me, my spouse and my mother think…” If they start this way, 99.9% of the time they have no one else who thinks this way, it is just the best way to complain. If someone has a complaint and uses this line with me, they need to list all of the names or my best assumption is they talked to the same person 10 times.

Mmmm ... sounds familiar! If we only moved when God said move we would always be in the right pace in the right time.

Rachel's Back ...

Hi everyone. Right now it is ultra busy at Sefton Village. This weekend we celebrate 10 years of the KMGLC school ... should be a great occasion. We also are opening our newest Cornerstone Church in Sta. Monica. It's all go!

We have a team here from Rotherham New Life. We are having a wonderful time with them and I have asked one of the team - Rachel Fields - to write a Guest blog for me. Rachel was here 18 months ago when she was a student at Mattersey. She is a wonderful lady and has a great attitude & spirit. Here is what she is thinking ...

"Wow, back in the Philippines 18 months later. It is great to be back and see the wonderful people of Sefton Village!

We are a team from Rotherham New Life Christian Centre with 3 adults and three 16 and under girls. We have come out with a view to serve the people of Sefton, but we have been so blessed being here with the generosity of the people here.

We have been here since Monday morning.. and thrown ourselves into the programme that Sefton village would normally carry out on a weekly basis. Feeding Programmes, Street Pastors, School Assemblies, Bible College Chapel Service, Praying for the sick in a local hospital, visiting a local prison… and this has only been three days.

The most incredible thing about Sefton has been the incredible number of ministries that have started up in the last 18 months. I was impressed last year when I came, because they were extending the Kingdom of God more than I could ever imagine, now they have just blown my brains away with, Echague, St Mateo, Elementary School, the radio station is being built.. (I don’t know the rest, but I am sure there is plenty more) oh and of course 2 new churches planted in the last couple of weeks and one more this Saturday!

I am amazed that got has enlarged the territory of Sefton Village in turn Sefton Village is extending the Kingdom of God!

The three teenage girls have experienced somethings they have never experienced before. My husband Stephen is experiencing his first ever missions trip (what a place to start!!!!) and Stephen Chambers, a senior leader from RNL has come back again this year!!

Pray for us as we continue to minister through the next week!!"

Thanks Rachel. Will get some pictures posted soon!

Talk soon ... goodnight!