Simple

Since I wasn't speaking on Sunday I had more time to meet and greet some people. One of those conversations involved a couple who has only been at CCC for a few weeks. They asked me why we didn't offer more "programs." They asked about several popular church programs for kids. They mentioned another program that is very popular for women. They asked about a couple for men. On all of them I told them that we didn't have those but I knew of churches nearby that offered that very thing. Then the lady said "We've been here since before Thanksgiving and you guys have some great things happening. But I just don't understand why a church your size doesn't offer more for people to do."

The truth is we don't have a lot of "programs" that other churches larger and smaller than us do (men's ministry, women's ministry, AWANA, Beth Moore Studies, Promise Keepers, etc.). We aren't saying those are bad things or things that shouldn't be done in other churches. We've decided to just be very strategic about what we do. Here are some of the reasons quickly if anyone ever asks you.
1. We want to keep freed up during the week to engage with the people God has placed around them. We believe all of us have a responsibly to reach out to our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family who do not know Jesus. It is hard to spend time with them so you can invite them to come to church or explain Christ to them if you are involved in a "church program" every night of the week.
2. By being strategic about what we do we can make sure that money and time get focused on the things we believe will make the most difference in "reaching those unconnected to Christ and together growing to full devotion."
3. Keeping things simple allow us to have our best "volunteer equity" focused on what matters most. Since we don't have to maintain numerous programs and events throughout the month, it keeps our volunteers fresh and focused on what's most important.

I would tell you that keeping things simple is much harder than allowing every "christian" program in the world to get started. It requires saying NO a lot. But it gives us a chance to get back to what really matters.

This Sunday at Vision Day we will talk about what matters to us most and what we can all do to move toward it. Hope you will be there.