Revival Part 2 : The Best is Ahead
Posted by Dave Clayton on 01/29/2012
Baptism Sunday (Feb 19th)
Posted by Dave Clayton on 01/24/2012
LISTEN to a recent teaching on Baptism
BAPTISM
At Ethos Church, we believe baptism is one of the most exciting moments in a person’s journey of faith.
Baptism is a powerful moment in which we publicly identify ourselves with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as we surrender our ways to His way. It is a life changing moment.
BAPTISM AT ETHOS CHURCH
At Ethos Church, we celebrate baptism in a variety of ways.
In the past year, people have been baptized in front of large crowds during our Sunday Worship Gatherings, in small groups after a house church meeting on a week night, in rivers and pools — even during lunch breaks in our church office with just a handful of friends to celebrate.
Regardless of the time, the place, or the number of people watching — we love to celebrate as people decide to follow Jesus through baptism.
BAPTISM SUNDAY | Sunday, Feb 19th (9:15AM, 10:45AM, 5PM, 7PM)
Over the last several months, many of you have made the decision to follow Jesus for the very first time. What an incredible decision! Some of you know you are ready to make that decision, but for a variety of reasons have yet to jump all the way in.
On Sunday, February 19th, at all of our worship gatherings, you will have a special opportunity to take the next step in your journey with Jesus through baptism.
We believe baptism is a big step, and not something to just rush into — so that is why we are giving you a heads up about February 19th. Take some time to think, pray, search the scriptures, and your heart about your relationship with Jesus and what it means to commit your life to Him.
ARE YOU READY TO BE BAPTIZED?
If you or someone you know is ready to be baptized :
1) Send an email to baptism@ethoslove.com and include your Name, Age, and tell us a little bit about your faith story.
2) Once you have sent an email, someone from our ministry team will contact you to set up a time to talk, pray, and fill you in on the details for Feb 19th.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate send us an email (baptism@ethoslove.com) and someone will get back with you shortly.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ON BAPTISM?
If you would like to explore further what the Bible teaches on Baptism, please download the PDF below for a list of scriptures regarding baptism. Baptism Verses (PDF)
Schedule Change : Superbowl Sunday (Feb 5th)
Posted by Dave Clayton on 01/24/2012
At Ethos Church, we love looking for natural opportunities to connect with our friends and neighbors who are not a part of a church family. In the south, one of the most natural opportunities to do this is on Superbowl Sunday. Our first priority as a church family is to Love God deeply. Our second priority is to Love people well.
Here is how we will Love God and Love People on Superbowl Sunday.
First, we want to keep our priorities in line by gathering together as a church to express our love towards God in worship. We worship God, not football, so we don’t cancel our worship gatherings so we can watch a game.
Second, in an effort to love our friends & neighbors well — we will be flexible with our meeting times to provide everyone in our church an opportunity to not only gather with our church family for worship, but to gather with their friends and neighbors who aren’t a part of a church to watch the game. So make sure you go ahead and invite your friends and neighbors over to your place to watch the game. After all, we believe Jesus’ followers should throw the best parties.
Schedule : Superbowl Sunday, FEB 6th
9:15AM
10:45AM
1:00PM – The 5PM Worship Gathering will be meeting at 1PM on Feb 5th
3:00PM – The 7PM Worship Gathering will be meeting at 3PM on Feb 5th
Revival Part 1 : God Has Spoken
Posted by Dave Clayton on 01/22/2012
Blueprint 2012 : Alive
Posted by Dave Clayton on 01/15/2012
Blueprint 2012
Posted by lukeflener on 01/15/2012
LISTEN to Blueprint 2012
DOWNLOAD the Blueprint 2011 Annual Report
Our mission at Ethos Church is simple. We exist to Love God, Love People, and Awaken a Movement. Our mission is the filter by which we organize our time, our energy, and our finances. Everything we do at Ethos Church is for the purpose of fulfilling the mission that God has set before us. Our yearly Blueprint serves as one tangible way for us to fulfill our mission.
In the year ahead we prayerfully plan to share the gospel, plant new churches, feed the poor, care for orphans, invest in impoverished communities, and fight the war on sex trafficking. Blueprint 2012 will serve as a catalyst for helping us Love God, Love People, and Awaken a Movement locally and globally.
Our Blueprint 2012 consist of 5 Major Focuses.
1. GOSPEL Church Planting, Training, & Resources
2. BASIC NEEDS Food, Water, & Shelter
3. COMMUNITIES Kids, Family, & Education
4. MEDICAL Supplies & Relief
5. MERCY Orphans, Widows, Human Trafficking, Poverty, & Addiction
Within each of these 5 Focuses, there are many tangible goals & projects we will be tackling in 2012. To get a sense of where we are headed in 2012, please download the Blueprint 2012 Packet at the top of this page.
In Conclusion.
One of my favorite stories in all of Scripture is the story of Nehemiah. After seeing the plight of God’s people, in faith, Nehemiah set out to make a difference. With a broken heart, a little faith, and a courageous Spirit, one man put together a BLUEPRINT for rebuilding the walls, and restoring the faith of God’s people.
Most people have great ideas, but few people see those ideas through to completion.
As a church family, there are many injustices in our world, our country, and our city that break our hearts. Yet we believe that much like Nehemiah, with broken hearts, a little faith, and a courageous Spirit we too can put together a BLUEPRINT for rebuilding the walls, and restoring the faith of the people in Nashville and beyond.
I pray you will have the faith to ACT courageously and GIVE generously as we seek to Love God, Love People, and Awaken a Movement.
Dave Clayton, Leader of Vision & Teaching
2011 Ethos Church Annual Report, Blueprint 2011 Recap
Posted by lukeflener on 01/11/2012
Hello.
2011 was an amazing year at Ethos Church.
On January 16, 2011, I stood up in front of our church family and presented our 2011 Blueprint (our plan for how we would fulfill our mission in the year ahead). It was an amazing day as we dreamed together about what it was that God might choose to do through us in 2011.
Together we dreamed about sharing the gospel, planting new churches, feeding the poor, caring for orphans, investing in impoverished communities, fighting the war on sex trafficking and so much more.
As I look back on 2011, I am blown away by God’s faithfulness and grace. With God’s help, we were able to meet or exceed every major goal we set. Together we saw more people meet Jesus, more churches started, more people served, and more money given in the past year than any other year in our church’s short history (3 years).
Although it would be impossible to share every number or tell every story, I think it is important for us to take a few minutes to reflect on some of the tangible ways that God was at work among us. Here are a few numbers and stories to give you a broader look at God’s work among us in 2011. Enjoy.
Love,
Dave Clayton Leader | Vision & Teaching at Ethos Church
At Home Worship Guide: Jan. 1
Posted by lukeflener on 12/22/2011
Looking for the Dec. 25 at home worship guide? It’s here.
START HERE
For the first followers of Jesus, the home was the central gathering place for worship (Deut. 6:4–9, 1 Cor. 16:19, Col. 4:15). Friends and family gath- ered to read the scriptures, sing songs, reflect on the goodness of God, and share a meal. For the earliest followers of Jesus, worship began in the home.
A few times each year, we like to take the opportunity to get back to our roots. On Sunday, December 25th and January 1st, Ethos Church will not be gathering at the regular times for worship at the Cannery. Instead, Ethos Church will be meeting in hundreds of homes throughout Nashville and beyond.
In fact, wherever you are on December 25th and January 1st is where Ethos Church will be meeting.
INSTRUCTIONS
We have provided a few ideas to give you some direction as you wor- ship at home. Feel free to use as many of these ideas as you would like. Our goal in this time is to help us love God and love people, and if these can help you do that, wonderful. If not, feel free to be creative and think about how to draw your family into loving God and people.
SETTING
As you begin your time of family worship, we encourage you to find a place that is comfortable, where your family often gathers. Gather around the dinner table, brew a cup of coffee and sit on your back porch, or find that perfect spot on your couch. The choice is yours.
WORSHIP IN SONG
We believe very few things prepare our hearts to encounter God like wor- shipping Him through song. We have provided a cd with several songs we recorded specifically for this worship time at home. You can sing along with these songs, listen and reflect on the words, or sing your own songs.
REFLECT
There is something about the beginning of a new year that creates the perfect environment for self reflection. Read Psalm 139:23–24 as a prayer over your time of worship and reflection. Give each person a blank piece of paper and pen. Ask each person two write down these two things:
1. As you think back on this past year, what things caused your heart to be anxious, bothered, or distracted?
2. As you think about the new year, where do you hope God will help lead you in the way everlasting and closer to Him?
ALL THINGS NEW
For some, the start of a new year is filled with hope. It is the time to let go of the past and start fresh. For others, it carries as bit of sadness. Christmas is over, winter has fully set in, there are no leaves on the trees, and weather can be rather bleak. Regardless of how you may feel, each new year can serve as a powerful reminder that Jesus alone can make things new. During the days of Isaiah, the people of God felt as though they were in a proverbial winter. The days of God’s favor seemed like a distant memory. But in the midst of those times, God promised them that better days were coming. Read Isaiah 65:17–25.
1. What images come to mind when you read this promise that God will make all things new?
Jesus’ birth ushered in the beginning of a new era. His birth signaled that things were forever going to be different. For those who had been wait- ing on the Messiah, this brought great hope. Read Romans 15:13. Pass the communion and take the bread and the cup as you discuss Jesus.
2. How has Jesus’ arrival filled you with hope and peace?
3. How would this new year be different if you were filled with hope that came from the Holy Spirit as you trusted in Jesus?
FAMILY PRAYER TIME
Finally, we invite you to close your time of family worship in prayer. Spend time as a family praying for the people you know who are in des- perate need of hope. Pray that God will breathe new life into their world this year. Pray that the God of hope will overflow their lives with reality of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
At Home Worship Guide: Dec. 25
Posted by lukeflener on 12/22/2011
START HERE
For the first followers of Jesus, the home was the central gathering place for worship (Deut. 6:4–9, 1 Cor. 16:19, Col. 4:15). Friends and family gath- ered to read the scriptures, sing songs, reflect on the goodness of God, and share a meal. For the earliest followers of Jesus, worship began in the home.
A few times each year, we like to take the opportunity to get back to our roots. On Sunday, December 25th and January 1st, Ethos Church will not be gathering at the regular times for worship at the Cannery. Instead, Ethos Church will be meeting in hundreds of homes throughout Nashville and beyond.
In fact, wherever you are on December 25th and January 1st is where Ethos Church will be meeting.
INSTRUCTIONS
We have provided a few ideas to give you some direction as you wor- ship at home. Feel free to use as many of these ideas as you would like. Our goal in this time is to help us love God and love people, and if these can help you do that, wonderful. If not, feel free to be creative and think about how to draw your family into loving God and people.
SETTING
As you begin your time of family worship, we encourage you to find a place that is comfortable, where your family often gathers. Gather around the dinner table, turn off the lights and sit in front of Christmas tree, or sit on the couch in front of the fireplace. Just get comfortable.
WORSHIP IN SONG
We believe very few things prepare our hearts to encounter God like wor- shipping Him through song. We have provided a cd with several songs we recorded specifically for this worship time at home. You can sing along with these songs, listen and reflect on the words, or sing your own songs.
JESUS IS LIGHT
In this package, you should have received a candle. We invite you to turn off all the lights in the room. Sit in darkness for 1–2 minutes and then light the candle. If you are sitting near your Christmas tree, feel free to use your Chrismas tree lights as a substitue. By candle light, pass the communion bread and the cup. Have someone from your family read John 1:1–18. As you read the text and think about Jesus, eat the bread and drink the cup.
Here are a few questions to help you focus on Jesus with your family & friends.
1. What do you notice about the power of one little light in a dark room?
2. John tells us that Jesus is light that shines in the darkness. How have you seen Jesus shed light into some of the dark places in your life this year?
3. Where are you praying that Jesus will bring light in your life in the year to come?
4. On the night Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in a field to announce that Jesus had arrived. With Jesus’ arrival came the promise of good news and peace on earth to all people. How has the birth of Jesus (the light entering the darkness) been a source of good news and peace in your life?
FAMILY PRAYER TIME
Finally, we invite you to close your time of family worship in prayer. Start by taking a couple minutes to sit in silence.
Here are a few suggestions for your time of family prayer.
1. Begin by having each person, if they feel comfortable, give thanks to God for someone or something specific.
2. Have each person pray for someone they know who needs the love of Jesus.
3. End your time of prayer by thanking God for the great gift of sending Jesus.
ACTION
As you go about the rest of your Christmas Day, look for specific ways in which you can be a light in the midst of your family and friends. Holidays can often be stressful. At times it is easier to survive the holidays than it is to enjoy the holidays on mission with Jesus.
Here are a few practical suggestions to help you make the most of your time with friends and family.
1. As you give people gifts, go the extra step and tell them how much you love and care for them.
2. As you receive gifts, take a few minutes to just think about the great gift that God has given you in Jesus.
3. As you enjoy the glow from the Christmas lights, pause to reflect on Jesus being the light that came into the darkness of our world. You might even choose to talk about this with your friends and family.
A King Is Born : Response to the King
Posted by Dave Clayton on 12/19/2011
