Access Church

Every successful organization must have clearly defined goals and concrete ways to measure success when those goals are attained.

In 2009 Access Church moved into a new worship facility and welcomed many new faces. It was an exciting year! Having lots of people in the room on Sunday is exciting, but even more important to us is connecting people in meaningful relationships and strategic service. We feel that it's in the context of these relationships that real life change takes place.

As you can see, we reached our 2009 goal of connecting 60% of our attenders in community groups and far exceeded our goal of connecting 60% of our attenders in strategic service. Thank you for helping us reach these goals!

2009 was also significant because it was our first year of financial independence. As a start-up organization, we initially received funding from North Point Ministries. But in 2009, we were completely dependent on the giving of our attenders (reflected in the graph) and visionary givers who don't attend Access but believe strongly in our mission and strategy and believe Jacksonville needs a church like Access. It's our hope that in 2010 the priority-percentage giving of our attenders will exceed expenses and that visionary giving can be focused on strategic long-term objectives and capital acquisitions.

If you have ever wanted to experience North Point Community Church for yourself, and get a behind-the-scenes tour, join us for Sundays @ North Point! You will attend a worship service, take a guided tour of various environments, and participate in a day and a half of informal sessions and discussions. You'll get answers to your questions and enjoy face-to-face conversations with North Point staffers about how and why we do what we do. Space is limited, so please let us know right away if you would like to be included.

We'll head up on Saturday, February 13 and return Monday, February 15. Registration for the event is $50, plus the cost of your transportation, meals, and lodging. More details can be found at Sundays @ North Point.

To keep costs low we can carpool, help you find free lodging in the area, and provide you with a wicked-awesome recipe for PB&Js.

Interested? Shoot me an email or leave a comment here to let me know you want in and we'll start planning for transportation and lodging.

February 13-15. It could be the perfect romantic getaway!

The need in Haiti right now is great. This Sunday at Access, we'll be directing you to give through two organizations we know and trust, Compassion International and Samarian's Purse.

Can we be unbalanced financially and still be devoted followers of Christ?

In Balanced, a new six-week series, Andy Stanley makes the case that, in order to be free to truly follow Christ, we must have our finances in balance.

We'll learn the three laws of financial balance and how to apply them to our lives.

Join us Sunday, January 17, for the series kick-off at Access Church. See you there!

Success at Access Church is defined by how many of us move from large environments into community groups.

At Access, the community group is the best place for sustained life change to occur. In community groups, we study the Bible together and discuss the issues and challenges of life. It's also where we pray, care for one another, and are missed if we don't show up.

Practically speaking, there will never be a way for all of us to personally connect with everyone who attends a church the size of Access. That's why we place such a high premium on group life. It's how we develop meaningful relationships at Access. To find out more about community groups we encourage you to join us at our next GroupLink, January 17, 4:30pm.

Click here to register and get directions.

What if I can't make it?
The success of GroupLink depends on everyone's participation. The best groups start strong when everyone is present at GroupLink. If you cannot make it to the upcoming GroupLink, please contact me directly via email. Our next GroupLink isn't until March.

Organizations mature as they evaluate the effectiveness of their strategy and mission. By examining where they currently are and where they intend to go, churches can gauge whether they have stayed the course or strayed from their original dreams.

How is your church doing?

And how are you participating in what God is doing in your church?

Find the answers to these questions as Andy Stanley presents the two-part series, Just Ask, beginning Sunday, January 3, at Access Church.

See you there!

Merry Christmas!

Here's a sample of our Not-So-Silent Night. Thanks for inviting so many of your family, friends, and co-workers.

And thanks to all the great volunteers who made 2009 an outstanding year. See you in January!

Not-So-Silent Night was incredible. Thank you for leveraging your influence with family and friends and inviting them to be a part of what God is doing through Access Church!

Years from now, tonight will be one of those nights we look back on as a pivotal event in the life of this organization.

To all of our amazing volunteers who made Access Church the best church I could possibly be a part of in 2009 -- THANK YOU! Have a Merry Christmas. I look forward to serving with you in 2010.

Remember, there will be NO SERVICE this Sunday. We're giving our volunteers and staff the week off. See you January 3 for the start of a new series, "Just Ask."

If you wonder how we celebrate Christmas at Access Church, here's a little taste.

And if you've not yet made plans to be at Not-So-Silent Night tomorrow night... Figure it out! We're going to start promptly at 7:00pm, and you will be so, so sad if you arrive even one minute late.

I just intercepted this email from Stephanie as she was sending it to some friends:

Rich just told me Accessibles have invited 1,670 people to Not-So-Silent Night on Facebook alone! Accessibles blew the doors off the challenge to invite (just) 1,000. A.MAZ.ING. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Now, we wait to see what God will do, and pray BIG--for the "greater things still to be done in this city." Will you take a minute or two when you are done reading this and ask God to do "above and beyond what we could ask or think" on Wednesday night? Not in the numbers , but in the heart of every person that comes? Please ask His favor over all the details/production/environments. Pray that we as a church would be prepared for what God will do. And, that above all, He would be delighted in and glorified by everything that happens.

Thank you for joining me in praying--an essential part of leading people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I can't wait to see what He will do!

Will you join us in praying for Wednesday night? We are so thrilled that those who attend Access are so excited about the way we do church that you are willing to invite so many others to experience it as well.

What might God do in the hearts of those we love this Christmas?

Some of us are already reflecting on 2009 and thinking about changes we'd like to make for 2010.

If you aren't meeting weekly with a group of of people who encourage you and challenge you, why not make that a key priority for 2010? Few things could improve your quality of life more.

Michael & Zoie Morales, Brad & Sherri Law, Ryan & Tina Dollar, Jeff & Ashley Hilley, and John & Christi Munns made that decision last spring, and it's been so cool to see their group develop. In fact, when Jeff was recently deployed to Guantanamo Bay, the group kept right on meeting--with Jeff on Skype! Each week Jeff joins the group via video chat, and participates in the entire discussion, live.

The same group has a men's bible study every morning--via email. They each read the same few verses, then journal their thoughts and email them to each other. This allows everyone to participate regardless of schedule or location.

So, this is not your mama's bible study group! These are real people juggling real-life responsibilities, but they have learned that being part of a group of others who are encouraging them along the way makes a huge difference.

Join a group at GroupLink, next held on January 17. Click here to register today!

Join us December 23, at 7:00pm, for a community Christmas celebration at the University of North Florida.

Childcare is provided for children aged six-weeks to five-years-old. Elementary-aged children are welcome to join us in the 45-minute service.

Andy Stanley will be sharing, "The Christmas Story," and we invite you to stay after the service for hot chocolate and cookies.

Click here to sample our Christmas music.



You might want to send a friend a link to EverybodysInvited.com.

After Party
Middle- and high-school student and their families are invited to stick around for a 30-minute, VIP-style after party with free food, music, and games.