Well today is Halloween and yes we will be celebrating. Now we're not celebrating evil but celebrating people! I'm not sure how the discussion began but a couple of years ago we were thinking about what we as a church could do on Halloween. Let me be frank here and this is just my opinion but Harvest Festivals are kind of lame. Lame candy and just a bunch of Christian mooching. One church in our area did it and had over 5000 people come. They later reported that they only saw one family get connected to their church over it. So we had the thought let's bring the Harvest Festival to the people.
So we have for the last couple of years had various Commmunity Groups at our church host block parties. A family friendly way to meet neighbors. Groups have games, hot dogs, awesome candy, and other fun stuff. We don't have witches and ghosts, maybe a Scooby Doo costume but we also don't have Jesus junk either. You know what I mean! All those lame cards with lame sayings that I have never heard change someone's life!
The block parties are a part of our culture now. Groups on their own do them to invest in their neighborhood. One guy went so far to build his own putt-putt golf course! His neighbors were so touched that they have been asking for weeks if the block party was still on! Another guy in our church has actually had an unchurched neighbor come over and offer to do all the cooking for the event. Wow, an unchurched person is helping a follower of Jesus invest in his neighbors!
I am so proud of our church on Halloween. They really show that it's now about us! It is about taking the message of the Gospel through words of truth and deeds of love to our neighbors and world.
For more great thoughts may I recommend my friend Bob's blog. Gary Lamb's imfamous blog about Harvest festivals is also worth reading.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Weekend to Remember - the memories
Well we made it back! It was great to be with my wife and spend a lot of time with her. She really is the love of my life!
Well the conference was good too. It really spurred me on to think about how Crossbridge can be investing more in married couples. Last April Kathleen and I did a one night workshop on cultivating intimacy in marriage. We had a full house and a great time. Monday we talked at staff meeting about doing something like that every quarter in 2007.
If there are any married people reading this blog, what would be some topics that you would be interested in coming to a one night interactive workshop about?
Well the conference was good too. It really spurred me on to think about how Crossbridge can be investing more in married couples. Last April Kathleen and I did a one night workshop on cultivating intimacy in marriage. We had a full house and a great time. Monday we talked at staff meeting about doing something like that every quarter in 2007.
If there are any married people reading this blog, what would be some topics that you would be interested in coming to a one night interactive workshop about?
The Church You Know
Just read this on my buddy Bob's blog. Hilarious! You have got to check this out.
www.thechurchyouknow.com
www.thechurchyouknow.com
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Weekend to Remember
>"...husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way..." 1 Peter 3:7
Part of my personal mission statement that I believe God gave to me several years ago is to "love my family fully". So this weekend I am seeking to do lean into that by taking my wife on a marriage retreat. We are headed to Family Life's "Weekend to Remember". If you are a pastor it is free for you! Wow, major thanks to Family Life for supporting pastors. I hope any pastors out there will take advantage of this.
I want to encourage you men to really seek to live out what Peter writes about above. What he is saying here is get to know your wives! Pursue your wife! If we are suppose to be modeling Jesus to them (Eph 5) then we should pursue our wives with love just like our Savior pursues us with love.
Let me give you a great first step. In his marvelous book "Sex. Romance and the Glory of God", CJ Mahaney exhorts husbands with a way to apply 1 Peter 3:7
"Do you know how to surprise and delight your wife in specific ways in each of the following areas?
* Sex
* clothing sizes, styles, and stores
* jewelry
* health
* exercise
* books and magazines
* movies
* the arts
* sports
* food
* music
* entertainment
* places to visit
* intellectual interests
* hobbies
* vacations/getaways
* and of course, sex
Do you know how your wife is faring in each of these areas?
* theological knowledge
* practice of spiritual disciplines
* growth in godliness
* spiritual gifts that can be used to serve others
* involvement in the local church
* relationship with children
* relationship with parents
* personal retreats
* fears
* hopes
* dreams
* disappointments
* temptations
How much of this information do you have readily available to you, preferably in written form? How much do you really know about your wife in each of these areas?"
CJ Mahaney: Sex, Romance and the Glory of God p. 32-33
Lost Rocked Last Night!
Wow! I love this show. The twists, the turns, the excitement. If you are not into Lost don't shoot yourself in the foot by just watching it on Wednesday nights. You should go back rent or buy Season 1 and take your time to get caught up. It's better than a lot of movies I have paid money for this year.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Racquetball and Community Groups
This morning I got to play Racquetball for the second day in a row with my good friends Tim, Brandon and Joe. I love that game. It is so fast spaced. You hit the ball, you're running, dodging, and even lunging! Today guys were running into walls, hitting themselves in the face with their own racket(a form of punishment for missing an easy shot?),and getting hit with the ball! Wow! We even saw bloodshed in the game.
I have been wanting to get into better shape for a while and honor God with my body. One thing I don't like to do though is work out alone. To be quite honest I cut myself a lot of slack and don't push myself to the limit. I also not quite sure if I am even doing the right things when it comes to training and exercise. I have read books but they didn't do for me.
Now I am in week two of working out with my friends. Joe is our trainer. The guy knows so much about fitness and weight training. He is also quite buff. Joe though is training too. He knows he hasn't arrived and keeps an eye on his health. I have learned that I am weaker than I thought in some areas but just knowing these guys will be showing up helps me get there. I am using muscles I have never used before and really didn't even know that I had!
These same ideas are true for us on our spiritual journey. We can do things by ourselves to grow close to God and we should. We should spend quality time in study, prayer and solitude. But if you are like me you hit a wall sometimes. What am I suppose to be doing? What would be good for me to work on? Then there is self-deception. I'm in pretty good shape spiritually right?
I believe one of the best ways to stay in shape spiritually is to be in small group. At Crossbridge we call them Community Groups. In CG you get to be with people in all different kinds of spiritual shape with all the same goal. Let's get closer to God and grow in our character. There is usually someone guiding the group who is further down the road than other but by no means "the expert". That person is growing too and keeping an eye on their relationship with God. You learn quickly in groups areas where you are weak. For me I learn how impatient I am with others but how I want everybody to be patient with me. Group push you to grow and bear with people. Groups push to exercise spiritual muscles maybe you haven't used before.
This month three new Community Groups will be starting at Crossbridge. If you are not in a group I highly encourage you to check them out. My prayer is that you will be encouraged in this environment to grow spiritually in ways you never have before!
I have been wanting to get into better shape for a while and honor God with my body. One thing I don't like to do though is work out alone. To be quite honest I cut myself a lot of slack and don't push myself to the limit. I also not quite sure if I am even doing the right things when it comes to training and exercise. I have read books but they didn't do for me.
Now I am in week two of working out with my friends. Joe is our trainer. The guy knows so much about fitness and weight training. He is also quite buff. Joe though is training too. He knows he hasn't arrived and keeps an eye on his health. I have learned that I am weaker than I thought in some areas but just knowing these guys will be showing up helps me get there. I am using muscles I have never used before and really didn't even know that I had!
These same ideas are true for us on our spiritual journey. We can do things by ourselves to grow close to God and we should. We should spend quality time in study, prayer and solitude. But if you are like me you hit a wall sometimes. What am I suppose to be doing? What would be good for me to work on? Then there is self-deception. I'm in pretty good shape spiritually right?
I believe one of the best ways to stay in shape spiritually is to be in small group. At Crossbridge we call them Community Groups. In CG you get to be with people in all different kinds of spiritual shape with all the same goal. Let's get closer to God and grow in our character. There is usually someone guiding the group who is further down the road than other but by no means "the expert". That person is growing too and keeping an eye on their relationship with God. You learn quickly in groups areas where you are weak. For me I learn how impatient I am with others but how I want everybody to be patient with me. Group push you to grow and bear with people. Groups push to exercise spiritual muscles maybe you haven't used before.
This month three new Community Groups will be starting at Crossbridge. If you are not in a group I highly encourage you to check them out. My prayer is that you will be encouraged in this environment to grow spiritually in ways you never have before!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Best Comedy since Seinfeld
Last night my wife and I finished watching the second season of "The Office" on DVD. I want to go on record. To the millions reading (hah!) that this is the best comedy show I have watched since Seinfeld and maybe even better than Seinfeld!
So if you want to laugh and laugh and waste alot of time go out and buy this.
Got Groups
Just had a great lunch meeting with two leaders in our church. We hashed out a strategy to try to go from 6 groups to 18 groups by Feb at the soonest and April at the latest.
We have struggled over the last couple of years with our groups. I feel like we are actually headed somewhere now.
Monday, October 16, 2006
New Series - UNTAMED
This Sunday Crossbridge will launch into a new series called "Untamed". I am very excited about it! We will study the first six chapters of Daniel.
We cannot let the culture tame our faith in Jesus. Daniel and his friends are a great example of how to live in a culture that is dishonoring to God but not let it tame their confidence in their heavenly Father.
I'll try and post the logo soon!
We cannot let the culture tame our faith in Jesus. Daniel and his friends are a great example of how to live in a culture that is dishonoring to God but not let it tame their confidence in their heavenly Father.
I'll try and post the logo soon!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Preaching is Freaky!
I have issues. I just wanted to get that out on the table. I am a sermon addict. I have listened too probably 1000's of sermons. Some have been good and some have been bad. What it used to do was feed my soul with God's word and inspiration to keep after Him. What it does now is confuse the snot out of me.
I get all caught up on stuff like: is it bad to preach topically? Are the best sermons just going verse by verse through a book. Is it the only way, God's way to take three months to go through a book or even a year. I have read a ton of preaching books, listened to a ton of sermon seminars, had a ton of conversations about this and read probably a ton of articles about this topic. I just finished Andy Stanley's book last night "Communicating for a Change". It was very helpful.
I think in the end I am somewhere in between John Piper's "The Supremacy of God in Preaching" and Andy's book. That sometimes makes me feel a little alone in the evangelical world.
As I have been praying about this, I have been convicted about many things....
1. I have been seeking men for God's word to the church instead of seeking God for His specific word for the church I pastor. I know that sounds mystical but that is how I am wired. What God seems to be teaching me, I seem to teach with passion and clarity. The Spirit seems to move as well.
2. As I seek God for His direction I find that sometimes He leads me to preaching through a book and sometime to preach on a topic. This past Spring I felt led to preach through the book of Colossians. I did it in ten weeks. Our team felt good about the series. This fall though I felt like I had to do a book study again because some of my heroes only do them. But I think God wants to say something else this fall. Jesus is the leader of this church, not my favorite Bible teacher, that I want to emulate or make proud of me. I have got to stop preaching for people that don't come to my church and preach for the glory of Jesus and the good of the people that do come to my church!
3. The Bible must be central and authoritaive in all of this! So as I am sensing God leading me to some topics, the Bible isn't an add on to what I want to say. The issue if what does the Bible say on this topic and let's unleash the lion to devour us!
So this fall we are going to do a series on handling temptation. I will be using Matthew 4 as my guide for this. We're calling it "Tempted...Everyone is". I have also been drawn to the book of Haggai. What an incredible little book! It speakes to suburb Christians in a powerful way. I was turned on to this book from Francis Chan who did an awesome talk on it at this years Thirsty conference from Passion Conferences . I might do three or four weeks on that. I am really praying through a study of the "I Am" statements of Jesus from the writings of John's Gospel and the Revelation. I want to do something with Galatians but I am not called to be a "talking commentary" of it. I also am praying through a series on how to practice the presence of Jesus through out the day. If I do that series I may call it "24"! - Oh yeah Season 6 coming in January!
Okay so what do some of you yahoo's think out there? Should we be only book by book, only topical, a mix or what?
Discuss!
I get all caught up on stuff like: is it bad to preach topically? Are the best sermons just going verse by verse through a book. Is it the only way, God's way to take three months to go through a book or even a year. I have read a ton of preaching books, listened to a ton of sermon seminars, had a ton of conversations about this and read probably a ton of articles about this topic. I just finished Andy Stanley's book last night "Communicating for a Change". It was very helpful.
I think in the end I am somewhere in between John Piper's "The Supremacy of God in Preaching" and Andy's book. That sometimes makes me feel a little alone in the evangelical world.
As I have been praying about this, I have been convicted about many things....
1. I have been seeking men for God's word to the church instead of seeking God for His specific word for the church I pastor. I know that sounds mystical but that is how I am wired. What God seems to be teaching me, I seem to teach with passion and clarity. The Spirit seems to move as well.
2. As I seek God for His direction I find that sometimes He leads me to preaching through a book and sometime to preach on a topic. This past Spring I felt led to preach through the book of Colossians. I did it in ten weeks. Our team felt good about the series. This fall though I felt like I had to do a book study again because some of my heroes only do them. But I think God wants to say something else this fall. Jesus is the leader of this church, not my favorite Bible teacher, that I want to emulate or make proud of me. I have got to stop preaching for people that don't come to my church and preach for the glory of Jesus and the good of the people that do come to my church!
3. The Bible must be central and authoritaive in all of this! So as I am sensing God leading me to some topics, the Bible isn't an add on to what I want to say. The issue if what does the Bible say on this topic and let's unleash the lion to devour us!
So this fall we are going to do a series on handling temptation. I will be using Matthew 4 as my guide for this. We're calling it "Tempted...Everyone is". I have also been drawn to the book of Haggai. What an incredible little book! It speakes to suburb Christians in a powerful way. I was turned on to this book from Francis Chan who did an awesome talk on it at this years Thirsty conference from Passion Conferences . I might do three or four weeks on that. I am really praying through a study of the "I Am" statements of Jesus from the writings of John's Gospel and the Revelation. I want to do something with Galatians but I am not called to be a "talking commentary" of it. I also am praying through a series on how to practice the presence of Jesus through out the day. If I do that series I may call it "24"! - Oh yeah Season 6 coming in January!
Okay so what do some of you yahoo's think out there? Should we be only book by book, only topical, a mix or what?
Discuss!
Wow, It's been a while!
Hi.
I know if you are going to have a blog you should write more. I'm still working on this. I think I will will write some more this week.
Later
I know if you are going to have a blog you should write more. I'm still working on this. I think I will will write some more this week.
Later
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The Great Work of the Gospel
I know it’s been a while, but hey life is more than blogging. I have been trying to get into a new habit of reading two books a week. I am up to about one and half depending on length of the book and my schedule for that week.
I am about half way through a great book entitled “The Great Work of the Gospel” by John Ensor. I highly recommend it. I have been a Christian since I was 12 and have known that Jesus died for my sins since a small boy. It is only in the last few months at the age of 35 that I think I may actually be moving out of a kindergarten understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection.
I wanted to post an excerpt from the above book to get my 5 readers thinking about the Gospel in new ways.
Ensor tells a story about a guy in prison that he is interacting with. The guy is seriously jacked up. He was fatherless and his mom was an alcoholic. He was brash and cocky but with no future ahead of him. He ends up in jail for raping a girl. Ensor applies to this guy what he says through the whole book. People are wounded and wayward. He begins to reach out to this guy….
If not for the cross, I would not have known what to say…. I told him that God is a God of love, and therefore a God of mercy and forgiveness. But I told him first that God is a God of holiness, that he loves righteousness and is angry at him for the harm he had done. I assured him that God could show mercy to him, but not until he saw how wicked and evil his action was and how much he deserved to be punished.
I did not say, “Hey, God loves you, so let’s forget that you forced yourself on that young girl, and how much pain and terror you brought her.” I said, in effect, “If you agree with your accuser and admit that you did evil and deserve to be punished by God, and if you turn to Him who is rightly angry and ask Him for mercy, then you will find that He is able to forgive you. How so? Because God calculated the full amount of punishment needed to vindicate the young woman’s dignity, and He calculated the punishment needed to repair the glory of God defaced by your wickedness. Then He totaled it all up and inflicted the full punishment, in righteous anger, on Jesus Christ on the cross. And if you will entrust you life to the living Christ and obey Him, trusting that the cross is sufficient payment for your sins, God will credit it as your own and will redeem your life.” John Ensor p.99-100 “The Great Work of the Gospel”
I am about half way through a great book entitled “The Great Work of the Gospel” by John Ensor. I highly recommend it. I have been a Christian since I was 12 and have known that Jesus died for my sins since a small boy. It is only in the last few months at the age of 35 that I think I may actually be moving out of a kindergarten understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection.
I wanted to post an excerpt from the above book to get my 5 readers thinking about the Gospel in new ways.
Ensor tells a story about a guy in prison that he is interacting with. The guy is seriously jacked up. He was fatherless and his mom was an alcoholic. He was brash and cocky but with no future ahead of him. He ends up in jail for raping a girl. Ensor applies to this guy what he says through the whole book. People are wounded and wayward. He begins to reach out to this guy….
If not for the cross, I would not have known what to say…. I told him that God is a God of love, and therefore a God of mercy and forgiveness. But I told him first that God is a God of holiness, that he loves righteousness and is angry at him for the harm he had done. I assured him that God could show mercy to him, but not until he saw how wicked and evil his action was and how much he deserved to be punished.
I did not say, “Hey, God loves you, so let’s forget that you forced yourself on that young girl, and how much pain and terror you brought her.” I said, in effect, “If you agree with your accuser and admit that you did evil and deserve to be punished by God, and if you turn to Him who is rightly angry and ask Him for mercy, then you will find that He is able to forgive you. How so? Because God calculated the full amount of punishment needed to vindicate the young woman’s dignity, and He calculated the punishment needed to repair the glory of God defaced by your wickedness. Then He totaled it all up and inflicted the full punishment, in righteous anger, on Jesus Christ on the cross. And if you will entrust you life to the living Christ and obey Him, trusting that the cross is sufficient payment for your sins, God will credit it as your own and will redeem your life.” John Ensor p.99-100 “The Great Work of the Gospel”
Monday, June 19, 2006
Continuing Conversion
I have been reading, learning about and treasuring the Gospel of Jesus Christ more and more these days. It seems that over the last few months that God has been bringing this before me. It really all started with the reading of a book by John Piper called "God is the Gospel". As usual Piper nails it. Then I began to have interaction with several leaders in the Acts 29 movement. Guys like Chan Kilgore and Darrin Patrick have been so encouraging to me in how they present the Gospel.
Mark Driscoll's latest sermon on "Missional Ministry" really hits the nail on the head for me about our calling as Pastors/church planters. We have to contend for the Gospel and contextualize the Gospel.
Reading Tim Keller's articles have also been very encouraging and soul giving. I love how he writes that the Gospel is not the ABC's of Christanity but the A-Z of Christanity.
I have a lot in me to get out on this and what it means for our church to be a Gospel-Driven, Christ-Centered and God-Dependent community.
My one true desire today is to "repent and believe in the Gospel" from Mark 1:15. I am seeing more and more that is not only how I became a Christian but how I am to to grow as a Christian. Daily there are new areas for me to repent and believe in.
It is my continous conversion that is blowing me away. That I so easily treasure everything and everybody other than Christ.
I am reading three great works right now to help me in my thinking.
"The Bible in 90 Days". - this is a new product from Zondervan that I am taking my staff through right now. As I read it I am looking for Jesus and the Gospel everywhere!
"Renewal as a Way of Life" by Richard Lovelace - Great book recommended to me by my friend Chan Kilgore. The subtitle says it all "a guidebook for spiritual growth". It is a book about applying the Gospel to our daily lives.
"Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp - I love this book! It is a book on living our the Gospel in my relationships. As I am going through it I am considering giving it to our Community Group leaders at our Momemntum Weekend in August.
Mark Driscoll's latest sermon on "Missional Ministry" really hits the nail on the head for me about our calling as Pastors/church planters. We have to contend for the Gospel and contextualize the Gospel.
Reading Tim Keller's articles have also been very encouraging and soul giving. I love how he writes that the Gospel is not the ABC's of Christanity but the A-Z of Christanity.
I have a lot in me to get out on this and what it means for our church to be a Gospel-Driven, Christ-Centered and God-Dependent community.
My one true desire today is to "repent and believe in the Gospel" from Mark 1:15. I am seeing more and more that is not only how I became a Christian but how I am to to grow as a Christian. Daily there are new areas for me to repent and believe in.
It is my continous conversion that is blowing me away. That I so easily treasure everything and everybody other than Christ.
I am reading three great works right now to help me in my thinking.
"The Bible in 90 Days". - this is a new product from Zondervan that I am taking my staff through right now. As I read it I am looking for Jesus and the Gospel everywhere!
"Renewal as a Way of Life" by Richard Lovelace - Great book recommended to me by my friend Chan Kilgore. The subtitle says it all "a guidebook for spiritual growth". It is a book about applying the Gospel to our daily lives.
"Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" by Paul David Tripp - I love this book! It is a book on living our the Gospel in my relationships. As I am going through it I am considering giving it to our Community Group leaders at our Momemntum Weekend in August.
Inside Out Leadership
I have cleaning out stuff recently and found and old notebook from a Willow Creek Student Ministry Conference I went to back in 1998. I flipped through the notebook to see if I should give it away and found a session by Dan Webster. The notes really struck a cord in me since I have been thinking a lot about leadership lately.
Anything good give Webster credit for. Anything bad or not clear, that would be me!
"Facing Change from the Inside Out" by Dan Webster
Change Leader - recognizes that he/she must lead himself into God's presence before he leads anyone anywhere.
What Does a Change Leader Look Like? - Matthew 23:1-12
1. They are teachable vs. Arrogant
* Great leaders stay teachable and attentive.
* Be humble enough to listen.
* Are their areas of pride in my heart that I need to repent of?
* Where are you resistant to learn from those that God has placed in your life?
2. They are known for integrity vs. Talking
* There is a huge difference between a life that speaks than a mouth that speaks.
* Leadership is not about words but the life we live that is worth following.
* Does our life back up our teaching?
* Integrity - living one life
* Where are you living two lives instead of one?
3. They pursue character vs. Persona
* Persona is guided by image, control, fear, self-interest, and avoidance.
* Character is guided by ethnicity, purpose, openeness, compassion, courage, tenderness, gentleness, and inclusion.
* When people bump into you does Christ or Charisma come out?
* Where and when in your life should you live more out of character rather than persona?
4. They are Christ-dependent vs. co-dependent
* We like the approval of people more than the approval of Christ.
* Don't over exaggerate your own importance.
* Do you live spiritually vicariously through other leaders or do you have your own life in Christ?
5. They are about second vs. first
* Great people have killed the disease of me in life.
* Being a servant is having my heart crushed by Jesus.
So that's that. I hope you will be blessed and challenged by these thoughts.
Anything good give Webster credit for. Anything bad or not clear, that would be me!
"Facing Change from the Inside Out" by Dan Webster
Change Leader - recognizes that he/she must lead himself into God's presence before he leads anyone anywhere.
What Does a Change Leader Look Like? - Matthew 23:1-12
1. They are teachable vs. Arrogant
* Great leaders stay teachable and attentive.
* Be humble enough to listen.
* Are their areas of pride in my heart that I need to repent of?
* Where are you resistant to learn from those that God has placed in your life?
2. They are known for integrity vs. Talking
* There is a huge difference between a life that speaks than a mouth that speaks.
* Leadership is not about words but the life we live that is worth following.
* Does our life back up our teaching?
* Integrity - living one life
* Where are you living two lives instead of one?
3. They pursue character vs. Persona
* Persona is guided by image, control, fear, self-interest, and avoidance.
* Character is guided by ethnicity, purpose, openeness, compassion, courage, tenderness, gentleness, and inclusion.
* When people bump into you does Christ or Charisma come out?
* Where and when in your life should you live more out of character rather than persona?
4. They are Christ-dependent vs. co-dependent
* We like the approval of people more than the approval of Christ.
* Don't over exaggerate your own importance.
* Do you live spiritually vicariously through other leaders or do you have your own life in Christ?
5. They are about second vs. first
* Great people have killed the disease of me in life.
* Being a servant is having my heart crushed by Jesus.
So that's that. I hope you will be blessed and challenged by these thoughts.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
The Gathering at Clear Creek
Last week I began a four week teaching series at Clear Creek Community Church (www.clearcreek.org) at their midweek series called "The Gathering". It is a great church led by great guys. I had so much fun last week. These people came ready to worship and learn.
Why is it when you teach in another enviroment you feel a freedom that you don't feel normally at your own church? Is it because they don't know me or that I'm trying to impress them? Maybe since they don't know me, they don't see all my inconsistancies like my church does.
Is it that these believers come ready on Wednesday night to worship and learn but Sunday morning is hard because of the heavy weekend and it's a mix of believers and unbelievers.
The crazy thing is that Tim and our worship band was there. They thought I spoke different that I normally do on Sunday. Tim said there seemed to be more freedom. This isn't the first time I have had this happen.
I'm just trying to figure it out. Sorry for the rambling.
Why is it when you teach in another enviroment you feel a freedom that you don't feel normally at your own church? Is it because they don't know me or that I'm trying to impress them? Maybe since they don't know me, they don't see all my inconsistancies like my church does.
Is it that these believers come ready on Wednesday night to worship and learn but Sunday morning is hard because of the heavy weekend and it's a mix of believers and unbelievers.
The crazy thing is that Tim and our worship band was there. They thought I spoke different that I normally do on Sunday. Tim said there seemed to be more freedom. This isn't the first time I have had this happen.
I'm just trying to figure it out. Sorry for the rambling.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Crossbridge Thoughts
Well we kicked off NameTag this past Sunday. We talked about Elohim - The God of all Creation. We talked about how the God of all Creation is also the God of the New Creation. I am really trying to tie all my sermons to the Gospel and have Jesus be the hero.
We are really blessed wiht a great pastoral team. Tim is my favorite worship leader. I have seen the big guys but Tim is my favorite. Brandon is making things happen. He is a doer, which helps us so much. Crossbridge is blessed to have them.
I was a little nervous about attendance going into the summer. We launched two services back in April and it has been great but with a low Memorial Day I was a little anxious about the dreaded "summer slump". To my great delight and surprise we had a one of our highest attended days since going to two services.
This Friday we are having a family movie night and I am wondering what that will be like. I do not believe the church is in the business of providing non-alcoholic social events for people who don't want to be "in the world" but we are experienmenting with trying to develop some "connecting" events to help move people into friendships and relationship with other Crossbridgers. This is our first such an event. I would be interested in other "connecting" events that portable churches have done and how they worked. We really want to keep moving people from being an attender to a contrbuting partner of the church living on mission.
See-ya
We are really blessed wiht a great pastoral team. Tim is my favorite worship leader. I have seen the big guys but Tim is my favorite. Brandon is making things happen. He is a doer, which helps us so much. Crossbridge is blessed to have them.
I was a little nervous about attendance going into the summer. We launched two services back in April and it has been great but with a low Memorial Day I was a little anxious about the dreaded "summer slump". To my great delight and surprise we had a one of our highest attended days since going to two services.
This Friday we are having a family movie night and I am wondering what that will be like. I do not believe the church is in the business of providing non-alcoholic social events for people who don't want to be "in the world" but we are experienmenting with trying to develop some "connecting" events to help move people into friendships and relationship with other Crossbridgers. This is our first such an event. I would be interested in other "connecting" events that portable churches have done and how they worked. We really want to keep moving people from being an attender to a contrbuting partner of the church living on mission.
See-ya
Friday, June 02, 2006
Holy Pastor Batman!
Yesterday I wrote about being a leader that is worth following. For me these days it seems that God is showing me that this has to do with holiness.
I recently listen to an incredible CD by Brian Bloye (pastor of Westridge Church - www.westridge.com) and he talked about being a holy leader. He said that alot is being talked about concerning church leadership today but we aren't talking about the purity and holiness of a church leader.
It so easy to get to pornography as a Pastor. It is so easy to let your mind and imagination run wild. It is so easy for me to watch something inappropriate for my mind but say I'm "exegeting culture".
What does it mean to be serious about holiness as a pastor. So many times I think that means I won't laugh and have any fun. This quote from CS Lewis really helps me with that...
"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing...it is irrestible."
Today my office is being worked on for some electrical problems so I am off to Barnes and Noble to study. As I go the quote above and these will be on my mind...
"Oh for holiness! Oh for more of God in my soul! Oh this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God." David Brainerd
"Oh God, show me more of your holiness. Show me more of my sinfulness. Help me to hate sin and to love righteousness as You do. Grant me a deeper conviction of sin and a more thorough spirit of repentance. And make me holy as You are holy. Nancy Leigh DeMoss
I recently listen to an incredible CD by Brian Bloye (pastor of Westridge Church - www.westridge.com) and he talked about being a holy leader. He said that alot is being talked about concerning church leadership today but we aren't talking about the purity and holiness of a church leader.
It so easy to get to pornography as a Pastor. It is so easy to let your mind and imagination run wild. It is so easy for me to watch something inappropriate for my mind but say I'm "exegeting culture".
What does it mean to be serious about holiness as a pastor. So many times I think that means I won't laugh and have any fun. This quote from CS Lewis really helps me with that...
"How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing...it is irrestible."
Today my office is being worked on for some electrical problems so I am off to Barnes and Noble to study. As I go the quote above and these will be on my mind...
"Oh for holiness! Oh for more of God in my soul! Oh this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God." David Brainerd
"Oh God, show me more of your holiness. Show me more of my sinfulness. Help me to hate sin and to love righteousness as You do. Grant me a deeper conviction of sin and a more thorough spirit of repentance. And make me holy as You are holy. Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Are you following me?
It is a great and sobering thing to be a leader in a local church. i have been thinking alot about leadership lately. How can I be a better leader and lead myself, family and church to another level.
Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
What a sobering verse. The question I have been kicking around is why would anyone want to follow me? Is my faith producing a kind of life that people would want imitate? Not just do I say cool and trendy things, have a blog, and stuff, but is there something about my way of life that would cause people to say, "I'm following that guy!"
I know we are suppose to follow Jesus but Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ."
Is my faith something people would want to imitate? Does the way I handle my money, time, marriage, kids, relationships, driving, lawn mowing, shopping, eating, and etc reflect that Christ is my all surpassing treasure to the people in my church?
If you are a church leader I hope you will ponder this question with me. I hope you will decide like me to be the real deal. I have decided that I want to be like Peter and John who in Acts 4 it says that rulers and elders of the people "took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Are we living the life we are calling others to?
Do we have an imitable faith?
Are we smoking what we are selling?
Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
What a sobering verse. The question I have been kicking around is why would anyone want to follow me? Is my faith producing a kind of life that people would want imitate? Not just do I say cool and trendy things, have a blog, and stuff, but is there something about my way of life that would cause people to say, "I'm following that guy!"
I know we are suppose to follow Jesus but Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ."
Is my faith something people would want to imitate? Does the way I handle my money, time, marriage, kids, relationships, driving, lawn mowing, shopping, eating, and etc reflect that Christ is my all surpassing treasure to the people in my church?
If you are a church leader I hope you will ponder this question with me. I hope you will decide like me to be the real deal. I have decided that I want to be like Peter and John who in Acts 4 it says that rulers and elders of the people "took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Are we living the life we are calling others to?
Do we have an imitable faith?
Are we smoking what we are selling?
This Weekend - Nametag Begins!
This Sunday I begin a new teaching series called "Nametag: Discovering the Names of God". I am excited and nervous about it. i always get nervous and excited before a new teaching series. Nervous because I wonder if it will be any good and is this really what God wants me to talk on. Excited because it is something new. New content, new books to buy and study, new logos and stuff.
The series comes out of a deeply held conviction that the church needs to talk about GOD! We talk about movies, iPods, reality TV, and every felt need but do we talk about God?
One of my favorite quotes that I wil use this weekend - "...the gravest question before the church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at any time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." AW Tozer - "The Knowledge of the Holy"
The series comes out of a deeply held conviction that the church needs to talk about GOD! We talk about movies, iPods, reality TV, and every felt need but do we talk about God?
One of my favorite quotes that I wil use this weekend - "...the gravest question before the church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at any time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." AW Tozer - "The Knowledge of the Holy"
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