GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

The Intolerance of the "Tolerance" Police

Oh Wow!!!! I should know better. I hate when I wade into an area I know we don't all agree on and it might offend someone I love or a friend I have great respect for, but when God called me to Pastor, it meant that as a Shepherd I must deal with things as they come. My greatest call is from God and is for the Sheep He has put in His Flock for me to Shepherd. 

Having said that, this past weekend you all know the Miss Universe Pageant took place. There was a diatribe unleashed by some guy named Perez Hilton, who I had never heard of before, who was a judge. I'm sure you have heard by now of the controversy. 

I shared his vile and hatred video on his website on Monday, last night, on my Face Book page. Yes, it unleashed plenty of emotion and some disagreement from some of my friends. Now, let me say this. I have more than 750 friends on Face Book. They are of all stripes, shapes, colors, creeds, gay, straight, adulterers, liars, and  all kinds of backgrounds. (does that just about cover everyone?) Obviously we won't all agree. I mean, my lovely wife and I don't always agree. I just have learned to be tolerant of her, when she is wrong that is all. (oh, I will pay for that one). But seriously I still love her and love her too much to let a disagreement divide us. In our church we have 70 different countries, a slew of cultures, and political backgrounds. Are we bound to disagree? Absolutely. Anything I say someone disagrees with. If they don't, I'm going to worry.  But as Christians we are called to love one another and even love those who might disagree. You say, yea, but that's one thing, but some of them are enemies of what I believe. OK, Jesus said love your enemies. You don't have to be their friends. 

Having said that, the point of my Face Book comments was more about how those who want and preach tolerance from their radical left agenda to those of us who have Christan and moral convictions are often times the most INTOLERANT TO OUR BELIEFS.  

Folks, there is a Culture war happening in our World. Since the 70's as a teenager, I have seen it. It isn't new and it's not going away. Considering the climate in our country right now in so many areas of our life, it is only intensifying. If you're a believer, you better learn to stand up for what you believe. You better learn to articulate it. You better not hide from it. You will disappoint the one Who died for you, if you run from it. Don't cowardly turn away, or hide. But boldly speak up. But as I made the case on FB, do it in love and you can do it without hate or offense. "Speak the Truth in Love".

I am going to put the video link here, I have on FB for those of you not on it. I will also put my comments from Face Book so you understand what context this post is written with. 

 "Perez Hilton, the new Poster Boy for the Intolerant Politically Correct Liberal Morality Police. His rant after the Miss USA Pageant about Miss California, a Christian contestant who in a gracious answer to his question differed from his Liberal View. The Video below is unedited and has some very vile language. So be warned. I'm posting it in order to warn Christians who have Biblical Convictions in our new world...If you share your view, you will be attacked, mocked, and cursed. But I salute Miss California for her strong Moral stand yet gracious in doing so. But it didn't matter to the intolerant Liberal Morality Policeman, Perez Hilton.
I don't like these beauty pageants and don't watch them, but I'm so thankful there are some young Christians in the Public arena willing to speak out about their personal convictions. I salute you, Miss California. "

Perez Hilton CNN RANT Miss USA 2009 Gay Marriage

Source: www.youtube.com

Perez Hilton on CNN Larry King, tells his thoughts about Miss California 2009 at the MISS USA Pageant http://www.clububt.com?cmpgn_id=6941

 Because of a number of comments left on my FB page, I then wrote this to those reading my FB:

"Hey, all you guys/gals out there. Thanks for your input. Let me clarify my intentions here, and let you know what I saw as the problem, and make sure you know what I was trying to focus on. Not the beauty pageant and why or who should be on the Judging panel. I could care less about these. I actually have some pretty strong opinions on how they ... portray women. That's for another discussion. Even the gay/straight argument. Another day and time for me.
This was simply pointing out the Intolerance and hate of those who claim to want tolerance and respect by others. That is all. I don't know or even care who this guy, Perez is. Have not ever seen or heard of him. For whatever reason he was chosen to be on a National panel. That alone elevated him, deservedly or not. He was there, and now every network I can find has interviewed him, and let him spew his venom and hate to those that might disagree. This isn't a black/white issue. Rick -- good point, and I don't think Brian meant it that way.

OK, I can tell this needs to be a blog post on my blog, not enough room here. As usual for me, it cut me off. So what I'm saying is, let's not allow ourselves on this post, to get into the gay/straight, black/white issues, or it will not be productive. Christans need to show love not only to each other, even in our very different view points but ... to those we disagree with morally and spiritually. This is the point. As a Christian, we must speak out. That is what Miss California did. Wrong venue for the question. Probably, for sure. But she did. Now the Intolerance of the radical left moral police is trying to slander and beat her down. She gave her answer in a very kind way. Even almost apologizing if she offended someone. We can all learn from her. This is my point. Stand up for what you believe spiritually and morally, even if it's not Politically correct in your corner. Secondly, do it with as much kindness and love as you can. Jesus always did that and He instructs us to do that.

"Ignite" Behind the Scenes

The Ignite series we are studying right now at Oasis Church actually began in the Fall when the Pastoral TeachingTeam decided on a rough draft of the coming year's Sermon series. 

In January the Teaching team, along with our Communications Team, Tech Director, Joel Collins, and worship leaders came together to spend time on exploring the different names of our up-coming series and how they might look as we presented them.  This includes print, all media forms, as well as stage decor and sermon titles. 

From that meeting the different teams went to work on preparing rough plans for the upcoming series of "Oasis Live", "Song of Solomon", "Deja Vu"/Philippians, and our "Summer of Love" series, dealing in the book of 1 Corinthians.  

In February, our staff which included all support personnel, ministry leaders and pastors, gathered for our monthly staff luncheon. This time the staff was divided up in teams and each was assigned a different upcoming series. They were given 30 minutes to come up with stage decor ideas along with other decorative ideas surrounding how the series would be seen by you, our Oasis Family.  I chronicled that meeting, in my blog. If you would like to see the pics and how it came about, you can click here   

During this time, our Teaching Team was assigned different parts of the series to study and prepare for in the various books of the Bible we are teaching this spring. As the rough drafts of the sermons are done they are sent out to all areas of ministry.   At this point each area can begin to think, and pray about how they will present the upcoming series. Joel, our Tech Director begins working on videos, clips and other media elements. Jenn and her team begin preparing for the printing of all the communications such as, bulletins, invites, website articles, banners, Press Releases, and an abundance of other elements.  During this time, Easter and all the Series such as Ecclesiastes and "Oasis Live" were also being preached and taught. 

As you are beginning to see, it doesn't just happen one Sunday morning. It takes months of work, prayer, study  and planning by a lot of folks. Most of it is behind the scene until all of a sudden you see videos, printed pieces such as "Ignite" invite cards, stage decor that pops, and even little surprises.  (Pic @ right, Saturday night, Pines)

I am proud of the staff that God has given us who work tirelessly each week in not only preparing for 12 services a week on 3 campuses, and 7 Nights of Worship, but they also visit the sick, pray for the hurting, counsel, disciple, lead various ministries, and minister to the hundreds of families that make up Oasis Church. They do this every day, with little fan fare and pats on the back. I hope you will say thanks to the men and women who lead Oasis. This post is only the public worship. What about all the Community Groups, KidsWorld, support ministries, greeters, ushers, youth, hospitality, Women's Ministry and many others? Please pray daily for all these wonderful staff and lay leaders who do this week in and week out. Thanks to all of you who play a part in making Oasis Church such a "Refreshing" place in a dry and thirsty land.  It is a privilege to serve with you.

(All pics used in the post are taken with an iPhone @ various stages of Prep)

Electric Sex, Sex on the Beach, The Naked Truth and more........

That's right, you read the Title right! These are all titles of Series our Creative Team and Pastoral Teaching Team worked through as we prepared the series on the Song of Solomon. Now each one had their own reason for not making the cut. Electric Sex -- too shocking!!! Sex on The Beach -- while fitting the Oasis Paradise theme, it just wasn't what we thought Song of Solomon was about. It was mountains and desert setting. The Naked Truth, Pure Sex, Crazy Sex, Cure from Crappy Sex, XXX, and one even came up with the "Naked Pastor" but that had already been done by one of my Pastor Friends, and yes, I"m serious...that was a series.  Now, if we were just looking for shock value, and attention getting headlines, maybe even to get the attention of the News Media, we might have used one of those titles. (nothing necessarily wrong with those reasons in themselves).  In the end we settled on "IGNITE "  Why did we use this Title?  Well, we felt it best described what the Song of Solomon was all about. It's not just sex. It's about Love, Romance, Communication and yes, SEX is part of the story line. And yes, we will discuss Sex in this series. But love and romance is definitely more than just SEX.  (oh, BTW, those titles I mentioned were not all of the ones given for review, they were just the ones, I could write and put in a church blog and newsletter, and still there were probably a dozen more ideas for Titles!!!)

The Subtitle is "Intensifying your Love Life". This is what the series is about. Now, if you're single, you may think we will leave you out. No way, Jose!!!  As a matter of fact about a third of the book is about singleness and love. The rest is good stuff every single needs if they ever plan to fall in love and get married, and keep the intensity of Love alive for the rest of their life.

OK, it begins this weekend -- Saturday Night is the first Service @ 7 p.m. I'll kick the series off on Saturday and be sharing the message along with the rest of the Teaching Team on Sunday. This is a great series to bring a friend to, and a mate to.

This is not a good series to bring your small child to. Make sure you check them into KidsWorld. Arrive early to get them checked in at any of our Campuses. (OK, disclaimer is done) 

Some might ask, "Why sex in church?" Why not? God gave us the gift, and this entire book, along with hundreds of verses throughout the Bible, speak to it. I say why doesn't the Church speak more to it? Maybe there would not be so much confusion and bad Sex!!!!

THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WEEK TO MAKE SURE YOU READ THE PASSAGE IN SONG OF SOLOMON WHICH WE WILL COVER, CHAPTERS 1-3:5. See you at Oasis this Weekend or at one of the 7 Nights of Worship next week.  (Click here and you can read the passage on Bible Gateway in any number of Versions. I prefer the NIV)

Easter @ the Oasis Re-Cap 2009

             I have not been able to give an update for several reasons. I've been trying, but it's been pretty busy this week following Easter. I just had to share some of the blessings of Oasis Church this past Easter -- 12 services, 3 campuses, (4 if you count the NoFla new mission) 3 counties, over 5 days. Something that might go unnoticed is that there were 3 of our 7 Nights of Worship that had between 200-300 in attendance last week. One night had almost 150. Around 900 attended 7 Nights of Worship. What would have happened if we had not had those services? We would have never had room for any of those since all the services Sunday at our Pines campus were full. Amazing!! That's all I can say. Thanks to all of you who gave up your seats at Pines on Sunday morning so a guest could have them. Because of you we had enough seats. 

I am still celebrating what happened this past week at Oasis Church during our Easter week services. You expect many guests. You expect attendance to be up more than usual. That is pretty normal in any church.  That is the nature of the traditional Easter in America. 

But you also can expect many to leave and go back to their old lives and not be changed by what happened in the Easter worship. That is anything but the case at Oasis Church. Yes, we had tons of guests. Yes, we had a great attendance. We don’t count week to week, but it was definitely as large as any weekend ever. We printed 50% more bulletins than normal and still ran out.

But what stands out to me is what did God do in lives? Was there evidence of changed lives? Did people make intentional decisions to turn from their normal lives and turn to Jesus? That is what Easter is all about. It’s not about new clothes, lilies, special musical productions and large crowds.

The invitation responses in services, notes, emails and Facebook notes are a huge indication that God did a great work. In the services I spoke in, there were many who raised their hands at the end of the message saying they had prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. I heard similar reports in other services. There were families who brought their loved ones who prayed the prayer to receive Christ. The neat thing is that I even heard of people praying with me the sinners' prayer and their family members heard them. That would give me goose bumps (if you don’t know what goose bumps are, Google it!) I received all kinds of correspondence telling about decisions that had been made. Others who visited said they were definitely coming back and this was going to be their new church home. Some even said they were ready to follow the Lord in baptism. Some will be baptized this week in our services.

Below are some of the reports from Oasis Church:

1. Just so you know I attend Oasis Pembroke Pines. I wanted to thank you for the message yesterday, it was great. Also my brother was one of the people in the service to pray the prayer to bring Jesus into his life and that was amazing for me to hear. I was sitting next to him and could hear him raise his hand and I was elated! Thanks for all you and the pastoral team do to make Oasis the wonderful church that it is!
2. What an awesome blessing to be at your church. Words can't describe it!
3. I attended Oasis yesterday for your Easter service. I have recently moved to the area and decided to attend the service yesterday and found the sermon very rewarding. You mentioned your Facebook/blog and thought I would check it out.  (This was a guest who asked to be my friend on Facebook, cool)
4. From our North Miami Campus comes this report from our Interim Campus Pastor, Kevin McCord:

        We had 7 folks decide to place their trust in Jesus! (NoMi)

        We had 200 folks in attendance (NoMi)

 Our  new mission, Oasis Church North Florida in Jacksonville shared they had over 150 in attendance Sunday for their first Easter, with 5 New Believers and many first-time guests.

It's ironic that in the most challenging year economically in our 17-year history, God allowed Oasis to renovate an 82 year old church in North Miami which was about to die.   It  was then re-launched. From a year ago, with just 20 folks holding on trying to survive, on Easter Sunday they celebrated a year later with over 200 in attendance! With a lot more than just a lot of folks -- A new vibrant ministry in NoMi. In the same year we have cut our budget 15%, $315,000 and also sent Jeremy and Jeanine Higdon to Jacksonville to start a new church. You have given/pledged almost $60,000 to that new mission. You, as Oasis Church, gave almost $100,000 to help renovate North Miami. There are countless new believers now in the Kingdom of God because of your sacrifice during these tough times. Do you realize in this tough time, when most are just trying to survive, that Oasis Church actually increased its family by 350+ more folks just at NoMi and Jax? God has blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine.   Have you noted we haven't even mentioned Pines campus? God continues to grow us and send many new believers. None of those would have ever come to Pines or Hollywood, yet you as a church have made a huge impact in the Kingdom of God without even seeing all those folks on Easter.

Kids World did incredible in ministering to hundreds of children, many who had never been before. Not one negative comment, or situation reported. That is amazing when you figure somewhere around 600 children were in attendance at all the services. Thanks, Suzie and Team! You guys are incredible. (There is a story on the Kids World web page at www.visitoasis.org

At our Hollywood Campus, Ben Windle sent this report:  John and the worship team rocked our socks off this morning! Worship sounded great! The tech team did a great job. The video at the end with the song "Here is our King" sounded awesome and was a great way to end the service!  There was a lot of hanging out and swashbuckling after the service!  My Question is... What is swashbuckling, Ben???

Worship was awesome at Pines. Chris Hughes and the team did a great job and the video and song, "That's My King", was a great ending.  To be continued.........

Leadership 101- Effective Leadership in South Florida

This past month I received a request from a Pastor in Palm Beach who is working on his Doctoral Thesis. He was asking 8 pastor's who pastor churches in South Florida that met certain criteria in the ratio of Baptisms to attendance, pastoral tenure of at least 5 years (BTW, that is long for pastors and Staff around the country and its no different in South Florida), and several other criteria. You would recognize most all the churches involved.  He will be asking us a series of questions over the next  month. This is the first one. I thought I would share what I said in a nutshell since we have lots of Oasis Leadership that might be helped to know the prism in which I lead and also through my blog and Face Book I have a number of staff and pastors who follow them. If I am going to spend the time to do something like this, then I want to share it with as many as I can. 

Understand this is not exhaustive in any way. Its simply a short list of off the top of my head ideas that I think it takes to lead an effective church in South Florida.  The information derived from all 8 churches, will also be given to a group of Pastors and leaders in our State to formulate a grid to share with other pastors and leaders in South Florida.  Understand Im talking to Pastors, so the Theology, Doctrine, and Biblical principles are a given. This is more of strategy and philosophy.  

Here was the first Question posed:  "What unique or specific  Characteristics are needed to be an effective pastor in South Florida?"    Below are the Answers , abbreviated I gave him. 

1. Diversity is needed generationally and culturally throughout the church from leaders, staff and laity. Our church has 70 countries and no church can truly reach the world of South Florida without having a church with a heart to do whatever it takes to welcome and minster to all peoples. 
2. Be open to change, even when it is uncomfortable. This means willing to kill any program, event or ministry that no longer is adding to the growth, numerically and/or spiritually to the overall church values and vision (even if it means you loose some in the particular ministry.)  A Pastor must be willing to lose some to reach those God called you to reach. We never look to lose someone, but we won't let someone's unwillingness to change keep us from moving forward with a new ministry. I hate losing even one person. But we do on a regular basis.
3.  Be Authentically Relevant!!!!Meaning, you work on being relevant to your culture and community 24/7 but never at the expense of being authentic . Be yourself! I am 52 years old. The teens will never think I'm relevant, no matter how much I dye my hair, or if I  wear a particular shirt or piece of clothing.  I don't need to use their buzz words. But my 16 year olds, and 20 something's respect me when I'm authentic .  Relevancy YES, but never at the expense of being Authentic and real!!!! You need both. But you cant have just one and Succeed over the long term in a growing, disciple-making ministry . 
4. Resist Being Comfortable!! I've said it under open to Change, but You Must Be uncomfortable in not growing spiritually or in leadership . Your church will not grow if you are not growing. Both numerically and Spiritually.
5. Don't Hire Key Staff like yourself.  Hiring those just like myself is being comfortable. I'm most comfortable with folks like me, and those that are like me, and are my age, etc.  But I need people to keep me uncomfortable. Only those unlike me do this.
6. Stay Focused on your Mission and Vision. Focus like a Laser.  Hold to it at Any Cost. This is normally where you lose people ultimately who want to be comfortable, or have their own agenda. I have witnessed that in South Florida people come and go, usually within 5 years (so do your staff.) They will have their own ideas. Listen to them, they may have good ones. We have a strong team approach to staff and lay leadership. But in the end, staff may wake up and one day decide to leave or someone hires them away, with more money or other benefits. They may be gone tomorrow. You cant let Staff or a lay person who shows up with their vision move you away from your vision. You hold on to it like its a War. It is!!! When you have the idea that you're going to be in South Florida for the rest of your life, don't let others steal or kill your vision. That is, if you feel God gave it to you. I'll let them change the name, or help me to reword, add graphics, etc. to the Mission and Vision,  but no one changes the Vision God gave me. That helps when you started the church, as I did 17 years ago.. Now if you don't plan to stay in South Florida the rest of your ministry, then all the other things I've listed probably don't matter much. That's just my opinion.  (Note: This does not mean you don't listen, and that you don't change your mind and even strategy. We do that often. See point #2 and #4. Nothing will keep a church from growing and being effective more than being a Lone Ranger Leader; My way or the Highway.) 
7. Keep Young Staff around you all the time. I have more 20's and early 30's on my staff in key positions than any other age group. They might be inexperienced. They might make some immature choices. They might not have all the discipline a 40-60 year old has learned. But, they bring Energy, ideas, and creativity. They bring challenges to get out of your generational bubble and comfort zone. They will identify with other young families and singles who show up, or are invited by your laity.  This is for those of us in mid life and beyond.  They tire me out. They sometimes frustrate me. They sometime make me feel like I'm parenting again. Some are younger than all 3 of my sons but, I wouldn't trade my young staff members for anything. Not even experience or maturity. Mid life staff can be just as challenging as young ones. Ill take the energy and relevancy they bring to ministry any day. Now that does not mean you eliminate maturity. We have that too, and its critical. But the older I get the harder I have to work not to hire guys my age and ones that I know and are comfortable with. So much more to say on this. You get the point.  BONUS: You get to speak into the life of our leaders for the next generation, and give them a chance to learn under a mature pastor . I also find many times Young staff can be Hot Spiritually and are just as passionate if not more than many who have been in ministry for many years and have been bruised and worn out through the battles of the typical church.
8. Keep in Mind, all the above mean nothing, if you don't have Integrity, Purity, Honor, Trust, Truth, and being Full of the Holy Spirit. This is assumed first and foremost. You can have all this and still not be able to build a growing , and highly effective  church without the first 7 items above. But you will NEVER be successful ultimately over the long run even if you have the first 7 items and you don't have these Characteristics, or should I say Character?  You need it all, but #8 is where it first begins and ultimately ends

Oasis Weekly Pastors Email, April 9, 2009

Pastor's Email (This is for our Extended Oasis Family not in our local email data base. It is pasted in this area so it may have a word or two cut off . Please accept my apologies and have a wonderful Easter.)

Dear Extended Oasis Family: Now I know most of you read the subject line of my emails and always wonder, “OK, what is he trying to sucker me into now?”  Some have called it Bait and Switch, but honestly I don't do those things. That's left to our mortgage companies and stock brokers to do!!!  OK, not funny. Anyway, I do have the secret to get a FREE Dunkin’ Donut every day the rest of your life. But I will not share it now, since I have far more important things to tell you. I’ll share the Donut secret later down the page. (AND LATER I WILL ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT TWO CARS BEING GIVEN AWAY AT OASIS)   This week we Celebrate the Greatest Event ever – Easter!!  The resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pardon of our Sins, the gift of Eternal life, hope beyond this crazy upside-down world we are living in.  I just read the Passover story (which BTW is this very week this year, and what a great way to see the whole story of Redemption by having Passover and Easter fall on the same week.)  I encourage you to go to Luke chapters 23-24 and read them this week and weekend.  Once again you'll see how Jesus linked the Old Testament Passover meal He observed with His disciples, and the New Testament grace He showed us. What a story. I have been reading it again this week daily, and it just boggles my mind, how He could do something like this for ME…the guy who lets Him down (and so many others) daily. Yet, His love and grace are sufficient to still die for me, then forgive me and keep me in His arms.  I'm just not sure I’ll ever understand it. But I celebrate it once again.   At Oasis Church this weekend, BEGINNING TONIGHT, FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY, we will be bringing the Wonderful Story of Easter and God’s Love and Hope. But it will be brought in a way I promise, you have never heard it before. The message is entitled "Double Jeopardy".  You can go to my Blog   and read about how we are approaching it and also link to all the service times we are offering from tonight (Thursday) through next Monday night.  I hope many of you will come one of the nights at 7 p.m.  All the services will be identical to Sunday morning’s with live music and live message from our Teaching Team.  I hope you’re inviting someone to come to Oasis this week!  If you haven't you still have time.  A recent survey of over a 1,000 un-churched people said that over 70% of them would go to church if they were invited by a friend or family member. That is an amazing number. 7 out of 10 who don't go to church are just waiting on you and me to invite them.  See if your friend is one of those 7 this week!!!  Oasis Hollywood  and  North Miami will also have great Easter services and I invite all our Pines attendees to consider trying them out if you come normally on Sunday morning.   Again, this will free up space at Pines on Sunday morning for our Easter guests.   Oasis Church North Miami Campus is having an Easter Egg hunt and Bounce house for the kids after the service. If you normally attend Pines on Sunday you might want to go there this weekend and open a seat and parking space for a first-time guest in Pines. Did you know that Oasis Church is also on Face Book?  Click here to join us on Face Book.  North Miami campus even has their own FB group, you can go here to join NoMi FB.  Oasis Church is even Twittering!  I know, you may not know what that is, but you can check it out on our home page at http://twitter.com/oasischurchsfl  on the right side menu bar, just above the online giving and calendars.   While you’re signing up for Oasis Church on Face Book, go HERE and sign up to be my friend. I would love to have you as my FB friend, along with several hundred other Oasis friends I already keep up with daily.   OK, now to the FREE DUNKIN’ DONUTS FOR LIFE!  SEE MY BLOG POST AND SOME OTHERS BELOW:     Free Dunkin Donuts for life each and every day, and how to get them HERE I danced in Church, Pastor had no tie, music a little too loud and Worship Leader too energetic HERE Two Cars Given Away at Oasis this Week! Yes, it is true…I’m not pulling your leg, for the scoop, CLICK NOW    That's it for this week, I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AND CELEBRATE OUR RISEN SAVIOR THIS WEEK. I hope to meet many of your family and friends you bring with you. God bless you, and thanks for allowing me to be your Pastor.  It is the greatest privilege I have ever enjoyed outside of being a father and grandfather.      Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church www.guymelton.com www.visitoasis.org

Double Jeopardy this Weekend..........................

Join us April 9 – 13 as we celebrate

We have a great  weekend planned at Oasis Church. Easter is always special. Most churches would say that. We don't do major productions and shows at Easter. We keep it simple and  very clear.

We have hundreds of visitors. We haven't done advertising in the last couple years. Not only have we cut the advertising budget in these times, but at our Pines Campus there really is no room if we advertised like we do at Christmas. Don't know what we will do in years ahead with such limited parking and limited seating, but God will provide.

This weekend, worship is going to be passionate and exciting. Our message will be very relevant and very different.  The title is "Double Jeopardy" and our Church website describes it like this:

"Have you ever stood trial in a court of law and waited for a judge to declare your guilt or innocence? Two thousand years ago an innocent man was found guilty and sentenced to death. Ironically, his conviction paved the way for our acquittal and his resurrection opened the door for a new and better life. Our justice system provides a law called “Double Jeopardy’, which prevents a defendant from being tried twice for the same crime. This Easter, come and learn what it means to be completely forgiven and receive the promise of eternal freedom. "

I want to invite all Oasis family to not only be here beginning tomorrow night, Maundy Thursday which is our first of 12 Easter services. If you come on Sunday morning in Pines, you might want to try out one of the Nights of Worship from Thurs. - Monday. All services will have the same Live Worship and Easter message the Sunday morning has. You might want to try out the Hollywood or North Miami Campus on Easter Sunday. Our teaching team will speak live at all Easter Services.

If you aren't regular at Oasis Church, I want to invite you to come visit with us at any of our services this week or any of our 3 campuses. It is going to be a great Easter Week.

Cant wait!!!!!!!!   Remember it all starts Live tomorrow night, Thursday, at 7pm. Pines Campus

Free Dunkin Donut Everyday the Rest of My life and you can too....

I hit the Trifecta today.

I had a great meeting with our Mission Pastor Jeremy Higdon from Oasis Church North Florida, and Kevin MCCord our Admin/Campus Pastor. Jeremy Spoke to our monthly Staff luncheon. He was a real blessing and gave a great up date of Oasis nofla.

Secondly We met at a really nice Dunkin on the corner of Orange Drive and Flamingo.

Thirdly for the Trifecta , I bought a Cheap Dunkin Shirt, for $3.99 that every time I wear it to the Dunkin I get a FREE Donut!!!!!!! You are talking big time deal here.  (The colors are true Dunkin, but my IPHONE just didnt do it justice. I mean you should get real quality when your spending 3.99 a shirt, big bucks)

I love how the shirt sticks it to Starbucks. Who does not love a good fight?????????

(of course if I ate a donut everyday, I would be in trouble with trying to get my cholesterol down to below 200 in the next 4 months. If I don't my Dr. is putting me on medicine. So I hope she doesn't read my blog.)

Oasis Weekly Email Update, April 3, 2009

This is a little late. But for those in our Extended Oasis Family it does give some insight of whats happening at Oasis this week. Some of what I discussed has happened, and it was a great weekend, at all the services and at all campuses. Word from Nomi campus was it was packed house. Ok, what will you do at Easter. You might have a record attendance. Awesome!!! Pray for all 11 Easter Services this week. They begin with this Thursday night, Maundy Thursday. Live Message of Easter, and Live worship. If you normally come to Pines on Sunday, this week I encourage you to come to one of our Nights or other two campuses. It will be packed at Pines Easter Sunday morning. Of course, I hope it is at Hollywood and NOMI also. Ill help with that.

Pastor's Email

Dear Guy, Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s a matter of perspective”?  Well, I have, and I have said it myself.  It is a matter of perspective, and as long as you agree with my perspective you’re a cool person!!! If you disagree OK, you are not so cool!!!!  I have a couple of posts on my blog this week on MY PERSPECTIVE -- DO YOU AGREE OR THINK I’M FOOLISH?????  Give me your perspective on my perspective here and here!!!     Now, because there is so much happening around Oasis Church, and so many times I feel like my letter to you is only an overblown announcement, I will only focus today on two things that are more Life Changing topics and not announcements.  Please prayerfully consider both:   TOMORROW, SATURDAY IS OUR MARGIN AND MEANING EVENT   For some of you this is an announcement, and then for some of you this is a LIFE CHANGING OPPORTUNITY!!!  I can’t be bold enough to say, (unless your finances are perfect, you have all the money, retirement, and everything perfectly balanced with your life and other priorities) that you need to still consider coming to this event Saturday from 8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  I and a number of our staff and leadership will be there.  I’ve seen the list of those registered and it’s impressive to know so many want to know how to build a solid life of margin and meaning.  If you have not signed up, you can do so until midnight tonight on our website here .   It’s $10 a person.  If you want to show up on Saturday, we have space available, but the fee will be $15.00 a person, cash or check at the door Saturday morning.  Just so each of you know, this is a ridiculously small price to pay for something of this nature. But our church ministry budget is footing much of the expense, including the refreshments, and continental breakfast. (Kona will be open for those who want specialty drinks, for a small fee also.)   Hope to see you there. We will be out by 1 p.m. I promise, and you can then go home and have lunch and enjoy the rest of the day. EASTER AT THE OASIS, NEXT WEEK  -- Beginning on Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m.  thru the following Monday at 7 p.m. All our Easter services beginning this next Thursday evening are not only live worship music, but our live Easter message -- All the same -- All services -- All campuses.  This is not an announcement, this is an opportunity to celebrate the most incredible, powerful and hopeful event ever to take place in human history -- Jesus Christ, RISEN From the Dead, for you and me.  He died so we can Live!!!!  Please be praying for all our Easter services.  Please take the invite cards from the Lobby and invite friends and family this week.  And come with a heart full of expectation for what the Risen Savior is going to do in our lives.  In a year when there has been so much pain, and grief, hard times and lack of hope in so any ways, we can celebrate the most incredible opportunity we have ever had…to know personally the Savior and Creator of the universe.  Make sure you and your family are here. For those who normally attend the Pines campus at any of the 3 Sunday morning services, please consider coming insteadto Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday Easter Eve or Easter Sunday night – all services at 7 p.m.  Doing this will free up hundreds of seats for guests on Easter Sunday.  I have to ask you not to come on this special day, but isn't it worth giving up a seat and parking space Easter Sunday so that a guest can hear the gospel of love and hope?!!!  Is it worth one time on your part so that someone can find Eternal Life?  Please consider it.  If you must come on Sunday morning, please park as far away as you can and be willing to give up a seat for a guest if needed.   I know not everyone can switch.  We will also be having some great services at our Hollywood and North Miami campuses.  Both have an incredible spirit and incredible people, (say “Amen” if you’re NoMi and Hollywood members!!!)  You will love Easter there. This Easter is the first anniversary of our NoMi campus, and the sixth anniversary of our Hollywood campus.  NoMi campus even has a special kids’ egg hunt and bounce house after the Easter story.  Your kids will love it. Easter is the best time in all 52 weeks in a year to invite someone to church and the time they are most likely to accept your invitation.  Why not try it?  All they can say is “NO”, but you tried.  God will see your effort, not their response.  Who knows?  They might shock you and say “YES”! As I close I have my snow pics and updates from my vacation in Colorado here, and here   I also did a post on one of our Oasis Originals last week…Check it out here!! OK, if you want to check out some great stories and testimonies, make sure you go to our visitoasis.org website and see what's happening all around our Ministry.  It’s exciting.   This weekend concludes our "Oasis Lives" series, with panel discussions of your questions at all services and all campuses. There are going to be some real HOT Potatoes discussed!!!  Don't miss it. One last thing, for those who still have questions about the future, prophecy, the second coming, Armageddon,anti-christ, millennium, the tribulation and much more, we are again having a live message on this topic on Tuesday night at our7NOW service.  This Tuesday night – 7 p.m., Community Cafe.  Last week they packed it out, and if we need to we will move into the Auditorium this week.  Come, and let’s pack Kona as we study the things to come!!! God bless you.  It’s so good to be back with you this week...looking forward to being in a lot of the services. Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church www.guymelton.com www.visitoasis.org My Weekly Newsletter  below comes out each Thurs/Friday. Extended Oasis Family can sign up by contacting our office. http://guymelton.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/03/oasis-weekly-update-email-

No Choir, Pastor No Tie, Worship too energetic, but pretty good

We had an amazing day with the Wrap up of our Series, "Oasis Live". Our panels did a great job of answering some really hot potato's !!!! Questions, on Abortion, killing in war and law enforcement, stem cell research , ethics , Psychics , Horoscopes and Palm Readers. It was pretty heavy. But what a great day and great spirit. 

We get hundreds of Connection Cards from our attenders each week. Among them are prayer request, comments of all types, compliments, and complaints. We have done this for our entire 17 1/2 years. I have since the first Sunday, in September of 1991, read each and every card myself on Sunday after noon. When we only got about 35 in our early days, its a little different than hundreds now. But i still like to keep up with whats happening through this form of communication.

Today we received an anonymous card. We usually get one or two each week. Most of the time its someone who does not have the courage to give their name, but they lob a hand grenade about something they don't like. I have a very STRICT POLICY I hold our staff to. If its anonymous, it never gets mentioned, and never is acted on. As soon as i see it, it goes in the trash. 99-100 never are seen by anyone.  My feeling is we are open to criticism, but if its important to criticize and you have the right spirit to criticize you'll put your name. If your heart is not right and you are a coward then you'll just complain or criticize but not leave us the ability to correct the problem,or address it with you.

Now having said that, we received an anonymous card today Im sharing with you . Ive never done it before. But I laughed so much I had to share it. First I wrote some notes on it for our staff to enjoy and then decided to take the IPHONE out and share it with you. Now I know , it could have been a joke and someone just playing with us. But I doubt it. I have seen too many of these over the years. But regardless it was worth sharing.  So below is what I consider a guest observations of Oasis Church.

 

Now its not clear and some of it is cut off. The LOL, is my comments for our staff. Let me address the issues here for those of you who are not attenders of Oasis Church.

1. Little loud. hmmmmm, usually the anonymous says it is ear splitting, so its a little disappointing to only be a little loud. We will have to pump it up for Easter.

2. Choir???? Whats a Choir????? I didn't think they had choirs anymore. I haven't seen one for 20 yrs.

3. Pastor not wearing a tie. Ok, little explanation. I did have a jacket with my jeans on today. We had a panel discussion and I was playing Jay Leno so I had the jacket as the moderator. For those who don't know Oasis. The only time our church see me in a coat and tie is a wedding and funeral . I did that enough for two life times, when i served at my former church for 13 years. We wore suits 7 days a week. I took it off to sleep sometime. Guilty, the pastor did not wear a tie.

4.  The Guy singing, I assume it meant Chris leading Worship, was a little too energetic!!!! This is the best of all of them. Can you be too energetic leading the church in Worship???? Funny they didn't mention the pastor dancing on stage today. Yes, I danced!!! Sorry if you weren't there, you missed it. And im not even Pentecostal!!!  So Chris, and worship leaders, you need to be a little less energetic. Maybe do some Lawrence Welk next week and we will bring the bubbles!! 

Ok, if your stiff and cant laugh, sorry if I offended you. I just had to have a little fun with this card. It was too good to keep to myself this time.