Tithe Sunday Challenge :: Update!

I wanted to share an exciting update for everyone regarding our Tithe Sunday Challenge.

YTD Weekly Tithe Average: $ 8,167
Tithe Sunday Challenge: $15,638

PRAISE THE LORD!!! I'm excited to see how everyone's faithfulness has proven to be amazing. So here's something to think about. What would happen if everyone was faithful with the blessing of God in our lives and committed to tithe regularly and consistently? Because we aren't just talking about money; we're talking about lives that would be changed. Every dollar invested in God's Kingdom is ultimately attached to reaching someone without God, providing discipleship, and releasing them to reach others. It's walked out every week in our ministries to kids & youth, in the planned outreach events, through small group discipleship, by helping those in need, and caring for others.

Even though stewardship involves money that's not what it's all about! It's about people. It's about lives that matter to God. It's about obedience to God's plan and the promised blessing of God. I've already heard several testimonies of how God has ALREADY proven faithful this past week as people were obedient to step out and give faithfully. I look forward to hearing more as God proves himself in your life as well.

Let's keep on stepping out in obedience and faith. Just watch what God is going to do!!!!

Pastor Mark

Take God At His Word

A devotional by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church.

“I am convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion” (Philippians 1:6 GWT).

Lasting change doesn’t start with you. It starts with God. And it all begins when you say, “Yes Lord, I’m taking you at your word.” God isn’t asking you to make a promise that you can’t keep. He is asking you to receive a promise that only he can keep.

When you confess your faith, you are receiving God’s promises into your life, and he always keeps his promises. When you confess your faith, you are taking God at his Word, and you can!

• He loves you – you have his Word on it (John 3:16).
• You are forgiven – you have his Word on it (Psalm 103:3).
• You belong to him – you have his Word on it (Romans 1:6).
• He will never leave you or give up on you – you have his Word on it (Hebrews 13:5).
• He will meet your needs – you have his Word on it (Philippians 4:19).
• He has a plan and a purpose for your life – you have his Word on it (Jeremiah 29:11).

As you build your life on the Word of God, he will truly make you into a new person – a total makeover from the inside out. And what God starts, he will finish.

Your responsibility is to confess it. Let it renovate your life. “Be made new in the attitude of your minds.” But let me warn you: expect to be challenged. The Devil doesn’t want you to be free, so he will whisper old lies to you. He’ll try to discourage you and accuse you. He will bring up your past to haunt and harass you. But, as Greg Laurie says, “Whenever the Devil tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future.” And start confessing your faith.

What lies do you still believe? What is keeping you from walking in the freedom and joy of the Lord? Start declaring the truth of the God’s Word and then act on that truth.

And that will truly make a new you.

Big Win...Bigger Wins!

I certainly consider myself a football fan in general and a Packer fan specifically. Everyone around Green Bay is in a state of euphoria about the Packers win last night against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV (that's 45 for those of you who are confused by roman numerals like me). Where I watched the game I saw people jump, shout, clap, run around, and almost pass out at times. The energy was high and the passion ran deep. It was a great win for a city still divided about whether they would wear a jersey with a 4 or 12 on it (either is fine). It was a Big Win!

I've joked with a few people this morning because I've heard people saying, "We won the Super Bowl!" My question has been, "If WE won the Super Bowl, where is my ring and when is the check coming?" Nobody has been able to give me a date yet. (ha.ha.) In last night's game, I never stepped onto the field once. I never threw a pass, covered a receiver, or scored a touchdown. My greatest contribution was making several trips to the food table. Aside from my occasional cheering and armchair quarterbacking I didn't contribute much to the big win.

But for me and for you there are Bigger Wins! Bigger than the Super Bowl and bigger than the Lombardi trophy. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." In a world full of awards there is only one that I'm striving for; the crown of life! It is our persistence through trials and struggles, our determination to be a Godly spouse, parents, and individuals that earns us this win. Is it easy; no! Is it worth it; yes!

Celebrate Green Bay! Celebrate a Big Win! But also remember that there are BIGGER WINS to be had today in your everyday attitudes, decisions, and obedience to God.

Have a GREAT day!

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello!

I once heard someone say, "The only constant in life is change!" How true that is. Central is in a season of change right now. This week will be Pastor Tim & Misty's last week with us as our Worship Pastors. They joined the Central Team in November of 2007. They were the first full-time Worship Pastors Central has ever had in it's nearly 53 year history. Over the past 3 years they've progressively improved every aspect of of our worship, media, and technology ministries. They accepted a new position at Twin Rivers Church in Cooper City, Florida. We will miss them as they leave, but we also bless them as they step forward into God's fresh plans for their lives. Please don't miss the opportunity to express your personal thanks to them this Friday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. as we host a reception for them in the Youth Room.


This season of change has also brought us our new Children's Pastors, Paul & Shelby Anglemyer. They just made the big move from Rapid City, South Dakota last week and are getting settle into their home in Green Bay. Along with their two children, Alyssa & Adrian, they come to Green Bay with 18+ years of children's ministry experience and are poised to lead Central's kids ministry to the next level. We are very excited to have them on Central's leadership team and we are looking forward to great things in our kids ministry in years to come.


So as we transition, keep Pastor Tim, Misty, & Gavin in prayer as they are in this exciting moving process. And as you do, also remember to pray as we search for our next worship pastor. Also keep the Anglemyers in your prayers as they get settle in and get things established for tremendous ministry. The future looks bright at Central Church as we take our Next Steps toward God's plans for our church and our city.

Have a GREAT week!

Excited to Serve

It's the morning after the NFC Championship game and the Packers walked away victorious! All around Green Bay you can sense the excitement and energy of the Pack heading to the Super Bowl. I even had a few people open the door for me at various places today. Who knew that going to the Super Bowl would make people nice (ha.ha.) I can't imagine how everyone is going to be over the next two weeks between now and the big game.

Just a thought......when was the last time you were equally excited to serve someone else with no strings attached? I'm excited about the Packers moving forward but I'm even more excited about what God wants to do in and through his church in Green Bay!!! Everyone of us was created to be a blessing to others by serving them in very simple and practical ways. What is it that you love to do? What is something you do regularly that others often compliment you on? I'll bet that your greatest abilities are found in there somewhere. What if you used those abilities to serve others?

Now that's something to cheer about!!!

Prayer Changes Me

There are a lot of things that change on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes too much to even keep up with. But think about this....of all the changes that affect us on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis how many of those changes are positive and life changing?

What if it was possible to affect the changes that happen? Would you be willing to do what it takes to see it happen? What if it involved prayer? Sure, we might say we pray but our prayers are usually pretty selfish and self-serving. When is the last time we not only presented our needs but also stopped long enough to let God talk to us in return?

Communication in any relationship is vital. The two key elements are talking & listening. If we only do the former without the later then we've failed at communicating in a way that is mutually beneficial. When God talks it has the potential to change us! No my situations may stay the same, but inside, I can be changed. Most days it feels like there is very little I truly have the ability to control. And while I certainly can't control God or his responses, I've found that every time I take even just a few moments to talk to him and listen, something inside me changes. My attitude, perspective, and emotions almost always take a turn for the better.

Do you want a better day? Do you want a life of hope and peace? Do you want to feel calm in the middle of the storm? Then stop for a just a few minutes several times a day to talk to God. You'll be amazed just how much those prayers change you!

Have a GREAT week!

Be Strong and Courageous

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Remember those early years in bed at night when suddenly out of know where fear overcame you? Your parents were just down the hall but you were sure there was something in the closet, a monster under the bed, or somebody just outside your window. It was in that moment that you got your first taste of a feeling called fear. While fear is a real feeling those things that we fear aren't nearly as real as they might originally seem. We would all like to believe that we no longer deal with fear like we did as a child but while the focus of our fears might have changed (there really is no monster under your bed ;-) the feeling itself is still very present , very raw, and very real. But just like earlier in life, the focus of our fear isn't nearly as real as we might believe. It's typically fear itself and the emotions, worry, and stress that turns out to be worse than the feared event, conversation, decision, or situation.

Truth replaces feelings; or at least it should. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but instead he's given us the ability to have a sound mind instead. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry about anything but instead to pray about everything. And when we do this it tells us that we will receive God's unbelievable peace for our hearts and minds.

I encourage you today, don't allow the Devil to use your mind as a playground! Don't allow your feelings to dictate your relationships, attitudes, or week. Be strong and courageous!! God will be with you wherever you go and he is able to give you the strength to make it through whatever life throws at you!