Category Archives: Prepare

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What Makes A Healthy Church?

You must find and commit to a church family – If you are a Christ follower, there really is no other option for you.  Jesus wants you to live in healthy covenant community.  I’ll never forget the church I grew up in.  It was such a loving place full of people who accepted my family for who they were.  When we came to First Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines, Iowa I was 5 years old.  Throughout the 13 years growing up under the leadership of such Godly people in the church, I learned to understand through example, what the church was supposed to be.

When I was growing up my family depended on the church.  From the families and relationships we built, we still have many friends today.  Our 2 pastors we had the privilege to serve, and our youth pastors who developed my brothers as young people, created a deep understanding of what the church was supposed to be.  Pastors Groen, Lelacheur, and Brewer shaped my life and I will forever be indebted.  The Conn family is forever grateful for your love and service.  217church benefits from your faithfulness, example, and service even to this day.

“When all of us work together to ensure church health, the proposition becomes manageable and the possibilities are immeasurable.”

Ken-Groen pastor

Pastor Ken Groen ministered to our family and set the example for the next generation of pastors.

4 Marks of A Healthy Church  

#1 Accept One Another – There is nothing quite like knowing you are accepted.  No matter who you are or where you are from, being accepted is a basic human need.  Jesus understood this.  I believe this is why Jesus built relationships with 12 disciples and spent three years helping them understand how much he loved them.  He was showing them how to be the church.  He was modeling to them how to welcome anyone and everyone who was ready for a transformed life.  (Romans 15:7 – “accept one another as I have accepted you”)

#2 Affirm One Another – Don’t hold back on the positive words.  There are enough negative things said by hurting people about churches and Christians.  Rise above the temptation and use your gift of encouragement.  When someone notices what you do, it changes the relationship. This week, say thank you, and affirm those around you who so tirelessly serve and sacrifice for the church. (Acts 13:15 – “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”)

#3 Advise and Admonish One Another – Godly wisdom is hard to come by.  We are here for each other and need to be always looking out for one another.  Sometimes we don’t know what to do in a difficult decision.  It’s time to ask for help.  Sometimes we get caught up in something we know we shouldn’t be doing.  Ask for help.  This is where gentle correction and words of wisdom can be so powerful.  Who do you need to listen to? Who can you reach out to and help?   (Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom)

#4 Activate One Another – Invite someone to serve with you.  Next time you feel like you are doing all the work, step back, look around and ask, “who can I invite to help?” Don’t just quit.  When you do this, the church will become more healthy.  Momentum is something that should NEVER be taken for granted.  When we as the body start inviting and encouraging those around us to get busy building the church, it will take off like never before.  Someone is waiting for your invitation to take them to the next step in their life.  (Ephesians 4:11-12 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”) 

The church is worth serving, Jesus died for it.  What is your response?

Josh

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Our 217church #Relaunch kickoff celebration is Wednesday February 3, 2016 – “Rebuild Your Life”

We are officially #Relaunching @217church after 6 full years of ministry.  Our first Sunday services will be Sunday February 7, 2016  Don’t worry, we have regular weekend services leading up to this historic day for us as we prepare and build our teams!   Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here

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3 Essentials To Effective Planning

Let me ask you an incredibly important question.  What do you think God wants for the rest of your life?  Do you have a plan to follow and depend on God daily?  I know what you are thinking; “We have no idea what God will bring our way.”  Of course you don’t, but WILL YOU PLAN TO BE READY?  One thing is for certain, when it comes time to react to things that happen to us, we must be ready.  When we feel like direction is clear and spelled out we must be courageous.

The Fruit of planning is integrity and character development –  “Rebuild Your life”

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“And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ” Luke 6:48

What would it take to have a “well built life?” Your life is like a house, built on either sand or rock, Which foundation will you choose?  Planning diligently for a life that pleases God is not an option for the Christ follower.  Planning isn’t just for the dreamers, planning is the stewardship of every disciple of Jesus.  This is NOT optional.  Planning is required.

How to Build Your Life…Three Essentials to Effective Planning

#1 Remain Balanced –  Pray then plan, then pray then plan, then repeat until you die.  Ok, maybe that sounds a bit dramatic?  But I promise you that if you will take seriously the scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing,” it will be hard to miss a word that God says. Make your prevailing thought ,”If it be your will, God?”  This doesn’t mean we lock ourselves in our prayer closet for the rest of our lives, it means we actually have to WRITE DOWN what God is saying to us.  For me, until I write it down, it isn’t real!  Pray then write, then pray then write and refine.

Tip:  Listen to God then write what he told you

#2 Go Big –  This means you have to stop limiting your thinking thereby limiting God in your life. There is another constant battle happening for most people I know.  It is the tension between fear and comfort.  We are afraid of what God has told us and so we slide back into habits, places, people and circumstances that are comfortable.  I promise you, if you are going to follow Jesus it WILL NOT be into a life of comfort. IF you are called to be “crucified with Christ” as Galatians says, there is NO WAY you will be comfortable.  The life of the Christ follower means you will be conflicted always battling your desire for comfort.  Stop seeking comfort!  Everything in the culture is trying to get you to buy in to the “easy” plan.  But the ways of Jesus are full of sacrifice, sometimes confusion, unexpected results and faith.  So…GO BIG.  You get one life, spend your time making the most of every day because your life is shorter than you think.  What is in the way?  Money?  Fear?  A boyfriend?  Guilt?  Your past?  Lay it down and GO BIG!

Tip:  Once you think you have a “GO BIG” plan, share someone and ask them to help and pray for you, then begin to recruit your personal dream team to execute the plan!  (I’ll talk more about your dream team in another post)


#3 Get Organized –  It’s time to count the cost.  You know what I mean.  Gather your resources, start having difficult conversations, prepare to get that degree, say what needs to be said, develop a God inspired prayed through a timeline, get a spreadsheet, determine how much money it will cost, confront the incredible sacrifice to be made.  You are getting the picture.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  (Hebrews 11:6)  When we felt called to plant 217church, we submitted a 30 page plan full of demographics, ministry strategy, timeline, leadership structure.  I’m telling you it’s worth it.  If you wing it, you won’t achieve all God has for you.

Tip:  Get ready to wait, just because God gave you then plan, doesn’t mean for you to go out and do it TODAY!  What for God’s timing.

And finally once you think you have all the information and inspiration you need, get some more input. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Ok, Now Go!  Get the vision and anticipate God to move in His time!

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On February 3 we kicked off our 40 day spiritual growth emphasis called “Relaunch”  We are rebuilding every aspect of our lives.  We will experience three layers of the same scripture every week.  First, the weekend teaching at one of our campuses.  Next, the small group discussion weekly in homes, and finally the daily journal.  I encourage you to plan now to be ready for God to speak to you and go all in with all your effort and energy  to this 40 day spiritual growth emphasis for our church!

We are officially #Relaunching @217church after 6 full years of ministry on March 20th, 2016.  Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here

Josh

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4 Prayers for 2016

Last Summer I was sitting on a hill staring out at one of the most beautiful lakes in the world in Africa, Lake Victoria.  I was praying for my family, our church ministry, the leaders, my marriage and overall wisdom in every decision.  Many times God calls you to make hard decisions, sometimes that are unpopular but rooted in the word. God teaches us different things in different seasons.  In this season, He is teaching us to depend on Him more through prayer.  We must have a rich prayer life,

Prayer is the Primary work of the people of God –

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“The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective ” James 5:16

God is not done with you.  No matter what you face it is for a season.  But when all else fails, you can absolutely depend on God.  It’s time to pray.  These are prayers I am praying for you…

Four Prayers I am Praying For You in 2016…

#1 Your Faith – Jesus takes convicts and turns them in to converts.  That is right, this is what we are all about, restoring people in their relationship with Jesus.  He came that we would have faith and that He would die and be the ultimate sacrifice so we would have eternal life and know and follow HIM.  RESTORED!  This is our word.  Jesus rose from the DEAD and while pointing to Jesus, My prayer is your belief and dependence would increase that you would be able to take your eyes off the worldly results, temptations and pride and call out in the heavenly reality.

#2 Your Finances  – What we invest in we value.  I have talked to so many people these last two weeks who are hurting financially.  Over the last week of 2015 you gave $20,000.  Yes, IN JUST ONE WEEK!  But there are those who are struggling to provide for their families.   This creates uncertainty, fear, confusion and even insecurity.  We need to continue to pray for God’s provision for the people of our community.  Especially the elderly, the disabled, the widows and the single moms.  When we begin praying these prayers God will move us to realize that we are to be generous and help one another through difficult times.  I love being a part of a church and community that believes in taking care of those who are going through rough times.  We do this because it is an example of the Gospel of Jesus in action.  Giving is not about a legalistic percentage, but a heart that is transformed as a reflection of the Gospel. A FAMILY takes care of one another and advances the Gospel with its finances. My prayer is you would have enough to live but not so much that you would depend on your riches.

#3 Your Focus – Be more afraid of missing an opportunity than failing.  Distractions will derail your life.  Jesus and the Gospel are what matters.  We are to be pursuing Him as our FIRST priority.  We are to serve others and love them.  Who has Jesus sent you to?  Take your eyes off yourself and you will begin to gain the right focus. The church is at it’s best serving the community, loving people, taking care of one another, pursuing the common good, sharing meals together and speaking out as a peaceful voice of reason.  My prayer is you would focus on the right things. 

#4 Favor of the People – We are HIS children – Let me say that again.  You have a seat at the table with Jesus and he calls you, “brother, sister and friend.”  I tell my children they bear my last name and they need to act like it!  When you realize whose family you are in and that the Father has lavished the greatest gift of love and favor on your life, it changes how you PRAY.  Through forgiveness of sins, repentance, privilege and honor to be called the church and a life in heaven with HIM, he has given us favor.  This changes our perspective.  We need to pray for the favor of God that he would be merciful and gracious, especially with those who don’t know Him yet.  My prayer is he would INCREASE HIS FAVOR upon you.

You refresh my heart and it is a privilege to pray for and with you.

This Sunday January 3 at 217church we begin a brand new 4 part series called “Prepare” – Are you Ready for a Move of God in 2016? I’m getting ready, Join me…

 

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Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here

Josh