Sunday August 5, 2007/Vacation Sunday in DC

I took the advice of an older pastor friend and took a little time away. For the last few years I have been away studying the last week in July and the first week in August. This year I thought I would take some time to visit the
National Community Church of Washington DC. I wanted to visit a church that was dramatically different than Shiloh.

Gary Lamb who is a church planter has suggested that pastors do a disservice to the people when they do not take time to learn from others by visiting other churches.

Seeing what God is doing in other ministries is a great way to learn. I attended NCC's 9-am service. I was blessed by what I heard and what I saw.

What imagination a church in Washington DC’s Union Station!

I have been reading Pastor Mark Batterson blog for the past six months, and I have also read his book: “In a pit with a lion on a snowy day: How to survive and thrive when opportunity roars." I appreciate his insight into reaching the unchurched and those who have been burned with the traditional church model.
While at NCC I was taking notes about everything I saw and heard and wondering what I could use in my own ministry.

This church gave $300K to missions last year. Wow. That was more then 20% of their annual budget. I am challenged by Mark’s passion for missions.

I plan to sow a seed into their mission fund.

Great service
Great ministry

PL

Comments

[Robin]

Paul I am happy to know you had that experience. I personally had such an experience back in the 90's and have grown so much from thinking within the realms of a "traditional" church set-up. The great commission commands us to go out and tell the world (reach the unchurched and unsaved). We can't do that if we are caught up in tradition.
Robin