UPDATE ON THE RETREAT DATE....ONE DAY ONLY!

I love that our theme this fall is "RAFTING THE RAPIDS OF CHURCH". All of us have felt those rapids this year, haven't we...in some form or fashion we have been thrown into a raft and all of sudden find ourselves in the WHITE WAVES. Look around and you will notice that there are others in your raft also looking for oars, life jackets, helmets....

So, how will we face those "rapids" when they hit? This coming weekend we have HIT a RAPID as we had planned on having a two day retreat. We had to move things around and will be PACKING IT ALL IN ONE NIGHT! So, take a deep breath, tighten your jackets, grab and oar and make your way to BLUE ROCK CHRISTIAN CAMP for our Annual Leadership Retreat!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH @ 5:30pm.

LEADERSHIP RETREAT 2011 September 16th & 17th!

A word from Small Church Big opportunities co-founder

We had such a great conference last year that we want to continue encouraging and uplifting servant leaders of small churches because we know how valuable the local church is to communities, and being that over 80% of the churches in America are small, I would say they have some big opportunities in our communities.

This year our theme is “Rafting the Rapids of Church”. One of the things that I have experienced my whole life, is the different seasons that a church can go through. Some churches may go through a beautiful growing season while others go through a season of turmoil. Some churches go through seasons of change while others have a season of challenge. Some may even go through a season healing. To get through any of these seasons, it takes a special strength. The only one I know that has the power to give me the strength to get through the season I am in, is my Father in Heaven. This conference at Blue Rock, Small Churches Big Opportunities is a place for you to come and be encouraged no matter the season YOU are in. To receive tools and knowledge so that you and your church have to ability to make it through the storm and come out healthy and strong. We look forward to having Bill Putman come to share and encourage us all the way from Idaho. We look forward to see what God has in store for us all no matter what size our church is
See you at Blue Rock Camp September 16th & 17th.
Pastor Matt

Who can attend?
This retreat is for ANYONE AND EVERYONE who loves the Lord and wants to grow in serving Him! Each one of us plays a unique and vital part in the Body of Christ. Being able to see the world together through God’s “view finder” and to know that no matter our “church size”, we can have a BIG Impact for His Kingdom. Join us for a Leadership Retreat that will leave your view forever challenged, altered, changed and on fire!

scrkt jrnl to God

What is leadership? Quick thoughts from Angel Thompson
October 8 & 9 there will be a leadership retreat at Blue Rock. Many believe they are NOT leaders, yet I believe that we all LEAD by example. The other day I was humbled knowing that my children watch me intently, especially JT. I have a private journal to God. Just for me and HIM. JT saw me typing in it the other night and asked me what it was. Guess what he began the next day? His began his own "scrkt jrnl to God", as he typed it.

You don't need the title "LEADER" to be classified as a leader. You don't have to have the position title as "director of...supervisor of...leader of..." because at some point in your life's journey there is someone watching you and your example.

Our son has autism and he looks to others for social cues on how to live in our world. As ambassadors of Christ, people are looking at us....what Christ cues are we leaving?

I really hope you come to this retreat next weekend...and bring your "scrkt jrnl to God", there is no telling what God will show you and challenge your thoughts during this weekend.

Navigating, Leadership & Special Needs

An UNCUT chat with Angel Thompson

Spurring One Another On

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Serving Christ through the local church is rewarding, but it can also be challenging. From time to time we need to be spurred on—to obedience, to faithfulness, and to perseverance. In short, we need each other. We need the support and encouragement of our fellow laborers to sharpen our focus, keep us on task, and encourage us to hold on to the joy of ministry.
In a way, that’s how I view our upcoming church leaders’ retreat at Blue Rock Camp, October 8-9. The fellowship we’ll enjoy, the principles and practices we’ll consider, and the encouragement we’ll receive will enable us to “spur one another on” in the good work of the ministry.
I hope to see you there.

Shawn McMullen

Swimming with the Guppies

Actually, the theme of this event is "Swimming with the Sharks Guppies!" Most of the churches in the United States average less than 150 people in their worship services. Some suggest that about 75% of the churches average less than 125 worshippers on Sunday morning. The mega-churches total number is less than 10% of the total number of churches in our country. This brings us to an interesting observation. A majority of the ministers in the United States are serving in the majority of the churches in the United States that are either mid-size or smaller. In other words, not to be rude, but most of us spend our ministry energies in the guppy tank, instead of swimming with the sharks. For this reason we want to school ourselves in order to be the most effective servants that we can be for Christ. Our guppy food will be a rich mixture of the gospel, along with some of the most contemporary, practical ideas known for building up our churches. Our fish tank for the weekend will be the Blue Rock Christian Camp, just outside of Thompson, Ohio. There are fish bowl accessories for us too; like corn hole, carpet ball, camp fires, and a beautiful lake. Those who are in the preaching ministry, church leadership, Sunday school teachers, and small group leaders will all have their living water oxigenated by participating in this event, scheduled for October 8-9, 2010. Shawn McMullin, Matt Thompson and Pat Hartson will be our encouragers for the weekend.

For registration information please contact the Geneva Church of Christ, 1007 South Broadway, PO Box 160, Geneva, Ohio 44041, RETREAT@smallchurchesbigo.com, or call: 440.415.5465/440.466.7689.

Remember, small churches, have BIG Opportunities!
Posted by Preacher Pat

2010 FALL RETREAT: BIG 2

OCTOBER 8 & 9
Join us this October 8 & 9 as we, again break through the negative mentality that small churches can only have a "mediocre" impact to knowing and being equipped and encouraged to know that even in the "smallness" of places, BIG opportunities can happen! This retreat is open to EVERYONE!
ABOUT OUR MAIN SPEAKER:
Shawn McMullen is the editor of the LOOKOUT (http://www.lookoutmag.com/), a national periodical for Christian families, and minister of the Church of Christ in Milan, Indiana. Shawn is the author of I Want to Teach My Child About Fitness, Unleashing the Potential of the Smaller Church and Releasing the Power of the Smaller Church.
OTHER SPEAKERS: Pat Hartson, Speciality Speaker, Matt Thompson and many more break speakers!