FRAMED!

Renovations are moving right along at Auburn Church's new location at 1667 Shug Jordan Parkway in Auburn. Framing should be completed by Friday. Many of our attenders are helping to create irresistible environments by participating in the "4 things." What are the "4 things?"

Strategic Service
Intentional Giving
Invest and Invite
Community Groups

Thank you for your generosity in the giving of your time, talents and resources. Join us as we continue to create a church that unchurched people want to attend! In the words of David Crowder, "I think we're on the brink of something large!" Glad that you are a part of what God is doing at Auburn Church.

Bobby

Hangin' at the Drive-In

What is DRIVE-IN?

DRIVE-IN is a series of live Web events featuring Andy Stanley created for international church leaders. DRIVE-IN explores the foundational philosophy and principles that guided the leadership of North Point Community Church in creating irresistible, relevant environments that continue to attract people who don't like church.

What can I expect?

DRIVE-IN includes a teaching session, a two-hour chat time with content experts after each session, an interactive blog, and "Fieldwork" assignments, all designed to help you grasp the core principles Andy presents and begin to apply them in your church.

When is DRIVE-IN?

The next DRIVE-IN is at 9 AM EST on February 4, 2009.

Click here to visit the Drive-In and view today's message in the Archive.

Bobby

The Fifty-sixth Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service

Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Ministries, has been asked to be a part of the Fifty-sixth Presidential Inaugural prayer service. Below is the prayer he has been asked to read.

A Prayer for Civil Rulers

Gracious God, whose glory is in all the world:
We commend this nation to your merciful care that, being guided by your Providence,
we may dwell secure in your peace.
Grant to Barack Obama, President of the United States,
and to all in authority, your grace and good will.
Bless them with your heavenly gifts.
Give them wisdom and strength to know and do your will.
Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve the people of this land in honor of you;
through Jesus christ our lord.
Amen.

Drawn in part from George Washington’s Inaugural Prayer Service
April 30, 1789




Bobby

The Anchor of Hope

Sunday was our first service of 2009. What a great way to begin the year! New faces and and a new series! Thanks for all of you that weathered the rain and cold and the drive to the Marriott to hear part one of Louie Giglio's series "Hope: When Life Hurts Most."

Life isn't easy. We experience problems and setbacks everyday. But during the hardest parts of life, when the bottom seems to fall out, where do we turn for peace? Although God doesn't offer any easy solutions, he does offer himself and his cross as an anchor of hope.

Read John 16:33.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Jesus refers to the reality of trouble in our world. How does this differ from common misconceptions about the "stress-free" Christian life?

What has been one of the most painful times in your life?

Bobby

P.S. If you missed part one, you can watch the message here.

New Years Resolution - Read the Whole Bible!

Follow the link below to http://youversion.com and learn more!

Bobby

New Year’s Resolution - Read the Whole Bible!

Posted using ShareThis

The World Is Shrinking

Each month, I have the privilege of participating in a monthly conference call with lead pastors of other strategic partnerships. During these calls, we discuss the health of our organization, ways to improve as a leader and encourage one another. I've learned so much from these monthly calls about how to continue to carry out our mission of leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Today, we began a new chapter in conference calling using a new web application called Tokbox (http://tokbox.com). It's an application that allows you to video conference call over a broadband line for free. I took the picture above from today's call. The guys pictured above left to right, top to bottom are 1. Yours truly in Auburn, AL 2. Donald Wise - NPM Strategic Partner Director, Alpharetta, GA 3. Chris Brown - Lead Pastor, Ridge Church, Charlotte, NC 4. David McDaniel - Director of Campus Expansion, Buckhead, GA 5. Chad Clemons - Lead Pastor, Anthem Church, Gainesville, FL.

The world is shrinking. How could you use this application to connect with co-workers, family and friends? Looking forward to the possibilities!

Bobby

New Series by Louie Giglio

On Sunday, January 18th, Auburn Church will begin a new series by Louie Giglio entitled "Hope: When Life Hurts Most." Louie is a best selling author and the founder and director of Passion Conferences. He also heads sixsteprecords. On February 15, 2009, Passion City Church will be launching in Atlanta, Georgia.

Don't miss out on this teaching from Louie that is a sure foundation to build this year upon. Hear more about how we are doing just that this Sunday at Auburn Church. We are meeting at the Marriott at Grand National at 11:00 a.m. See you there!

Bobby

Q3 Discussion Final Post

Read Romans 14:1.

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

Read Romans 15:7.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

How can we do a better job of accepting people where they are and then helping them grow into who they need to be?

Bobby

Q3 Discussion 4:30 p.m. Post

Sorry for the delay. The family trip to Shakey's Pizza took a little longer than expected. Here's the next set of questions::

How do you fill in the gaps between the person you project to others and who you really are?

Do you give partial information or stretch the truth or bring up your successes every chance you get?

Watch yourself this week and look for signs of image management.

How can you be more transparent?

How can you make your real self known to others?

Bobby

Q3 Discussion 1:30 p.m. Post

Read Hebrews 10:24-25.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

How can we encourage each other? How can we push each other to deal with the shortcomings we try to hide?

Read Galatians 6:1-3.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

What does it look like to be "gentle" with each other's shortcomings? How can we carry each other's burdens, those things that we shouldn't carry alone?

Bobby

Q3 Discussion

We all want to be known for something. Whether it's for being successful or influential or something else we see as impressive, we spend a lot of time and energy projecting an image of ourselves that we think will gain us acceptance from others. But this isn't who we really are, and if we aren't careful, we'll end up going through life without being truly known by anyone. And this will rob us of ever knowing true acceptance.

What do you want to be known for?

How do you practice image management?

Read James 5:16.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Do you let anyone know about your struggles? Is there anyone who truly knows you and can accurately pray for you?

Bobby

Demolition is Done

Thanks to all of you who came and helped us over the past few days. Check back often to see the progress. What a great space God has provided for His church! To Him be the glory!

Bobby

Q3 Discussion 8:00 p.m. Post

We have centered our discussion today around the question, "What are you praying for thats "big?" What are you asking God for thats so big that if God doesn't show up, it will not happen? When are you going to set time aside to pray...to ask, seek and knock and ask, seek and knock and ask, seek and knock? Not only what are you asking for, but who are you asking for thats big? Who needs God to show up in a real and meaningful way in 2009?

I want to take just a few seconds to tell you what I am asking for thats big. I am asking God to center the hearts of every attender of Auburn Church around one verse of scripture for the entire year. One verse that begins and ends with God. One verse that will absolutely change lives. One verse working in our lives to do something that is truly amazing. The verse is Romans 15:13.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

That verse will be my prayer all year long. Will you join me as I pray?

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN!"

More tomorrow on how I believe that God can use that one verse of scripture to change lives around the world. What do you think? What could God do in your life if you just chose to live out that one verse?

Bobby

Q3 Discussion 4:30 p.m. Post

Read Luke 18:1-8.

1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Is there anything that you have prayed about as consistently and persistently as the widow? What have you seen God do with that request?

See you at 8:00 p.m. as we share what Auburn Church is praying for thats big.

Bobby

Q3 Discussion 1:30 p.m. Post

Read Luke 11:9-10.

9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

What is it that you want God to do this year?
What will you ask, seek, and knock for on a consistent basis?
When will you set aside time, beginning this week, to pray for something big?

If you haven't commented on the 11:00 a.m. post, start there. If you did comment on the 11:00 a.m. post, I have responded to your comments. Thanks for being a part of our online community.

Next post will be at 4:30 p.m. CST.

Bobby

Q3 Discussion

We all know that we should pray, but what exactly should we be praying for? What is it that God wants us to pray for? The disciples pulled Jesus aside and asked him this very question. And his answer may surprise you. In fact, when you compare your prayers to what Jesus had to say, you may find that you've come to emphasize the wrong things. It could be that your prayers are too small.

When you pray, what do you find yourself praying for? Please help me not to be late. Please, just help me pass this next test. Lord, I really need to close this deal. Ultimately, what does it all add up to? Is there anything in your prayers for which you really need God to come through? Is there anything that you are praying for on a consistent basis that will not happen unless God steps in? How should your prayer time change based on what we've discussed?

What are you praying for thats big?

Bobby

And the Demolition Begins...

For those of you who have not heard, Auburn Church has found a more permanent home for 2009. It's located at 1667 Shug Jordan Parkway. We are thankful that God has provide us with this location to carry out His mission to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Bobby