While I will never say I’ll never come back to blogging, I think this blog has outrun its purpose!  This is something we can never shy away from – to get rid of stuff that may have had a purpose before, but no longer does.

This blog was a great tool to use to chronicle the months before our launch and during our critical launch years.  But in recent months has become nothing more that a retelling of points from a message and other information you can access in various other more effective ways at EastLake.

Therefore, it’s time for me to spend my time on something that pushes forward, rather than coddles what worked in the past.

If you have been encouraged and informed by this blog, follow me on Twitter @findmattcox – that’s where I will be focusing my encouragement and learnings from doing life together as an imperfect church!

If you normally looked at the blog to catch up on previous talks you may have missed, you can always listen to a talk in its entirety on the website (after the series is completed.)

For those who have kept up with the blog, thanks!  We’re just moving forward the best we feel will help us continue to reach more people for Jesus the best we know how!

This is what people say about the environment you create here:

“Laid back, yet personal! Enjoyed the simplicity.”

“The atmosphere was very welcoming and easy for a first time visitor. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly.”

“I felt comfortable being there without any friends which is something that I look for.”

“I felt comfortable there and the service was easy to apply to daily life.”

“The band rocked it again this morning! Sound and lighting was great too! Thanks to all of you for sharing your talents!”

“I love that my kids & I can wear our everyday clothes. There’s no pressure for us to get all dressed up & that made it great for us today to go to church, the park & then Target for shopping.”

“First night of growth group was awesome!!! What a fun group, great discussions and it was really nice to get to know everyone a little better. I’m already looking forward to next week!”

“My first time at EastLake I noticed how everyone had a smile and really looked like they were enjoying themselves.”

“It was amazing! I have never looked forward to attending church until 3 Sundays ago after attending my first service at EastLake!”

“Everyone was very nice without being pushy or too curious about the new people. It was easy to get our daughter to the kids program and they made me feel safe leaving her there.”

” The volunteer who I spoke to was very nice about making me feel welcome and reassured me that it was OK that I was a little late. It’s pretty laid back and I didn’t feel judged.”

“I actually laughed at church!”

“I’m able to look forward to something each week that deals with God and connects with my every day life!”

“I enjoyed the music, and how laid back everything was.”

“The friendly welcome from the info table. So welcoming and nice!”

Thank you to all the volunteers who make Sundays happen at EastLake!

This Friday we do one of our favorite things: Worship Night!  Tons of music, baptisms and communion at one of the most historic venues in Lawrence!  It’s 7pm this Friday at Liberty Hall.  Don’t miss it!

Groups begin this week!

I will post these every start of a group season because we sometimes forget some of these!  Here are the top eight ways you can make your Spring Growth Group experience awesome:

8. Don’t sell stuff.

Totally cool that you make organic pasta, crafts or whatever you love to do, but this is not the place where you get to sell stuff, recruit for your pyramid scheme or guilt people into buying things they don’t want or need.  Be considerate and understand some people are taking a risk and looking for reasons not to feel comfy at a group.  Product sellers make people feel duped when it’s not the point of the group.

7. Assist the host!

Most study groups will have a snack sign-up sheet. Sign up for a week to bring snacks/drinks. This is a great way to show appreciation to your group leader and host for providing a cozy place to have your group.

6. Extroverts: Listen up!

If you’re like me – totally type A – you can’t wait to answer a question. But, be intentional about letting others answer. Here’s a great tip – after you’ve answered, wait until at least three other people have answered before speaking up again!

5. Introverts: Speak up!

Your group will be a safe place to have a conversation and let people know what you’re thinking! Be intentional about pitching in!

4. Don’t gossip.

This is simple to avoid. If you’re not a part of the solution or part of the problem with something in life, don’t talk about it. Also, don’t use prayer requests as masked gossip. I.E. “Dear Jesus, PLEASE help Bertha, she’s just getting drunk and sleeping around every night of the week.”

3. Leave kids and pets at home.

Unless your group specifically involves kids and/or pets, arrange your own care while you’re at the group. You don’t want to be “that guy” who brings his pet everywhere. Also unless otherwise noted, childcare isn’t provided during groups.

2. Don’t be awkward.

You joined this group to meet people and grow, not leech off of other people’s resources. Don’t put people you hardly know on the spot by asking them steep favors you would have a hard time even asking a long-time friend.

1. Show up!

This is the absolute best way to get the most out of your group. Show up! Your leaders are putting in great effort to make this season of groups the best they can be. That can’t happen without you!