BRANCHES October 2011

RANCHES
october 2011
Where Are All the People?
LEAVING ROOM BY DESIGN
HeyDay in Rhyme
IT’S WORTH MORE THAN A DIME
P R E S B Y T E R I A N
C H U R C H

P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H
JEAN F. LARROUX, III Senior Pastor
MELISSA PATTERSON Executive Assistant
BOB BRADSHAW Executive Director/Director of Adult Ministries
KEN LEGGETT Associate Pastor/Director of Student Ministries
Adult Ministries
STEPHNIE BLACKWELL Administrative Assistant
CYNTHIA MAUREL Administrative Assistant
BILL NASH Associate Pastor/Director of Small Groups
SARAH NIEMITZ Director of Community Development
JAMES PARKER Chief Musician
KAREN PARKS Director of Assimilation
WILL SPINK Associate Pastor/Director of Shepherding
ALEX SHIPMAN Assistant Pastor/The Village Church
DALE BOWEN Lincoln Village Ministry
MARK STEARNS Director of Lincoln Village Ministry
Student Ministries
SHARON DUTCHER Executive Assistant
KIM DELCHAMPS Administrative Assistant
NINA ˜ BANTA Director of Creative Arts
KEN STUART Associate Pastor/Director of Children’s Ministry
NANCY McCREIGHT Assistant Director of PreK - 2nd
DEE PETCHER Assistant Director of Nursery
CHAD TOWNSLEY Director of Junior High Ministry
HAYDEN HOWELL Assistant Director of Junior High Ministry
KAYLA STANFIELD Assistant Director of 11th & 12th Grade
WINNIE WINFORD Assistant Director of 9th & 10th Grade
CHRIS GOODSON, Youth Intern
EMILY PULLEN, Youth Intern
Ministry Support
PAT TRAPANE Bookkeeper
JULIA VESS Receptionist
JONATHAN BARNETTE Director of Communication
PHILLIP BARRETT Graphic Designer
JANICE CROWSON Director of Facilities/Office
LYNDA CLAYDON Facilities
TRACY HEIN Facilities
MIKE MARREN Facilities
JEFF TOWNSLEY Facilities
BRANCHES
Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Barnette
Designer Phillip Barrett
CONTRIBUTORS
Ken Leggett
Leah Treen
Josh Treen
Sarah Niemitz
Chad Townsley
PHOTOS
Phillip Barrett
Denise Scrip
cover photo
Photo taken by
Phillip Barrett of
Seminar Room D
during the 11:00am
seminar hour.
pastor’s note
Where are all the people?
When I was a child my mother taught me that cute little game you could
play with your hands folded, “Here is the church. Here is the steeple.
Open it up and see all the people…” We would do it over and over
again. As a child I loved to laugh and watch the “church” open up and
see all of the people.
Last month we began doing the same thing, but at the end of our
exercise things looked a bit different: “Everything was remodeled,
except for the steeple, but when I look around where are all the Jean F. Larroux, III
people?” You need to know this: the empty chairs and pews are empty
ON PURPOSE. You read that statement correctly: the empty chairs in Sunday Seminars and
empty pews in worship are there by design!
Some might say that empty seats indicate our decision to go to three services was premature.
Some might say empty seats are a testimony to the failure of Sunday Seminars. There is a
temptation to see these potential realities as a referendum on a poor strategic decision.
Consider another possible interpretation of the empty seats: what if they were actually part of
the intended goal of this transition? That indeed is the case. They are part of the intended GOAL
of this decision and I want to spend the rest of this brief article explaining “why.”
Imagine you are new to Huntsville. Imagine you desire to connect with a Bible-believing church.
Imagine someone suggests that you give Southwood a try. Imagine walking into a place where
you open the church and look past the steeple but all you can see is a room FULL OF people.
Several things happen: 1.) You feel lost, like a number in a crowd. 2.) You feel invisible to everyone
else there (and to some degree are). 3.) You subconsciously get the message that there is “no
room” for you. 4.) People in the church feel no compulsion or passion to invite others because
subconsciously they have already decided that the church is “packed.” 5.) The church becomes
stagnant and ingrown. Eventually complacency sets in because the status quo has become very,
very comfortable.
Now imagine that we add just one thing to this equation: empty seats. Instead of feeling “packed
out” we are now experiencing the “where are all the people?” feeling. Where are the people?
They are out there, in Huntsville, in Madison County and beyond. They must be out there, they’re
not in here. The people who belong in these empty chairs and pews must be at your office, in
your carpool line, at the ball fields and in your neighborhood. If you look around and find yourself
longing for “all the people” then remember why God put this church in Jones Valley. He put it
here for His sheep, some of whom have already made it to this place and some He is now making
room for in those empty seats. That empty chair next to you is for the sake of someone you have
yet to meet; someone you have yet to invite; someone you have yet to call your friend. It is there
by design. We made these changes IN ORDER TO get empty chairs and empty pews! The seats
are empty ON PURPOSE.
Do something for the Kingdom: if you are in a room or a pew that is “full” then get up and go get
more chairs. Make more room. Make sure there are empty chairs everywhere! Expect that God
will bring others. Plan for Him to bring others. Expect the hungry, needy, broken and downcast
to come and feast on grace at Southwood. There was a day in the recent past when you walked
through the door and there was room for you. Empty chairs and pews are now strategically
available at Southwood to make room for the “you” we haven’t met yet. We need to look in the
church and look past the steeple to intentionally empty seats awaiting God’s people. That isn’t
strategic failure; it is strategic planning! It is expecting that God will do what He said He will
do—build His church!
We need to be careful not to despise the days of “small things.” That may sound ludicrous when
we are talking about a church of 1,800 members, but some of us may end up in a classroom
1000 Carl T. Jones Drive | Huntsville, Alabama 35802
(256) 882-3085 | www.southwood.org

Thursday Dec. 1, 2011
at 7:00pm
Tickets available at
southwood.org/beholdthelamb
with only 4 people and a teacher. There may be some “holy huddle” moments coming. PRAISE
GOD! What an opportunity for fellowship, intimacy and real-life application! Before long having
a “two or three gathered” will seem like a shadowy dream from the past. Enjoy the relationships
that will be built in these moments and take a mental snapshot. You can place that photo in the
album right next to the photo of the room at full capacity. In BOTH photos God is at work. The
only error in either context is the discontentment that longs for the other scenario while missing
the blessing right before our eyes!
Tickets cost: $15; A $1.00
processing fee is added to
online sales. $120 for a group
of 10. Tickets will also
be available in the office
and the Guest Center in
the coming weeks.
A final word of encouragement. God tends to grow His church in His timing. That means that
our desire to visibly see growth may not directly coincide with His plan for growing us. In the
meantime might I suggest that we pray. Ask God to do something. Ask Him to open the door
to an invitation conversation with a friend. Start praying that God would move in the heart of
someone you know. Pray them into that empty chair next to you. Pray their family into that empty
pew. If you want to be really encouraged then choose the most hardened, least likely people
you would ever expect to ever darken the door of this church. Pray expecting that they will walk
through the door. Every time you walk into a room expect that they will be there. God loves His
people more than you do; just be available and keep getting more chairs. One day, by His grace,
they may just show up. When they do, don’t be shocked, be reassured, God hasn’t changed. Not
so long ago you showed up here and it was just as scandalous. It is my prayer that Southwood
always has lots of empty seats and empty pews, on purpose.
WHAT WE’RE READING: by Ken Leggett
The King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus
This fall various departments of our Student Ministries are diving into Mark’s Gospel. Out of a number of great commentaries on
Mark, Tim Keller’s King’s Cross is my recommended companion to the text, providing an excellent read that partners well with our
study. Although not exhaustive, Keller’s work is supremely pastoral, bringing to light both the truth of particular texts and their
applications to life.
In his own words Keller describes the aim of his book as, “an extended meditation on the historical Christian premise that Jesus’s life,
death and resurrection form the central event of cosmic and human history as well as the central organizing principle of our own lives.
Said another way, the whole story of the world—and how we fit into it—is most clearly understood through a careful, direct look at the
story of Jesus. My purpose here is to try to show, through His words and actions, how beautifully His life makes sense of ours.” King’s Cross accomplishes
this aim well chapter after chapter, making it an excellent read for both followers and skeptics alike.
As you read it you’ll find yourself understanding Jesus from scriptures as He makes his way directly into the context of your everyday life and culture. With
reasonable divisions and digestible chapters you might consider picking up a copy from the Guest Center and using it in your small group or daily reading.
If you’re more of a listener than a reader, consider the audio version of the book for your next run or road trip.
october 2011

Once in a land to the South which was good
Sat a town on a hill, in the midst of a Wood
With grass and the sounds of “honk honk” and “moo moo”
And a loud loud alarm that would go “woo woo woo.”
Where through most of the year they’d sit still as if ice
Except for some jokes when they’d laugh once or twice.
But then’d come October with the Harvest along
With the HeyDay and laughing and jumping and song.
A joyous event with many great features
And costumes galore from each tot to each Creature
And not one was scary and none tried to scare
For all were depraved, yes, every one there.
And they welcomed their friends and the friends of their friends
And said to them all “Please come by, yes come in!”
Some sat in booths giving out information
Watching children play games while they held conversation.
And others drove cars decked with much decoration
And Trunks filled with Treats for this fall celebration.
From four until six the kids bags they would fill
But not Twice As Often lest they all be ill!
Just once was enough, there was Not A Repeat
For those dear sweet children decked out head to feet.
For fun there were slides and mazes and walls
And adults to ensure that the kids had no falls
There was bouncing and running and jumping around
With the whirring and buzzing generators’ sound.
There were drinks hot and cold their thirst there to quench
And chairs and some tables and maybe a bench.
They played ther
When they realiz
“What now shoul
And we’re tired fr
We see families a
But where”, they
When what to the
But a vendor with
The grown-ups ha
To purchase som
And so on this glo
You could feel the
With friends from
Enjoying themsel
And grace that th
Just echoed arou
And they all had
At HeyDay, in the

Sunday, Oct. 23rd
3:00 - 6:00pm
Join us for an afternoon of
food, inflatables and fun on the
Southwood grounds. Admission
is free, but please bring cash for
fair-type food. Bring friends and
family and dress up if you like, but
no scary costumes please.
e for hours from three until six
ed the candy would make them all sick
d we do for our stomachs are rumbling
om all of our jumping and tumbling.
nd friendships and red fire trucks
all cried, “is pizza for five bucks?”
ir wondering eyes did appear,
fair food located quite near!
d cash in their pockets you see
e food for their stomachs to feed.
rious family-filled day
love pouring from every which way
all ages, from youngest to old
ves whether hotter or cold.
ey heard, oh the grace grace grace grace
nd the whole entire place.
good fun, yes, had fun that was good
field, in the South, in the Wood.
Volunteer
Opportunities
(one hour shifts)
• Manning inflatables
• Volunteer and first
aid tables
• Trunk or Treat - Prize for the
best car/decoration (four tickets
to Behold the Lamb)
• Set up and clean up
• Manning the helium tank
and filling balloons.
• Candy Donations - Drop off
candy at downstairs
Kids’ entrance.
Please volunteer at
southwood.org/serve
For more info email
heyday@southwood.org
Poem by: Josh and Leah Treen
Illustration by: Phillip Barrett
october 2011

high-life is back in swing
by High-Life Staff
For the last few weeks, the community has
been showing up at the lodge to drop off
their seventh and eighth graders for Junior
High-Life on Wednesday nights. We’re
off to a huge start already with nearly 130
students in attendance each week so far!
At every High-Life, we will provide dinner,
games, worship from our very own worship
team and a message from Chad Townsley.
Take an opportunity to praise God for
the students of our ministry and the Jr.
Crew and Adult Leaders that have given
their lives to them. We can’t wait to see
everyone there!
Senior High-Life is now in full swing,
meeting weekly at the Lodge on Sunday
nights. We’ve had a great turnout so far,
with students from all over the city coming
together for a time of fellowship, worship
and an opportunity to rest from the
craziness of the regular week. Come join
us this semester as Ken takes us through
the Gospel of Mark. Please continue to
pray with us as we attract students and
equip and utilize a team of adult leaders in
ministry. It’s going to be a great year!

give more than just toys
by Sarah Niemitz
I walked into Hobby Lobby last weekend and wondered if I entered
Santa’s workshop in the North Pole! I thought, “Wait! what happened
to pumpkins, fall leaves, and Thanksgiving?” While it might feel a bit
early to buy Christmas decorations and listen to Jingle Bells, it is just
about the time Southwood needs to think about our gathered Christmas
serving event!
you are once again reminded that you cannot give your daughter what
she wants, sometimes not even what she needs. The same voices you’ve
heard all your life whisper, “You are not good enough. You will never
be able to provide for your family.” At the same time, your daughter is
subtly reminded, at an early age, that she must look beyond her parents
for provision. The fragile family unit takes another hit.
In past years, we have participated
in the Samaritan’s Purse Operation
Christmas Child. Families have
filled boxes with toys, necessary
items, and sweet notes from
children, and mailed them to
countries around the world.
This opportunity allows even
the youngest family members
to participate in the assembly of
gifts for others at Christmas. If this has become a meaningful tradition
for you and your family, please continue as part of your scattered service!
This year, we want to offer families a gathered opportunity to express
grace with one of our strategic, partner ministries in our own backyard! 2nd
Mile Ministries works developmentally in the Terry Heights neighborhood
of Huntsville through a pre-school, parent initiative program, and the
Neighborhood Store. Each Christmas, the Neighborhood Store opens
the Secret Santa Shop where parents can purchase brand new toys for
their children at a significantly reduced price. If parents cannot purchase
the toys with cash, they can work at the store and earn store credit to
purchase the items. 2nd Mile has been operating in the Terry Heights
neighborhood for over 20 years, and their ministry is born out of seeing
first hand the stories below played out in their neighborhood.
Imagine that for weeks leading up to Christmas, your child has begged
you for a teddy bear. They want a brown one, with a red bow. But you
cannot afford the teddy bear and food this month. So you sign up at the
local toy drive and a family adopts your family for Christmas. They ask
you what your daughter wants, and buy a stuffed bear with a red bow.
They wrap it beautifully and drop it off, along with some groceries for a
Christmas dinner. Your daughter unwraps the bear and LOVES him...but
you and your daughter both know the bear did not come from you. Yes,
the bear is still special. You are thankful that your daughter is happy, but
Toys for 2nd Mile Ministries
will be collected at Southwood
November 13 & 20th.
Help give local families more
than just a toy for Christmas!
Now, imagine that on your way to
sign up for the toy drive, you pass
the Neighborhood Store with a
sign for the Secret Santa Shop. In
the window is a beautiful brown
teddy-bear with a bright, red
bow. You stop, knowing you can’t
afford it but hoping somehow you
can. You look at the price tag and
you can hardly believe it! It is only
5 dollars!! Not only that, but when you explained that you had only two
dollars, the lady behind the counter said you could work in the back to
earn the extra three dollars needed!
Christmas morning your daughter receives a beautiful brown teddy bear
that she LOVES, but she also receives something else. She receives a
parent whose dignity was re-affirmed—a parent more likely to affirm her
dignity in return. She experiences the joy of receiving a much awaited
gift from her parent! Absent is the feeling that she and her family are
inferior. Silent is one more, subtle voice whose whispers discourage her
BIG dreams for the future. In both stories she receives a teddy bear, but
in the second story she received even more.
This year, Southwood is partnering with 2nd Mile Ministries to give
more than just teddy bears. In November, you will have the opportunity
to purchase a brand new toy for the Secret Santa Shop. Toys will be
collected at Southwood on November 13th and 20th, and delivered by
our 5th-6th grade students to the Neighborhood Store. We encourage
you to purchase toys for children ages 3-13 of any gender. Please donate
batteries separately from the toys. All proceeds from the toy sales go
directly to 2nd Mile Ministry initiatives.
We encourage you to take your family shopping, and talk about what it
means to give someone more than just a toy for Christmas.
october 2011

OCTOBER 23 RD
Harvest HeyDay
3:00-6:00pm
Southwood Grounds
• Food
• Inflatables
• Fun
• Bring Friends
DECEMBER 1 ST
Behold the Lamb of God
Thursday, December 1st
7:00pm
Tickets $15
southwood.org/beholdthelamb
1
Get Connected
Miss a Sunday Seminar? Keep up to date by
listening to Sunday Seminars online.
Step 1- Visit southwood.org and
click “Resources” then “Audio Archive.”
2
Step 2- Click Sunday Seminars
3
Step 3- Choose a seminar, then click
the play button to listen in your web
browser or the class name to download.