It was a Good Friday
Today was a first. The first time we’ve ever had a Good Friday service in the middle of the day. We had no idea what to expect.
It wasn’t heavily promoted–just a few mentions on the weekend and a notice on the website. No printed promotional piece. How many people could even get away from their office on a work day? As a senior team, we guessed that 300 would be a win. In an outlandish act of faith, we prepared seating and communion for 500.
My heart first skipped a beat when I tweeted about the service a half hour before it started. I mentioned I didn’t know if 50 or 500 would show up. A quick reply from Jon Ferguson said, “Plan on 1,000 minimum. Seriously.” Jon is a smart guy and helps run a big church–so I was suddenly concerned that he might know something I didn’t.
Jon was right. We were wrong. People kept coming and coming and coming. At about 5 minutes before go time, we tried the “scoot over” announcement. That did nothing. For every chair we opened up–20 more people had come in through the back door. By the time it was all said and done, we ended up with a crowd of more than 1,200.
But when I came home, I wasn’t thinking about the numbers. I was thinking about the team. I watched Amy (who normally leads kids) greeting people at the door. I saw Mark (yeah, one of our pastors) in the parking lot directing traffic. I heard of people who drove to Target to buy more bread and juice for communion. I watched Trace move around the room finding more bread for lines that were running out. I watched Jason skillfully play and sing additional songs that had words he didn’t know with music he didn’t have–and Kathy skillfully picked up on that and led him with words on the screen. I saw Tom pick up a signal from me across a room packed with a thousand people and within seconds the one-thousand-pound wall panels were being stored away by 50+ volunteers and strangers who were glad to help.
Yes, it’s cool to be in a church filled with energy and excitement. And it’s fun when a bunch of people show up to remember Jesus’ sacrifice. But for me, today, the win was watching the team. It’s a team Jesus died for and it’s a team I love. And for me, that made it a good Friday.
alece
exciting to hear how incredibly God showed up — in the masses who came to hear and in the team who came serve!
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tim Stevens. Tim Stevens said: The most meaningful part of today's Good Friday service for me — http://bit.ly/bsomQZ [...]
dale
I wish I could have attended. This post is awesome! Plus, the pic of Waltz is priceless
Bill Zimmer
I noticed the same thing as i watched your team adjust on the fly. They did a really nice job! One of the coolest things I saw today was a work crew of about 8 eighteen to twenty-something young men who rushed into the church at the last minute. They were painters who were obviously giving up their lunch hour to be at the church. They didn't care that they had paint on them……I sensed that all they cared about was that they had a date at noon to remember the sacrifice made for them 2000 years ago. I was moved by their commitment! The other thing that struck me is that in a world of technology and WOW factor services, people were drawn to ,and moved by, a traditional service by GCC standards. We don't always have to create the WOW……..today the moment took care of itself!
jskogerboe
Great post Tim! God bless the team at GCC! Soli Deo Gloria.
Tom Becker
Sounds like the same teamwork I've seen over and over again no matter what church I was at, big or small, traditional or contemporary.
Tom
ronedmondson
Awesome! I love that you are thinking outside the norm to reach people. Inspiring!
greg smith
Tim, after the day I experienced today, your post was a breath of the freshest air. You've got a team that gets "it". Fall on your knees, buddy, and thank the most High because…You. Have. Been. Blessed. =D
Jason Petermann
It was a wonderful experience today! It was so cool to see the people just continually streaming in. It was also pretty cool to see the looks on the staff and volunteers as the people continued to fill the place up – they were amazed! I am so glad to be able to be a part of what God is doing at GCC!
Leadership in action… « Jacey’s Blog
[...] cool is this story? Not only do I wish I was a part of (or led) a team of people like this, I wish I worked [...]
Edward
That's amazing. I had some prior obligations that wouldn't let me make it yesterday, but I was driving by and was shocked at the lot being so full prior to the service.. and I thought to myself "his tweet said he didn't know if he would have 50 or 500??"
Figured you had to be joking at that point, but the tweet prior didn't make it seem like it.
That is a great example of the energy and passion of not only the GCC staff, its members, and most of all, the power of our living God!
David
My wife and I were in the second row waiting for our son and daughter in law. We gave their seats away when realizing what was happening. The message was right to the point and exactly why we were there. Isaiah 53. Which I had just read to my wife on the way to the church while she drove. We stood up to go to receive communion and went back to our seats. When the words of the songs came across the screen, and tears filled our eyes as the heart felt moments rested snugly into our souls and spirits. I remembered my boss back at work and what he said to me when i told him I was leaving to go to the church. Jesus!!! was all that he said. And I said: " that's right, Jesus". He is not a follower or even a fan.