New Believer #3

For this interview I chose someone from the freedom house. I love the ministry and I love the people that it builds, so this was a great way for me to get in it and see what's brewing in one of those guys. This man's journey to faith in Christ started with a near death experience. He was going through some extremely tough times and needed to fix himself up, so that's what he chose to do. Hope, he said, in the one and only thing he hadn't tried yet, led him to where he is now: getting clean and staying peaceful. His family was the thing that most helped his ability to make that final step into commitment-land. His sister and her husband in particular, he said, was the biggest part. Those two go to FVWC, now. Peace, which is one of my favorite things to hear about in accordance with God, is what he says the best thing about being with God is. It's what he fought for through all his crap and continues to fight for. The most challenging part, which makes sense for him, is self-doubt. Self-doubt and the what if's that we all ask. These really binded him. His family has been his biggest help it seems, because that's not only what got him into Christ more, it's what got him to stay with and grow in it the most. Advice that he would give isn't too surprising, he says people need to listen, and gain that new perspective on situations that comes with it. That might have a bit to do with self-pity, but it still brings a valid point. He's a very good guy, from what I can tell. He's also doing a lot with the freedom house ministry that is helping what I do on Wednesday nights easier, like putting a light in the back of the stage in with a few other guys, and just cleaning and the basics. He does a lot and I think it helps to distract from what he got out of, and gets him focused on the amazing things that he got into.

Unchurched interview #4

Once again, as I feel it should be, I used one of my friends from school for this interview. She's a very opinionated person who enjoys sharing it, so here goes. She, like many others, believes that needs to be more places for people to go, because of the stuff people get into when they're bored. This could be a view on her life as well as her friends, which are also mine (the friends) and going through some scares now. Although this may be true, I feel like people should take responsibility and make something for themselves to do that isn't deconstructive. When she was asked about whether or not she was actively attending a church, she said that she used to, but her pastor died of cancer, and from talks I've had with her, I think it discouraged her to see that happen to a pastor very much. This was a Methodist church. She stated that things that interest her, which I've known and seen to play out extremely truthfully, were music, theater, and being able to communicate with friends. These are HUGE parts of her life, and I've seen her work on all of them to no end. Reasons that she thinks people go to church aren't as typical as most. She knows that people, including her, are afraid of being judged there, and that she might be seen as an outsider, but the one that surprised me is that she wrote they might not know enough about faith to go to church, and therefore wouldn't be interested. I know her to have a lot of faith in what her beliefs are, but that's simply because she doesn't think that people are sincere in churches and doesn't think that people have tried to test God with God coming out as the right way to go. Churches, according to her, should be fun, modern, but still get their ideas across. People who listen and are open are a big part of how church SHOULD be for her to go to them. She feels pastors could accept everyone, and don't let how people have acted affect your current opinion, no matter what you believe differently.

New Believer #4

This new believer is a recent addition to the faith thanks first of all to God, obviously, and second to God working through Jordan Britton. His name is Keith Jackson, and he's going to be a seriously strong man. I sent him this interview via e-mail, and I thought the best way to give you what he thought would be to simply copy and paste, so that's what I did. I, personally, feel that he is an amazing teen and will do some amazing things due to God's want for his talents and gifts. He's got some serious future ahead of him, I only hope I can be involved.


Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
1. I have been in and out of faith. When I had him in my life things were great I felt at peace, but when behind closed doors I went back to my old ways. Now that I realize what I have done and there are people who will help me I have been living for Him for the longest I ever have.




What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
2. My friends definitely helped the most. Just seeing the ones who were without God it didn’t make sense any more to me to live like that and I wanted to change. There were people who helped me do that.


What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
3. The best part is, knowing that I have someone to confide in; always no matter what happens. It feels like a safe haven that will get me through anything and it feels like I am actually free.
(from Luke - I love this, this is really what God gives and it shows so brightly)

What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
4. The hardest part is being around those friends who don’t believe as much as I do. I wanted to change and I did, but sometimes they don’t think it’s the same person. And it just splits you, but it helps to confide in God.


What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
5. My friends that believe and my family have helped the most. I can always count and fall back on them when I need to and they’re always there for me and I would do the same for them.




What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
6. You got to just get God in their life and show them that He is going to help and will save them if they follow Him. It’s easier said than done but that is all it took for me.

Dave Ramsey - Town hall for hope.

This, well known to anyone in Freedom Valley Worship Center's area or the Fox News Business Network, was a large event put out for the public as free and helpful to anyone going through a tough time financially, especially if the hard time had to do with the economic crisis which the country seems to be slowly growing out of. Dave Ramsey, financial guru, was the speaker who would answer people's questions on money and everything involved in this simple thing that has become so complicated over the years. He had many fantastic quotes that could make up an entire paper like this one I'm writing. These quotes ranged from funny and useful to painfully true and anecdotal. Some quotes were often used, like "I don't play with snakes, they bite.", and some quotes were only used once but had equal impact, like "When the tide comes in you can tell who's been skinny dippin'." I agreed with so many points that this man had to say, like his points about government getting involved in the economic depression. He says that it would be made worse by government mismanagement. I loved his point of view on companies that do poor business should close, like the big companies that were bailed out by the government. Suffice it to say that I agree with him on nearly everything. A for more quotes, however, for the good of the world.



"Failure brings clarity." - Dave Ramsey

"A little desperation is good for the soul." - Dave Ramsey

"You can pray while you're workin'." - Dave Ramsey

"Work like it depends on us, pray like it depends on God." - Dave Ramsey

I don't do business with big banks because they have no soul." - Dave Ramsey

"Thanks for reading." - Luke Stoltzfoos

unchurched friend interview #3

My interviewee for this round was a girl named Shelby. She is a girl who doesn't really have any ideas about church because he parents have never gone, and therefore she has never gone. I tried hard (especially today) to get her to think about church and to get her thinking about going. Here are the questions and answers.

What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
She couldn't answer this question for a few minutes, but then came back with "the only thing I can think of is like a park". This was just because in this area there isn't anything she knows of where you can just walk without traffic near you.

Are you actively attending any church?
No, she says this is because he parents never have, so she hasn't seen a was or a reason to.

What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
She decided not the answer this one, she couldn't figure out what it meant. At the beginning she said she liked math, and I assume that's because she thought it was asking about what subjects in school she likes.

Why do you think most people don't attend church?
Just as my other interviewees, she gave the "because it's boring" answer. I think many people have a view of church that is very warped. She thought this simply because other people told her that they were bored in church, but not from personal experience.

If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
She would want a fun service. Something that was short, entertaining, and to the point without guilt trips and being preached at, whereas we want her to be preached for.

What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
With help from others present, (regretfully, because I already interviewed one of the people there, who was the one who chose to give the most information towards this subject.)she said they should listen and have some true perspective for the other person's side.



Added note: one girl at the table contributed that she couldn't talk to a pastor because she felt like a 40 year old man (emphasis on man) couldn't be compatible with a girl her age. I think there may be some underlying things that needs to be spoken about with a pastor or counselor, but how can we get her to talk to them, when she's so ardent about keeping her problems away from the people who could help the most?

church rater #3 March 29th, 2009

The Church
What Church did you visit?
VFCC chapel

What city or town is this Church located?
Outside of Philidelphia.

What date and service did you attend?









Evaluating
How would you rate this church?


Please provide ratings based on your own experience. Yes, I realize this is subjective and your '1′ might be someone else's '5′. That's ok. It's your rating and I really want your opinion.
Rate the following from 1 to 5. 1 is not effective, 5 is very effective!
Overall: _____4______ Friendliness _____4________ Singing ______5______ Preaching ____3_____

First Impressions
Outside:
Was the building easy to find? Yes, it was part of the Valley Forge campus.
Was it difficult to find parking?No, we walked.
How about the interior or exterior signage- what would you do differently? No.
What did the appearance, style, or construction of the building communicate to you?
That it was a nice place that focused on music and learning about God.
Before the service:
Did anyone approach you and speak to you before the service got underway? No, but I was there as part of breakaway.
If someone did speak to you, how did you feel about that?

Can you share their names?

Did you know them before the visit?


General observations:

As you observed the people "doing their church thing", what went through your mind?
The worship team was very into God and into the spirit, but a lot of teenagers there were not.
Were you able to understand why they do what they do? Yes, I could.

Do they seem sincere? Very much so.

What do you think about the overall presentation of the service? (the liturgy, program or flow of the service) It went through smoothly, not much trouble with that, which is could, because it went unnoticed.


Bulletin and communications:

Is there anything in the church bulletin that you find confusing or offensive?
I did not receive one, I don't believe they use bulletins.
If this were your "business", how would you improve the communication part of it- the bulletin especially? Maybe simply to have some communication, but since it was a retreat there was information everywhere.

Were announcements clear, and interesting (did you want to sign up for anything)? I didn't think there were announcements.


Children's Ministry

Does this church appear kid-friendly? No, it was a college chapel.

Did you bring any children with you to the service? No.

If so, ask them about their experience. What did they tell you?


Music and Prayer

How would you describe the music? Modern, but with a hint of toning back the modern because of the retreat, I think.

Did you enjoy any of it?Yes, very much.

Did you feel like you connected with God during any part of it? Yes, but since there were so many teenagers and rowdy folk, it was tough.

How was it different from what you are used to? More people, and a few things like focus were missing for the audience.

Would you enjoy worshiping like that often? Not as much as other places, but I can see myself there.

What did you think of the prayers that were offered in the service? They were well spoken, intriguing.

As you listened to the prayers, what did you learn about how that church might think of people, or of God? They are very AG there, but I didn't hear any praying in tongues, which for me, would've been nice.


The Speaker's Presentation

Did the Pastor or speaker seem likable? Likable, yes.

Is he/she a person you might enjoy having coffee with? Why? Probably not, I see a lot of smoke and not a lot of plan, which I like to see the smoke, but I need to the plans too.
Did he/she seem engaged/sincere/condescending?
Yes, to all but condescending.
Were you motivated to do or think anything differently because of the talk?
Not really.
What could they have done to make it more enjoyable or useful?
I just don't enjoy his (Reggie Dabbs) Style of preaching.
Please erase any of the following descriptors that did not apply to the talk: Boring(probably only my point of view, he does a great job at getting the kids involved with his sermon), Relevant, Gloomy, Energetic, Credible, Slow, Sad, Upbeat, Humorous, Life-changing, funny,


The Message

What was the main idea of the message? God's view of us.

What action did the speaker want you to take or consider taking? Salvation with God

Did the talk itself (the subject matter) hold your attention? No, but it was because I've heard that type of sermon before.

Did any part of the talk stand out to you in a positive or negative way? A negative way may be that he embelished a few of his stories for more relevance.

What is the one thing the speaker could do that would improve his/her presentation?
No offense, but I feel like someone who is preaching to others about Godly living should have a healthier body, and he did not. I also understand that no one is perfect, but it bothers me.
Do you think that you particularly will remember anything that was taught?
In the end, probably not.
Do you understand God or people better because of it?
no, I wouldn't say so.
Did it make you feel like you wanted to preach someday yourself?
Yes, it made me want to preach.

David Kennard

David is an amazing man of God and is doing an insane amount of work for God's kingdom. His work in the ministry battle field. What he does is described with many words, because it seems to e never ending. A list he came up with was: groups/discipleship, funerals/weddings/counseling, administration, teaching, and site pastor. With this amazing list becomes and even longer and more amazing list, which consists of his many underlying jobs within those titles. His official title, however, is "Adult Ministries Director". He is a pastor, however it is for a video site of the Riverside Community Church. The site is actually located in a mall, which is perhaps the most interesting this about this interview. He has amazing ability in his small groups as well. This is maybe the area where I feel like I can learn the most, because of my personal moving into a small group style ministry. He is very, very odd at it, although I would say it works best for a church with a working congregation, not for a church plant to begin with. This is only because of the relying that the small groups have on the people's imagination and creativity. The people have to make up a small group that's relevant to the church and congregations people. I like it very much, but you may need a few more people to be that specialized.

All in all, I like him extremely and I would love to learn even more about his ministry and what he does daily.