VOUS Church

Rich Wilkerson Jr. — Bricklayers- Waiting is Working

It can be easy to have vision for our lives, but difficult to wait for it to come to pass. To many of us, a season of waiting seems more like a burden instead of a time of growth.

Continuing in the collection of talks “Bricklayers,” Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. teaches us that there’s purpose in the process in a message called “Waiting is Working.”

In studying the book of Nehemiah, he proves to be a great example of what it looks like to be active during the wait. Establishing a plan to rebuild the city of Judah, Nehemiah demonstrated patience and used his time to pray to God.

We must first take time to hear from God, for at the right moment he will bring the vision to pass. Taking immediate action can lead to the birth of a premature vision, causing us to lose faith.

Being patient requires work from us. Trusting in God’s timing and praying for an opportunity and favor from him allows our sight to be in line with his and our strength to be renewed. Through it all we can remain confident that while we wait, he is working on our behalf.

VOUS Staff — VOUS CONFERENCE 2019: Don't Practice On People

At VOUS Church, people are our heart. It is our prime purpose to bring people who are far from God, close to him. To do so, we need a high level of preparation that will enable us to create a distraction-free and fun experience for all who walk through our doors.

Zeroing in on what it takes to shape a Sunday service, VOUS Staff Chris Lopez, Samuel Gualtieri, and Pilar Irarrazabal share "Don't Practice On People" in their VOUS Conference 2019 breakout session.

To get ready for Sunday, deliverables need to start rolling in from Monday. And while room for flexibility is important, a well thought out service plan is the main priority. Ideas can flourish through the contribution of gifted and dedicated servant leaders. Plus, helpful technologies can keep communication flowing so there's less guesswork leading up services.

To see growth and development in the areas of creative, production, and operations it will take a lot of strategic behind-the-scenes work. But as we do our part to work out the kinks, God will take care of the rest and produce an outstanding outcome on Sunday.

Earl McClellan — Bricklayers: Blessed With the Burden to Build

The work of building God’s kingdom is a work of bringing the broken home. It is seeking those who are lost, so they can proudly say they are found.

Pastor Earl McClellan shares the story of Nehemiah in the talk, ”Bricklayers: Blessed With the Burden to Build.” Through Nehemiah’s example, we can see how we are to play a part of God’s great construction project and build his Church.

God is looking for people who will work for his kingdom wholeheartedly. There will be distractions that get in the way and try to get us off the project. But as bricklayers we can stand firm knowing God will maximize all of our efforts.

Restless: A Guided Prayer Journey — Rich Wilkerson Jr.

Are you tired? Feeling Restless?
Take a few moments to stop and pause as Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. leads you through a guided prayer journey.

For more Restless resources check out: https://www.vouschurch.com/restless

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Featured Songs:

“Bigger Than I Thought”
WRITTEN BY SEAN CURRAN, NATALIE SIMS & ALLEN SWOOPE
© 2019 Worship Together Music / sixsteps Songs / Sounds Of Jericho (Admin. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Lead And Yellow Publishing (BMI) (admin. by Round Hill Music) / This Is Swoope’s (ASCAP)

“Awake My Soul”
Words and Music by Brooke Ligertwood
© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia CCLI: 7134998

Rich Wilkerson Jr. — Team Leaders Meeting: 4 Realms Of Influence

No one has done a better job of leadership than Jesus. And it is upon every follower of Jesus to do their best to lead as he did. To be effective, knowing the contexts in which we're called to make an imprint is critical.

In this foundational talk on leadership, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. shows VOUS Team Leaders how to recognize and operate in the "Four Realms of Influence."

Jesus didn’t waste a moment, he made an impact on lives wherever he went. The same must be true for us. We can be of influence whether we're hanging out in the city, crowd, church, or with our core group of friends. Each realm takes a unique strategy and intentionality on our part to manage the spiritual and practical needs within.

Every leader's goal should be to move people from their outer to their inner sphere of influence. Because at every stage more miracles happen. Leadership, when properly stewarded, will take people to a place they never intended but when they arrive, they're thankful.

VOUS Staff — Restless: Practice What You Preach

More than any other generation, information is at our fingertips. While living in the Information Age makes it a challenge, turning rest into a discipline is not out of reach.

Concluding the “Restless” collection of talks, Manouchka Charles, Luke Barry, and Adrian Molina give us pointers on building restful habits in “Practice What You Preach.”

Typically, we know what brings us peace but feelings often get in the way. But we can fend off their fickle effects if practical steps are applied. By paying particular attention to our schedule, environment, checklists, and work we actively choose rest. Add in Jesus' example of reading, resting, and retreating, a spiritual system we should run on repeat, and we'll truly enjoy God's rest.

Ultimately, we must believe Jesus will continue showing us how to live rested. But we must also be willing students of the Master. Let us practice what we have come to know about rest, trusting that God will take care of the rest.

Manouchka Charles — Hearing God's Voice: Conversations with God

When we want to prepare for an exam, we study by reading and maybe mixing in a few flashcards. But when we want to prepare for life, what do we do?

In the talk “Hearing God’s Voice: Conversations with God,” Manouchka Charles answers the question by showing us the Bible is our manual for living well.

More than just a book, the Bible is God-breathed word. It serves the purpose of instructing, correcting, training, and transforming us into who God created us to be. The problem is at times we fail to understand how good the Bible can be for us.

The answer is to stand on the truth that the Word comes from a loving Father who desires the best for us. By knowing God's love, our conviction of the Bible's benefits will never falter. We won't just read it once in a while, but continuously. Because it contains all we need, for all we are called, for all of our lives.

Rich Wilkerson Jr. — Restless: How To Sleep In Your Storm

Imagine God handling life's surprises the way some of us do—with panic! We probably wouldn't turn to him much. Thankfully, God doesn’t struggle with our circumstances. When it seems to us he’s sleeping, he’s bringing peace to the chaos.

In the “Restless” talk "How to Sleep in Your Storm,” Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. explains that practicing rest during our storms will help us get through them.

We may feel that resting will cause us to miss out on solving problems and reaching goals. But that is far from the truth. Jesus took his time and was intentional about being alone with the Father and still, he accomplished more than anyone ever could. We can follow his example in every season.

Slowing down, participating in solitude, and honoring the Sabbath are all vital to finding rest in the hectic moments. No matter what's thrown our way, God's promises to us in the stillness are sure in the storm.

Rich Wilkerson Jr. — Restless: Closed on Sunday

Finding validation from all we accomplish and obtain can lead to a continuous cycle of striving. Eventually, that mode of operation keeps us from what we need—moments of rest.

In the “Restless” collection of talks, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. draws our attention to why rest is important, how God established it since the beginning of creation, and what taking a Sabbath really looks like in the message “Closed on Sunday.”

God did not intend for us to live a life solely dedicated to the grind of responsibilities and commitments. We should have a cadence of work and rest, creating a healthy balance between the two.

Though we may have forgotten the last time we made room in our schedules to be restored, God reminds us to find soul refreshment and live in rhythm of resting in him.

VOUS Staff — VOUS CONFERENCE 2019: How to Turn a Crowd Into a Community

The church isn't a place, it's a people. In seeking to equip and empower people, we have to remember there's a difference between a church _with_ small groups and a church _of_ small groups.

Members of the VOUS Church staff, Michelle and Adrian Molina and Kyle Graham, get into the nitty-gritty of "How to Turn a Crowd Into a Community" during their VOUS Conference 2019 breakout session.

Crews are the small groups of VOUS Church. It is where community culture gets developed by design. Crews draw support through leadership structure, resources, and systems.

Each element of Crew, be it a building block, the seasonal calendar, or embedded moments to honor up, down, and all around, is there to make it better. Because, in the end, our godly goal is to foster healthy relationships and transform lives.