Scott Clark

Ok scratch that title :)

Fresh Direction and Focus... not quite as sexy... oh well ;)

Over the last few weeks Dawn and I have met, prayed, planned, fasted, strategized, dreamed, laughed, and prayed some more and basically, without going into crazy detail, we have been given 2 team to head up @ Journey. One inside team (me) and one outside team (Dawn). Anyways... so through prayer and discussing we agreed that although responsibilities and roles are different we are truly one team.



From the second people pull onto the property, until they walk through the front door, until they sit in the seat with our communication cards and envelopes, until the Pastor gets up, until, until, until... you get my point.

Everything they see and all that we do all takes a part in our complete message: JESUS. We all work side by side to communicate God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, truth, life-changing commandments, etc. Our hearts (Dawn and I) are to communicate to our teams together and work/worship/enjoy together as one team. As one body, because we are ~1 Cor. 12:12-20, all for the glory of God.

Needless to say, we are passionate and excited to build up these teams again. To continue to build upon the parts of the "foundation" that others faithfully laid and to go back and fix a few things that could use a little more glitz, glam, and well, flippin fun. We get to CREATE and PROVIDE an atmosphere every single week that reflects the glory, healing, and joy of Jesus Christ.

That's awesome, and an honor.

As of now we are connecting with people one on one and sharing our hearts and plans for the IMPACT Team naturally as we feel led, and as the opportunity presents itself, however come January we will be having our first "IMPACT Invite" Event the first of next year. You are going to want to be there. and...

YOU ARE INVITED.

Until then, we are pouring out our energy, passion, and focus into our Holiday event team. BTW We have a creative meeting this Sunday at 6pm at Dawn's house, so if you signed up and we haven't called you yet or you have not signed up, but would like to take part in our creative planning process for our Holiday events, please contact Dawn or Myself at DawnBarthelette@journeychurchnow.com or ScottClark@journeychurchnow.com. It promises to be fun, filling, and productive. Hope to see you there.

I could go on and on, and I might later, but for now our hearts are to take these areas of ministry to a whole'notha'level!! Won't you be a part?

Do you know where you are spiritually gifted to serve? Is not knowing holding you back? Or do you know what you're good at, but feel that it's just not that important? Feel free to comment & be blessed!

Have you ever wished that your co-worker was able to hear what Pastor taught on last week? Did you just overhear them talking about how they wished their marriage was stronger? Or that they wish their teenager would stop shaving the cat? Well we might not cover that last one, although you never know, but if you do hear a message that you just know would minister to, and encourage a co-worker, or family member, etc. than I would like to present to you...






Next time you are on campus make sure and check out the new "CD 4 A Friend" sign-up located in the church foyer. All you have to provide is your name, the date and title of the message you want, and how many copies you will need. Voila! Your CD's should be available for pickup the following week. If the CD is for you we would only ask that you request 2 and take one for someone else as well.

NOTE - You can also download our weekly messages through itunes and in multiple formats online at www.journeychurchnow.com.

TIP- WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THE CD INVITE THEM TO JOURNEY & HAND THEM A TOUCH CARD. Which brings me to my next point:

Did you know that 95% of people swallow 3 church touch cards in their lifetimes?!? CRAZY!! AMAZING!
And untrue. :( That'd be cool though...

BUT, each Sunday you might find yourself leaving Journey Church without taking at least one Journey touch card with you. Maybe...............? That's alright, it happens to the best of us :)

BUT, here's a thought, what if we all took (1) card every week, and handed it to just (1) co-worker, family member, friend, wal-mart employee, homeless person, insurance agent, etc, etc each week.

*Thats 604,800 seconds to complete your goal of handing out (1) card!!!!* THAT'S NUTS!!

Not to mention that we would ALL be inviting and potentially ministering to 52 people a year!!! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that THAT is HUGE missional (and effective) living.

Anyways, to keep this from becoming an article, I'll get back on point. I just wanted to notify our Journey go'ers of (1) a new resource "CD 4 A Friend"; sign up in the foyer, and (2) a resource that is available for assisting in inviting others to church; "Journey Touch Cards" available on a seat near you (Sundays only ;) ).

I hope this has been helpful and at least provoked a chuckle.

Have a great week & I'll C U Sunday!

I can honestly say that I have never faced as big of a mountain as the one in front of me now. Well, the one in front of my family and I, now. And its very appropriate that PM is sharing about good/bad soil and faith like a mustard seed these 2 weeks because I tell you what, I am currently walking up to a mountain that I, literally, cannot climb or go around without the Holy Spirit COMPLETELY decimating that mountain.

I believe that I passed through a pivotal point in my life a few weeks ago, no exaggeration. As a full time church staff member I have faced many obstacles that have been painful but necessary to overcome to mature and grow in my faith and ability to help lead the church. Lately its at a whole other level. Like, honestly, a level that has forced me to look in the mirror and say to myself "are you a man or another wannabe" "Are you going to do whatever it takes to succeed (even if that means facing failure) or just quit" And Ive committed to give it everything Ive got.

Ash and I are committing to pray and seek God for the wisdom and strength to protect our marriage and sanity as I go full out to reach people, to further Journey Church, to build relationships, to submit myself to the ongoing process of study and learning, and to seek God like never before in places Ive never been. My mountain is fear of failure or rejection, its walking in iron-fisted discipline, it's walking on water to Jesus except for that walking on water might be easier than committing to change because I will know in 10 seconds if I fail or succeed as opposed to the painful process of spiritual surgery and breaking of habits. To commit to this without surety of the result is horrifying, but I declare in Jesus name that God is good, He has called, anointed, and appointed me, and through mercy and grace I will see this mountain moved in my life by the sovereign and glorious power of Jesus Christ, not by a SINGLE thing that I can do.

Anyways, sorry for the vagueness. Now you have a reason to stay tuned in to my blog so as to see if I reveal specefics. woo...hoo.....

Be encouraged, because if you dont have to stop and ask your guide for help than youre mountain aint worth climbing.

So as most of my more recent posts begin, A lot has been going on and I havent been able to get it out, but Im back to just, if anything, use this blog as an outlet for my thoughts and daily adventures.

I am not the final say on issues. I am not always right, but this is my blog dagblam it, and I will use it to share my thoughts, struggles, what God is saying to me lately, and of course the usual stupid meaninglessness that fills in the random moments of random days. :)

As of now a lot is changing in my life, or at least it could if I just keep the course, stay focused, and man up. God has revealed some things to me including my lack of hunger and love for God (due to unintentional distractions), that there is more in me (Christ in me) than I ever thought possible, the importance of study and prayer just to list a few.

I have read 2 books in two weeks and am working on my 3rd this week. Ill just say that somewhere near my freshman year in high school I swore off college or any higher learning because I hate to read/study. I am severely attention deficit or as its called when you're an adult: laziness or lacking discipline. BOOYAH!!! I JUST CALLED IT OUT that's right!! So this really is a BIG WIN for me personally.

Even thought its been a sacrifice to put in between 4-9 hours a week into reading on top of work/family/etc, I am finding that determination plays a huge part in my focus. When I am dead set on doing it, my attention is there (unless I am flat worn out) and I also see that my inexperience as a minister is no laughing matter so the sacrifice is a given for the desired outcome. There IS grace and mercy in failing, yes(otherwise, Journey, I'd be gone), but do God, my family, my teammates, and my mentor/boss deserve my best?

1000% yes.

So I must give it. And I give it joyfully. Everything goes back to giving God glory. Unfortunately that realization can be blurred quite quickly when life gets busy, or things get tough, or I get stuck in the monotony of life. But when this short life and God's glory are in my sights, Ill do whatever it takes to succeed.

To switch gears here, Ash and I are officially under contract on a house!!! We hope to move in early October. Its in Apollo Beach right off of I-75 with plenty of room to double our Source Group if need be!!!! God is so good. We have tried around 4 times now over the last few years to get a house, and every time we ran into a wall that we couldnt get over, but each time we've prayed for a bigger and cheaper house than before and that is exactly what has happened. With the market lower than ever we believe we have found the perfect house for our family. Well see as we finish up the loan process, but regardless God is faithful!! More house details to come...

The book I am reading now is Worldiness by C.J. Mahaney, and its great so far. Im 28 pages in and already God has laid it on my heart to commit to praying (something else I need to work very hard to improve on) for around 3 breakthroughs in my life over the next 6 months. Its a steep commitment, but if God is faithful then why wouldnt I commit to pray for breakthrough for 10 years if I had to? It comes back to FREAKIN laziness and discipline again. BOOYAH!! It needs to be broken for me to be an efficient tool for the kingdom of God. No doubt. Im going to pray about this topic before I commit, but more to come...

Long enough, good night!