Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

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Thanksgiving 2011

November 24, 2011 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Hard to believe but this is now my 5th year doing these posts ( 2007,  2008,  2009, 2010).  As always here are the things I’m thankful for in this past year.

  1. Jesus-  Well who else did you expect at #1?  As every year passes, I realize more and more how ugly, sinful and broken I am inside.  Yet Jesus loved me enough not to just be my friend, but to die for me so that my relationship to Him could be even greater.  I don’t deserve a love like that and so my only acceptable response is  to offer a life of sacrifice back to Him.
  2. Lisa-  Again who were you expecting?  Before each of my bi-monthly calls with my church planting coach (thankful for Vince’s friendship as well), I have to fill out a form reporting on various areas of my life and ministry.  One of the questions is, “How is your marriage”?  Recently during a time when I was feeling a bit down and depressed, I wrote for this question, “No matter what else is going on, this is the one area that I can count on to be great”.  Trust me, Lisa has far more to do with that than I do.  Every year I can’t imagine our marriage getting any better but yet it does…wow I’m such a lucky man that God gave me such a Godly wife.  Her passion, hunger for growth and servant spirit are truly an inspiration to me.
  3. My immediate family- I’ve seen my mom, dad, sister and niece as much in the past year as I probably did in the 10 years prior to that.  The irony is I had to move further away from them for it to happen.  Regardless, one of the highlights of my week is knowing that I’ll get to see them on Sunday mornings.   I’ll see them again today and tomorrow and I’m sure there will be times that we pick-on each other but underneath it all is a love and a bond with and for one another that can not be broken no matter how many miles the highway may now separate us.
  4. My cousins- This year has also given me a few times to reconnect with my cousins that I grew up with.  Life and circumstances have kept us a part for many years but I’m looking forward to hopefully more opportunities to  hang-out and reconnect.
  5. My long-term friends-   Andy, Gayle, Bill and Nicole.  It’s been an interesting year and not at all how I had envisioned it but yet these 4 at multiple times and in many ways continue to be there for and with me.  Words can’t describe how grateful I am for the 10+ years they’ve put up with me.
  6. My new friends I’m developing-  Some of these are at church but many of them are from the community.  As I mentioned in our current series, one of the problems many pastors have is waking up one day and realizing you don’t have any significant relationships with people who are far from God.  So this year I have been intentionally going out and building new friendships.  Not only have I been having fun meeting new people and hanging out, but a few I can see as becoming close friends.  Most significantly I can already see the difference I’ve been able to make in people’s lives.
  7. My staff- Chad, Bill and Chelsea.  To be quite honest, I’m in way over my head with this whole church planting thing, but these 3 make me look a lot better than I am.  I’m so grateful God has brought us together as a team and can’t wait to see how God will use us to further His Kingdom.  It’s an honor to be able to lead them and I pray I do it well.
  8. That ExponentialChurch.tv survived it’s first year-  I wish this were hyperbole but it’s not.  Most church plants die within their first 3 years.  We’ve got one of those under our belts but we’re not out of the woods quite yet.  However, as I already mentioned we have a great staff that’s sold out to seeing God’s Kingdom advance.  More importantly we have many others who serve week end and week out because they realize that life is not about them but in helping people far from God come back into a relationship with Him and then grow to become more like Him.  Thanks to all for an incredible year where we’ve now seen over 120 people come into a relationship with Jesus…but remember…the best is yet to come!
  9. Lisa’s business/God’s blessing- In order to start ExponentialChurch.tv, we had to sacrifice a lot to move here to Harrisburg.  One such sacrifice was I voluntarily took a 23% reduction in salary.  This meant the possibility that Lisa might have had to get a job (which would have been a huge sacrifice on her part because of health issues).  However, despite it all we continued to tithe and trust that you can’t out give God.  Sure enough He began to bless her business ,which for years had pretty much always made the same amount of money.  All of the sudden…through no real effort of her own, she has been swamped with work which has allowed her to stay at home!
  10. Chuck Frank- Chuck is a long-time friend and more recently became the Director of Church Planting for the Eastern Regional Conference of the Churches of God General Conference (catchy isn’t it).  It was Chuck’s email that spurred on the vision I had for Exponential originally.  Over the past year he and his team have been incredibly helpful and generous in numerous ways in helping us launch.  Chuck is a great cheerleader for planting and evangelism and his support this past year has been invaluable.
  11. Technology-  It can be both a blessing and a curse but for the most part I am very thankful for all that technology allows us to do.  Especially this past year I am grateful for two tools that make my life so much easier.  The first is www.audible.com.  Audio books have been around along time, but now with the ability to download them to my smart phone and then play back through blue-tooth on my car stereo, life is so much easier.  Literally I turn my car into a mobile classroom and can usually get through 3-4 books per month just during my normal driving time.  The second tool I’m thankful for is the Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In Tool.  One of the audio books I listened to this past year was Getting Things Done by David Allen.  His system is tremendous and when I found out there was an add-in for Outlook, it was an easy decision to spend the $70+.  My life, tasks and schedule have never been more organized and de-cluttered and for that I am very thankful!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Andy Krull, Audible.com, Barb Thurston, Bill Butler, Bill Mellott, Chad Chute, Chelsea Miller, Chuck Frank, David Allen, Eastern Region Conference, ExponentialChurch.tv, Gayle Krull, Getting Things Done, Gil Thurston, Jesus, Lisa Thurston, Nicole Mellott, Tara Simmons, Taylor Duda, technology, Thanksgiving, tithe, Vince Antonucci, We're E-Business Solutions

Inside Today’s Experience

May 1, 2011 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Today was exactly what we had hoped it would be.
  • We wanted to capture the momentum of Easter and have the week after be just as big or bigger.
  • So to kick-off our iLife series we gave away 4 FREE iPads.
  • It worked great…we by far had our highest attended day ever other than launch day.
  • Best of all, 3 more people prayed to begin a relationship with Jesus!
  • That makes 83 now in the 6 months we’ve been meeting!
  • So proud of my team and all they do from parking lot to seat to help prepare people’s hearts for the preaching of God’s Word each week.
  • Set-up and everything was a bit different today because Bill (our worship pastor) was away for the weekend.
  • This meant everyone pitching in to do the things he normally does which of course meant longer time and a couple of “where the heck does this plug in” moments.
  • Bill did though create the new stage set that has all the iLife icons…pretty cool.
  • Huge thanks to Aaron Hoke for stepping up and leading the band this weekend…he did a tremendous job.
  • It was also great to see JD Ridenour who came up to check out our tech stuff for help with his new job he’s taken with LifeHouse Church East in Hagerstown, MD.
  • JD’s pastor (Patrick Grach) and I were both in Orlando this week and had lunch together this past Thursday.  Grateful to Patrick for his encouragement and the team LifeHouse sent to us when we did our Preview Experiences back before launch.
  • Speaking of Orlando…being gone all week with Chad at the Exponential Church Conference meant my normal routine was disturbed this week.
  • Even though I wrote today’s message long ago, my normal routine has me working with it throughout the week so that by the time Sunday rolls around its completely a part of me.
  • This week was different though and I thought it came through in my delivery…not my best effort but I think the point was still made…
  • …we live on the edge so often emotionally, financially, relationally, in our schedules and we’re in danger of disaster.
  • You can listen here to see what God has to say about that.
  • It was weird that during my illustration where I stood up on the arms of the theater seats I actually felt really comfortable…sort of ruined my point…although I think everyone got what I was saying.
  • Congrats to those who won iPads…and thanks to all those who invited so many people come out and be a part of today’s Experience.
  • This week I’m away again…this time at our denomination’s annual conference.
  • I’ll be speaking briefly Monday and then I’m teaching two workshops on Tuesday…please keep me in prayer.
  • Also, our band has been asked to provide the music for Monday night’s activities, so keep them in prayer as well as they get off early from work, travel to the site, set-up, play, tear down then return home.
  • Next Sunday we’ll continue the iLife series by looking at how to build margin into your schedule so you do and become all that God has for you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Aaron Hoke, Bill Butler, Chad Chute, Eastern Region Conference, Exponential Conference, ExponentialChurch.tv, gilbert thurston, iLife Series, JD Ridenour, Patrick Grach, salvation

Random Tuesday Thoughts

July 29, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • Finally got confirmation that the number baptized two Sunday’s ago was 42!
  • This past weekend was hectic but great.
  • Friday night I was at church for the rehearsal of the wedding I was doing on Saturday.
    • At one point one of the organ petals got stuck.
    • Remember in “Dumb and Dumber” when they did the most annoying noise in the world…ummm yeah, I’m just saying.
    • Had to call Earl so he could line up a repairman while I continued with practice.
    • After practice I put the final touches on getting ready for the class I taught on Saturday morning.
  • Had 45 people show up for the “Get Connected with God” class.
    • I tried to cram it all into 2 hours, but ended up going 2 1/2.
    • As I’ve been getting e-mails in response, the #1 complaint has been that the class wasn’t long enough.
    • I said it before and I’ll say it again…this class is awesome!
    • Here are some excerpts of just a few of the e-mails I’ve gotten…
      • “I would recommended that EVERYONE take this class if you ever offer it again”.
      • “I wish I would have had this class much earlier in my Christian life…I hate to admit it, but I still feel like a baby in the Word- but now that I have the tools, that is going to change”.
      • “This class has given me a game plan”.
      • “This class…will take us (husband and I) into a higher level of knowing our God and understanding our purpose”.
      • “I guarantee you that everyone who took the Get Connected To God class today came out with a better understanding of what it takes to develop the habits we need to grow to spiritual maturity and how to bring that about”.
  • The wedding went very well then in the afternoon.
    • Congratulations to Ronnie and Kristy Yarnell!
    • At the reception, we sat with the organist who was asking questions about United.
    • Our table was about in tears with laughter watching this guys expressions as we kept sharing and you could just see the shock on his face.
    • He kept asking, “Wait a second, you did that in church”?
    • He said he wants to come visit…he’ll be easy to recognize…he’ll be the one with his mouth gaping open the whole time.  🙂
  • Sunday I’ve already blogged about, but I’ve heard some really good stuff in the meantime about how people felt convicted and challenged by the Experience.
  • The new web-site is also getting a lot of good feedback and a lot of traffic.
    • One person I forgot to mention in my excitement of announcing it last Friday was Ashleigh Schwindt.  Many of the pictures on the site she shot and I’m glad we have someone with her skills in the church.
    • Ashleigh has her own photography business and I’m in love with one of her models!
  • We are hosting Micah Brickner this week at the church to help him in his internship with our region of the denomination.  Micah wants to plant a church in the next few years so he’s spending the week with us learning the good, the bad and the ugly (insert whatever staff person’s face you want with each:)).
    • Please pray for Micah and my good friend, Chuck Frank as the region attempts to plant as many churches as possible in the next 5-10 years.
    • If you’re interested in something like this, go here.

Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: 2020 Initiative, Ashleigh Schwindt, Ashleigh Schwindt Photography, baptism, Chuck Frank, Dumb & Dumber, Earl Mills, Eastern Region Conference, Get Connected to God class, Kristy Yarnell, Michas Brickner, Ronnie Yarnell, testimonies, United Worship Experience, web-site, wedding

Random Wednesday Thoughts

April 29, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

  • My talk went well yesterday…thanks for the prayers.
  • Had about 50 pastors and leaders attend and even though I had some tough things for them to hear, I think it was received well.
  • The AC wasn’t working in the room I was in so I was roasting by the time we were done.
  • It was great to have our own Adam Swisher there assisting me with the tech side of things for my presentation.
  • Adam and a few other of the guys from church are actually running all the tech for this conference and using alot of CFCOG’s equipment to do it.
  • This is the 3rd year I’ve been there and it’s by far the best it’s ever looked…not that I’m biased or anything.
  • Funniest thing was right before my breakout and lunch was a talk to the entire group from our keynote speaker, Craig Sider. 
  • Craig kept on giving the same quotes, scriptures and illustrations that I was planning on giving in my breakout…it was like we had the same notes.
  • To top it all off was when he showed a picture of himself skydiving from last year…well guess who else had in his presentation a picture of himself skydiving last year…yep that would be me for those of you playing along at home.
  • Eventually I realized that wait…maybe God is in this and some people that would be attending my breakout needed to hear these truths two times instead of one so I kept it all in.
  • When I got home I spent some QT with Lisa and then watched game 7 of the Caps vs. Rangers.
  • Didn’t have a good feeling all night about the game…they played terrible…but yet they pulled it out in the end.
  • Not only does this mean they advance to the next round, but it also means at least another week and a half of Andy growing his play-off beard.
  • I was supposed to be doing it as well, but one thing after another kept me from letting it grow so now I have to keep shaving because it would be unlucky now to start…not that I’m superstitious or anything.
  • Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: Adam Swisher, Craig Sider, Eastern Region Conference, gilbert thurston, Lisa Thurston

    Other Weekend Thoughts…and Beyond

    April 27, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

    First Baptist Orlando

  • Wow sorry I haven’t been able to blog as much this past week or so…things have been crazy.
  • Many of you were following me on Facebook last week, so you’re at least partially in the loop.
  • If you haven’t yet signed-up for a Facebook account it’s easy to do and an awesome way to keep up with all of your friends at United.
  • Had a great trip to Orlando for the Exponential Conference at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.
  • Got to spend time with a few other guys from our region, including Mike Schooley who started United back in 2005 before heading to New York to start his own church.
  • Mike and I roomed together and every night after we’d turn the lights out we’d talk and dream about church stuff for a long time.
  • I told him the last night I was going to miss our “Walton’s Family” chats.
  • The worst part of the trip was when my good friend Chuck Frank had to fly home early because his wife, Tammy, fell and broke her ankle.
  • Please keep them in prayer…it’s going to be a long recovery process and may still require more surgery.
  • I got a ton of great ideas at the conference and can’t wait to try some of them out.
  • The pic above is of their sanctuary.  To try to give you some perspective, there were 3000 people at the conference and almost everyone sat on the floor level.
  • Perhaps the highlight of week was the very last thing.  Not only did Francis Chan deliever a great talk, but the intro that was given for him left everyone…including Francis saying wow!
  • Got to meet Francis then at the airport that day and he was still talking about it.
  • Was finally able to get the interview with Satan video online from the “Finding the One” message.  To watch it, click here.
  • Satan will be making another appearance this week as a part of the message about sex called, “It’s Business Time”.
  • Seriously the entire Experience is something that is going to be talked about for a long time…
  • …we have things in store for you that you just simply will have to be there to believe.
  • For those that can’t make it, the number of downloads I’m sure is going to not just break but shatter every record we have.
  • Tomorrow (Tuesday) I’m speaking for our denomination on how to reach the 18-35 crowd.
  • Please say a quick prayer for me.
  • Night!
  • Filed Under: Random Thoughts Tagged With: Chuck Frank, Eastern Region Conference, Exponential Conference, Facebook, First Baptist Church-Orlando, Francis Chan, Higher Hope Church, Mike Schooley, Re:Married, Tammy Frank, United Worship Experience

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