SUNDAY THE 21st

Due to inclement weather only the 11:30 am service will be in effect at The Rock Church this morning. For all others the following video segments can serve as a fantastic Sunday service. Do yourself a favor, grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage, your bible and some of your family then kick back and take in a Digital Sunday from The Rock Church.

Message: A condensed version of Sunday Feel Good Christmas.


Feel Good Christmas Mini Message from TRC on Vimeo.

Offering: Very important this week. Give on-line here. Giving is safe and secure at TRC.


Web Offering Message from TRC on Vimeo.

Feel Good Moment: Lori sets up more Christmas tips.


Feel Good Moment #3 from TRC on Vimeo.

Next Service at TRC: Wednesday night, Christmas Eve 5 and 6:30 PM.

TRC CHRISTMAS OFFERING

Be a part of a The Rock Church tradition this year. Participate in the 3rd annual Christmas offering, to be gathered on Christmas Eve at The Rock Church. This offering is used throughout all of 2009 to give to various ministries locally and globally.

As non-profits struggle financially this holiday season your Christmas gift to The Rock Church may be the best opportunity to get your gift to where it is needed most. The Rock has dozens of ministry connection locally and over seas that are totally dependent upon the donations of generous people. Don't miss out in Connecting People to Life.

You can donate here, or at the Christmas Eve services. For a detailed list of differing ministries the Christmas Offering goes toward check back at knightrous.com for highlights of each mission.

FEEL GOOD THIS CHRISTMAS

This Saturday, November 22, at 6:00pm we are pulling together our entire church for a strategy meeting. The meeting will last from 6-7pm. The agenda will be to gear up for the Holiday Season.

Be there because...

• The Rock Church is your church.
  
• 60 minutes is not much time required to reach thousands of people for Christ.
• Everyone wants to Feel Good this Christmas. We intend to help.
• Christmas is one of the largest church seasons of the year and we need your A-game.
• Egg-nog...

This Saturday, 6 pm. It's going to be fun too.

RANDOM QUESTIONS 2 (RQ2)

The final week, November 23, is the final week of Random Questions. With the elections just passed and all of us getting ready for the holidays I thought we'd end this series with a bang.

Here is the list of questions.

10:00AM

1. If we are to Honor those in authority over us, a.k.a. "civil government", then is "civil disobedience" a sin?
2. Does God still heal today, how do I respond when the one I'm praying for is not healed?
3. Is fighting for sport a sin, aka. UFC?
4. Should my son fight back when a bully hits him?

11:30

1. Is prosperity preaching heresy?
2. Is "free will" even possible when God exists?
3. Is Killing in War, a sin?

Bring your phone because I'll be taking a live question. At the end of this message I'll be ready to get onto the Christmas series for certain!!!

RANDOM QUESTIONS 2 (RQ2)

Week 3, November 16, of Random Questions . I am back in action for this Rated NC-17 service. This week will be addressing the sex/dating/marriage questions.

Here is the the list of questions:

10:00AM

1. Why is Looking at Pornography a sin?
2. If you find out your spouse has been looking at pornography what is a effective loving way to handle it?
3. If I fantasize about another man other than my husband, is that a sin?
4. What is the difference between a physical affair and an internet affair? Is there a difference in God's eyes? Does God see both as grounds for divorce?

11:30

1. Is masturbation a sin?
2. Is living with a person of the opposite sex a sin, even if we're engaged to be married?
3. Did God create one perfect spouse for everyone?
4. What is permitted in the bedroom for a husband and wife?

There you have it...I will also take a question via text polling, so bring your phone.

RANDOM QUESTIONS 2 (RQ2)

In week 2 of Random Questions, November 9th, Melinda will be taking on some important topics.

Here is the current list of questions:

10AM

1. What is the Bible's view of being in health? ie. smoking, drinking, gluttony, pharmaceuticals, exercise.
2. When does it cross the line from venting to gossip?
3. How do I know what gifts I have been given by the Holy Spirit?
4. Should a man answer the, "do I look fat in these jeans" question?
5. What are Jeff's favorites?

11:30

1. What will happen if you marry someone who is not a follower of God?
2. How can I dress modestly and be in style?
3. What scriptures should I pray over my home?
4. How do I know what gifts I have been given by the Holy Spirit?
5. Should a man answer the, "do I look fat in these jeans" question?
6. What are Jeff's favorites?
   

This message is a not to miss in the journey of Random Questions.

THE HOOD: #70 & #46

This weekend is the Washington 500 at Evergreen Speedway. I asked Kristian to dream something up for my hood and the hood of Jeff Barkshire's Camping World West car.

Look for the #70 and #46 on the track, and at the memorial service next Tuesday at 4:30pm.

ATTITUDE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Numbers 14:24, "But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land."

Here is a quick story I've had for years. Consider the differing perspectives...

Jim Smith went to church on Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note during the prelude, and he winced. He saw a teenager talking when everybody was supposed to “bow in prayer.” He felt like the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him boil. He caught the preacher making a slip of the tongue five times in the sermon by actual count. As he slipped out through the side door during the closing hymn, he muttered to himself, “Never again! What a bunch of clods and hypocrites!”

Ron Jones went to church on Sunday morning. He heard the organist play an arrangement of “A Mighty Fortress,” and he was thrilled by the majesty of it. He heard a young girl take a moment in the service to speak her simple moving message of the difference her faith makes in her life. He was glad to see that his church was sharing in a special offering for the hungry children of Nigeria. He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday—it answered a question that had bothered him for a long time. He thought, as he walked out the doors of the church, “How can a man come here and not feel the presence of God?”

Both men went to the same church on the same Sunday morning. Each found what he was looking for.[1]

What do you look for when you come to church?

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[1]Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000.

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93 DAYS OF SUMMER

Today begins the first of 93 Days of Summer.

It's a perfect day to take a look at Psalm 1.
1:1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do. (NLT)

The word of God mixed with our lives is a powerful combination! This scriptures reminds us that when we make it a part of our daily diet, what was strong becomes fortified and unshakable, what would once bend under pressure becomes immovable and we prosper all day.

In what areas are you willing include God's word? Work? Marriage? Decisions? That conversation you have been needing to have? Decisions? Family? Fun? Talk to someone about the Word. Let your life be an example of this powerful combination.

I pray you are strengthened, inspired and encouraged in your journey.

Check back each day for our devotional time together and more 93 Days of Summer.

WE WON! WE WON!! WE WON!!!

Weekend Reflections: Racing

This week we went out to the track on Thursday to do some testing. Man, IT PAID OFF!!! I won my first race on Saturday! We found some speed on Thursday, but the high humidity and heat would challenge us today. During practice the car was decent, but needed to be better. We qualified 6th, which was not satisfactory, and I was a little concerned. I even told someone, "We're pretty good, but not good enough to win." I ate those words!

During the heat race the car was a lot better than qualifying, but it started getting loose in, meaning it wants to spin out as I entered the turn. Steve and Mike looked at me and said, "We'll fix it!" I said, "Ok, guys, I trust you when it comes to the car." By the way that is what Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) said in Days of Thunder.

I started 2nd row outside, and the first ten laps we were haulin the mail with the leaders. There were five of us checked out in front and it was good racing. The first caution came at lap 14 and Steve asked how the car was. I told him, "It's getting loose in." He told me to change my line a bit. I did, it helped big time.

After the restart there was another caution and I started 4th outside of the 51 of Johnny Z. I got a great start and got to second coming out of turn 2. I was thinking, "Man, this thing is working good!"

With 10 laps to go Steve came on the radio and told me that he thought we had the car to win. I was beginning to believe it also. Darin Stordahl and I (1st and 2nd) were nose to tail for quite a few laps until there was a caution. On the restart I was outside of Darin and got a good start, but struggled to keep the car low in the 2nd groove. I didn't surrender the spot though, and coming through 3 and 4 someone got into Darin spinning him alongside of me. I came across the start finish line in first!!!

It was lap 39 and we were to have a green, white, and checkered finish; in other words, a two lap drag race. I knew if I got a good start no one could get me. I got a great start! Cleared the 2nd place car coming off of two and kept her fast the last lap and a half. It was awesome...

So when I crossed the line and took the checkers I'm yelling on the radio, but I didn't know what to do! Steve said, "Burn it down if you want" which means to do a major burn out--like on TV. I had never done a burnout before, and if you saw my attempt at the car show last week you know I needed some work! Well, I dropped it into 2nd gear and threw it sideways while mattin the gas! The burnout was awesome and filled the car with smoke!!! I got out and stood on the door and roof fist pumping! I was so pumped up!!!!

I saw my wife and little girl track side first thing, then Pastor Ron and Noland Bender and his family!!! It was phenomenal!!!

I gave a bunch of shout outs to people I want to thank on the twitter to the right of this post...But I can't say enough how important it is to have a great team. We were shorthanded today; big thanks to Mike, Steve, Mark and John! You guys ROCK and worked your tails off!

After the race I got just about 100 text messages of congrats. Thanks to everyone who gave a shout out! Well, it's almost 1 am and I got church in the morning! No matter, the thrill of victory will carry me all the way.

Finally, winning my first race was probably one of the most significant sporting accomplishments of my life! I've been on some great teams and won in baseball, basketball, motocross, but the effort it takes to win in a stock car leaves me with a significant bit of reward. After the race one of the legends of Evergreen, Carl Zaretzke, came up to me and told me I ran a great race. That was pretty special for me because I watched Carl win several championships as a kid watching at the track. Who would've thought that a 36 -year-old-pastor could try and drive a race car in the feature division and get a win in his 27th start (on 4 wheels)!!! I'm so excited.

Thanks fans, and thank you Jesus for keeping me and my comrades safe every week.

Here is the Evergreen Story.

KICK OFF PARTY

Sunday night at 6pm! Don't miss this.

MITOSIS: TONY MORGAN

Tony Morgan is the Chief Strategic Officer of New Spring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. I first met Tony by following his blog. Later I read his books co-authored with Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church.

Make no mistake about it Tony Morgan has been a big part of building large churches as New Spring and his former church Granger Community top the lists of America's biggest and most innovative churches.

Tony is going to be a huge asset to The Rock Church. He will speak at Mitosis and give great input, ideas and strategy to all attending, both church leader and marketplace leader. Then he will stay for our Sunday services and give our team a once over.

Don't hesitate another day. Get registered today.

MITOSIS: FRANK DAMAZIO

Frank Damazio is the Pastor of City Bible Church in Portland, Oregon. Melinda and I met Frank in the fall of 2000 at Ministers Fellowship International. However, Frank had a huge impact on my life a decade earlier. My father taught a class to me out of a book Frank wrote called, The Making of a Leader. This book significantly impacted my young life.

Frank has authored many books throughout his ministry. He has mentored many leaders. In my opinion one of his most powerful accomplishments was taking the helm of City Bible Church from his mentor/pastor Dick Iverson. This church has transformed Portland and cities throughout the world and Frank continues to lead it into uncharted waters.

Frank's innovative style has lead City Bible to be a church reaching thousands of people through multiple campuses and languages, but also thousands of youth and children. Melinda had the privilege of attending their youth conference this year where thousands of students gathered.

You can expect Frank to bring a straight forward message about multiplying the church. He understands the concepts behind creativity, volunteering, relevance and authenticity, without compromise. Get registered for Mitosis today.

T3 AND IMPACT AFRICA

Two weeks ago we had a friend who is a missionary in Africa come to The Rock and share. In the process we committed 5% of our Touching Tomorrow Together gifts received March 2 – May 1 of this year to his vision, we hope to give Impact Africa $30,000 by May 1!

Go here and help us complete the vision of Touching Tomorrow Together and bless Impact Africa at the same time!

MITOSIS APRIL 11-12

Registration is in full swing for Mitosis. We've had many pastors and their teams getting signed on to attend this valuable weekend. I am really looking forward to it!

Go here for more information and get registered here.

BUILDING A MILITIA OF VOLUNTEERS (2/2)

By Jeff Knight on Volunteers

Ask, WHAT needs to be Consistently Executed?
Sometimes we can communicate what is important, but we neglect to enforce the objectives. What begins as a really good plan can end with something completely different because there was no expectation, procedure or process. If a leader wants consistency from volunteers procedures must be defined.

I’ve discovered in my years of working with volunteers that clarifying the objective in writing is the only way to achieve consistent execution. For instance, years ago I was a Team Leader with Teen Mania. We were given a manual to read, books to reinforce what was in the manual and then trained for 2 solid days on what was expected of us. At the end of that experience I felt like I was ready to consistently execute the expectations.

If you find yourself leading in a volunteer organization do what is absolutely necessary to develop consistency. Write the manual, host training weekends; most of all, make sure your volunteers know what is expected of them so they can consistently perform to the highest level. The return they receive will be worth your time times infinity.

Ask, WHAT is UNIQUE?
When I first started volunteering with students at the age of 18 I wanted to imitate the strong leaders around me. Even today when I find myself around strong leaders I want to emulate their strengths because I respect what they possess so much. Nevertheless, excessive emulation can be detrimental.

If you find yourself leading in a volunteer organization it is imperative you allow for volunteers to develop their own leadership skills. I’m not suggesting to minimize objectives or requirements for success, but allowing personality, individual gifting and values to emerge will only benefit the organization in the long run.

At first emulation is a critical component to identifying those who are with the leader, but with time volunteers must begin developing their own leadership. Cloning the leader is not success; Diversity with commonality is success.

Ask, WHERE can we FAIL?
Failure, unmet expectations, learning experiences, call it what you want, it will happen with volunteers and when it does, how I respond is vital to health and growth. Every volunteer, not one of them will do it on purpose.

A healthy culture for volunteers is a culture where failure is cared for as an asset. How can failure be a positive?

BUILDING A MILITIA OF VOLUNTEERS (1/2)

By Pastor Jeff Knight on Volunteers

Ministry at The Rock Church cannot exist without volunteers. Every week I observe volunteers graciously giving their best. I’ve asked myself often, “What makes a great volunteer?” I mean, if we can’t do church without them, then how do we build them?

I think building a culture around volunteers is the first priority. When there is an atmosphere conducive to strong volunteers that is exactly what the organization will have: Strong Volunteers.

Ask, WHAT is CENTRAL?

Then share it with everyone. Volunteers need to know what is important. There is nothing worse than serving in an organization doing menial tasks that do not seem to be linked to the bigger picture. Leaders must spend time with their volunteers to communicate what is important. It might be easy to accidentally neglect a volunteer custodian because the facility is always clean, but recognizing how every effort links to the big picture is crucial for a successful volunteer organization.

If you find yourself leading in a volunteer driven organization take the time to communicate what is important to every volunteer. NO task is menial; there are only menial leaders who don’t recognize the importance of every task.

Ask, WHAT needs to be Consistently Executed?

Sometimes we can communicate what is important, but we neglect to enforce the objectives. What begins as a really good plan can end with something completely different because there were no expectation, procedure or process. If a leader wants consistency from volunteers, procedures must be defined.

I’ve discovered in my years of working with volunteers that clarifying the objective in writing is the only way to achieve consistent execution. For instance, years ago I was a Team Leader with Teen Mania. We were given a manual to read, books to reinforce what was in the manual and then trained for 2 solid days on what was expected of us. At the end of that experience I felt like I was ready to consistently execute the expectations.

If you find yourself leading in a volunteer organization do what is absolutely necessary to develop consistency. Write the manual, host training weekends; most of all, make sure your volunteers know what is expected of them so they can consistently perform to the highest level. The return they receive will be worth your time times infinity.

SIMPLE BIBLE TRUTH: ROMANS 1-2

I am going through Romans again starting today. Here are a few thoughts from today's reading.

~It strengthens my faith when I understand how Jesus was prophesied about hundreds of years before His birth. He was the Good News, before Mary gave Joseph the news she had conceived.

~God imparts this good news into our lives and we have tremendous gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit to offer others and each other. We mustn't be ashamed of the Good News or the gifts.

~We live in a world where God is obvious. Just go outside and consider the sky and the earth. Through everything God made there is no question of a divine nature and an eternal power. In reality, I have no excuse for not knowing God.

~Yet even though He is so obvious to us there are many who will NOT worship Him as God. Their resistance to worshiping God leads them to foolish ideas--it gives the mind over to dark and foolish thinking.

~Those who will NOT worship God even though He is so obvious to them claim to be wise; instead, they are fools and start worshiping idols made to look like something God created.

~Eventually these beliefs and thoughts lead to all kinds of junk and God abandons them to their foolishness because they know the way to God, but refuse to acknowledge it--deceiving themselves and others.

~And as bad as that sounds (the previous three), I am just as bad and when I see people like this and say, think or imply they should be punished.

~When I judge I am actually condemning myself.

~God will bring the justice; therefore, I do not have to. Because God is kind and good me, He requires me to be kind and good.

~Ultimately God will judge us all one day, and those who do good will be given eternal life.

~If I choose to do evil and refuse to obey the truth trouble and calamity will come my way, but honor and peace from God will follow me as I do good.

~There is nothing in my life, exposed or in secret, that will not be revealed to God, therefore I never want to suppress the truth and NOT worship God.

~God hates hypocrisy; in fact, because of it many blaspheme the name of God.

~You are not a true Jew because you were born to Jewish parents. A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. Likewise, you are not a Christian because you were born in a Christian nation, to a Christian family and go to a Christian church. A true Christian is one whose heart is right with God.

Final Thought: These first two chapters of Romans are intense to say the least. Anytime the Bible talks about sin and the "way that leads to death" I pay attention. Usually there is something revealed in me as I read that I need to chuck far from my life. As we continue through Romans watch as God, through Paul, masterfully leads us from a state of sin, to a state of righteousness with God.

FASTING

Melinda started a blog series on Fasting. Check it out here.

PSALMS 20: A CHAPTER FOR TRC DECADE

By Jeff Knight on 2008

I was reading Psalms 20 this morning and something jumped off the page...the Lord whispered in my ear, so to speak, and said, "Look here, a verse for the years of this decade for The Rock Church." I began to meditate on it, so check this out. Read the verse then read the element that relates to TRC. What a process and what a promise!!!

Psalms 20:01, "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."
In 2001, we were recovering from the death of my mom and dad, our pastors, spiritual leaders and good friends. It was a season of distress for certain and the protection of God was on our church.

20:02, "May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion."
TRC became a part Ministers Fellowship International in Fall of 2001. Wendell and Gini Smith became our pastors and helped us greatly develop vision. God sent us tremendous help in 2002.

20:03, "May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah"
2003 was the year of Campaign Generous Measure, the sacrifices and extra offerings taken. 187 people contributed and gave $520,000 in offerings specifically for Generous Measure.

20:04, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." March 7th, 2004 we move into our new worship center and facility! Our plans succeeded because of the amazingly generous people who honored God with their giving! God gave us the desire of our heart; men and women saved, contributing and changing our region.

20:05, "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."
We began to gain our stride in the new place God planted TRC and victory was present in so many lives and throughout our community and city. God continues to grant our requests!

20:06, "Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand."
The people of TRC continued the momentum from the earlier years with the building of GRID2911 and continued Connecting People to LIFE!!!!

20:07, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
This was our scripture last year and it was tested to the core when we added Regional Reach Teams and ended our 23 year Wednesday night service. AT TRC trusting God is the key to everything!

20:08, "They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
The word for 2008 for every person connected to Life! This year we will RISE UP and STAND FIRM!

20:09, "O Lord, save the king!"
Next year is not far off...

I'm pretty fired up for tomorrow morning!!! See ya then...