by David Docusen | July 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
I have been reading the book Radical
by David Platt and have found myself delightfully challenged. One of the biggest areas that has been challenging me is found in chapter five as he describes the process of making disciples. Jesus had a very clear command as he delivered his last words to his disciples:
**Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The idea is given that Sunday morning services at churches across the world were never intended for the message to stop with the listener. If we are truly intentional about receiving God’s word, it will always be with the intent to then pass it on to someone else.
When we focus on others, we will always grow personally. We will listen better. We will pray for application in our own lives. And we will learn how to articulate our faith and challenge others to grow. Beautiful.
by David Docusen | July 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
I sent an e-mail via Constant Contact this morning to every person that has come through the doors of Center City Church in the past year. Just a quick note to let them know that I love them, believe in them and am praying for them today.
I think it’s so important to hear those three things. They never get old when said with a genuine spirit. And I mean those three things with all my heart about our church and all who have visited. I followed up that short statement by asking each person a quick question: what’s going on in your world? The answer to this questions helps me to know how to pray for each person more accurately.
If you have been to our church (or just want to read the email), click here. You can also click the link at the bottom of the email to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to future emails.
by David Docusen | July 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
Click the link to view this week’s message from Center City Church (Psalms: Reckless Abandon). God is worthy of all of our praise and adoration. And we can run to him with a reckless abandon, no matter our past or present situation.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/26847935 w=398&h=224]
by David Docusen | July 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
Every first time visitor (that leaves us their info) gets a good ole’ fashioned hand written note from me. It’s just a really simple way of taking time out of my Monday to say thanks for coming. In the age of digital, immediate communication I think a hand written note really sticks out. I pray that each person that receives this in their mailbox feels the love and care that we have for them.
Here’s a pic of the notes from the past two weeks at Center City. It’s a really simple process. Our host team coordinator will gather the names/addresses on Sundays and hand me a stack of addressed & stamped envelopes. I go home and write the notes and send them out on Monday or Tuesday. I absolutely love our community and I feel like this is a really simple way to show each guest that they are loved & appreciated.
by David Docusen | July 25, 2011 | Uncategorized
I had a really funny conversation with a guest yesterday at Center City Church. We talked for a bit after the service and she said, “My friend has been telling me for months about her church that she loved so much, but I was a bit freaked out to come to it. She kept on saying ‘Sinner City Church’ and I thought to myself, ‘I don’t have any desire to go to a church called Sinner City Church. Well, I went ahead and typed it into Google and I couldn’t find ‘Sinner City Church’ but I did find ‘Center City Church’ and that made me feel a lot better. I loved the service today!”
Hahaha…let this be a lesson to all of us that call Center City Church home to focus on pronunciation when we talk about our church! Funny story. Happy Monday.
by David Docusen | July 24, 2011 | Uncategorized
As I was laying out my clothes for today at Center City Church, my thoughts drifted to Dara’s grandfather. We affectionately called him “Grandaddy.” Most everyone else just knew him as Pastor Fenton Jones. He was an incredible man of God, a faithful husband, father and grandfather. And he is one of my heroes in the faith.
Grandaddy pastored for over 50 years. And almost every single message he ever spoke was done so in a suit. Not just any suit, though. Grandaddy had some serious style. We’re talking some slick suits. And I couldn’t help but wonder what Grandaddy would say to me today (he passed away several years ago) as I laid out my jeans, a v-neck t-shirt and my gray Tom’s shoes.
The dress code has certainly changed over time, but one thing I know absolutely sure is that God has not. The same power and authority that Grandaddy spoke with in his suit for 50+ years is available to me as I preach to Center City Church in a v-neck shirt for the next 50+ years.
I love and miss Grandaddy. And I think he would have really loved a pair of Tom’s. I’m glad that he didn’t decide to pass on his style to me, but a belief in the power of the Holy Spirit and the charge to preach the saving message of Jesus Christ.
I do, however, have one of his ties. And it is very, very nice.
