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Clarence E. Stowers, Author at Clarity for Your Second Act - Page 124 of 165
My generation experienced the election of the first African-American President, the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Desert Storm, Iraq War, historic government bailouts, the passing of healthcare reform, and the greatest economic downturn since The Great Depression. However, in my opinion, the greatest shifts we will experience in our lifetime are happening now!
According to next generation thought leader Blake Mallen, “most new online technologies have one root intention: to make it simpler for people to communicate and collaborate.” Of all the tools and websites created to connect people, Facebook seems to be the most popular starting place for many. With more than 500 million users (that’s right – 500 MILLION AND GROWING), we all have at our fingertips the tools to find, friend, and engage with people. Imagine how churches can use this platform to expand the Kingdom of God!
Consider this:
To reach 50 million users, it took:
Radio – 38 years
TV – 13 years
Internet – 4 years
iPod – 3 years
FACEBOOK ADDED 100 MILLION USERS IN LESS THAN 9 MONTHS
Source: United Nations Cyber School Bus Document/Mashable
Additionally, according to a Grunwald Associates National Study, “at the end of 2010 Generation Y will outnumber baby boomers…96% of them have joined a social network.”
QUESTIONS:
Considering this social trend, how will the church respond and leverage social media to help expand the Kingdom of God?
How will business owners leverage social media to market their goods and services?
Today we talked about the real “Clean Up Woman” from Proverbs 31:10-31. I shared with our congregation how God’s version of the Clean Up Women is a woman who’s Clever and has Character, Confidence, and Compassion.
I encouraged our women to pursue God’s best version of themselves by becoming a P-31 woman!
Did I mention how much I enjoy preaching this series?
During the month of August, I’m praying with our men in between services. We’ve experience a mighty move from God as men are becoming seekers of God’s Kingdom.
Worship was INCREDIBLE. The WIN for our Worship & Fine Arts Ministry Team is to create an awe inspiring worship experience where God’s presence is FELT! They did just that – In fact, they knocked it out of the park!
I absolutely lost it when I saw a member who’s battling cancer return to the choir! God is truly amazing!
We experience a miracle today – 10 ADULTS gave their lives to Christ…HALF WERE MEN!!!
We’re not trying to raise an audience at Mars Hill…we want an army who believes that God can still do the “impossible,”…and we live out Isaiah 62:6-7 by begging Him for it!
I literally could go on and on about what we learned today. Mars Hill…I LOVE MY CHURCH…you are an AWESOME group of people and the best is yet to come!
This Summer’s series, “Summer Soul 4 Your Soul” is HOT!
Since I primarily preach by series, this Summer I encouraged our congregation join me and have fun. Normally, Summer attendance at most churches is sporadic at best. Honestly, this is not the case at Mars Hill. Our attendance actually increased in June, July (record attendance), and August.
During this series, I’m looking at songs many commonly refer to as “oldies.” Many of these songs were written about relationships and the pain they cause. I’m taking an alternate approach and illustrate how we set people up for failure by expecting them to meet needs only God can meet. My goal is to help people understand that God alone can quench our relational thirst. Click here to view the current “playlist” (messages).
I can’t believe it’s August and Summer’s almost over! Worse, I can’t believe I haven’t updated my blog in a LONG time.
This fall, I plan to redesign my blog and came to the realization that I get more traffic (and feedback) via facebook than my current blog. People have limited time and are mobile. Also, many carry smart phones and constantly interact with others via facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. Therefore, I’m thinking that a custom facebook page could potentially replace my current blog.
Is it possible to have a two-day hangover? I’m here to tell you that IT IS!
What an incredible weekend at Mars Hill as we celebrated Mother’s Day in a very special way. We kicked off our celebration on Friday with thousands attending our “Women’s Only” Worship Empowerment Service. We reminded women that they are a “Fragrance of Beauty” and gave gift bags to them as they entered our worship center.
Their gift bags contained the following items:
A Compact mirror – to remind them they’re beautifully created in God’s Image
An Emory board – to remind them how God has the ability to file away the rough edges
A packet of Kleenex – to remind them that God can wipe away every tear
Additionally, the service included:
Women’s Praise Team
Women’s Dance Group
An all Women’s Band
A Woman Sound Engineer, & Camera/ Video Operator
In short, women were empowered to DO IT ALL & had fun doing it!
Yvette Williams gave a powerful testimony that had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats. 1st Lady Shauntai Stowers gave a riveting introduction that literally brought the ladies to their feet (maybe she should’ve gave the message). I preached “As Is” from John 4 which told the story of The Woman at the Well. The point of the story is how Jesus accepts our condition “as is.” We don’t have to cover up, make excuses, or hide behind shame. It was truly an inspiring message.
The evening concluded with prizes given to the woman who had the most guests in attendance. The winner’s prize: Dinner for two with my wife & I. Shauntai and I are looking forward to this special event.
Here are a few of the many comments I received:
“It was indeed AWESOME, the devil tried to keep me home, but I’m glad I came…”
“AWESOME indeed…had a life-transforming experience”
“Pastor thanks for delivering a message from God that encouraged and ministered to women…that we can meet God just as we are…The women in attendance needed that…”
“Pastor thank you for seeing the need & delivering a dose of medication that was so necessary! I am more empowered today than I was on yesterday.”
“I came to the service expecting & ready to receive and I got WAY MORE!”
In closing, I want to publicly thank our staff & the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time & talents!
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Best regards,
Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
