We have had tons of people checking out Capstone via the internet. Many people believe that the web is the new front door to the church. With that said we decided to up our investment in the website.
Head to www.capstonechurch.net to check out the new look for Capstone. We now have online sermons, calendar, videos, and much much more. Let us know what you think.
Thursday Night was the Fountain Inn Football Banquet. With Chris (Executive Pastor) working full time as the Recreation Director we have a natural partnership with the Recreation Departement. Capstone volunteered to video many of the FI football games to make a highlight video for the end of the year banquet. We also helped out at the banquet by making a great atmosphere with music and images.
Chris did a great job for this end of the year banquet by getting one former NFL player - Dexter Davis and one current player - Travelle Wharton to be at the banquet. Dexter who played for the Clemson Tigers in college and then the Cardinals and Rams in the NFL. Dexter spent time talking to guys about making good choices and listening to their coaches. Dexter now works with NFL, FCA, and part owner in D1 Training.
Travelle Wharton is a product of Fountain Inn. He grew up playing in the recreation department in FI and played at Hillcrest High School. He then went USC and now is playing for the Carolina Panthers. The Fountain Inn Recreation Department created an award this year called “The Travelle Wharton Award”. This award is given out to the child who represents the best of what Fountain Inn Football wants their players to look like. Travelle left straight from the Panthers to come to Fountain Inn and present the award to its first winner. He also stayed until everyone left and signed anything the kids put in front of him.
Here is the video we did for the Fountain Inn Football Program:
The second word in Capstone’s mission statement that we looked at Sunday morning was RELEVANT. Some would say that relevant shouldn’t be in a mission statement because the church shouldn’t be relevant. When in question we always believe that one should look at Jesus’ earthly ministry and scripture.
When we look at how Christ teaches to the people who follow Him, we see that he uses parables (stories) to explain spiritual things. He taught so that people could connect the things of God with the things they understood - farming, money, etc. Finding common interest and understanding to relay a message, this is Relevance.
In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says: “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”
Capstone wants to find “common ground” to point people to Christ. This might be through movie clips, current songs, or teaching styles. We see those in the New Testament using certain types of languages, illustrations, and stories that connect with their specific audience. The early church knew their culture, society and were relevant in the way shared the gospel.
This past Sunday we discussed [why does the church live in the past and fear the idea of relevance?] Throughout this week we will be posting the answers we got. We would love to hear your feedback this week on the ideas of the church being “relevant.”
Right now it is snowing in Colorado Springs. People from SC go crazy when it snows. And it stands true with me and Dustin Willis (pastor of Midtown Fellowship). We cheered like it was Christmas Day.
We are here in Colorado Springs at a Missional Leadership / Church Plant Conference. The first day has been very eye opening. God has already revealed some things that He has planned for Capstone. We are meeting people from all over the US who are like minded in the way that Jesus is going to move in our country.
Hope to see everyone at Capstone on Sunday as we continue to break down our mission at Capstone.
During the month of November we are dissecting our mission statement (above). This past Sunday we looked at the word “Authentic.” We asked the question what does it mean to be an Authentic church. It is a place where we can be both real and genuine in our lives. So often church is a place we get cleaned up and put on our best face for other members. Jesus informed the current religious leaders and us, that church isn’t about wearing masks.
In Matthew 23 Jesus addresses the issue of religious individuals cleaning up the outside, while their hearts were still dirty. Christ calls these men “hypocrites” - actors who wear masks. He says they are just going through motions to bring glory to themselves, not to bring people closer to God.
Capstone Church never wants to be a place where we have to look or talk a certain way. Our goal is to be an authentic place where people can come as they are. A place for refuge. A place that has a reputation of being a place full of real people who love God - Authentic
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Sunday was one of the best yet. As we discussed authenticity within Capstone, we needed to begin to build this atmosphere. And we are proud to say I believe a big step was taken when we asked: “Why are you at Capstone?”
We had many people share their heart of why they had come and decided to be a part of Capstone. No one had the identical answers. Some needed a challenge or a change of venue. Others felt this was a place they will be able to invite their lost friends. Sunday we began to see where we stand on this journey together as we work to create a place of authentic Christ followers. And it is work!
Better late than never. As promised earlier in the week here is a video highlight of our first two Capstone Celebration Services for October and November. I am going to have to start writing down what I am wearing - I am wearing the same shirt on both days! Enjoy the video.
Capstone Celebrations from Capstone on Vimeo.
This past Sunday was our second Capstone Celebration Service. We got rid of the round tables and made room for the Capstone band. Clint Nalley, Ashley Clemmen and Scott Davis did a great job leading in a time of music. It was a change of pace that was good practice as we get ready for Jan 11th.
When you start a jigsaw puzzle, what are the first pieces you find? Right - the outside pieces. Chris and Walt discussed the pieces of the puzzle that have come together to create the beginning of Capstone. You can see the picture above and see that only the outline of the pieces are there. Why? Because that is all that we have been shown. The other pieces are the people and talents God is bringing together at Capstone.
As we looked at Jeremiah 29:11, we saw that God has a plan and purpose for us all. He created and molded us for His glory, not yours. In what ways has God made us to make him glorified? Capstone is currently looking at what pieces we have and how we can start to see what this picture is going to look like once we get all the pieces together.
We are in exciting times at Capstone. We can see the outline of what God has done, but the meat of the puzzle has yet to be seen. How can you help at Capstone? The month of November we will be looking at how God has shaped you for such a time as this at Capstone.