New Series TRUE(ISH) Begins January 3

God’s truth is black and white and even though there is no gray area, that’s where so many of us live today. We prefer to live by the concepts or facts we wish to be true, rather than those known to be true…the gray area. Join us as we learn to navigate the space between True and True(ish).

Congratulations to Central Student Ministries (CSM)

Yesterday, Sunday, October 18, 2009 – Ginger and I had the privilege of hosting an afternoon BBQ for those who have helped with our Youth Ministry from Central Assembly. We had a house full of those who make it happen each week. Congratulations to Pastor Josh and Evie for their first anniversary of CSM. We appreciate you and all of those you have partnered with. Let’s continue to pray for amazing months ahead for our leaders!!

Praise Report

Not sure if you are part of Life Groups yet. One thing we encourage as we are developing our friendships and studying the Bible is prayer. We are a church that believes in prayer — AND PRAISE. Here is a new report of answered prayer. To God be the glory!

From Johanna: My sister Ana got the job we prayed for last night in LG……Praise the Lord!!

Oh, did you know you can leave us a prayer request from this website? It’s under the CONNECT tab at the top.

A Place for Everyone

WE MEET EACH SUNDAY AT 10:30 AM.

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Real People, Real Faith, Real Hope!

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Can You See Him Series Begins September 13

Student Ministries Pastor Josh Herndon Featured as Guest Blogger

GUEST POST: Youth Ministry Made From Scratch

At the beginning of the month was my first year at my first ministry position. Thirteen months ago there were no teens in the church and no youth department in place. One year later, I have some wins and losses, and some pieces of advice for those starting a youth ministry from scratch:

1. You may come in with an arsenal full of ideas, or you may be whimpering at the very thought of someone calling you “pastor”. Regardless, as you walk through those church doors in your first days, don’t talk too much. If you listen closely and ask the right questions, you can find more direction than if you arrogantly or nervously stumble through your ministry philosophy or your 12-point plan to save the world.

2. Students are not the “X Factor” in a healthy, thriving ministry; parents are. Remember, only a fraction of your students have the potential to drive, and a fraction of them have jobs. Meaning, unless all of your teenagers are within walking distance and love fundraisers, parents are still their lifelines to any formal gathering you will ever have. So spend time with parents and get to know them because when you get parents to believe in your vision and heart for their kids, they will not only support their kids being a part of the ministry but they will invest in it themselves. Don’t neglect parents; they’re your responsibility too.

3. It’s normal; you want to see results from your ministry. But watch out because wanting results in any timeframe you would consider to be fair (anytime between day one and year one) makes you do stupid things. Like a baker who bakes a pie at twice the recommended heat in half the time, you (and your students) will be engulfed in flames of failure. You cannot expect to turn up the intensity of your ministry and expect results in half the time. Relationship building is a brutally slow process. Don’t expect results for a very, very long time.

4. Starting something from scratch has a huge advantage: you don’t need to clean up someone else’s mess (instead, you can make your own). You have complete freedom to be creative and really make your ministry unique. Don’t let any program be grandfathered in because it’s what has been done. Experiment. If it doesn’t work, hit the “reset” button and try something else. You have a rare window to try something new before habits and traditions are made. Live it up.

5. Distractions are everywhere and they come in forms of what you have (lame facilities and the awkward kid no one likes) and what you wish you had (Saddleback’s “The Refinery” and super student-worship-leader at the neighboring youth group). But as a Shepherd of your flock, it’s your responsibility to cherish the students you have and not envy the ones you don’t. Challenge that student, pour into him or her, and love that one as if they alone are the reason you accepted your calling.

It’s hard work, but remember that everything from cooking to student ministries are made from scratch.

Josh Herndon is a rookie youth ministry planter in El Sobrante, CA.

Listen to the Podcast

Did you miss service on Sunday. We’re sad you did, but did you know you can catch up on the message? Just listen online or subscribe to the Real Hope Podcast. You can click here to go directly to the podcast page. It is found on the menu above under “Resources.”

This will especially come in handy as you prepare for our upcoming Life Groups. They will all be sermon based. In other words, our discussion at each Life Group will focus on the previous Sunday message. Enjoy!

Prayer List

Now you can view our current prayer list. Check out the top menu — it’s under the “CONNECT” tab.

If you have a prayer request, please email it to tim@revtim.com .

You can also send in your prayer request answers, and/or praise reports. To God be the glory!

Verna Calder

Check the comments to see an update to this post.

Verna Calder had both knees replaced on Thursday, July 2, 2009.

After visiting this morning, she is doing very well. Verna is at Kaiser in Oakland, room 724A. Please keep her in your prayers. She may need some meals prepared, so if someone wants to take on coordination of that, let me know by emailing or calling.

Email: tim@revtim.com

Phone: 510-275-4011

Teen Challenge Outreach

Here is what Ginger wrote to our Worship Team:
“You all did an excellent job at Teen Challenge Saunday evening.  It was such an honor to play and pray with you all.  I was so moved as I watched our church totally bless the socks off the guys at Teen Challenge.  Very cool stuff.  Teen Challenge members are still talking about the service.  They truely were blessed.   I just got off the phone with one of the guys over there.  I guess we left a set of keys and a little fan.  If these items are yours, please let me know so we can make arrangements to get them to you.   A big thanks to Daniel Bernal.  Way to be used of God.  And a big thanks to Nancy for asking if she could be a part of this ministry and then singing her heart out for about two hours.  What an awesome example – when you make yourself available – God will use you.  You are the best.”