Christ Life Church

Quite a few Christ Life Church members gathered at the Wells Fargo Arena on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus last night to hear Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias and others answer the question “Is Faith Delusional?”

Some of you may be familiar with Mr. Zacharias as he is regularly featured in the Truth Project, a Bible study CLC has been on in our Life Groups.

Click here to read Pastor Phil’s and here for Pastor Brendon’s thoughts about last night’s speech.

To hear more about what Mr. Zacharias has to say about the issue of truth as featured in the Truth Project, click here.

If interested, it’s not too late to connect with a Life Group. For more information, email lifegroups@christlifechurch.org or call 480-777-9803.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another :: John 13:34

At Christ Life Church community is a BIG thing for us. In fact without community at Christ Life Church we can’t really have church.  1 Corinthians 12:12 talks about us being the Body of Christ and that is community in it’s truest form.

For example, right now our largest connection environment at Christ Life Church is the Truth Project. We have over 300 people connected in the Truth Project at Christ Life Church and every week these people journey in community together. It has been amazing to see how groups have begun to serve each other even during these economically challenging times with gas cards, food cards, hospital visits and so much more.

Loneliness is rampant in our culture today and one of the greatest ways to combat this is to connect in a Connection Environment…. … I don’t know what that looks like for you …..is it serving in a local food bank, connecting in a ministry at the church or taking the challenge to connect in a Life Group. We all have to be connected somewhere……you cannot walk life alone and there are many people that are on that path today. Even as I write this I know that we, myself included can stand in a mall and have a sea of people flow by us and yet be lonely……so the pet answer is not that connecting in an environment will solve all your challenges but I do truly believe that it will begin the journey for you.

I am constantly telling people - you cannot have church, by yourself at Starbucks! Church is found in a community of people and we see this in the Old Testament and even the New Testament - READ IT!

Get connected! and I would love to here from you on various ways that we can enhance our connection environments

Looking forward to it :: Pastor Brendon Wilson

Christ Life Church teens will give up food for 30 hours to raise money for the thousands of children who die daily due to hunger. More than 9 million children under the age of 5 die annually due to hunger-related illnesses. Youth from Christ Life Church hope to put a dent in that number.

The teens will participate in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine this weekend. By going without food for 30 hours, they will get an idea of what young people in the world’s most impoverished nations endure daily.

The students are raising money knowing that $30 can care for a child for a month. The funds will support children internationally as well as in the United States. Students will also perform hands-on community service projects with the Cities of Chandler and Gilbert that weekend.

The 30 Hour Famine has raised more than $118 million since 1992. World Vision assists about 100 million people in 100 countries annually. For more information go to www.30hourfamine.org.

To contact Christ Life Church, call Misti McHatton at 480-777-9803 or email her at misti@christlifechurch.org.

The word about Christ Life Church Casa Grande is getting out. The following story was recently featured in the Casa Grande Dispatch. Tell your friends and family in the Casa Grande area that are looking for something fresh and relevant to stop by!

Christ Life Church is coming to the big screens of Pinal County.

In response to growth, Christ Life Church says it will bring life-changing truth in an innovative way at Harkins Theatres, 1341 N. Promenade Parkway in Casa Grande.

“Rather than grow as a mega church, we have a strong desire to raise up smaller churches under the banner of Christ Life Church, with our central campus in Tempe,” said Phillip Goldsberry, senior pastor at the church.

Christ Life Church leadership’s efforts have also expanded to include online sermons, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and more. Launching a campus using the innovative technology many Casa Grande residents already enjoy to view movies was the next step in Christ Life’s progression to reach out to other areas throughout Arizona.

Christ Life Church Casa Grande will weekly transform two movie theaters beginning Sunday. Services designed for newborns to fifth-graders will begin at 9:30 a.m. in one auditorium while adults will view Goldsberry’s message on a large screen in their own theater.

Christ Life Church Casa Grande will feature live music and will be led by Campus Pastor Jason Rosa.

“For years, Christ Life Church has used contemporary ways to deliver weekly messages,” Goldsberry said. “Our services incorporate upbeat music, live drama and multimedia used to express relevant and meaningful messages. We also want people to feel comfortable joining us for a weekend service. People wear anything from shorts and sandals to business casual to their Sunday best.”

IMPACT ….. Impact, in general, can refer to the influence or effect of an object …. this is what wikipedia tells us

The illustration used yesterday at our Christ Life Church, Tempe campus was that of an egg being broken. It can never be put back together and therefore the illustration was asked ……. have we been so impacted by Christ that we would never be able to go back to what we were.

As I sat there in the chair I had to truly ask myself if I have allowed Jesus Christ to truly impact me with His power, Word and Authority.

I think that it is easy to ’say’ that I am a Christian…..we all know the term … “Talk is cheap” and that is so true in today’s world. The aspect that I love about Christ Life Church is that I feel we try and take the talk and put it into practice. It is not always perfect but at least we are trying to make a difference.

The question that we need to ask or rather reflect on this week is that of……..have I truly been impacted by Christ and what fruit am I seeing evident in my life this week.

I would love to hear some comments and personal stories on this.

Talk soon,

Brendon Wilson

Associate Pastor at Christ Life Church

This is a guest posting from CLC Member Eugene Scott:

Three of my family members recently attended the 10 a.m. service at the Christ Life Church Tempe campus. Although I knew the
service would be very different from their home church, I hadn’t given
much thought to the things that unite Christ Life with the world’s
other Christ-centered churches.

While I was worshiping to the Worship Team’s rocking version of Chris
Tomlin’s Let God Arise, I caught a glimpse of my mother, my aunt and
my cousin. All three of them were crying. My family often cries at
church services, so the tears weren’t really a surprise. However, I
must admit that I expected my family to primarily be focused on the
differences between my church and their church. Instead, they were focused on what God was focused on - while the worship team repeated the lyric “Our God is a God Who Saves,” four individuals were being baptized and angels were rejoicing.

It was then that I realized that no matter your musical preference or
worship style that if your heart’s primary desire is to see people
publicly identify with Jesus Christ, nothing else matters. Nothing.
You can’t help but be moved. And my family was.

I thank God for being part of a church that isn’t just concerned with
“reaching people,” but following through and helping them make public
decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

One of the concepts behind “Life in the Dash” is living life with eternal purpose.  I am in Albania as I write this.  We are here with a foundation that I co-founded with Dr. Ryan Meyer.  As I thought through this idea of writing your epitaph, it has made me consider what am I really doing that has eternal purpose.   The focus of The Luke Foundation is to offer three components:  Evangelize those who are lost - Sustainable health care in 2nd and 3rd world environments -  Leadership training and entrepreneurial focus.

That may sound so far fetched………but what about you?  What is that dream?  Vision?  What is that dream that God has birthed in you that is yet to come to pass? 

As you read through the book, dream God-sized dreams and see what He says.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
– Samuel Ullman

Spent last week in Dallas at the C3 Conference hosted by Fellowship Church.  I was reminded again of the power of enthusiasm and energy.  Their volunteer staff and “frontline” (greeters, parking lot attendants, Information kiosk, bookstore, etc.) exuded such enthusiasm.  Age was not the determinant.   I’ve seen young people who are “wrinkled” - they act old and I’ve also seen older people who have found the “fountain of youth” through enthusiasm and they seem to thrive.

Went to a grand opening of a new “Krispy Kreme” doughnut shop not far from my house.  Just walking in and watching this band of entrepreneurs was a reality check on enthusiasm.  You could see the people who were going to make the business succeed.  But………..you could also spot the “weak links” pretty quick.  To them, coming in on Opening Day was a job, not a future.

Has something stole your enthusiasm for life…………..marriage…………God……………His Church?  Don’t get old before your time.  Don’t let anything “wrinkle” your soul.

Phil Goldsberry

Blogged with Flock

Last night we kept our grandson, Daniel.  Those moments with him teach me so much.   He’s not concerned about his bank account, whether he is on/off budget, has he blogged today, maintenance on his house, who is going to fill the car up with gas……………he is concerned about two things:  What is coming in and what is going out!  Food and a “stinky”.  While some may be missing television during the fast, he could care less about television……fast or no fast.  He loves attention and spending time together.  Sure at 17 months he is struggling with the English language; but you know what he is saying.

Our Heavenly Father is much like my relationship to my grandson.  He wants me to relinquish my cares and just trust Him…….He treasures time with me.  My “communication” may be sketchy at times, but He knows what I mean.  At times I can be selfish………..what’s coming in?  How can you bless me?  But He overlooks my ignorance and loves me still.

If you are struggling in your relationship with your Heavenly Father………………go find a child and spend some time with them.  You may realize “how great the Father’s love is toward us….”

Phil Goldsberry

Blogged with Flock

This fast brings about a lot of change.  My wife and I both have not been sleeping well for the last several days!  Besides that we are doing fine.  But the change aspect is huge.  We are so accustomed to certain patterns in our lives that once we break them we feel out of sorts.  Personally I have enjoyed the quietness and solitude.  We normally turn on the news in the morning and listen to the latest, greatest and worst that can be heard. This week………..quiet!    Now my body is saying it is time for breakfast and I’ve said NO.  Around lunchtime my body clock goes off and let’s me know that I am off schedule but I’ve said NO.  Supper the same………and of course the snack at night!  That’s all changed.

If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance a lot less.
– Tom Feltenstein

One powerful side of this fast is that it helps you to adapt and adjust to change.  Sometimes we are so ingrained in our ruts that we cannot get out.  Fasting helps change that.

My irrelevance is leaving quicker……….what about yours?

Phil Goldsberry

We work, shop, plan, create strategies to bring family and friends together, decorate, bake…………..you get the picture.  Then the big day comes and its Christmas!  All the planning is now over and implemented and we wait to see how we can rate it.  We almost feel as if there are people with white signs with large numbers (1-10) judging the turkey, gifts and decorations.  That may be a bit extreme, but the reality is Christmas is really over.  You may be feeling like you scored a 9.5 or maybe it was a 2 by the bystanders with the judging signs.  But the reality is……Christmas is officially over - Now What??????

It seems we are good at short term goals, but have we prepared for the long haul……the “after Christmas” days?

In just a manner of days we will usher in 2009.  Do you have goals and plans established for 2009?  Now is the time to begin to say, “Now What?”  What will I do?

Why not join us as we begin 2009 with a 21 day Fast…………it will be a chance to allow God to help you and I make some long range plans for 2009.  If you need more information, see our website at www.christlifechurch.org. 

I am looking forward to the potential and possibilities that are in front of us.  Join me and lets see………”Now What?”

Phil Goldsberry

I met with several people in the last few months in regards to India.  In one particular conversation someone said, “I am so thankful the American church is starting to chisel away at world-wide poverty.”  The phrase “chisel away” has not left me.  We may not solve or fix the world’s problems, but we could start to chisel and maybe begin an avalanche of hope and care GLOCALLY - Global and locally.

Globally we have started…………….

The Luke Foundation (which is being formed right now) is an Medical outreach to the hurting, especially those unable to have proper medical care.  It has a three-prong effect:  1.  Evangelism - taking the Good News to people who need it   2.  Medical - enabling U.S. based doctors and medical personnel to reach a heart and hand around the world   3. Entrepreneurial/ Leadership  training and partnership.  During this Christmas season we are receiving donations to help establish The Luke Foundation.  If you are interested you can give through our website:  www.christlifechurch.org or contact us at 480-777-9803.

Locally we are involving ourselves in several environments of care throughout the Phoenix Valley……………

Tempe Christian Resource Center is one of our targets for our 2008 Christmas Offering.  Last night I visited there and saw first hand the difference that a helping hand can make. See this recent article:     http://tmclife.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/pages-from-evt-tempe-christian-resource-center1.pdf

We are helping with a community lunch for over 3,000 on December 20th.  Christ Life Church  has committed to 400 pies to be delivered for the meal on that day.   Our “Angel Tree” donation tree was given out in one Sunday.

My point………in the midst of a recession - economic downturn, we can still make a difference.

Are you involved in something to make a difference?  If so let me know.   If you are not and would like to support one of the endeavors that I have mentioned, let me know.

We can make a difference!

Phil Goldsberry

We have all been in awe as we watch Wall Street ride the roller coaster.  There are words being used that have never been used in my lifetime…..the “D” word especially.  It is impossible to assess who is right and who is wrong in these moments.  Yet, there are some things that I DO KNOW!

When I was a kid there was a song that said, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done……….”  I reflected on that song this morning and thought there are some things that I KNOW…………no matter what any body else says, what news channels report, what the candidates propose…………..I know I am blessed.  But have I stopped and “counted” them recently?

This past week we spent some time with some of our dearest friends.  We have been friends for nearly 30 years.  We have laughed and cried together……….we’ve watched our kids grow up and share those moments that are so precious……..we’ve shared our ministries - the good, the bad and the ugly……………….we’ve even watched each other age gracefully.  As we spent time together last week I was awestruck of the BLESSING of having true friends.   Sure, my 403B is nearly a 201B, but I am blessed.  You couldn’t purchase the friendship that we’ve enjoyed for many years!  You couldn’t put a value on knowing that there are people that will be transparent, honest, encouraging, uplifting and yes…..have a lot of fun with.

If you are feeling under the weather with the “blah” of news……………call a friend up and see how they are doing.  If you can’t think of anyone to call, make a new friend!  If you can’t think of anyone, email me……………I am always looking for new friends.

Phil Goldsberry
pastorphil@christlifechurch.org