Epic Life Weekend Journal
Averi, Keith and I met yesterday to discuss how we can better develop our Sunday weekend journal.
We all agree that the goal for this is not to be a ‘bulletin’ that people receive and look at for an hour and half during Sunday worship, and stuff into their Bibles or throw in the trash. The goal is for it to be more than a place for people to take notes- for it to be more of a publication than a ‘bulletin’, and to be a tool to help people grow and establish a commitment to study and spiritual development.
So, here are our ideas-
This will be a monthly ‘publication’, instead of a weekly bulletin. We will give it out at the beginning of each month to the Epic Life crew, and ask that they be responsible for bringing it back- and using it throughout the week to reflect.
The content will include Keith’s discussion title for the coming four Sundays, an expose, story, thought, or overview from him about what he will be sharing with us, Scripture written out fully in relation to the topic, some reflection questions to look at personally and to discuss with your house church, and an area for journaling your thoughts.
Some other ideas were to use Averi’s photography skills more to develop ‘Epic Lives’ profiles- sharing stories of people within the faith community and along Aurora, having some ‘fill-in-the-blank’ type of interaction for people who are a little more right-brained, and having some ministry ’spotlights’ throughout the journal that highlight different ministries and what they are doing within Epic- and how peeps can get more involved.
The goal for the journal is not for marketing or attraction, it is to go deeper and to get our thoughts really stirring. We hope that this added level of engagement and responsibility will bring our leaders to a more intimate knowing of Epic’s mission and values, as well as a deeper understanding of each other as a Body of Christ and our mission as a community.
What are your thoughts?
How can we make this better?
What would you like to see as a part of this/do you agree or disagree with this idea?
Meet Ben & Kristy Carlson, Our First Missionaries!
Exciting news! As Epic Life Church, we are now partnering with our first missionary team, Ben and Kristy Carlson!
They are serving in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Ben and Kristy graduated from Winona State University in Minnesota (where most of us went to college) back when Keith was just starting out leading the college ministry at Pleasant Valley Church. Ben was one of Keith’s first leaders within the college ministry, and joined Navigators with Kristy in 2001 to be missionaries in South Africa.
They are working with students at the University of KwaZulu Natal- ministering to, mentoring, and developing Christ followers there. Ben & Kristy have an adorable son named Myles, and two Great Danes to protect and love on the family. They are also in the process of adopting another child!
Check out their blog:
evergreencity.blogspot.com
Hello Friends!!!
Dear Friends,
I am sorry to admit that my last update was February 5th!
Thank you so much for your interest, thoughts, and prayers. You are all in my heart, as I continue to grow and develop- I know that my spiritual journey would be incomplete without each and every one of you- whether you have impacted my life in big or small ways, thank you.
I do certainly want to update more often, and make it a discipline because it is a beautiful and important thing. Yet, please have grace with me as my life is not yet consistent, nor fully disciplined…
It is getting closer to summer in Seattle. There are alot of things ‘yet to be done in this city’ and much need here. I have only begun to scratch the surface of all the Lord has here. I hope to begin blogging more about incarnational ministries, about the things happening, the community along Aurora and North Seattle, and how God’s movement is pushing and pulling us.
Ben, the leader of Awake Church on north Aurora, wrote this with a link to a very real situation for many along Aurora’s corridor. Check it out:
“Please take a moment to read this article from the New York Times about the hidden homelessness of families living in motels. And pray. The parallels of this story to what we’re seeing here are too numerous to count. These neighbors aren’t just on Aurora – they’re all over the place!”
