After Effects from Nate Carney on Vimeo.

Blue prints are not your typical type of obvious abstract art to be conspicuously hung on the wall and appreciated. However there is a real beauty to the blue print that I’m sure both the practical and creative minds will readily recognize. I personally do find them to be very artistic in a Ludwig Mies sort of way. It impresses me with the thought that, anything and everything in the natural world follows a certain unique and specific “form” and “function” to it that are authored by the Blue Print…from the organic to the industrial. I am sketching out a message series that we will be peeling of the press soon…stay tuned for my thoughts and shared research on this topic…Looking forward to it, Later!

Willow Creek Community Church– Barrington
September 6, 2009

1. What did you notice first?

How quick and smooth the staff got that mega line of cars parked for one, (Wow!) and that’s before we even got inside. Net was, the amount of volunteer force that was engaged and empowered…greeting, smiling, helping, assisting…It was the first most impressive thing to see. Their was such a spirit of commitment and serving…very powerful!

2. What kind of ministries did you see in action before, during or after service?

I took note of the hosts and the greeters coming to and in the building. I noticed the children’s ministry…the prayer ministry staff…the ushers and guest care in the auditorium…the media team…the set-up crew for the staging (which was spot on)…the café staff and cafeteria staff.

3. If you visited the students or kids areas, what impressed you the most?

I did visit the Student ministry area…the thing that I found very impressive was how relevant to students the people were. The area was geared for making impact into the lives of teens and students…

4. How do you think an un-churched person would feel coming here for the first time and why?

I feel that a person who is new to Christianity would feel warm and welcomed. Many times there are barriers created around the gospel that the church maybe is unaware of…these people at Willow have gone to great lengths to remove the barriers and present a relevant gospel free of the stereotypical barriers people first coming might feel and face. I don’t think we can make the gospel any more powerful or beautiful…just clear away the clutter that we have allowed to cover it up.

5. What is something you saw today that you would like to see implemented in our new church launch?

A whole bunch of things… the commitment to excellence…the focus on serving and caring for the un-churched…the empowering and engaging of ministers…commitment to sharing Gods word with relevance…the laser like focus on the vision!

God let us be your heart and your hands and your feet and your eyes in our city and spread the gospel of Jesus and lift his name high! God build a church and let it revolutionize our city and our lives for the glory of God!

Hi,My husband and I are newlyweds and are looking for a place of worship. I was raised as Catholic and he was raised as Evangelical Pentecostal, and we are looking for a happy medium. I am unsure what your Church is about and I have a few questions to ask.

What are the doctrinal beliefs of your church?
1. Do you have a structured liturgy form of service, or a more informal service??
2. Do you have contemporary music or traditional?
3. How big is your church, how many members are there? Is it casual wear?
4. What type of programs are offered?
5. Do you accept other ways of life or that other people of other religious backgrounds could still go to heaven?
6. What are your views on homosexuality?
7. What are your views on speaking in tongues?? Is it publicly done in your congregation?
8. For me to understand best, what are the main differences between your congregation and a Catholic or an Evangelical Pentecostal one?

I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you and God Bless.

My Reply:

“Thanks for your interest in Healing Place. We are a new (1 year old) community of faith planting a church in the west suburbs and we have only just begun on this awesome venture! God has some really big plans for us and we are excited to be working and building a great church. Our vision is very simple…“To reach those far from God that they will have a life of healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ!” Everything else we do revolves around this.

Our core group consists of friendly passionate people from a very diverse religious background…some Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, and Pentecostal. Religious names are not important to us. The only name we feel is really important is JESUS! We want to lift high his great name and bring him honor!”

To answer a few questions…
1. We have a simple form of “worship experience” that includes encouraging prayer, uplifting contemporary music, a relevant and life-applicable message, and a time of socializing.

2. The atmosphere is open for anyone to come and be comfortable to worship God. We are normally casual in our dress although some like to strut the nines from time to time.

3. We currently offer a nursery and children’s play area provided by Edwards Fitness Club, which is safe and free to all guests.

4. We believe that the bible is the truth and it is very specific about what sin is and that Jesus Christ came to save us all (no one is perfect) from our own sins and to give us a new life by his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. We believe his grace alone provides a way for us to be born anew by his Holy Spirit.

5. This new birth is available to all believers and is accompanied by speaking in another tongue. We believe this is done in a very respectful and decent manner and is not meant to be weird or sensational. It is simply God’s Spirit abiding within your heart…to give you daily help, faith and encouragement! Who doesn’t need that?

6. On wed. evening we meet for connect groups and bible study at Panera Bread @ 7pm

7. We spend time serving in our community with free food boxes, free water, and various other serving projects.

8. We are a normal group of people who are in love with an unbelievably great and awesome God! It’s really amazing to be on this journey…you’re invited to come along!

This “In the Zone Praying” is very needed in our lives today.

I am convinced that many want to pray with this level of effectiveness. Many want to see a moving response from God, to reach into there lives and community, but often lack the understanding of how to pray and are left feeling they cannot make a difference…

I am also convinced…This is the most important area of a successful overcoming life in Christ Jesus. This effective communicating with God is the difference between, living in the zone…and falling short of the goal. Its not some mystical things only reserved for the highly religious…Prayer is for everyone!

You can be the kind of person that you were meant to be, when you really learn how to communicate and talk to God. In this series our goal is to reveal and apply the purpose, the process, and the practice of “In the Zone Prayer!” You can pray and impact heaven and earth…(stay tuned for more on this subject!)

“I dream of a church…where Gods presence is so completely real and tangible that people who are broken and hurting are healed and restored…”

“I dream of a church…that is sharing the Gospel with the hundreds of thousands of residents that are far from God in the west suburbs of Chicago.”

“I dream of a church…that welcomes into its family thousands of members sharing life together in uncommon unity, integrity and honor.”

“I dream of a church…where people discover Gods word as the source of all truth through bible studies, connect groups, growth classes, seminars, and a bible school for our members

“I dream of a church…that is equipping each believer for a specific ministry that God has purposed for their life by helping them to develop their gifts and talents”

“I dream of a church…that will plant multiple campuses across Chicago-land and will create an organization to assist and develop new church planters. I dream of a church…that is impacting other countries through mission trips and projects.”

“I dream of a church…in a warehouse style building that is retrofitted to be a relevant, attractive facility with a large worship center that will accommodate thousands, a 24 hour prayer center, a recreation area, Teen and student area, kids zone, training and class rooms and food distribution area. This will be a vehicle to minister healing and wholeness to families.

“I tell you with confidence that this dream will become a reality… because it is from God! I have seen this church. God has shown it to me!”

its with great anticipation that I am looking forward to celebrating easter sunday. We will be sharing a new message series called “Liar, Lunatic or…LORD!” Jesus… He claimed to be many things. He was called many things. Prophet. Teacher. Blasphemer. Friend of sinners. Son of Man. Son of David. Son of God. He said He was God. Some would believe he was a liar, others a lunatic, but we know he is the Lord of all! Its going to be a great day and I am expecting that God will show favor on you as we celebrate together. easter sunday, april 12…after the worship experience we will have food and a bean bag tournament with some cool prizes for the winners…Its gonna be a blast!