Brad Wilkerson // COC Metro

My, How Far We Have Come

Last Friday my lower back was killing me so I went across the parking lot to see Dr. D, my chiropractor.  As I sat in the waiting room waiting to hear my named called by one of the chiropractic assistants I began looking around and reminiscing about how far we have come as a church in just four to six months.  I remembered the many services that we had in the waiting room of that office and how sweet those times were.  As I looked around, I couldn’t help but think that there is no way we could ever fit our crowd in that room now.  Look at just how far we have come and how much our ministry has grown.  Looking back is always a great thing to do as long as you don’t stay there too long.  Looking back for me makes me grateful but it also challenges me about how far we have to go.  As we approach the final weeks before our Grand Opening / Ribbon Cutting service on Sept. 7th, let’s work harder than ever to reach our communities with the love of Christ.  Let’s work hard to connect the new faces that are walking through our doors and welcome them into our team!  Just as many of you sat in that Dr.’s office every week there are now those who look back at our first few weeks at Savannah.  All of us have special memories and moments that we have enjoyed but the best is really yet to come.  Even as we worked hard to make a great first impression in the Dr.’s office may we never lose that desire as we continue to work hard week after week at Savannah!  God is depending on us to do our job and to do it well!

5 WEEKS AND COUNTING TILL GRAND OPENING!

A Lesson from Six Flags over Texas

Yesterday our family endured the heat and spent the day together at Six Flags over Texas.  Even though it was brutally hot and fairly busy we had a great time with the kiddos walking many miles and having ourselves turned every which way on thrill ride after thrill ride. 

Now, going into the day, Sarah and I knew that it might be just a little bit of a let down for us since last summer we were privileged to take the kiddos to Disney World for a week.  Just as we expected…it was pretty much a let down for us.  Ironically the kids noticed it too.  They were like, “Hey thanks for bringing us and we had a great time but Disney is like 100 times better.”  No duh, we said.  It’s Disney, it’s supposed to be.

But seriously, there were a lot of differences in this trip compared to the many trips Sarah and I have taken to the Flags over the past 20 years.  You can really tell that the economic crunch has hit them as well.  The overall quality of the park is down, the attitudes of the workers (average age is probably 17) is horrible, many of the eating establishments are shut down, and there are no shows except for the circus one that doesn’t start until 9:30 p.m.  We couldn’t believe it.  No show at the Southern Palace or the Crazy Horse Salon.  These are two of our favorite shows and they make for a great escape from the heat of the day.  The eating establishments are filthy and in many cases are far understaffed.  Overall we had a great time because we were with our kids but unless I have to go, that will be my last trip to the Flags unless some major changes are made.

Now, why do I take time out of my day to blog about my experience at the Flags knowing most of you probably don’t care?  Well, I am glad you ask because there is a great lesson to be learned from Six Flags.

Church life and church ministry can fall into the same trap as well.  It may not be from an economic crunch but it can be caused from complacency or simply not being aware of the need to make a great first impression.  As we approach our Grand Opening may we work harder than ever to cause people to fall in love with Jesus first and then our church second.  May their worship experience at COC be one that they enjoy so much that they can’t wait to come back.

Let’s work hard and let’s always be ready to say to each other and our weekly guest... “Have A Magical Day!”

God bless and have a great week.

Taco Cabana & The Music Man

Yesterday our family went to McKinney to take in McKinney’s Summer Musical, The Music Man.  The show was at McKinney North High School and it started at 2 p.m.  Our very own Joel Decker was not only the lighting designer for the entire show but was in a few scenes as well.  It was a great time for our family!

We left the house with plenty of time to stop and get a bite to eat before going to the show.  I had Chick-fil-a on my mind the whole way to McKinney not realizing that it was Sunday and the best chicken sandwich joint this side of Heaven is closed on Sunday because it is run by Christian people.  So we chose the obvious alternative right next door, Taco Cabana.  I love Mexican food and next to Taco Bueno, Taco Cabana is the Cadillac of Mexican fast food.  However, we were in for quite a surprise when we ventured into this particular Cabana.

First, we waited in line for at least 20 minutes just to place our order.  Once we got to the ordering spot the lady taking the order could not understand us and we could not understand a word she was saying.  It was then and there that I new this was going to be an adventure.  She took our order, punched her computer monitor several times with force, and then overcharged me at least $10 of which I could not convince her of, so I simply smiled and chalked it up to a donation to the Taco Cabana Empire.  We got our drinks, plastic ware, and salsa and went to sit down.  Once we were at the table it became clear that we were going to be there a while because everyone that had ordered in front of us kept going back to the kitchen every time they got their orders.  No one person’s order was right and most were missing several items.  Finally, 35 minutes after ordering #163 was called.  Now when it is Sunday afternoon at 1:40 p.m. and you have a teenager who hasn’t eaten all day and your number is #163, it is a beautiful thing to hear it called over the PA system.  It was kind of like having my name called in the starting line up for the Dallas Mavericks. 

I went to get our order and low and behold I know now why she overcharged me.  I had asked for a chicken fajita salad.  I got 3 of them.  Wow, I don’t remember ever saying, “I would like 3 salads.”  Anyway, I have two for lunch this week!  When it was all said and done, we got our lunch but it caused us to be 15 minutes late to the show.  We had plenty of time to have a nice lunch and get to the show but then we went to Taco Cabana.

What’s the point and why do I share this with you?  Well, I will continue to eat at Taco Cabanas because they have great food.  However, I will never eat at the one on 380 and 75 in McKinney, Texas ever again.  My first impression was bad and my experience was even worse.  Even my kids said, “Let’s not go there anymore.”

Here is the deal, COC is just like Taco Cabana.  We get one shot.  One shot to make a GREAT first impression to those who walk in our doors.  It is not that they won’t ever go to church again; it is that they will never give COC a try again.  As we approach our Grand Opening on September 7th, may we work hard and prepare for those who will be checking us out for the first time.  Company is coming and they are coming soon.  Let’s have our house in order and may our message be understandable.  May we clearly and sharply proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to our friends, family, and neighbors as they walk through the doors of our ministry.

Giants

We all face them everyday.  They might not be literally human giants but they are giants none the less.  We learned this week that giants can come in the form of finances, groups of people, health issues, major decisions, or even our very own family.  Whatever giants you are facing, God can help you claim the victory.  The first thing that you must do is to make sure you are being faithful in the little things God has given for you to do.  Simple stuff like a daily devotion and Bible study.  Second, see the big picture.  If God is for you nothing can be against you.  It is really not you against the giant; it is God against the giant.  God always wins every time.  Third, draw on your past victories for support and confidence as you approach this new giant in your life.  Fourth, be who God made you to be.  Don’t try to fight the battle wearing someone else’s armor.  God has uniquely made you with characteristics like no one else.  Be satisfied and confident in His amazing creating ability.  Last, celebrate the victory when God defeats your giant.

I don’t know what you are facing this week but chances are, you will face a giant.  Let God be God and you be you and watch him come through with the victory.  Remember, He didn’t create us to be victims but rather victors.