The 7 Best Books on Christian Marriage

A few weeks ago in my sermon I mentioned that you'd be crazy not to read some good books on marriage if you hope make your marriage last. Last time I checked marriage had about a 50% fail rate - so it's not as if the good ones just happen automatically. I received a few inquiries about some books I would recommend, so here are some of the best ones I know of (with links to Amazon). Feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments. 

1. Sacred Marriage - by Thomas
2. Love and Respect - by Eggerichs
3. His Needs, Her Needs - by Harley Jr. 
4. The Meaning of Marriage - by Keller
5. For Women Only / For Men Only - by Feldhahn
6. The Five Love Languages - by Chapman
7. You and Me Forever - by Chan

There are also some amazing studies on video at Right Now Media. If you are a member at Grace Church - we will provide you with a free subscription to this amazing resource. Just email Larry Shallenberger for your login credentials. 

Hope this helps!

Volunteer Spotlight: Kerrie Grande

We have some amazing volunteers at Grace Church! They are truly superstars. More than 2/3 or our staff are completely volunteer. I'm going to use some space in this blog to regularly recognize some of the people whose devotion and sacrifice is truly an inspiration to me. This month I want to introduce you to: 

KERRIE GRANDE

 

Kerrie is a member of our volunteer staff at Grace Harborcreek. She has attended Grace for about 2 1/2 years now and has been volunteering in a leadership role with Next Steps and LIVE for about a year. Kerrie said when we talked, “It has been the best 2 1/2 years of my life!" I recently asked her a few questions. 

     

    What do you love about volunteering?  

     I was out of church for so long prior to attending Grace.  I just love the joy, fulfilling contentment and peace that I feel here.  I love that I get to share that joy with others through my volunteer role.

    What are some things you've accomplished since you started volunteering?  

     I think I have improved my people skills and my organizational skills.  This role has helped me to step a little outside my comfort zone, by talking openly and honestly about my faith journey and all the bumps that have happened along the way to get me to where I am today. My volunteer role at Grace has also helped me to accept those bumps in the road as learning tools for my faith, learning tools that I can use when meeting new people, who are in all different places in their spiritual journey. One of the best parts of volunteering in the roles I am currently serving in is that while I have learned a lot about my Christian faith, I have also learned about how much one person can really make a difference to others.  Someone did this for me- reached out to me- and it is an incredibly humbling feeling to get to be a part of this with others on their own faith journey, too. 

What is the craziest thing you have seen at Grace?  

     I started attending Grace Harborcreek when our services were being held in the High School auditorium.  I came from a Catholic background and always thought that church happened in a church building.  So to me, it was CRAZY to hold services in a school and I really wondered how it would work. 

    Thank you so much for your amazing service Kerrie - we're honored to have you on the team!

Top 18 quotes: 2014 Global Leadership Summit

This week for the 6th year in a row Grace Church hosted Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit. It continues to be one of the most important events in my own development as a person and a leader. Here are some of my favorite quotes from this year's Summit. They are in no particular order.

1. If you know the right thing to do, and you don't do it, that for you is evil. -Ivan Satyavrata
2. When it looks like everything is going wrong, embrace the darkness. God is preparing you for a greater role in his unfolding story. -Louie Giglio
3. Gaps exist all over our countries, cities and villages. Gaps today are wider and more destructive than they've ever been. God is still asking, "who will stand in the gap" -Wilfredo DeJesus
4. I want to know the God that makes my mom this happy. -Tyler Perry
5. Going through tough times makes us humble. Humility isn't a character trait that we develop--it is a byproduct of being with Jesus. -Louie Giglio
6. Any time you find yourself stuck, there is always a crucial conversation that needs to happen that's not happening. -Joseph Grenny
7. We often believe the myth that we have to choose between telling the truth and keeping a friend. -Joseph Grenny  
8. Crucial conversations can become a trust-building accelerant toward intimacy for our organizations, teams, or families. -Joseph Grenny
9. I'm tired of hearing about "servant leadership" -- because I don't think there is any other kind. -Patrick Lencioni
10. You can't be too vulnerable as a leader. People expect us to be competent, but they don't want us to be perfect, they want us to be human. -Patrick Lencioni
11. Our identity can get wrapped up in being a leader--and this is a problem when it crowds out our higher identities as a child of God, a parent or spouse. -Patrick Lencioni
12. Stop the madness in group work and team brainstorming. This is torture for introverts. Use a hybrid approach: let people work alone, and then come back to the group to share. -Susan Cain
13. You can't tell anything about a leader when the sun is up, when times are good. It takes a crisis to really discover a true leader. -Jeffery Immelt
14. The highest calling of leadership is to unlock the potential of others. -Carley Fiorina
15. Leaders with the highest level of vision and passion often have the lowest level of awareness of the spirit of the team surrounding him/her. -Bill Hybels
16. Every meeting should contain the three M's: 1) Move something ahead; 2) Modify the plan as needed; 3) Motivate your team. Make sure they leave encouraged. -Bill Hybels
17. If we invite the Kingdom of God to where we are (business, politics, etc.), I believe God will take over and we will begin to see better societies. -Allen Catherine Kagina
18. Each one of us is more like orchestra than a soloist. We must learn to negotiate with our inner team. -Erica Ariel Fox

VISION 2016: Update on 5 Initiatives

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  I've written a series of blog posts to update you on where things stand.  Here is a list of the posts all in one place.

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

VISION 2016: 212-Raise Discipleship Temperature

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  Here's a quick update:

INITIATIVE #5 - 212 – we will raise the temperature for life-on-life discipleship to the boiling point so it is normal for people to become reproducing followers of Jesus by owning their personal growth.

• Our most recent commitment to discipleship at Grace is the church-wide experience we’re in together called E100.  This effort to encourage our entire church to engage daily with the scriptures is proving to be life-changing for many. Individuals and families are finding their chair and owning their personal growth by regularly connecting with God through his Word. This practice, over the course of five months, will fundamentally change the spiritual temperature at Grace.

• Also, we have recently recruited over 40 small group leaders to begin new groups at Grace. Many of those leaders are currently leading groups who are engaged in E100. Our desire is that as people connect in groups – that they will build spiritually-charged relationships with other believers that will lead to vitality and accountability.

• We have made it very easy to find and get in a group with our new group finder feature at our website. 
• Celebrate Recovery launched this fall at Grace and has had a healing effect on the nearly 60 people who attend each week. The CR groups provide an important discipleship component for those who attend. 

Read Derek's other posts about Vision 2016:

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

VISION 2016: 936 Weeks Partnering With Parents

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  Here's a quick update:

INITIATIVE #4 – 936 weeks of partnering with parents in shaping Christ-centered families

• Stories are rolling in about the impact E100 is having on families as parents and children partner in reading the Bible together.  One family is even opening up their home and their child is leading a small group of other children to discuss the E100 readings.  
• Plans are in the works for our second Parenting Summit on Saturday, April 26. I’ll be kicking off the event with a special message for parents and we will provide some very helpful and practical workshops for real-life issues parents are facing.  It’s going to be a great day.

• GraceKids has an average weekly attendance of 209 kids! The GFX ministry has been a great innovation that provides events that connect families with each other and offer an opportunity to invite new families to Grace. 
• GraceYouth leaders are meeting with students at their practices, over ice cream and school tutoring. They are currently partnering with 11 families for in-depth one-on-one Biblical training of their teens. And several GraceYouth leaders are having coffee with parents to “dream and pray” for their teens.

• You can find more information about all things ‘family’ at our website. 

Read Derek's other posts about Vision 2016:

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

VISION 2016: 2 Global Church Partnerships

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  Here's a quick update:

INITIATIVE #3 – 2 global church to church partnerships

• Our 3-part strategy for our partnership with Grace en Sion is progressing. From the start we said that this partnership would move forward in 3 stages: school, church, business.

• We started with a concentration on the school because we believe that it gives Grace en Sion the best chance to be financially self-sustaining. The school has increased from 7 students to 142 students in the last 2 years. For many of these children, it is the only chance they have for food during the day, for a shower during the week, and to hear about Jesus during the year. You can get involved in sponsoring a student through our Facebook page.

• A team of 17 people from Grace Church recently returned from Haiti. During their 10 trip they were able to; throw a Valentine’s Day banquet for the parents of the children at Cowman School, host a parenting conference for those same parents, lead worship at Grace en Sion Church, teach and share love with the kids at the school, paint the Dennington’s home, volunteer whenever needed at the clinic and orphanage, encourage the pastors and leaders at Grace en Sion. It was a fruitful trip. 

• Currently we are exploring additional church partnership options. 

Read Derek's other posts about Vision 2016:

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

VISION 2016: 50 Local Churches Serving Erie

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  Here's a quick update:

INITIATIVE #2 - 50 local churches serving the Erie community

• We had over 400 people at our last ServErie Saturday representing 24 churches and organizations.  We’re expecting to see over 1000 participants during the month of July as ServErie partners with Billy Graham Evangelical Association and “Rock the Lakes” for two community service events. We believe that this partnership will allow us to surpass and expand our goal of 50 ServErie partner churches.

• We are currently exploring ServErie partnerships with inner city schools through the Erie School District. We believe that this can expand our capacity to serve the families of our city.
• You can follow the latest happenings at our Facebook page. 

Derek's other posts about Vision 2016:

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

VISION 2016: 3 New Multi-Site Locations

In September 2011 – our Elders laid out a 5 year vision for Grace Church that includes 5 initiatives that we will chase together through the year 2016.  Here's a quick update:

INITIATIVE #1 - 3 more multi-site locations

• Things are heating up in preparation to launch our next location in West County. Malcolm Beall has signed on to be our Campus Lead. He brings a rich family ministry history and a great familiarity with the area, as well as a passion for Christ and great leadership ability. He, his wife Angie, and 'baby Mal' will be leading the charge in West County. 

Malcolm and Angie Beall on their wedding day

• March 16 we’ll be having our first gathering for those interested in the West County location. Come out to our Multi-Site Ministry fair that evening at 6:00 to hear all the details.
• We also shared the exciting news that our own Pastor Brian Lusky will be personally investing time at our West County location during the initial start-up phase until a great worship team is built. Chrissy Cole came to us from Australia where she spent time learning and leading worship at Hillsong Church, and will be leading musical worship at Grace McKean. 

• We also just launched an improved website and Grace Online that will prove to be a powerful ministry tool as we launch additional sites.

Please pray for God's direction as it relates to a specific location in the West County. We are certain that He's leading us there and now need a place to gather in His name!

Coming posts about Vision 2016:

#1 - 3 More Multi-site Locations

#2 - 50 Local Churches Serving the Erie Community

#3 – 2 Global Church to Church Partnerships

#4 – 936 Weeks of Partnering with Parents

#5 - 212 – Raise the Discipleship Temperature

4 Things You Need to Know about Grace Online

Here is a quick summary of the recent blog series I wrote on the top 4 questions about Grace Online:

•       Part 1: Why are we doing it? 
•       Part 2: Who are we trying to reach?
•       Part 3: Is this a substitute for physically attending church?  
•       Part 4: What will an online service be like? 

And here is the quick and dirty on some details:
Starting on Sunday, March 2, 2014, Grace Church is launching a brand new worship experience for an online audience called Grace Online. To start with, the service will air 5 times per week and we will adjust from there as needed. The first service time will be on Sunday, March 2 at 11 AM.

To begin with, weekly service times will be:
Sunday - 11 AM and 7 PM
Wednesday - 7 PM
Saturday - 11 AM and 7 PM 

All services will be identical. Please invite your friends - all are welcome!

Grace Online Part 4: What will an online service be like?

Starting on Sunday, March 2 Grace Church is launching a brand new worship experience for an online audience called Grace Online. To start with, the service will air 5 times per week. I'm sure we will adjust from there. The first service time will be on Sunday, March 2 at 11 AM. This series of blog posts will give some rationale and back story for this new ministry endeavor. 

What will an online service at Grace Online be like? 

Unlike some other online worship services, ours will be specifically crafted for the online audience. All service elements will all be recorded ahead of time, but will be specifically created for Grace Online.  Elements will include:  

1. Sermon – the preaching pastor at Grace will record that week’s sermon for people who will be watching via screen. There will be sermon notes available for those who wish to take notes. 
2. Musical Worship – our worship and media teams are recording and producing songs that will be used to inspire worship as people watch online. The words will be on the screen so that viewers will be able to sing along or simply meditate on the content of the song as it plays. 
3. Online host – each week a service host will walk viewers through the service encouraging people to engage and introducing different service elements and action steps. 
4. Service Elements – creative videos, life stories, meditative moments will all be regular features. 
5. Chat/follow up – A care team will always be present to interact with viewers in the chat area and will be available to provide spiritual guidance, prayer, and advice for taking a next step. 
6. Giving – there will be a button available for people to financially support Grace Church and to worship God through giving. 
7. Prayer – there is a convenient way for anyone to request prayer at any time during the Grace Online worship experience. 
8. Invitation – we will be encouraging every person who attends Grace Online to invite their friends to join them as well. People will be one click away from letting others know about Grace Online via Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or email. 

      Grace Online Blog Posts:

            Part 1: Why are we doing it? 

            Part 2: Who are we trying to reach?
      Part 3: Is this a substitute for physically attending church?  
      Part 4: What will an online service be like? 

Grace Online Part 3: Is this a substitute for physically attending church?

Starting on Sunday, March 2 Grace Church is launching a brand new worship experience for an online audience called Grace Online. To start with, the service will air 5 times per week. I'm sure we will adjust from there. The first service time will be on Sunday, March 2 at 11 AM. This series of blog posts will give some rationale and back story for this new ministry endeavor. 

Is Grace Online a substitute for physically attending church?

Let me start by saying that the breadth and depth of ministry that can be accomplished online is amazing. At Grace, we believe that real connections and real relationships can happen in an online environment. However, we also believe that being the church involves physically gathering together. Therefore, our goal is that Grace Online be a front door into church life, but not a final church destination. One of our goals will be to connect people who attend Grace online to a local church in their area, whether that is a Grace physical location or another like-minded local church. Here is why:

1. Spiritual gifts. The church needs you! Many people are looking for what they can get out of a church. But the truth is – a relationship with a church is not one-way. Each individual also brings something to the church that only they can bring. Namely their spiritual gifts. Some of these spiritual gifts can be used in an online environment and we will encourage people to get involved in Grace Online. But some require a person’s embodied presence to be most effective.
2. One anothers -  if going to "church" once a week was just about gaining what you need spiritually to make it through another week, then tuning in online would be just fine. But the purpose of church is so much broader than that. It is about corporate worship, praying and studying the Bible together, serving one another and reaching out in mission together. In fact the New Testament commands the church to practice 39 “one anothers.” These can't be done in isolation.
3. Ordinances – Jesus commanded his followers to observe two ordinances (some churches call them sacraments) and both are intended to be enjoyed in community: communion and baptism. Some churches have tried to find ways of including these ordinances in their online worship, but we believe for a church to be a biblical church that there must be a physical expression of these ordinances. 

         Grace Online Blog Posts:

            Part 1: Why are we doing it? 

            Part 2: Who are we trying to reach?
      Part 3: Is this a substitute for physically attending church?  

       Thanks to Tim Stevens and Marc Cortez for their thoughts on this.