Community Groups...

Several years ago our church decided that we would do something dramatically different (for us at least) and move from a Sunday School model to a Community Group model for adults. There were several reasons. For anyone who wasn't there, or who have forgotten- here they are.

• Sunday School wasn't working- only a fairly small percentage of adults were in a Sunday School class
• Adults who were in service with children and students didn't have the opportunity to participate
• We didn't have adequate classroom space and no desire to spend a great deal of money to build space that would be used a couple hours a week
• We believed the more relaxed and intimate setting of a home would lead to deeper relationships
• It offered more flexibility and more choices for both time and curriculum

Several years into the experiment we have discovered some things.

• People who experience group life love it and would never go back
• Not everyone really wants to form deeper relationships within the body of the church or to grow spiritually- they are content with an hour or two on Sunday morning
• Not many people are willing to step forward and host or lead a group- there are a lot more people who want to participate than we can accommodate with leaders

We would love to hear some feedback from you- tell us your experience and your opinions.

Another word on worship from Louie Giglio...

"Whatever you value most will ultimately determine who you are.

• If you worship money, you'll become greedy at the core of your heart.
• If you worship some sinful habit, that same sin will grip your soul and poison your character to death.
• If you worship stuff, your life will become material, void of eternal significance.
• If you give all of your praise to the god of you, you'll become a disappointing little god to yourself and to all those who trust in you.
  

Simply put: We become what we worship.

If you don't like what you're becoming, take a quick inventory of the things on the throne of your heart."

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Town Hall For Hope...

Dave Ramsey's Town Hall For Hope is tonight (Thursday, April 23) at 8:00 pm.

We have spent hours testing the technical pieces- they are doing 90 minutes of live streaming video from the venue at LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma to over 6,000 locations in every state and every Canadian province. It is possibly the largest internet broadcast in history.

Argyle is one of 18 churches in Greater Jacksonville hosting the event. Everyone is welcome to come to hear this message of financial hope. Dave is even going to be accepting questions from participants all over the country- we will have a live internet link to send questions from our audience- maybe one of ours will be selected!

Doors are open at 7:15, and the live broadcast begins at 8:00. Come out and bring your friends and neighbors to this great free event.

Another reason we do what we do...

I just spent a few minutes, along with Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger, with a mom who was in the office with her two daughters to discuss baptism.

Mom was raised in another faith, but as an adult felt an emptiness, heard the Gospel, and came to faith. Recently coming to Jacksonville, she was attending a church that was meeting her spiritual needs, but was boring her children stiff. She was looking for a church that would speak to her kids; a friend invited her to Argyle and KidStuf.

This is a Christian family, the kids are in a Christian school, and there was never any doubt that the kids were going to hear the Gospel, and see it demonstrated daily. The question was- were they going to hear it in a way that excited them and engaged them and gave them an age-appropriate approach to life change.

I guess we know the answer- they were here to discuss baptism. Just another reason why we do what we do here at Argyle.

Hal Hunter

Viral events...

This week the country has seen a wave of grassroots tax protests in the form of TEA parties. This is a good example of viral spread of an idea.

Something else viral is happening next week that has a bearing on financial health- the Dave Ramsey Town Hall For Hope. Just about everyone has concerns about the economy- both the nation's and our own family's. Come join us and listen as nationally syndicated radio and TV financial advisor Dave Ramsey discusses his ideas for healing the economy. Almost 7,000 locations nationwide are participating.

The event is free and open to everyone in the community. Invite friends, neighbors and coworkers to come with you. Doors open at 7:15 pm, the live video feed begins at 8:00, and will conclude at 9:30. Dave will be taking questions live from around the country- maybe he will take yours!

One reason why we do what we do...

Every now and then something happens that really brings home, in a powerful way, why we do what we do, as a church and as individuals in the Body of Christ. This is one of those things. Take a moment and read a portion of an email from a member of the Argyle family.

I am also so grateful to the Church at Argyle. I told you a little about this, but I left the Catholic church about a year ago, and started searching at all the local churches. I found my home at The Church at Argyle. The music at the Church at Argyle is unmatched -- anywhere. Pastor Ken's ability to connect with me as I sit and listen is also unmatched.

I find now that instead of feeling like I "have to" go to church, I actually very much look forward to it each week. I used to just sit in church for an hour, not really learning anything. Now, I take something new away every time I go. I am learning huge things about my Faith that somehow managed to escape me even through 12 years of Catholic school. Church is now not just something I think about or do on Sunday, but it is always with me. I hear a lot about "life change" at The Church at Argyle and I have noticed that every aspect of my life is changing for the better.

I just wanted to let you know all of this because I am sure you don't hear it enough. :) If you would like, feel free to share this email with other members of the TCAA staff. I know encouragement is something we could all use more of.

I write a blog called "Out and About in Jax" all about events in Jacksonville. I wrote an entry about the Prayer Walk last Friday and what it meant to me. Maybe if you have some time, you could check it out http://outandaboutinjax.blogspot.com/2009/04/prayer-walk-at-church-at-argyle.html

Anyways, thanks again, and I'll see you Sunday...

Erica

Another word on worship from Louie Giglio...

"Every day there's a battle for your worship. The things we elevate. The values we serve. None of these choices are made in a vacuum. There's a war raging since before there was time."

What you worship is your choice. Choose wisely.

Thank you for a wonderful Easter Sunday!

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor