Freedom Ridge TXT MSG

Here’s an UPDATE of our SMS services that we offer at Freedom Ridge.

1. text AMES to 41411 for news and updates; when you do you will receive a message back with the latest update from Freedom Ridge. We’ll use this as a form of advertising, or if you are wondering where the next meeting is or the next big thing going on, you can text AMES to 41411 and get your answer. This will be for general news.

2. text SUB AMES to 41411; when you do you will automatically be subscribed to our alert list. We will use this to send out texts of immediate importance. For instance, if we need to reschedule a meeting or service we’ll send out a text. We may occasionally send out important reminders. Just rest assured that we will not abuse it and you can unsubscribe at any time. So text SUB AMES to 41411 to join the list.

This service now works with all major carriers; standard text messaging charges apply, so check with your cell carrier.

Church Planting Lessons

These aren’t the only lessons I’ve learned in church planting, but I’ve got a couple important ones I want to share with you. I’ll share more later …

1. Most of church planting is done in Plan D.  What I mean by that is you can enter your city with a strategic plan, but once you hit the ground you quickly realize you have to move to Plan B.  Then something happens and Plan C comes into play … and so on.  So don’t be a slave to the plan, but be true to the mission.  Church planting isn’t done in theory, it’s done in the trenches. If you can’t adapt, you’ll die.

2. Most of the time, the future isn’t clear.  If there is a church planting crystal ball out there, I haven’t found it yet.  I’m reminded of the time the Israelites had to step into the Jordan River BEFORE God showed the way and parted the water (Joshua 3:7-13).  They had to step out FIRST.

I’m working on something right now with Freedom Ridge that if it pans out will be a major plus for us.  But as I’m looking at it on paper I have no idea how we are going to pay for it.  If God wants it to happen, then it will … but I can’t get in the way.

Church planting is some of the most exhilirating, stressful, frustrating, and rewarding work out there.

You Can’t Be Nice

The other day I stopped by a large store in Ames that will remain unnamed so it doesn’t trigger any google alerts.  I talked with them and filled out the paperwork so we could hang out in front of their store and give away free sno-cones.  I’ve seen different organizations do this kind of stuff, although they are usually selling something and not giving it away.

When the store called back to get more info, they confirmed we were a church and that we were doing it for free.  When they found that out they said “You can’t do that, so the answer is NO.”

I couldn’t believe it.  Now if we were to charge money for the sno-cones, then give that money to a women’s shelter, then we would be able to do it.  But to sit out there and pass the things out for free was not going to happen.  You just can’t be nice anymore.