passioncitychurch blog

What a week at Passion City Church.  Lift—A Worship Leader Collective was amazing with 2000 leaders gathering to be encouraged and poured into by our team! Hearts were awakened, vision was cast and now the heart of Jesus through our House is rippling across the nation(s).  And, if that’s not enough, a new recording from Matt Redman was born, songs that will shape the language of the Church for years and give voice to a generation singing of His mercy.

Add to that the kick off for Summer In The City for ATL area college students and Vision + Leadership for all our PCC Door Holders, and you’ve got a pretty amazing week going!

But, the weekend is coming…and we believe Sunday is going to be off the chart.  This Sunday, June 9, is our first Generosity Sunday, a time for us as a family to give above and beyond our normal giving as we trust God to provide all we need for the journey He has us on at PCC.

As we have mentioned throughout our THAT WE MAY campaign, generosity is about far more than our resources.  But God often makes a direct link between the revival of the heart and our willingness to trust Him with what He has first given to us.

Some have asked if we have a specific amount or goal in view as we give on June 9.  While we do have a wide range of needs facing us as a church family (from the recent purchase of the 515 property to improvements to our existing space and the creation of additional Bloom space for our littlest PCC people, the addition of staff and future expansion), Generosity Sunday is not about a target amount.  Rather, it’s about us as families/individuals trusting God with what He wants us to give. In so doing, we will step into a staggering promise for our lives and stock the storehouse of PCC for all He is leading us to do.

Whether you have a lifestyle of giving or are giving for the first time, God is asking you to take a step…to trust in His Word, to watch Him do what only He can do. He says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10.

Please note, two (2) things will happen Sunday.  We will bring our Generosity Sunday gifts above and beyond our normal giving AND we will bring our commitment for what we believe God wants us to give throughout the coming year.  These are two separate amounts.  One we bring on Sunday, the other (not factoring in the Generosity Sunday amount) we commit to give over the course of the coming year.  There is a place to write both amounts on the card.

If you have never given to PCC we were unable to send you the THAT WE MAY card/letter via mail.  Cards will be available Sunday or you may give online here.

Can’t wait to see you Thursday for Vision + Leadership and Sunday for Generosity Sunday!

That we may,

Louie + Shelley plus the PCC Team

We’re excited about the next five weeks at PCC as we’ll be walking together on a journey of generosity. Our walk will lead to an opportunity to give “above and beyond” to the work God is doing in and through our Passion City House on Generosity Sunday, June 9.

Bottom line, we want to be a generous church.

Our vision for Passion City Church is not to just have people “put money in a bucket” or “give because they ought,” but to be a House that is eager to give back to God what He has so generously given to us. In so doing, we want generosity to become the norm, a reflection of the gospel which has so freely, yet lavishly, rearranged our lives forever.

Thus, our That We May campaign is more than just a way to get some extra funds in the bank. Rather, it’s a way to make generosity a way of life. Why? Because we are God’s people, changed by the power of His grace…and because we may.

1 Peter 2:9-10 reframe our identity in Jesus when it states: You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God. You once had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Wow. We were trapped in darkness, yet now we are free to live in light. We once were God-less and aimless, but now we are His own possession, and able to worship in spirit and truth.

And all the results of this grace-work we see in verse nine leads to the tiny, power-packed transitional phrase—that you may. It doesn’t say “that you should” declare the praises of God or even “that you can” declare His worth…but that you may. Now, because of the riches of God’s grace, we may worship the One true God and know and be known by Him. Grace changed everything. And when everything changed, everything changed.

Sure, that may sound redundantly redundant (smile), but if grace is as real and amazing as we say, then the awakening power of the gospel must springboard us into a lifestyle of worship—a living out of our gratitude that encompasses not just our resources, but everything we are and do.

We are still a young and growing tribe, yet by God’s design we have been given a reach that extends beyond our neighborhood. So, for both those down the street, and those across the oceans, we want our cupboards to be full. We do have specific needs (expanding our Bloom space for PCC’s littlest ones, designing a more suitable overflow space, moving our offices to newly created space at 515 and adding to our growing staff team). But, we also have dreams of expanding to other parts of the city and potentially other cities of the world. And, we want to be able to pay down our debt on our property at Garson Drive, freeing us from long-term building obligations that might constrict our ability to reach more people with the message of Jesus.

All this is possible because God will provide for all He has called us to do. But God wants to include you and me (us) and revolutionize our lives with the powerful principle of generosity toward His House.

You’ll hear a lot more about That We May in the coming days.

On Sunday, May 5, Todd Peterson will be challenging our House on what it looks like to embark on the journey of generosity. Then on Tuesday night, May 7, all of our Passion City Community Groups will unite at 515 and we will have a night of prayer together as we trust God for His provision for our House.

Later, I’ll be speaking on That We May on a weekend and we will rally around this theme and have a powerful night of worship/prayer at our summer Vision + Leadership night on June 6. Then, on Generosity Sunday, each family/individual will have the opportunity to bring a gift and a commitment to God. The gift will be your “above and beyond” offering as God leads you to give. The commitment will be your family’s/your commitment for what you want to give throughout the year leading up to Generosity Sunday in June of 2014.

Join us for these special nights of prayer. We don’t want “business as usual,” but we want to see God’s supernatural power displayed in and through our House.

My hope is that everyone in our family will take a step. For some, that may mean moving from giving occasionally to giving regularly, but for others it will mean deciding to give for the very first time. We are going to celebrate every step, because every step is a step toward faith and freedom.

Are we giving because we should? Because we ought to? Because there is a need? No, we are giving because we may, and that’s the only motivation we need.

Grateful for each of you,

Louie

Everyone wants to know that their life counts in the grand scheme of things.  And everyone is searching to discover just exactly what it is that God wants them to do with their life.  But is that even possible?!?

Is it possible to know God’s purpose for your days?  Can we really follow our heart and pursue the passion that stirs inside of us?

The answer to both questions is a resounding yes!  Find out more and join us for the next few weeks as we start our new series, Passion + Purpose–Coming Alive In God’s Great Story.  It’s likely you’re going to discover freedom that you’ve never known.

Beginning April 7 at 9/11:15/5PM.

Leading up to April 9, the #enditmovement, a coalition of seven amazing organizations, is raising awareness for the millions of men, women and children enslaved around the world today.  In 161 nations, including the USA, innocent people are trapped in forced labor, bonded servitude and sexual exploitation.  Held against their will, used for profit and coerced with violence and threats, most will never see the light of day.

Almost invisible to society as a whole, these men, women and children are hidden from view.  In fact, it comes as shocking news to most who hear “there are currently more slaves in the world today than at any other time in human history!”  Sadly, this statistic is true, but more disheartening is the reality that most people have no clue.

Yet, daily, amazing freedom fighters contend for the freedom for those held captive.  These ordinary heroes are helping bring prevention, working with local authorities to investigate crimes, rescuing victims and prosecuting offenders, and restoring those now free.

Of course, there are some who ask, “What good does it do to sit at home on your couch and tweet about slavery?  We need action, not people writing on their Facebook pages.”

I think we can all agree that words without actions will not get the job done.  But don’t make the mistake of thinking that words don’t matter.  According to Gary Haugen, the head of International Justice Mission and a pioneer in the freedom-fight for over fifteen years, “Awareness is doing the work!”

While it may not be helpful to sit on your couch forever, there are some simple things you can do while sitting there (or somewhere else) that will help bring freedom to those enslaved around the world.

Namely:

• From your couch you can get informed. Search and read everything you can.  Find out who’s doing what, both locally and globally.  Get the facts.
• From your couch you can move heaven and earth.  When you are not sure what to do: pray.  Even if you do know what needs to be done: first pray.  As you know the names of people and organizations working to bring freedom: pray.
• From your couch you can speak up.  Whether you have 16 followers of 16,000, raise your voice and use your platform. Write a piece for your local paper.  Send an email to your contacts. Be heard.
• From your couch you can engage.  Write your government officials locally and nationally.  Support trafficking initiatives when they arise.  Sign a petition.  Start a dialogue.
• From your couch you can give.  Ask anyone working to bring freedom what they need to succeed and soon they will tell you about financial needs that are slowing their mission.  Click. Give. Empower.
• From your couch you can care.  Think about what you’re buying and valuing.  Shift your heart.  Choose not to be indifferent.  Unless our hearts first change, people will not be free.
• From your couch you can volunteer.  If you have spare time, ask a local organization what you can do.  Make calls from home.  Become an online mentor.  Help with admin tasks via computer.  Stuff envelopes at your coffee table.
• From your couch you can plan a freedom event.  Set up a 5K run.  Design a T-shirt.  Organize a concert.

So, don’t listen to the naysayers trying to put a damper on your participation in the END IT Movement National Awareness Campaign.  Awareness may be the first step, but it’s a vital step in the freedom journey. And, as it turns out, the couch can be a powerful place from which to start the change.

Raise your voice April 9 and until all are free.

Join us for Easter with Passion City Church this Sunday, March 31, at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park in Alpharetta.  We are excited to host one powerful Easter Celebration at 10:30 AM as we celebrate the life that’s found in Jesus Christ.  No tickets are needed.  Parking is free.  There’s plenty of seating for you to invite your friends and family!

No childcare will be provided, but we will offer an activity pack for kids to engage them during the gathering.

Gates open at 9:30 AM. Main parking is in the A Lot. See you there!

Please note, no gatherings at 515 Garson Drive location.

First we sprang forward, now we are shifting the whole schedule at PCC!  Beginning Sunday, March 17, we will be hosting two morning gatherings at 9 AM and 11:15 AM and just one evening option at 5 PM.

Our immediate aim is to accommodate more families in the morning, where we have been running at max capacity in our current morning gathering for a few months now.  With the addition of 9 AM we’ll have additional room to grow and serve those connecting with Passion City Church.

Note that Passion Kids will be offered only at 9 and 11:15.

We’ll still be hosting an evening option at 5 PM, with Bloom only for babies thru Pre-K.  Passion Students will meet in the Loading Dock at 3 PM.

We know that this shift will require some adjustments for all of us, but we are excited to do whatever we can to do whatever it takes to provides as many people as possible the opportunity to experience what each of us is already experiencing at PCC.  Thank you for being flexible and helping carry the spirit and vision of our House.

Speaking of flexibility, it’s likely our schedule will keep morphing and changing as seasons change and more growth occurs.  The name of the game in our House is flexibility, born out of an eagerness to serve others as we build a place for God, for people, for the city and for the world.

The biggest challenge with the new shift in gathering times is the condensed changeover between the end of the 9:00 and the 11:15.  If you attend the 9:00, which we are hoping many of you will, and you have children in Passion Kids or Bloom, please move quickly at the conclusion of the gathering to pick up your children.  It’s important that you collect your children before you visit with friends or check out resources.

As well, we will have more organized flow in the building for those dropping off and picking up children. For the first few weeks we suggest you build in a little extra time and patience, no matter which gathering you plan on attending. If you’re coming to PCC for the first time you can go ahead and register your kids online to expedite your check-in process.

We will also be tweaking our traffic flow in the parking lots and on the streets surrounding 515.  Again, please allow extra time and follow directions provided by our officers and Parking Team. A few ways you can help expedite the process is to avoid backing into parking spaces, stay off your cell phone until you’ve exited the property and to park at the deck as your first choice no matter what time you arrive.

As we make the shift we want to give a huge shout out to our amazing Door Holders.  These folks serve so eagerly and give so much to provide a great experience for all who come through our doors.  It would be fantastic if you’d consider joining them.  If so, you can attend one gathering and serve in another, or just go crazy, and serve/attend all three.

We’re expecting great things and eager to see you Sunday at 9 AM, 11:15 AM and 5 PM.

Church is family and there’s a place for you at PCC.

So if you consider Passion City Church your home, we REALLY want you to take the next step and become a part of a Community Group. These groups provide a place for all of us to belong, connect and grow beyond the Sunday gatherings. You’ll meet new people, be encouraged in your spiritual walk, and find yourself feeling like PCC isn’t such a big church after all. So find a group that meets close to where you live/work, sign up online, and link in with all that Jesus is doing in and through Passion City Church!

PS- If you’ve tried a group and didn’t feel it was a fit, give another group a shot! We feel like there’s a place for you.

Excited to revisit the three anchors of PCC as we delve into our new series, Anchor. We’ll be talking about three of the main values that shape our House– Radical Grace, Extravagant Worship, the Glory of God. Don’t miss it!

Coming January 20, 27, February 3.

Dear PCC Family,

Though I was invited by the President of the United States to pray at his upcoming inauguration, after conversations between our team and the White House I am no longer serving in that role. I sent the following statement to the White House today:

I am honored to be invited by the President to give the benediction at the upcoming inaugural on January 21. Though the President and I do not agree on every issue, we have fashioned a friendship around common goals and ideals, most notably, ending slavery in all its forms.

Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.

Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day.

Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever we need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.

The issue of homosexuality (which a particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals’ rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve.

As a pastor, my mission is to love people, and lead them well, while lifting up the name of Jesus above anything else. I’m confident that anyone who knows me or has listened to the multitude of messages I have given in the last decade would most likely conclude that I am not easily characterized as being opposed to people—any people. Rather, I am constantly seeking to understand where all people are coming from and how to best serve them as I point them to Jesus.

In all things, the most helpful thing I can do is to invite each of us to wrestle with scripture and its implications for our lives. God’s words trump all opinions, including mine, and in the end, I believe God’s words lead to life.

My greatest desire is that we not be distracted from the things we are focused on…seeing people in our city come to know Jesus, and speaking up for the last and least of these throughout the world.

Honored to be your pastor,
Louie

Passion 2013 is fast approaching and tens of thousands of college students and 18-25s are staking their places at The Dome. It’s amazing to see the buzz growing as people want to be a part of what God is doing in this generation.

While many have the means to attend, others are struggling to make the finances work. As you may know, for the second year Beth Moore and Living Proof Ministries have generously provided scholarships to make it possible for young ladies who have never been able to attend Passion 2013. This is a huge investment in the next generation.

But what about the guys? Aren’t there men who, with a little financial assistance, would like to be a part of Passion in The Dome?

We are pumped to announce that Passion has received a grant that will now provide scholarships for men who are hoping to be a part of this year’s Passion gathering. Obviously, we are thrilled and grateful for this generous gift and, as a result, are currently making 500 scholarships available to those who qualify.

If you’re a guy, a HS senior or 18-25, get all the info and apply here.

Hope to see you at The Dome!

Louie Giglio and the Passion Team