Pastor’s Blog

How do you like my tan? 
Millie and I just got back from an incredible Florida vacation and I am still the whitest white man I know!  I love Florida.  I love the sun.  But since I am the whitest white man I know, I can not be in the sun for very long.  That’s why you have seen me wearing that dorky hat at The Fall Festival and other church events.  That was probably more info than you wanted about my tanning life.  Anyway, Millie and I went on a Carnival Cruise.  I have been on several cruises - some better than others - but never a bad one.  This one was a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.  We saw Blue Man Group at Universal Studios in Orlando.  If you are kind of wierd (as you all know I am), please do not miss a chance to see Blue Man Group.

Here are a few odds and ends from Whitley Church & The Bridge:

2.  A huge shout out to our vets.  THANK YOU for protecting our freedom and “standing on the wall” so we can enjoy life in this greatest of all nations on earth!!!

3.  Though we may not necessarily agree with his policies, we commit to pray for our new president-elect Barack Obama.  To all of our African-American members and attenders, I can only imagine the joy and celebration you must feel to know that the United States of America elected an African-American as president.  We are very happy for you as we all experience the breakthrough of this racial barrier in our great country!

4.  The Pikeville PFWB Church is hosting a community revival and the Whitley Church choir will be featured this Sunday evening (Nov. 16) at 6 pm.  http://www.pikevillechurch.com

5.  Churches from throughout our community will gather at WC for a special Thanksgiving service on Sunday evening November 23 at 6:00 pm.  Our church will be leading the worship!  Don’t miss it! 

6.  All Wednesday evening classes and activities are cancelled for November 26.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

7.  Whitley Church & Bridge Volunteers Christmas Appreciation Banquet - December 1 - 6:30 pm - Raintree Country Club - Salem Church Road, Goldsboro

8.  New Sermon Series:  SUPERNATURAL - December 6/7 thru January 24/25

9.  Bridge Anniversary Celebration - 6:00 pm - Paramount Theater - Goldsboro NC - EVERYONE IS INVITED!! 

10.  Whitley/Bridge Kids Christmas Presentation - WC - December 14 - Second service only (10:30 a.m.)

11.  CHARLES BILLINGSLEY brings his Christmas Tour to Whitley Church on December 18 - 6:30 pm

12.  All Wednesday evening classes and activities are cancelled for December 24 & 31. 
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

More later!!!     

Right smack dab in the middle of extremely shaky financial times – YOU GAVE!
This past weekend we celebrated our annual OFFERING FIT FOR A KING.  The challenge is simply that everyone in our church family would tithe on this day and TEST GOD according to Malachi 3:10.  Well, you came through!!  You never cease to amaze me!  Are you ready for this?  On Saturday night, the Bridge family, with 115 people present, gave over $11,000!!!  Yesterday the WC family gave over $65,000!!!  I really don’t know what to say!  I can’t tell you how proud I am of each and every one of you!  Here’s the deal: When you obey God as you did this weekend, get ready Him to show up in ways you have never seen Him or experienced Him before!!  GOD IS MOVING IN OUR CHURCHES!!  If you were not present this weekend, please don’t miss out on the blessing!  Bring your OFFRING FIT FOR A KING this coming weekend.  THANK YOU!!!

UPDATE on the NEW BRIDGE LOCATION
I can’t tell you everything because we don’t want to announce BIG NEWS until we are sure that is it absolutely going to happen, but some new and exciting things are developing with our new Bridge location.  You cannot imagine how much I want to blurt it out, but not yet.  There are a couple of meetings that need to take place first.  As soon as we can we will release this great news.  God always does abundantly above what we expect!  Like to know more about The Bridge?  Go to www.bridgechruch.cc.

WILD GAME NIGHT – THIS FRIDAY – OCT. 10 – 6:00 PM
Tickets are still available.  You can pick them up by calling the church office at 735-5411.  $12 for ages 13 and up & $8 for ages 12 and under.  Great food!  Great music!  Great community!  Our special guest is Dan Breeding.  Check him out at www.creaturesofcreation.org or www.wildanimalencounters.com or www.whitleychurch.com/?pageid=38.

GOOD IDEA or GOD IDEA?
What does God bless?  In his newest book titled “IT”, Craig Groeschel talks about the difference between a GOD idea and a GOOD idea.  II Corinthians 9:10b – “In your lives He will increase the things you do that have His approval.”  Paul tells the church at Corinth that God blesses the things we do that have His approval.  So having a “good idea” isn’t good enough.  For God to put His hand on it, it has to be a God idea.  This means that our prayers are not to be, “Hey God, I thought of this really cool and creative way to do Your work in the world.  Please bless my GREAT IDEA.”  Rather, we should pray, “Father, please show me Your will?  Your ways are always best and I ask that You would order my steps and shine your light on the path where I should walk.  It is not in me to know the way that I should go, so I fix my eyes on You and pray as Jesus prayed, ‘Not my will, but Your will be done.’”   

Over 880 people attended our 4 weekend services at WC & The Bridge this week!!!  We are quickly approaching 1000 in average attendance and that’s great!!  Not because we have bigger numbers but because we are influencing more people to embrace Jesus Christ as their only hope of eternal life!! 

Church growth presents some fantastic challenges!! 

• Parents with kids in our infant and toddler nursery, and those with children in ExCell pre-school kids’ church, please bear with us as we make adjustments in the drop-off and pick-up procedures each week. WE LOVE OUR BABIES!! Volunteers are always welcomed. If you are interested in serving on one our children’s ministry teams - or on any of our ministry teams, call the church office (919-735-5411) or send an email to whitleychurch@whitleychurch.com.
• New attender? Having trouble getting connected because our church is larger that what you’re used to? Call Pastor Andy today (919-735-5411)!! He is available to help you find your place in the journey!!
• New Adult Electives begin THIS WEDNESDAY evening at 7:00 pm. We are offering adult classes on prayer, relationships, a basic-training class for new believers, and a class on how to become a more mature Christian. Even if you didn’t sign up, just show up! We’ll have people ready to show you the way to the class of your choice and answer any questions you may have.
• OFFERING FIT FOR A KING - This Sunday!! What will you bring for the King this Sunday? The simple challenge is this: Malachi 3:10 (CEV) - I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. We will also celebrate communion and receive new members at all 4 weekend services!!
• WILD GAME NIGHT - Don’t miss it guys!! October 10^th!!
  Click on this link: http://www.whitleychurch.com/?pageid=38
• DANGEROUS CHURCH Sermon Series Starts October 11/12 - Nothing threatens the kingdom darkness more than a church filled with teams of godly, trained, powerful leaders!! How did Jesus lead? Let’s investigate!!
  Click here: http://www.whitleychurch.com/index.php?pageid=43

PRIMETIME?
Are you praying consistently?  I mean just you and Jesus.  Are you reading and studying at least one verse from the bible each day?  Are you committed to a daily “private primetime”?  Your public life as a Christian will be no more powerful than your private time with God.  Have you considered adding the spiritual discipline of FASTING to your regimen?  What about just skipping a meal occasionally and spending that time seeking God.  Spiritual disciplines are essential to maximum spiritual health.  For example, have you ever realized that your joy as a believer is fading - that it’s just not what it used to be?  What you do privately and consistently to raise the level your intimacy with God is crucial to things like joy, patience, wisdom, kindness, love and all the fruits of the Spirit.  Remember they are fruits of the HOLY SPIRIT, Who is in you - not the fruits of you own human effort.  Practice daily disciplines that keep you strong in the Spirit, and His fruits will be more evident in your life with each passing day!

ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS:  www.whitleychurch.com    www.bridgechurch.cc

QUESTIONS? - Call today!!!  (919-735-5411)

Whoa!  Here I am….blogging!!  Welcome.  Thanks for reading this.  It amazes me to think that anyone would want to read what I write.  Sometimes I don’t like what I write.  Thank God for the delete button.  Try not to doze off.  Then again, if I can help you get some drug-free rest, read on! 

There a couple of up-coming events I am very excited about.  Here they are:

1. OFFERING FIT FOR A KING - We’re challenging everyone in our WC & Bridge families to TITHE on this very special day!  October 4 at The Bridge and October 5 at WC.  Read Malachi 3:10 and step up to the challenge.  We’re asking our regular tithers to give a sacrificial gift!
2. WILD GAME NIGHT …. October 10 …. Guys, get your tickets NOW! (http://www.whitleychurch.com/index.php?pageid=38)
3. PRAYER VIGIL …. October 11 …. 7 am - 5 pm …. WC Campus

Check out the Fall Festival pictures by clicking here:  http://www.whitleychurch.com/gallery2/v/fallfestival2008/

Next sermon series begins October 11/12:  DANGEROUS CHURCH  (http://www.whitleychurch.com/?pageid=43)

AFFIRMATION
We all need it.  I love it when someone tells me I did good.  Don’t give me that look - so do you.  But the question is: DO YOU GIVE AFFIRMATION?  Do you say things like, “Good job!”  “I’m proud of you.”  “That was awesome.”  “You are very talented.”  “You are making a big difference.”  “You are a blessing.”  “I don’t know what we would do without you.”   “Thank God you’re on our team!”  A legitimate God-given human need is to be AFFIRMED.  Affirm someone right now!!  Pick up the phone.  Write an email.  Send a card.  Write a letter.  When you have the chance, affirm people publicly.  Do it now!  Let’s be as quick to affirm as we usually are to criticize.  

That was painless….blogging I mean.  When I think I have something worth writing, I will post it on this blog.  See you later in the blogisphere! 

Ferrell