"What we have done, we're not gonna keep doing," Mark Beeson told us this weekend. With 5,000+ people attending weekend services, most would hardly see GCC as a broken system!
In my pre-GCC life, we were members of another church that my family started attending when I was in high school. Years later, both Jeff and I served as elders in that church. It was a great place. Great people. Great pastor.
The dreams were small. We had 300 people on our membership rolls with 150 attending. One goal was to get those on our rolls to attend - to have 250 people attending each Sunday! We hoped for great attendance at Vacation Bible School with kids whose parents didn't attend our church - maybe their parents would come see their kids sing at Sunday service! Those weren't bad dreams, but the perspective was different.
For 21 years, Mark Beeson dreamed to get the community in the church - big dream! For 24 years, I worked at AT&T and dreamed of retiring with health care benefits - small dream. I am so grateful to be on this team - big goals, big vision, big dreams!
We will be launching 3 new locations this fall! More than 50% of the population in Michiana does not attend church...ever. The dream is huge - to get the church in the community!
We live on the south side of South Bend, a 25 minute drive from current site. We've already decided. We'll be attending GCC - where we are!
I love hearing this! It's great!
Posted by: Rindy | February 13, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I love this this plan I think its a great idea. But I think I am finding I have seperation anxiety and that I dont want to attend anywhere else. I understand services will be the same. Is this wrong for me to feel that I would still drive to Granger even if there was one closer?
Posted by: Miki | February 13, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Your question is one that many will have. It is absolutely not wrong of you to feel separation anxiety! Change is difficult. You will not be forced or guilted to attend a different location - not at all!
We have made a decision, but we understand that our decision won't be everyone's decision. That is really ok!
Additionally, the intent of this post was not to encourage others to make a decision now. Great decisions come from gathering information. There are still a lot of questions to be answered.
I encourage you and others to not make a decision yet. Relax in the comfort that you will not be judged. Listen as plans unfold over the months ahead. Consider. Pray. Decide.
Thanks Miki - I love your heart and your commitment to GCC!
Posted by: Kathy Guy | February 14, 2008 at 07:32 AM
I'm so excited about this! Higher Standards for the Arts and everyone, but what a high calling. It reminds me of the parable of the lost coin. I love how we're never content to sit still around here until we reach more people! What an awesome form of discontent!
Posted by: Kristin Baker | February 15, 2008 at 08:49 AM