Thursday, February 28, 2008

What are “they” doing here?













We arrived a little early to Soft Launch #2. I was kind of excited. Plus I harp on the leadership team being on time for stuff, I didn’t want to be late myself. It was a beautiful winter day; blue skies, “sort of” warm, and super sunny. While we were sitting there listening to the David Crowder Band in our van (yes I’m a minivan man), these three high school aged gents skateboarded in front of the school and were hanging out in the little playground area to the left of the entrance to the school. Honestly, at first I thought, “What are they doing here? This is our school (from 3:15 until 6:15 every Sunday).” Then the Holy Spirit gently reminded me, “these guys and their families are why you are sitting outside Mohawk Elementary; waiting to go in and set up Christ Church: Macomb.”

Now being the spiritual giant I am, I responded “Oh ya. Duh.” More than likely, their house received or would receive some communication pieces from us in the mail. It was fun a little later to go and talk to these guys and let them know who we were and why we were there. They lived in the neighborhood next to the school and each had gone to Mohawk when they were younger.

I told them they were going to get an invitation from me in the mail, and I showed them the communication piece that was scheduled to be mailed – the cool “Come as you Are” postcard. I complimented their skateboarding and made a little more small talk before saying goodbye. After praying, dreaming, and planning Christ Church: Macomb for soooo long, it was a blessing to meet some of the very people for whom we have joined this adventure. I pray we’ll get to meet and know many more.

-Andy

Why CC:M for the Stockmans?













By Tessa Stockman
The big idea of CC:M was presented to me and Sean a year and a half ago. At that time we were actively seeking two things: 1) A way to serve using our gifts, and 2) To expand our experience of authentic community.

Initially, we saw the need for someone who knew the video portion of tech stuff and new that Sean would be capable and willing. But what would this mean? Leaving our RCC community? We weren’t sure this is something we could commit to. We began praying then that if this was something the Lord had for us that He would make this new team a family to us. Community.

For many months the only thing that kept us plugged into this adventure was the role that Sean would be playing in filming the sermons. Over time our Leadership Team grew closer and true relationships and friendships started forming amongst this group of acquaintances. Only then, through the bonding of our team, did Sean and I catch the real vision for what CC:M is all about—Community! A community of people who love each other and are on a journey towards Jesus. What we had been seeking and praying for was happening, and it was far more exciting than we had ever thought. Through each person and the gifts they bring, this outreach has turned from “a new idea” into something tangible - something real - something we feel is blessed.

We have our location, signs are printed, sound system is in place - but none of that really matters. We want people. People who are seeking for that authentic community they cant find out there. People whom for whatever reasons are not ready to come to a traditional church setting. People who are lost, or broken, or scared, or lonely that need a safe place to find Him. People who will come just as they are.