Christmas Update

Yesterday was an amazing day at PCC! It was by far one of the top 5 services of the year, at least for me.

We had a combined service in the main auditorium and packed the place. It's always neat to see the two services come together. You can really see what God is doing in our church family as a whole.

The time of worship was outstanding. PCC Worship Team - Thanks so much for all the great music. You did an awesome job yesterday leading us into God's presence. The Holy Spirit was all over that service. Plus, the special music, "Peace on Earth" by Nadeen and Kaela was fantastic.

I wrapped up the Christmas Miracle series and we had a powerful time of prayer at the end of the service. We must have had over 500 people come through the old school prayer lines. I want to thank all the Elders and Prayer Partners for your efforts in the spirit yesterday. Praying for that many people can be exhausting. I can't wait to hear all the good reports that are going to come in as a response to the prayers offered up yesterday.

If you did receive prayer yesterday and God has already answered, please email (dcrosby@poconocc.com) me and let me know.

PS - We also had the second largest single offering in the history of our church too! Thank you PCC for your kindness and generosity. God will reward you for your giving and spiritual maturity.

Merry Christmas!

Bekah and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Also, thank you all for the wonderful gifts and cards this Christmas. Your expressions of kindness and love this season is much appreciated.

Merry Christmas!

A Pocono Christmas

Please join us tonight for a Pocono Christmas Eve Service. The candlelight service will include special music (jazz trio and acoustic ensemble) and we will be singing our favorite Christmas carols and reading the Christmas story.

The service starts at 7:00 PM at the Pocono Mountain West High School. Childcare is available. Refreshments will follow.

PS - A Special Christmas offering for the poor will be received.

PSS - Be sure to invite your friends and family. They will love this service!

New Beginnings Daycare

Check out the latest edition of the Pocono Parent Magazine which features a cover article on the grand opening of New Beginnings Daycare (which will open in January within the new facility of Pocono Community Church.)

My wife and I just enrolled one of our kids to the daycare and are looking forward to launching this great ministry to our community.

I want to thank NBD Exeutive Director Dr. Janet Shelton for all her hard work to get this project ready to launch. She has built a great organization already and assembled a first-class staff. In my opinion, NBC will be a premiere place to offer children of the Pocono Community an affordable, Christian daycare education and experience.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, click here.

Snow Day!

Yesterday we had to cancel our services because of the snow storm that came through the Pocono Mountains. In our 5 year history, we've never had to cancel our Christmas Sunday services.

Of course, the ramifications of cancel a service, especially the second largest of the year are huge. First, Christmas Sunday is the only Sunday of the church that many on the fringes of Christianity will ever come to church. That lost opportunity to share the Gospel with those that are far from God rips my heart to pieces. Second, the financial consequences of a lost service are difficult to swallow. We are at a critical time in the life of our church and need God to show up and do a miracle in the form of financial blessing. I've watched God do so many miracles for us in the past and fully expect Him to do it again. It's excited to be in a position when we are forced to completely trust in God. It reminds me how little I am and how big God is.

The Good News is that God sent us a Savior at Christmas. He knows what we need and delivers. So there is no reason to be afraid because God is in control.

For all you local blog readers, please remember that our Christmas Eve Service is still on schedule for this Wednesday at 7pm. Hope to see you there! God Bless.

Seasons of Ministry

Much like the sea ebbs and flows, so too does ministry. Ministry shares the rhythm of the tides. Sometimes it's up and things are really flowing. This season is often marked by soaring attendance and off-the-chart offerings. But those high water mark seasons will soon give way to times of assimilation and consolidation - times when we we work diligently to disciple and grow people up in the faith.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." As a leader, I'm trying to discern what season our church is in right now. It's my responsibility to hear from God and understand the season of ministry and then communicate that effectively to our people.

Right now, I think we are in a couple different seasons: a season of growth (we are 25% larger this year than last), a season of transition (we are moving from a portable church plant to our first facility) and a season of rethinking what we are all about as a church (we are rebranding our image and reegineering our ministry strategy and structure).

That's a full plate. Perhaps too full. I'm not sure. But I do know this. As we roll up our sleeves and do our best to build a God-glorifying church in this Mountain, God will help us become what He wants us to be. After all, God makes all things new all the time. He wants to take us "from glory to glory."

Together Again

I've got great news! Bekah and Henry were able to come home from the hospital today. Thanks so much for all of you who've been praying for us, bringing us home cooked meals, cleaning our house, and taking care of my kids in Bekah's absence.

I told one of the nurses about all that our church family had done for us during Bekah's stay in the hospital and she was so impressed. Thanks for being such a great church and caring friends.

God Bless!

Another Rough Week

My little guy Henry has been in the hospital most of the week with a GI virus. It started last week with my other son, David III. David is at home but still sick, as well.

I ended up in the emergency room on Thursday night with the same thing. They took one look at me at the check in counter and rushed me into triage and put in an IV and started pumping me with fluids.

Our family doctor says that we somehow got caught in the perfect storm by contracting both the upper respiratory infections and the GI bug. Please pray for our family. We've never encountered sickness like this before. I'm beginning to think we are under some serious attack from the enemy. But God is greater. We appreciate your prayers.

Dr. McGee

One of my heroes of the faith has gone to be with the Lord. Dr. Gary B. McGee, AGTS Distinguished Professor of Church History and Pentecostal Studies, and longtime AG educator, died December 10, 2008. Dr. McGee was hospitalized on November 13 with complications due to a bacterial infection and a weakened immune system from a long fight with cancer. Dr. McGee, 63, was released from the hospital and passed away at home with family present.

A professor at AGTS since 1984, he previously taught at Central Bible College and Open Bible College, and authored seven books. Just weeks before his death he completed his last book, “Miracles, Missions, and American Pentecostalism” (forthcoming 2009). Dr. McGee leaves behind his wife, Alice, his two daughters, Angela Brim and Catherine McGee, and two grandchildren, all of Springfield, MO.

Here are some life lessons I've learned from Dr. McGee:

1. All the lessons of life are in the past; all the opportunities are in the future.

2. Writing is all about writing, writing some more; writing and rewriting.

3. Make time for your fellow man.

4. Give it your best. Make your best better and your better great.

5. You have to know where you come from to know where you are going.

Christmas Miracle Series

Publish Post

This year, more than ever, people are looking for a miracle. There's no better time to find a miracle than at Christmastime. Christmas is all about God doing the supernatural.

Join me this week where I'll be sharing a message entitled, "Looking for a Miracle." We'll be discovering how God guides people through miraculous means to help lead us to our divine destiny. You don't want to miss it.

And be sure to invite a friend.

Sick Day

Unfortuantely, I've been really sick the past few days. All of my kids were sick over the Thanksgiving Holiday and they decided to share their germs with mom and dad. Bekah is feeling somewhat better. But I'm flat on my back in bed with an upper respiratory infection. I haven't been this sick in years.

Anyway, in between medications, I've been trying to read a bit and make some good use of this downtime.

So, here's a few books I'm currently reading:

Pop Goes The Church by Tim Steven - great read on the church engaging popular culture

Money Matters by Aubrey Malphurs and Steve Stroope - perhaps the most practical and useful book I've ever read on all things pertaining to money and the church. Must read for all pastors.
Church Unique by Will Mancini - this was recommended to me by my good friend Joe Dascenzo at ChangEffect. It's a great resource for us as we are going through the process of reorganizing and reengineering our church strategy, structure and style.

Thanksgiving Service

Please join Pocono Community Church tonight at 7:00pm at the Pocono Mountain West Junior High School for its first ever Thanksgiving Service!

I look forward to seeing you there!

I'm Thankful For...

1. Jesus and his grace.

2. My wife and kids.

3. My parents and siblings and extended family.

4. Great friends that I get to work with everyday.

5. My church.

6. Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. And fried chicken.

7. That I have a reason to get up and go to work everyday.

8. Friends and leaders that are willing to invest in me.

9. My wife - she deserves double thanks : )

10.The people who pray for me everyday.

David Kim

Rebekah and I had dinner with our friends, David and Rebekah Kim. That's funny - David and Rebekah had dinner with David and Rebekah.

Pastor David leads Promise International Fellowship in NYC. PIF is unique in that it is a Korean fellowship aimed at reaching first, second and third generation immigrants in NYC. They have the largest Korean fellowship in NYC.

David and Rebekah are some of the coolest people you'll ever meet. We're looking forward to being with them in February 09 where I'll be speaking for his retreat.

FIrst Time Guest Response

Each week we send an email survey to all of our first time guests. Below is a recent response from a PCC first-timer. Thought it was interesting and wanted to pass it on to you. You can learn a lot about your church by asking first-time guests for their honest opinion.

What did you notice first?

The very first thing I noticed was the greeter advising me to use my flashers if I was a first time guest at which time I was guided to a parking spot and introduced to the church.

What did you like best?

I think I liked it best that I somehow felt special even though there were so many people there. There were people greeting me at every turn. I was concerned about the size of the church because I thought I would just be a person in a crowd and I didn't feel that way at all.

What was your overall impression?

Honestly it was a bit over the top for me at first but I don't say that in a bad way. I never expected something at such a grand scale that was so organized. I mentioned to a family member that I felt that I had gone to a paid production. I have paid hundreds of dollars to go to events that were less impressive.

How can we pray for you?

You can pray for me to find a spiritual path to walk with Jesus.

PCC 2.0

Had a great time yesterday afternoon with my good friend Joe Dascenzo, co-founder of ChangEffect. He and his team spent 5 hours with some of my staff and high capacity volunteers dreaming together about how we can make PCC the best possible church it can be at reaching people for Jesus in the Pocono Mountains.

In this process of reegineering and rebranding, there are no simple solutions, only intelligent questions.

Here are some of the questions we relentlessly drilled down on:

1) What's our business ... really?
2) What are we most passionate about?
3) Whare are our strengths? Weaknesses?

These questions and many more are helping us go to the next level as a church. One of the hard truths we discovered from Joe's team member, Fred (who led Willow Creek's Re-org) was that "we have outgrown our current organizational structure years ago." In other words, what got us here, won't get us where we want to go in the future. Although that is typical of fast growing organizations, our unwillingness to address these issues could potentially make or break the future of our church.

Last night was by far the most exciting dream session we've ever had as a church. I'm looking forward to all the good changes, both in messaging and structure, that will come out of this process.

PCC 2.0 here we come!

Family Update

As many of you know, my wife, Bekah, was expecting our 4th child. Unfortunately, there were some complications with the pregnancy and she lost the baby last week. It's been a sad and disappointing time for our family but we are trusting in God's providence. Our Father knows best.

On behalf of Bekah and my kids, I want to thank you all for your prayers, cards and food that you've been bringing to the house. You've all ministered to us in so many ways and words can't express our gratitude. A special shout out to our community group too. You guys have been so kind. Thanks so much.

Pastor Dave & Family

The Day After

I just read a response by Chuck Colson regarding the day after the election. I thought you might enjoy reading it.

The Day After
Pray for Our President and Our Nation

November 5, 2008

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, whether you’re recovering from your all-night celebration or drying the tears from your pillow, today’s a good day to remember the words of the apostle Paul: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

And the new President will surely need our prayers because he and his administration face huge, serious challenges to the health of our nation and to peace in the world—challenges that, in my opinion, neither he nor any government on earth will have the power to overcome without divine aid.

How has America come to this point? Why is our economy on the brink of disaster? Why is our culture so utterly depraved?

I can only think of what Alexandr Solzhenitsyn said about the catastrophic consequences of the Russian revolution. “I recall,” he said, “hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.”

Solzhenitsyn was right. Indeed, I can’t find any better explanation for why we Americans find ourselves in the state we are in. We have forgotten God.

We have also forgotten that American democracy—indeed Western Civilization itself—is the product of the Judeo-Christian understanding of God and humanity. Without that revelation that man is created in the image of God, our founders never would have recognized the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Indeed, as I and others like Rodney Stark have argued, modern science and education, liberal democracy, capitalism flourished in Western civilization precisely because of the Judeo-Christian worldview.

The attacks on Christianity these days are only going to intensify in the months ahead. But we must press on all the more to make a winsome witness. Those who would banish Christianity from American life are risking the very survival of American society.

Friends have asked me whether this economic crisis is God’s judgment upon us. I don’t know.

As I’ve re-read the Old Testament prophets recently, I couldn’t help but notice the recurring theme: The people of God turned away from Him and worshipped false idols. The result was always disaster.

Is God responsible for credit markets collapsing around the world? No. We’re responsible. Because instead of worshiping God, we’ve worshipped false idols of the marketplace, credit card companies and cheap mortgages. We’ve put our own appetites over our duties to God and neighbor.

So this is no time for Christians to go into the bunkers. No time to wail or moan over our retirement plans. This is a time to repent, to pray more, to give more. It’s a time for Christians to lead, encourage, and minister to a faltering country in a faltering economy.

This is a time for the Church to get serious about Christian discipleship. Enough cheap grace.

So pray for the new President and his administration. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, this is a time to love our neighbors and to hunger for God and His righteousness.

An Election Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We recognize you as the ruler and authority in our life and nation. We pray that your will be done in this election and our country.

May you establish our governing authorities at a local, state and national level. Raise up righteous public servants that will serve with integrity and humility.

We ask that your Holy Spirit will help us unify our nation and empower us above all to love one another.

Amen.

Birthday Boy!

Today my oldest son, David III, turns 3 years old. He's crazy about the Cars movie so I baked him a cake last night and decorated the kitchen in all his favorite Cars paraphernalia (gotta love Party City). Tonight after I get home from work we are having his favorite meal - spaghetti and meatballs. David's got great taste. And then we are going to open some presents and eat cake.

Here are the 3 Top Things I love about my 3 year old:

1) David has a tender heart towards others. He loves to snuggle and cuddle, especially with his mother. He just loves on his brother and sister, as well. I watch him interact with other children at church and he

2) David has an adventurous spirit. Unlike his sister, he is prone to go exploring - like in the mall when you turn around for just a second.

3) David loves to laugh and learn. He's always sneaking up on his brother or sister and trying to tickle them. He loves sitting at the dining room table with his big sister and "doing school."

Happy Birthday Buddy! Love, Daddy