tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38499696761024799832024-02-07T04:01:27.532-08:00Bryant Golden“Confident disregard for the status quo is the essence of the Gospel..."Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-20276471878359696002013-12-10T13:37:00.001-08:002013-12-10T13:38:46.270-08:00Christmas "Thank You" to Centerpoint ChurchThis Sunday we would love to give you a gift of appreciation
on behalf of Centerpoint and your team leader as a small “thank you” for
serving here at CC. Stop by the Starting Point room in the lobby to pick it up.<br />
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It is seriously the greatest privilege of my life to serve
alongside our team of Bridge Builders at CC!</div>
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I am so thankful for our Host Team, Cafe Team, Parking Team,
and Ushers who wake up early and “roll out the red carpet” every week to create
an exceptional experience for everyone who drives on our campus & walks
through our doors. I am thankful for a multi-talented group of team leaders and
staff who walk with a confident humility. I am thankful for amazingly talented
people who serve </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lV1nJmuG41UVCz0Mszpq9rWBhrOI9zTCULJfxmUWTHmHIUCk5nA1qrkpEhnsJHKSV4dJncAC9YhASI7g8aFAAt-7Uz9zVu1L9SKZLcntt5IqWug__IQxUxJeiwvgj-0NTJxFmyTH_Ag/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lV1nJmuG41UVCz0Mszpq9rWBhrOI9zTCULJfxmUWTHmHIUCk5nA1qrkpEhnsJHKSV4dJncAC9YhASI7g8aFAAt-7Uz9zVu1L9SKZLcntt5IqWug__IQxUxJeiwvgj-0NTJxFmyTH_Ag/s320/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a>behind the scenes to run audio/visual, to prepare
environments, and to creatively plan events because they are so passionate
about introducing people to Jesus. I am thankful for the Kid Zone Volunteers
and how every week they pray for babies to come to know Jesus [Including my
little girl] and “build bridges” for the babies’ parents to hear the Gospel. I
am thankful for how the next generation is led in an inspiring and creative way
to make the wise choice because of Jesus in Kids Point; for the way middle
school and high school students are being inspired to shape culture in Velocity
& Fuel by allowing Jesus Christ to define who they are. I am thankful for
the Worship Team who, with excellence, leads us to focus on Jesus every week
and prepares our hearts to hear the Word. I am grateful for our community
groups—little churches of accountability, belonging, and care. And I am
grateful for your financial generosity, which allows us to do what we do every
week.<br />
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We are humbled by the fact that our gathering continues to
grow, that dozens of adults & students </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yb8HrZ4j5ZxtbtkbxgLM4LBQsm38FIwAvkrkxElAl_gQm1nFCpbKlMOgBAmvQZVI_5uFwTQ_ohbaEs-cHY_S_TIGeM8NlnbWsEKo1DxkUu9i4xK7UyDTwflwRaW7ase64A_XO2exS6Y/s1600/Kids+Point+Small+Groups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Yb8HrZ4j5ZxtbtkbxgLM4LBQsm38FIwAvkrkxElAl_gQm1nFCpbKlMOgBAmvQZVI_5uFwTQ_ohbaEs-cHY_S_TIGeM8NlnbWsEKo1DxkUu9i4xK7UyDTwflwRaW7ase64A_XO2exS6Y/s200/Kids+Point+Small+Groups.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
have accepted Christ, and that families
have been transformed forever. But we believe the best is in front of us!<br />
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Because of YOU, we are shaping the view of the church, and,
consequently, Jesus for many who vowed never to “try it” again! As we move into
2014, we are asking God to use us to shape a city, re-define the church,
see hundreds changed by the gospel, and make Jesus the hero every time.</div>
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For this and so many other reasons, thank you, Centerpoint
Church! Merry Christmas!!</div>
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<br /></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-13765648989087646042013-10-29T12:50:00.002-07:002013-10-29T12:55:11.063-07:00Complacency or Faith? Here are some suggested steps from Sunday's message.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This past Sunday in The Highest, Part 8 [You
can listen at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/seriesarchive.php">www.centerpointfl.org/seriesarchive.php</a>]
we looked at this important truth: every single day we as Jesus followers are
growing in complacency or growing in faith. There is no neutral ground because our
“enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour.” – I Peter 5:8 He knows where we are weak, he knows where we are
vulnerable to temptation, he knows what dark days are prone to drive us toward,
he knows what happens when we feel the pressure from other people, and he knows
how to sell us on compromise at just the right time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So Paul warns us that our faith must grow. It
has to grow beyond the feelings of waiting on the next emotional message, right
song, or perfect verse for the day. It has to become something we personally
know and grow in. If not eventually the wrong emotion will override our
devotion no matter how strong we think we were. But as we begin to personally
get to know what God says, God’s spirit begins to confirm God’s truth in our
lives and our faith grows. Paul says is this way, </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">6</span></b><span style="color: black;"> So then,
just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a> continue to live in
him, <b>7 </b>rooted<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a> and built
up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a> and
overflowing with thankfulness <b>–
Colossians 2:6-7 </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It all starts with taking a step. Here are a
couple ways you can begin to make the scripture personal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Make it a priority to
attend weekend services and when the Scripture is preached, personally engage
by having a Bible</span></b><span style="color: black;"> [or youversion app on your phone] to look at
and highlight. Certain passages will become very personal to you.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Download a personal
reading plan at <a href="http://www.youversion.com/">www.youversion.com</a></span></b><span style="color: black;">. If you are new to reading the Bible, start with the
life of Jesus or the book of John. Just begin with 5 minutes a day.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Join a community group
at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/grouplink">www.centerpointfl.org/grouplink</a></span></b><span style="color: black;">. This helps apply the truth to daily life. Truth without
community leads to arrogance.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Sign up for free video
based Bible studies </span></b><span style="color: black;">to do individually, as a couple, or as a
family provided through CC. Go to <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/rightnow">www.centerpointfl.org/rightnow</a>
to sign up.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Use the tools we provide
each weekend to help your children</span></b><span style="color: black;">. We have a <b>Parent Cue</b> card that gives you
questions so you can interact with your children about what they are learning [K-5<sup>th</sup>
grad] and <b>God Time Cards</b> your
children can use to begin to learn the verses they are studying each month.
Each is given away free as you sign out on Sundays. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Check out the weekly
blogs for our children and student ministries to follow what they are learning</span></b><span style="color: black;">: Kids Point: <a href="http://kidspointministries.blogspot.com/">http://kidspointministries.blogspot.com/</a>
Velocity and Fuel Student Ministries: http://velocitystudentministries.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">So are you growing in faith or growing in
complacency? Is the scripture becoming personal or are you waiting for the next
spiritual high? Join a community group and choose now to take a step for you and your children to be rooted and strengthened in faith.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Bryant</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bryant
Golden [Lead Pastor] </span></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-24305833877902534122013-04-03T14:09:00.002-07:002013-04-03T14:16:30.867-07:00CC Easter Recap: 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Easter Sunday was an incredible day as we lifted up who
Jesus is and proclaimed the reckless grace found only in Him. I want to personally say, "thank
you" to all of you who served so faithfully this weekend. I personally had
several guests here Sunday who couldn’t stop talking about the passion,
friendliness, and genuineness of every bridge builder they encountered.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlVrQflFmWDqlLoFIPoHtG2UOs8E0NZEbB_1cJfBoecqWju9zHcAzkaso288LQ69v5CoblF7ih039waFuCIA-LY672ZLjxVPhoezxY5GV1JCa-7sqeaTkblIYodOjTwG6MFHqOweGUj4/s1600/Service+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlVrQflFmWDqlLoFIPoHtG2UOs8E0NZEbB_1cJfBoecqWju9zHcAzkaso288LQ69v5CoblF7ih039waFuCIA-LY672ZLjxVPhoezxY5GV1JCa-7sqeaTkblIYodOjTwG6MFHqOweGUj4/s320/Service+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I believe Jesus was
glorified, families were impacted multi-generationally, people experienced the
love of Jesus, the Gospel was heard, and lives were changed forever. Here is a quick snapshot: </span><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We had two packed services at 9 and 11 AM. Thanks for inviting. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We had at least 11 people we know of accept
Christ or surrender their lives to him. And, I'm sure, many more decisions we
haven’t heard about yet. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We also received incredible stories of how
God is changing lives. A woman by the name of Kathy wrote us Monday to say, <i>“I have been out of church for 10 years…a
recent event caused me to promise God I would go back to church and he led me
to Centerpoint. This Sunday my sister and her four kids decided to join us. I
just wanted to tell you I’ve never looked forward to church as much as I do
know and I am renewing my relationship with God and my kids are really learning
who Jesus really is…thank you! </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">One girl was heard coming out of Kids Point
and saying to her parents, <i>“Mommy! Did
you know that Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross and coming back to
life?! The little girl heard the gospel for the first time on Easter!</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last
Thursday night a group joined together in the auditorium for corporate prayer.
They walked every environment & the property of CC to pray for our bridge
builders and those who would attend Sunday. I believe that God worked through
that night more than you or anyone else can know. Thank you for making it a
priority.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We heard many other stories of people
responding the Gospel as they attended Sunday. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It would not be
possible without you. Thank you for sacrificing, showing up on time, and passionately
reaching out to serve people. Lives are being radically changed for His glory
alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jRVC6yZdwLag9JgnlkJYRhm0ifQ3T-pq9GKUbhTs3IcmIJTOxN9qx4mXjcnWrVIC1CrCp8QR7bd5GZwTrrZGXOpattPp_EB9pZdSWBqPhRqXre8r9M0Vzgsk9Ri3at7LOIOh-STyMoE/s1600/Service+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jRVC6yZdwLag9JgnlkJYRhm0ifQ3T-pq9GKUbhTs3IcmIJTOxN9qx4mXjcnWrVIC1CrCp8QR7bd5GZwTrrZGXOpattPp_EB9pZdSWBqPhRqXre8r9M0Vzgsk9Ri3at7LOIOh-STyMoE/s320/Service+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those who
surrendered to go public and be baptized—congratulations!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those who are
new to Centerpoint Church—welcome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those who
volunteered on Easter—thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those who are
part of the Centerpoint Church family—thank you for helping us care for all of
the new people God continues to bring to our church! As Easter guests return
for a second visit, introduce yourself, invite them to your Community Group,
answer their questions, help them see that Jesus is alive and working through
us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This Sunday we begin the series called Give Me Faith. This series is for
anyone who has doubts, questions, or concerns that hinder their
relationship with Jesus or are keeping them from embracing him as savior
at all. This may be the best series this year to invite someone to
attend. So if you invited someone on Easter don't hesitate to ask them
to join you this Sunday. Send an e-invite at
www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Praise Christ that
he has invited us into something special at Centerpoint Church. It is a
privilege to serve with you and be your Pastor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For His Fame!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bryant [Fellow
bridge builder and Lead Pastor]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">P.S. If you have any
stories/testimonies from Sunday, please let us know at info@centerpointfl.org</span></div>
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Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-69706923777938047332013-03-26T09:05:00.003-07:002013-03-26T09:05:44.295-07:00What are you concerned about?<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">
Recently I was reading through the book of Jonah in the Bible. It may seem odd to reference Jonah around Easter, but Jonah’s story pictures the depth of God’s plan for the world. <i>"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" </i>(Matthew 12:40). Jonah’s story was a picture of the coming Messiah and His message of grace to an undeserving world. <br />
But Jonah’s story is also the story of many of us as Christians. Jonah was a good guy. He was committed to the moral guidelines God had established but he wasn’t fully surrendered to God’s purposes in the world.<br />
Jonah reveals in chapter three that he is consumed with the fact that he’s uncomfortable, depressed, and bitter about God’s grace to the "undeserving" and ready to go home to the safe and prosperous confines of the familiar. God calls him out for being obsessed with the wrong things and shockingly unaware of his own desperate need for God’s grace. To paraphrase His words, <i>"Jonah, I am concerned about this generation of people (120,000 Ninevites), what are you concerned about?"</i></span></span>As many of us approach Easter weekend, we are in many ways surrendered to living morally. We are "good Christians" but are we concerned about the right things? For instance, are we concerned about this generation of people who are dying and going to Hell? Jonah foreshadowed the death, burial and resurrection of Christ that would cancel the debt of sin, absorb the wrath we deserved, and give us new life. Do we forget already how shockingly undeserving we are? Are we aware of the desperate need of those around us or are we going to just purchase some new clothes and go through the religious routine of attending a church service?<br />
<dir><dir><i><span lang="">Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face—whose mercy you have professed to obey—and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.</span></i> </dir></dir><div align="right">
– </div>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Booth"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">William Booth</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span>This Easter it’s not about measuring up to a moral code and mindlessly going through the motions of religious tradition; it’s that Jesus already meet the moral code we couldn’t keep and now we, in turn, surrender to his concern for this world for the sake of his glory. For the past seven weeks we have been praying #byname for those who need the radical grace of Jesus. This Easter weekend we have the opportunity to invite many of those people to attend. So continue to pray, be bold to ask, and be open to the conversations to share the name of Jesus. <b>Join us Thursday night at 7 pm in the auditorium as we come together to pray corporately #byname and ask God to open the eyes of men and woman to the Gospel</b>. We are excited about what God is going to do through us this weekend!<br />
The message of Easter is that He’s concerned about this generation of people. What are you concerned about?Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-87070238049263706652013-03-22T13:23:00.001-07:002013-03-22T13:23:07.824-07:00Important Details about Easter at Centepoint<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Important details about Easter at
Centerpoint</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the big questions about Christianity is how did it
get out of the first century? How did a struggling movement centered around a
dead guy ever make it out of Jerusalem? Furthermore, how did a band of
insurrectionists and misfits who were cowering to school girls in courtyards
(Peter) hours before Jesus’ crucifixion suddenly become ferocious with the
message of Jesus? How does that happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two words: The resurrection!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
resurrection confirmed, in part, by two men known as Nicodemus and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_of_Arimathea"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Joseph of Arimathea</span></a><span style="color: black;">.</span> These two men's actions and boldness allowed first century
Christians, and eventually us today, to be confident in the resurrection.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And here we are… The name of Jesus is recognized and known
worldwide like no other name. Join us on Easter as Bryant [Lead Pastor] tells
the back story to the resurrection and unpacks the incredible good news of
Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>View our trailer video at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/easter2013">http://www.centerpointfl.org/easter2013</a>
</div>
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As a lead up, over the past seven weeks we have been praying
#byname for people we know to embrace the reckless, undeserved grace of Jesus.
Over the next week we want to aggressively focus on:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Praying: </b>pray
that God would lovingly break into people’s lives with saving and renewing grace.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Join us next Thurs., March 28<sup>th</sup>
in the auditorium as we pray for our city and our church to be a conduit for
the power of God</u></b>. Join our #byname initiative at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/byname">www.centerpointfl.org/byname</a>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Connecting:</b>
connect with people in genuine relationship, be bold to share the name of
Jesus, and look for opportunities. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Inviting:</b>
Don’t just inform someone but personally invite them to join you. A personal
invitation is one of the most powerful ways to open up future conversations, to
help change their perspective of “the church” [which many times is the greatest
obstacle], and further invest in relationship. Pick up Easter invite cards this
Sunday and send e-invites about our Easter services at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php">www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</a>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For more
details, invites, and volunteer sign ups, go to www.centerpointfl.org . Our
service times for Easter, March 31<sup>st</sup>, our 9 and 11 AM.</b></div>
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This Easter the majority of people you know will probably
attend church somewhere. The question is will it be a place they truly hear the
radical grace of the Gospel? Last Sunday a woman who had attended “church” all
of her life came up after one of our services to say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For the first time in my 50+ years I understand the grace of Jesus”</i>.
I believe that is what’s at stake for many people in our city and our sphere of
influence. Join with us in praying, connecting, and inviting this Easter at
Centerpoint.</div>
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<br /></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-69443345034358013142012-11-21T05:11:00.001-08:002012-11-21T05:15:25.799-08:00Join The Conspiracy.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear
Centerpoint Church Family,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
love this time of year – parties, family, good food, and a focus on generosity
in our society that is different than any other time of year. As The Church, we
should be at the forefront of that generosity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">During
the month of December, I’m inviting everyone connected to Centerpoint Church to
participate in our Advent Conspiracy Offering. The idea behind Advent
Conspiracy is turning this season upside down to unleash an avalanche of
generosity on our community to advance the Gospel and meet needs because of the
Gospel. This is the time of year where we put feet to our faith – where we show
our community the love of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
idea here is that as we buy gifts for other people, we want our largest, most
extravagant gift to go to Jesus. We’ll use 100% of the donations to the Advent
Conspiracy Offering to fund the following projects:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Adding a full-time pastor to our staff</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">. Our church has
grown by nearly 150% over the past year, making it one of the fastest growing
small churches in the country (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ed
Stetzer, Lifeway Research of churches of 1,000 and under</i>). The exciting
thing for us is that many of those people are new to “the church” or are
returning after being away for years. This has created a great need to add
additional leadership in order to continue to create great environments,
develop leaders, and have the structure to reach more people. Adding staff is
in line with our vision, which is not just to grow numerically, but to help
those who are attending CC to grow spiritually. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Planting our first CC extension campus near USF</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">. The addition of
another full-time staff member will allow us to partner with several groups who
are also passionate about reaching college students, the least-churched
demographic in the United States. We already have college students who commute
and are asking about the possibility of inviting their friends to an extension
campus closer to their university. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Digging wells through Living Water International</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">. We will send money
to dig several wells in Uganda where the lack of clean water is directly linked
to disease and death. It’s an amazing opportunity to show the love of Jesus
globally.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></li>
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<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">On December 16, 2012,
we will receive the Advent Conspiracy Offering</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> during both of our
weekend services. We’re providing special giving envelopes and encouraging
everyone to come prepared to give on that day. You can get more information on
the offering at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/AC">www.centerpointfl.org/AC</a>.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">If
you’re going to be out of town on December 16 or if you’d like to go ahead and donate
now, you can do that online at www.centerpointfl.org. It’s safe, secure and
simple to use. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In
addition, during our Advent Conspiracy campaign we are encouraging every CCer
to be generous with food and time. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Donate</b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">food</b> for Metropolitan Ministries on
December 9<sup>th</sup> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">donate time</b>
by serving at one of the incredible compassion organizations we partner with.
We also have an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Advent Devotional Guide</b>
with activities for individuals, families, and community groups during this
season. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All of the details are at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/AC">www.centerpointfl.org/AC</a></b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Please
pray about participating and conspiring with us. God has given us an
extraordinary stewardship of this message of reckless grace. Let’s unleash a
wave of generosity for more people to encounter Jesus and for real physical
needs to be meet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bryant</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Lead
Pastor and Fellow Bridge Builder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Centerpoint
Church</span></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-23547311965645351252012-10-11T11:12:00.000-07:002012-10-11T11:13:35.765-07:00Video Messages & Important Things To Know...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">CCers, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlTXD88oBVYRcmlMFTsMfsoTgdLtoTfHIxXwwKdVQ9ZAKDjpc4Fz0wh6FQWXPIi20YVtaP8YfV8qqqHwZd4RoqoB8BcHw02LcHOau-BTo9yB6t9CARqnOO6PfDx0SzhiSg1s38bnVSWc/s1600/10.2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlTXD88oBVYRcmlMFTsMfsoTgdLtoTfHIxXwwKdVQ9ZAKDjpc4Fz0wh6FQWXPIi20YVtaP8YfV8qqqHwZd4RoqoB8BcHw02LcHOau-BTo9yB6t9CARqnOO6PfDx0SzhiSg1s38bnVSWc/s200/10.2012.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Over
the course of the last month, our gathering at Centerpoint Church has continued
to grow numerically because you have invited! As a result, we have experienced
an explosion of life change that has been un-matched in the life of our church
as people have trusted Christ, taken steps to heal from addictions, and have
given their lives back to Jesus. The power of God working through His movement,
the church, to radically change lives with His reckless grace is alive and
well. This note from Sunday, which is one of the many stories of life change,
reminds us of the fact that every person, every invite, every encounter
represents someone who needs the love of Jesus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
next two weekends are strategic times to ask someone to attend with you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">This
Sunday Bryant (@bryant_golden, lead pastor) concludes our series “The
Shocking Statements of Jesus”</span></b><span style="color: black;">.
He will answer the question posed last week, <i>“What does love require of me?” </i>Our band will also introduce
two new songs. It’s going to be an amazing Sunday and a great time to
invite a guest to attend for the first time. You can send an e-invite at </span><a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php"><span style="color: blue;">www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</span></a><span style="color: black;">, share our Facebook page at </span><a href="http://www.facebook/CenterpointChurchFL"><span style="color: blue;">www.facebook/CenterpointChurchFL</span></a><span style="color: black;">, or share our Twitter handle @CenterpointFL. The point is,
if you have been waiting for a Sunday to invite, then this is the perfect
time. </span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Then, next
Sunday, Oct. 21st, we begin a brand new series called</b>
<b><i>Upgrade</i></b>.
Many of us have never really thought about what it might look like to
upgrade our walk with God - to step into the life Jesus created us for. So
for several weeks we are going to talk about what that looks like
practically. We say this often, but a new series is a great time to invite
someone. Don’t miss it!</span></li>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">Video Messages. </span></b><span style="color: black;">Lastly, we have recently created a youtube channel for Centerpoint
Church at </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/CenterpointFL"><span style="color: blue;">www.youtube.com/CenterpointFL</span></a><span style="color: black;">. We post our weekly announcement videos and now our messages. The
first message posted is "The Shocking Statements of Jesus, Part 5 (Grace
& Truth)". The quality of video and audio will improve in the coming
weeks and it will serve as another tool to view messages and share them with others
in our community. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We
look forward to seeing you Sunday at 9 or 11 AM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bryant (Lead Pastor)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-59493612340213720712012-09-20T15:26:00.001-07:002012-09-20T15:26:58.871-07:00Why Wouldn't We...?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">So we are five weeks into
the launch of our second service and, honestly, I have never seen our gathering
more passionate about carrying out our mission at Centerpoint: <i>“To lead
people into a relationship with Jesus Christ…” </i>and our strategy: <i>“To
partner with culture to tear down unnecessary barriers to the Gospel”</i>. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><b>I specifically want to encourage you to be bold
and ask someone to join you for one of our services this Sunday at 9 or 11 AM</b>.
This is one of those talks that is perfect for those who have been turned off
by the church or “Jesus followers” as well as for those who consider themselves
“Jesus followers”. Seriously take advantage of this opportunity Sunday as well
as the remaining couple weeks of this series. You have no idea what’s at stake
with a simple invite! That was never more evident than this past Sunday (one of
my all time favorites at CC).</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">A couple stories…</span></span></span>
</div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>A college student invited five friends from her college
campus in St. Pete. She came up after the second service to tell us about
her Agnostic friend who was in tears during the service and immediately
began asking questions about God. </span><span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>Another CCer shared with us that his openly Atheistic
father-in-law, who’s been hostile toward the church, came to the 11 am
service after years of being invited (so don’t give up on who you’ve been
inviting). He was extremely impressed by our volunteers and, in a positive
way, his experience was nothing like he thought it would be– high praise
from an Atheist who’s been hostile to church! It has opened the door to
several conversations since Sunday.</span><span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>A high school girl came last Wednesday and told one of
our leaders she has a lot of questions about God. She came again Sunday
WITH her parents! That’s why we constantly tell people it’s safe to come
and to have questions.</span><span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>We also had the privilege of talking to three men
Sunday who either had questions about Jesus or a desire to follow Jesus:
One man is struggling with an addiction, one told us his story of running
from God, and the other is currently on probation from a recent arrest! </span><span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>Dang, that reminds me of Jesus eating with the sinners
& tax collectors…and if the church is the representative of Jesus’
body on earth, then maybe we are on to something! Maybe there is something
to this <b>grace & truth</b> thing! </span><span>☺</span><span>
</span><span></span></span></span></li>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Last Sunday reminded me again what’s at stake
EVERY week. Stories like the above are represented in our services every
Sunday; so why wouldn’t we give our lives to seeing people’s view of the church
and consequently Jesus change forever? Why wouldn’t we pray for boldness to
invite people whose lives may change forever as a result? Why wouldn’t we
invest in the lives of these children & students who are looking for
answers and hope? Why wouldn’t we give generously to Jesus’ church to see this
happen?</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">You have to understand this doesn’t happen by
accident. People are giving sacrificially & generously, passionately
serving, and INVESTING & INVITING like crazy. So to those people we say
“THANK YOU” and to others who are on the fence, I want to encourage you to step
into being a part of this unstoppable movement that is the church.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;"><b>This past Sunday was also our largest
non-holiday attendance ever.</b> HIS church continues to grow. The number of people
in both services is very even, which gives us a great opportunity to continue
to reach more people in both time slots this Fall. </span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">As a pastor friend of mine says, “we can’t lead
anyone to fall in love with Jesus but we can keep setting up the dates!” And
that’s what we plan to do – everything short of sin to remove unnecessary
barriers to the Gospel, preach grace & truth, invite EVERYBODY in and keep
settin’ up the dates.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Love you all! The best is yet to come!</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: black;">Bryant (fellow bridge builder & lead pastor)</span></span></span>
</div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-87506129784652613922012-09-06T14:09:00.001-07:002012-09-06T14:09:50.180-07:00Chasing The Invisible <div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Momentum is a difficult thing to define. You
know when you have it, and you certainly know when you don’t. It is that “It”
factor that gives energy to your work, unity in your family, success in your
marketplace, and passion for God. You can’t manufacture momentum. It just
seems to happen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">In Spiritual terms, it’s an act of God’s
grace (God’s undeserved favor) in your circumstances and life. However,
there are some things that contribute to gaining and sustaining momentum. I
like Dave Ramsey’s definition of momentum: <b>“Focused intensity over time
multiplied by God equals unstoppable momentum”</b>. The multiplication
and supernatural power of God are what only He can do, but the focused
intensity (on the right things) is what we can do to position ourselves as
candidates for unstoppable momentum. Throughout this past year and into the
launch of our second service three weeks ago, we have seen incredible momentum surge through
Centerpoint as Jesus has faithfully built His Church. It is more than numerical
growth, we have witnessed life transformation week after week. People are
accepting Jesus as their Savior, going public with their faith through baptism,
healing from generational sin, restoring broken relationships, and falling more
in love with Jesus. It’s easy to simply say that the Holy Spirit is
working (and He is); but like the churches in Revelation, we can
invite or discourage the kind of supernatural momentum we seek. I think there
are a couple things that require our focused intensity as we move
forward. </span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Focus on others.</span></b><span> In
Matthew 28:19-20, we find our marching orders as the church. As we obey
the commands to make disciples and to baptize, God promises to manifest
His Spirit in a unique way. <u>Right now is the best time of year to invite a
coworker, friend, or neighbor.</u> We’ve seen God do unbelievable things as
we have collectively invested in our relationships and invited people
to our church gathering. Lives have been transformed! As a friend of mine likes to
say, “We can’t make people fall in love with Jesus, but we can set up the
date.”</span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Focus on being open handed. </span></b><span>Jesus
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their good and His glory. Jesus also made the promise that we could
re-direct our passions when they are in the wrong place, specifically with
our wealth. As a church, the basis of our message is the generosity of
Jesus. So when we are generous to give toward those coming to know Jesus,
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God is doing through Centerpoint in order to keep the momentum alive.
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environments, life-changing weekend services, and opportunities for
college-age adults. Thank you for your continued generosity to make
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Focus on playing our part.</span></b><span> We are
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means we have been made a part of God’s Church by His grace. Your
part is indispensable. Serve where God has gifted you; find a place where
there is a need. We have seen so many CCers step up to serve well every
single week. If you haven’t yet, join us in being a Bridge Builder in one
of our ministry environments. It will change some one's life, not to
mention yours. </span></span></li>
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<ol start="4" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Focus on recognizing nothing happens without
Jesus.</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> See
the negative side of momentum is this, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext;">“our
pride and complacency repels the special presence of God” – Matt Chandler.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Prayer is where we surrender our
will and declare our dependence on Him. We can do nothing without His
power. Continue to pray with us and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">join
us on October 3<sup>rd</sup> at 7 PM for our next corporate Night of
Worship and Prayer</b>.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">I am so excited about all that God is doing
at CC as He continues to reach the 60,000 unchurched in our immediate area. I
am passionate that Centerpoint always stays in a position of focused intensity
so that we do not hinder the momentum God has so graciously multiplied and
sustained over the past year. Thank you for being a conduit to the Gospel week
after week by inviting, serving, giving, and praying. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">Love you guys!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bryant (CC Bridge Builder)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-56007815862701340302012-08-15T13:46:00.001-07:002012-08-15T13:49:56.606-07:00Strengthen & Expand<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We at CC are
still a relatively new gathering…an expanding church led by a ferociously
dedicated team of Bridge Builders and the best team of leaders you’ll find
anywhere. Throughout 2011 and into 2012, we have sought to mirror Isaiah
54:2: <i><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Enlarge the place
of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your
cords, strengthen your stakes.</span></b></i> We started praying Sun Stand
Still prayers and asking God to burden our hearts to not be able to stand the
fact that there are so many people (approximately 60,000) in our area who need
the message of radical grace offered by Jesus. We also prayed that God would
“strengthen our stakes” by seeing Christians grow in their passion for God’s
glory revealed in their lives. A little over a year ago I wrote this in one of
my blogs:</span><br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"There are thousands who have
never really heard the message of the Gospel in our city and every year that
number grows but what if that trend turned around?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our faith grows and view of God expands, I
believe we will see that happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will
be willing to pray Sun Stand Still prayers because we can’t stand what is at
stake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our trust in God will be
activated and our concern for the un-churched in our sphere of influence will
be ignited. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>What could happen in our
church and community if we prayed big?"</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>"Frankly, I have no idea what
will happen, but I know how to find out. It starts with </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God, we know you can, we are asking if you’re willing</i><i>.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And we have
just begun to see God move on our behalf. As we have prayed and followed His
leading, we have watched God expand the borders of all things CC. Many
new people have made their way to our gathering and have been rocked by the
power and presence of God’s Spirit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">There are
seasons within the life of every church which, according to the New Testament,
is not a building but a living organism. There are seasons to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">strengthen the stakes</b> and wait on God
to prepare for the next season of growth. As Andrew Murray says, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Waiting
on God ascribes to God the glory of being all to us</i></b>. When we wait, we look
up, and honor Him by letting Him know that we know what He knows–that Jesus is
all we need! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(1)</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Then there
are other seasons where we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">expand the
stakes</b> and, prompted by God’s leading, seek to see more people rocked by
the power of God. I believe we have just entered into this monumental season.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So, if you
consider yourself a part of our CC family, I want to invite you into this
season of expanding our stakes. Not as a consumer but as contributor. Let’s
make space to remember and continue to pray big. Serve faithfully as an indispensable
part of this Body; be radically generous to keep the movement moving, and take
time to invite others into the growing movement that is His church expressed
through Centerpoint.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">This Sunday,
August 19<sup>th</sup> we launch our two service times at 9 and 11 am. This is
the most strategic time to begin a second service as we start the new school
year. We are looking forward to seeing both services grow throughout this fall.
We have an incredible opportunity with an earlier service time as new families
to the community are looking for a church home, individuals are coming back to
church after the summer months, and many people are open to “trying out the
church thing” again. I say this a lot, but a new series is the perfect time to
invite. This is especially true as we start the series, “The Shocking
Statements of Jesus”. Take the time to check out the series trailer and info
online at </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewseries.php?id=82">http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewseries.php?id=82</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, send an e-invite at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php">www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</a>,
and hand out an invite card. Be bold! You have no idea what God will do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Centerpoint
Church is a Jesus church. He is at the center of it all. So, let’s
fill these days with talk about Him…and believe that He will be made strong
through us.</span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“…tearing down unnecessary barriers to the
Gospel.” </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bryant (CC
Bridge Builder)</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">(1)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Passion City </span></i></span></div>
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Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-33887683602099266812012-06-08T20:40:00.002-07:002012-06-08T20:41:09.719-07:00Be The Church: Two Opportunities<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">CCers, <br />
<br />
We have two HUGE opportunities for you to "Be the Church" in our
community and literally around the world the next few weeks... <br />
<br />
1.<b> Church at the Park:</b> July 1st, we will not have any worship services on
site. Instead, we are going to meet at a park from 11 AM to 3 PM for a special
baptism service, live worship, food, and fellowship. <u>We have had 20 plus
adults, teenagers, and children either accept Jesus as their Savior and/or
commit to baptism over the past two weeks! It has been an overwhelming move of
God's power through our church and we can't wait for you to hear and see the
stories of life change.</u> We know this day is going to be an incredible
glimpse into what God is doing at CC and will continue to do. Now is the time
to invest and invite. We will have invite cards specifically for "Church
at the Park" available over the next couple of weeks. "Church at the
Park" is a great way for your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to
see what we are all about in a relaxed, family friendly environment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2.<b> Opportunity from China:</b>
Deon Brand is working with an organization that is bringing about 35 Chinese
students (ages 10-12) to the States for three weeks. Thanks to the hospitality
of families from Centerpoint and churches in the Brandon and Plant City area,
he only has about 7 more boys to place in host homes! If you or someone you
know is interested in hosting, stop by the info table in the lobby on Sunday.
The children arrive in Orlando the 10th, and they will be going back to China
July 30th. They will spend the evenings and the weekends with their host
families. This is an incredible opportunity for our church and community. We
get the opportunity to share Jesus with children who are from a closed country.
Please be praying for the children and the host homes.<br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for serving, connecting
and reaching to lead people into a relationship with Jesus. You are a part of
the Unstoppable Movement that is the Church. I love you guys and am praying for
you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bryant</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Lead Pastor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Centerpoint Church</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Twitter: @bryant_golden</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-2223402517308784292012-04-19T18:03:00.001-07:002012-04-19T18:04:28.792-07:00Coming Soon!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CCers,</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I began last year asking you to pray some Sun Stand Still prayers with me...and it is obvious you have stepped up to the plate! God is moving in some unbelievable ways at Centerpoint Church! We have had more people walk through our doors in the past two weeks than ever before. We are moving quickly to be at capacity in our ministry environments. That means more people are hearing about the saving grace of Jesus, more marriages are being restored, more teenagers are finding a place to belong, more children are understanding the Bible...more lives are being changed! Thank you for the part you have played by praying, volunteering, and giving in self-sacrificial ways.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With that being said, I am excited to tell you that we are planning to announce the date for our second service launch in the next couple weeks. I believe this is a step of faith...but one that we are ready for! This past Sunday, we couldn't have fit any more chairs and/or people (or children) in our one service. In fact, this past Sunday several areas of our kid’s environments were completely maxed out. We want to keep reaching people with the life changing message of Jesus and the only logical next step is a second service, which our elders and team leads are praying and planning for.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With that being said, we need you! We need you to be willing to volunteer in Kids Point, Kid Zone, Host Team, and Parking. We cannot successfully launch a second service without an influx of volunteers. There are two distinct advantages to a second service (one at 9 am and one at 11 am): First, with so many new people every week, there are now many more opportunities for people to serve who aren’t plugged in somewhere. And second, all of our ministry environments are on a rotation basis; so the months you are on rotation, you still have the option to attend a service and not miss corporate worship and teaching. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To partner with us in what God is doing, fill out the insert in the bulletin or go to <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/volunteer">www.centerpointfl.org/volunteer</a> and list the area you are available to serve (specifically Kids Point, Kid Zone, Host Team, and Parking) along with your contact information. Don't sit back and think someone else will do it. Get involved and find out what you have been missing sitting on the sidelines! It is an amazing thing to be a part of the unstoppable movement, the Church.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I ask that you would join us in praying over this huge milestone in Centerpoint Church's history! We are confident of big things ahead.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Love you guys,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bryant</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Host Team: Fabrice Joanis</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kids Point (K4-5<sup>th</sup> grade): Tad O'Donnell or Deon Brand</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kid Zone (Birth-3 years): Dawn Licona</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Parking: Eric Lopez</span></span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-92182677498279739422012-04-05T08:42:00.000-07:002012-04-05T08:42:17.425-07:00Easter: A Couple Things To Know...<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">CC’ers, here are a couple reminders and updates as we prepare for Easter weekend. <span> </span>Our Easter schedule is Good Friday at 7 pm and Easter Sunday at 9 am and 11 am.</span></div><ol style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>This past weekend was unbelievable! The testimony of Dale and Linda Golden (my parents) was powerful. The response from those who are currently struggling with their own “no” from God was overwhelming and moving. The video will soon be posted on our facebook page and website. Go online for the podcast of When God? Part 2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>This past Sunday we matched our largest attendance ever for the second straight week and Easter is still to come.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>With that said, we are praying that every one of us will take advantage of the incredible opportunity we’ve been given. The freedom to speak the name of Jesus and invite someone to a service where the hope of Christ’s resurrection will be proclaimed. Be bold!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>People are more likely to accept an invitation to attend a service at Easter than any other time of year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>If everyone shared an invite on facebook, sent an e-invite on our website, or simply gave out one of the invite cards we’ve made available it would reach thousands. Go to <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewseries.php?id=62">http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewseries.php?id=62</a> to view the trailer video which will also be posted on facebook.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>I love Paul’s words shortly after the launch of the church in Acts 28 when he gives this promise: <i>“God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen”.</i> That promise should ignite passion. This isn’t about more people attending; it’s about people being transformed by the love of Jesus forever.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>Also, this Sunday is the Grand Opening of our new Kids Point environment. We will have some special things taking place for the kids through 5<sup>th</sup> grade. THANK YOU to everyone who has given so much time and effort to make this environment happen for our kids!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>Lastly, you’ll want to get there early Sunday for two reasons: <span> </span>1) You don’t want to miss our pre-service opener…it will be worth it. 2) And the earlier you get there the easier it will be on our parking teams and ushers. Despite two services we expect the 11 am to be full. </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Each night at 7 pm we are praying for God to give us boldness and for the Holy Spirit to transform lives. Pray with us wherever you are. See you Friday!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryant </span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-90729812884188037322012-03-27T15:02:00.001-07:002012-03-27T15:03:54.646-07:00Important Info About Easter<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the big questions about Christianity is how did it get out of the first century? How did a struggling movement centered around a dead guy ever make it out of Jerusalem? Furthermore, how did a band of insurrectionists and misfits who were cowering to school girls in courtyards (Peter) hours before Jesus’ crucifixion suddenly become ferocious with the message of Jesus? And not only did the message make it out of Jerusalem; it divided history, toppled the greatest power of the known world (Rome), spread across every socio-economic line, and eventually dominated the entire globe. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here we are… The name of Jesus is recognized and known worldwide like no other name. How does that happen? Two words: The resurrection! The resurrection of Jesus turned cowards into fearless communicators of the good news of Jesus. It’s what led them, at the expense of their life, to pray this astonishing prayer shortly after Jesus’ ascension in <b>Acts 4:29:</b><i> “</i><i>Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great <b>boldness</b>.”</i> They didn’t pray for protection; they prayed for boldness. It’s the reason the world will celebrate and gather around the name of Jesus this Easter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, because of their boldness, most of us will never face that kind of persecution in our part of the world. In contrast, we have an incredible opportunity to speak out about Jesus, but it still requires courage. We have been invited into this unstoppable movement known as THE CHURCH and our mandate is clear. It’s time to BE BOLD…</span></div><ol style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><b>EASTER EXTRAVANGANZA</b> this Saturday from 12-3 pm. This is not about Easter egg hunts, food, and bounce houses. This is a bridge for people to be introduced to what THE CHURCH is about. And by the church, we mean the people!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><b>GOOD FRIDAY</b>, April 6<sup>th</sup> at 7 pm. We will have a chance to remember the events of Good Friday through an extended time of worship in music and Communion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><b>EASTER SUNDAY</b>, April 8<sup>th</sup> at 9 am and 11 am. With two services, we have created more space for everyone to invite freely and to witness <i>“the power of God for salvation”</i> in many lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><b>PRAY FOR BOLDNESS</b> each night at 7 pm. We are asking CC’ers throughout the community to join us each night at 7 pm, wherever you are, and pray specifically for boldness as we invite and for God to powerfully transform lives this Easter. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><b>For more details, invites, and volunteer sign ups, go to www.centerpointfl.org .</b></span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past weekend, a man named Joe approached me and said he was on an international flight in December when someone told him about CC. He decided to attend one of our Christmas services and has been coming regularly ever since. What he said next was a reminder to me about what’s at stake every week and why I’m praying for boldness this Easter: <i>“You just have to know that my life has changed over these past two and a half months, and I just want to say thank you.”</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all have friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members, work-out partners, school friends, and others who don’t know Jesus. Because Jesus first loved us, we can love them. It’s time to be <b>BOLD and </b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">INVITE!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-19564190662941477152012-02-14T15:04:00.000-08:002012-02-16T11:37:40.658-08:00The Unstoppable Movement: Two Big Opportunities<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This past Sunday we looked at Paul’s exhortation to fulfill our role as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. That role is not just to be another part of our lives, <i>it is to be our lives</i>. We are ambassadors at our jobs, in our families, during our recreation, in our fantasy football leagues, in our neighbor hoods, you get the picture. We are to be ambassadors because our message is not intuitive; it's not about a philosophy of life people can arrive to on their own; it’s not general concepts about God; and it's not about some elevated sense of morality or ethics. Christianity is about an event that happened in history.. Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again and offers no-strings-attached forgiveness & grace by faith. The only way to discover history is for someone to tell you. People will come up with do better and try harder on their own, but they won’t come up with the scandalous message of the Gospel. The Gospel is a message that is for everybody but is always shared by somebody. If you were not there Sunday you can listen to Get Back Part 6 by going <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/seriesarchive.php">www.centerpointfl.org/seriesarchive.php</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The individual Christian and The Church collectively were always meant to be partners in modeling and proclaiming the message of Jesus. The Church was not a weird Christian sub-culture; the Church was to be </span><span style="font-size: small;">counter-cultural with </span><span style="font-size: small;">our message and life as we partner together as the body of Christ in order to not make it difficult for those who are turning to God (Acts 15:19). That’s why our strategy at CC is to tear down the unnecessary barriers so the message of Jesus is clearly heard by long-time Christians, those new to faith, those who see the church as the obstacle to faith, or those who are simply investigating Christianity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So many of you have modeled that mission and strategy in your individual lives and as a part of The Church. Because of that, we have heard about stories of transformation in your communities outside the church, God has blessed us with many attenders coming to know Jesus as their Savior within the church, healed marriages, freedom from addictions, students & children finding adults who care, and many more stories. This also means that we have grown numerically by more than 100 people since August. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With that in mind, I would like you to pray with me about two exciting new opportunities:<b> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Online Streaming Service</b> – <i>This was one of our long term strategic initiatives that recently became feasible. This platform is thousands of dollars worth of web content for a state of the art online service provided absolutely free through the generosity of Life Church and Craig Groeschel. This will include more than just a video of the service: </i><i></i></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>An embedded video area of our message and music each week.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>A slide area of our graphics and announcements.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>A way for people to request live prayer.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Social media connections.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Tab options including chat, visitor map, sermon notes, and other text.</i></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is not a substitute for our service, but a supplement to our weekend services. It has been the experience of many of our friends and fellow churches that this tool will reach many long before they will ever step foot into a service. It also provides a way for people to share what God is doing through CC regardless of where they live. Our podcast hits have grown significantly beyond just our local area and this provides another format to experiencing and hearing the Gospel. We often hear that people have no idea what to expect of Centerpoint just by driving by or hearing something. For that reason it provides a powerful tool for you to share with people the experience and for them to see what God is doing at CC before they ever attend.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2. A second service</b> – <i>Statistically, we are at 80% capacity with our adult and children’s service attendance. We are close to maxing out our growth and because you have invested & invited, we continue to grow! This past Sunday, we added more chairs and nearly filled up the auditorium again, even with the added seating. We have now used all of the additional seating we purchased at the end of December. For that reason, we have included a Second Service Survey in your bulletins this Sunday and it will also be available on our website. This survey will give us an idea about the best options for times for our second service and give us an opportunity to see how many people would be willing to volunteer in a Sunday environment like Kid Zone & Promiseland if there is a second service.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are humbled by all that God has done through the ministry of Centerpoint for the name and renown of Jesus. We are praying for wisdom and direction to be faithful stewards of all that God has given us. Now is the most strategic time ever to volunteer and consider serving, especially to children, in one of Sunday environments with the start of a second service. God has given us an unbelievable opportunity to reach a part of the 60,000 un-churched, unreached in our community who have been turned off to the church, have questions about Jesus, are looking for a place to “fit” regardless of their background or what they look like, or those who are simply looking for a place to grow in their faith while reaching others who need the life changing message of grace. We have an opportunity to be <i>that</i> place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryant</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-31617804163621229372012-01-28T11:42:00.000-08:002012-01-28T12:15:53.775-08:00What I Still Can't Stand...<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love our church. I love what God is doing through our church.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can’t wait for each Sunday…worshiping God as our band leads, meeting new people, hearing dramatic stories of Gospel transformation every week, witnessing entire families accept Christ as their Savior, or watching our volunteers in action as a bridge to the love of Jesus. To me, nothing is more rewarding.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I consistently walk away so inspired and overwhelmed by God’s grace. One Sunday in particular in 2011, new people flooded into our services (We grew by 80 people that one Sunday), several people accepted Christ as their Savior, the worship was amazing, and God clearly transformed hearts. We started the year praying for a move of God in ways that we couldn't imagine. We were experiencing that move of God!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxOzVatHd3upG7gd1pG3DTCHvRdizmkm7pS0nMmEUBoZakTvVkRsogGyLAcqEjL_Xzo9khAz11TqzWKG5lQHNmLWRfw6Xs4pfqRm6ShgcBF70RhP3iKNXTTX-w-If0q9Im5njBf-CbgE/s1600/60k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxOzVatHd3upG7gd1pG3DTCHvRdizmkm7pS0nMmEUBoZakTvVkRsogGyLAcqEjL_Xzo9khAz11TqzWKG5lQHNmLWRfw6Xs4pfqRm6ShgcBF70RhP3iKNXTTX-w-If0q9Im5njBf-CbgE/s200/60k.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Then what I have described for you before inevitably happened again. I walked back into my office and saw this picture. A picture I see every day hanging above my office door. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I was reminded of the 60,000 people in our community who have no clue about what is going on at Centerpoint</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">…the 60,000 who have never believed or have left the “church” at some point in their lives. And as great as the service was that morning, they were no closer to a relationship with Jesus.<b> I can hardly stand the thought of that. It keeps me restless and passionate for what needs done in our community.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I can’t stand the fact that this area has so many churches, many of which are reaching “church people”, while so many others have never heard the Gospel and are right outside our door. These are the people we come in contact with at the grocery store, in our neighborhoods, and at the gym. They are the people we do life with every day. So what do we do? Many of you are investing & inviting every week and people are coming and lives are being changed…but what else can we do? I believe a great place to start is the same way we started off 2011 - praying & fasting.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">We easily lose sight of what God wants to do in our world. This is especially true in the arena of reaching unbelievers in our sphere of influence. If we’re not careful, we will drift into comfortable huddles with other believers without reaching or praying big for those around us. Maybe we are intimidated or just caught up with life that we don’t think about it. But as we begin to pray, “God , I surrender my will” and “I declare my dependence” I believe God will ignite a passion for the things he is passionate about – like reaching people who need Jesus.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The good news is that our church is growing. The bad news is the number of un-churched in our area is growing much faster. I still can’t stand that.</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">But what if that trend turned around? As our trust grows and our view of God expands, I believe we will see that happen. Our trust in God will be activated and our concern for the un-churched in our sphere of influence will be ignited. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What could happen in our church and community if we prayed in such a way that our will conformed to his will? </b></span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly, I have no idea what will happen, but I know we had a small taste of what's possible in 2011. What might God do through us in 2012. It starts with “<i>God, we know you can, we are asking if You’re willing”</i>. I believe this will be an incredible, life altering, church transforming journey.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for taking the time to read this and join us. Let us know what God does through your 21 day journey via our twitter handle (@CenterpointFL) or on our facebook page.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryant</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-65486321640896300612012-01-26T14:41:00.000-08:002012-01-26T14:41:46.838-08:0021 Days of Prayer & Fasting: It's not what you think<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s the beginning of a new year, which brings the promise of a fresh start. This is the best time to stage your comeback and to recover your spiritual momentum through Christ. Last week we talked about “Getting Back” into God’s Word, and this week we will be talking about “Getting Back” into prayer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">There is only one path to a relationship with God but multiple expressions of that relationship. We all have unique approaches to our relationship with God (log onto our website to take the “Discover Your Style” test), including our prayer lives. To jump start our prayer life as a church family - but still honor the fact that we all have individual styles - we are launching a 21 Day Fast on Monday, January 30<sup>th</sup>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Most of you equate fasting with not eating. Relax. You can fast from any number of things, such as TV, music, coke, desserts, etc. It may be just turning off the radio on your morning commute and using the time to pray. The possibilities are endless. During the 21 Day Fast, you are fasting from one thing in order to gain some extra time in prayer. By making sacrifices, we are reminded of our dependence on God and His ultimate sacrifice for us. This is an awesome time to grow in your relationship with God by trying something new and out of the box.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to encourage you to log onto our website (<a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/">www.centerpointFL.org</a>) and download the YouVersion Bible App under our “media & resources” link. In addition to its various Bible reading plans, YouVersion has a 21 Day Prayer and Fasting Guide to walk you through the next few weeks. It’s free to download so take advantage of this great resource. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
To kick off our 21 Day Fast, join us for a Night of Worship, Prayer, and Communion this Sunday, January 29<sup>th</sup>, at 5 pm in the Worship Center.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">In Christ,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryant</span></div></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-6969925173349597542012-01-17T07:55:00.000-08:002012-01-17T07:55:03.280-08:00Who's There To Help You Up?<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="post-header" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> Ecclesiastes 4:9-10</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">The above verse is one of the many reasons that our church is built on this principle: Small groups lead to life change (circles are better than rows). As you look back on your life or look at your current circumstances you’ll see stumbling blocks along the way (ideas, people, wealth, hard times)? Stumbling blocks are those things that cause us to stumble away from God. It’s during those times that community or lack of community with others will determine how far we stumble or how hard we fall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Still, creating authentic community takes time, trust, and commitment. It takes a sacrifice of your time to make a small group a priority because it always seems like there is something more important. The urgent (the soccer game, paying bills, the project, Tivo) usually wins out over the long term. We always have the idea we are going to make time later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">What I know about you is that your greatest regret or pain could have been avoided or less traumatic because of caring, authentic relationships around you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think back on how your childhood would have been different if your parents had been in a small group with other believers on a consistent basis. How could your child’s experience be different because of the choices you make today?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Autonomy is part of the American dream but it’s not a Biblical principle. Growth, accountability, belonging, and care happen in Community Groups (Small groups) . . . in circles, not rows. It's easy to stumble away from faith when you are a nameless person sitting in a row on Sunday morning. But it's almost impossible to stumble away, or to stay away, when you're in community, doing life with a group of people. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">(1)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Don’t let the urgent win out over the necessary. The outcomes could make all the difference in your life and the life of those around you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To choose a community group and get connected attend our GroupLink this Thursday at 7 PM. RSVP here: http://www.centerpointfl.org/grouplink</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Bryant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Lead Pastor </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">(1) Stumbling Along from @northpointministries</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-10998687372913397142011-12-30T14:04:00.000-08:002011-12-30T14:08:01.806-08:00Important Notice: End Of Year Giving<span style="font-size: small;">As we near the end of the calendar year, we wanted to remind you of a couple important items pertaining to your contributions to Centerpoint Church.<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Charitable Deduction</b> – Due to the non-profit status of Centerpoint Church, your contributions are considered tax-deductible by the U.S. Government for annual tax reporting. Please not donors must postmark checks by December 31, 2011 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for the calendar year 2011. Checks that are placed in the church offering during the first worship service in 2012 will NOT qualify for charitable contribution deduction in 2011, even if the check is pre-dated to 2011 or was actually written in 2011. However, checks that are written, mailed, and postmarked in 2011 will be deductible in 2011, even if they are not received until 2012. Online gifts given before midnight Dec. 31<sup>st</sup> will also count toward 2011. Go to: <a href="https://secure.quickswipe.com/CenterpointChurch/pay/?f=1">https://secure.quickswipe.com/CenterpointChurch/pay/?f=1</a> Further, any checks given during this Saturday night's worship service (New Year's Eve at 5 p.m.) will be counted for the 2011 tax period, even if the transfer of funds from your account does not take place until 2012.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Please keep in mind when mailing contributions that the Centerpoint Church offices will be closed until Wed., Jan. 4. Please contact <a href="mailto:info@centerpointfl.org">info@centerpointfl.org</a> for further questions.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The possibilities in front of us are limitless. Our prayer in 2012 is that Centerpoint Church would continue to become a radical group of Jesus followers who have one goal in mind – God’s glory. And to that end we would make a difference in our workplace, neighborhood, PTA, schools, etc so that many would come to know the message of Jesus and receive the free gift of salvation because of our church (not the building, the people!).</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Thank You -</b> We are grateful for your generosity and cherish the opportunity to be financially invested with you into God's Kingdom here in the greater Brandon area and around the globe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bryant</span>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-65370542506387674252011-12-17T08:37:00.000-08:002011-12-17T08:39:22.048-08:00Maybe The Most Important Thing You'll Do This Christmas<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Our church was launched with the mission to </span><i>“Lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> by tearing down any of the unnecessary barriers to the Gospel. </span>From the very beginning of Centerpoint, <i>invest and invite </i><span style="font-style: normal;">has characterized our desire to reach people. </span><i>Invest</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in the lives of those you interact with in the marketplace, workplace, and even in your own home and then take the time to</span><i> invite</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> them to a service at Centerpoint. This is by no means the only way to lead people to Jesus, but we have experienced several key results as we have invested and invited as a church:</span></span> </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As we invite, we are constantly reminded why we are here: To glorify God by leading people to Jesus. That reminder keeps us from the insidious drift of being a church made up of cliques to a church driven to reach out. </span></span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As we invite, we step outside our comfort zone and interact with people, and </span><i>people</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> are the point.</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As we invite, many times doors open up to conversations outside the church about the message of Jesus.</span></span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And as we invite, as we have seen in so many cases, God draws that person back to a community of faith, He heals a marriage, He tears down stereotypes of who God is, and He leads people to trust Christ as their personal Savior.</span></span></div></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As we approach Christmas day, I pray that we are reminded that </span><i>people</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> are the point of Christmas. That Jesus being sent as a baby in a manger was light coming into darkness, forgiveness coming into a world of condemnation, rules being replaced by a relationship. The message of Christmas was extremely personal, but it was never meant to be private. It was to be heralded to all people of all times.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So this Christmas I want to motivate and remind you to invest and invite and maybe even go a step further to commit to bring someone with you. Do whatever it takes to give someone an opportunity to hear this incredible message. There is a great possibility that his/her life will be transformed by the good news of Jesus forever.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We are putting a lot of time and effort into our Christmas Eve service from the worship to the message. We are praying, inviting, and expecting God to do the unthinkable. Would you pick up a stack of invite cards this Sunday or go online to <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php">http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</a> and send an E-invite for our </span><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24</b></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>th</b></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> at 5 PM?</b></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> People are more open and ready to attend a service this time of year than any other time. Don't miss this chance to be a part of what God wants to do in lives. So many people are one invitation away from encountering life change that is only offered by Jesus.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For more info about our service times for Christmas weekend go here: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/servicetimes">http://www.centerpointfl.org/servicetimes</a> </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Merry Christmas!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bryant Golden</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-56783051860901359232011-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:002011-12-08T12:50:31.466-08:00New Christmas Series & Service Times<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>New Christmas Series Starts Sunday: The Thrill Of Hope</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We all look for hope. Nothing personifies hope more than the story of Christmas. But the characters that make up that story are somewhat surprising. They are shady individuals you might not invite to your own Christmas party, yet they were used by God to bring the Messiah into the world. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Christmas story is also our story. God came as a baby to give hope to those who could never earn it or keep it. A hope not based on our personal righteousness but His promise. The Christmas story is an incredible depiction of hope because it tears away our labels and reveals that none of us are too broken, too far gone, or to far away from God's love. It's the thrill of hope for ALL mankind.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In The Thrill of Hope, Bryant tells this powerful story in a way you may have never heard it before. There is not a better time of year to invite a friend, neighbor or coworker. You can send an e-invite online at <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php">www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Christmas and New Year's Service Times:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Christmas we will have a Christmas Eve service on Saturday, Dec. 24<sup>th</sup> at 5 PM, with no Sunday service on Christmas Day. We will also have a New Year's Eve service on Saturday, Dec. 31<sup>st</sup> at 5 PM, with no Sunday service on New Year's Day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We believe it is supremely important that we gather together on a weekly basis as the church to worship and to encourage one another as well as to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus. We are looking forward to doing that in our two Saturday services on Dec. 24<sup>th</sup> and Dec. 31<sup>st</sup>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The Christmas and New Year's holidays are special times for us to slow down and to enjoy our families, especially those coming from out of town. Saturday services allow us a body to worship together, while still being able to be with our families on Christmas and New Year's Day. These two Saturday services will also give us the opportunity to say “Thank you” to our volunteers and team leads who serve faithfully each Sunday to lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We hope you will take time to join us on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to worship and to exalt Jesus. Childcare up to 5<sup>th</sup> grade will be provided for both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve services. However, on Christmas Eve, we encourage you to bring your children into the service at your discretion to worship together as a family. Each child will receive a gift bag on the way in with crayons, coloring pages, etc. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We pray this season stirs your affections for Jesus Christ.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Merry Christmas!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bryant Golden</div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-62114976152572623012011-08-31T13:28:00.001-07:002011-09-08T13:11:26.503-07:00Who's There To Help You Up?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">The above verse is one of the many reasons that our church is built on this principle: Small groups lead to life change (circles are better than rows). As you look back on your life or look at your current circumstances you’ll see stumbling blocks along the way (ideas, people, wealth, hard times)? Stumbling blocks are those things that cause us to stumble away from God. It’s during those times that community or lack of community with others will determine how far we stumble or how hard we fall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Still, creating authentic community takes time, trust, and commitment. It takes a sacrifice of your time to make a small group a priority because it always seems like there is something more important. The urgent (the soccer game, paying bills, the project, Tivo) usually wins out over the long term. We always have the idea we are going to make time later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">What I know about you is that your greatest regret or pain could have been avoided or less traumatic because of caring, authentic relationships around you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think back on how your childhood would have been different if your parents had been in a small group with other believers on a consistent basis. How could your child’s experience be different because of the choices you make today?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Autonomy is part of the American dream but it’s not a Biblical principle. Growth, accountability, belonging, and care happen in Community Groups (Small groups) . . . in circles, not rows. It's easy to stumble away from faith when you are a nameless person sitting in a row on Sunday morning. But it's almost impossible to stumble away, or to stay away, when you're in community, doing life with a group of people. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">(1)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Don’t let the urgent win out over the necessary. The outcomes could make all the difference in your life and the life of those around you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Bryant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">(1) Stumbling Along from @northpointministries</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-30029934479495832192011-08-18T07:50:00.000-07:002011-08-18T07:52:23.320-07:00Why is tonight's ministry orientation important?<div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my pet peeves is that churches use the term “full-time ministry” to refer to a select group of individuals. Biblically, every Believer is in “full-time ministry”. Every one of us has been called by God to minister in the market place, in our families, in our schools, and in the local church as part of the Body of Christ.</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; height: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you serve in an environment at Centerpoint Church, you have to know that you are more than a volunteer. You are a minster of the Gospel and a conduit for the power of God to change lives. </span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; height: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every week first time guests show up at Centerpoint Church and many trust Christ as their personal Savior like this past Sunday. People often think that the music or the message is what the Holy Spirit uses to lead people to Jesus. But before the band every played or before I ever preached a message, someone nervously stepped out of their comfort zone to invite a guest to Centerpoint. </span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; height: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When guests arrived on our campus Sunday morning, a CCer was there directing cars in 95 degrees and providing a warm welcome, quite literally. Host Team members personally greeted guests with smiles, proving Jesus is about people, not pasts. Earlier that morning, individuals were setting up signs and cones, making coffee, and getting environments ready. Earlier that week, people prepared curriculum and cleaned rooms, organized supplies and planned meticulously, and spent hours putting together videos and songs, all so children could hear the life changing message of Jesus. Hours have been spent preparing bulletins, organizing events, shooting videos, prepping songs, and performing sound checks so that by the time guests walk into the Worship Center to take their seats, they are ready to hear from God. During the service, babies are cared for and not “babysat,” because volunteers realize they are a conduit for God’s power. Children are taught and led in small groups by volunteers who understand they are not just watching kids but laying a anchor in the heart of children that could dramatically change their lives. By the time I open my mouth to start the message, Christ has already been preached by countless volunteers who realize they are a minister of the Gospel. Guests may say it was the message that changed their lives, but the real miracle happened well before they heard a message. All because ordinary people realized they were the church and gave what they had, so God could take their ordinary and do something extraordinary in someone else’s life.</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; height: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow night is our Fall Ministry Orientation. We will provide a dinner at 7 PM. The orientation will finish no later than 8:30 PM. The ministry environments addressed will be our Host Team, Kid Zone (nursery), Promiseland Kids, Parking Team, and Ushers. The ministry orientation is for all <span style="font-weight: bold;">current and brand new volunteers</span> to Centerpoint Church.</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; height: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our commitment is to equip volunteers for the ministry God has called them to for the sake of those they serve. If you are a current volunteer and are unable to attend for some reason, please let your ministry Team Leader know. If you are considering volunteering, you are welcome to attend. If you haven’t yet, please let us know the number attending by emailing </span><a href="mailto:info@centerpontfl.org"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">info@centerpontfl.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you and see you tonight!</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: Times New Roman; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bryant</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-13724872757553215012011-08-12T08:59:00.000-07:002011-08-18T07:54:45.955-07:00Take 60 seconds and read about this weekend!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CC’ers,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think of when you hear the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">church</i>? Your answer probably has a lot to do with your background. You might picture pews, choirs, a band, liturgy, a building or maybe you just see an obligation. The truth is, the early church really had little to do with any of the things we traditionally think about when it comes to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">church</i>. Instead, it was an unstoppable movement centered on a simple message and an extraordinary event. Sunday, I will begin a new series called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unstoppable, </i>discussing how the early, New Testament church launched on opening day and its relevance to us today. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unstoppable </i>series, we will see through baptisms and personal testimonies that what Christ prophesied and promised to do through the church, He is doing in<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> our</i> church presently. It’s the reason we are growing numerically, lives are being changed on a weekly basis, and people are having their ideas about the local church and consequently, Jesus, changed forever. This past Sunday, I spoke with a gentleman that attempted suicide in his darkest moments almost one year ago to the day. At the time he was under the weight of addiction with the feeling he had no one to turn to and no one who loved him. He went on to describe that the people of Centerpoint changed what he thought about nobody loving or caring. They represented to him the love and grace of Jesus…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they were the church</i>. Now, he his completely free from addiction and growing in a relationship with Jesus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say this a lot, but a new series is the ideal time to invite a friend or a coworker. This is especially true of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unstoppable</i>. Sunday is the unofficial launch to the fall season, since school is about to start up. New families to the community are looking for a church home, individuals are coming back to church after the summer months, and many people are open to “trying out the church thing” again. Take the time to send an e-invite at </span><a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.centerpointfl.org/invite.php</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or hand out an invite card. I also want to encourage you to join us this Saturday for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Serve Our City</i>. From 11 am to 2 pm, we are going to hand out water bottles with invite cards attached in front of Centerpoint Church. We want to tangibly serve our community and prove that we are more than a building with attendees; we are a movement with a message.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for being the church and not just going to church.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you Sunday at Centerpoint as we celebrate baptisms, continue our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace</i> series in Promiseland Kids, and launch the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unstoppable</i> series!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bryant </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3849969676102479983.post-74020893825763891702011-06-30T09:10:00.000-07:002011-10-26T09:34:03.717-07:00Is Church Partnership (Membership) Biblical?<div style="border-bottom: #adaea9 1pt dashed; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 5pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we started Centerpoint Church, we set out to be an alternative to church as usual. “Church as usual” is acting more like a social club for insiders rather than helping believers grow in a relationship with Jesus and reaching out to the modern day “sinners and tax collectors”. The usual is often times inauthentic gatherings where a high priority is placed on looking the part and affirming moralism at the expense of a genuine relationship with Christ. The usual all too often equals ridiculous squabbles among “church people” about music and programs with no real love for one other. Centerpoint is an imperfect church full of sinful people, like any other church. However, we realized that now a whole new generation of people exists who no longer want to be catered to but want real answers to their spiritual questions. They have grown disillusioned to the concept of the church, which many times not only failed to answer questions, but seemed more preoccupied with religious people than with those who were legitimately searching. In frequent conversations, I hear things like, “The church is about empire building”; “It’s about money and a pastor’s ego”; or “I love Jesus, it’s the church I don’t like.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet another: “The church should just be a group of believers with no leadership or formal organization”. I have to admit that some of these comments resonated with me and were the motivation behind my passion for starting a church like Centerpoint. Since its inception, Centerpoint has grown rapidly, specifically in recent days. A lot of people with those same push backs now attend CC week after week. We have seen so many who have never attended a church, at least not for years, connect with Centerpoint. Additionally, we have seen many long-time Christians come to CC to minster, to grow and to reach others for Jesus Christ. Our goal has always been to preach the message of Jesus aggressively and to eliminate all of the un-needed distractions that keep people from hearing this message. Though many people have found a “home” at Centerpoint, the same questions and hesitancy remain about the church, especially when it comes to the topic of church membership or as we call it, Church Partnership. So what is the biblical precedent for being a “member” or “Partner” of a local, organized church?</span><br />
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<div> </div><span style="font-family: Arial;">With all the confusion associated with church membership, why not just table the whole Partnership thing? Let me share with you an excerpt from a recent article by Matt Chandler, Pastor of The Village Church in Texas, which may help answer those questions.</span></div><br />
<div> </div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #1f2a5b;"><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TWO QUESTIONS FROM HEBREWS 13:17 </span></i></strong><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(1)</span></i></strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I was preparing at the time to preach through the book of Hebrews and “happened” to be in chapter 13 when verse 17 leapt off the page: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Two questions occurred to me. First, if there is no biblical requirement to belong a local church, then which leaders should an individual Christian obey and submit to? Second, and more personally, who will I as a pastor give an account for?</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These two questions started my search for a biblical understanding of the local church, and they began around the ideas of authority and submission.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Regarding the first question, the Scriptures clearly command Christians to submit to and honor an elder body (Heb. 13:17, 1 Tim. 5:17). If there is no understanding of local church membership, then who are we to submit to and obey? Is it anyone with the title “elder” from any church? Should you as a Christian obey and submit to those loons at Westboro Baptist? In order to obey Scripture, must you picket soldiers’ funerals, as the pastor of Westboro seems to imply?</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Regarding the second question, the Scriptures clearly command an elder body to care for specific people (1 Pet. 5:1-5; also, Acts 20:29-30). Will I as a pastor be held accountable for all the Christians in the Dallas Metroplex? There are many churches in Dallas that I have strong theological and philosophical differences with. Will I give account for what they teach in their small group, how they spend their money, and what they do concerning international missions?</span></i></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #1f2a5b;"><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">WHAT ABOUT CHURCH DISCIPLINE?</span></i></strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After considering questions of authority and submission, the second issue that came up in my study of the local church was the biblical teaching on church discipline.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You see it in several places, but none so clearly as 1 Corinthians 5:1-12. In this text Paul confronts the church in Corinth for approving of a man walking in blatant, unrepentant sexual immorality. The Corinthians are celebrating this as God’s grace, but Paul warns them that this type of wickedness shouldn’t make them boast, but rather mourn. He calls them arrogant and tells them to remove this man for the destruction of his flesh and the hopeful salvation of his soul. In verses 11-12, he pulls no punches: “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” <u>(To be clear this is not talking about unbelievers who we should love and be-friend regardless of their behavior. This is talking about believers in Christ who are choosing to live in habitual unrepentant sin).</u></span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It has been my sad experience that very few churches still practice church discipline, but that’s another article for another day. My question out of this text is simple: How can you kick someone “out” if there isn’t an “in”? <u>(To clarify, as stated above church discipline is only in regards to believers and is practiced ultimately in love to lead them back to Christ.) </u>If there is no local commitment to a covenant community of faith, then how do you remove someone from that community of faith? Church discipline won’t work if local church membership doesn’t exist.<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></i></strong></span></i></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #1f2a5b;"><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">LOTS OF OTHER EVIDENCE FOR MEMBERSHIP</span></i></strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are other evidences to support local church membership in Scripture.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We see in Acts 2:37-47 that there is a numerical record of those who have professed Christ and been filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 41) and an acknowledgement that the church was tracking the growth (v. 47).</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Acts 6:1-6, we see elections take place in order to address a specific problem and accusation.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Romans 16:1-16, we see what appears to be an awareness of who is a church member.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, we see a clear teaching on how to handle widows in the church and in verses 9-13 we read this:</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div class="rteindent1" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt 1in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In this text we see criteria for who would or would not qualify for Ephesus’s widow care program. The local church in Ephesus is organized, and they are working out a plan.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We could go on and on here, asking questions about how we could be obedient to the commands of God in 1 Corinthians 12 or Romans 12 if we aren’t connected to a local covenant community of faith. But to unpack all the possible texts would require longer than I have for this article.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #1f2a5b;"><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">GOD’S PLAN IS THAT WE WOULD BELONG TO LOCAL CHURCHES</span></i></strong></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When you begin to look at these texts, it becomes clear that God’s plan for his church is that we would belong to a local covenant community of faith. This is for our own protection and maturation, and for the good of others.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you view church as some sort of ecclesiological buffet, then you severely limit the likelihood of your growing into maturity. Growth into godliness can hurt. For instance, as I interact with others in my own local body, my own slothfulness in zeal is exposed, as is my lack of patience, my prayerlessness, and my hesitancy to associate with the lowly (Rom. 12:11-16). Yet this interaction also gives me the opportunity to be lovingly confronted by brothers and sisters who are in the trenches with me, as well as a safe place to confess and repent. But when church is just a place you attend without ever joining, like an ecclesiological buffet, you just might consider whether you’re always leaving whenever your heart begins to be exposed by the Spirit, and the real work is beginning to happen.</span></i></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
<div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What’s the bottom line? Local church membership is a question of biblical obedience, not personal preference.</span></i></div><br />
<div> </div><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">(1) Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of the Village Church in the Dallas, Texas area. </span></em><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<div> </div></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Our passion is to be a Biblical New Testament Church. We believe that consists of having a multi-generational, multi-cultural group of people. We don’t want to be a social club but a group of followers who love Jesus and aggressively pursue others with that same love. We pray that our Sunday gatherings continue to consist of un-churched, unbelievers, those previously turned off to church, those investigating faith, and those who have been followers of Christ most of their lives. But we also pray for a group of people who join with us in partnership to live in biblical accountability and be “all in” to advance the message of Jesus through Centerpoint in our community.</span></em><br />
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<div> </div><span style="font-family: Arial;">See below for a summary of some of the other practical reasons for church partnership: </span><br />
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<div> </div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why is partnership important?</b></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partnership helps the staff identify the people we can trust to lead and care for others.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partnership signifies that a person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that he/she is willing to go public with that faith through baptism. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partnership signifies one's willingness to support this ministry with his or her time, talents, and treasure, and to be held accountable to the values of CC. With the added requirement of participation on a strategic service team and/or a small group, it also signifies that the person will partner with us in our mission and strategy.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why is it important to be a partner in order to be in a leadership role? </b></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of what partnership represents, partners are the most qualified people to be in a leadership position. </span></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often, if people are not willing to be held accountable, to go public with their faith through baptism, or to commit to leading people into a relationship with Jesus Christ, it can be an indication that they are not ready to lead others within the church environments.</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What does partnership indicate? </b></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partnering with the church helps lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ to grow through serving, connecting and reaching. Partners can draw great satisfaction from knowing that they are instrumental in leading others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those people who want to partners with the church seem to understand the paradigm shift of "What do I get?" to "What can I give?" </span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you are ready to take the next step into Partnership or would like to find out more information, you can sign up here: <a href="http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewpage.php?id=24">http://www.centerpointfl.org/viewpage.php?id=24</a></span></em></div><br />
<div> </div><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Bryant Golden</span></em><br />
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<div> </div><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Lead Pastor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Centerpoint Church</span></em>Bryant Goldenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13773678213400724702noreply@blogger.com0