True North Finances Weekly Finance Numbers and Random Thoughts

TNC License Frames

Be sure to grab a TNC license frame for your vehicle this Sunday at the Info table.

Here is a preview.

Original Plastic Jesus

Who is Jesus? Have we perceived Jesus to be someone that he is not? Join us this Sunday as we start our new series Original Plastic Jesus.

Man stabs son for wearing hat in church

BALTIMORE (AP) — Police said a 58-year-old man stabbed his teenage son after he refused to take off his hat at church earlier in the day. The father and his 19-year-old son got into an argument on Sunday afternoon. That's when police said the father went to a car, got a knife and stabbed his son in the left buttock and fled.

The son was taken to University of Maryland Medical Center for treatment. The father's name was withheld pending his arrest.

Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com

I have to ask. Why did he stab him in the butt? And this is really bad, should he turn the other cheek?

Church Marketing

Was it just me or were there a lot of new faces yesterday? Or, maybe just faces that we have not seen in a while? Regardless, it was encouraging and perplexing at the same time. What brings someone into a church? From a marketing standpoint, the axiom is 6 'touches'. This means that on average, a person needs to see the name True North Church 6 times in some format to consider attending.

We do a few things to help with those touches. Here is a list of past and present marketing.

1. Mass mail postcards
2. New mover postcards
3. Web site and search engines
4. Direction signs
5. Sponsor banners at Garner football and basketball
6. Helicopter Egg Drop
7. Garner Christmas parade float
8. Business cards promoting the current series
9. TNC bumper sticker
10. Coming this week, TNC license plate frames
11. Pre-movie advertisement
12. Door hangers
13. Logo clothing
14. Logo pens
15. Logo frisbee

Wow! I have never stopped and thought of all of the different ways that True North has marketed itself. I am probably missing some things as well. Here is an assessment. All of these things have been worthwhile and appropriate. But, I think the best marketing is done by word of mouth. It is not included on the list above because it doesn't cost anything. Nothing motivates someone more than 'just being asked'. Easier said than done, right?

What do you think?

Pizza with the Pastor

This event is especially for people who are new to True North with the intent to help you get connected and get some info on the church. If you started attending within the last couple months, join us for pizza;

Sunday, February 22nd
Noon to 1pm or so
Avery Street Rec Center

Does God love them less than you?

I have two sons. I don't love them the same. Stay with me here before you consider what you just read as the ramblings of a horrible father. My sons are unique individuals and because of that, they are loved by me in their own unique way. I don't love one more or less than the other, just not in the same way. Hopefully that makes sense to you and you can quit dialing children services.

Now, consider all of us as God's children. Wouldn't His love for us be similar? Please don't go down the path of me thinking that I can love my sons as much as God loves us, that is not my intent nor even possible. My intent is to have you think that God loves us as the unique sons and daughters that we are, no more or less than the other. Keep that in consideration when you encounter others today; your hot headed boss, the lady trying to drive and text message at the same time, the kid throwing a tantrum in the store, your friend that really let you down, the teenager behind the counter that screwed up your order and acts like they could care less, the homeless guy standing at your car window.

Does God love them less than you?

The Shack

My friend Trudy enthusiastically handed me a copy of The Shack last Thursday and asked that I give her my opinion of the book. I've finished reading cover to cover and highly recommend it. The first few chapters drag a little but are necessary to set up the core of the remaining story. Keep in mind that this is a fictional work that weaves apologetics within it pages. Think of all the "why" questions that could be asked of God. Those questions are the basis of many of the conversations had by the main characters. Read The Shack with an open mind and it will stretch you, help you accept God's love and help you love God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) even more.

Return to Me

We believed that Sunday's message was going to be powerful. An audio podcast would just not capture the imagery used. So we have placed the video on the podcast page. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

Surrender to God

I read through Jon's post today and was really struck by the end of the scripture.

...and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

I think this is something I struggle with in my life. I feel very blessed and wonder "why me?" My guess is that I am not alone in freely accepting God's love and favor. Some day, my goal is to surrender that control completely over to God.

50 Days of Jesus

It’s simple: a chronological journey through the life and ministry of Jesus. One simple reading…one question…one prayer, that we can all join together on for the sole purpose of preparing ourselves for What God is Going To Do at True North Church. Check it out daily at Jon's blog www.jonmcclarnon.com

This is the Sunday that lives could be changed

Who have you passed your invite card to this week? Who have you been praying for to join you at True North just one time? I have a person in mind. I've asked them to attend several times before. This is the week I'm going to leverage all of my friendship with them. I'm not afraid to offend them because I know the consequences if I don't try.

This is the Sunday that lives could be changed.

Vast Majority Support Teaching Evidence For and Against Darwin’s Evolution Theory

A large majority of Americans think biology teachers should teach Charles Darwin's theory of evolution along with the scientific evidence against the theory, according to a poll by Zogby International. Thursday, Feb. 12, is the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

Read the full CNSNews article.

Praying the Psalms

Jon laid out the idea of reading certain Psalms and turning them into your own prayers. Psalm 100 is a prayer of giving thanks. I've included it here for you. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the body of True North to give God thanks this week?

Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Does God think I’m whining?

I would like to admit a problem that I have with my prayer life. Sometimes, well, all the time, and that is why it is a problem, I don't want to bother God with my problems. I have the feeling that He has bigger concerns than mine.

What do you think?

God loves us. He calls us all by name. He knows everything about us. Don't you think He wants us to bring everything to Him in prayer? Even the stuff we may feel isn't worth His time.

Here is something to consider. Since God is timeless, how could I waste His time?

Helicopter Egg Drop!!

You heard it here first. Yes, we are doing the Egg Drop again this year. Why? Because we are crazy I guess. Because we want to give something to our community. Because we want people to know that we are just like everyone else and enjoy a good party. It is our BHAG (big hairy audacious goal).

We briefly considered creating an Easter Egg Pinata that was so large you would need a wrecking ball to bust it open but instead we decided to use all of our experience and lessons learned from last year's drop to make this year's bigger and better.

Now, if we can just find somewhere to host the event...

True North Partners Night

"Partners" is our word for "members" who have completed the "Discovering True North" class. In case you're wondering what a Partners Night is: it's a time for the people who are committed to True North to come together for fellowship, get the inside scoop, be challenged about our mission, and unite around the future of the church. The evening is open to any official "Partners" as well as those who are committed to the church - even if you've never been to "Discovering True North Class". Partners Night is being held at Swift Creek Coffee House located at 1350 Fifth Ave. Ste. 250 Forest Hills Shopping Center, Garner.

(Please note that we will not be having any childcare available for this event.)

It wasn’t mine

A 64-year-old Atlanta taxi driver has a simple explanation of why he returned a bag containing items worth thousands of dollars to a Florida woman, saying, "It wasn't mine." Read the full FoxNews article.

Wow, that was simple!

Do you think this is even a news story in Heaven?

Virginia Man to Search for Noah’s Ark in Turkey

Read the full FoxNews article.