Southland Christian Church

There are very few things harder than parenting... at least parenting well (let's be honest, most dads have considered duct taping that pacifier to the kid's face after putting it back in three or four times). Coming up in April we're going to launch another session of Revolutionary Parenting, a class on how to raise your kids in a way that God would want you to.  Here's a few quotes from people who have already taken the class...

"This class is great! My wife and I have the house all to ourselves now!"

"It's really wonderful knowing that the kids aren't around to barge in any time they want!"

Oh, wait.  I'm sorry.  Those are the quotes from our Revolutionary Retirement class (which doesn't really exist).  Here's the real stuff from real people...

"My wife and I are parents of a six and four year old.  We attended the Revolutionary Parenting Class and learned not only about our own approach to parenting but the parenting of others as well.  In addition to the material that is covered, the discussions that we shared with other parents helped us to implement many new ideas and concepts.  Most importantly, Revolutionary Parenting showed us how to structure our parenting around the Biblical idea of what God intends for us as parents to provide our children."

"The class did a nice job helping my husband and I to think about our job as parents in a more purposeful way, specifically in a spiritually purposeful way.  When we had thought of raising JD, we had thought of the things we needed to do to prepare him with the foundation necessary to be a successful person in this world, but we had NOT always put enough planning into what we needed to do to purposefully prepare him spiritually.  The class helped us to think about what SPECIFIC values and virtues did we want to instill in JD, and THEN what did we need to do to help lay the foundation so that we did create a home and an environment that facilitated those values and virtues.  Now we have the framework that allows us to think about how we are raising him, and are our actions matching up with where we want him to be when he leaves us.  It was an excellent experience."

Southland offers lots of opportunities to sharpen yourself into the person God wants you to be.  If you think Revolutionary Parenting would be for you, keep an eye out for the class in April.  If you're interested in other classes or learning what we have going on, just contact Pauline.

We're getting close to finishing up our Decades series. If you've enjoyed church these last few weeks, Jesus is probably happy about it.  To get ready for this weekend, you should probably watch this video... then we'll see you this weekend.

If you've not stayed plugged into what's going on at the clinics, watch this. And if you'd like to know more or get plugged in yourself, contact Chad at cbowman@refugeministriesky.org or 225-4325 for more information.

Echo - How to Study the Bible Class for Men

The Aha Moment Class for Women...

You're not too late to start coming to the studies.  If you're interested in digging in with over 1000 men and women that have already been going just sign up here.

We've been partnering with Food for the Hungry's work in Congo. They've provided a PDF to update us on the work that is taking place in Congo. It is available for download here.

The Refuge Medial Clinic's purpose is to share the love of Christ by providing the highest quality medical care while administering compassionate and holistic healing to the community.

Our Fayette County clinic has been open for ten months while our Jessamine County clinic has been operating for over a year. To date, we have provided primary care for over 1,000 patients between the two clinics. Our Fayette County dental clinic is up and running and we are expecting Jessamine County to have dental services beginning in February.

We are rapidly growing and need committed volunteers now more than ever! If you are interested in volunteering with us and making a difference in downtown Lexington and Jessamine County, we currently have opportunities for both medical and non-medical volunteers. Please contact Chad Bowman at cbowman@refugeministriesky.org or 225-4325 for more information.

Many people make the mistake of thinking the only way to be involved in mission work is to be on the ground in a foreign country. Mission isn't an event – it's a lifestyle. We are called to make disciples of every nation, and that includes our own.

It is possible for us to live like missionaries here, so we can support those working overseas. Below are some simple things we can do to support those that are on the ground around the world.

Cut back on what you do. By sacrificing a little bit every day, we can raise money for those working overseas daily needs.

• Cancel subscription TV service, or downgrade to a plan that saves at least $30 a month.
• Cut out buying ONE soda or coffee a day - make or bring your own.
• Downgrade/cancel cell phone or landline service. Do you need both?
• Cut out one or two fast food meals or “eating out” and save the difference.
• Carpool. Figure out what you save at the end of the month and send the difference to support missions.

Add to what you already do. Simple daily disciplines can also help channel resources to support work overseas.

• Empty your pocket change into a jar each day and send it to a short-term mission team or member you are supporting.
• When you write a check, deduct an “extra” dollar from the checkbook balance. When you reconcile, write a check for that amount for missions.
• Set up a short-term mission “Savings Account” at your bank (savings accounts are usually free) and have an automated amount taken out each month.
• Use coupons and consider the money saved as money for missions.
• Don’t spend rebate checks or cash-back refunds - save the money for missions.
• Money found in the washer or on the street gets saved in the “pocket change” jar.
• Borrow from the library instead of buying books. Save the difference for missions.
• Bring lunch to work and send the money you save to missions.
• Buy generic and save the difference for missions.
• Rent a movie instead of going to the theater and save the difference.
• Stop at the “thrift store” to find what you need before spending money at the department store.
• Sit down and do a budget and include an amount for missions each month.

Make additional money. You don't just have to make money to put it in your bank account. You can make money for the purpose of giving it away

• Sell items in garage sales or eBay - old toys, sports equipment, etc. Ask friends to contribute their items to sell.
• Have a bake sale. 
• Pick up trash, fix it up, and sell it. 
• Bank your raise - that can be the whole year’s worth of savings ($360). 
• Send or tithe your IRS refund check. 
• Kids can offer to do odd jobs for neighbors/friends. 
• Sell your used textbooks. 
• Sell your old cell phone and save the difference.

Use your imagination! Your small sacrifices can make a world of difference for the unreached people around the globe.

This past weekend you may have heard Jon talk about practical ways to love people in 2010.  One great way is to help our kids and teens!  If you are interested in being in ministry to our students at Southland let us know.  For info about serving in Children's and Nursery Ministries contact Wende at wmalone@southlandchristian.org or 224.1674.  To serve with Middle or High School Students contact Mallory at mrohach@southlandchristian.org or 977.2755.

Southland’s Danville Campus Church opened its doors on Sept. 6, 2009 and we’ve been running full speed ahead from day one. With two Sunday services (10 and 11:30 a.m.), our average attendance is around 600.  

Campus Pastor, Dave Rizer, hosts our weekend services with high quality video teaching from Jon Weece, Southland’s Senior Minister.  We have a vibrant vocal team and band that provide quality worship music every weekend under the leadership of Brian Lucas. Our age level environments on Sunday morning include top notch volunteers who guide preschool and elementary age children through in-room Life Groups, their own video teaching, and activities designed for each age group. Lindsey Stich serves as our Children’s Ministry Director and gives oversight to these leaders and to our Nursery room caregivers to ensure safe and secure environments for each child who attends.
 
We have plans to launch a Student Ministries program (for middle school and high school students) in 2010.  Service in our community is another top priority for this campus – we want to be the best church for the Danville/Boyle County area!
 
Special classes are offered periodically throughout the year.  A monthly class, Welcome To Southland, gives insight into our purpose, goals, and vision.  Beginning in February 2010, Dave Rizer will teach a six-week class titled “The Unstoppable Force.”  This overview of the book of Acts will be  purposeful teaching to correlate with our vision and strategy for Southland.
 
We’re excited about the foundation that has been laid before us and even more excited about what 2010 will bring as we continue to make a difference in the lives of people in central Kentucky.