Gilbert Thurston

• Great Experience today…we had some minor tech problems which always bother me, but overall a good Sunday!
• Beforehand I had quite a few people come up to me and tell me how much they’re learning and growing as a result of being a part of the Experience each Sunday…this makes all the hard work worth it.
• We hazed the room really early so the cloud would lift a little earlier.  It was better but I think will try about 5 minutes earlier next week.
• Had a nice sized crowd today and there seemed to be a lot of energy in the room…I like that!
• Jack did a good job with “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”  Yes, it’s old but it’s still so relevant to the emotions all of us feel and of course it tied in greatly with the series.
• I really enjoyed sharing this message and especially liked the video introducing Dan to the church as our small groups champion. 
• Dan and Jodi have been working so hard behind the scenes getting things ready for the 2/10 groups launch.  I hope and pray that you’ll try groups for 6 weeks and see if they aren’t as life changing as we’ve been promising.
• More details will start next week to help you choose and sign-up for groups.
• The guest reception was again packed with people!
• What was really neat was 3 different first time guests each said that a part of choosing a church was whether they could get connected to others quickly.  They each said that they definitely want to join a small group.
• Had a great lunch with some members of our small group and other friends and tonight the entire group will be together for dinner.  If nothing else at least you eat a lot in small groups!
• Not looking forward to going back out in the cold though.
• I can’t wait for next week’s message…it’s going to be a real eye opener.

As I stated last week, Tim Stevens selected myself and some other pastors to review the manuscript for his latest book called, Pop Goes the Church:  Should the Church Engage in Pop Culture?   Obviously if you attend United you know my answer to that is yes…in fact we’ll be opening the Experience tomorrow with and oldie but a goodie that will help illustrate one of the points we’re trying to drive home during this series on the importance of meeting in small groups.

Anyway, I decided to get up early this morning and just work my way through the remainder of the book.  I loved it!  Once it comes out I’d encourage everyone to get a copy so that you’ll understand more of why we do some of the things we do at United.  The book is like being able to get inside my head…I know, I know…scary.  However when we know the “why” behind the “what” it makes it easier for us to partner together in reaching our community.

I wish I could tell you more about the book but we we’re asked not to quote or give away too much info since it’s not yet a finished product.  Once we can though…look out.  In the meantime though I will say this…had this book been available when I was travelling the country for Purpose Driven, it would have definitely been one I would have recommended to all pastors who truly wanted to make an eternal impact in their communities. 

I’m excited that a resource like this is going to be available to you soon and together we can see how these principles apply to our very unique situation.  See you tomorrow!

• This has been one of the better week’s I’ve had in a long time!
• We looked at the two potential offers for the house and chose one.  Other than some real minor counter proposals we put in, it should be finalized by the end of the weekend.
• It’s looking like we’ll close on both houses February 29th.
• I’ll be looking for moving help so start limbering up now!
• I had to have our emissions test done on Lisa’s car today.  What a rip off…it cost $14 and I kid you not I was only on the property a total of 3 minutes. 
• At least in the “old days” it took them 20 minutes just for the test and I felt like I was getting my money’s worth.
• I also took her car in for an oil change.  While there I took some time to continue my review of Tim Steven’s manuscript for his new book “Pop Goes the Church.”
• It’s weird reading a book like this where you need to stop every few paragraphs to make comments.  However, the book so far…I’m about 75 pages in…is excellent and I hope and pray that it will not only help Experiences like ours improve, but that it will be the wake-up call that many other churches need to effectively reach their communities.
• The lights only took me 3 hours to program yesterday…at this rate by March I’ll have it down to 1 1/2 minutes!  Yeah right but once it’s learned it should probably only take an hour or so.
• Again, if anyone is interested in learning, please let me know.
• A huge decision was made this week that could help to ensure I’ll be sticking around CFCOG for awhile…well that is if you’ll continue to have me.
• There’s nothing I like hearing more than stories of life change.  This week has been filled with positive comments, e-mails, etc., about what a difference the United Worship Experience is playing in people’s lives.
• This weekend we’ll continue the Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them series and towards the end of the message I’ll be introducing the guy we’ve chosen to champion the whole small groups effort.  You’re going to love him and his trusty side-kick, (always wanted to say that) whom many of you already know.
• We had Dr. Bob Hewitt from the church come in to yesterday’s staff meeting to talk about diversity.  It was interesting and we’re going to explore further how we as a church can do a better job on an individual and corporate level of making sure that age, skin color, financial situation or other common barriers are broken down.
• It was good to have my brother-in-law Brian (actually I have 2 named Brian but this is the original…married to Lisa’s sister) stop by at worship practice last night.  He’s a fellow geek and wanted to see some of the equipment we’re running and take some ideas (he wanted to take equipment but I wouldn’t let him) back to his church.  It’s a good church and if you ever tire of Earl and myself, go check it out.
• Is it just me or does Simon Cowell seem to be nicer this year?
• Less than 2 weeks until LOST starts again…oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!  Let’s just hope the writer’s strike get done before they run out of the episodes they had previously shot.
• Mmmm…I’m getting hungry…later.