When I was in 6th and 7th Grade I had a growth spurt. I sprouted 3-4 inches (but then stopped!) and my baby fat turned to muscle (too bad it is back on its way to fat!). It was an exciting time. Because of my size and strength I could do more and had a bigger impact when I did things. I was growing into my potential and it was exciting.
There also was a difficult side to it. I was moving into the unknowns of manhood and that can be confusing and scary. As my body changed, I didn’t always understand it or feel comfortable (remember the 1st time you shaved?). And not least of my problems was that I was growing out of my clothes.
We, as a church, are in a growth spurt. It is awesome to see lots of people start a new relationship with Jesus, and others to reconnect like the prodigal son. I am deeply encouraged when I see people step up in a new way by joining a small group, helping in a ministry, or begin to give a tithe regularly. We have a new service and it’s doing great. In fact all of our sites are doing the best they have ever done.
But growth means change and change can be uncomfortable. It may be harder to find a parking spot or sit where you want to sit. You may not know as many people as you think you should. I am trying to memorize everyone’s name but it is getting harder and harder every week (we have 1000 people at the Syracuse site alone).
So here is what I am going to ask you to do as we continue to connect more people to this community of faith:
- Work hard to introduce yourself to people you don’t know.
- Sit closer to the front and in the middle of the rows (It gives us more space for new people).
- If at the Syracuse site, park in back. And if you go to the 10:50, consider going to the 9:10 service since there is an imbalance in size.
- Pray. We need to power and presence of Jesus more now than ever.
It is an exciting time as God moves in our midst. What do you think about it?




