Greg Peters Live

Last weekend we focused on global evangelism and yet we brought the message home. We spoke of foreign missions and yet we talked about our mission.  We spoke of missionaries and yet the focus was not on them as much as it was on us.  I will pick up on a similiar line of thinking this weekend. I will talk not so much about the world as I will talk about our world.  What is our responsibility in our world? What can I do that will impact my world and make a difference in the lives of people who live in my world? While these questions would seem to bring very “normal” answers and “typical” strategies, that will not be my angle this weekend. In fact, I will talk about things from a whole different perspective. I will teach  a principle that I have never taught before. I promise you that you will leave with a different perspective on missions in your world. We are going to have an awesome weekend this weekend and I am praying that God shakes us from head to toe!

Even if this is not your weekend to attend, you do want to miss it! If you were there last weekend and are there again this weekend you will have a great picture of missions. If you missed last weekend click here now to listen to Dr. Ed Gibson’s message. See you this weekend!!

John Piper – We were made for global missions

Meetings can be a very unfulfilling and frustrating experience!  A few years ago I read a book entitled, Death by Meeting. The book’s title said it all and gave great insight as to how to conduct meetings so that they don’t feel like they are going to kill you. We have all been in meetings that were laborious, pointless, directionless, etc. The saddest part is that I have led and been in charge of meetings like that! Because of my position, I have alot of meetings in my life – one on one, small group, medium group and large group.

This morning I had a meeting with our elders from 6 to 8am. I have this meeting at the same time every other Thursday morning.  I love these guys! They are  a real blessing to me personally.  This morning we were also privileged to have our pastoral staff present with us as we met (the pastoral staff now attend the elder meeting every 6 weeks). Our meeting was great and I want to give you a few reasons why I think God is rewarding and blessing our time together:

• Each man has a genuine passion to know Christ. They have a heart for God and the things of God.
• Each man possesses a spirit of humility and desires it as a quality of their life.
• Each man owns the mission of our church – Guiding people to life change in Jesus Christ.
• Each man is in the trenches. They are not coaching from the sky boxes, but they are actively involved in serving. They model servant-leadership.
• Each man loves me and my family. I know you have heard me say this before, but forgive me for repeating - I have never felt so supported in all my years of ministry.
• Each man loves the people of our church.  They have a heart for loving others.
• Each man recognizes God’s hand of favor on this ministry and each man gives ALL the credit to God.
• Each man believes that God has awesome things in store for Parkview.
• Each man is willing to do the hard work and go toe to toe with the Enemy. They know Satan hates us. They know that in Christ we can be victorious.
• Each man is not afraid to lean into conflict. They will deal with it and speak the truth in love.
• Each man is not afraid to be honest with me. I love our honesty. We have built enough trust that honesty and love simultaneously flow.
• Each man is gifted and desires to use their gifts for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

I could go on, but I think you see why it is that I enjoy meeting with these men. Lord, may your hand of blessing rest on our elders and staff today and may you use us for your glory!

Some random thoughts and links:

• Read a blog post that included a video – very good and thought you would enjoy a little learning. Click Here
• A guy at the city told me there are some jobs open. A guy at Sea Ray boats said they are hiring.
• This is a really good post - thought provoking and convicting.
• If you ever leave our church I plead with you to do this!
• I am REALLY looking forward to this weekend and talking on the topic of Forgiveness.
• Can’t wait to double our parking. The rain slowed things down but hopefully jsut a few weeks to completion.
• Enjoyed my first book over breakfast! Got a great group of guys.
• See you this weekend! Bring a friend – we are making more seats available!!!

We have all heard the stories – ie. geese flying in a “v” formation, what 2 horses can pull together verses what they can pull individually, ten hands put the ball through the hoop, etc

We have all heard the cliche’s – ie. there is no “I” in team, teamwork is dreamwork, all for one and one for all.

To me teamwork is a major secret to success. Teamwork is important in every area of life.

• God – this is my favorite team - He and I make an army. I try to start each day with Him and know that my time with Him changes everything.  He is beyond description!!
• Marriage – my wife is my biggest asset! From a human standpoint, Denise, is the biggest reason for all my successes in life. She is honest with me, loves me more than I deserve and is loyal beyond reason.
• Parenting – Just this week alone, Denise and I spent time with Seth’s school teacher and a couple of the children’s workers from church. This evening he is spending the night with very dear friends. Denise and I are his coaches but we have a great team around us!
• Church – In just the last few days I have had several people comment about the incredible team God has surrounded me with. It is wonderful to hear people in our church talk about the other leaders in our church that they respect. Not only do we have incredible leaders, but our volunteers are phenomenal!!
• Staff and Elders – I know this group could fit in the above category, but I wanted to say a little more.  Our Elders have a heart for the Lord and have a laser focus on the spiritual health and development of our church family. Our staff are an incredibly dedicated group of extremely talented people who have a passion for God and a love for people. Both our elders and staff are very loyal to me and that is invaluable. There is no competition, we serve the Lord together!

Today, I am celebrating my teams and our teamwork!!!!!

I wanted to post a link to a news story that involves 3 Angels Orphanage. This past weekend we collected breakfast bars and crackers and partnered with Life Coast Church to make a difference in Haiti. Watch this clip as Mike and Gretchen share a little bit of their story. The 26 children who were brought to the U.S. were already in the process of adoption and the embasssy fast tracked their process so they could be placed in the home of their adoptive parents.

This weekend we will be receiving an offering to take our next step to help in Haiti. With our offering we will partner with  Convoy of Hope, Churches Helping Churches and we will also use some of the funds for our own personal involvement in Haiti.

Please pray about what the Lord would have you to give. Let’s join together in generosity and do our part in helping reach the people of Haiti!

Can’t wait to see you this weekend! We are going to have an awesome weekend. Be sure to arrive on time and come prepared to WORSHIP!

• As I mentioned in my last post, our church responded in a great way to the needs in Haiti.
• Pastor Mike Wehde and Lifecoast Church have also done an awesome job reaching out. As I mentioned, they already had a relationship with 3 Angels Orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
• I spoke with Mike a couple times yesterday, as well as a couple texts.
• He was trying to find a flight for 26 kids and 6 workers who had received embassy permission to flee Haiti and come to the states.
• Long story short, Mission Aviation Fellowship flew the whole group to Ft. Peirce last night!!
• I told Mike that Parkview is prepared to help in whatever way possible. I will keep you posted.
• This weekend we will be receiving an offering to help in Haiti relief, recovery and renewal.
• Be sure to pray for the people of Haiti and how God would have us participate.

• Really excited about the new year in so many ways!
• Looking forward to a sweeter relationship with my Savior.
• My wife is amazing and I want to make this the best year of our marriage – 18 1/2 years and it gets better all the time.
• Really pumped about the incredible opportunities at Parkview.
• Big news coming!!! Big opportunities coming!!!!
• So thankful for the leadership development that took place in ‘09 – we will top that in ‘10!
• I determine to face conflict, pray, recognize the issue, stategize and plow through it lovingly!
• Can’t wait to preach the Word this year. This first week is going to be a monster week of study!!!
• Trusting God to provide like never before at Parkview!
• Good stewardship in ‘09 sets us up for more opportunities this year.
• The Lord was SO faithful in ‘09!
• Love ministering in a city with over 16% unemployment – God has entrusted us to minister to the hurting!
• Love our volunteers – they are the best!! This will be an incredible year of service!!!
• My family and I had a wonderful weekend off after a very busy holiday season.
• Can’t wait to preach this coming weekend. It is going to be a sweet weekend of worship! Pumped about the Ritual we are going to discuss!!!
• Tomorrow I am going to post about waistlines and wallets
• I need to go study!

• This is an awesome time of year!
• At Parkview, the birth of Christ has been put under the microscope and we have had some incredible up close looks at the Messiah.
• The generosity of our people has been amazing: the wise men gift exchange helped over 160 families, one Life Group gave a single mom and her daughter over $500 in gift cards, another Life Group went to a children’s home and ministered and gave gifts, a family gave  $500 to help a family in need, we have received approx. $10,000 towards our Christmas offering and I could go on and on…. The generosity of our church family has brought tears to many eyes and joy to many hearts!
• I am also very thankful for the genrosity of our people that is shared with our staff this season. All of us are very thankful for the gifts large and small. Your generosity towards us does not hint of an economic recession. On behalf of all of us – Thanks!
• Church in the “square” this past weekend was tremendous – definitely will be a re-run of that.
• Our staff is extremely creative and have dug deep this season!
• Christmas Eve is going to be PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!
• The music, drama, video – it is all going to be off the chain!!!
• Bring a friend – Christmas Eve service times are 4, 5:30 and 7pm
• This coming weekend, Dec 26&27, we will not have Saturday night service and we will have our two normal service times this Sunday at 9:30 and 11am.
• Merry Christmas!!!!!

• Last night, Thursday, we had a phenomenal crowd.
• Much of the night we were backed up onto  Belle Terre Parkway
• Our volunteers are the best!!!
• Cars started lining up at 5:30 and we open at 6pm
• The line does flow smooth and keeps moving
• The self guided tour on CD is a home run.
• Weather was beautiful and it looks like we are going to dodge the rain bullet tonight!
• This is such an incredible way to celebrate and magnify the birth of Christ!
• Invite a friend and come out tonight!!
• Our weekend services are going to be really special this weekend!!!!