Tipping Point TRIALS!

No one goes through life without receiving some battle scars along the way!  We all face a variety of trials, temptations, testing and even tragedy.  I would suggest that surviving TRIALS… and even growing through them… depends on what we believe and how we respond! 

 

This Sunday, February 16, we will continue our series at Christ Church called “Exponential:  Tipping Points of Transformation.”  I want to really encourage you to join me for worship at either 9:00 or 10:30 a.m. because I believe that this message on TRIALS could be life-changing for you; not because of what I’m going to say… but because of what God’s Word says!

 

In the meantime, reflect a bit on how you feel about the trials and challenges you have faced in your life.  Did they draw you closer to God or cause you to push away?  Did they make you bitter or better?  In the midst of your greatest trials did you become a victim or experience victory in Jesus?

 

This Sunday I’m going to share stories about politicians and athletes, the powerful and the poor, lovers and losers.  I’m going to blow away your misconceptions about the TRIALS you suffer, especially those that keep you stuck in the past when God is calling you forward.

What a joy to see so many new faces at Christ Church this month!  We are focusing on “invitation” and “hospitality” with special times of fellowship following each worship service. Do you know someone who has faced great challenges in life who might be blessed by an invitation to worship this Sunday?  Give them a call.  Send them a text or an email and share both the topic and the invitation.  You’ll be glad you did!

The Truth Project began with more than 70 participants.  Please feel welcome to come and join us Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. for Week 2 of this nine-week course on developing a Christian Worldview.

Happy Valentine’s Day to our Christ Church family and all those reading this edition of Pagh’s Blog.  In I John 4:19 it says so simply and beautifully, “We love because he first loved us.”  If you want a real Valentine treat tomorrow, take a few moments and read I John 4:7-21. 

The love we share with loved ones and friends… the love we are challenged to share even with the unlovely, even with our enemies… is nothing less than the unconditional love of God poured out through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  When the cards and flowers and chocolates are all gone, this is the Valentine gift that keeps on giving!

Be loved always in Jesus!
Pastor Greg Pagh    

Time for Everything!

The writer of the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes famously says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (3:1) 

 

What time is it?  What season of life are you in?  How about Christ Church?  How do you deal with change and transitions?  Do you “seize the moments” that God gives you each day to worship and serve him? 

 

This Sunday, February 9, we will be continuing the series, “Exponential:  Tipping Points of Transformation” and focusing on the “tipping point topic” of TIME.

 

Time also has to do with change and transitions in life. The Bible says that God is unchangeable… and yet we are expected to change constantly.  What’s with that?  And why does the Church often struggle with change and transitions the most?

 

Friends, I’ve got some insight to share with you from God’s Word this Sunday that I think will change the way you look at change!  Here’s a clue:  When we live with an eternal perspective, God promises to give us the insight to either embrace or resist change and the wisdom to know the difference!

If you missed last Sunday’s message on TRADITION, I would really encourage you to go to http://christchurchotsego.org/sermonseriesaudioExponential.htm and listen.  Each Sunday in this series builds on the last.

It’s not too late to sign-up for The Truth Project, a 9-week course in developing a Christian Worldview that begins at Christ Church this Sunday night from 6:00 – 8:15 p.m.  Check the website for all the details.  We have about 70 people registered so far and would love to have you join us.  Several other awesome opportunities for spiritual growth are also available and will be starting soon!

Last Sunday’s Super Bowl was a big disappointment for me since I was rooting for Denver.  On Monday morning I was still feeling a little down when I was reminded that as much as God loves football, he really loves it when we play like champions at the game of life every day.  A lot of the great athletes on both Super Bowl teams live with that eternal perspective and it has blessed me to hear and read their testimonies.

See you Sunday when I guarantee that we will leave it all on the field for Jesus!

Blessings,

Pastor Greg Pagh

 

Dear Christ Church family and transformation partners,

 

A couple of years ago I launched Pagh’s Blog with the purpose of sharing life, faith and transformation stories with our Christ Church family and beyond. Recently I’ve been sending a Weekly Update to our Christ Church family highlighting the weekend service theme and other key opportunities for growth. As of today, these two efforts will be combined. I would really appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to read these email blasts/posts each week (and even respond) as my goal continues to be to inform, inspire and encourage you as a follower of Christ. Thanks!

 

This Sunday, February 2, at both 9:00 and 10:30 AM we will continue our series “Exponential: Tipping Points of Transformation” with the topic of TRADITION. As you prepare for worship, ask yourself the following questions: What traditions do you most value in your family, church and culture today? What is the role of tradition in helping preserve values that we hold dear? How can traditions sometimes become stumbling blocks to faith and growth? I’ve got some surprises in store for my message that I think you will enjoy as we tackle this important “tipping point issue.”

 

Growing churches have a culture of invitation!  Church members are excited to invite friends, neighbors, co-workers and class-mates to experience worship, fellowship, service and an environment where questions of faith can be explored.  During the month of February we are challenging every member to invite a new guest to Christ Church.  You may also think of an existing member who needs a call to say, “Hey!  How are you doing?  I’ve missed you!”  Refreshments will be served each week in February.  Please introduce your guests to a member of our Staff or Church Council.

 

Last week I attended the Harvest Evangelism Leadership Summit in San Jose, CA, with Ed Silvoso and about 150 partners in transformation from around the world serving in the church, business, education and government. I am always inspired by the testimonies, teaching and personal conversations that take place throughout the week. I was reminded again that God’s Spirit is “on the move” changing lives in places as diverse as Uganda, Thailand, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Hong Kong, England and Indonesia.

 

I spent several hours counseling and encouraging a courageous young African American pastor from Detroit named Aramis Hinds. He is developing a Transformation Church in a tough but hopeful part of this bankrupt, orphaned city and has asked me to mentor him forward. I have invited Pastor Aramis and his wife Roseanna to come and stay in our home and meet our Christ Church family and community sometime soon.

 

My son, Matt Pagh, gave an impacting presentation as part of the Entrepreneur’s Institute (a business sub-group of the International Transformation Network) called “Great Commission Commissions.” It holds the potential to develop a significant income stream for global transformation and was very well received.

 

The Truth Project, a 9-week Sunday night class starts at Christ Church on February 9 at 6:00 p.m. Check the website at www.christchurchotsego.org to learn more. Take my word…you will be so blessed!

 

Enjoy the snow and the cold! Spring is coming!

 

Love in Jesus,

Pastor Greg Pagh

Christ Church – Otsego, MN

P.S. – As part of Super Bowl Sunday, we will have a “super bowl” in the lobby to receive special gifts for our local food shelves, CAER and CROSS. Please give generously!

 

Asante! The Thanks is All Ours!

From November 11, 2012 through January 14, 2013 our Christ Church family was privileged to host the Asante Children’s Choir from Rwanda, Africa. The choir consisted of 18 beautiful children, many of them former orphans, ranging in age from 8 to16. They came to America to say, “Asante,” which means “Thank You” in Swahili.

During this two-month Midwest Tour the choir sang in 35 venues including churches, schools, shopping malls and a Harley Davidson dealership. They visited Como Zoo and the State Capitol. They went on rides at the Mall of America. They traveled from Minneapolis to St. Paul, from Willmar to Cambridge, from Monticello to Northfield. They were blessed with a total of $82,000 in offerings and 138 more children were sponsored in Rwanda at $35/month; a gift that provides healthcare, schooling, food, clothing and a future.

From the Sunday night we first picked them up at the airport until the Monday morning we said our goodbyes, their smiles and hugs, faith and prayers became a tangible expression of the universal love of God. The faces of these children radiated the joy of Jesus. Their special gifts of song, dance and drums inspired us, tired us, and brought tears to our eyes. We will never forget the amazing Christmas Eve services we celebrated together and little Furaha dancing into our hearts with his special rendition of “Joy to the World.”

About 20 Christ Church families took turns hosting the Asante children and chaperones in their homes for more than three weeks of the tour, some even longer. I’m so proud of them! They all made significant sacrifices in order to welcome these kids into their families and provide them with so many wonderful experiences. Countless others from Christ Church provided food, clothing and financial support totaling more than $8,000. Even so, every person would agree that they received far more than they gave!

These amazing children have now returned to their beloved Rwanda. Our thoughts and prayers go with them. They touched our lives and have reminded us again “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” To them, we say, “Asante!” May God continue to bless you all for the many gifts you have given us! The thanks is all ours!

Blessings,
Pastor Greg Pagh

Come Holy Spirit!

Colleen and I leave tomorrow for Honolulu, Hawaii, where we will participate in the Transform Our World Global Conference with Dr. Ed Silvoso, 67 speakers and workshop leaders and 1100 delegates from 25 nations!

This is the first international conference that Colleen has attended and I can’t tell you how excited I am that we can share this week together! My son, Matt, our daughter-in-law, Leah, and our good friends from Zylstra Harley Davidson, Mike and Amy Matter, will also be attending along with several others from the area. I again have the privilege of serving as Faculty Dean as part of the Executive Program Team.

The other night I shared a passage from Luke 11:9-13 with our Church Council. I’d like to pass it on to you and invite you to join in making it our prayer theme for this coming week. Jesus said:

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus invites us to “ask, seek and knock!” And what Jesus say that our heavenly Father promise to give us? He gives us himself! He gives us the Holy Spirit!

What are you asking from God? What are you seeking to find? What doors would you like to see opened? I leave for this conference ready to serve others but also ready to receive all that God has for me, for my family, for Christ Church, for our region, state and nation! I’m asking the Lord for a lot! I’m seeking greater revelation! I’m not only knocking on doors; I want ‘em knocked down!

But here’s what God has spoken to my heart and this is where I invite you to join me. What I need the most, and may I suggest, what we all need the most, is more of the Holy Spirit! Praise God! This is exactly the gift our heavenly Father gives when we “ask, seek and knock.” He gives us more of himself!

Thank you for your prayer covering throughout the conference. Please make this your constant refrain; “Come, Holy Spirit! More of you! More of you!” We travel and represent you with deep affection, love and prayers!

Blessings in Jesus,
Pastor Greg and Colleen Pagh

Best Wedding Ever!

One of my favorite parts of the pastoral ministry is presiding at weddings. I would estimate that I have now performed about 300 weddings during my 32 years of ordained ministry. None, however, compares with the wedding of my own daughter, Sarah, this past Saturday, August 18th!

Did I mention that she is my only daughter! When she was born 28 years ago at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, and I saw that it was a baby girl, I let out a scream of joy so loud that it rang down the corridors. Several nurses came to see what had happened. From that very first day Sarah and I have had a special relationship. My little princess!

Well, she finally found her prince and I was none to sure about this Jason fellow when I first met him! Could he measure up? Was he man enough to be the husband to my daughter? Could I trust him to care for her as I had done as her dad for all these years?

It quickly became obvious to Colleen and me that Jason was “the one” and that he would make a wonderful husband for Sarah. First, and most importantly, he loves the Lord! Second, he has a full-time job and a house! (Just kidding) Third, he loves Sarah and brings complimentary gifts that will make them a great team, including the patience that will be necessary to deal with this daughter of ours who can be both “sweet” and “sassy” all at the same time. God’s timing is perfect!

And so this past Saturday I did something that I have never done before in any of the 300 or more weddings in which I have participated. I walked the bride down the isle, and this bride, next to my own, was the most beautiful bride I have every seen. I gave her a kiss and gave my soon-to-be son-in-law a hug. I stepped to the side, as fathers must do, and they took their first steps together towards the future that God has planned.

I shed a few tears as I shared the message and vows with Jason and Sarah later in the service… but they were mostly tears of joy. Colleen and I are blessed to have raised three kids who love the Lord and have now married wonderful Christian spouses. They have given us five grandkids and we trust that Jason and Sarah will add to that number in the years to come.

There are many things we work for, pray for and hope for as parents, not without some challenges and disappointments along the way. But this past Saturday, as I walked my own daughter down the center isle at Christ Church, I was reminded of God’s amazing faithfulness and that nothing compares with the joy of seeing your children grow up to be loved, happy and blessed!

Colleen and I thank each of you who have helped encourage our children over the years. We also thank you for your many prayers and good wishes at this special time for the Pagh family! For me, it was the best wedding ever!

Blessings,
Pastor Greg Pagh

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Deeds!

Tonight Colleen and I will watch the 3-hour Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics from London, England along with more than one billion people from around the world. That’s going to take a real wide-screen TV! This grand production is projected to cost 42.4 million and will involve 10,000 adult volunteers, 900 children and various animals from horses to sheep!

The procession of nations into Olympic Stadium culminating in the lighting of the Olympic Flame will include more than 15,000 athletes and coaches from 205 countries! For the next two weeks these athletes will compete for gold in 26 different Olympic sports! My favorites? Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics! (Just kidding) I’m a Track and Field guy!

You may not have the qualifications to be an Olympic athlete but God has most certainly called you to be an Olympic Christian! In Philippians 2:13, the Apostle Paul says, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Are you dragged down by your past or looking forward to the future? Are you just jogging through life or pressing on with all your strength? What are your real goals? Are they worthy of the One who has promised you heaven?

One of my all-time favorite Olympic athletes is the Ukrainian pole-vaulter, Sergey Bubka. During his long career he won an Olympic Gold Medal, many world championships, was the first to clear 20 feet and set the world record a total of 35 times! Once Sergey was asked how he managed to consistently pole-vault so high. He said, “I throw my whole heart over the bar and the rest of my body follows.”

Friends, as you enjoy watching the Olympics this summer ask yourself, “Am I throwing my whole heart over the bar for Jesus?” That is how ordinary people do extraordinary things that transform this world that God loves! Let us run the race for Jesus all the way to the finish line!

Blessings!
Pastor Greg