Children's Ministry Update

The Leadership Team has been pleased with the developments and rebuilding of the Children's Ministry under Cindy Roycroft's leadership.  Due to the healthiness of the transition period in our children's ministry, and believing that a longer transition is best for the overall program, we have asked Cindy Roycroft, who has served as the Interim Children's Minister, to continue for a longer term as the Children's Minister. To supplement Cindy's part-time role, and to fulfill the larger children's ministry needs, we have asked Robyn Griffith to also serve as Associate Children's Director. Robyn will continue as part-time Ministry Assistant in addition to the increased responsibilities in the Children's area.  

We sense that this direction allows the ministry to continue to build and, with continuity of leadership for an longer term, it will provide for a comprehensive vision and team structure to be put in place.

We ask our church family to pray for Cindy, Robyn, and the children's ministry as we are already seeing the fruitfulness of their work.

Dr. Mark

New Leadership Team Members for 2015

Each year during the annual business meeting of Calvary, we elect new members to Calvary's Leadership Team.

This year the two nominations are:

Casey Barlow, who has been a member since June of 2003.  He is married to Kimberly Barlow and they have two children in our children's ministry area, Hannah and Andrew. Casey and Kimberly have been faithful members and participants in our children's ministry as well as other church programs.

Danny McConnell is returning to the Leadership Team after having served from March of 2011  through March of 2014. Danny and his wife Stephanie have been members since 2001 and have also been actively involved in Calvary's ministries including choir, children's ministry, and construction of sets for VBS and the Women's Banquet. They have three children Rachel, Seth and Kelly, the latter who is a fourth grader in our children's ministry.

How To Take the Next Step: Sermon Points from 9-28-2014

The sermon series is titled: Called Deeper Still - which has been a way of introducing the concepts of walking deeper in a relationship with Christ, and also moving further in our obedience.

The sermon Sunday was based on Peter's experience of stepping out of the boat (Matthew 14:21-36).

The theme is one we can all relate to: How to take the next step when the last step failed?

Here are the points from the sermon:

1. First, know that you will have to take the next step - you can't stand still. In essence don't let failure dictate your faithfulness!
2. Don't let failure define your future - or your present for that matter.
3. Learn from the past, but don't focus on the past.
4. Discern the right direction for the next step - which in our case is to follow the right Person (Christ).
5. Find someone further along than yourself - who can help you.
6. Believe in God's plan and purpose for your life.
7. Reach for the Master's hand.

For the full sermon: http://vimeo.com/107480117

Sermon Notes from August 31, 2014

A quick blog to post the sermon bullet points from this last Sunday.

I. The Will of God for Us:  Knowing Christ and Developing the Mind of Christ

We first are called to know Christ in a personal relationship. Then His Holy Spirit begins to transform us as new creations who take on the attributes of Christ and develop the mind of Christ.

II. The Work of God Through Us: The Ministry of Christ Flows Through Us to the World

Christ is always at work in the world, and He desires to use us as vessels to communicate the gospel message.  2  Corinthians indicates that we are "ministers" and "messengers" of reconciliation.

III. The Love of Christ Compelling Us: The Nature of Christ

His love for us and then our growing love for Him and His kingdom compels us to engage the world with the gospel message.  One of the greatest expressions of believers is to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Information as mentioned in Sunday's Sermon

I appreciate the interest and feedback from the sermon time this past week.  As I indicated, I'm dropping in here a link to a video that will give more information about YesOnOne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLoLkkrCc4

Annual Meeting and New Leadership Team Members

Calvary elects the new leadership team members at our annual meeting, which will be held on March 2, 2014. The two for election are: Randy Ball and Keith Young.

Randy served on the first leadership team when Calvary began in March of 2000. He is currently an Adult Bible Study leader for one of our Sunday Connect Groups, and has been involved in other areas of leadership -including he and his wife, Lisa, assisting with the implementation of our recent Collide Weekend (Disciple Now).  Randy and Lisa have three children who are involved in our collegiate and youth ministries.

Keith and his wife Kim are both involved in our worship ministry as vocalists on the praise team and the choir.  Keith currently serves as an Adult Bible Study leader for another of our Sunday Connect Groups. They also have served in support roles for the youth and collegiate ministries. They have three children who are involved in our youth and children ministries. 

Children's Ministry Position Filled

The Leadership Team is pleased to inform the congregation that Michal MacDonald has accepted the invitation to join the ministry staff of Calvary. She plans to begin her work with us in the middle of this month. We are thankful for the Lord's leadership that brought her unique gifting, education, and experience to our attention. For more information, please note the previous blog update.

Also we are thankful for many who have served in interim or transition leadership positions to allow us the time to make the necessary decisions on behalf of the Children's Ministry and the Calvary Preschool Express.  I specifically want to mention Robyn Griffith, Mary Leigh Brown, Lee Cochran and LeAnn George who have served in various capacities!

We appreciate the prayers and support of the congregation. Please continue to pray for Michal and Scott as they begin making preparations to move to Murfreesboro.

Dr. Mark