Vineyard Church of Knox County
We’re Off!
Well, we're off and running! This past Sunday (Sept. 11) marked the beginning of an exciting time in the life of our church. For the next 40 days, we will be focused on God's extravagant grace that has been poured out on us in Jesus Christ. Our Giving Campaign Theme is "Poured Out: Responding to God's Extravagant Grace," and our theme verse is 1 Timothy 1:14, "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." So, for the next 6 weeks, ending on October 23rd, we'll be hearing testimonies from people and encountering Jesus in the scriptures so that we can become people who are committed to living "poured out" lives in this world. Yes, we're raising money, but if we only raise money we have failed. Our ultimate goal is to raise up disciples of Jesus who pursue the overflowing stream of God's grace and as a result are committed to pouring out that grace on a parched world. Poured out disciples are abundantly generous with their time, talent, and treasure as they focus not on themselves and their wants, but on others. They live to give. So, Sunday kicked this campaign off with several challenges and opportunities for people of all commitment levels.
First, I called all people to 40 days of prayer and fasting. After briefly sharing why we fast, what we fast, and how to fast, we each took a commitment card home. Every person who calls VCKC home is challenged to fast from food or TV or another regular activity. Some people are fasting from a meal each week and others are fasting for a 24-hour period each week. Others have given up a TV show or an amount of TV each week. Still others are fasting from their computers. Whatever it is, God moves in our lives when we commit to giving Him room to do so. So, let’s do this together!
Second, everyone received a bracelet (ala Lance Armstrong) that reads, “Poured Out.” We’ve committed to wearing these bracelets for three reasons: First, it reminds us of God’s abundant grace poured out for us in Jesus. Second, it reminds us of the kind of life we are challenged to live. Third, it reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that we are part of a whole community of people who are moving forward in the same direction. We also pray that God will give us opportunities to share with others what the bracelet words mean. Maybe we’ll have some bracelet testimonies of God’s grace poured out on neighbors or co-workers at the end of our 40 days!
Third, our fall schedule provides people of all different commitment levels--newcomers, attenders, or members--the chance to take a step forward in the church and in their faith. All of the activities are posted on the website http://www.knoxvineyard.org
We’ll close the campaign on Sunday morning, October 23rd, with an opportunity to make a financial commitment toward the purchase of the building followed by an all-church picnic and baptism service. Much more information will be shared at the open house, so make sure you get there!
I am excited to be a part of a community of people who want to make an eternal difference in this world. We believe that God has led us to purchase this building in order for us to become a river of life poured out on this county. We eagerly seek the poured out grace of God in us and through us. Who knows what God will do?!
Blessings,
Chris
