by David Docusen | March 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
We had a great meeting yesterday at Center City Church. It was so great to see a handful of new faces and then to see multiple people make commitments to Christ. I’ve been so encouraged by the way that our group has taken ownership of Center City and consider it “their church.” We have had so many new faces come through because our group has really responded to the challenge of spreading the news about what God is doing in their lives personally and at Center City Church corporately.
I taught yesterday on the power of God. I have been so motivated by 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 in our calling to start this church in Uptown Charlotte.
When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
After reading this Scripture, I’m convinced again that God does not need our learned human devices to display his power. As such, we are responding to the directive from God to start Center City with no advertising. No Facebook marketing. No Google AdWords. No Yahoo Search Marketing. No mass mailing to the community. I have nothing against these things. I actually love advertising and marketing. But we feel God’s clear direction that the story of Center City will be spread through our team and God’s power at work.
I’m so blessed to say that our entire team is on board. We are going to rely on the power of God and some good ole’ fashioned word of mouth advertising.
It may sound crazy to some, but this is our story. This is the way that God has directed us to start his church in Uptown. I learned a long time ago that God’s best plan is so much more effective that my greatest talents combined. When God continues to do his great work through Center City Church, he will continue to get all the glory.
by David Docusen | February 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
I read a couple of days ago that Pastor Rick Warren (author of the Purpose Driven Life) and Saddleback Church are celebrating their 30th anniversary on April 4th. This is the same day that Center City Church opens to the community. Just this morning, I read that Pastor Steven Furtick felt God’s call to start Elevation Church five years ago today while driving around Charlotte.
It just got me thinking: everyone starts somewhere. We are in the beginning stages of Center City Church. And I’ve taken the advice of so many church planters that have gone before me. They all said – each one of them – to enjoy the early days. I can honestly say that we have. Tomorrow will come. And that will be exciting, too. But we never get the beginning back. This is the most exciting time of our lives and I’m loving the ride.
What could you start today? After all, everyone starts somewhere.
by David Docusen | February 26, 2010 | Uncategorized
I woke up this morning with an incredible feeling of anticipation and a grateful heart. I am so excited about the momentum we are experiencing right now at Center City Church as we lead up to our public opening on April 4th. I am so grateful for the fact that Dara and I feel healthy on the inside. And we are joined by an absolutely phenomenal team (that continues to grow each week) to experience this ride with us along the way.
This mixture of anticipation and a grateful heart makes me thank God for all that he has done. And I’m anticipating the great things that he’s about to do. Only He knows what is to come in the days, weeks and months ahead. I’m just blessed be a part of this. These are exciting times!
by David Docusen | February 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
To all my friends and family that come together to form Center City Church:
Nothing makes me happier in ministry than when I see each of you taking steps of growth and maturity in your walk with Christ. I pray for you. I love you. I believe in you. But it’s up to you to continue to grow.
We are in the middle of a 40 day fast leading up to our opening of Center City Church on April 4th. We’re in this together. And I can guarantee spiritual growth that leads to maturity if you will willingly abstain from something to draw closer to Christ during this season of unified fasting and prayer.
As the apostle Paul was referring to the church in Laodicea (Colossians 2:2-3), he said to them, “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Focus on Christ. As you fix your attention on him, all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are available to you. Your communication with God will lead to a better understanding of Christ, therefore leading to a better understanding of the situations of your life.
Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged if the first 3 days of this fast have been hard. Don’t get discouraged and quit if you have already messed up your commitment. It’s not about legalism. It’s about spiritual growth and maturity.
I love you and believe in you. You have challenged me to love God more. You have shown me generosity, love, care, compassion, etc. in ways that I have never known. Let’s do this together.
With all the love in my heart…
David
by David Docusen | February 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
Center City Church is joining together in a unified commitment to fast and pray for the next 40 days leading up to the opening of our church to the community on Easter Sunday, April 4th. I taught today on these topics, and gave our group a very specific challenge. Here’s the outline:
– Challenge yourself.
– Don’t abstain from eating steak and lobster.
– Don’t fast from Twitter, if you don’t have an account.
– Don’t fast from meat if you’re a vegetarian.
– Strength comes from resistance.
– Set an attainable goal. You know yourself.
– If you’ve never done this before, start smaller.
– Twitter
– Coffee / lattes
– Something you will notice. Does not have to be food.
– Commit to pray when your appetite for food, entertainment, digital media (or whatever you’re abstaining from) arises.
– Do SOMETHING
February 22 – April 3rd. I am so looking forward to what is produced both personally and corporately during this season of unified fasting and prayer.
