www.BenjaminRainey.com

Marketing Compliments

2009-11-12T10:58:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we got a really high compliment. I sub-lease an office from the Escapade Advertising company in Pasadena. When the group showed up yesterday to get the doorhangers together the Partner in charge of Art and Design stopped by the table to look at our handbills. She was very impressed and complimentary.

I felt really proud of our church and the way we're representing ourselves. When a professional sees the stuff we're producing and gives an impressed thumbs up, it's a nice compliment. Not only that but we received multiple hits to our website from the area where we did the distribution. Hope those people can connect to the ministry of Severn River Church. We love people and believe that God has a plan for them.

Thanks to those that have played a part in the design, production, and distribution of our invite tools. (doorhangers, handbills, road signs) They're all great.

- -Ben

Invite Arnold To Church

2009-11-11T19:34:00.003-05:00

Invite Arnold To Church entered a new phase today. Doorhangers went out in several neighborhoods in Arnold. So thankful for those that came out today and helped with the distribution. Just another effort to get the word out about the church to our community. Trying to build bridges into lives that we can minister too.

--Ben

Prayer For My Dad

2009-11-10T10:10:00.002-05:00

Today my dad is heading to see the transplant board. They'll spend the day testing him and some family members that are interested in organ donation. It will probably be a physically and emotionally draining day, so as you think of it, please pray for my dad.

Thanks,
Ben

Don't Feel Like Writing

2009-11-09T14:20:00.000-05:00

I wanted to tell you that lately I don't feel like writing. I know my posts have slowed over the last couple weeks, and there have actually been a number of times that I have typed in titles, written one sentence and deleted them. I just don't feel like writing right now. I appreciate your patience. I will still be updating regularly, I would just be grateful for some time to come out of my writer's block.

--Ben

Yard Signs

2009-11-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

Well, tonight yard signs went up in median strips and highway shoulders all over Arnold. Invite Arnold To Church is in full swing.

Corie and I had dinner in Arnold tonight at took time to drop our signs off (well done Corie) on our way out of town headed home. It's a very exciting and rewarding feeling. In fact I got a text message from one SRCer that put hers out and then drove by and saw it. She said she, "felt like a proud momma." So proud of all our SRCers that are inviting Arnold to church.

--Ben

Second Sunday Prayer

2009-11-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

This week is Second Sunday Prayer. 9:00 a.m. at the church, hope to see everyone there.

--Ben

Still It Lingers

2009-11-05T18:43:00.002-05:00

I try to be a pretty positive guy, but this sickness stuff stinks. I got sick on Sunday, and I'm still feeling washed out on Thursday. I'm tired of it. I know a lot of people have been keeping tabs on the blog and on Facebook, so I wanted to let you know that I'm still pretty weak, but gaining strength each day.

--Ben

Meditating On Jehoshaphat

2009-11-04T15:27:00.002-05:00

Today I've been thinking about a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat. What a story. I encourage you to read it from 2 Chronicles 17-20.

The part that stood out to me is the way the favor of God impacted his life. He was a seeker of God, and he tried to lead justly. He simply did the things that leaders are supposed to do, nothing fancy. But God started pouring out gifts and bringing resources to him so that his fame and name spread. The bottom line is that nothing Jehoshaphat started with made him a very notorious king, but God started bringing the things he needed until other countries decided they had better not mess with him. There was peace while he was king.

He wasn't perfect. In fact, there were a couple of things that were the acts of a goof ball, but because of his purity of heart God granted him favor.

Does your life beckon the favor of God?

--Ben

Second Sunday Prayer

2009-11-04T11:39:00.002-05:00

This Sunday is the second Sunday of the month and is the time we've selected to gather for a special time of prayer. Second Sunday prayer begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about 30 minutes. All are welcome to join us. Hope to see you there.

--Ben

The Fog Is Clearing

2009-11-04T09:24:00.003-05:00

Well, I thought I was feeling better yesterday, but today I feel even better. I look back on yesterday and realize how much of a fog I was in. Janet, from my growth group, read about my symptoms and recommended we call off the group. I agreed, but get this, I didn't even realize that my group was supposed to meet last night. I was clueless. I guess it was because I missed Monday, all the days got backed up in my mind.

Anyway, I'm still a little weak, still a little achy, but I feel sharper today. I'm compiling a list of all the things I need to catch up on. Should be a busy day.

--Ben

I Wanted To Give You This Invitation...

2009-11-03T11:00:00.003-05:00

Been to Arnold yet? I have. Did a little change of place this morning, and grabbed breakfast from the Arnold Safeway. I gave an invitation to the cashier. I'm looking forward to doing the food drive there and at the Severna Park Giant next week.

CHANGE OF PLACE -- COP is our effort to specifically focus on the community of Arnold to invite them to church. Since many of us don't live in Arnold, we have to be intentional about getting into the area immediately surrounding the church and invite them.

One of the common refrains I've heard from people at the church over the last couple years is that they have invited every friend they have and have no one new to invite. Well, Invite Arnold To Church is a way to create new contacts, and get the word out about a good church. Help us out though change of place, it isn't convenient, but it is rewarding. If you just changed one thing like your grocery shopping for a month that would give you four trips into the community and an opportunity to invite people to church.

Hope you'll join in.

--Ben

Feeling Ill

2009-11-03T09:04:00.002-05:00

Over the last couple days I've been feeling rather ill. In fact, it started just at the end of church on Sunday and by the evening I was down for the count. Last night I think my fever broke. I woke up this morning feeling better, but now as I get to work I'm feeling run down.

I would appreciate your prayers today.

--Ben

A Moving Tribute

2009-10-29T12:58:00.002-04:00

Today I attended the funeral of Bob Hughes, a long-time friend. When I was a teenager in the mid-1990's I remember Brother Bob walking the aisle of the church to receive Christ, and was witness to the change that took place in his life. One of the great strengths of the church I grew up in was the connection among families, so that I spent much time at the Hughes house playing with his son and grandchildren.

Later I got to serve the church there on staff, and that gave me a perspective on his leadership in the kingdom of God. I prayed with him time and time again, heard him cry out to God, and saw him lead others to new experiences with Christ on the missions trips he led so many times.

Today's service was an uninhibited expression of Mr. Bob's life and deepest passion, his relationship with Jesus Christ.

--Ben

Budget Meeting

2009-10-28T21:20:00.001-04:00

Just got out of our budget committee meeting, and WOW. Tough conversations tonight. I was so proud of the guys that I met with though the way they approached the issues, and their approach to decision-making.

It's definitely different than previous years. Thanks Drew and Ryan for working hard and dealing with tough questions.

--Ben

Arnold Flicks

2009-10-28T10:44:00.003-04:00

I've got a video project that I'm working on for Invite Arnold To Church, our church-wide effort to reach out to Arnold in an unprecedented way. We gave a brief introduction last Sunday, and next Sunday we're giving the full explanation, so I hope you'll be there. My homework is to gather some Arnold Schwarzenegger flicks, and work on a little video project.

--Ben

Invite Arnold To Church

2009-10-27T15:47:00.001-04:00

Budgets, We Don't Need No Sticking Budgets!

2009-10-27T15:36:00.002-04:00

It's budget time, and I'm thankful to be working with Drew and Ryan on the 2010 budget. Next year is going to challenge us in ways we've never experienced before, but it is that challenge that causes us to grow forward in deeper maturity; either that or kill us. ;-)

At the beginning of 2009 we asked our partners to cut their giving by half, and to conclude it at the end of this year. In real dollars that about $1300/mo. Our goal was to see our church's giving rise to meet that deficit. This month we crossed that threshold, and if giving stays at that pace we'll be in the shape we expected to be in. But you can imagine the anxiety related to seeing our partner dollars disappear. (I would like to say an informal "thank you" to all of you that have faithfully supported us from the beginning.)

We are facing the type of future that is going to make us become more conscious, contemplative , and creative with our approach to finances next year. That's what excites me about this process. I think this years budget will serve as a vision tool to strengthen our faith. We'll need to stretch our wings a little further, and flap a little harder, but I believe that where God guides he provides. That has certainly been true thus far.

--Ben

Sad News

2009-10-26T14:51:00.002-04:00

I was very sad to find out this morning that Bob Hughes has gone home to be with the Lord today. Brother Bob was wonderful part of Pasadena Assembly of God Church, and a supporter of Severn River Church. Over the years I got to witness his devoted love for God and his family, and hear him cry out prayers of intercession.

We will miss Brother Bob, but know that we'll join him again in Glory.

--Ben

Prayer Partners

2009-10-26T10:20:00.004-04:00

After one week of gather prayer partners we now have over 25 signed up. I'm so grateful for those who have quickly come to my side in prayer. I've been really encouraged by a number who have told me that they haven't stopped praying for us since their involvement three years ago in our Prayer Partner effort.

I want to invite you to join our effort as well. If you would like to become a Prayer Partner with SRC for our prayer initiative over the next year please click the link to sign up:

CLICK HERE

Invite Arnold To Church

2009-10-24T17:56:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow we are going to be sharing an introduction to an outreach effort called, "Invite Arnold To Church." I can't wait. We're heading into a season of an unprecedented effort to reach out to Arnold. Can't wait to start sharing the details tomorrow morning. Catch Pastor Ariel's announcement first thing in tomorrow's service.

--Ben

Tips On Saving Money

2009-10-22T12:25:00.002-04:00

Got an email today from a friend who is trying to save money, and not been doing real well at it. I sent him three tips on saving money, that I thought I'd post here:

Here are some tips on Saving Money:
1. Save Automatically: set your account up online so that it automatically takes money out each month. That way you don't have to trust yourself to save as much. Set it and forget it.
2. Don't save in the same bank you check with: You may want to keep some money there to cover accidental overdrafts, but if you use an online bank like INGdirect or others, then you aren't as likely to raid your savings.
3. Start with smaller amounts: Start with $50/mo, then in January increase it to $75, then in June increase it to $85. You'll notice that you will naturally adjust to spending less money and will live accordingly.

Hope this helps.

--Ben

Big News

2009-10-22T09:24:00.005-04:00

Well, I have some news of the personal nature. Yesterday Corie and I went to her doctor, and found out that we are going to be adding a new child to our collection in seven months or so. I know there was some speculation, and we've known for several weeks, but until we had been to the doctor and seen the sonogram we didn't want to make it public.

We told our girls this morning before work, and when I left they were all on the couch looking through Sydney and Ellie's baby books.

Expanding Prayer

2009-10-21T10:56:00.003-04:00

We're launching a prayer initiative for the next year at Severn River Church. It involves connecting 100 Prayer Partners to a coordinated prayer effort. It started last week when Rev. Ken Burtram offered some insight as to where we needed to go as a church. It is the type of movement that can only be accomplished through the power and favor of God. Ken volunteered to be the first to start praying for us over the next year. I left that meeting energized, but knowing that I had to have much more prayer support to see the vision become a reality. So I've begun soliciting Prayer Partners to join us. So far 14 people have agreed to partner with me in prayer. But we need more. I'm putting out the offer here to ask you to become part of our Prayer Partner Team.

We are raising 100 Prayer Partners to join us for a specific prayer initiative over the next year. Will you join the effort? We're looking for: 1. Regular Prayer (5 or more times a week), 2. Contact Info (So we can keep you informed of how to pray), 3. A One Year Commitment. If you're interested, please sign-up below. NO INFORMATION WILL BE SEEN PUBLICLY. I will be the only one gathering names and information. Thanks for your help.

SIGN-UP CLICK HERE

--Ben

Understanding Evangelism

2009-10-20T14:54:00.002-04:00

In church circles we are very comfortable with the term evangelism. It is the act of carrying the good news of Christ to the world around. It is the marketing department of the church. Getting the message out, pushing our product.

Do you remember those fundraiser sales that your school used to make you do? Selling candy or wrapping paper door to door, calling grandma and grandpa, and hating every minute of it? Well, not everyone did; some people were really motivated by that incentive flyer that came with the sale. The people who really liked it now work in sales, the rest of us have plainer jobs.

The fact is Evangelism is not my first language. It's not what fires me up, and my efforts to share my faith with others doesn't often lead to the types of dramatic changes in people's lives that set the church on fire. But all of us are called to share the gospel of Christ with others. So how do we approach Evangelism if we're not salesmen by nature.

It is helping me to think in terms of three phases of evangelism: Presence, Proclamation, and Persuasion Evangelism.

Presence: There is a part of evangelism that is just about being among people and meeting their needs. It's the principle of giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. It is not about verbalizing our faith, it is about demonstrating our faith.

Proclamation: This is the phase where a relationship has developed with those we've been serving when they begin to ask questions about faith, and we verbalize the answers. We begin to proclaim the gospel to those we've had a presence with.

Persuasion: This is a setting when those questions have been drawing those we've been with and shared our faith with confronts them with a choice for them to embrace Christ for themselves.

You may be like me and feel that you're weak with the Persuasion phase, but that is probably because we only try to work in that phase. Perhaps we'd be better served to make sure we start with presence evangelism. Each time you're around a Friend, Business Associate, Family Member, or Neighbor pray that Christ will be with you, serve them, and meet their needs. Doing that while praying over time will prepare you and them for the proclamation phase. When they get there they'll be on their way to a time of being persuaded to follow Christ.

This is helping me, I hope it helps you as well.

--Ben

2009-10-20T11:19:00.002-04:00

I was invited to join LinkedIn today. I saw it on a Sprint commercial, but hadn't really checked it out. It is an online networking tool that connects business people. Interesting tool. I just signed up, but I'm not sure how I'll use it.

I'll keep you posted.

How do you use LinkedIn?

--Ben