5 Years

This past Sunday represented 5 complete years for a church called NewLife. Alot has happened in those 5 years. We are not the same church now that we were 5 years ago...

Some people have not been on board with change, ME, where NewLife is heading.
I knew when we started 5 years ago that would be the case.

I knew that I needed to surround myself with people who will follow the vision God has placed in MY heart to see a church that is striving towards an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ where our lives worship Him on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

See, I believe when someone worships God on Sundays with an undignified love that it only begins to set aflame a passion in their hearts the rest of the week. That's why we do what we do...week in and week out. To have our community hear the rumblings from inside the walls of 1601 S. Main St. and then see that rumbling pour out into the cities that we live in and begin to transform them one life at a time.

I’m blessed to be here. There's no where else I'd rather be.

Father God, I beg you from the deepest parts of my heart to set my church free. Free from any sort of inward focus and set us ablaze in this community. Show us in any way, shape, and form how we can reach those who are far from you. Help us to be the authentic community of believers that you are calling us to be.
To God Be The Glory...
Amen.

Uncomfortable

Earlier this year we did a whole series about being comfortably uncomfortable.

During One Prayer my prayer for the church was that we would be "Progressive." Pressing forward and progressing so that we don't become the new "traditional" church.

The truth of the matter is...our services at NewLife aren’t designed for people in their sixties. Our services are designed for a much younger audience. It’s an audience that loves loud music. They are comfortable with videos, because video is already a huge part of their lives. They love a relaxed atmosphere.

In our five years now as NewLife here’s what we’ve learned. If we design our service experiences for a younger audience, we’re more likely to reach that younger person and we’ll also reach older folks. The reverse is not true. If we designed our service experience for an older audience, the younger crowd would not even show up.

Tony Morgan has a great blog post HERE about this... Here's what he has to say:

Here’s what I know to be true. If the church is going to continue to reach the next generations:

I have to be willing to give leadership to people younger than me…and let them make mistakes.
I have to be willing to let younger folks lead me in worship…even when it’s not my favorite style of music.
I need to embrace new methods of ministry…even though it makes me uncomfortable.
I need to pray and encourage and finance the next generation church…and stop trying to make church a place that I like to attend.

It’s not about me. It’s about the people who desperately need to know the hope, love and forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ.

For the local church to remain effective we have to continue progressing. We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

What Are You Looking For?

Matthew 7:7-11 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Communicating

We are in a season where we are tweaking the way we communicate at NewLife. We're working on launching a new web-site and talking about new ways to get information to people where they can use it and it doesn't just add to all the clutter and the noise.

As a leadership team we're asking ourselves..."Is there any way to simplify what our audience sees to make their experience with the church easier and more rewarding?"

The picture above motivates me to lead this change...

FIGHT FOR PEACE / Power of Forgiveness

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

The final factor you should consider as you think through your 30 last days is how you are going to fight for peace.

Relationships are one of the most important things we have to invest in while we’re here on earth. All too often, we allow minor disagreements, petty arguments and hurtful words and actions to cause damage to our relationships. What will you do to fight for peace in your last 30 days?

Here are some ideas to get you started as you begin to fight for peace:

1. Who do you need to ask for forgiveness?
Make a list of people you need to talk with and then pick up the phone and start making amends

2. Is there something you’ve always meant to tell someone but have been putting off until later?
Write a letter
Meet them for coffee

3. What can you do to help mend a broken relationship?
Compromise, realize life is too short to always need to be right
Say you’re sorry

5 Minutes/5 Years

NewLifers…please take three minutes and read this…and then forward it to as many people as possible so that we can get the word out! Thanks!

BE HERE this weekend as we wrap up one of the most INCREDIBLE and LIFE-CHANGING series we’ve maybe EVER done!! If you haven’t been here get copies of each weekend! I know that I have personally been challenged and don’t look at life the same way I did 3 weeks ago!

Some things to do before THIS Sunday!!

- PRAY!!! Seriously! I believe God is going to do a work in our church over the next several weeks like we’ve never seen! Pray all weekend that God will draw people to Himself…and that He will do an UNBELIEVABLE and UNDENIABLE work among us!
- INVITE!!! Fill up your car with people this weekend! Call people! Bribe them! Do what it takes to get people in the doors!
- AND….THIS WEEK (and probably until Jesus comes back) would you make your best effort to get to church FIVE minutes earlier than normal?

Seriously–five minutes earlier!?!?!? AND…for the ones who say you will…but you know already you will run five minutes late anyway…go for TEN minutes earlier!!! =)

I can’t stress it enough…do whatever it takes to get to church earlier (or on time for some!!!) =)

I’m not asking anyone to give thousands of dollars and fly halfway around the world (yet!), all I’m asking is for YOU to adjust your schedules…and I’m confident that in doing so we will see unbelievable things take place. We need ALL of worship…

Before I close let me just confess that I am absolutely amazed at all that God is doing at NewLife…I can honestly say that the past few weeks the atmosphere has been more electric and exciting than it has been in our history (THIS Sunday marks 5 years as NewLife!!)…anticipation levels are off the chain!
I believe some GREAT things are ahead NewLife!!

In the words of T.D. Jakes…GET READY, GET READY, GET READY!!

Looking forward to this Sunday. I am praying that God will use it in incredible ways!

Also...for more on 30 Days to Live….
You can click HERE!
HERE!
And then you can also click HERE!

Things I Say To Myself...

Sorry for the absence of blogging this week...posting everyday is going to be difficult to do now that summer is over. Between heading back to get ready for another school year, officiating football again, planning our Fall sermon series, gearing up for LifeTeams and NewLife studies...I've been busy.

I say all of that to say...be patient with me! Once things settle out I'll have plenty to blog about! =)

While all this is going on...here are some things that I'm saying to myself:
- Shut Up and Listen.
- It's Not About You.
- Bring It!
- You Need To Lead.
- Is This God or Me?
- Fruit or Flesh?
- What's Next?
- I Need Some Caffeine.

What are you always telling yourself?

LEAVE A LEGACY / Make a Difference

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

Another question you should ask yourself as you think through how you would spend your last 30 days is this: what type of legacy am I going to leave?

In our time here on earth, we should all strive to impart godly character and to impart godly convictions in all that we say and do.

Here are some ideas of how you can begin to leave a legacy:

1. Think through the things you want your family to know and begin to impart this knowledge to them.
Write a letter
Make a video recording
Post it on a blog
Tell them

2. Ask yourself how you want people to remember you and then start living accordingly.
Create a list of these qualities, actions and set goals to help you accomplish them

3. Discover your impact on the world? What can you offer the world that no one else can?
Create a family/personal vision
Discover and define your passion

Dirt Bikes In Church

Here's why we won't be riding dirt bikes in our church any time soon! I have to admit though...he did recover nicely!


http://view.break.com/545222 - Watch more free videos

Desert Song

I mentioned Hillsong's new album earlier this week...I've picked up my copy and it is INCREDIBLE! Yes, all who recorded this project are extremely talented musicians and singers but what makes it so POWERFUL is that the presence of God was there when they recorded it.

Check out another powerful testimony from Jill McCloghry of the unimaginable pain of expeirencing the loss of a child and then the faithful presence of God - all leading up to the live performance of Desert Song.

God is so FAITHFUL!! Sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in the morning!

Agents Of Change

I love the song “Revolution” by Hillsong United. It really puts us on notice that the church should never be about maintaining the status quo. That we need to be the agents of change that Christ commissioned us to be. It is up to us...there is no plan B.

This week, as you enter into conversations, encounter new people, build existing relationships, do business — remember the privilege and blessing that we have to be THE church.

LIVE FOR ETERNITY / Beyond this World

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

The second consideration to make as you think through your last 30 days is living for eternity.

Stop spending your time focusing on things that don’t matter and ignoring the things that do. It is most important for us to spend our time seeking things and investing our time in things that last forever. Don’t waste another moment on things that have no eternal impact…only you can make the change to start living for the right things today!

Here are some ideas to help you begin to live for eternity:

1. Simplify your life so that you spend your time on things that truly matter:
Spouse and family
Key relationships
Things that give you true pleasure

2. Ask yourself whether or not you’re spending your time accordingly:
Make a list
Have someone hold you accountable

3. Ask yourself whether your actions line up with your words:
Have friends tell you what they see as your priorities

4. Take a bold stand and reach out to those around you that don’t know Christ:
Your co-workers
Your family
Your classmates/peers

What Do You Want In A Church?

I know I've been putting videos about change on my blog here the last few weeks...but I have to tell you I love the heart behind what Granger Community Church is doing. We have to be willing to change..."progressing" toward what God has for us next...to be ready to bring in change.

I couldn't agree more with this video...it's definitely what I want in a church...

I Heart Third Day

Go BUY their new album...it ROCKS!!

Change Is Good #2

I love these video teaser that Granger CC has put together for their sermon series that started this past weekend. Enjoy!

Today It's Easier Not To

...take extra time in Bible study and prayer to humble ourselves and get under the anointing of God.
...spend time brainstorming for our upcoming Weekend Services.
...challenge my team to trust God with their name and their advance.
...hold our leadership accountable to live lives above reproach so that what they are saying matches what they are living.
...carve out time to stay fresh creatively.
...pour into those who are leading so that they are refreshed and ready to lead our church.
...have more than "leftovers" for my family when I get home.
...start planning our Christmas Services. (It's August already people...)
...invest into our volunteers and learn about the things they love.
...fight to maintain unity within our church.

BUT we can't build the Church and see God's Kingdom come doing what's "easier."
I am fully devoted and I am all in. How about you Church?

LIVE IN THE MOMENT / Your One Thing

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” Psalms 39:4-5 NLT

As you think through how you are going to spend your last 30 days, one of the first steps is to begin living in the moment.

So what is the one thing you’d do? Can you narrow down what’s most important to you or what you are most passionate about to one phrase? Take some time to ponder that idea and you might surprise yourself. Now, it’s time to take action – don’t wait until your last 30 days to make an impact.

Get started living for eternity today!

What is your One Thing?

30 Days To Live

For the first time since we began NewLife I took time this summer to unplug and recharge. I am better off now because of it. I am so thankful for our One Prayer series and what it's meant to us as a church. We're better off and healthier as a church when we let God speak to us and lead us through multiple channels.

BUT...I love climbing back into the preaching saddle! This weekend, we're launching a new message series that we have been praying over, preparing, and working toward for months.
I am very excited because it may be the most life changing series we have EVER done. I know it has personally affected me GREATLY!

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were told you only had a few days left to live? The 30 Days to Live series is designed to challenge you with that very idea. We’re going to take a look at how we should live as though we are facing our last 30 days.

During this series...make sure you stop by here on Monday’s as we’ll take this series a step further. I am going to use my blog to expand on the weekend message and write about some practical approaches to apply as you begin to live in the moment, live for eternity, leave a legacy, and fight for peace. I'd love for you to comment and read about how others are planning to live as though they were in their last 30 days.

I hope that you will join us this weekend as we begin this series.
Don’t forget that you know someone who needs to hear this message as well. This weekend's message is for them too! Can you take just a moment to invite someone you know to come with you this weekend?

Last...as I've been reminded of this again and again lately...
We are the Church. Imperfect. Flawed. Sometimes selfish. Sometimes exclusive. And, still, we are the Church. The Body of Christ commissioned, commanded, and empowered by the Son of God to bring hope to this world. To ALL of this world. Join me in doing so THIS weekend...