What if there was a way to enjoy dating while avoiding much of the chaos that comes with it? Being single can be challenging; especially if you have a desire to be in a relationship. Scripture gives clear guidance in the world of love, sex, and dating. Many times we fail to heed that guidance. Most of us need to change our focus while we're looking for the person with whom we want to spend the rest of our life.

Family Ministry at GCC isn't just about kids and teenagers; marriages matter too. As a matter of fact relationships have the power to influence every aspect of a person's life regardless of age. That's why being in community is critical. As a matter of fact, we believe you can't grow spiritually without being connected relationally.

The High School phase is critical. Not only are students making decisions that can effect the rest of their lives, statistically this phase is the last chance for the vast majority of people to make a decision for Christ. Parents, small group leaders, friends, and church leaders need to approach this phase with a commitment to love. Before you know it, these students will be graduates and if you're not careful you'll have missed it.

Middle School! The phrase itself brings all kinds of thoughts and fears. Truth is, there's hope in the middle. The Middle School phase is quite possibly one of the most important. As children experience all the change and chaos of becoming a teenager, they make decisions that influence the rest of their lives. It's important to sift through the preconceived ideas and myths about Middle School students and discover just how important these young men and women are to our churches and families.

The Elementary school phase is when everything gets fun. Quite literally. An Elementary child is motivated by fun. It's also the phase in which parents hit the halfway mark with a child. At age nine, they're already closer to moving out than when they moved in. And if you're not careful, you'll miss this phase.

"It's just a phase." If you've spent any time with children you've probably heard that phrase before. You may have even said it. However, you might not realize that you'll miss this crazy time one day. This month we're taking an in depth look at Family Ministry. The Preschool phase is where it all begins, and can be the fertile soil God uses to begin a relationship with someone. The really great part is, He wants to use you in that process.

During the holiday season it's easy for some people to feel left out. You feel like you're the only one who wasn't invited to that party; your family experience seems lacking in comparison to what others are doing. Many times, this season shines a spotlight on any insecurities we may feel. In the Christmas Story, God chooses to use a group of people who not only felt left out, but were actually left out from their own society.

For many people, the Christmas season seems to intensify challenging circumstances. Despite what we know, difficulty makes us think that our situation is not only unique, but almost impossible. We lose sight of God's promises. In the Christmas story, Mary is no stranger to impossible circumstances. If we look closely, we will see that our impossible is God's ordinary.

Stories capture our attention and imagination in a unique way. Christmas stories are the most enjoyable. That's why each year we sit and watch the same movies over and over again. Joseph's Christmas story is one of the most powerful and most overlooked stories. Each of us have a similar story to Joseph's. So what's your Christmas story?

So what now? As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, there are some clear next steps, but they aren't easy steps. We are far too easily distracted by the comforts of this world and what we think we're supposed to do with our lives. Truth is, Jesus was very clear about what He expected from the citizens of His Kingdom. We are to glorify the King by making disciples, and we must be willing to let go of anything that comes between us and that purpose.