LeaderLines -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

We Want Your Input
by Tom Goodman
December 17, 2009

Mark your calendar for January 10 and spread the word about this important day.

I'm sure your mind is on Christmas right now, but the moment you turn the calendar page to January, we want you focused on what's going to happen on the 10th.

That is the day we're going to have a Hillcrest Family discussion about campus renovation. The special event includes a BBQ lunch, and the youth will host a party for elementary school children at the Summit (the third floor youth room). Preschool care will be provided in the preschool rooms. Here's the schedule:

10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Auditorium

11:00 a.m. Ten-Minute Break. At this time, parents can bring their children to the right spots.

11:10 a.m. All adults will reconvene in the auditorium with Ben Heimsath and some people from his architectural firm. Ben will lead us through a presentation of the renovation process.

12:30 p.m. We will dismiss for a BBQ lunch in the Multi-Purpose Center.

1:00 p.m. Ben will lead us in a project designed to get your feedback on what needs to be addressed in the renovation process.

2:00 p.m. We'll serve dessert and hear that feedback.

3:00 p.m. Dismiss. There will be no evening activities.

I encourage you to participate. And, as leaders, I encourage you make sure others participate as well. The process will give us a chance to look ahead, to look around, and to look above.

First, we have a chance to look ahead. Someone once said that you know you're at the end when you have fewer dreams than you do memories. That's true for churches, too. A planning process gives us a chance to think afresh about the future God is calling us into. I look forward to hearing your hopes and dreams for our church!

Second, we have a chance to look around. When done right, plans to renovate a facility turn our eyes outward to the community God has called us to reach. It helps us become more sensitive to the impressions we're making upon others.

Third, we have a chance to look above. In Haggai 1:1-9, the living Lord of the universe actually said we should pay attention to the building where he is worshipped "so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored." God says we honor him by paying attention to the place where we praise his Name and study his Word! God goes on to say he was dishonored by those who paid more attention to their houses and businesses than to their place of worship. We don't want to make that mistake.

So, be an active participant in this chance to look ahead, around, and above!

--Tom

P.S. Maybe you've been wondering why you haven't been receiving LeaderLines in the last 3 weeks. Most of you know that Diane has had a series of surgeries for breast cancer, and I lightened my work load during that time. This is the last LeaderLines you will receive for 2009 since the next two Thursdays are Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Watch for your next edition of LeaderLines on January 7, 2010.

LeaderLines is a weekly "e-briefing" providing valuable information and inspiration to those who serve at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

Do you know friends who would appreciate LeaderLines? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to LeaderLines? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

LeaderLines - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
We Want Your Input by Tom Goodman December 17, 2009 Mark your calendar for January 10 and spread the word about this important day. I'm sure your mind is on Christmas right now, but the moment you turn the calendar page to January, we want you focused on what's going to happen on the 10th. That is the day we're going to have a Hillcrest Family discussion about campus renovation. The special event includes a BBQ lunch, and the youth will host a party for elementary school children at the Summit (the third floor youth room). Preschool care will be provided in the preschool rooms. Here's the schedule: 10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Auditorium 11:00 a.m. Ten-Minute Break. At this time, parents can bring their children to the right spots. 11:10 a.m. All adults will reconvene in the auditorium with Ben Heimsath and some people from his architectural firm. Ben will lead us through a presentation of the renovation process. 12:30 p.m. We will dismiss for a BBQ lunch in the Multi-Purpose Center. 1:00 p.m. Ben will lead us in a project designed to get your feedback on what needs to be addressed in the renovation process. 2:00 p.m. We'll serve dessert and hear that feedback. 3:00 p.m. Dismiss. There will be no evening activities. I encourage you to participate. And, as leaders, I encourage you make sure others participate as well. The process will give us a chance to look ahead, to look around, and to look above. *First, we have a chance to look ahead.* Someone once said that you know you're at the end when you have fewer dreams than you do memories. That's true for churches, too. A planning process gives us a chance to think afresh about the future God is calling us into. I look forward to hearing your hopes and dreams for our church! *Second, we have a chance to look around.* When done right, plans to renovate a facility turn our eyes outward to the community God has called us to reach. It helps us become more sensitive to the impressions we're making upon others. *Third, we have a chance to look above.* In Haggai 1:1-9, the living Lord of the universe actually said we should pay attention to the building where he is worshipped "so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored." God says we honor him by paying attention to the place where we praise his Name and study his Word! God goes on to say he was dishonored by those who paid more attention to their houses and businesses than to their place of worship. We don't want to make that mistake. So, be an active participant in this chance to look ahead, around, and above! --Tom P.S. Maybe you've been wondering why you haven't been receiving LeaderLines in the last 3 weeks. Most of you know that Diane has had a series of surgeries for breast cancer, and I lightened my work load during that time. This is the last LeaderLines you will receive for 2009 since the next two Thursdays are Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Watch for your next edition of LeaderLines on January 7, 2010. LeaderLines is a weekly "e-briefing" providing valuable information and inspiration to those who serve at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Do you know friends who would appreciate LeaderLines? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to LeaderLines? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.