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More Prayer Thoughts

May 14, 2012 in Prayer, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

The last several weeks we have been in a prayer series at West Ridge Church. We have been going line by line through Matthew 6 in order to study what Jesus actually said about prayer. We have offered some great opportunities for our folks to engage in prayer, including a 30 day guided reading through Psalms, highlighting our prayer blog (which is always available), and our groups Pastor Rodney Hunt has made some great resources and thoughts available to our Small Group Leaders. You can view and listen to the series  including yesterday’s message from Brian Bloye. As he mentioned yesterday our church is really going to the next level in what we are learning and how we are engaging prayer.

Over the years I’ve written a few things about prayer in moments where God was teaching me specific lessons. I have been reminded of many of them over the last several weeks. I thought I would make them available in the hope that it would encourage someone else today to go to the next level in prayer.

Praying Scripture
When You Don’t Know What To Pray
Listen
Be still

If you live in Northwest Atlanta don’t miss the last week of this series at one of our three locations. We have a great prayer and worship service planned that brings together what we have been learning most recently.

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

A Little Something Extra (For Africa)

April 19, 2012 in Burkina Faso, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

Each of our three locations at West Ridge Church are getting the opportunity to meet John and Betty Arnold right now. They are our next missionaries to Burkina Faso in West Africa. Like all of us their story and calling are unique and provide inspiration to others. They began their tour at our Cartersville location on April 15th, will be sharing at East on April 22nd, and hanging out at West on April 29th.

God has allowed them to raise almost all the funds they need for personal support, but they have a few other things that we wanted to invite everyone to help out with.

John and Betty will be setting up a house and new team center in Burkina Faso so that all of us can take turns going to see them and be a part of transforming this country. They have registered for several household goods that will help them be more successful, and all of you be more successful, when you go to West Africa. They have registered at Target and Walmart on their gift registries. You can go look at what they have registered for by clicking on the links below.

Click here for Target and here for Wal-mart

As you might imagine Wal-mart, Target, and Home Depot haven’t exactly made it to Burkina yet. It’s really important we help them get as many of these things as possible before they leave. We need these items by May 6th so that they can be put into a shipping container headed out over the Atlantic.

If you live in Paulding County they have also registered at Home Depot in Hiram. That list is not available on the internet, but they can pull it for you in the store. If you are a man or woman who loves tools go have a look and purchase something. Then when you come to Burkina you can use your tool to help build a church, school, repair a well, or help in some other way.

If you are planning to bring things back to a location of West Ridge contact the Missions office or drop things off on Sundays between now and May 6th.

You can follow John and Betty’s journey at engageburkina.com/blog and at facebook.com/engageburkina

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

Chick-Fil-A Leadercast

March 26, 2012 in Leadership, Personal thoughts, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

 I am thrilled to announce that we are bringing one of the best Leadership events in the country to West Ridge Church. We will be a host site for Chick-Fil-A Leadercast, and we would love to have you join us.

This one day leadership event full of challenge, inspiration and encouragement is being made available via simulcast on Friday, May 4th. You can go here to sign up!

Chick-Fil-A not only has a vision to deliver great food in excellent environments, but also to help enrich and build the communities where their restaurants are located. One of the ways they do that is by investing in leaders through this event.

So here’s the deal! THIS IS IMPORTANT! This event is sold out to attend live. The only way you can attend is through this simulcast event. Thanks to Chick-Fil-A and their partners Giant Impact we can make this event available for around a 1/4th of the cost of attending live. You will hear talks from Marcus Buckingham, Patrick Lencioni, Urban Meyer, John Maxwell, Soledad O’Brien, Andy Stanley, and Tim ‘the Jet’ Tebow! This is going to be a great day! You can go here to sign up!

Just a little bonus…all of the proceeds from the attendance at West Ridge Church will go to Global Missions.

I hope you, your friends, your small group, your co-workers, and more will join us for this incredible and unique event!

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

Storm Relief from March 2nd Storm

March 6, 2012 in Community Outreach, Engage Atlanta, Partnership, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

This coming Saturday, March 10th, the Paulding County Commissioners have asked us to coordinate a workday to continue to help residents of West Paulding. Working alongside our Commissioners office we are coordinating containers be put around the community in a dozen ‘hotspots’. Volunteer groups are asked to check in at Poole Elementary beginning at 8:30 am so that we can evenly distribute volunteer groups who come out.

The work will be centered around debris clean up in the 9 mile stretch that the Supercel storm of March 2nd impacted. Volunteers participating in debris clean up will need to bring wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, gloves, chainsaws and other items appropriate for removing trees, tree limbs, and trash.

Work is continuing all week long. If someone is looking for specific areas to go serve they can call 678-792-4488. This line has received dozens and dozens of calls from around the Southeast since Saturday including calls from residents who were impacted. They receive priority. Please be patient in waiting for calls back.

Please feel free to edit and use the information in this note to rally volunteers for the residents of West Paulding.

Paul Richardson
West Ridge Church

Executive Director
Engage Atlanta

How Are You Doing?

February 13, 2012 in Personal thoughts, West Ridge Church with 1 Comment

I have a friend and mentor that sends me a text every once in a while with this simple question, ‘How Are You Doing?’

I’m sure you get asked this question a lot. It’s a quick greeting on the phone, or a ‘Hi, how are ya?’ in the hallway at school or in the office. Most of the time you know it’s just a greeting. Many times people don’t really want an answer, and that’s ok.

Sometimes you answer this question based on your mood, or current circumstances, or based on your recent conversations. How do you answer the question when you know the person who is asking actually wants an answer? How do you answer the question in a way that communicates more than just one moment?

For me I’ve tried to start hearing a different question when I am asked this. The question is ‘How are you doing?’, I’m hearing, “Are you following Jesus today?”

  • Following Jesus trumps how I am feeling at any given moment. It’s not dependent on my emotions.
  • Following Jesus means I can trust the motivations of my heart when I am making decisions.
  • Following Jesus means I am daily becoming God’s will, not just seeking God’s will. (There’s an Oswald Chambers quote worked into that one)
  • Following Jesus means I am learning to love others, even those that don’t love me.
  • Following Jesus means I am putting the desires and needs of my spouse, my kids, my family and friends, ahead of my own.
  • Following Jesus means I am willing to endure ‘light and momentary trials’ without reacting negatively.
  • Following Jesus means this day does not belong to me, it belongs to Him, and He is welcome to interrupt me at any time.

So, how are you doing today?  What does following Jesus mean to you?

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

A Church Of 10,000

January 23, 2012 in West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

A few weeks ago at West Ridge Church a lady made a really innocent comment to me. She was trying to be nice, but there was just a hint of frustration. She was talking about how much she loved the church, the worship music, the friendly atmosphere, the teaching (ok, she only mentioned Brian’s teaching and not any other communicators, but we know what she meant). After buttering me up, she smiled, shook her head and said, “I just don’t know how to get plugged in to a church of 10,000″.

Here’s the honest truth; we are not a church of 10,000. If someone doesn’t feel connected it doesn’t matter what size the church is. A church of 100 can easily feel like a church with a ton more if there is an inwardly focused mindset or not a clear path to getting connected. I’ve been invited to speak at small churches, and felt like I just interrupted a meeting with all the cool kids, and I should strongly consider stepping away and just act natural.

At West Ridge it is our desire to grow larger and smaller at the same time. How do we do this? For us the answer is small groups. A small group is an opportunity for people to connect with just a handful of other people at a time who are going through about the same stage of life. It is the opportunity to build relationships with other people who are also trying to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. In Group life you learn more about the Bible as you study together, but more than anything you get the opportunity for someone else to ‘have your back’, and you get to have theirs.

Groups are not for perfect people, or just social butterflies. They come in all shapes and sizes: Men’s,Women’s, Married Couples, Singles, Bible Studies, Care and Recovery, and I’m sure there’s more.

So you may be smiling and shaking your head thinking, but how do I find one of those?

This Sunday at each of the three locations of West Ridge Church we are having an event called, Group Link. It’s a no pressure opportunity for you to come and have lunch, and consider getting into (or back into) a small group. That’s all you do. One step. That’s a pretty clear path.

This is our attempt as a church to make sure that no one is left behind. If you are not in a group at the moment, you need to come check this out.

Go here and let us know that you are coming so that we can be ready to host and feed you.

Join us for Group Link!

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

 

Dad, Where Do Volunteers Come From

November 7, 2011 in Community Outreach, Engage Atlanta, Partnership, Personal thoughts, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

A couple of months ago during the Engage Atlanta Community Makeover (12,000+ volunteers served from 110 churches) my then 8 year old asked me a question; “Dad, where do volunteers come from?” He is not the first one to ask this question. In fact, several church or non-profit leaders over the years have asked me the same question. People who have a passion to start an organization or serve a need that has been laid on their heart have asked that.

I realize this is an important question. If God lays a vision on your heart that is bigger than you can accomplish on your own, you have to answer the question, ‘How am I going to get others involved?’ It’s really very simple, but the first step can be the biggest!

The #1 way to bring volunteers to your ministry or cause is recruiting one on one. You have to make the ask to that first person. When you find someone who believes in you and what you are doing tell them to keep it going. Then you will find yourself being able to ask the second and the third and so on. It just happens, life on life, one on one. I sat down with someone recently who just drips wisdom when he speaks, and he told me, ‘No revolution begins apart from relationships.’

If you think your dream will come true if your company sends an official email, or if your Pastor will announce your ministry/cause from the stage, or if it makes the church bulletin, that’s just not the case. If you need more Children’s Ministry volunteers, parking lot team members, it begins with the existing volunteers believing in what they are doing enough to make the ask. If you are finding fulfillment meeting a need or serving a cause, give others that same opportunity.

Are you engaged in something bigger than yourself? Who are you asking to join you?

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

Taste and See

October 26, 2011 in Africa, Burkina Faso, Global Outreach, Partnership, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

One of my most fun privileges is to help direct our efforts in Burkina Faso through our non-profit, Engage Burkina. Every year I get to visit this West African country at least once, meet with leaders, and find out how we can best serve their efforts to spread the gospel.

Since 2008 we have had the opportunity to fund and initiate the digging or drilling of 74 wells. That has allowed us to provide water to somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,000. This effort is happening from a growing network of individuals and churches from around the country.

Each year the two Burkinabe Pastors who oversee the digging of wells in the bush (where we are employing locals to do the work) send us back a detailed report of the cost for each well in each village, report to us what challenges they have encountered, and report the benefits of the wells.

Our most recent report had a comment on it that I thought was just good, clean fun. They reported that some villages are tasting things they have never tasted before. Presumably because they are growing things they have not been able to grow. Wow! I live in a country where I can have anything I want from just about anywhere, and they are experiencing new taste!

In Psalm 34:8 the writer says, ”Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who take refuge in him.” These people are literally being able to taste and see that God cares about them and that he can be trusted.

We are going to continue to take water to the people of Burkina Faso. This time of year we are waiting for the water table to lessen so that we can be sure the wells are dug deep enough when we begin the process again in January. Of course, that makes this a great time to gather new commitments for the next season of activity. If you want to learn more about the work in Burkina or sponsor a well you can donate online by going to engageburkina.com/store

 

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

 

Hope For Christmas 2011

October 25, 2011 in Community Outreach, Partnership, West Ridge Church with 0 Comments

To be honest we have been working on Hope For Christmas since July. My friends, The Gilcrease Family, never really stop working on it. Once again this year Hope For Christmas is being refreshed to help us reach out to more folks around this region.

This year Hope For Christmas will be happening on Saturday, December 10th in 4 locations. We are thrilled to be hosting this at every West Ridge Church Campus and we are being joined by Bethany Christian Church in Dallas, GA. This year we believe we will serve 6,000 children  multiple Christmas gifts, allow them to choose a gift for a loved one, and provide a Christmas meal for their families. Of course, we cannot do that without help from as many people as possible.

If you want to volunteer, help a guest register, or check out some of the businesses that are collecting toys in Bartow, Cobb, and Paulding Counties visit www.hopeforchristmas.com

More To Come!

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

One Foot In Front Of The Other

October 24, 2011 in West Ridge Church with 1 Comment

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at the East Campus of West Ridge Church. We are in a series about the life of Samson called Stupid Human Tricks. At the end of my message on ‘Refusing To Control Sexual Urges’ I invited people to take a step toward beginning to starve lust in their lives.

The first steps are Confession and Repentance. Our Creative Arts team made a spot available on our website for people to make private and confidential confessions. I have had the opportunity to read some of these and pray over them. Many people have stepped forward and made the courageous step of acknowledging secret sin. I cannot see your names (we didn’t ask for them on the form) or email address. I have no idea who you are, but I’m praying for you. I want to encourage you to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Confession and Repentance are necessary parts of removing sin in our lives. We can’t just think to ourselves, “I wont do it again.” I wanted to take a moment to point the way for people to take their next step forward. We refer to the Care and Recovery area at West Ridge as Life Care. Pastor Jeff Bell has done a great job of creating an environment where people can get help. If you are struggling with any type of substance abuse or addiction issue you don’t have to struggle alone.

You can visit our Life Care area on our web site by going here. Nothing is off-limits. If you don’t see what you are looking for give our office a call at the number on the page, or shoot a note to lifecare@westridge.com.

Everyone Belongs,

Paul

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