View from the Pew...Why Our Upcoming Pitch-Ins Are Opportunities to Make our Body *Fat*

Hubs and I have been at Calvary Chapel for 11 years now. We started attending when the church met at the old Boys and Girls Club and we could walk to church each week. We loved bringing our friends and introducing them to the *best* teaching in town:) After about a year, we were committed to the body, loved the teaching, but really hadn't connected with very many people. It felt...awkward. We considered Calvary our home church, but it felt more like a boarding house than a family.

Then, we were personally invited to a church pitch-in. I honestly don't remember who invited us, but I remember being invited. Someone made a point of finding us after church and asking us to come. They explained where and how the pitch in worked and made sure we knew we were welcome. That was a turning point for us. At the pitch in, we sat at a table with the Brinkerhoffs and Anglins and they made a point of getting to know us better, sharing their lives with us. The next week at worship, we had someone to share a row with and that was the start of falling in love with the people in our body.

This morning, I was looking around during the meet and greet portion of the service and realized that there are several new families in the body that I don't know. At all. I get so wrapped up in giving hugs to the sisters I know, saying hello to the families of our kids' friends, checking in with someone I have been praying for...but it's been awhile since I really tried to meet someone new.

Sisters, there are a LOT of new people to meet!

There are two upcoming pitch-ins and opportunities to fellowship with our body. The first event is October 31, Halloween night. There will be a bonfire, pitch-in and fellowship. The second event will be held November 13 right after worship service, celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the joining of Calvary Chapel and Christ's Fellowship. Both of these events are excellent opportunities to invite a new person, a new family to come and fellowship with us.

Actually, I want to challenge each of you to reach out in love to someone in the body, making a prayerful point of encouraging them to join us. This is a great way to *fatten* our body, to make us grow. It might be just the thing that makes someone feel like they belong, that our church is their church...and really, the church that Jesus asks us to be.

My first trip the the Midwest Pastors' Conference

My family and I returned from the 2011 Midwest Pastors' Conference this afternoon, and while some of my thoughts are still fresh, I want to share my impressions with you all. First, I want to say that I am so, so glad we went! For years we've heard others in the body share their love and enthusiasm for this conference, but it seemed like we always had a little baby...and then another little baby and another and, well, you get the idea:) This year, we were blessed with the opportunity to attend the conference as a family and it truly was a blessing.

Second, the teaching was amazing. Ahhh-mazing! Truth? I have two favorite radio teachers: Bob Coy and Mike MacIntosh. I heard them both. Couple of times. So, so blessed, sisters! Though I kept leaning over and telling Susan Cole that they didn't look like I had imagined them in my mind:) Tom Stipe also taught and he was equally incredible. Someday (when I catch up on my sleep and have time to process all the ahh-mazing teaching), I'll post some thoughts about the teaching...or better yet, maybe some of you who were there can post your own thoughts!

Each session began with worship and it was...worshipful. Spirit-led. The most beautiful part for me was watching all these pastors and leaders and people from our own body relax into the Holy Spirit. To look around and see hands raised, unabashed adoration of Jesus...well, it's hard to describe. And sisters, we are so blessed because we get to experience that every Sunday, if we choose to.

There was time for fellowship, time for walking, time for praying...time for eating. And more time for eating:) The nicest part of our time at the conference was that we could choose to follow the schedule...or not. Tuesday after lunch, I was tired. So, I took a nap instead of going to the session. That nap was equally ahhh-mazing:) This morning, our little boy needed some "mama time," so we skipped rocks at the lake and played corn hole. Sometimes, little boys are the greatest teachers...

And I forgot to mention the scenery...gorgeous. This sweet little lake, surrounded by October's brilliant hues; wrap-around porches; swings; weeping willows; crunching leaves; cool, crisp mornings; foggy sunrises...the majesty of God's creation all around.

If you were able to attend the conference, then you have your own impressions, your own grateful thoughts about your experience there. If you weren't able to attend, I would encourage you to consider attending next year. You have a whole year to plan:) In a couple of weeks, the teachings from the conference will be available for download on the church's website. When it becomes available, I'll post a link here and let you know. I encourage you to take the time to listen to each teaching and share them with others. If you don't have a way to listen to the teachings in the mp3 format, let me know and I will get you a CD.

Sisters, our little fellowship of believers is being used in a mighty way...2 radio stations ministering all across West Central Indiana, our school, the Pastors' Conference, this blog...and many, many other ministries. Lift up our church and the many ministries the Lord has called us to...ask for protection, for vision, for discernment. Ask the Lord how He might use YOU in one or more of these areas!

God, we thank You for all the ways you are working in our lives. We praise You for this Pastors' Conference...for all the churches and families represented there. We ask for Your blessing, Your vision, Your wisdom. Pour out Your Holy Spirit on us, God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.