Shannon Chapman

Volunteer Christmas Party 09

 

What does it take to be a great volunteer

Tonight, I get two spend a couple of hours with a group of amazing volunteers.  The reality is Ethos could NOT do what God has called us to do with our men and women giving of their time, energy, and talent.  

I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for Volunteers that serve at Ethos.  There are a lot of things that go into making a great volunteer but let me just focus on my top three:

What does it take to be a great Volunteer...

1. Believe  in the vision of the ministry you at volunteering for
2. Be on time
3. Take ownership of the job you are doing every week

I tell our volunteers all the time that what they do is JUST as important as what I go every week on the stage. I believe that their is not one task more important than another. I think it all of us doing what we can so to be a community of love, faith, and change.

So, again I just want to give a huge "THANK YOU" to all those that volunteer at Ethos.  This past year has been an amazing year of salvation's, baptisms, and growth.  I can't wait to see what God does in the future.

16 Daddy Christmas Tips

I read this today from one of my favorite pastors Mark Driscoll.  What I love about this is how  practical it this.  Also, I think that us as dad's need all the help we can get.  So enjoy dad's!

'Tis the season for Dad to drop the holiday ball, stress out as the money is being spent for presents, and miss yet another providential opportunity to lovingly lead his family. So, this blog is intended to help dads not fall into the same old rut of holiday humdrum, sitting on the couch watching football and eating carbs, but rather intentionally plan out the upcoming holiday season. Our children grow quickly and if we miss the sacred moments God opens up for us to connect with and bless our families, everyone suffers and we set in motion generations of missed opportunity.

#1 – Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?

#2 – Dad needs to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family.

#3 – Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?

#4 – Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to begrumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?

#5 – Dad needs to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memoriescan you make this holiday season?

#6 – Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?

#7 – Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?

#8 – Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?

#9 – Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?

#10 – Dad needs to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?

#11 – Dad needs to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?

#12 – Dad needs to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?

#13 – Dad needs to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?

#14 – Dad needs to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?

#15 – Dad needs to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?

#16 – Dad needs to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

Join Pastor Mark on Facebook for updates, resources, and answers to questions.

Sermon Recap

Today, we began our three part sermon series for Christmas.  The Christmas story is all about when God comes and interrupts common people with expectations and miracles that at first they don’t understand.

Here was the passage that we looked at together this morning. 

Luke, 1:26-38, In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[c^] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."

38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Three simple discoveries from this verses about how God preforms miracles:

    God doesn’t need a special setting. 

    God uses ordinary people.

    We must be open to God’s unlimited possibilities.

At the end of service I talked a little about that it's not enough to just to believe we must trust.  What good is belief in God if you can’ trust him.  Simple stated to trust God means: 

    to believe his word.

to count on his character

to rely on the soundness of his decisions

to anticipate his love and loyalty

So, that’s it…a very simple message for a special time of year.  Really believe God used this message to speak to a lot of people today.  

Already can’t wait for next week!  My prayer for our community is that we will be open to more than we have ever dreamed of…more than we ever could realize by yourself this Christmas Season!

Sermon Idea

I am thinking about doing a sermon called ... the swing principle...But its defiantly in the creative stage still.  We will have to wait and see.

 

Ethos Music

I could not agree with this video more!

So here is the deal:

At Ethos we put a high value on worship in music and the presentation of the gospel.  But for a minute let me just speak about the music experience.  

The band does an amazing job in my opinion in leading worship.  But let me explain what I mean...the band leads from a place of brokenness not perfection...they are ordinary people we are doing their very best to pursue the way of Jesus...now don't get me wrong I think they are great singers and musicians but I think the reason people feel so compelled to raise the gaze to heaven when they lead is because it's more than being talented.  Every week the band makes mistakes within a song...they play the wrong chord, beat, or sing the wrong note...but in the end perfection is NOT the goal...but leading everyone in the room to a deeper truth of God is.  

Music at Ethos is raw and filled with passion.  It's messy sometimes but some of the best art i've ever seen/heard was messy.  We don't try to over produce what we do....we pretty much in my opinion keep it simple.  We seek to lead from a place of truth...that no matter your past or present God desires for you to worship him.  WE ARE NOT ABOUT ENTERTAINING!  We want it to feel like we are all sitting in our home singing together.  

When I go home on Sunday I don't say "man they band did great because they sounded great."  I say "the band did great because they allowed themselves to be vulnerable on stage and allowed God's spirit to speak through them."

Those are just a few of my thoughts about how we view worship in music at Ethos.

  

Thankful List

1. My relationship with Jesus
2. My amazing, supportive, and beautiful wife
3. My 4 (still feels weird to say that) kids they inspire everyday
4. My parents...their belief in me blows me away
5. Friends...I have some of the greatest friends anyone could ever have
6. Church community...I am honored to be pastoring at such at great church
7. Dreams...I love the fact that their are are things out there that I can still dream about
8. Faith...I love the fact that it's not up to my "goodness" that saves me but putting faith in the Cross of Christ.
9. My home...It's not the nicest, cleanest (because of three crazy boys) biggest, but man I love having a home to come back to everyday.
10. Diet Mtn Dew...not sure how I would make it through most day with out one :)

What a great series it was

This past Sunday we ended our 5 pt. series called Just Words *doctrine of salvation.  We set a new attendance record on Sunday which blew us all away. But more importantly was the fact that lives were changed.    

We have talked about:

o    Predestination

o    Justification

o    Regeneration

o    Sanctification

o    Glorification

At the beginning of this past Sunday we showed this video to open up the service. So, many times I think people think that creativity has to be over the top.  This video was simple in theory but very effective to bring everyone on the same page.  

Just Words Recap Video from Ethos Chattanooga on Vimeo.

Right after that video we went in a song called Christ is Risen.  You can listen to it here. I must say that this series went better than I ever expected it to.  

In two weeks we start our a new series called Everyday Miracles.  This will be a great series for us to focus on as we enter the Holiday Season.  But I must say that I am super excited this week because my wife will be speaking.  She always does a great job!  

Concert Photos

CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE PHOTOS ON FLICKER!!!! ENJOY>

What a great night it was

Last Friday Scenic City Book and City Church brought in The Glorious Unseen and Charlie Hall for a concert.  Man I must say it was amazing.  I really wish more people could have been here to experience it.  Stephen B. Williams took these photos for us and I want to say  huge "Thank You" to him for doing that.  I will have some pics uploaded tonight for sure.   So, be looking for them later. 

Getting to meet Charlie Hall was pretty cool.  His humble spirit was evident in him off stage and on stage.