PhotoShop from Brett Meyer.
There is a new church plant in Appleton that came about 6 - 9 months before The CORE and that group has begun to worship in a building a little over a half-mile from The CORE. This could be stifling The CORE"s launch. Their services are on Sunday mornings though and The CORE's are Sunday evenings. Website: http://www.overflowchurch.net/
They still carry the novelty of "We are a new and different church in the area". Other than when The CORE leased "The Big Picture" building very little has been said or printed about either of these "new churches in the area". The big news when The CORE began here was really that the BUILDING was being leased after standing empty after the IMAX failed in this brand new building, not that a CHURCH was coming into the building. Perhaps the press should do a follow-up story about the IMAX Church.
The name Overflow reminds me of bulimia, but they have a way cool awesome website with the following introduction:
Welcome To Overflow Church
Overflow Church is a place where spiritual seekers can become passionate Christ Followers. We are not your everyday community of believers. You are welcomed, wanted, and accepted no matter where you have been, what you've done, or what you think of yourself.
If you're a partner, we trust you'll find information here about growing in your relationship with Jesus, building friendships and getting more involved. If you're new to Overflow Church, we welcome you.
New To Overflow
We understand what it's like going to a new church and feeling out of place because you didn't know what time to arrive or maybe even how to get there. We created this page in hopes that it will answer any questions that you might have before visiting Overflow Church.
When are your services?
Overflow's Celebration Service is held each Sunday at 10 AM at 1110. S. Oneida St. Appleton, WI. 54915.
Can you give me directions?
If you are coming from 441 you would take the Oneida exit and travel north 2.5 miles to the Overflow Church building (the Freedom Center).
When should I arrive at Overflow?
Our service starts at 10 AM, and you should arrive a few minutes earlier to grab a cup of coffee, have an opportunity to speak with others, and find a comfortable seat.
What does Overflow have for my family?
Overflow Church is committed to building strong marriages and families. Overflow offers children's church (ministry) during our Celebration Service, and nursery for children under the age of 3. Throughout the week our Life & iLIFE groups meet in various locations around the Fox Cities. These groups range from groups for your family w/childcare to interest groups such as men's and women's ministries. Overflow will launch our Youth Ministry in the fall of 2009.
Is your building handicap accessible?
Yes, our building was updated with handicap accessibility in 2007 and has recently been remodeled and inspected for ease of access for all guests.
Do I need to dress up?
You do not need to dress up for services at Overflow Church. We enjoy being comfortable and we want you to be comfortable as well. Casual dress is the norm at Overflow Church.
How can I find help with life issues?
We have several different ways for you to find help with life issues here at Overflow. Under our resource page we offer several links to some of life's major issues and concerns. If you need additional information or counseling please contact us using our online form. We are here to help you through the day-to-day stresses of life.
I've come to a Sunday Service. Now what?
We are excited you have visited a Sunday Service and are interested in taking that next step. Our Get Connected page has information about the different opportunities for you to connect with our church. We want to see all believers partner with a local church and to have an opportunity to serve as a passionate follower of Christ. In addition, we encourage all guests and partners to visit or join a Life or iLIFE Group. You can find information about all our Life Groups here.
If you have a question that isn't listed below please feel free to contact via telephone at 920.475.7983 or via our online form.
Our Awesome Staff
Shawna Bartz
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at Randy Hunter's Latte cell.
Please blow your nose far away from Shawna. Thank you.
Shawna Bartz
Worship Pastor
I grew up in Hayward, Wisconsin. With God's calling on my life and with Pastor Kevin's persistence, in 2008 I deceided to take the step and partner with Overflow Church. Since I joined Overflow I have grown immensly and have been blessed beyond measure.
Favorite Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Favorite Movie: Flywheel, New In Town
Favorite Music: Switchfoot, Jesus Culture, Misty Edwards, U2
Pet Peeve: If it's coming out of your nose, keep it away from me. Don't get any on me!
Three Random Facts About Me: 1. Everyday involves music in my head and heart. 2. I love being a mom to my blessed 4 year old son! 3. I'm living on purpose in the Kingdom.
Nathan Fietzer
Children's Pastor
I am just your typical next door guy who grew up on a farm in New London, Wisconsin. When I was 13 God told me the calling and the plan that He had (or has) for my life. With 15 years of children's ministry experience, in 2009 I partnered with Overflow Church to build a children's ministry unlike any children's ministry in Northeastern Wisconsin. I am excited about the plan that God has to use me and use Overflow Church in reaching those in the Fox Valley area.
Favorite Book: Killing Cockroaches by Tony Morgan
Favorite Movies: Newies, A Walk to Remember, and any Marvel Comic movies or cartoons.
Favorite Music: Canton Jones, Group 1 Crew, Lacrea, Matthew West, Hillsong Kids, Jesus Culture, Byron Cage, Sarah Groves, Stacie Orrico, Third Day, DC Talk, Jars of Clay, and many more!
Pet Peeve: Flush The Toilet!!
Three Random Facts About Me: 1. I use to sing. 2. My favorite animal is a polar bear 3. I hate soggy socks.
Our Pastor & Family
Kevin Bradford is a gifted and passionate communicator who loves to use humor and practical application to active the Word in peoples lives.
Kevin graduated from McMurry University with a degree in Ministry/Christian Education and Greek. During his time at McMurry, Kevin served for three years as a children's pastor and then as the Discipleship Pastor at Kingdom Life Fellowship.
Kevin is married to his wife of 10 years, Ashlee. Ashlee grew up in Wisconsin before moving to Japan, and eventually Texas. Ashlee has been serving in various ministry positions for 15 years including musical troupes, camp counselor, youth ministry, children's ministry, women's ministry, and now at Overflow Church.
Ashlee graduated from Peter Wagner Leadership Institute and Kingdom Advance School of Ministry with a degree in Practical Ministry. Ashlee's love of theology and philosophy make for interesting conversations about some of life's toughest questions. [GJ - Yup, that Wagner, C. Peter Wagner, McGavran's apostle Paul, Reuel Schulz' favorite theologian. I declare thee in fellowship with WELS, especially The Sausage Factory and The Love Shack.]
Kevin and Ashlee are both passionate about seeing people reach their greatest potential in every area of life. Through passionately following Jesus, they believe that anyone can live a life of significance and have a major impact on the sphere of influence around them. Every person has the ability to be a world-changer, and has the potential to make a difference.
Kevin and Ashlee have two daughters who love the Lord and dance, and are expecting a third child later this year. [GJ - The daughters are expecting?]
Our Vision
God desires to give every people that He knits together a specific vision. The concept of having a specific vision, and working together toward a specific vision is a central theme in scripture. In fact, scripture teaches that a vision is absolutely vital to the health and life of the people of God.
"Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained." - Proverbs 29:18
The biblical definition of "vision" is:
1) a dream 2) a mental picture of what is being pursued 3) a God given sight of what will be performed and made reality
Definition: Vision is the mental picture of what a local church will look like when it arrives at the location it is uniquely called to go to. This vision is placed by God within a set leader, and that leader is responsible to communicate the vision. Look at the pattern seen in the Bible.
Then the Lord answered me and said, "Record the vision and write it down that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is coming in the appointed time, it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail! Though it seems a way off, wait for it in faith, for it will certainly come and it will not delay forever!" Habakkuk 2:2-3
The following is the vision for this local church that God has placed within the heart of Pastor Kevin, and that has bore witness with the leaders God has placed around him. The vision is communicated in faith, knowing that God will surely do all that He has spoken. The following is a dream, and picture of where we are going, and what it will look like when God has performed the vision.
The Vision of Overflow Church
* It is the vision of a place where people discover the reality and power of the Kingdom of God; where passionate worship and the awe of the presence of God is commonplace!
* It is the vision of a place that aggressively proclaims the gospel of the Kingdom, through various innovative vehicles, to multiple thousands of people in the Fox Valley Area!
* It is the vision of a place welcoming several thousand people into the fellowship of a multi-campus church family that lives and grows together and shares the same values and purpose! [Mars Hill, Driscoll clones, as in the Seattle conference]
* It is a vision of a place where people are intentionally brought to spiritual maturity by strong biblical teaching combined with a shared Kingdom culture that includes fathering, deliverance and servant hood!
* It is the vision of a place where every believer is equipped both for fruitful ministry in the Body of Christ and within their strategic place within the world!
* It is the vision of a place that influences nations by training and preparing Kingdom leaders who will be sent out every year as church planters, missionaries, business leaders and community leaders.
* It is the vision of a place with beautiful and efficient campuses that facilitate a regional church. These facilities should be community focused and include:
o excellent worship centers with state of the art technology, fully functional nursery, fellowship hall and outfitted kitchen, and special events space for weddings, funerals etc.
o incredible facilities for children and youth that are fully loaded and demonstrate our value for these age groups.
o recreational /sports facilities that can resource aggressive outreach through intramural tournaments, athletic camps and community wide events.
o a multiple purpose complex that will service leadership & discipleship training, creative arts, media, community services and administrative offices!
[Yeah, yeah, but how many sub-woofers do you have? Popcorn machine? Ha! Soda fountain? I doubt it!]
To acomplish (sic - more WELS potential) our vision we:
* Reach out to people of all walks of life no matter what ethnic, gender, racial, religious, socioeconomic, or sexually oriented group so that they know at Overflow they are welcomed, accepted, and wanted!
* Relate to people in a transparent and authentic way so that we develop real, authentic relationships with those inside and outside our body of believers.
* Renovate people's lives so that they renew their passion and vigor for life, while refreshing them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We want to reinvigorate, to restore freshness to each person's pursuit of the destiny God has for them.
* Release children, youth, men, women, and couples to impact their friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, communities, and world through fruitful Kingdom minded ministry.
The Mission:
Each local church has a mission to accomplish as well as a vision. Many people do not understand that there is a difference between vision and mission, but there is a difference. The vision is like the rudder of a ship. The vision shows us where we are off course. We can evaluate the direction we are moving to by determining whether it is moving us toward the destination God has given for us to go. We ask ourselves, "Does this match the picture, does this match the dream?" The vision holds the church on course. If the vision is the rudder, then the mission is the sail. The mission is the instrument that will actually propel the local church towards its destiny. The word for "spirit" in the New Testament is pnuema. This word means both "spirit" and "wind". The mission is the sail that the spirit (wind) of God can use to move the church toward His own purpose!
Definition of Mission:
Mission is the reason for the existence of the local church, and is set forth by Jesus Himself in scripture. The mission is the purpose of the church. The mission is the value that the church lives out loud together -strategically. The mission is the engine that drives the church.
Jesus gives a clear picture of the mission of His church on the Earth. Jesus lays out the core of the church's mission in Matthew 22, the Great Command, and in Matthew 28, the Great Commission. All healthy and power filled churches will fulfill this mission of Jesus in there own setting and culture. By doing this the church brings the Kingdom of God in power.
The Mission of Overflow Church:
To relate to people where they are at, changing mindsets and empowering them to reach their greatest potential in order to lead and impact every sphere of life. [Relational!]
The heart of our mission as a church is to live out loud the values of Jesus. We then become the body of Christ, filled with the Spirit of Christ, doing the work of Christ, with the same power and authority of Christ! [Relevant!]
The heartbeat of Jesus is the very heartbeat of Overflow Church. We want to see hope, joy, and love overflow the church walls and pour out into the streets of the Fox Valley. It is by living out these Kingdom values that we will accomplish our mission together. [Real!]
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The CORE Has Competition in the Touchy-Feely, Real...":
HOLY MACARONI!!! Fox Valley now competes with Middle Eastern deserts when it comes to producing new religions. No longer do potential prophets need to wander thirsty in the desert sun inspecting mirages for visions of God. Attend CORE or OVERFLOW in Appleton, WI for a mind expanding experience – without the need for drugs like LSD. Then get linked in with WELS and be SAVED.
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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "The CORE Has Competition in the Touchy-Feely, Real...":
Where can one begin since there is so much to be critical of here? Let's start on the lighter side. Pastor Nathan, if you flush and have a problem with Overflow, use a plunger or you may get soggy socks. Today's lesson in Church Growth is brought to you by the letter R. We reach, we relate, we renovate and we release. All this besides being relational, relevant and real! Of course, there is the obligatory husband/wife pastoral team. It sounds like the children are segregated for their own treatment by the Children's Pastor, just like the Babtists do. There is a Vision Statement and a Mission Statement, just like any good business model. Naturally, the female Worship Pastor is on the top of the list. There is lots of help available for "life issues". It sure makes me wonder how disadvantaged my parents and grandparents were living in the Great Depression. How did they ever manage without help on the life issues? Then there is the inclusiveness. What could possibly be missing? I see no mention of preaching Christ crucified. There is no mention of the Means of Grace. I forgot, Babtists don't believe in Baptismal Regeneration. Just what does it mean to rightly divide Law and Gospel? We use the Word to change lives. A Crucified, Risen and Ascended Savior is history and is therefore a moot point. This is what the Social Gospel of the old-time Liberals has morphed into. Ski, you have a long way to go with the C.O.R.E. to top this! Based upon what is coming out of the Overflow, it is going to take a whole lot more than an Imax screen and 20 sub-woofers to compete.
