Weekly Update – Center City Church

by | September 20, 2012 | Uncategorized

The following is a weekly update that I send via email to our entire church community…


Center City family…

We are in a really unique season of growth and health right now in our church family. We saw five people respond to the love of Christ last week alone and have met so many new people in the past two weeks. I am grateful for this season and I know that God is doing powerful things in people’s lives as they dig in deeper in their faith. 

I was with a friend of ours this past week, Pastor Mark Batterson, in Washington DC and he said something that resonated so deeply in my heart. “When things are going well, it’s important to remember where those blessings come from. I always life by this slogan: STAY HUNGRY & STAY HUMBLE.” We are hungry to see many come to know Jesus in our city. But we always have to remember where the source of all joy and goodness comes from. When we recognize that it’s not our own ability or talent that brings health, it breeds humility. And humility is a beautiful thing when combined with the dedication and hunger to keep pressing forward. 

I pray that you have an amazing week and ask you to consider how that phrase can be applied to your life. Stay hungry and stay humble. What does it mean to you? 

I love you guys and can’t wait to get to week three of “It’s Complicated” – our series on relationships. I’m teaching this week on how the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is directly related to the health of our relationships. I believe it’s going to be a really powerful teaching based on Paul’s instruction Ephesians 5. Read it ahead of time and come in hungry to learn!

Pastor David


Visit our calendar for more information about our events.

SEPTEMBER
COMMUNITY DINNER  |  Sunday September 23  |  6pm
Our potluck-style picnics at Independence Park (Pavilion #1) are an opportunity to connect as a church family and invite friends from our community.
  
INTRO TO CENTER CITY |  Sunday September 30  |  1pm
Learn about the history, vision, theology and practical next steps to get involved at Center City Church while enjoying lunch at Kickstand. If you are new to our community, this is the perfect way to get to know our leadership and see our heart for living out the Gospel in our city.
  
IT’S COMPLICATED: A Series On Relationships | Sundays September 9 – 30
Life is full of complicated relationships, none more than the complexity of friendship, dating, marriage and intimacy. This is a opportunity to invite a friend and gain sound, biblical perspective on these practical topics that we all encounter.

IT’S COMPLICATED Discussion Group | Wedesdays September 12 – Ocotober 3 | 7pm
Our fall reading series kicks off with Timothy Keller’s book, The Meaning of Marriage led by Pastors David and Joseph. Email Pastor Joseph for directions.

OCTOBER 
PRAYER IN UPTOWN | Saturday October 6 | 8am
Join us for a prayer walk around Uptown Charlotte. Meet at 7th Street Public Market. Validated parking is available in the garage.

YOUNG LIFE MUD RUN | Saturday October 6 | 9am
Join the fun for this fundraiser that benefits Young Life, a high school campus ministry. You can register individually or in groups of four. If you prefer not to run, you can a register to volunteer. Email [email protected] for more information or sign up at the  Welcome Table. 

SERVICE DAY | Saturday October 13 | 9am
Come lend a hand at Charlotte Family Housing’s Plaza Place. We will be washing their vans, landscaping, and playing flag football with the kids. This is a great way to invest in an amazing organization and meet new friends. Email [email protected] for more information.

BAPTISM | Sunday October 21
If you have committed your heart to Christ and are yet to be baptized, our baptism celebration is an incredible opportunity to show an outward expression of your inward faith. For more information, email Pastor Joseph.

WEEKLY
WEDNESDAYS AT CFH  | 6:30pm
Spend an evenening with families at Charlotte Family Housing.

MORNING PSALMS AND PRAYER  |  Thursdays  | 6:30am
Start our day with scripture and prayer.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER  |  Fridays  |  7pm 
Join us for a time of prayer for our church, community, and city.

I Would Love To Do That, But Not Yet

by | September 19, 2012 | Uncategorized

As the pastor of a new church, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of saying one simple phrase: “I would love to do that, but not yet.”

There will always be opportunities to love, serve and care for our community. But if we are doing so much good that our team is burned out and our leadership is shaky, we are not doing long term good at all. We are in the business of raising up people to love, serve and care for our community. We are not in the business of burning people out.

Here’s one guidepost I use for my life, my family and our team: Let’s keep loving Jesus more than what we do for him. If we ever get out of balance there, we are serving out of our own, limited resources. When we stay rooted and balanced in our time with Jesus, a thriving relationship will lead us to love, serve and care for our community well.

Do I want to help everyone I see that is in need? Of course. Am I ready to help everyone? No. But one good decision after another will continue to build this church family into a gathering of compassionate leaders that rise up to meet the needs of our community in a healthy and balanced way. 

“I would love to do that, but not yet.”

Want to Move to Charlotte?

by | September 18, 2012 | Uncategorized

I have been blown away by all that God has done since we started Center City Church a few years ago. There have been so many that have given so much to see this church come to life in our amazing community of Uptown Charlotte, NC. And here’s the fun part: this is just the beginning.

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about imagining the future of our church. It’s growing and we are seeing more and more people dig deep into their relationship with Jesus. I often pray for those that are out of state that God will call to be with us among our church family. And I’m not just talking about future staff members.

I believe that God is calling businessmen/women, families, doctors, lawyers, musicians, young professionals, industry veterans, athletes, soccer moms, etc. We have a shared vision at Center City that we exist to honor God and make disciples at home and across the world. That’s not just the charge for our staff. That’s the charge for our community. To teach as many people as we can what it means to be a committed follower of Jesus.

Want to move to Charlotte? I can’t make any promises of how it will happen or come to pass, but I can tell you that there’s a great community that you could invest into and enjoy.

And the weather is ridiculously amazing.

It’s Complicated: A series on relationships.

by | September 7, 2012 | Uncategorized

We are kicking off a new series on relationships called “It’s Complicated” at Center City Church this week. I am diving into the 4 different stages of love for our first teaching on Sunday. 

God has a plan. Its perfect. And we’re going to learn about what type of love God has planned for our relationships. 

If you desire to be in a relationship, are in an unhealthy one or want to grow in your marriage, please don’t miss this. So much truth to share. Your decisions today about relationships are directly related to your health emotionally, physically and spiritually in the future. 

As a note, we are the ones that complicate relationships. God’s plan is simple, pure and beautiful. Get here if you can. 


The Brilliance of Zach (Community Project Video)

by | August 21, 2012 | Uncategorized

Click the link to view this awesome promo video from Zach Whiteside (video guru and all around great guy) for our community project this Sunday at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School.

Would love to have you join us if you can. Meeting at the school at 9am and will be doing basic landscaping/beautification and cleaning for the start of the school year.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/47914777 w=400&h=225] ETES Service Day PROMO | 8.25.2012 from Center City Church on Vimeo.

Back From Vacation

by | August 12, 2012 | Uncategorized

Just got back from a weeklong vacation at the beach with Dara and the kids. So many priceless memories with our family. I feel more rejuvenated today than I have since before we started Center City Church 2+ years ago.

Ready to see all that God has in store for us in this next season!