This blog is done...
Well, I will still leave it up and if the mood hits me I will write something and link it on my facebook page or twitter about it so you will know to come visit.
But as far as feeling the pressure to update it on a semi-regular basis - done!
It was fun! Thanks for coming along for the ride.
If you happen to stumble on this blog and you want to get a feel for it, here are a few of my favorite posts:
Lead Like a Follower
Behind the Scenes With Pastor Furtick
It is My Fault
The Selfishness Test
Piece vs. Part
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
This is Broken
As a staff, we recently did an exercise that we called "this is broken". We took the concept from Seth Godin who did a twenty minute talk on the idea at the Gel conference in 2006. If you get a chance to check it out sometime, it's pretty funny...here's the link.
We found this exercise to be very helpful and it has changed the way we look at things.
So the other day I was pumping gas and saw this picture:
At first glance this seems promising, right? I mean, the economy is tough! I'd like an extra 15 bucks, wouldn't you? Unfortunately, this add scheme is broken. Take a look at the fine print:
WHAT THE CRAP IS THAT ABOUT?!?!?
Give me a break! I would be better off going through the hassle of getting a part-time job at McDonalds and quitting after 4 hours if all I wanted was $15. The thing that is so amazing about this add is that someone was sitting in a conference room somewhere discussing the fact that they needed people to sign up for their credit card and THIS was the plan that they came up with. In the words of Seth Godin - "Broken!"
Of course, before I get too frustrated about this add I need to say that I'm guilty too! There are things at Elevation Church that I want people to experience like participating in our 4 Gs: giving, using your gifts as a volunteer, getting into a group, and growing the church by inviting your lost friends. Am I making it easy to commit to these Gs? Or, does the person who is trying to get involved feel like I felt when I read this credit card add?
I have broken systems that I oversee right now. But if you have fallen victim to some of them at Elevation Church, please know that we are committed to fixing that!
We found this exercise to be very helpful and it has changed the way we look at things.
So the other day I was pumping gas and saw this picture:
At first glance this seems promising, right? I mean, the economy is tough! I'd like an extra 15 bucks, wouldn't you? Unfortunately, this add scheme is broken. Take a look at the fine print:
WHAT THE CRAP IS THAT ABOUT?!?!?
Give me a break! I would be better off going through the hassle of getting a part-time job at McDonalds and quitting after 4 hours if all I wanted was $15. The thing that is so amazing about this add is that someone was sitting in a conference room somewhere discussing the fact that they needed people to sign up for their credit card and THIS was the plan that they came up with. In the words of Seth Godin - "Broken!"
Of course, before I get too frustrated about this add I need to say that I'm guilty too! There are things at Elevation Church that I want people to experience like participating in our 4 Gs: giving, using your gifts as a volunteer, getting into a group, and growing the church by inviting your lost friends. Am I making it easy to commit to these Gs? Or, does the person who is trying to get involved feel like I felt when I read this credit card add?
I have broken systems that I oversee right now. But if you have fallen victim to some of them at Elevation Church, please know that we are committed to fixing that!
Friday, May 8, 2009
To Pastor Furtick...
Wednesday night I was able to go with Pastor Furtick and other members of the leadership team to a conference.
This particular conference was was a little different...there was a point in the evening when Elmo was hyping the crowd to very loud gospel music. The sermon was intense...and over an hour long. In the sermon there was a 10 minute instrumental breakdown that provided us with an opportunity to praise God and dance before Him - it was awesome! If you haven't had the opportunity, or if your mind is too closed to enjoy a good, old-fashioned, charismatic ho-down then you're missing out...
The very next day, we were at a different church. There were greeters at the door, free coffee and lots of conversations going on in the lobby. Pastor had an opportunity to preach a phenomenal message (that was very different then the one we had heard the night before). The music was unbelievable! This experience was much different then the previous night, but equally as awesome!
These two churches could not be more different in look and feel. They are cut from different molds and employ different methods. They have different philosophies and approach their communities from very different positions.
On the other hand, they are both doing everything they know to do to make an impact for the kingdom of God. They are reaching lost people and Jesus is being exalted.
The most profound part of this story, however, is that we seemed to fit in at both churches.
There are some stupid lines that we (denominational believers) have drawn and I am glad that I serve a leader who has been gifted to walk freely back and forth over those lines. We serve a leader who is confident enough in what God has called and gifted him to do that he can engage with just about anyone and come away with something that will help us achieve the vision God has given him.
Pastor,
Thanks for creating a culture that allows us to seek God fully without conventional, man-made, self-limiting restraints. In the same breath, thanks for being so convinced of who you are, and of what God has uniquely gifted you to accomplish that you can see everyone as a potential partner in ministry. It's an honor to be part of the vision God has given you to reach our city. Through your gift thousands of people will come to faith in Christ, and thousands more will go on to be used by God in the advancement of His kingdom!
This particular conference was was a little different...there was a point in the evening when Elmo was hyping the crowd to very loud gospel music. The sermon was intense...and over an hour long. In the sermon there was a 10 minute instrumental breakdown that provided us with an opportunity to praise God and dance before Him - it was awesome! If you haven't had the opportunity, or if your mind is too closed to enjoy a good, old-fashioned, charismatic ho-down then you're missing out...
The very next day, we were at a different church. There were greeters at the door, free coffee and lots of conversations going on in the lobby. Pastor had an opportunity to preach a phenomenal message (that was very different then the one we had heard the night before). The music was unbelievable! This experience was much different then the previous night, but equally as awesome!
These two churches could not be more different in look and feel. They are cut from different molds and employ different methods. They have different philosophies and approach their communities from very different positions.
On the other hand, they are both doing everything they know to do to make an impact for the kingdom of God. They are reaching lost people and Jesus is being exalted.
The most profound part of this story, however, is that we seemed to fit in at both churches.
There are some stupid lines that we (denominational believers) have drawn and I am glad that I serve a leader who has been gifted to walk freely back and forth over those lines. We serve a leader who is confident enough in what God has called and gifted him to do that he can engage with just about anyone and come away with something that will help us achieve the vision God has given him.
Pastor,
Thanks for creating a culture that allows us to seek God fully without conventional, man-made, self-limiting restraints. In the same breath, thanks for being so convinced of who you are, and of what God has uniquely gifted you to accomplish that you can see everyone as a potential partner in ministry. It's an honor to be part of the vision God has given you to reach our city. Through your gift thousands of people will come to faith in Christ, and thousands more will go on to be used by God in the advancement of His kingdom!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
16 Days of Silence...
It has been 16 days since my last blog post...
That's because in that time I:
- Took a mini vacation in the form of a 900 mile motorcycle trip through South Carolina and Georgia.
- Was caught up in all of the details that surrounded bringing Ted and Gail Haggard's to our church.
- And, participated in the planning and execution of our "non-conference" THR3E.
It's been a busy 16 days...I am now planning to get back to my regular posting (once or twice a week).
That's because in that time I:
- Took a mini vacation in the form of a 900 mile motorcycle trip through South Carolina and Georgia.
- Was caught up in all of the details that surrounded bringing Ted and Gail Haggard's to our church.
- And, participated in the planning and execution of our "non-conference" THR3E.
It's been a busy 16 days...I am now planning to get back to my regular posting (once or twice a week).
Monday, April 13, 2009
I Don't Deserve Any Of This...
Our Lead Staff went through an exercise the other day where we listed out the top ten statements that we felt described what it's like to be part of the culture of Elevation Church.
My #1 statement was, "We don't deserve any of this...so we will remain grateful."
After an Easter Weekend like the one we just experienced (check out Pastor Furtick's blog for details) I find myself sitting in my chair wondering how I got here...
Five years ago you would have found me building decks in Shelby, NC trying to make some cash to help supplement my wife's income while she was paying my way through school. I had my plans for my life, but I had no idea what it meant to follow God's plans for my life.
Now, on the Monday after 740 people received Christ at Elevation Church I am having a hard time figuring out how the steps I was taking then were leading me to this office chair! It's like putting 2 + 2 into a calculator and having 4,000 come out!
I really don't deserve any of this and for that reason I will remain grateful.
My #1 statement was, "We don't deserve any of this...so we will remain grateful."
After an Easter Weekend like the one we just experienced (check out Pastor Furtick's blog for details) I find myself sitting in my chair wondering how I got here...
Five years ago you would have found me building decks in Shelby, NC trying to make some cash to help supplement my wife's income while she was paying my way through school. I had my plans for my life, but I had no idea what it meant to follow God's plans for my life.
Now, on the Monday after 740 people received Christ at Elevation Church I am having a hard time figuring out how the steps I was taking then were leading me to this office chair! It's like putting 2 + 2 into a calculator and having 4,000 come out!
I really don't deserve any of this and for that reason I will remain grateful.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Student Small Groups Director
Elevation Church has a lot of students. In fact, we have students who drive 45 minutes every week to spend most of the day serving.
Any time we pull together our leaders for a special vision-casting event you can count on a few rows of rowdy students to be there. They’re the loudest and proudest group of “bought-in” owners of the vision of our church.
So here’s the irony:
We don’t do very much that is specifically for our students!
We have tried a lot of different things from hype events to revivals for students. For the most part they have been pretty successful.
We’ve got small groups for students, but students get involved just like adults do…by seeking them out.
We have a lot of students who volunteer but that’s because when we ask the whole church to volunteer they walk to the table on their own and sign up.
We did a study recently of the top 10 fastest-growing churches and the top 25 most innovative churches and discovered statistics like the following:
• 23 of 25 have a Student Pastor on staff
• 20 of 25 have a separate worship experience for students
• 7 of 10 have a website designated for students
In every statistic we looked at we were the odd one out...
This always troubles me until spring break when our attendance drops and our volunteer teams are thin. Our students are involved! They are serving. Many of them are taking advantage of the opportunity to be in groups. And, probably most importantly, they are here!!!
So, because we want to steward the momentum that God has sent us through our students and, because we want to harness that momentum to make a bigger impact in our city, I’ve got an announcement to make:
We are hiring a Student Small Groups Director! (NOT a Youth Pastor!!)
Check out this link for the job description and if you think you have what it takes, ask five trusted friends and an enemy or two…if they agree you have what it will take, you should consider applying!
Any time we pull together our leaders for a special vision-casting event you can count on a few rows of rowdy students to be there. They’re the loudest and proudest group of “bought-in” owners of the vision of our church.
So here’s the irony:
We don’t do very much that is specifically for our students!
We have tried a lot of different things from hype events to revivals for students. For the most part they have been pretty successful.
We’ve got small groups for students, but students get involved just like adults do…by seeking them out.
We have a lot of students who volunteer but that’s because when we ask the whole church to volunteer they walk to the table on their own and sign up.
We did a study recently of the top 10 fastest-growing churches and the top 25 most innovative churches and discovered statistics like the following:
• 23 of 25 have a Student Pastor on staff
• 20 of 25 have a separate worship experience for students
• 7 of 10 have a website designated for students
In every statistic we looked at we were the odd one out...
This always troubles me until spring break when our attendance drops and our volunteer teams are thin. Our students are involved! They are serving. Many of them are taking advantage of the opportunity to be in groups. And, probably most importantly, they are here!!!
So, because we want to steward the momentum that God has sent us through our students and, because we want to harness that momentum to make a bigger impact in our city, I’ve got an announcement to make:
We are hiring a Student Small Groups Director! (NOT a Youth Pastor!!)
Check out this link for the job description and if you think you have what it takes, ask five trusted friends and an enemy or two…if they agree you have what it will take, you should consider applying!
Friday, March 27, 2009
That Mountain!
Yesterday I wrote a post about some of the things I'm learning from Matthew 28. I'm going to pick it up where I left off so read this to catch up if you want...
So here's my thing with the Great Commission...the scope of what Jesus intends for us to accomplish is unbelievable!
"All nations...All commands..."
Both of those directives seem pretty overwhelming!
To add to it, the "all commands" part took on new meaning when I stumbled across this little detail in verse 16 that I hadn't ever noticed before.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
I thought, "I know Galilee, that's Jesus' hometown...but what's this mountain?"
And then it hits me! Jesus preached a famous sermon at the outset of His ministry that we have nicknamed the Sermon on the Mount...
Sure enough, Matthew 4:23 puts Jesus in Galilee and Matthew 5:1 puts him on the mountain to preach his famous sermon.
In other words, Jesus tells His disciples to go back to the exact spot where it all started and then Commissions them to go and make disciples of ALL nations...teaching them ALL commands, on top of the same mountain that He was standing on when He preached the Sermon on the Mount!!!
The disciples were so blown away the first time they heard Jesus preach this message that Matthew wrote this about their reaction, "28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."
Imagine what they must have been thinking after seeing all they had seen over the three years of Jesus' ministry.
"I mean, Jesus was dead 24 hours ago, and now we're back where it started except it's our turn!!!"
That's probably enough for now...to be continued!
So here's my thing with the Great Commission...the scope of what Jesus intends for us to accomplish is unbelievable!
"All nations...All commands..."
Both of those directives seem pretty overwhelming!
To add to it, the "all commands" part took on new meaning when I stumbled across this little detail in verse 16 that I hadn't ever noticed before.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
I thought, "I know Galilee, that's Jesus' hometown...but what's this mountain?"
And then it hits me! Jesus preached a famous sermon at the outset of His ministry that we have nicknamed the Sermon on the Mount...
Sure enough, Matthew 4:23 puts Jesus in Galilee and Matthew 5:1 puts him on the mountain to preach his famous sermon.
In other words, Jesus tells His disciples to go back to the exact spot where it all started and then Commissions them to go and make disciples of ALL nations...teaching them ALL commands, on top of the same mountain that He was standing on when He preached the Sermon on the Mount!!!
The disciples were so blown away the first time they heard Jesus preach this message that Matthew wrote this about their reaction, "28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."
Imagine what they must have been thinking after seeing all they had seen over the three years of Jesus' ministry.
"I mean, Jesus was dead 24 hours ago, and now we're back where it started except it's our turn!!!"
That's probably enough for now...to be continued!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Discipleship
What do you think of when you hear the word discipleship?
Bible Study? Prayer? Tithing? Service? Evangelism? All of them wrapped up into a book sold by LifeWay complete with a semester schedule, benchmarks and gold stars???
Me too...kind of!
I've been reading the "Great Commission" in Matthew 28 and it has been changing my understanding of this word.
Here's the part we all know:
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."
It's a very powerful statement. Unfortunately, it's incomplete! I cut the front and back out of Jesus' actual phrase. Here's the whole thing:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
It's interesting to me that we cut Christ out of the great commission! We trust Him for salvation but after that it's almost like we say, "Thanks, I'll take it from here..."
I think this approach is really stupid!
Here's a couple takeaways that hit me pretty hard:
1) This statement is really about Jesus' activity through me not my activity for Him! (All authority to Christ...therefore go...)
2) His request (ALL nations, ALL that I have commanded you) is actually pretty ludicrous.
3) Jesus seems to know that it's ludicrous since He reassures us that He will be with us to the end of the age...you know, like it's going to take that long!!!
To be continued...
Bible Study? Prayer? Tithing? Service? Evangelism? All of them wrapped up into a book sold by LifeWay complete with a semester schedule, benchmarks and gold stars???
Me too...kind of!
I've been reading the "Great Commission" in Matthew 28 and it has been changing my understanding of this word.
Here's the part we all know:
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."
It's a very powerful statement. Unfortunately, it's incomplete! I cut the front and back out of Jesus' actual phrase. Here's the whole thing:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
It's interesting to me that we cut Christ out of the great commission! We trust Him for salvation but after that it's almost like we say, "Thanks, I'll take it from here..."
I think this approach is really stupid!
Here's a couple takeaways that hit me pretty hard:
1) This statement is really about Jesus' activity through me not my activity for Him! (All authority to Christ...therefore go...)
2) His request (ALL nations, ALL that I have commanded you) is actually pretty ludicrous.
3) Jesus seems to know that it's ludicrous since He reassures us that He will be with us to the end of the age...you know, like it's going to take that long!!!
To be continued...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Blitter...I should write a blog but only have time to twitter...
Sometimes everything is due on the same day...
This is the stack of paper I brought into a 45 minute 1 - on - 1 meeting with Chunks Corbett (my boss, our Executive Pastor)...
Sorry trees...Our 45 minute meeting turned into 2 hours!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Butler Campus...I'm all in!
Hey Butler Campus,
Just wanted to thank you for a great Sunday. The Worship Experience was VERY powerful, the message was great and you (the volunteers) went above and beyond.
Now, you probably know that I'm not a big sports fan, so it may surprise you to know that I completed a bracket (for those of you who don't know what that is...I feel you! It's a little sheet that people who love basketball fill out to give their prediction for who will win the NCAA tournament...)
Here's a picture of my completed bracket:
Wait a minute, you can't see who I've picked to take it all. Here's a closer shot shot:
That's right! Butler takes it all...They took Carolina (a.k.a. the Devil..not the Blue one) in the second round...
I'm all in! I love you guys!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Carol Mac...
Carol Mac is the custodian at Butler High School who unlocks the doors for us every Sunday morning and goes above and beyond helping us when we need her. She has been with us since I became the Campus Pastor in April, 2008. I have developed a great personal relationship with Carol Mac and I wanted to tell you a little bit of her story.
About three weeks ago, Carol moved into her new house. Carol was selected by Habitat as a candidate for a new home. For the last year she has been working tirelessly every weekend investing countless hours building her new home and consequently her new life.
I had the privilege of being there the week she moved in, to pray for her and thank God with her for the blessing of her new start. I was able to bless her with a house warming gift and give her a card on behalf of Elevation Church. She was very touched by our generosity.
So, Butler Campus, thanks! Because you have been faithful to give to Elevation we are in a position to be generous. This is only a small example of how we have been placed in a position to be generous and to serve our community. For Carol Mac, however, who has been impacted by our church from behind the scenes, this unlooked for blessing was anything but small.
If you get a chance this Sunday, tell Carol Mac congratulations!
Monday, March 16, 2009
A Great Day
Yesterday was a great day! Attendance was great. The worship experience was great. All the volunteers who waded through the puddles to greet, park, load, unload, etc... you are awesome. Pastor's Message was incredible! That video of the guy running on the street, it was great. The BBQ was great. The 6:00pm worship experience packed full like Christ was coming back when we were done - great! Bob "the reader" Aycock, you were great! In short, yesterday was a great day.
By far, however, the best moment of the day for me was the man who came up to me after the 11:30 worship experience with his family and said he was ready to give his life to Christ. I had the privilege of leading him to Christ on the spot. He was not the only person who gave their life to Christ yesterday either. about 35 people raised their hand to accept Christ when Pastor gave them an opportunity at the 6:00pm worship experience. Yesterday was a GREAT day!
To all of my Butler people, thank you! Each of you played a part in creating a great day yesterday and I am so thankful for you.
By far, however, the best moment of the day for me was the man who came up to me after the 11:30 worship experience with his family and said he was ready to give his life to Christ. I had the privilege of leading him to Christ on the spot. He was not the only person who gave their life to Christ yesterday either. about 35 people raised their hand to accept Christ when Pastor gave them an opportunity at the 6:00pm worship experience. Yesterday was a GREAT day!
To all of my Butler people, thank you! Each of you played a part in creating a great day yesterday and I am so thankful for you.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Ministry Time...
Yesterday we had a "ministry time" in the worship experience. Pastor preached the second and final week of The Dip and challenged people to turn back to God's perfect plan for their life. He used a story about his son Elijah who was afraid of a fly to illustrate a powerful point. Just like Pastor (Elijah's father) is much bigger than the fly, God (our Father) is much bigger than our "dips" - no matter how big we fell like they are. By putting our problems back into perspective we are in a better position to receive God's work in and through that situation.
The message was simple to understand but very challenging and humbling to apply (in my opinion, the best type of messages) and our people were faithful to the call of God to respond. We had dozens of people at the "altar" praying, crying, calling out to God, worshipping...it was a wonderful time.
After days like yesterday I feel a strange mixture of excitement and responsibility. God blessed us with His presence and people responded to His powerful message of grace yesterday, so I am excited. Yet, there are thousands of people in Charlotte who have never experienced God's presence or grace and so I feel a tremendous responsibility to reach them. This tension is often an uncomfortable place to be, but when I read Jesus' words in the great commission in Matthew 18:18-20 I am reminded that it is the right place to be..."go...and make disciples".
The message was simple to understand but very challenging and humbling to apply (in my opinion, the best type of messages) and our people were faithful to the call of God to respond. We had dozens of people at the "altar" praying, crying, calling out to God, worshipping...it was a wonderful time.
After days like yesterday I feel a strange mixture of excitement and responsibility. God blessed us with His presence and people responded to His powerful message of grace yesterday, so I am excited. Yet, there are thousands of people in Charlotte who have never experienced God's presence or grace and so I feel a tremendous responsibility to reach them. This tension is often an uncomfortable place to be, but when I read Jesus' words in the great commission in Matthew 18:18-20 I am reminded that it is the right place to be..."go...and make disciples".
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Like Father Like Son...
The picture below is, in fact, a picture of my son passionately embracing the pole that marks the entrance to the line where you would wait to purchase a delicious donut from Dunkin Donuts...
It's amazing to me how much this kid is like me!
It's amazing to me how much this kid is like me!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Our Sacrifice is Their Victory
Yesterday was an amazing day at Elevation. The weather was awful but spirits were high. Rather than try to explain it second hand I thought I would let you read an email I just got from our newest parking team leader at Butler, Eric Welch.
__________
Team Welch!
Considering it was your first day....AND most of the radios quit working (what, it's not like they were soaked with water or anything)....AND Hurricane Laffey was pouring through the area ("little bit of stinging rain, big 'ol fat rain, and sometimes rain that seemed to come from straight up")...AND most of us had standing water in our shoes... I'd say you guys did a FANTASTIC job out there! If anything, that was probably the best day for you to be out there on your fist time; you've tasted the "worst" of what we do...it can only go up from here! Sink or swim, boys, we're diving in!
All kidding aside, though, you guys (and gal) handled yourselves very well given the circumstances; and thanks to Hopkins, Bill, Frank and Jason for helping out!! It's even more important that we're outside on days like yesterday. If people coming into church see our happy, smiling, soaked faces they may think to themselves "huh, I wonder what it is about this place that makes their volunteers dedicated and crazy enough to be out in weather like this, there must be something special happening here." It all helps to open the door for what Pastor does inside. It's not about us, and how cold we are or how wet we are. It's about them. Our sacrifice is their victory.
Next week, we're scheduled for the evening service, but there is no evening service as it turns out; so we're not parking. I'll let you know when we're on again once we decide whether or not that will affect scheduling of teams.
Remember when you were a kid, and you'd go outside and play in the snow, and your jeans would get all wet? Then you'd get that itchy feeling all over once you were soaked? Anybody else besides me experience that yesterday?
Great job guys!!
__________
Here's the best picture I have of the conditions at 5:55pm last night - right before the 6:00pm worship experience started.
Thanks Eric (and all of the volunteers who are tired from a long cold day of volunteering) you continue to amaze me!
__________
Team Welch!
Considering it was your first day....AND most of the radios quit working (what, it's not like they were soaked with water or anything)....AND Hurricane Laffey was pouring through the area ("little bit of stinging rain, big 'ol fat rain, and sometimes rain that seemed to come from straight up")...AND most of us had standing water in our shoes... I'd say you guys did a FANTASTIC job out there! If anything, that was probably the best day for you to be out there on your fist time; you've tasted the "worst" of what we do...it can only go up from here! Sink or swim, boys, we're diving in!
All kidding aside, though, you guys (and gal) handled yourselves very well given the circumstances; and thanks to Hopkins, Bill, Frank and Jason for helping out!! It's even more important that we're outside on days like yesterday. If people coming into church see our happy, smiling, soaked faces they may think to themselves "huh, I wonder what it is about this place that makes their volunteers dedicated and crazy enough to be out in weather like this, there must be something special happening here." It all helps to open the door for what Pastor does inside. It's not about us, and how cold we are or how wet we are. It's about them. Our sacrifice is their victory.
Next week, we're scheduled for the evening service, but there is no evening service as it turns out; so we're not parking. I'll let you know when we're on again once we decide whether or not that will affect scheduling of teams.
Remember when you were a kid, and you'd go outside and play in the snow, and your jeans would get all wet? Then you'd get that itchy feeling all over once you were soaked? Anybody else besides me experience that yesterday?
Great job guys!!
__________
Here's the best picture I have of the conditions at 5:55pm last night - right before the 6:00pm worship experience started.
Thanks Eric (and all of the volunteers who are tired from a long cold day of volunteering) you continue to amaze me!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Some Moments Just Stick...
We got to be part of a monumental moment for Elevation Church last week. Pastor Furtick was invited to preach at the C3 conference at Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX. He preached on honor (a foundational ingredient of our culture) and did a fantastic job at it. Check out this blog written by Wade Joye for a more complete overview of Pastor's sermon. It was an amazing experience.
Before Pastor Furtick took the stage, the staff had decided that we were going to leap to our feet in celebration at the end of his message no matter what everyone else did...but we didn't have to. 24 minutes into a 30 minute message about 100 people all over the auditorium jumped up and cheered starting the standing ovation.
I can't really put into words how I felt sitting there watching my Pastor receive a standing ovation at C3 so for now I will let the simple phrase, "some moments just stick..." be all I say about it... It was incredible!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
All That From a Dove?
I have been studying the first few chapters of Matthew along with a group of good friends recently and this morning I was pretty blown away by some parallels I discovered.
- Noah endured a 40 day waiting period after the flood that God sent to "cleanse" the earth from wickedness. (40 days)
- At the end of the flood Noah sent out the dove to find dry land but she "found no place to set her foot..." (Genesis 8:9) (water, dove)
- After this event, God made a covenant never to destroy the earth with water again, but our ways did not change, our salvation had not come, the law was powerless to make us righteous...
- In Matthew chapter 3 Jesus is baptized - This was a baptism of repentance..."cleansing from wickedness and sin" and Jesus didn't need to do it! (water)
- during his baptism - a dove came out of the sky and "came to rest on him". (dove)
- Immediately following Jesus' baptism he went to the desert and endured 40 days of temptation from Satan himself but did not sin! (40 days)
- Following Christ, salvation has come, He has made a way for us, all who call on His name will be saved!
40 days...water...the dove...I think Matthew might be trying to send us a message?!? Don't forget that Matthew's audience was the 1st century Jew who would not have been able to hear 40 days, water, and dove without thinking about Noah. It would be like someone walking up to you today and saying September 11th...they wouldn't need to explain it, we just know!
In essence, Matthew was saying to his audience, "God tried once to fix us through the flood and had to end his attempt with a contract that He would withhold His wrath...in other words, it did not work fully...the dove found no place to set her feet..." The rest of history leading up to Christ was literally one story after another of how God extended grace to His people and we failed Him and broke His covenant over and over and over and over again.
For Christ, however, the water of baptism was not necessary, the 40 day temptation was ineffective and the dove found a solid perch. God's new plan WILL prevail! He has coordinated all of history to pivot on the days of Christ and the fulfillment of all of His promises are made true and real in Christ.
It's a new day and if you don't know Christ to be the fulfillment of God's plan for all history you ought to meet Him. He is the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Him!
- Noah endured a 40 day waiting period after the flood that God sent to "cleanse" the earth from wickedness. (40 days)
- At the end of the flood Noah sent out the dove to find dry land but she "found no place to set her foot..." (Genesis 8:9) (water, dove)
- After this event, God made a covenant never to destroy the earth with water again, but our ways did not change, our salvation had not come, the law was powerless to make us righteous...
- In Matthew chapter 3 Jesus is baptized - This was a baptism of repentance..."cleansing from wickedness and sin" and Jesus didn't need to do it! (water)
- during his baptism - a dove came out of the sky and "came to rest on him". (dove)
- Immediately following Jesus' baptism he went to the desert and endured 40 days of temptation from Satan himself but did not sin! (40 days)
- Following Christ, salvation has come, He has made a way for us, all who call on His name will be saved!
40 days...water...the dove...I think Matthew might be trying to send us a message?!? Don't forget that Matthew's audience was the 1st century Jew who would not have been able to hear 40 days, water, and dove without thinking about Noah. It would be like someone walking up to you today and saying September 11th...they wouldn't need to explain it, we just know!
In essence, Matthew was saying to his audience, "God tried once to fix us through the flood and had to end his attempt with a contract that He would withhold His wrath...in other words, it did not work fully...the dove found no place to set her feet..." The rest of history leading up to Christ was literally one story after another of how God extended grace to His people and we failed Him and broke His covenant over and over and over and over again.
For Christ, however, the water of baptism was not necessary, the 40 day temptation was ineffective and the dove found a solid perch. God's new plan WILL prevail! He has coordinated all of history to pivot on the days of Christ and the fulfillment of all of His promises are made true and real in Christ.
It's a new day and if you don't know Christ to be the fulfillment of God's plan for all history you ought to meet Him. He is the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Him!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Follow Up on Volunteer Sunday
We did a great job Butler Campus!
192 new volunteers committed to serve this week!!!!
As I walked around on Sunday seeing dozens of people in groups being toured around our campus I was blown away. I was so pleased to be serving at a church where almost 200 people come to tour the volunteer opportunities on a single Sunday.
I also wanted to let you guys in on what I got to hear as I floated around all day listening in to the tour guides.
Here's some highlights:
1) "It is amazing what you get to be part of when you're a volunteer...They even made a 3 song CD for us at Christmas with Chris, Mack and Wade singing Christmas songs..." - Billy Dean - ekidz tour, 11:30
2) "Without set up and tear down volunteers nothing happens here...it's a great time to come in and work behind the scenes...my whole family helps out" - Randy Fuller - ekidz tour, 6:00
3) "Steve, show them your gun-shot wound..." - John Bishop to Steve Tubel, Production tour, 10:00
4) "We get to hear all of the good stories..." - Jennifer Clouser - FTG tour, 11:30
5) "We weren't going to tell them about the requirement of a parking tattoo..." - Joel Langley - Parking team stop on Guest services tour, 10:00
6) "Thank you..." - countless people all day who felt tremendously welcomed by you as they stepped into an uncertain volunteering opportunity...
A big fat thank you to all of you who got there early, stayed late and gave everything you had to make the new volunteers feel welcome.
I love you guys! I'm so thankful I get to see God's plan unfold on our campus with you at my back!
As Pastor always says, "the best is yet to come..."
192 new volunteers committed to serve this week!!!!
As I walked around on Sunday seeing dozens of people in groups being toured around our campus I was blown away. I was so pleased to be serving at a church where almost 200 people come to tour the volunteer opportunities on a single Sunday.
I also wanted to let you guys in on what I got to hear as I floated around all day listening in to the tour guides.
Here's some highlights:
1) "It is amazing what you get to be part of when you're a volunteer...They even made a 3 song CD for us at Christmas with Chris, Mack and Wade singing Christmas songs..." - Billy Dean - ekidz tour, 11:30
2) "Without set up and tear down volunteers nothing happens here...it's a great time to come in and work behind the scenes...my whole family helps out" - Randy Fuller - ekidz tour, 6:00
3) "Steve, show them your gun-shot wound..." - John Bishop to Steve Tubel, Production tour, 10:00
4) "We get to hear all of the good stories..." - Jennifer Clouser - FTG tour, 11:30
5) "We weren't going to tell them about the requirement of a parking tattoo..." - Joel Langley - Parking team stop on Guest services tour, 10:00
6) "Thank you..." - countless people all day who felt tremendously welcomed by you as they stepped into an uncertain volunteering opportunity...
A big fat thank you to all of you who got there early, stayed late and gave everything you had to make the new volunteers feel welcome.
I love you guys! I'm so thankful I get to see God's plan unfold on our campus with you at my back!
As Pastor always says, "the best is yet to come..."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Plugging in New Volunteers This Weekend...
Last Sunday we had 1486 people sign up to volunteer!!!
This Sunday we are hoping to take just under 800 of them through their first experience.
The problem is our current systems were never intended to handle the volume of people that will need to get plugged in this weekend.
What do you do when the container is too small to hold all the oil?
We see this principle illustrated in 2 Kings 4 when the widow needed something to sell in order to pay her debts and all she had was a single jar of Oil. Elisha told her to go get more jars. Once she had increased her capacity for the blessing of God the oil began to flow and didn't stop until she ran out of jars.
The principle: INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY!
That's what we've done for this weekend. The old way wasn't working so we found a new way.
If you're content maintaining the level that you had the last time, you probably don't need to know this principle, but if you're interested in seeing ALL that God can do in and through you, you should always be ready to get more jars!
This Sunday we are hoping to take just under 800 of them through their first experience.
The problem is our current systems were never intended to handle the volume of people that will need to get plugged in this weekend.
What do you do when the container is too small to hold all the oil?
We see this principle illustrated in 2 Kings 4 when the widow needed something to sell in order to pay her debts and all she had was a single jar of Oil. Elisha told her to go get more jars. Once she had increased her capacity for the blessing of God the oil began to flow and didn't stop until she ran out of jars.
The principle: INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY!
That's what we've done for this weekend. The old way wasn't working so we found a new way.
If you're content maintaining the level that you had the last time, you probably don't need to know this principle, but if you're interested in seeing ALL that God can do in and through you, you should always be ready to get more jars!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Importance of Testing
Our Leadership Team read an article out of Harvard Business Review recently called How to Design Smart Business Experiments. (This link takes you to the right page but you'll have to wait a few weeks for the February issue to come out...)
The crux of the article can be summarized in the question, "Do lobster tanks increase lobster sales at Food Lion supermarkets?"
The article challenged the grocery store manager who might ask this question to quit wondering. There are tests that can be done in controlled environments to answer that question once and for all.
We have our own version of these questions:
- Does series length affect attendance?
- Do video announcements decrease the number of first time guest information cards we get back?
- Does the placement of our "Information Kiosk" in the lobby affect the number of people who get connected?
I'm sure you've got your own questions:
- Is "time out" more effective than spanking for my rambunctious 20 month old?
- Would I spend less if I stopped using a credit card?
- Does my spouse (kids, friends etc...) want more time or better time?
In agreement with the guys who wrote the article, go ahead and design an experiment and find out. Put the credit card in a drawer for a month and check this month's spending with last month's. You may feel like you don't have the time or energy to figure it out, but I would say you don't have the time NOT to.
The crux of the article can be summarized in the question, "Do lobster tanks increase lobster sales at Food Lion supermarkets?"
The article challenged the grocery store manager who might ask this question to quit wondering. There are tests that can be done in controlled environments to answer that question once and for all.
We have our own version of these questions:
- Does series length affect attendance?
- Do video announcements decrease the number of first time guest information cards we get back?
- Does the placement of our "Information Kiosk" in the lobby affect the number of people who get connected?
I'm sure you've got your own questions:
- Is "time out" more effective than spanking for my rambunctious 20 month old?
- Would I spend less if I stopped using a credit card?
- Does my spouse (kids, friends etc...) want more time or better time?
In agreement with the guys who wrote the article, go ahead and design an experiment and find out. Put the credit card in a drawer for a month and check this month's spending with last month's. You may feel like you don't have the time or energy to figure it out, but I would say you don't have the time NOT to.
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