Season of Sowing (Netcast Update)

The past 4 weeks at Netcast have been very eye opening for me. For one, I am more aware than ever that ministry is a calling and not a job. I am not a professional (although I need to be professional) or the CEO of an organization (although I need to be organized), but rather a simple man of God who has been anointed with the weight and calling of leadership within the Bride of Christ.

Because of that, the tension between family life, work life, play, and being a normal disciple who is deeply in love with his Savior, is not something that I am able to balance with a schedule. Over the past month I see so clearly that ministry is seasonal; some seasons have storms, some seasons are relaxed and beautiful, seasons vary in length and some seasons are busy and not extremely productive while others are full of busyness with lots of fruit. The goal is to faithfully endure each season with joy and worship.

Right now, Netcast is in a sowing season. It seems that with all the people who have coming through the doors and all the stories of God's grace, we need to continue to sow more than ever. We need to sow into leaders, processes, organizing, structuring, etc. We need to evaluate the areas where we are unhealthy and need to mature. We need to get better at the things we are good at and improve upon our weaknesses. We need to sow into relationships and call each other to holiness and repentance. We need love the gospel by serving together, giving together, gathering together, and being on mission together.

When Netcast first got started, we saw a quick harvest. People were getting saved every week, the church was growing at an untamed rate and we were able to manage much of the workload. Today, God is still at work. This weekend we will be baptizing a number of new believers, the Holy Spirit has been so powerful as we gather and communities are getting deeper. Yet, we are operating with the leadership and resources of a church ½ our size with the expectations of a church with 10 times more tenure. That said, I passionately believer what we are experiencing is minimal compared to the harvest ahead.

Rest assure another massive reaping season is around the corner. Thousands will know Jesus because of God's grace on us. Thousands will be influences by our faithful hands and feet. Thousands will benefit from our generosity and love for Greater Boston. But for now, it is vital that we labor well, that we work together, stay unified, continue to walk in authenticity and press into the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength.

GALATIANS 6:7-9  For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Netcast 2012 Update: Merry Christmas

It's been over 2 years since Beth and I moved with the vision of starting Netcast Church. Honestly, 2 years into the journey, I could never have imagined seeing all that we are seeing.

300 years ago, Greater Boston was a beast when it came to the gospel being proclaimed; now it's the 10th largest metropolitan area in the US, full of 300,000 college students and global influence; but almost no Gospel-Proclamation. The best stats say we're still about 2% evangelical.

 In the last 2 years...God has begun a movement that continues to blow our minds. It seems that Jesus is saving people almost weekly. Actually, just recently we baptized about 70 people in 1 day. And, we're still growing like crazy. The last few months we've had over 400 people gather to worship Jesus and about ½ of them are in community groups during the week. what's even more surprising is how our online influence is growing...Between our website, podcast, app and videos...we have been able to share the gospel in every state in the US, over 80 countries and in every continent on the globe.

We're still only 2 years old; we're young, we don't have a ton of people, or money, or resources, or strength or worldly power. But I believe that “The hand of our Gracious Lord is upon us.” Beth and I cannot express how appreciative we are of you. Because of your belief in us and your support of us, Jesus is being worshiped. His name will be made great in Greater Boston and a movement is being started. Because of your continued prayers and partnership, more churches will be planted, the sick are being healed, the blind are seeing, lost are being found, and His sheep are hearing His voice.

So, on behalf of Netcast and my family; I just wanted to say “Thank You”. Thank you for investing in us, thank you for pouring into us, and thank you for loving the Kingdom of God. Some of you have asked about our fundraising. We are still raising about ½ of our salary from outside of Netcast. For those interested, you can continue to support us at https://netcastchurch.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift 

We love you, more than you could know!!!

Matt, Beth, D, Abby, Ella and Jakes

Netcast is spreading and more...

Netcast is Spreading...This month, Netcast will be displayed on the front page of the Biblical Recorder which is distributed to 25,000 people worldwide and thousands more online. You can read the article at http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Former-‘bad-kid’-leaves-N-C-to-start-church Also, it'd be great if you left a small comment at the end of the article to thank the editor for his support.

Netcast also just launched the Netcast App. The app has all of the sermons video/audio, announcements, blog, community group information, and more. Help spread the word and download it at http://get.thechurchapp.org/share/netcast-church.

Netcast is also on the front page of the NAMB (North American Mission Board) website this week. While in New Orleans this summer, I was asked what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus and they have the video featured that on the front page of their site. You can check that out at http://www.namb.net/SendNetwork/

Holy Spirit Series.
The past few weeks have been awesome. I feel like Netcast is becoming an entirely new church as we spent time studying God the Holy Spirit. The stories we've received have been so encouraging. People are experiencing God in ways like never before and I am so blessed to hear that.

Growth.
This past month Netcast saw another wild growth spurt. In 6 weeks we doubled in size again and are making necessary adjustments to see that everyone is feeling cared for, plugged in and can fit in the service. We praise God for what He is doing here but bear with us as we make adjustments.

Serve.
Personally, I am so proud of how we all responded to the call to serve. As your pastor, it is never easy to call people to serve within the local church, but you have continued to stay faithful and accept the call. Please keep up with the commitments that you have made as the growth has caused some added responsibilities and we need the extra help.

Generosity.
Netcast....thank you for your faithful generosity with tithes and offerings. Although the percentage of the church that is giving is about average, we are in a great financial position with no debt and a growing budget. I would continue to challenge you to give sacrificially and generously as the Lord provides.

Words cannot express the love I have in pastoring Netcast Church. I honestly believe that we have an opportunity to change the world. Lets go after it while praising Jesus and giving Him all the glory as He uses us.

- Pastor Matt