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The Avenue BlogSummer Fun Look around Visit KC's website
They've got some great lists of fun things to do around KC: ww.VisitKC.org Also, visit a few of our Avenuers at work! Crown Center's Friday Night Flicks (Amy Berridge) Kansas City Zoo (Lindsay Class) KC Royals (Jordan Hurst & Rachel Wise) Worlds of Fun (Alex Phillips) Also, check out a few of the community pools. Who knows what missional opportunities will spring up! Summit Waves Water Park Blue Springs Centennial Pool Super Splash USA
Vacation Bible School
June 14-17, 9am-12:15pm For children entering grades one through six Register your child here! Register to volunteer here! (Childcare for infants and toddlers, and a mini-VBS for 3-5 year old's, is offered to children of volunteers.) For more information, click here. Children's Camp July 12-16 For children entering grades four through six (at Windermere) For more information, click here. Student Camp July 12-16 For students entering grades seven through twelve (at Windermere) For more information, click here. by Danielle I'll never forget the way that I learned of the crisis in Haiti a few months ago. I was checking Facebook and trying to understand why so many of my friends were praying for Haiti that day. It only took me one click to CNN.com to learn of the news. But the Haiti crisis isn't alone. I've also learned that MU beat KU, how awesome the movie Avatar is, or that it's Free Pastry day at Starbucks all through Facebook.
As I've experienced the Facebook phenomenon, I've seen many advantages and disadvantages come from this website. I feel it's awesome to see people encouraging one another, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, or even "liking" that someone just bought pretty new pink socks. But I've also been discouraged as I've seen status updates cut down others, our leaders, and become a unique form of passive aggressiveness. As one of my friend's clever statuses put it, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say it on Facebook." I encourage us all to see our Facebook status updates as anything else in our life, and especially as missional opportunities. The filter that we use when speaking face-to-face needs to stay on as we type over email and Facebook. The temptation to make a negative comment directed at someone else is overwhelming sometimes - I've been there myself. But we must remember that we have hundreds of other friends reading the same message - and many that don't know Jesus. Regardless of what we think about KU losing or the health care bill, our first responsibility is to share the Gospel and be ambassadors of Christ. And as Christians using social media, we've got an awesome opportunity to be missional with our Facebook, Twitter and other status updates. Just think what a cool story it would be if someone came to know Jesus as a result of a conversation started by your Facebook status. Now, that's a story that blows learning of the Haiti crisis or any other news through Facebook out of the water.
Today, PGA champion golfer Tiger Woods gave a statement to the media, after months of speculation, in response to the crisis he and his family has been enduring due to personal decisions he called today, “selfish and irresponsible behavior.” In our culture today, with the instant access to news and events, people’s indiscretions are made available quickly and all too thoroughly. Not everyone’s flaws are posted on the world’s bulletin board like Tiger’s, but nonetheless, none of us are immune from faltering due to bad decisions. What really amazes me is how we are tempted to celebrate others faults and personal setbacks.
Rick Pitino, head coach of the University of Louisville men’s basketball team, too, has had his moral setbacks made public over the past year. Coach Pitino told police this past August that he had consensual sex with and paid for an abortion for the woman who has been charged with trying to extort him for millions of dollars. The woman began to pursue charges against Pitino for sexual assault, and Coach Pitino went public with the affair so he could tell his side of the story. Fast forward to last week when Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals visited conference rival West Virginia where thousands of fans mocked Pitino by chanting the name of the woman he had been in an adulterous relationship with. Fans chose to use the unfortunate circumstances of two marriages and families in turmoil to get an upper hand in a “basketball game”, what a sad statement on our culture on so many fronts. This is at the core of each of our hearts. We relish others flaws and setbacks because it makes us feel better about our own failures, especially if it can level the playing field between the rich and popular with the average Joe. This morning I enjoyed breakfast with my son before taking him to school and we talked about the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus in the book of Luke in the Bible (Luke 19:1-9). A large crowd accompanied the presence of Jesus when he came to the town of Jericho, and Zacchaeus climbed a tree in order to get a good view of Jesus above the masses. Jesus called on Zacchaeus to come down and join him. This led the crowd to discredit Zacchaeus, a cheating tax collector who had stolen from many, and question Jesus’ motive to associate with a known scoundrel. My son and I discussed today how we all are not immune to making bad decisions, and because of this our need to be careful to not judge others when they unfortunately do the same. We have no right to condemn others for their sins, and even celebrate them, when ours are just as guilty and destructive. The refreshing turn in the story with Jesus and Zacchaeus is him recognizing how he wronged others as a tax collector and repaid those he stole from and even gave more back in return. He more than likely wouldn’t have done this if Jesus hadn’t taken a “social chance” by associating with a known scam artist. Life is much more than pointing out wrongs, that’s to easy to do in this world which is full of six billion people who do bad things every day, but instead is about how people can find redemption in spite of their faults. I will strive to extend grace to others when they are experiencing personal setbacks, because I pray God and others will offer me that same grace when I most assuredly experience my improprieties. I, too, hope we can see men like Tiger Woods and Rick Pitino experience redemption and transformation in their lives and marriages in spite of the daunting circumstances before them today. Don’t we all hope this for our own lives? I most assuredly hope so!
Plant Churches!?
#73: #71: #70: Make a resolution to be more missional. A great way to learn more about a missional lifestyle is through Ed Stetzer’s book “Compelled by Love.” Check it out today! #69: Think local! Know a business owner in town? Hire them #68: Show kindness to those around you as you stand in line to check out your Christmas gifts! A friendly face in a crowded holiday line can go a long way in improving someone’s day! #67: #66: #65: Part of being a missionary is knowing the culture around #64: Part of being missional is being a good friend. Have a friend #63: Know a family who’s sick with the flu? Drop a care package off at their house full of Kleenex, soup, movies and more! Just #62: #61 - Know a single mom or family really stretched for extra #60: People who not only recognize God’s beauty, but freely and #59: Play Dates. Moms who stay at home can utilize these times to meet other families, or enhance relationships! Round up the #58: Facebook. This is a great tool for catching up with people you’ve already built relationships with. Be intentional about writing on a friend’s wall or commenting on their status, and find a way to reconnect! #57: #56: #55: Know of a Farmer’s Market nearby? Attending is a great Our partnership with Harvesters in the BackSnack program is a great way to get involved as missionaries in our community. If you have the time and desire to join the team, sign up today! At Feast Day, we talked about how we are to take the spiritual “food” we are fed inside of the church Birthdays! It means the world when people call you on your b-day! Have an old friend or someone on your heart? Write down their b-day and call them, or send them a card on the day! Make a list of three people that have been on your heart. Pray for them regularly and ask God to show you how best to develop those missional relationships. Wear your Avenue t-shirt around town! It might be a great conversation starter when someone asks "What's new?" Do you have a friend thats been on your mind? Call them engage and invite them to Life Group, July 5th Event or Sunday morning. If you made connections at Mission: Ignition last week, follow up on those points of contact. If you didn't, come serve at Backyard Blitz and connect with the community there! Living a missional lifestyle starts at home! As we celebrate Mother’s Day, make sure to tell, and show, your moms how much you love them. Have a neighbor who’s recently gone through a hard time? Put together a goodie basket full of gift cards and treats for them and drop it off as a love gift. Meet someone new at the Mission: Ignition event? Find a way to follow up with them sometime! Start praying for them now, and for God to open doors with your relationship! Have friends with kids? Invite them to participate in the Swap & Shop next weekend! Check out the Facebook invite for more details about the FREE kids consignment event! Are you forming new relationships these days? Talking with friends about spiritual things? Take the next Strike up a conversation with someone at LET’S EAT! Find a way to randomly compliment them and see Hey students! Looking for a way to fill your Spring Break? Think about going shopping or seeing a movie with someone from school you want to know better! Enjoy the Final Four? Participating in a simple, inexpensive bracket contest is a great way to bond with your co-workers and friends! It’s Marti Gras season! Flashy beads and buttons can open up many doors for you to explain your values and your faith, and how to be in the world but not of it. If you have kiddos in school, get to know the teacher, other kids in the class, and their parents. Still have a job? Know of someone who lost theirs? Be a blessing to them by emailing, calling, or making them dinner. Be creative! Reconnect with an old friend through email. Send a friendly note to someone you haven't talked to in awhile to catch up on life. Attend next Saturday's Mission: Ignition events! Super Bowl time! Plan on attending one of The Avenue’s Super Bowl parties and bring a friend! Start watching your friend’s favorite TV show so you can have conversation with them about it. As you’re following through on that New Year’s resolution and sweating buckets at the gym, start to get to know the others who show up at the same time as you! When you’re out and about running errands and run into a co-worker, talk to them! The more you can connect outside of work, the more your relationship will grow! Surprise your neighbor by shoveling their driveway! Have kids? Have them shovel yours while you’re helping your neighbor! Adopt-a-family! There are several organizations around town that have identified several families in need. Or bless a family you know personally. Get the song books out! Not only is Christmas caroling a great way to spread the holiday cheer, but it’s also a great way to be missional and meet your neighbors! Tra la la la la! Know of a family at work that could use extra help this holiday season? Pray about giving them a special gift from your family to theirs. Trying to get your leaves raked before the weather turns too cold? See a neighbor who needs to do the same thing? Help them out by raking their yard too! Host a block party for your neighbors. The upcoming holidays can provide a great opportunity to host your neighbors and get to know them better! Participate in one of the missional projects next week. You’ll be creating opportunities to build and/or enhance your relationships. TRICK-OR-TREAT! As super heroes and princesses visit your house this year, get to know their names, and their parents’ names, and where they live in your neighborhood. Be nice to your family. When others see you speaking kindly to your spouse, kids or parents they will be more likely to trust you and form a relationship. Be praying about anyone you know who would be blessed by a Thanksgiving fixins’ package next month and let us know for our missional project day! Maintain relationships with people! Use notes, calls and Facebook to keep in touch and send a "hello." Invite a friend to our Chiefs Watch Party next week as part of our Grand Opening weekend! Get to know the other parents on your kids’ sports teams. Exchange phone numbers so you can help with each others' kids, and brainstorm ways to get to know them outside of game days. Take a non-church going friend to breakfast next Sunday morning. (After you’ve slept in, of course!) Take a bundle of Avenue pens and use them to help start a spiritual discussion with friends this week! Tip extra next time you're at a restaurant and write the server a note of encouragement on the restaurant's copy of the receipt. Make a list of three relationships that are missional opportunities for you. Begin praying for opportunities to have a deeper conversation about beliefs. Bake your missional cookies for your new teachers this week! Go see the new Batman movie with coworkers. Already see it? Go see it again. It’s awesome. It’s only $5 if you to go AMC Monday-Thursdays! Work with our Avenue Kids and invest in the lives of the next generation. Host a cookout and invite the neighbors you want to get to know better. Build a relationship with your hairdresser (or salon) and surprise them with a small gift next time you get your haircut.
Send an encouraging note to your mortgage lender and/or realtor letting them know you're thinking of them. Is there a co-worker or neighbor you've been wanting to build a relationship with? Ask him or her to lunch in the next week. Offer to babysit your friends' kids for free so they can have a date night. Next time you buy a special treat for your dog, buy one for your neighbor's dog, too! Take bagels and coffee to work. It could create a water cooler effect with lots of people gathering around one main area, and stimulate good conversation. Ask a neighbor how you can be praying for them. Did you get invited to an event hosted by your neighbor or co-worker? Go! Your interest in their activities will strengthen your relationships.  Let Me Feed You..
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Happy Summer Break to all of the kids and teachers at The Avenue! We're excited for you all to enjoy some time away from school and soak in the sun during the summer! 
Websites like Facebook (or Twitter, and even The City) offer a unique privilege to those of us living in the days of social media. We receive not only instant news, but instant opinions. In a matter of seconds we can communicate a thought that would have taken us five minutes to say person-to-person. It's quick, easy, and connects us in a way never seen before.
Church planting is more than a fad. It is well documented that new churches are more effective in reaching un-churched people groups than older established churches. Our hope is to never grow “old” as a church but to remain a church planting movement that is never content with 100 or 1000 members. We will continuously seek to join God on his mission to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and we feel that to do this in our culture means to church plant.
We have recently announced that we are excited to begin the process of joining the Acts 29 Network. In November, Nick and I traveled to Louisville and met with Acts 29 leaders and partner churches. We came away refreshed and excited about the awesome possibilities of this relationship. This will not change anything with our sending church, LSCC, that we love and we will continue to partner with in ministry. This also goes for Great Commission Heartland, which is the regional network of Great Commission Churches - the association of churches that LSCC and The Avenue are part of.
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