The Agency

LOCAL & GLOBAL IMPACT

Here's some intel for all Agents at The Journey so we can celebrate and keep aligned in the mission.

We are in our first year of Networks. Networks are designed to make an impact in communities around our area and help us take next steps. Watch the dream about networks and then the celebration of the first 6 months:

Thanks to everyone who helped make networks happen...from leadership to serving at events to groups....thanks and let's keep making an impact.

SUNDAYS MISSION

Here's some important intel for all agents to be aligned in the mission and a look back on how it all happened this year:

Here's some intel about the mission with music.

Here's some more intel on how the language and environment play into Sundays.

We're all about the relationship, not just our weekly event. However, Sunday Gatherings can be a major launching point for some peoples relationship. We view Sundays as 52 opportunities to help people take first & next steps in their relationship with Jesus. Each week is somebodies first Sunday at The Journey. It might be their one and only shot at church in years and maybe for years to come. So we want to bring our best each week. We also talk about first & next steps because we want the relationship to be real and not just a Sunday duty. We don't want to just pass on knowledge. We want people to experience a relationship that bring hope, change, and new life. That vision goes from Sundays to groups to networks to teen and even down to the kids. It's all about first & next steps in our relationship with Jesus and our Sunday Gatherings can be a launching point for those steps.

Thanks to everyone who makes Sunday mornings happen at The Journey!

GUARDED MARGINS = GUARDED HEART

We talked about margins in our life in the Be Rich Series. No matter if it's about our time, money, relationship, activities, or even our kids schedules, we need healthy margins. So, here's some more thoughts from Mark Batterson about margins:

I’m trying to guard the margins in my life these days, and it’s not easy.  In some ways, I feel guilty if I’m not busy.  I feel guilty if I can’t meet with everybody or meet every deadline.  But that attempt to be all things to all people is really a form of pride.  If you try to be all things to all people then you’ll end up being nothing to nobody.  Why?  You’ve got nothing left to give. No margin = no grace, no creativity, no vision.  By trying to do more we become less.

In the words of II Thessalonians 3:11, we become “busybodies.”

Guarding the margins of your life–in other words, managing your schedule in a way that you have time to read, time to pray, time to dream–is really guarding your heart.  Your heart needs room to grow!  If you lose your margin, you’ll lose your spiritual edge.  The first thing to go is a sensitivity to the prompting to the Holy Spirit.  You don’t have time to obey those promptings because you’ve got places to go and things to do. The next thing you know you’ve got an inverse relationship with God. Instead of living a Spirit led life, you want God to follow your lead.  You’re no longer serving God’s purposes. You want Him to serve your purposes. You’re no longer following Christ. You want him to follow you.

When we lose our margin we get it backwards.

 

DON'T GIVE IN TO THE TENSION

This past Sunday, we talked about the tension. We're called to give ourselves away relationally. That might mean sacrificing time, money, or energy. It might mean taking a risk to put yourself out there. It might mean making the first move, being the first one to be open about life or the first one to move conversations towards more meaningful things. It might be sharing your story or helping out your neighbors. We're all made for relationships so give yourself way. Even though we hear this, know this or have even experienced it, there is still tension...

I know I felt the tension last weekend. I was on the couch with a cup of coffee. I knew I should go help out a local family with our service project. I knew it would be a great experience with some other great people. I still felt the tension. Do I stay on the couch or do I get off my butt and go do something? I could have rationalized it into stay home for family time or something noble like that....I felt the tension. Glad I didn't give into the tension.

How about you? Are you giving yourself away relationally. 1 John 4 talks about that if we love God we much love others & if we do that, our life & love will be made whole, complete, full. Don't give into the tension, give yourself away.

 

HOW DO I INVEST IN PEOPLE?

If you want to make your life count by making an impact with people along your path (see previous post), it all begins with relationships. But How? Here's a few ideas to get you thinking:

LISTEN. BE THERE.
One of the best ways to impact someone is to just walk through life with them. You don't need a counselling degree and it's not about having your life all figured out. You don't need to have unlimited knowledge or always know the right thing to say. You don't need to be perfect. Listen. Be there.  Be a friend.

BE A FRIEND. HAVE A FRIEND
We all want someone to be there for us. Someone who will stick close through the good times and the bad. A mutual relationship where we can help each other through life. We all want that...so don't sit back. Take the first step. If you want to have a friend, most of the time you need to be the friend first. We provide opportunities to make connections in Networks & Journey Groups, but you still might need to take the first step. Your level of connectivity is really up to you. So whether it's in your neighborhood, workplace, in our community or at church, tke the first step and connect with someone. If you are willing to take the first step, that relationship could be one where you make a big difference in someone elses life and your develop a great friendship that changes your life as well. 

INVEST & INVITE
Investing in people is about a process. We're called to to share God's love and message with people in our lives & along our path. It's about investing in people far from God, being a friend, and looking for opportunities to invite them to church in order to invite them into a relationship with God. We aren't trying to make "converts". We believe God can make all the difference in our lives and we want people to experience a relationship with Him. So don't be weird, just be yourself. Don't be pushy, just share your experience. Respect people and the process. Pray and ask God to help you see opportunities to share his love and message through our words and actions.

Invite someone to join you some Sunday at The Journey. Statistics show it takes at least seven invites for someone to show up. A lot of people want to explore God but they are just waiting for an invite. If they come, follow up. Take them to lunch after church or ask them what they thought later in the week. Share your thoughts too. Look for opportunities to invite them to explore God more and maybe begin a relationship with Him.

SHARE YOUR STORY
How has God changed your life? What does follow Jesus mean for your life? How have you experienced God? Think about it. Write it out. Be prepared to share it.

BRIDGE THE GAP
Here is a great picture to explain what Jesus did on the cross. You can easily draw it on a napkin or whatever and ask people where they see themselves. It's based on Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Memorize it. Share it.

GIVE ME MORE
Each week we provide some follow up questions to each message. Grab a friend or two and make your own group. Invest in each other. Follow & pray for each other during the week. Help each other take steps. 

WHO DO I INVEST IN?

We all have unique opportunities & relationships along our path (see previous post). I know people you don't know. You know people I don't know. If we want to live a life of impact, we need to make initially relational connections. Not sure where to begin? Here's a few thoughts & ideas on how to make connections along your journey: 

JOURNEY NETWORKS & GROUPS
Our groups and networks are all about rubbing shoulders with other people to begin the process. Get plugged in. 

LET'S DO LUNCH
We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with someone who doesn't know God? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal or have a cookout, invite someone to join you. Flee the Christian subculture.

BE A REGULAR
Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions.  Build relationships. Support local business. Be a regular.

HOBBY
Hunt? Creative Memories? Watch Football? Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Have fun. Be yourself.

TALK TO YOUR CO-WORKERS
How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Be interested in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form moms’ groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.

VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY
Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take a Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time as a church serving our community. Not sure what to do, check out networks. You can do it!

PARTICIPATE IN YOUR AREA
Instead of playing XBox, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for your community. Love the city. Participate with the community.

BE A FRONT PORCH NEIGHBOR 
Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, shoveling snow. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Move the chairs from the back yard to the front porch. Walk around your neighbor - it's good for you & you might meet new friends. Host a cookout or block party. Be a neighbor and make a difference in the lives right around you.