MikeOharaLive the intersection of faith and life

Reflect and Review

• It was a tough Sunday for attendance, especially in the 2nd service.  We're putting out the rally call this week so we can have a great bounce back this coming Sunday for our Thanksgiving service.
• It's easy for pastors to feel down after a poorly attended Sunday.  It's amazing how much emotion is tied to attendance. Me included.
• When low Sundays happen, we do three things: 1) we compare this year's attendance to last year's attendance, apples-to-apples.  This way we get a broad comparison and do not let a bad Sunday define how the church is doing; 2) we do a flock check.  We  go through the church and find out if people are traveling, sick, etc.; 3) we make a call to rally to church the next week.  We don't "wink" at a low Sunday, we fight back and make a trumpet call to the house of God.
• Getting closer to releasing our Essentials class materials.  I'm looking forward to implementing this part of our discipleship process.
• I really enjoyed preaching about why Christ-followers need to go to church.  I love talking about the church.
• Our canned food drive is under way as prepare to serve our community with gift boxes over the holidays.
• Gearing up for our Christmas series: "Christmas Conspiracy: how Christmas can still change the world."
• Reading a great book on raising boys (I have three), "Wild Things".  Some really good insight on why boys behave the way they do, and how parents, coaches, teachers, etc. can nurture boys into men.
• Gonna be another great week!