Sept 8, My experience last Sunday
This past Sunday I had the privilege of worshiping at Marathon's new 8:30 service and Redemption World Outreach. Wanted to share some of my thoughts on my experience:
Marathon
Pastor of Marathon (Eddie Cox) has graciously allowed me to pick his brains about church health and growth on several occasions. In fact were meeting again this Thursday to talk shop. The last time we spoke Eddie had shared with me that they were starting a new worship service. It would be held in their new teen building with the music is laid back (contemporary worship from ten years ago) and a little quieter yet well done. Eddie would speak live in this service. At 10:00 there are two services going on. The same style in teen building and normal worship in main auditorium. Eddie speaks in the main service and they feed his message into the teen building.
* Very creative
* Service in teen building done with excellence
* Band and choir were awesome.
* Enjoyed it greatly
* People were very friendly and welcoming
* They have some of the same problems we do:
a. people sitting on the end. couldn't get to a seat
b. wasn't sure where to park
c. want to do more for the Kingdom but don't have the money
* We left as Eddie was finishing message in order to get to Redemption
Redemption World Outreach
Some people are probably wondering why I chose to check them out. For the same reason I encourage people to check us out. Everything you hear isn't always true. They are one of the fastest growing churches in America and I wanted to find out why.
Some things I've heard about them. Apostle Ron doesn't teach the Bible. Worship for over an hour. Very Pentecostal and more.
As we pulled in the parking lot there were men out there sitting and not directing. I had to actually ask one where I needed to go to park. DUH! They needed to be pointing me in the right direction. (5 Point, never forget what it is like to be a first time visitor-treat everyone as if they have never been here) Once we found a spot (in the wilderness) we were met with a smiling face in a golf cart.
We got into the building at 10:00 on the nose and they start at 9:00. So yes, they do worship for an hour. I am going back another time so I can experience their worship. (Random thought here - if worship is good, what is wrong with doing it for an hour? Be doing a lot longer in heave) The Apostle Ron came forward and did a mini tithe message (I do this myself a lot) that was excellent. Ill never tell you but I'll be using it myself one day. The visitors were then welcomed by one of the elders and we prayed. Apostle Ron then stood and taught the Bible, and may I add, with excellence! I did not disagree with one word. He taught God's Word with passion and conviction.
One thing that definitely is different than most churches is that the people are having fun. They were talking and cheering him on. People stood and clapped at some of his key points. Being honest, I felt right at home. I even talked to him a little. For those who say he doesn't preach the Bible, have you ever been or are you just putting him down because your jealous? They do worship an hour, they are somewhat Pentecostal and he flat out preaches the Bible.
But, they have some of the same problems we do:
* parking
* people sitting on the end of rows with an entire pew open.
* not enough money. Ron said they were cutting back because giving down.
* people not doing their jobs
* lies being told about them. I know this for a fact now.
Very glad i took a Sunday off from teaching and went to Marathon and Redemption. Very good experience for me.
Special thanks to Curtis for tagging along with me. He truly is a very good friend.
By the way, Dwain did a great job. People were saved. Attendance didn't drop at all (and on a holiday weekend) volunteers served. And the preacher wasn't here. But, 5 Point you better buckle up. YOu got me for a few months again and I'm jacked up and ready to go.
Who you bringing with you this Sunday. A lot of people fasting this week begging God to do BIG things!
Marathon
Pastor of Marathon (Eddie Cox) has graciously allowed me to pick his brains about church health and growth on several occasions. In fact were meeting again this Thursday to talk shop. The last time we spoke Eddie had shared with me that they were starting a new worship service. It would be held in their new teen building with the music is laid back (contemporary worship from ten years ago) and a little quieter yet well done. Eddie would speak live in this service. At 10:00 there are two services going on. The same style in teen building and normal worship in main auditorium. Eddie speaks in the main service and they feed his message into the teen building.
* Very creative
* Service in teen building done with excellence
* Band and choir were awesome.
* Enjoyed it greatly
* People were very friendly and welcoming
* They have some of the same problems we do:
a. people sitting on the end. couldn't get to a seat
b. wasn't sure where to park
c. want to do more for the Kingdom but don't have the money
* We left as Eddie was finishing message in order to get to Redemption
Redemption World Outreach
Some people are probably wondering why I chose to check them out. For the same reason I encourage people to check us out. Everything you hear isn't always true. They are one of the fastest growing churches in America and I wanted to find out why.
Some things I've heard about them. Apostle Ron doesn't teach the Bible. Worship for over an hour. Very Pentecostal and more.
As we pulled in the parking lot there were men out there sitting and not directing. I had to actually ask one where I needed to go to park. DUH! They needed to be pointing me in the right direction. (5 Point, never forget what it is like to be a first time visitor-treat everyone as if they have never been here) Once we found a spot (in the wilderness) we were met with a smiling face in a golf cart.
We got into the building at 10:00 on the nose and they start at 9:00. So yes, they do worship for an hour. I am going back another time so I can experience their worship. (Random thought here - if worship is good, what is wrong with doing it for an hour? Be doing a lot longer in heave) The Apostle Ron came forward and did a mini tithe message (I do this myself a lot) that was excellent. Ill never tell you but I'll be using it myself one day. The visitors were then welcomed by one of the elders and we prayed. Apostle Ron then stood and taught the Bible, and may I add, with excellence! I did not disagree with one word. He taught God's Word with passion and conviction.
One thing that definitely is different than most churches is that the people are having fun. They were talking and cheering him on. People stood and clapped at some of his key points. Being honest, I felt right at home. I even talked to him a little. For those who say he doesn't preach the Bible, have you ever been or are you just putting him down because your jealous? They do worship an hour, they are somewhat Pentecostal and he flat out preaches the Bible.
But, they have some of the same problems we do:
* parking
* people sitting on the end of rows with an entire pew open.
* not enough money. Ron said they were cutting back because giving down.
* people not doing their jobs
* lies being told about them. I know this for a fact now.
Very glad i took a Sunday off from teaching and went to Marathon and Redemption. Very good experience for me.
Special thanks to Curtis for tagging along with me. He truly is a very good friend.
By the way, Dwain did a great job. People were saved. Attendance didn't drop at all (and on a holiday weekend) volunteers served. And the preacher wasn't here. But, 5 Point you better buckle up. YOu got me for a few months again and I'm jacked up and ready to go.
Who you bringing with you this Sunday. A lot of people fasting this week begging God to do BIG things!
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