This coming Sunday, October 2, is going to be an exciting day of worship and celebration in response to what God is doing in and through our church.  We’ve spent the last 4 weeks breaking apart our mission statement a phrase at a time to learn what it means to be disciples who Rely on the Holy Spirit to Love God Radically, Serve Others Compassionately, and Lead People To Jesus.

The question is not “is this the kind of disciple you are today?”  The question is, “is this the kind of disciple you want to become?”  October 2 is the day to go All In!  Yes, it’s uncomfortable.  Yes, it’s uncertain.  Yes, there’s an element of unknown.  And those are all good things.  Those things drive us to depend on the Holy Spirit.

This series has been less about who we are as a church and more about who we are called to be as individual disciples of Jesus.  Because ultimately, who we are individually is who we will become corporately.

This Sunday, you will have an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment and partnership to Center Pointe if you’re currently a partner.  OR…you will have an opportunity to join the Center Pointe family if you’re not.  You will have the opportunity to fill out an All In card and sign our new mission statement signs that will be hung in a prominent location in the building.  And for you analytics (like me), this is not a legal document.  It’s simply a symbolic act of affirming our commitment to the mission in a spirit of unity.

If you’ve not been baptized, come ready on Sunday to take care of that.  There’s no greater statement of being All In than baptism.  That’s what it meant to be all in in the New Testament.  Baptism is that moment where we die to ourselves, are buried in the water, and are raised to walk a new life in Christ.  It’s a statement to the world that you’re All In!

Lastly, remember that we are concluding our building campaign this Sunday.  We have collected about $180,000 of the $261,000 that was committed last December.  We understand that your circumstances may have changed, so please don’t feel obligated if you’re unable to fulfill your commitment.  However, if you are able, we hope that you will come ready to do that on Sunday.  And if you didn’t make a commitment, but would like to help us finish strong, we ask that you give as the Lord has blessed you.  If you are writing one check for both the general fund and the campaign, please designate on your check the appropriate amount to each.

I can’t wait to celebrate with you on Sunday.  But more than that, I look forward to being All In with you on this incredible, uncomfortable, and impossible without the Spirit, journey toward fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission to love God, serve others, and lead people to Jesus.

All In,

Shawn

This September, we’re launching into a new series called All In.  We’re going to spend 4 weeks going through our new mission statement phrase by phrase so that we are all on the same page with what it means to Love God Radically, Serve Others Compassionately, and Lead People to Jesus.  In fact, this sermon series will serve as our Starting Pointe material...not just for new people who want to partner with Center Pointe, but for those of us who have been long-time partners as well. 

Starting Pointe is a requirement for anyone who wants to join our church because we believe it’s vitally important that people make an informed decision.  Joining forces with a local church is an important step for every Christ follower and we believe it’s only fair to let people know what to expect when they join Center Pointe...and what’s expected of them.

And that’s what we’re seeking to do in this new sermon series...for everyone.  We want you to make an informed decision about what it means to be a part of Center Pointe going forward.  Our new mission is not about what we do (such as seek, study, serve, and share), it’s about who we are as sold out, committed followers of Jesus.

Unity was so important to Jesus, that he prayed for it in John 17.  Unity was so important to Paul that he addresses in letters to multiple churches in the New Testament.  And unity is important to us.  We want to be on the same page, with the same heart, the same spirit, the same attitude, the same mission, moving in the same direction.  

So, don’t miss this September.  Be here for all 4 Sundays.  If you miss a Sunday, you can watch online.  And on Sunday, October 2, we’re going to celebrate our new mission and we’re going to celebrate our unity with an All In day.  On that day, you will have an opportunity to be all in at Center Pointe.  Whether you’ve been a partner for 15 years, 15 months, or 15 days, we’re asking you to re-commit on October 2.  If you’re not a partner, you’ll have the opportunity to join the Center Pointe family that day.  If you haven’t been baptized, you need to take that step to be all in.  You can come ready to do that on October 2, or anytime before then.

If you have questions about baptism or how to get connected, we’re offering both of those classes on September 18 and 25.  The baptism class will be offered at 8:30 a.m.  and the Next Steps class will be offered at 10:00.  Each class is only one week, so choose the date that works best for you.  If neither date works, call the office and we’d be glad to set up a time to talk with you about baptism or getting connected.

I’m looking forward to a great fall together.  I’m excited about what God is doing and His hand is evident in everything that’s going on within our church.  The Holy Spirit is paving the way for a great harvest, and as I told you a few months ago, I’m enthusiastically uncomfortable.  It’s a privilege to serve this church and to serve alongside of such great and godly people.  I’m ALL IN!  Who’s with me?

On the Journey,

Shawn