Random Thoughts About life

We need your help next Saturday June 21. We need several of you to help pass out food at Mosby Heights and at the Lineweaver Building. If you can help please contact me at Larry@valleychurchva.com

Who are you focused on leading?

 Great Read by Scott Hodge of The Orchards.

One of the most empowering moments in The Orchard’s journey of transition & change occurred a few years ago when someone said to us:

“Until you get your focus OFF of the people who are disgruntled, unhappy, unsupportive, and resistant to the direction God has called you to go, and ONTO those who are excited, supportive and on board, you will NEVER gain momentum and see a new culture created in your church.” 

That statement set us free. 

It really did.  In fact, I can remember our team making several tough, but GOOD decisions that day that literally sped up our momentum by leaps and bounds. 

Some of those decisions had to do with things we were going to STOP doing.  Decisions that:

• We were NO LONGER going to try and get people to stay at our church who weren’t happy.  
• We were going to stop spending time and energy trying to get the naysayers “on board” when it was very evident that most of them were not going to support the new direction.
• We were going to stop allowing some of the “small things” to continue just to keep a few people happy (You know those programs and committees that are OPPOSITE of where you’re headed, but you’re keeping in place just to keep 12 people happy?  Yeah, those…) 

We also made some decisions about what we going to START doing or focus on being more intentional about.  Decisions that:

• We would stay focused on God’s mission for The Orchard NO MATTER WHAT.  Even if it were just the three of us in the end!
• The focus of our leading and teaching would be turned towards the people we were reaching and those who were excited about where we were headed.
• We would only engage in ministries, programs, and events that aligned with our mission - regardless as to whether or not every other church in town was doing it or not.  The mission would dictate everything - not what was “popular” with other churches or even what programs or events might have seemed “successful” in the past.

It wasn’t easy, and yes, we lost a lot of people.  But….it eventually created a momentum that led towards reaching the people that God had called us to reach.  By 400% since 2003.

We had the opportunity to look at the old food lion building on 33. The rent after 2yrs would go up to $13,000 a month. We did not have the opportunity to buy the building. We would only have the opportunity to lease the building.

There has been at least 3 people who have been in favor of the food lion building. What is your thoughts?

I want to thank everyone for submitting their ideas about skate town. After prayer and listening to the different ideas about skate town. We are not going to pursue that location at the present time.

We would have been land locked, no parking, no visibility from the road, and potential growth would have been difficult. Thanks for your ideas.

I wanted to take a second to say WOW!  I am the luckiest Pastor in Harrisonburg… I have a staff that ROCKS!  It is such a pleasure to work with the finest staff ever!  If you have not met them yet make a point of introducing yourself this Sunday!  Terry Ross Administration & Life Groups, Matt Doebler Creative Arts, Maggie Rising Children’s Director.

Thank you guys!  P.Larry

O.K.  Guys here we go!!!!  We have been presented with an opportunity to purchase the old “Skatetown” building in Harrisonburg.  We have been advised to offer 730,000 for the building that has appraised for 899,000.  It will cost an additional 250,000 to renovate our space. 

This will take everyone jumping in and helping with the cost financially.  If you are willing to support the vision of this project financially and the future of Valley Church please email me at Larry@valleychurchva.com with your thoughts!

I was told at lunch today that it “Takes Teamwork to make a Dreamwork”.  Come jump in and join the DREAM by being a part of the TEAM!

Look forward to hearing from you all!  We need to make this decision by this Tues!

–out  P.Larry 

• Three people gave their hear to Christ on Sunday.
• The music was great.
• Saw a lot of new guest at Valley Church.
• We are going to grow this summer.
• Bring a friend day is going to be off the hook.
• Please continue to pray for new space for Valley Church.
• Thanks to everyone who signed up to serve at Valley Church.
• This Sunday is going to be off the chain.
• Who are you going to vote for this election?
• The best days are yet to come for Valley Church.

Hey,

I have a meeting tomorrow with Joe at Jmu. We are in danger of not having a space to meet on December 21-28. These are two of the biggest weekends of the Holiday Season. Please pray that God would grant me favor with Joe. Thanks for your prayers.

• Valley Church is the best kept secret in Harrisonburg.

• We had a lot of first time guest in the first service.
• Please do not forget bring a friend day on June 1, 2008.
• God has been answering a lot of prayers at Valley Church.
• We are going to grow big time this summer.
• Both services were rocking yesterday.
• The series LOST has me confused.
• I have 5 weddings this summer.
• Please pray that Terry sells his house in Lynchburg.
• Please pray that God will provide us with new space in the future.
• Do not forget to bring your food bags back this Sunday.