There are a lot of things going on and I have been asked some of the same questions in a variety of places so I thought I would us today's blog to answer some of them!  Here are a few:

1. Where did the idea for the name "Faith Bridge" come from? The Vision Team of laypeople and staff that worked together one day per month for the past seven months clarifying our mission, values, strategy, etc. took a look at our naming options several months ago.  However, Rachel first came to me and said she had been praying about the name change and felt impressed by the Lord to propose the name "Faith Bridge."  The work of the Vision Team just made it clear to me that this was the right name for us. I love that the name was first born out of prayer. The name reflects the uniqueness of Jacksonville with her seven bridges, is a terrific metaphor for what we hope to accomplish in bringing the lost to faith in Christ and it creates a great picture in your mind of how that happens as one person leads another from death over to a transformed life in Christ.  VERY exciting!

2. What is it going to cost us to change our name?The actual change in name will cost us very little.  We will have to change the letterhead, business cards, etc.  However, there will be cost related to replacing our very temporary street signs (but that was needed whether we changed the name or not) as well as internal signs and light post signs.  Also, we will be "branding" our new name with a logo, color scheme, etc and we will be working with an art studio for that.

3. Why don't we hear more of the "God stories" you (pastor) refer to? The Lord is doing some really cool stuff in the lives of our church family and the folks He is bringing in to join us.  However, many of these stories involve marriages being restored, people struggling free from drug and alcohol addictions, families where one parent has trusted Christ but the other has not yet to make that decision.  My point is, many of these stories involve very personal details and are not my story to tell.  Also, some of them are still unresolved!  I suspect that in the next months and years these people will come forward to tell their own stories once they have their feet under them and their current struggles are "old news."  Meanwhile, we can rejoice at the people trusting Christ, being baptized and joining the church!

4. When are we going to hire a full time Worship Pastor? This is something I am really praying about and ask you to join me praying.  We are blessed to have the talented folks who lead us in worship each week ... truly, we are led into the Lord's presence each week.  However, taking our worship ministry to the next level will take a skilled and full time ministerial staff member.  Our ability to call someone is directly tied to our finances.  While we have grown as much as 45% in worship attendance, our giving is only up approximately 10% in that same time period.  I will be preaching on God's plan for finances during October and am hopeful that will help our folks get more involved financially.  Again, I ask you to join me in praying for the Lord to work in the hearts of our church family members to walk by faith and give obediently so we can do all He desires for our church family.

5. What are we doing about replacing the playground? Kathy Walker has worked with a consultant and they created a wonderful plan for a replacement playground that will be located on the same side of the parking lot as the church buildings.  After October's sermon series on Biblical stewardship, we will take commitments for giving above our budget over the next year to both pay down our mortgage and for some immediate capital improvements; among those improvements are the signs and the playground!

6. When will Jimmy Walker convert to being a Gator fan? I fear that November 1 will be a difficult day for Jimmy and the many DAWG fans hoping for an upset at the Gator Bowl.  After his trash talk yesterday in church about how we couldn't name our church "Gator Christian Fellowship" because that would be an oxymoron, I think we need to raise the stakes a little ... So how about this ... if Georgia wins on November 1, then I will preach Sunday November 2 in a Georgia jersey (can you tell that I'm not real worried here ...).  HOWEVER, when Florida wins Jimmy has to wear a Gator jersey (that I choose) that same day.

Personally, I think he is a lot of talk and will find a reason not to "play ball." Maybe some of you who are friends could persuade him ....?

 
Lovin' Jesus, my family ... then the Gators,
Pastor Paul