Curt Seaburg.com

Me and Drew

Today was a great day.  Drew (our 13 year old son) and I spent time the yard mowing the lawn and putting in a ceiling over our tractor.  Today was also the first time I had Drew on a weed wacker.  He finished with all limbs in tact.  I cherish these days because time goes by so fast.  In a few days, our oldest daughter, Elissa, will graduate from Hempfield spend the summer working, then head off to Valley Forge Christian College in the fall to major in music.  Where did the time go?  Here's what I do know,  I really enjoyed today with Drew.  I want to enjoy each day I have with all our kids, time goes by so fast.  I thank God for today.

Church’s Physical Location Has Little to Do With Growth

OKAY, it’s no secret, we’re running out of space.  Our church is growing, that's exciting.  It gives us some new challanges to look into.  One of those being, what do we do?  One of those things is that we’re gathering a team together to begin to do some research. And “Re-location Task Force” so to speak.  I came across this recent article that I want to share with you.

Did you know that the growth and health of your church has little to do with your physical location? Church health specialist Dr. Thom Rainer recently studied 13 mediocre congregations that grew to become vibrant, healthy churches without changing pastors. To his surprise, he discovered that there was little correlation between location and growth. “One of the surprises was that the location of a church had almost nothing to do with the struggles and subsequent breakout of these churches,” Rainer said. “Some of the churches have great locations demographically, but others have lousy locations.”

So what was the biggest break through then, for these churches? According to Dr. Rainer, they all had an outward focus. "If there is any one basic lesson, it is to lead the church to an outward focus. The great majority of churches in

America

are focused on their own needs and desires."

Dr. Rainer found that an external focus is fundamental for church health and church growth. He said his research continues to reinforce those sorts of essentials. "In essence, the research continues to remind the church to get back to basics," he said. "While we should seek to be cutting-edge in our ministries and methodologies, we should not neglect basic and biblical principles for church health. The biggest news is that God is not done with our churches. Through the stories of 13 remarkable churches, we see God?s possibilities for so many churches in our nation and our world."

What do you think? What is more important: location or focus; neighborhood or mission? I want to hear from you …..

Our Girls and Missing Sunday Church

Our girls play Rugby.  I know, crazy, but they do.  I agreed to allow them to play until I found out games were on Sundays.  Hmmm, I wasn't sure how I felt about that.  One part of me was screaming, "You MUST be in church on a Sunday!"  The other part was struggling with how it would look if the "pastor's kids" failed to be in church but attended a sporting event.  I'm honest with you, I struggled her.

Kiersten and Courtney are real strong in their faith.  They are not afraid to 'tell it like it is.'  I appreciate that about them.  As the season rolled on, most games were home so they would scoot out right after church.  But there were a couple of weeks they had to travel, at that point, I had a decision to make.  Skip the game and go to church or allow them to go but commission them as "Rugby missionaries."  Pam & I prayed about this, we choose the latter.  So, there were our girls, "Rugby Missionaries."

I prayed with the girls before their game, I prayed for them at practice, I asked the Lord to give them favor with their coaches and players.  He did!  Several of the girls have been to church and a few of the families want to come and check out the church.

I have a different perspective on missionaries now.  I'm proud of our girls very vocal stand for the Lord Jesus Christ on the team.  I KNOW He will honor them!

Mind Dump - Mother's Day

It's always bugged me how we do "Mother's Day" in the church.  I recall attending church on Mother's Day and the service went something like, a few songs, announcements and then came the typical flowers.  They always went to the oldest mom, the mom with the most kids (which she ALWAYS won that one) and the youngest mom (which my home church did away with when some troubled girls started to attend the church and a few were pregnant at 15 ... Lord knows we didn't want to promote that ... I drip with sarcasm)

Mother's Day was all about Mother's.  What about the 24 year old single girl, or the 37 year old that lost her only son, were these ladies not mom's because they had no children?  Two weeks ago, I discovered a terrific truth in God's Word.

In Genesis 3, Adam named the woman EVE because "she was the mother of all the living."  Interesting thought that Adam named her this BEFORE she had children.  (That came later, in Genesis chapter 4.)  My conclusion, women have the incredible God-given ability to nurture others.  That what makes motherhood, not children, but the ability to nurture.

So yesterday, we celebrated ALL women!  What a great day!

Why I Love Our Church

Caring, authentic, truthful, servant - hearted, genuine concern, love for people, love for God, desire to want to learn, willing, inventive, creative, love for youth, helpful, talented, prayerful, diligent, striving for excellence, committed, thoughtful, hard-working, willing to take a faith risk, not willing to settle for average, believe in the reality of God's Word, early risers, out-of-the-box thinkers, heart for children and youth, great attitude, real, willing to be accountable, God-seekers, willing to give people another chance, forgiving, know we don't have all the answers, love of Jesus, love for kids, broken people willing to be put back together by God, musical, love God's Word, financially willing to support, welcoming, not high and lofty, willing to discover their purpose and pursue it.

I love our church.

What do you love about Victory Church?

Sunday Mind-dump 4.27.08

I wasn't sure if I heard from the Lord or not with this brand new series.  I remember thinking, "WORLD RELIGIONS? are you sure Lord?"  Well, I thought, "okay, I'm gonna do it, Lord."  Hindsight is 20/20 ... check this out:

One person, after the service last week on Mormonism, went home and decided he was going to not only put the Lord at  #1 in his life, but he was going to break out his Bible.  So he went home and started going through his "bible collection" (which he didn't know had gotten so large.)  In it, he found a "book of Mormon."  He told me, I would not have thrown it out if I hadn't heard the message this past week.

Another person came up to me and said, "You're not gonna believe this."  She told me how out of no where, a friend calls and says, "I just told two Jehovah's Witnesses to leave and not come back, I don't go to church, but I need to know, am I going to hell because I did that?"  My friend couldn't believe the question.  She said, "Hold on, we were just talking about Jehovah's Witnesses in our church, I can tell you what they believe and why they are wrong."

Someone else said, "I got questions this week about Mormons, and I was so pumped to know that I could answer them."

What's been your story in this series? 

What's Your Story?

UFO's are a term I coined a few years ago to describe our Unsaved Friends Outside the faith.  It all started when our kids got involved in sports.  While they ran and got sweaty, I stood on the sidelines, watching.  I started to make small talk with some dads which led to deep conversations of faith.  Most all my conversations centered around the hole that guys would share with me that they had in their heart.  This past Sunday, I challenged our congregation to be BOLD in your witness for Jesus.  Don't just live it, TALK about it,

Living in Lancaster County, I have discovered that their are a lot of people who are very empty and searching for truth.  Here are just a few of my stories:

1. One guy has been so busy with his career that he longs to get connected with God, but can't seem to prioritize connecting with a church family over his kids sports.
2. A teenager is looking for truth and asking his parents to take him to church.  They're too busy sleeping in on Sundays but tell him that he shouldn't go to church because it should be a family thing.  He's searching ...
3. Another dad refuses to lead his family.  He'd didn't come right out and say it, but I told him he was being less than a responsible man.  He knows the answers, but would rather hunt, while the opportunity to impact his kids slips away as they get older.
4. A preacher's kid, who is now an adult.  She has been on a journey.  She emailed me, "I'm looking for truth."  She's serious, not a fly-by-night, but she is truly seeking.  By the way, she'll find Him ... I'm confident.
5. A mom emailed me, her daughter is making wrong decisions, and she's concerned (as she should be.)  She and her husband haven't been living for God in their home.  She wants to get back to the way it used to be, when she and her husband would pray together.
6. Another UFO is a non-practicing catholic that is thirsty for more.  She's asking questions.
7. Another UFO, I got to lead to Christ -- he attends, is plugged in and is growing.
8. A dad is not only asking me questions, but we're having dialog ... he's even helping me with research on our latest series.
9. Girls from our daughter's rugby team are asking questions about faith.  Can we visit your church?  Can God love a lesbian?  Does God have a plan for me?  I'm talking REAL QUESTIONS. 

Bottom line is, people are asking questions if we will take time to engage in conversation with them.  Be bold in your witness!  Ask God to give you an opportunity.

You see, I'm not just preaching it, I'm living it!  What's your story?

Sunday Night 04.20.08 Mind Dump

Today was a beautiful day on a lot of fronts.  Before I hit the sack, I thank the Lord for:

• Great kids that have a passion for the Lord.  I love to watch my kids worship.
• Today, we were week #2 in "Truth on Trial."  We challenged Mormonism and JW's.  Both came up terribly short on the truth scales.  (Go GOD!!  The one true God, that is)
• Spent time with college friends I hadn't seen in 18 years!
• Picked up two car loads of teenagers to take to youth group.
• Also spent time at Damon's restaurant with Paul Bell.  Dry humor and all, he is one of my best friends.
• Heard one of our youth staff, Lou Thomas, speak to our teens.  Lou got saved in our youth group 10 years ago ... I'm so proud of our leadership team.
• My heart is heavy for several people in our congregation that need a touch from the Lord.
• Preparing to talk about "the Oprah Church" next week in church.  We'll lump it in with Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian Science, etc.  Should be an awesome Sunday.  I'm already praying that the Lord will open the eyes of those that will hear the message.
• Lot of brand new faces at church again today.  Several returning from last week.  That's good news!

I love our church.

A Pastor That Loves That We're In A Recession

Yea, you heard me right -- I LOVE IT!!  "Slumping economy", "down turn", "sluggish", I really don't care what you call it, I'm hear to tell you ... I love it!  Before you call those "nice-people-that-just-want-to-talk-to-ya", hear me out. 

Pam & I have four kids and we live an, at times, hectic schedule.  If I'm not careful, I'll go,go,go.  My personality is, "a little aggressive", I've been called, "impulsive", I would probably be defined as "type A",  so a "recession" is good for me.  Why? because it causes me to slow down.  It causes me to re-look at where my money is going and not to spend aimlessly.  High gas prices causes me to ask, "Do I need to go there or can I stop by some other time?"  It causes me to decide to eat at home rather than eat out, thus not only saving money, but increasing family time. 

It causes me to re-prioritize.  Just look at the word "recession."  It's taken from recede which means to "draw back."  Yup, 'draw back.'  In a "draw back" time, I look at where to get the most bang for my buck, what decisions should I make that have Kingdom - eternal value?  It's during times like this, I want to give to the Lord.  I need His help, but I also believe in His cause.  I want to give my money to the things that have eternal value, not short-term usage ... like a new shirt.

That's right - I LOVE RECESSIONS!  And do you know what?  YOU SHOULD TOO!

The Crazy Things People Believe

What a gorgeous evening.  Well, I was hanging outside and got talking to my neighbor.  We're both about the same age, bald, so I felt I could converse on a deep level :-)  (Just kidding, don't send me stupid emails or even documented proof on how people WITH hair are intelligent too.)  We got talking about the new series we're into at Victory Church.  Now, our church is WAY cool.  Super music, and we're not afraid to discuss real relevant topics ... like world religions.

Last week (week 1 in the series) I established the BIBLE as the sole authority.  This week, the Pope is in Washington D.C.  There are now 416 children that were pulled out of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints compound outside San Angelo, TX.  The whole country is talking about it -- so we thought we'd join the party.  In our new series, we're going to talk about Mormons, JW's, Oprah, Buddhism, New Age, Hinduism and the list goes on.  What makes Christianity different than all these.  Better yet, if Catholics are Christians, what's the difference between us and them?

My buddy has some pretty interesting views, what do you think is the difference between Christianity and all those other religions?