new blog

hey everyone!  i've got a new blog.  i am moving away from xanga.  check it out and let's keep in touch!

www.leslieanderson.wordpress.com

have a great week!

A Few Months Later

Hi friends!  It's been awhile since I've updated and honestly haven't been around the internet lately.  I did want to post a prayer request.

I am heading for Haiti on the 26th.  It's sorta a last minute trip.  Will you pray that the money comes in?  I've sent the letters but still in need of the support.  We are working on a leadership retreat for 100 plus leaders.  I am hoping to raise $2000 to cover the cost for half of the leaders which does include some of my personal expenses (flight, food).  I've been saving and just praying that the rest will come in.  It's a crazy time of the year and this is one area I am praying and learning to trust in HIM on. 

If you're interested in giving to the leadership retreat here's the info you need.

Please make checks payable to Orange Christian Church and mail to,

The Haiti Fund

432 N. Fifth Street

Martins Ferry, OH.  43935

Merry Christmas! 

Leslie

5 Cop Cars and 2 Paddy Wagons...

and I am dying to know what they are doing outside my apartment building.  I got my ear to one of my 3rd floor apartment windows but not getting much from that.  I've turned out all the lights so I could look out my window without them noticing me but all I can really see are the police officers (looks to be at least 15 of them) standing outside talking about something.  Oh wait....someone is handcuffed and a few are across the street with flashlights....I am beginning to wonder if I should take cover in case a stray bullet comes this way.

see, i live in an amazing cool (i do love my apt) old apartment building.  the buildings downtown attract middle to upperclass people.  there is one apt building across the street that is the exact opposite.  i've called 911 on a few things that have gone down over there.  i am praying for those that live there and selfishly praying they disperse and find a different place to live.  i know, bad christian.  slap my hand.  just saying what everyone else is thinking. 

We're #12

Top 40 Fastest Growing Churches in America:

1. Iglesia Cristiana Segadores de Vida (Hollywood, FL) :: Ruddy Gracia
2. Community of Faith (Cypress, TX) :: Mark Shook
3. Valley Bible Fellowship (Bakersfield, CA) :: Ron Vietti
4. Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) :: Dave Ferguson
5. The Richmond Outreach Center (Richmond, VA) :: Geronimo Aguilar
6. New Life Church (Conway, AR) :: Rick Bezet
7. Living Hope Church (Vancouver, WA) :: John Bishop
8. Elevation Church (Charlotte, NC) :: Steven Furtick
9. Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, VA) :: Jonathan Falwell
10. Flamingo Road Church (Cooper City, FL) :: Troy Gramling
11. The Church at Brook Hills (Birmingham, AL) :: David Platt
12. Heartland Community Church (Rockford, IL) :: Mark Bankord
13. Real Life Ministries (Post Falls, ID) :: Jim Putman
14. Church of the Highlands (Birmingham, AL) :: Chris Hodges
15. Fellowship Church (Grapevine, TX) :: Ed Young Jr.
16. Westside Family Church (Lenexa, KS) :: Dan Chaverin
17. Calvary Church (Charlotte, NC) :: John Munroe
18. NewSpring Community Church (Anderson, SC) :: Perry Noble
19. Bayside Covenant Church (Granite Bay, CA) :: Ray Johnston
20. Central Christian Church (Henderson, NV) :: Jud Wilhite
21. Woodside Bible Church (Troy, MI) :: Doug Schmidt
22. Trinity Evangelical Free Church (Redlands, CA) :: Gary Inrig
23. Mars Hill Church (Seattle, WA) :: Mark Driscoll
24. Calvary Community Church (Phoenix, AZ) :: J. Mark Martin
25. Redemption World Outreach Center (Greenville, SC) :: Ron Carpenter
26. Jubilee Christian Church (Boston, MA) :: Gilbert Thompson
27. Fellowship of the Woodlands (The Woodlands, TX) :: Kerry Shook
28. EastLake Community Church (Kirkland, WA) :: Ryan Meeks
29. Voices of Faith Ministries (Stone Mountain, GA) :: Gary Hawkins
30. The Potter’s House (Dallas, TX) :: T.D. Jakes
31. LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) :: Craig Groeschel
32. Kensington Community Church (Troy, MI) :: Steve Andrews
33. Westover Hills Assembly of God (San Antonio, TX) :: Jim Rion
34. The Oasis Church (Loganville, GA) :: Troy Shaw
35. Celebration Church (Jacksonville, FL) :: Stovall Weems
36. Trinity Chapel (Powder Springs, GA) :: Jim Bolin
37. Champions Centre (Tacoma, WA) :: Kevin Gerald
38. Crossroads Community Church (Cincinnati, OH) :: Brian Tome
39. Grace Family Church (Lutz, FL) :: Craig Altman
40. Community Bible Church (Stockbridge, GA) :: Beau Adams

Hearing Dave Matthews is like reuniting with an old friend.  Oh how I've missed him.  I just recently downloaded him to my IPOD and the memories that flood to my mind when I hear him.  Love....

Speaking of love....I love our kids at church!  We hit 1000 today!  Honestly, don't care about the number 1,000 but what I do care about is that we are growing and reaching more and more families.

I love the stories I hear as I greet the families in the halls.  Kids telling their parents what they did, parents pulling me aside to share what a great job we are doing and how much their children love coming to church.

Here's a bold move we did 2 weeks ago.  We began closing our registration 15 minutes after the start of each service.  That was a huge culture shift.  Overall the response has been wonderful.  We had a few parents not so happy but hey that's because they stroll in 40 min. after service has begun.  Yes, 40 minutes!  So what's cool now is that those same parents are hear on time!!!  It's amazing how a little accountability will help. 

So, we didn't just decide one weekend to close the rooms.  Many other cm'ers (is this a word) have asked what we did. Here's what the time frame looked like. 

1.  We presented the idea to our leadership team (key leaders in our church and 2 elders).  They gave us their full support (this is HUGE and key).

2.  4 weeks out began letting parents know of the change when they checked their children in after the 15 min. mark. 

Side Note:  Showing up on time was presented as a benefit to their child.  It helps them to adapt and relate.  We also took this opportunity to explain about our programming and why it's important to be there early.

3.  2 weeks out our Directional Leader (we don't have a "senior pastor" that preaches.  we have a directional guy who leads.)  spoke at all the services on the importance on being on time.  he asked everyone for 10 minutes.  to commit to being at church 10 minutes earlier.  being late effects main worship and he spoke into the importance on being on time for children and the value of what we do in HK.

A letter went home with all of our families on the time changes and registration closing.

4.  1 week out our DL thanked everyone for getting to church earlier.  The letter went out again to families who were gone the week before.

5.  Our 1st weekend to close the rooms we only had to turn away 8 families.  2 per service.  This weekend we only had 6. 

I know that didn't apply to 99% of you but for those who read and do CM, I hope this helps if you're trying to switch to closing down your registration. 

K, I am going to Atlanta for Catalyst.  Anyone going?  I'd love to connect with you while I am there!

Have a great week everyone!