A Thought for Every Man

I am not a completely original thinker. Others' ideas often influence me. Sometimes reading a quote makes me laugh hysterically. Other times a quote will provide me with a romantic text to send Sarah in the middle of a busy day. Then there are some things I read or hear that challenge me as a man, husband or pastor.

Here’s a recent example:

The question for every men is not: “Are you a leader or are you not a leader?”
Instead the question is: “Are you a good or bad leader?”
Quoted by both Mark Driscoll and David Platt

A Biblical principle of manhood laid out in Scripture is that the spiritual, emotional, physical well being of a man, his wife and children is partly his responsibility. As men our masculinity centers primarily on how good or bad we are leading our wives and children. In fact being a good man who leads, loves and cares might be one of the greatest needs in communities today. In response to this need especially within the city of New Orleans and Vintage Church, the Vintage Church pastors have organized an opportunity for our men to be challenged, developed and grown as men. Pastor Rob’s father, Pastor Don Wilton, will be speaking to us on our priority as Christian, family and community men.

On a personal note, I want to encourage the men to join us for this retreat. Last fall I had the opportunity to study the life of Paul under Pastor Don. He is such an inspiring communicator of Scripture especially to men. You DO NOT want to miss this weekend

Vintage 2012 Men’s Retreat

• Camp Living Waters
• The MAN - Judges 6:12
• March 23-24th
• Speaker: Don Wilton

• Who: Men (high school and up)

Sessions:

• The Man
• The Man’s Family
• The Man’s Mission

Sign up here

Total Cost: $35

Includes:

- Retreat Fee & Materials
- Housing (Dorm Style)
- Meals (Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch)

Follow us on twitter: @vnolamen

Let's BE the MAN

Mardi Gras Sunday 2012 Report

Our Mardi Gras Sunday this year for the Uptown Sunday parades might have been the best so far since we began in 2009. One of our church partners, Temple, brought 100 volunteers to serve alongside Vintage. I'm especially thankful for Pastor Philip Slusher, the mission pastor, for bringing these families who were so excited to serve our city. I also want to especially thank Matt O, Mikey P, Craig, Lenny, Josh and Alex from Vintage Church for their service during the day.

We gave:

• 1,500 sausage dogs
• 600 burgers
• 1,200+ bottles of water w the Vintage information
• Tons of potato chips
• Clean toilet for every use [Yes there were individuals who cleaned after every flush]

We served:

• 236 registered
• 109 follow-up letters were sent
• 160 follow-up emails were sent

Now these numbers are just statistics if not understood to represent individuals, couples and families in our city that came in contact with Vintage Church. Maybe there are two other figures that would help communicate this opportunity:

• 167 of 236 who registered indicated they had never heard of Vintage Church
• 79 of 236 who registered indicated they have no involvement in a local church

Our challenge:

We are following up with those who registered this Sunday with letters, emails and phone calls. We ultimately served on Sunday with the hope that God would bring Gospel fruit in individual's lives as a result. Our prayer is that those who came in contact with Vintage Church experienced the difference of Jesus Christ. As a result of our hospitality, service, love and care we pray that people will connect with Vintage Church. Acts 13 tells us that Paul and Barnabas travel to different cities and served people. In one instance, as a result of their love towards others, the Bible says "The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord." [Acts 13:44] When I read that I say....Wow! May the Lord work in such a way this week in New Orleans.

So here's our challenge this Sunday when we gather as Vintage Church in Metairie and Uptown there will not be a small army of volunteers to greet, welcome and connect with the new guests. Uptown averages about 5 new guests per weekend. Instead this weekend will be the time for Vintage Church to BE the church in New Orleans.

My encouragement:

• Pray God will work in hearts over the next 3 days as people receive follow-up. [Use Mark 4:1-20 as a guide]
• Come to our gatherings early
• Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading in relation to those sitting on your row
• Engage those who gather this weekend
• Be expectant that God truly wants to work through you

Live the Gospel, Love the City, BE the Church

Mardi Gras Weekend [Feb 18 & 19]

Carnival Season is one of the most joyous times in the city of New Orleans. Outside of the French Quarter, Mardi Gras is actually a pretty family-friendly event. In the Uptown, Mid-City and Metairie neighborhoods people host dinner parties with neighbors and friends to hang together for the parades. This provides our Vintage Church family with one of the most important times to connect with people outside our church family. This also provides the opportunity to bring the Gospel into the community.

So as an Uptown campus family we want to throw a great party this Sunday, February 19th. We will concentrate our efforts on the 3 Sunday parades which pass right in front of the Uptown Arts Center (our Magazine location). We will have one of our church partners help serve alongside our Vintage family on this Sunday.

- Mardi Gras Weekend Schedule -

Sunday on Saturday:

• Carrollton Location 5pm - Weekend Worship Gathering

Mardi Gras Sunday:

• Uptown Arts Center (Magazine Location): 4523 Magazine Street

• Set Up: 8am-9:30am

Parade Times

• Okeanos - 11am
• Mid-City - 11:45am
• Thoth - 12pm

• Clean-up: around 3pm

Our Goal:
- Create a hospitality center at the Uptown Arts Center (Magazine location)
- Provide food (Burgers, Dogs, Chips, Soft Drinks) for 150 Vintage Church family & 900 Parade spectators
- Provide clean bathrooms for parade spectators
- Provide 1,000 Vintage Logo Waters
- Provide parade music between parades or dead time
- Follow-up with those who register
- Send about 250 follow-up letters including information about Vintage Church.

I hope you'll join us.....Let's BE the Church!

A Video from Jeff Vanderstelt about joining parties:

A Daily Confession

This past weekend Dr. Murray Wilton, known as Pastor Rob's "Uncle Buzz," preached at our Vintage Church gatherings. He discussed the idea of shifting from rational to relational in order to experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

He offered us a daily confession from Romans 10:8-9

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus by the ministry of the Holy Spirit I believe in my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus you are Lord. Thank you for the authority that I have to live by your resurrection life through the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit I welcome your presence in my life and invite you to work in me and through me for the Glory of God. In Jesus Name let it be so.

He encouraged us to speak this out loud each morning and then journal instances of increased awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence in your week.

Scriptures discussed :

• John 7:37-39

• Spiritual Blessings: Ephesians 1:3
• Spiritual Fruit: Gal 5:16 - 25
• Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:7

See our Community Group Discussion Guide for further growth.

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