Growth Groups Fall 2009

Growth Group sign-ups are UNDERWAY!! If you haven’t done so yet, take a moment and GO HERE and sign-up for a Growth Group!!! 

Facts about Growth Groups:

• They begin the first week of October and end the last week of November (it is an 8 week commitment).
• We have lots of different kinds of groups (e.g., men, women, couples, etc.) with lots of different topics and different days of the week.
• They are a great opportunity for the possibility of spiritual growth and friendship.
• If there are study materials necessary (book study), you are responsible for acquiring a copy of the book (we recommend amazon.com).
• Being in a Living Stones Church Growth Group entitles you to a little bigger mansion in heaven.  Eight weeks now…larger master-suite for eternity (good trade)!

The Shoe Event

This Saturday is the big Shoe Event.  Very excited to hear the stories about the day and all the great things that are going to happen.  Got a call just a few moments ago from Monroe School with last minute details for the event and follow-ups in regards to the students, etc.  The final statement in the conversation (as recounted to me by Jennae Gee) was, “Oh, and we just thought what you were doing for the school was really great and deserved attention so we asked the school corporation to contact the media.”

our response:  [insert laughter]

Why?  Because we have been wrestling with this issue for the past two weeks.  Typically Samaritan’s Feet (our partners in crime) usually sends out a press release for these types of events.  They do so because they are a non-profit organization that relies on donations and the generosity and partnership of others.  When spotlighted by media it helps them in regards to fund-raising and promotion and is the tool by which they can acquire support from coaches, sponsors, etc.  It is a noble thing and I appreciate their perspective.

We, on the other hand, have a different agenda going down at the Living Stones Church.  After two different leadership meetings in which we discussed the proposed press release we decided we would rather NOT have a press release or the media being called.  In exchange, we would provide Samaritan’s Feet with a video of the day (that we produced) so it could be used on their website for promotion, etc., but we didn’t want any of the families from Monroe to receive shoes, be blessed by Living Stones Church, see a WNDU camera show up and think – “Oh there it is.  That is the underlying reason why they are doing this.  Promotion.“  If the community discovers anything that we are going, that is fine.  But we would rather the community discover it, not us having to say to the community, “Look what we are doing!“  This philosophy could be whack and not smart…but that is what we decided .

So…for the record if any media outlet shows up Saturday morning (and it is a Notre Dame home game so…) to cover the Shoe Event, let it be known…WE (the Living Stones Church) did not call or seek out any coverage.

Also let it be known for the record:  It is going to be one butt-kicking day here at the Living Stones Church.

Little Girl Throws Back Ball

I know this has been all over the news, but I love this video.  I love the dad’s response.  If it were me, I think I would do the same thing  (because I know I’m on camera)…and then when no one is looking I’m grounding my kid!!