Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Dear Gulf Breeze UMC Family,

What a tremendous week here at GBUMC! Each day we have had over 500 children involved with our Vacation Bible School program at the GBUMC Fairpoint campus.

You can literally feel the excitement and joy from the children, workers and leaders. Not only are folks having a wonderful, fun time, but they are learning valuable lessons about the love of God and the importance of loving one another.

We are very blessed to have such a committed group of leaders shepherding our children through the VBS swamps in this year’s Crocodile Dock.

And… if you have had to miss the fun at GBUMC Fairpoint, we will experience it all again at GBUMC Soundside, July 13-17. So, don’t miss the fun!

Worship Matters

What a wonderful Sunday we had! Last week, nearly 2,300 people experienced the power and presence of The Holy Spirit at one of our three unique campuses.

Again, there was a record attendance at GBUMC W@W. Jack is in the third week of a powerful series on “The Shack”. This week he asks “What is God’s ‘Note’ to get your attention for His life?”.

And, at GBUMC Fairpoint, Neil and the VBS team will celebrate VBS Sunday and will also share in God’s word that causes us to “dance” for Him. This Sunday will also be Neil’s final Sunday with us at GBUMC before he becomes Senior Pastor at St. Luke UMC in Enterprise. We certainly hold Neil and Ashley in our prayers and wish them all the best in their new adventure.

I have the privilege of preaching at GBUMC Soundside this Sunday. I will discuss the importance of “Running to the Fire” for Christ by looking at Daniel 3 and the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

We are so blessed to have a variety of worship opportunities at GBUMC. Truly, everyone has a place!

New Ministry Structure: The Connections Ministry Team
Last week I mentioned the new ministry/staff structure approved by the Church Council. This new ministry design provides wonderful opportunities for focusing our ministry objectives around common tables and growing forward.

Over the next weeks, I will provide descriptions and objectives related to each ministry area. Of course, if you have questions concerning these or other issues, please do not hesitate to email me at sstanford@gbumc.org.
First, Herb Sadler, will lead our Connections Team. The Connections Team is charged with developing ministries that provide meaningful opportunities for people to connect within the life of the Church and within the purpose of God’s intentions for their place in service to the world.

The Focus of the Connections Ministry Team is to teach/lead the GBUMC family how to share their faith through word and action, provide opportunities for guests to connect to the life of GBUMC, and to inform people in the importance of Spiritual Gifts and then how to discover and employ their spiritual gifts for service within the Church. The Connections Ministry Team includes:

Evangelism Ministry
Guest Services/Newcomers Ministry
Hospitality Ministry
Serving/Volunteer Ministries
Usher/Greeters

Convergence LiFE is a special sub-ministry of Connections and includes all ministries for education and development of Adult Learning Studies and Resources including the:

Resource Center
Adult Small Groups/Adult Sunday School
GB Christian Life Academy
Financial Planning Ministry
Marriage Enrichment
Spiritual Gifts Development
The L.i.F.E. Plan (Pathway to Faith and Belonging)

Again, over the next weeks, I will introduce you to specifics in the life of each ministry area and, hopefully, unveil the incredible potential of the already stellar ministry of GBUMC.

But, as I mentioned last week, what WILL NOT CHANGE is the continued focus on Hospitality, Hope and Healing. I feel very blessed to be a part of this team and look forward to what God will do.

Ministry Podcasts
Don’t miss the latest podcast programs at www.gbumc.org.

Making Life Matter: “Jesus’ Red Letter Words: Turn”

Salt and Light (hosted by Shane Stanford and Herb Sadler): “Lessons I Learned Yesterday About Tomorrow, Part I”
And, of course, you will be able to listen, either through our webcast ministry or podcasts, to the worship services from both the Fairpoint and Soundside campuses. We are currently developing a way to share W@W in the upcoming weeks.

2009 Leadership Summit
GBUMC Soundside is honored to, once again, serve as a satellite host for the 2009 Leadership Summit by Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. This year’s summit will be held August 6-7th, 2009. Willow Creek is one of the largest, most innovative churches in the country.

This year’s Leadership Summit line up is a list of the powerful voices for change and leadership both within the church and throughout the world.

Speakers include Bill Hybels, David Gergen, Jessica Jackley, Bono, Tony Blair (former UK Prime Minister), Patrick Lencioni, Tim Keller and Wess Stafford.

For more information or to register, see http://www.gbumc.org/news/leadership_summit.htm

We are very blessed to be part of this important time for look forward and learning to “Lead Where You Are”… More to come!

Well, that should be enough for this week.

Again, thank you for your kind welcome. We have much going on and much to do, but God is way ahead of us. We are blessed.

I love you all.

Be Salt and Light… You matter.

Shane
1 Corinthians 15: 58

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