After today's service I found myself in the lobby visiting with a number of new folks. As I stood there talking, I noticed that there was a team of people in the auditorium taking down all of the equipment we use for worship—lights, speakers, screen, mic stands, the sound board, drums, etc, and taking it all out to our u-haul truck that takes our stuff to a storage facility each week. Out front there was a team putting away tables and signage from our welcome and greeter area and taking it all to the truck. The folks responsible for the cafe' were wrapping things up there, too, as well as the members of the nursery and children's ministry. In a moment of reflection, it dawned on me yet again that Creekstone is a team ministry, and for that I am so very grateful. Or to use Paul's analogy, we are a body, each doing its part, working together with the mission "to glorify God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the gospel." So to all those on the Creekstone team, and on other teams in local churches who serve, whether up front or behind the scenes, thank you. Your role on the team makes a difference.

Since the message did not record on Sunday, I thought I'd post the message handout filled-in.  I hope y'all know how much I treasure sharing the gospel with you on Sundays and throughout the week. You are so receptive and encouraging, and make my job such a joy. Thanks.

I'm in the Creekstone office tonight, and one of our team leaders, Jim Keane is in the next room laminating photos for our information kiosk tomorrow. He has been up here the past two Saturdays. But he is only a representation of the many folks giving a great deal of time and energy toward advancing the mission of Creekstone Church, which is to glorify God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the Gospel.  So as I sit here thinking about just what it takes to make Sundays happen at Creekstone, I want to thank some of our leaders who serve as volunteers.

Matt Stevenson serves as my Pastoral Assistant and handles a lot of administrative details that, if he quit, would put me under my desk in the fetal position.

Jesse Turk serves as Worship Arts Coordinator. No way to calculate the hours he has put in. 

Elijah Merrett serves as Ministry Coordinator, overseeing all of our Sunday ministry teams. Without him, we would not be meeting on Sunday mornings.

Jay Smorey is the new coordinator of our Sound and Light Ministry. He defines professional.

Kira Barcus leads our Children's Ministry. Enough said!

Jim Keane, and his wife, Janet, oversee our Facilities team. They are behind the scenes ministry gurus.  

Tommy Jones oversees the collection of our Offerings and Keeping in Touch forms. Needless to say, that is a vital detail on Sundays.

Robin Howell coordinates our Greeter Team. These are the first faces folks see on Sundays. Thanks for being there, y'all, and for coordinating, Robin!

Joan and Alex Flewelyn coordinate our Hospitality Ministry, which provides coffee and snacks on Sunday mornings. Without y'all, most of us would be asleep!   

I wish that I could name everyone who serves on these various teams and all of our musicians. Please know that I appreciate each and every one of you, and can't wait to celebrate the gospel with you in the morning!

This fall Creekstone is gathering folks who want to be part of our "Launch Team," which is the group within a new church who owns the vision for the ministry and is committed to serving on various ministry teams in order to see the ministry plan implemented.  Here is the covenant.

In light of the gospel and by God's grace, as part of the Launch Team:

1. I will attend weekly Sunday gatherings.
2. I will serve faithfully on a ministry team that lines up with my personal gifts and passions for ministry.
3. I will expect commitment, but not perfection, from others on my ministry team.
4. I will pursue reconciliation with any with whom I experience conflict by freely repenting/confessing my faults and quickly forgiving others.
5. I will approach McKay if I ever find myself in disagreement with Creekstone's philosophy of ministry (the why and how we do what we do).
6. I will invite and bring new people to Creekstone gatherings, and will welcome new folks who attend Creekstone gatherings.
7. I will avoid gossip (talking negatively, or confessing someone else's sins) about individuals at all costs.
8. I will be teachable.
9. I will encourage others on the team, showing appreciation for their role and ministry.
10. I will hunger and thirst for a deeper understanding of and experience with the truth of the gospel.

If you are interested in being part of Creekstone's Launch Team, just go to our website (www.creekstonechurch.com), click the Ministry Team link, download an application, and send it back to me via email (mckaycaston@mac.com).  You may also sign up for our Ministry Teams at the same link, or here at one of these links:

• The Music & Worship Team
• The Tech (A/V) Team
• The Greeter / Welcome Team
• The Set Up & Clean Up Team
• The Children & Nursery Team

Thanks for considering partnering with us to glorify God by helping people come alive to the wonder of the gospel.

For more on this theme, you may listen to Sunday's message, entitled, It Takes a Team.  To listen or download, go to our sermon player here.