Amazing things last week!

See you after the Pole... (pictures here)
Can you believe that we had over 500 students and adults worshiping together last weekend. It was amazing. God started something cool. I can't wait to see what he does with this generation of students in this community! Thanks for being there last week. I know we didn't have an official role for you, but it was great having you there to help watch and oversee students. I hope you were as blessed as I was, watching these students connect with God.

Small(?) Groups: We are going to try and get GROUPS launched this week. Notice I didn't say SMALL groups. It's looking like we are going to have some pretty large groups until we can get some more leaders. (ask everyone you know!) I am especially fearful of what this week will look like after the success of last weeks "See you AFTER the Pole" worship celebration. But I know that God is going to surprise us with more leaders...I just have this feeling that it's going to be over time and not this week. We are still hopeful that we will have your list of students to you before Sunday. Please pray for that whole process. We are back on our regular schedule this week. Please plan on being there for our meeting at 6:30.
Podcast topic this week: Subtracting things from life to get closer to God. Access your Small Group Questions HERE.

Schedule
6:30-6:45 Leader Meeting in room 211
6:45-7:00 Hang out with students n the lobby
7:00-7:55 "One" in the Auditorium
8:05-8:20 Summit time in Room 211
8:20-9:00 Small(?) Group Time

With all that said, "How are you doing?" What I mean is, how is your heart doing? As we gear up to launch small(?) groups this week...I want to make sure you understand something. We care more about your heart and your relationship with God than anything else. As we have been exploring this podcast (spiritual disciplines) principal, I have had an amazing time connecting with God. My "heart condition" is probably better than it has been in the last several years. Why? Because I have made time to look for God, and he is keeping up his end of the bargain. (Jer. 29:12-14) I can't say that about every season of my life. I have had some really long stretches where I made no time to connect with Him. I thank God for giving me the desire to connect with Him lately. I hope that you are finding this season of your life rich with the love of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If not, let us know how we can help. See you on Sunday!

Scott

See You AFTER the Pole this weekend!

Hey small group leaders....

What a cool time last Sunday night. Thank you, thank you, thank you for connecting with students. I am sorry that your groups have been so large, but on the other hand...can you believe how many students are turning out. I can't wait to see how this thing continues to unfold. It's cool and scary all at the same time.

Here is a bit of encouragement (I hope). God has wired you uniquely, and he has wired every one of these students uniquely as well. As these initial groups form over the next few weeks, and we lock in with some students, try to keep that in mind. Some of your experiences in life (both the good and the bad ones) can, and probably will be used by God to encourage a student who is wired in a similar way to you. Thank God that some of those experiences can finally be put to use!

THIS WEEK--"See you AFTER the Pole"--At least Nine churches so far will be bringing students to our community wide worship gathering for middle school and high school students. We WILL NOT be having small groups this week, but we are asking that you still be there to help with crowd control and to encourage and connect with our WCC students. This could be the largest worship gathering of students this community has ever seen. We will resume our regular schedule October 2nd.

October 2nd--Please get us requests that you might have for students to be in your small group (or NOT in your small group) IMMEDIATELY. We are going to start the process of placing students in groups very shortly and want to attempt to honor your requests if possible. October 2nd will be the first night we meet as "official small groups". You will get a list of the students you have before that Sunday night (how soon before is yet to be determined).

Lastly(and most importantly), I hope your journey with God is going well. This life with God is a journey and it has ups and downs. As we unfold this Podcast (spiritual Discipline) thing with students, I hope you are finding time to engage as well. (Actually, you'll probably never find the time...you just have to take it). Here's a link to my blog site where I am trying to encourage students as I engage with these disciplines. (http://scottiegreene.blogspot.com/) I hope that you find it encouraging as well. I am praying for you and your journey with God. See you on Sunday.

In Christ,

Scott

Some Helpful Tips

Here's some stuff I found today and thought you might find helpful!

Small group tips we've seen make a difference.

• Include everyone in the discussion whenever possible.
• At the beginning, let everyone in the group talk, they need a victory. Have them share a non-threatening piece of information about themselves in the group.
• Be aware of new people, and include them in the conversation.
• Remember that small groups often raise the tension level (because people can't hide).
• Move from light to heavy discussion.
• Ask “I feel” rather than “I know” questions.
• The best questions do not have right or wrong answers.
• The longer the group is together, the better they will feel about the group.
• Do not allow one person to monopolize the conversation.
• Avoid any put-downs.
• Affirm people for what they are saying.

Pictures From Sunday Night

Off and Running

Well, the season of Summit is off to a great start. We had over 100 students there on Sunday night. And from all I could tell, they had a great time. Thanks for your patience on Sunday. The crowd was more than we expected (why we underestimated God I'll never know) . These next few weeks are going to be very exciting. Here are some of the things that will be happening between now and October 2nd.

• Keep thinking, praying and making mental notes about what students you want (or may not want) in your group.
• We will NOT be having a small group time on September 25th...but we will still need your help organizing students that night for the "See you After the Pole" Rally.
• We will be meeting every week at 6:30pm (sharp) in room 211. It is critical that we meet from 6:30-6:45 so we can get you all your details, pray together and be out the door to go connect with students from 6:45-7:00. I promise as we get further into this season, that meeting will be less chaotic, and you will feel more comfortable hanging out with the students.
• We will be looking for MANY new small group leaders. If you know of someone who would be awesome or might be interested...PLEASE forward their contact information to me. Or better yet, call them and ask them if they would join us on a Sunday night just to check things out.

I cant thank you enough for the investment you are making in the lives of these students. I know you may not feel it or see it yet...but you are making a difference.

In Christ,

Scott

Podcast...Sept 11-October 22