think about standing in line for a roller coaster - you notice a nervous kid nearby - so you give him a nudge, a wink and a smile and tell him this is gonna be fun
you don't simply say everything will be ok or just that everyone will survive - the end of the ride is not the best part - the ups and downs - the spins and turns you didn't expect - the g-force that turns your stomach inside out - you tell him he is going to have a blast - and he listens because you have ridden before
pastors with big dreams need team members with the same attitude - from time to time you may see another team member look worried - give them a nudge and a smile - tell them this is going to be awesome - don't tell them things will be ok - just ok
don't tell them we will all survive - or that things will be better in a few months - the end of the church planting ride is not the best part - its hanging on through the ups and downs and watching God do things you never expected - its learning how much faith you have in God by keeping your wits about you and your stomach within you - its enjoying belonging to His team
oh and while on the ride you look over your shoulder - you just have to see the smile on his face as the boy learns he loves roller-coasters
there's the same great feeling in a church plant as well - watching others discover they love doing things God's way much more than they ever did playing it safe
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
blessed
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ok, here's a new picture of brooklyn - i've had comments about the other picture not showing what she looks likei had a great privilege today - we dedicated brooklyn to the Lord and i had the honor of leading the dedication - i am blessed - really - i am blessed
Monday, November 3, 2008
community event #1
wow, what a great event! no publicity or advertising - we just put a welcome message on the church sign and set up in the parking lot - we just wanted to meet our community and have them meet us - we wanted to let them know we weren't a cult or anything
of course we had a couple of things to get their attention, a huge inflatable slide rented by a couple in the church was the big attention-getter - and yes i took a quick slide before the night was over - free hot dogs and corn dogs (we even had a 10 year old girl who had never tasted a corn dog!), cokes and of course candy - and tons of people came through our parking lot
no we didnt collect names and addresses or require them to sit through a sermon - that was not the purpose - we just wanted to meet our community and have them meet us - period - and that we did, in an amazingly successful way - because we stayed on point
the 29:11 reason for existence is to engage the community - we're working hard to not forget that and lose our focus
result? mission accomplished - engaged dozens and dozens of people we didnt know - and had the opportunity to share the 29:11 dream with a lot of people
of course we had a couple of things to get their attention, a huge inflatable slide rented by a couple in the church was the big attention-getter - and yes i took a quick slide before the night was over - free hot dogs and corn dogs (we even had a 10 year old girl who had never tasted a corn dog!), cokes and of course candy - and tons of people came through our parking lot
no we didnt collect names and addresses or require them to sit through a sermon - that was not the purpose - we just wanted to meet our community and have them meet us - period - and that we did, in an amazingly successful way - because we stayed on point
the 29:11 reason for existence is to engage the community - we're working hard to not forget that and lose our focus
result? mission accomplished - engaged dozens and dozens of people we didnt know - and had the opportunity to share the 29:11 dream with a lot of people
Thursday, October 9, 2008
anticipate
an·tic·i·pate: to realize beforehand; to expect; look forward to; be sure of; to think, speak or act in advance
last night my wife dava shared with the dream team about reaching the unchurched - what was so striking to me was the difference in mindset of those who are reaching the unchurched and those who cannot - the average Christian today is so far removed from the attitude of anticipation that drove the disciples and the early church - when Christ sent them to the world, they fully expected to reach the world
dava related the story of her own parents' love for the garden in their back yard - they cared for and expected a harvest even before it existed - they looked forward to it - they were sure of it - they thought about it, talked about it and acted on it by getting ready for it
many of the excuses i hear today as to why we can't reach the unchurched reveal the lack of anticipation in our mindset: we don't know the unchurched - we don't know how to find them - they won't listen or receive what i say
then Jesus sure wasted His time sending us to them - maybe so but not for those reasons - if psalms 37:23 is true, God orders our steps - He will make sure we find them - every day you have lived, God has been ordering your steps to come in contact with the unchurched that are ready to be reached, just like ripe fruit - the sad truth is that we have no doubt walked right past much fruit, the unchurched, without even looking up and seeing them
today you will have another chance - realize beforehand that God will order your steps past an unchurched person or another Christian that needs your time, your encouragement, your prayers - expect it - look forward to it - you can be sure of it - so begin thinking about it, talking about it and acting on it - and be ready to obey this time
last night my wife dava shared with the dream team about reaching the unchurched - what was so striking to me was the difference in mindset of those who are reaching the unchurched and those who cannot - the average Christian today is so far removed from the attitude of anticipation that drove the disciples and the early church - when Christ sent them to the world, they fully expected to reach the world
dava related the story of her own parents' love for the garden in their back yard - they cared for and expected a harvest even before it existed - they looked forward to it - they were sure of it - they thought about it, talked about it and acted on it by getting ready for it
many of the excuses i hear today as to why we can't reach the unchurched reveal the lack of anticipation in our mindset: we don't know the unchurched - we don't know how to find them - they won't listen or receive what i say
then Jesus sure wasted His time sending us to them - maybe so but not for those reasons - if psalms 37:23 is true, God orders our steps - He will make sure we find them - every day you have lived, God has been ordering your steps to come in contact with the unchurched that are ready to be reached, just like ripe fruit - the sad truth is that we have no doubt walked right past much fruit, the unchurched, without even looking up and seeing them
today you will have another chance - realize beforehand that God will order your steps past an unchurched person or another Christian that needs your time, your encouragement, your prayers - expect it - look forward to it - you can be sure of it - so begin thinking about it, talking about it and acting on it - and be ready to obey this time
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
blessings
look at that beautiful girl! man, i am blessed!
my sweetheart of a daughter, kristen, just gave birth to a perfect little girl - her name is Brooklyn Rene - she is sweet & beautiful
there is no one more excited, more blessed and happier than i am - unless it’s her dad, bradley
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
a new name (3)
i was sitting up late with God one night - no one else was awake - that's when it began -the dream name: church 29:11
sovereign - chosen - blessings - dreams
why church 29:11? because we have a big dream for our community
1 chronicles 29:11 tells us that God is sovereign - He can make any dream happen!
2 chronicles 29:11 says God has chosen us to serve Him and make His dream happen!
psalms 29:11 reminds us that God has given us blessings of peace and strength to help us as we make our dreams happen!
jeremiah 29:11 says God has big dreams for you, to give you hope and a great future!
and we dare you to come dream with us!
.
.
visit the church website at http://www.church2911.com/
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
what God requires
my musings on what God requires of those who would be leaders:
integrity
in galatians 1:11-18 we learn that for 3 yrs the apostle paul was applying himself, learning from God & putting distance between himself & his past - his past would hinder his integrity unless he confronted and repented over it - only then could the process of rebuilding his integrity begin
tithing and giving offerings
what did Jesus teach about these things? in matthew 23:23 He reemphasized the necessity of tithes and offerings
in matthew 17:24-25, when simon peter was asked if Jesus paid the temple tax offering, he didn't have to hesitate to think about it for a moment - peter gave a definitive, "yes"
gifts
Jesus and simon peter needed funds in matthew 17:27 - Jesus could have made a coin appear from heaven as did the manna in exodus - or He could have made one out of mud as He used to heal a blind man - Jesus could have performed any number of miracles - but instead he chose to send peter fishing
fishing - something peter already knew how to do - when God was deciding what gifts and abilities to place inside of you, He looked into your future and determined what gifts would be needed to enable His dream for your life to come to fruition! God is a wise God - He has already hidden in you everything He needs to use in you!
discipleship
in mark 3:14-15 Jesus sent men out to preach and gave them authority! now that’s scary to me, sending someone in your place, especially these guys with all the mistakes and errors on their records - how could He do it?
the word disciple means "follower" which denotes a continual process - Jesus didn't send them out their 1st day with Him - He had spent a lot of time with them, connecting so they could learn all about Him and His teachings
look again at v14 - the first reason given as to why Jesus chose those 12 guys to be His disciples was to be with Him! more important than charisma, funding and everything that we think is priority, we must remember we have been called as leaders, to be His followers - to learn His way and His teachings - to simply be with Him!
integrity
in galatians 1:11-18 we learn that for 3 yrs the apostle paul was applying himself, learning from God & putting distance between himself & his past - his past would hinder his integrity unless he confronted and repented over it - only then could the process of rebuilding his integrity begin
tithing and giving offerings
what did Jesus teach about these things? in matthew 23:23 He reemphasized the necessity of tithes and offerings
in matthew 17:24-25, when simon peter was asked if Jesus paid the temple tax offering, he didn't have to hesitate to think about it for a moment - peter gave a definitive, "yes"
gifts
Jesus and simon peter needed funds in matthew 17:27 - Jesus could have made a coin appear from heaven as did the manna in exodus - or He could have made one out of mud as He used to heal a blind man - Jesus could have performed any number of miracles - but instead he chose to send peter fishing
fishing - something peter already knew how to do - when God was deciding what gifts and abilities to place inside of you, He looked into your future and determined what gifts would be needed to enable His dream for your life to come to fruition! God is a wise God - He has already hidden in you everything He needs to use in you!
discipleship
in mark 3:14-15 Jesus sent men out to preach and gave them authority! now that’s scary to me, sending someone in your place, especially these guys with all the mistakes and errors on their records - how could He do it?
the word disciple means "follower" which denotes a continual process - Jesus didn't send them out their 1st day with Him - He had spent a lot of time with them, connecting so they could learn all about Him and His teachings
look again at v14 - the first reason given as to why Jesus chose those 12 guys to be His disciples was to be with Him! more important than charisma, funding and everything that we think is priority, we must remember we have been called as leaders, to be His followers - to learn His way and His teachings - to simply be with Him!
Friday, August 22, 2008
a new name (2)
the new church name? church 29:11 - and it fits the 4 criteria
first, it has to fit who we are, where God is taking us, our vision and dream
we are all about God's big dreams for our lives, our families and our community
it must be new, contemporary
there is no baggage associated with this name - it is definitely brand new - even the domain name was available
it must breed curiosity
i can't wait for the sign to go up out front - i hope the name isn't so distracting it causes accidents or people to be late for work - but it should definitely arouse curiosity - as a matter-of-fact it already has
and it must open the door for us to share with others - to share something about our church and our God
i had the privilege of sharing the reason behind the name for the first time in the community at a funeral home of all places! and i have had many opportunities since - but i can't wait until the sign goes up and people begin visiting the website or stopping me at wal-mart - because we have a big dream for our community and we want others to come dream along with us!
the full explanation behind the name later...
you can visit the website of the church we've been dreaming about at http://www.church2911.com/
first, it has to fit who we are, where God is taking us, our vision and dream
we are all about God's big dreams for our lives, our families and our community
it must be new, contemporary
there is no baggage associated with this name - it is definitely brand new - even the domain name was available
it must breed curiosity
i can't wait for the sign to go up out front - i hope the name isn't so distracting it causes accidents or people to be late for work - but it should definitely arouse curiosity - as a matter-of-fact it already has
and it must open the door for us to share with others - to share something about our church and our God
i had the privilege of sharing the reason behind the name for the first time in the community at a funeral home of all places! and i have had many opportunities since - but i can't wait until the sign goes up and people begin visiting the website or stopping me at wal-mart - because we have a big dream for our community and we want others to come dream along with us!
the full explanation behind the name later...
you can visit the website of the church we've been dreaming about at http://www.church2911.com/
Sunday, August 17, 2008
focus
judges 13:5 “…and he shall begin to deliver israel out of the hand of the philistines."
notice that little 5-letter word "begin" – this is going to be a process!
according to that verse samson would not deliver his people from being troubled by their enemy – not completely – but he would begin the process – yuck – we hate the word process – we want it before the pop-tart comes out of the toaster, before the ½ hour sitcom characters resolve all their problems for the week – in our a.d.d. generation we need it quick or we’ll lose our, our - what was it we were talking about? oh, yeah, our focus – samson lost his, too
samson forgot his identity – i have some great friends and mentors, one of which has told me over and over, that God doesn’t care where nor what you are, He cares about who you are!
samson forgot his source – ask someone how samson lost his strength and, if they know who Samson is, most will say because he cut his hair – it was in his hair – wrong answer! it isn’t that easy to steal a strong man’s strength – no, he gave it away! his strength was in his relationship with God – and yours is, too – don’t allow your focus to be drawn to anything else – God is my source – say that – say it again like you really mean it – now believe it
but victory returned to samson once he regained focus, when he remembered his purpose – he had forgotten, but when he focused, he remembered – he asked God one more time to let him operate in his purpose – and then he was able to continue the process for which he was called
have you lost focus? many have – Christians and Christian churches as well – let’s forget about our traditions – bar-b-q the sacred cows – clear our calendars and agendas – now with all that out of the way, what was it God called us to do? oh yeah – reach the un-churched
notice that little 5-letter word "begin" – this is going to be a process!
according to that verse samson would not deliver his people from being troubled by their enemy – not completely – but he would begin the process – yuck – we hate the word process – we want it before the pop-tart comes out of the toaster, before the ½ hour sitcom characters resolve all their problems for the week – in our a.d.d. generation we need it quick or we’ll lose our, our - what was it we were talking about? oh, yeah, our focus – samson lost his, too
samson forgot his identity – i have some great friends and mentors, one of which has told me over and over, that God doesn’t care where nor what you are, He cares about who you are!
samson forgot his source – ask someone how samson lost his strength and, if they know who Samson is, most will say because he cut his hair – it was in his hair – wrong answer! it isn’t that easy to steal a strong man’s strength – no, he gave it away! his strength was in his relationship with God – and yours is, too – don’t allow your focus to be drawn to anything else – God is my source – say that – say it again like you really mean it – now believe it
but victory returned to samson once he regained focus, when he remembered his purpose – he had forgotten, but when he focused, he remembered – he asked God one more time to let him operate in his purpose – and then he was able to continue the process for which he was called
have you lost focus? many have – Christians and Christian churches as well – let’s forget about our traditions – bar-b-q the sacred cows – clear our calendars and agendas – now with all that out of the way, what was it God called us to do? oh yeah – reach the un-churched
Sunday, July 27, 2008
lessons from the mountaintop
here are 3 lessons every pastor with a real vision needs to remember - they’re from the story in Exodus where God gives His covenant to moses on the top of mount sinai
1 not everyone will go to the mountaintop with you - people don’t like to go into the glory of God - it illuminates our imperfections!
there are 3 groups in this story and in every church
the israelites stayed at the foot of the mountain and allowed Moses to answer God’s call
the elders and priests went halfway - as did Ananias & Sapphira - halfway is a dangerous place
joshua and moses went all the way to the mountain top – you know, we are as close to God as we want to be!
2 even though God is near, sometimes we have to wait on Him - they saw God in v10 but God didn’t call moses for 7 days later - God may need to fix you or some problem you don’t see before He “shows up”
then God took 40 days showing Moses how to set up the tabernacle - it will take time for God to show you how to set up the place He will use you!
3 never doubt in the valley what God said on the mountaintop! returning from the presence of God to the real world is a deflating experience - moses’ response was pretty much the same as ours normally is - trashing what we just received from God
but keep in mind - the whole purpose of the mountaintop is so God could live with moses – and us - in the valley!
1 not everyone will go to the mountaintop with you - people don’t like to go into the glory of God - it illuminates our imperfections!
there are 3 groups in this story and in every church
the israelites stayed at the foot of the mountain and allowed Moses to answer God’s call
the elders and priests went halfway - as did Ananias & Sapphira - halfway is a dangerous place
joshua and moses went all the way to the mountain top – you know, we are as close to God as we want to be!
2 even though God is near, sometimes we have to wait on Him - they saw God in v10 but God didn’t call moses for 7 days later - God may need to fix you or some problem you don’t see before He “shows up”
then God took 40 days showing Moses how to set up the tabernacle - it will take time for God to show you how to set up the place He will use you!
3 never doubt in the valley what God said on the mountaintop! returning from the presence of God to the real world is a deflating experience - moses’ response was pretty much the same as ours normally is - trashing what we just received from God
but keep in mind - the whole purpose of the mountaintop is so God could live with moses – and us - in the valley!
Friday, July 18, 2008
a new name
for several months i knew the name of the church i was to build - but with things working out (in God's will) as they have, that name did not quite fit - i began intently seeking God for His will for a name for our church - there were 4 criteria I felt had to be met by the new name for it to be the perfect one for a church to reach the unchurched
first, it has to fit who we are, where God is taking us, our vision and dream
it must be new, contemporary: every present church name has baggage - pick a name and some in your community will think they know exactly who you are - or use a well-established church's name and the perception is you're trying to copy them - only a fresh, new name will allow the church complete freedom to become who God called them to be
it must breed curiosity: unchurched people aren't interested in church or they'd already be attending - but a name change, an identity change, a new brand, can give a church the hook needed to create interest where it has never existed
and it must open the door for us to share with others - to share something about our church and our God
more later...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
the secret of quiet
see if you can guess what these men had in common - noah, abram, jacob, joseph, david, daniel, saul - they were just a few of those who had learned the secret of being in a quiet place with God - too few people know that secret today - but when i begin to feel overwhelmed i find a place to be alone with God
you may wonder what’s so special about being alone with God - it is powerful - transforming - it is in those quiet alone places that God can prepare us for all our tomorrows - like a caterpillar emerges with beautiful wings and a new ability to fly!
noah emerged with a plan to save his family
abram emerged with a promise
jacob emerged with a new name
joseph emerged as a great leader
moses emerged with a new covenant
david emerged as a king
daniel emerged from a lion’s den, unharmed and victorious
saul emerged with a call to reach the unchurched, a new name, and the anointing to write half the new testament!
and His disciples emerged from the upper room with an anointing to change their world!
you may wonder what’s so special about being alone with God - it is powerful - transforming - it is in those quiet alone places that God can prepare us for all our tomorrows - like a caterpillar emerges with beautiful wings and a new ability to fly!
noah emerged with a plan to save his family
abram emerged with a promise
jacob emerged with a new name
joseph emerged as a great leader
moses emerged with a new covenant
david emerged as a king
daniel emerged from a lion’s den, unharmed and victorious
saul emerged with a call to reach the unchurched, a new name, and the anointing to write half the new testament!
and His disciples emerged from the upper room with an anointing to change their world!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
spirit of excellence
God has always been particular about how we prepare to approach Him – He doesn’t require us to be without sin or dressed a certain way when we approach Him but He does require something specific – He wants you to bring Him something on purpose and with purpose – he doesn’t want our leftovers or our last minute thoughts before going to sleep
exodus 23:15, 34:18 and deuteronomy 16:16 all say that no one is to appear before God empty-handed – and verse 17 in deuteronomy says every person is to give as they are able, as they have been blessed by God
this is speaking of the sacrifices made by the jewish people before Jesus – when they began to approach the temple or their feast days when they worshipped God, they would prepare beforehand – they didn’t just dig around in their pockets and try to find a quarter after they got there – they would make certain to not show up empty-handed
of course this also relates to the tithes and offerings we bring to God today – but look deeper – you have been blessed by God in more ways than financially – each of us has a gift, a talent, a special characteristic trait which God wants us to return to Him for His use as well
why? God gave His best, His own Son (john 3:16) – maybe that’s why He expects our best (colossians 3:23)
the apostle paul wrote in ephesians 4 how God gave different abilities to different people – and not simply to keep us busy – this is impressive stuff: to equip His church, to do the work He wants done, to provide ministry to others, to build us up, to bring more unity, to encourage greater faith, to impart knowledge, for our perfection, to reveal truth and to bring greater love among us all!
so everyone of us has something we can do – not simply busy work – but you – yeah, i said you have something awesome, something excellent to do for God - quit settling for just doing anything!
exodus 23:15, 34:18 and deuteronomy 16:16 all say that no one is to appear before God empty-handed – and verse 17 in deuteronomy says every person is to give as they are able, as they have been blessed by God
this is speaking of the sacrifices made by the jewish people before Jesus – when they began to approach the temple or their feast days when they worshipped God, they would prepare beforehand – they didn’t just dig around in their pockets and try to find a quarter after they got there – they would make certain to not show up empty-handed
of course this also relates to the tithes and offerings we bring to God today – but look deeper – you have been blessed by God in more ways than financially – each of us has a gift, a talent, a special characteristic trait which God wants us to return to Him for His use as well
why? God gave His best, His own Son (john 3:16) – maybe that’s why He expects our best (colossians 3:23)
the apostle paul wrote in ephesians 4 how God gave different abilities to different people – and not simply to keep us busy – this is impressive stuff: to equip His church, to do the work He wants done, to provide ministry to others, to build us up, to bring more unity, to encourage greater faith, to impart knowledge, for our perfection, to reveal truth and to bring greater love among us all!
so everyone of us has something we can do – not simply busy work – but you – yeah, i said you have something awesome, something excellent to do for God - quit settling for just doing anything!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
beginnings
when you think about how an idea got it's beginning, it's amazing how arrogant we can be - heated arguments, even lawsuits occur regularly over the "owner" of an idea
but if even one of the thoughts i am dreamin' about a church is unique to this world, i have to admit - no, i am pleased to admit - these dreams still didn't begin with me - they began in the heart of God
now that may be a real slap in the face to your ego but it really excites me
i realized a long time ago that i don't dream big enough - and i know all my plans are human, fallible, easily derailed or confused - but God's thoughts, His dreams, His plans for us are in a word, awesome, forever, sure, definitive... ok so i can't describe it in one word
that's why the dream is exciting - i know what He has put in my heart to do is something He wants me to do, He has prepared me for, He has been organizing behind the scenes for many years - i'm dreaming big because He dreamed it first - and i dare you to dream with me!
but if even one of the thoughts i am dreamin' about a church is unique to this world, i have to admit - no, i am pleased to admit - these dreams still didn't begin with me - they began in the heart of God
now that may be a real slap in the face to your ego but it really excites me
i realized a long time ago that i don't dream big enough - and i know all my plans are human, fallible, easily derailed or confused - but God's thoughts, His dreams, His plans for us are in a word, awesome, forever, sure, definitive... ok so i can't describe it in one word
that's why the dream is exciting - i know what He has put in my heart to do is something He wants me to do, He has prepared me for, He has been organizing behind the scenes for many years - i'm dreaming big because He dreamed it first - and i dare you to dream with me!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
my request of all who read this blog
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (colossians 4:3-4)
pray that God would give us strength to sustain us through the attacks and the weariness that will come while pursuing the fulfillment of God's will
for openness to unlock doors of opportunity, move obstacles from before us, throwing open hearts and minds that God puts before us
for wisdom to fully know God's will at every step, each opportunity, in all our words and ministry
for ability - an anointing upon and a stretching of the abilities He has given us
pray that God would give us strength to sustain us through the attacks and the weariness that will come while pursuing the fulfillment of God's will
for openness to unlock doors of opportunity, move obstacles from before us, throwing open hearts and minds that God puts before us
for wisdom to fully know God's will at every step, each opportunity, in all our words and ministry
for ability - an anointing upon and a stretching of the abilities He has given us
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