In case you have visited our website over the last couple of days, you may have noticed that we are having some technical difficulties. I have been told that our web host made some sort of change (without informing us) and now we are scrambling to try to get things working right.
Don't you just love technology!
Monday, March 31, 2008
a few thoughts
**Another stellar day at Foothills yesterday. Eric and the band did their thing, the people showed up (our largest non-holiday attendance ever!), and Jesus was lifted up.
**The theme yesterday was the decade of the 80's---it was fun. This week is the 90's, look out.
**It was embarrassing showing everyone the picture of me in man short-shorts from the 80's (I blame Tom Selleck from Magnum PI for that terrible fad!)
**I am glad that I never had a mullet!
**When I came in today I was reading some emails, and I got one from someone in another state thanking us for touching the life of someone she knows who has started attending Foothills recently. It was so encouraging.
**Foothills has an amazing staff team. I am proud of them!
**One more thing, we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary in all 4 services on April 13th (not just the 6:00pm service as previously stated).
**The theme yesterday was the decade of the 80's---it was fun. This week is the 90's, look out.
**It was embarrassing showing everyone the picture of me in man short-shorts from the 80's (I blame Tom Selleck from Magnum PI for that terrible fad!)
**I am glad that I never had a mullet!
**When I came in today I was reading some emails, and I got one from someone in another state thanking us for touching the life of someone she knows who has started attending Foothills recently. It was so encouraging.
**Foothills has an amazing staff team. I am proud of them!
**One more thing, we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary in all 4 services on April 13th (not just the 6:00pm service as previously stated).
Saturday, March 29, 2008
relaxing day off
Fridays are our day off at Foothills. The office is closed and for the most part everything shuts down.
Yesterday was a busy, but relaxing day for me. I started out at 6:00am playing basketball (I play every Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Then I met Paul Carr and Josh Gregory, two of our Pastors from our Connections Department for a round of golf at 8:30am. My golf game was pretty sad. I'm not saying what I shot, but let's just say I got my money's worth!
After that I came home and relaxed and then had a date night with my beautiful wife. A full, but wonderful day.
Here's an honest confession. I have not always done a good job of taking a day off every week. I find myself always sneaking into our home office and tweaking my message or doing other work related things. Not only is this not healthy, but it's not Biblical. Most Pastors that I know struggle in this area. Now that the weather is warming up, I plan on making sure that I really do take Fridays off.
How about you? Do you set aside a day each week to relax and re-energize?
Yesterday was a busy, but relaxing day for me. I started out at 6:00am playing basketball (I play every Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Then I met Paul Carr and Josh Gregory, two of our Pastors from our Connections Department for a round of golf at 8:30am. My golf game was pretty sad. I'm not saying what I shot, but let's just say I got my money's worth!
After that I came home and relaxed and then had a date night with my beautiful wife. A full, but wonderful day.
Here's an honest confession. I have not always done a good job of taking a day off every week. I find myself always sneaking into our home office and tweaking my message or doing other work related things. Not only is this not healthy, but it's not Biblical. Most Pastors that I know struggle in this area. Now that the weather is warming up, I plan on making sure that I really do take Fridays off.
How about you? Do you set aside a day each week to relax and re-energize?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Lessons I've learned over the last 10 years
If you are attending a church that has a white-hot passion to reach the community for Christ you need to never lose focus.
One of the things that I have learned after 10 years is that no matter how much you teach the Vision and mission of the church, you can't over teach on that topic. When you feel like you've taught on it enough, teach on it again! Sometimes I feel like a broken record when it comes to what we're about as a church, but the reality is that vision leaks.I am amazed how quickly people can forget the vision and turn inward. Even people who have been with you for years.
When you start hearing people saying things like, "I don't really like the music style", or "I think the volume is too loud", or "I want to be fed more", or "it's too much trouble trying to find a parking spot/seat", or "I think we need to start focusing on taking care of the ones we've already reached instead of always trying to reach more", or " This church is getting too big,I liked it better when I knew everyone" These are all telltale signs that there is some vision leakage.
In case you didn't notice, all of those things have a common denominator--"I". The reality is that Jesus was never about what made Himself comfortable, He was about making whatever sacrifice necessary to reach the world.
I have said a million times that the Church is not a country club. A country club exists for the sake of its members, but a Church exists for the sake of the people in the community. Every church in America that is effectively reaching their communities are doing so by being willing to set aside their own desires for the sake of the people who don't know Christ already
As a Lead Pastor I would say clearly casting a compelling vision may be the most important thing I do! I have never apologized for our vision, and I never will. It is a vision from God.
As I look back over the last decade I see God's hand leading us every step of the way. As we enter the second decade I feel like the African Pastor who wrote this letter which was found the day after he died as a martyr for his faith:
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
One of the things that I have learned after 10 years is that no matter how much you teach the Vision and mission of the church, you can't over teach on that topic. When you feel like you've taught on it enough, teach on it again! Sometimes I feel like a broken record when it comes to what we're about as a church, but the reality is that vision leaks.I am amazed how quickly people can forget the vision and turn inward. Even people who have been with you for years.
When you start hearing people saying things like, "I don't really like the music style", or "I think the volume is too loud", or "I want to be fed more", or "it's too much trouble trying to find a parking spot/seat", or "I think we need to start focusing on taking care of the ones we've already reached instead of always trying to reach more", or " This church is getting too big,I liked it better when I knew everyone" These are all telltale signs that there is some vision leakage.
In case you didn't notice, all of those things have a common denominator--"I". The reality is that Jesus was never about what made Himself comfortable, He was about making whatever sacrifice necessary to reach the world.
I have said a million times that the Church is not a country club. A country club exists for the sake of its members, but a Church exists for the sake of the people in the community. Every church in America that is effectively reaching their communities are doing so by being willing to set aside their own desires for the sake of the people who don't know Christ already
As a Lead Pastor I would say clearly casting a compelling vision may be the most important thing I do! I have never apologized for our vision, and I never will. It is a vision from God.
As I look back over the last decade I see God's hand leading us every step of the way. As we enter the second decade I feel like the African Pastor who wrote this letter which was found the day after he died as a martyr for his faith:
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
10th anniversary celebration
We are in the planning stages of a 10th anniversary party for Foothills Community Church. It will be Sunday April 13th at 6:00pm.
I want to encourage everyone who has been touched by the ministry of Foothills to make sure to attend. We will take a look back over the last 10 years with laughter and probably some tears.
If you have any old photos or video that might help us, let me know. 10 years is a major milestone and we need to celebrate all that God has done.
I want to encourage everyone who has been touched by the ministry of Foothills to make sure to attend. We will take a look back over the last 10 years with laughter and probably some tears.
If you have any old photos or video that might help us, let me know. 10 years is a major milestone and we need to celebrate all that God has done.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Toccoa, Ga -- our next campus
I got the opportunity to head over to one of our LIFE groups that meets in Toccoa last night with our Connections Pastor, Paul Carr. We had an incredible time. Those people are FIRED UP about getting our 2nd campus started next September! The only down side to the Toccoa, Georgia location is that they are all Georgia Bulldog fans (please pray for me--I'm really struggling with that!)
FYI, we are almost ready to announce a date for our first informational meeting, so if you are one of the many people that have shown interest in helping that campus get started, hang on just a little longer.
One other thing. To all of you loyal, dedicated NASCAR fans, I know I was a little hard on you in Sunday's message. I want you to know how truly repentant I am for calling into question the great sport of NASCAR. I don't know what came over me. I am truly sorry......... NOT REALLY!
FYI, we are almost ready to announce a date for our first informational meeting, so if you are one of the many people that have shown interest in helping that campus get started, hang on just a little longer.
One other thing. To all of you loyal, dedicated NASCAR fans, I know I was a little hard on you in Sunday's message. I want you to know how truly repentant I am for calling into question the great sport of NASCAR. I don't know what came over me. I am truly sorry......... NOT REALLY!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
sunday recap
Wow! That about sums up today's services at Foothills.
We had 2,447 in attendance (a new record), and lots of spiritual decisions (I don't know the exact number yet).
I want to thank all of the people who volunteered today to make it happen. Doing 5 services in 1 day is exhausting, but there was so much energy in the building that it made it a lot of fun.
The band rocked with the 70's era Doobie Brothers and Kansas tunes, the hospitality team went the extra mile with an incredible assortment of refreshments, the hosts (ushers) did an excellent job of helping people find seats, and the kick-off of our new series, "Decades" seemed to be well received. All in all it was fantastic!
Next week we'll talk about the decade of the 80's--that should be fun!
We had 2,447 in attendance (a new record), and lots of spiritual decisions (I don't know the exact number yet).
I want to thank all of the people who volunteered today to make it happen. Doing 5 services in 1 day is exhausting, but there was so much energy in the building that it made it a lot of fun.
The band rocked with the 70's era Doobie Brothers and Kansas tunes, the hospitality team went the extra mile with an incredible assortment of refreshments, the hosts (ushers) did an excellent job of helping people find seats, and the kick-off of our new series, "Decades" seemed to be well received. All in all it was fantastic!
Next week we'll talk about the decade of the 80's--that should be fun!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Less than 24 hours
OK I have to admit I am totally psyched about our Easter services tomorrow. I feel like I did when I was a teenager and I had a big game the next day----excited, anxious, expectant, overwhelmed.
The reason I feel that way first of all because of what Easter means to me personally. Secondly because I know that our people have been handing out their invite cards all over this community, and that there are going to be so many people that come to Foothills tomorrow that are searching for something meaningful for their lives, and I have the honor of sharing this wonderful message of salvation and freedom through Jesus!
Historically, we see a spike of around 40-50% in attendance on Easter, which means we should have around 2,300-2,500 people at Foothills tomorrow! That is exciting!
A couple of reminders: We will be doing 5 identical services for Easter. The times will be 7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am and 6:00pm. If there is any way that you could come to the 7:15am, 8:30am or 6:00pm that would help us with space issues during the 2 prime times (9:45am and 11:15am). Remember Easter services will be even more crowded than usual. Plan on arriving a few minutes earlier, and please be patient entering and exiting the parking lot. We will have a policeman directing traffic to help. Be sure to make those last minute invitations to come with you, and don't forget to pray like crazy!
See you tomorrow.
The reason I feel that way first of all because of what Easter means to me personally. Secondly because I know that our people have been handing out their invite cards all over this community, and that there are going to be so many people that come to Foothills tomorrow that are searching for something meaningful for their lives, and I have the honor of sharing this wonderful message of salvation and freedom through Jesus!
Historically, we see a spike of around 40-50% in attendance on Easter, which means we should have around 2,300-2,500 people at Foothills tomorrow! That is exciting!
A couple of reminders: We will be doing 5 identical services for Easter. The times will be 7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am and 6:00pm. If there is any way that you could come to the 7:15am, 8:30am or 6:00pm that would help us with space issues during the 2 prime times (9:45am and 11:15am). Remember Easter services will be even more crowded than usual. Plan on arriving a few minutes earlier, and please be patient entering and exiting the parking lot. We will have a policeman directing traffic to help. Be sure to make those last minute invitations to come with you, and don't forget to pray like crazy!
See you tomorrow.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
March madness
I just suffered my first loss in my NCAA March madness bracket. Georgia lost to Xavier. That's what I get for choosing such a bad team. I assumed that they might be on a roll after winning the SEC tourney---but NOOOOO!
I hate to admit it, but I have North Carolina and Memphis in the final showdown with North Carolina winning it all. I hope I'm wrong!
I hate to admit it, but I have North Carolina and Memphis in the final showdown with North Carolina winning it all. I hope I'm wrong!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Every Member a Minister
Every member a minister. I don't know who coined that phrase, but I do know for sure that it is Biblical.
When we become Christ followers we are gifted, and called to serve God and others. We must use those gifts and abilities in the context of the local church (and outside the church too)
Many times we get caught up in the word, minister. We assume that minister means paid staff, but the reality is that if you're a Christian you need to be a minister, and in order to be a minister you need a ministry.
In Colossian 4:17 Paul writes this: "And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you." We don't really know why Archippus needed to be reminded of this. Maybe he was losing his focus and other things were taking precedent over his ministry. Maybe he was burned out and was sitting on the sidelines, and needed the encouragement to keep on. Maybe Archippus had a case of mission drift and fell into a consumer mindset and wanted people to serve him. It's hard to say for sure.
They say that in most churches 20% of the people do 80% of the work (this is NOT the case at Foothills) If those stats are true that means that there are a lot of people who need to be reminded to "be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."
If you have never served in church before, why not take a risk. At Foothills we realize that this can feel pretty intimidating, so we've tried to make it easy. Here's a great way to get started, sign up for our next "Serve" class on March 30th. It will be offered at 9:45am and then again at 11:15am. In this class, our Connections Pastor Paul Carr will help point you in the right direction. Why not join the hundreds of others at Foothills that are having the time of their lives serving God?
When we become Christ followers we are gifted, and called to serve God and others. We must use those gifts and abilities in the context of the local church (and outside the church too)
Many times we get caught up in the word, minister. We assume that minister means paid staff, but the reality is that if you're a Christian you need to be a minister, and in order to be a minister you need a ministry.
In Colossian 4:17 Paul writes this: "And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you." We don't really know why Archippus needed to be reminded of this. Maybe he was losing his focus and other things were taking precedent over his ministry. Maybe he was burned out and was sitting on the sidelines, and needed the encouragement to keep on. Maybe Archippus had a case of mission drift and fell into a consumer mindset and wanted people to serve him. It's hard to say for sure.
They say that in most churches 20% of the people do 80% of the work (this is NOT the case at Foothills) If those stats are true that means that there are a lot of people who need to be reminded to "be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."
If you have never served in church before, why not take a risk. At Foothills we realize that this can feel pretty intimidating, so we've tried to make it easy. Here's a great way to get started, sign up for our next "Serve" class on March 30th. It will be offered at 9:45am and then again at 11:15am. In this class, our Connections Pastor Paul Carr will help point you in the right direction. Why not join the hundreds of others at Foothills that are having the time of their lives serving God?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Simply amazing
I just heard this week that Foothills Community Church was #3 in numbers of people baptized among Southern Baptist churches in the state of South Carolina in 2007!
That is simply amazing. There are nearly 3,000 Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina, and here we are in Seneca, a town of about 8,000 people and God is moving in incredible ways! For the record we baptized 202 people in 2007. And this is not just a "numbers thing"---every one of those 202 are people whose lives have been changed forever!
Please hear my heart on what I'm saying. I am in no way boasting on me or even our church. I am boasting in God, and His amazing power to transform lives.
If you have committed your life to Christ and have not followed through with baptism, you will have an opportunity coming in late Spring---stay tuned for details.
That is simply amazing. There are nearly 3,000 Southern Baptist churches in South Carolina, and here we are in Seneca, a town of about 8,000 people and God is moving in incredible ways! For the record we baptized 202 people in 2007. And this is not just a "numbers thing"---every one of those 202 are people whose lives have been changed forever!
Please hear my heart on what I'm saying. I am in no way boasting on me or even our church. I am boasting in God, and His amazing power to transform lives.
If you have committed your life to Christ and have not followed through with baptism, you will have an opportunity coming in late Spring---stay tuned for details.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy Anniversary Liz
Well today is a special day for me. It's my anniversary. It seems like yesterday that I was walking down the aisle of First Baptist Church of Lake Park surrounded by family and friends and pledging my love and devotion to my wonderful wife. It's hard to believe it's been 24 years! The best 24 years of my life. I married way out of my league, that's for sure. Anyway, I thank God every day for my wife Liz. I am a blessed man!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Excited about Sunday
I can't wait until Sunday. We are going to be wrapping up our Caveman series. There are going to be a whole bunch of people that are going to experience freedom for the first time as they venture out of the cave that has been confining them. If you or someone you know is either currently or has been in a situation where they felt totally trapped, make sure you don't miss this weekend's services.
We are also going to give you some invitations to our Easter services on March 23rd to give to your friends (they WILL come with you on Easter!). Easter services are going to be incredible. We will be starting a new series called, "Decades". Easter will be the decade of the 70's---it should be fun!
Rememeber we will be having 5 identical services at Easter (7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am, and 6:00pm) I want to encourage you to consider coming to the 7:15am or 8:30am services to make room for the hundreds of guests that will probably choose the 9:45am or 11:15am. To sweeten the deal, if you come to either of the 2 early serices we will feed you sausage biscuits as well as the usual donuts, etc.
We are also going to give you some invitations to our Easter services on March 23rd to give to your friends (they WILL come with you on Easter!). Easter services are going to be incredible. We will be starting a new series called, "Decades". Easter will be the decade of the 70's---it should be fun!
Rememeber we will be having 5 identical services at Easter (7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am, and 6:00pm) I want to encourage you to consider coming to the 7:15am or 8:30am services to make room for the hundreds of guests that will probably choose the 9:45am or 11:15am. To sweeten the deal, if you come to either of the 2 early serices we will feed you sausage biscuits as well as the usual donuts, etc.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Unleash rewind
Just got home from attending the Unleash conference. I had a blast!
I got to see old friends and meet a whole bunch of new ones. Our entire group that went with us were pumped!
I can honestly say that my friend Perry and all of the fine staff and volunteers at Newspring are among the most gracious, giving people I know. It is no wonder that the Lord is blessing them.
Perry definitely "laid down the smacketh!" with his own unique flavor. His story about picking up the snake by the tail was especially hilarious. He is one of the best communicators out there.
Lee and the band......WOW!
I had the privilige of getting to hang out with Perry and a few other Pastors at lunch---- That was awesome!
Basically everything was great. I'm ready to do it again next year!
I got to see old friends and meet a whole bunch of new ones. Our entire group that went with us were pumped!
I can honestly say that my friend Perry and all of the fine staff and volunteers at Newspring are among the most gracious, giving people I know. It is no wonder that the Lord is blessing them.
Perry definitely "laid down the smacketh!" with his own unique flavor. His story about picking up the snake by the tail was especially hilarious. He is one of the best communicators out there.
Lee and the band......WOW!
I had the privilige of getting to hang out with Perry and a few other Pastors at lunch---- That was awesome!
Basically everything was great. I'm ready to do it again next year!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Countdown to Unleash
Less than 24 hours away from one of the best conferences out there---Unleash.
I love Unleash for several reasons.
First, I love the people of Newspring (the church that hosts it) They are so gracious and are never too busy to answer questions. They are also so supportive of what God is doing here at Foothills Community Church.
The second reason is that it is a one day conference. I just am not big on multi-day conferences (although I do some of them too)
Third I love Unleash because it's close and inexpensive which means we can bring lots of people with us.
Fourth, because it is a fantastic conference. Practical, nuts and bolts info. Inspiring, challenging messages, and break-outs.
It's no wonder that it is sold out this year!
I love Unleash for several reasons.
First, I love the people of Newspring (the church that hosts it) They are so gracious and are never too busy to answer questions. They are also so supportive of what God is doing here at Foothills Community Church.
The second reason is that it is a one day conference. I just am not big on multi-day conferences (although I do some of them too)
Third I love Unleash because it's close and inexpensive which means we can bring lots of people with us.
Fourth, because it is a fantastic conference. Practical, nuts and bolts info. Inspiring, challenging messages, and break-outs.
It's no wonder that it is sold out this year!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Awesome staff meeting
Today Mike Linch and several of his staff from Northstar Church came up to lead our staff meeting. It was great. Mike challenged us from Nehemiah 6 about sustaining our vision. There were a couple of things that Mike said that really got my attention, that I am going to continue to process. What I really love about Mike and his people are their hearts to serve their community. I have never seen or heard of another church in America that is impacting their community with the love of Christ through acts of service like Northstar. Marlon Longacre is their Community Relations Pastor, and he is a passionate dude when it comes to his community. You can read more about what Northstar Church is doing in Georgia here.
By the way, we had another fantastic day at Foothills Community Church yesterday. Lives are changing, and there are so many new people who are coming. I must say though that the 8:30am, and 9:45am crowds were still a little sleepy from the time change!
By the way, we had another fantastic day at Foothills Community Church yesterday. Lives are changing, and there are so many new people who are coming. I must say though that the 8:30am, and 9:45am crowds were still a little sleepy from the time change!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Leadership qualities 2
The second leadership quality that I wanted to tackle is loyalty.
You may be thinking, wait a minute, loyalty is what you look for in a follower but not necessary for a leader. WRONG!
If a leader is not totally loyal to God, his spouse, his family, his convictions, his staff, his organization, and his people he will not make a good leader.
Let's face it all leaders expect their staff to be loyal to them. I expect my staff to defend me if someone is being critical of me. It only makes sense that they know that I will do the same for them. If someone speaks poorly of people that I care about, I won't tolerate it.
When a leader is loyal to the organization he represents, he always puts the organization ahead of his own desires.
For a Biblical example of loyalty I think of Joshua. He was Moses right hand man for many years. Never did he try to posture himself to become the leader of Israel. Never did he try to make Moses look bad in front of the people. He was loyal to God and his convictions. It is no wonder that when Moses died that God chose Joshua to succeed him.
How loyal are you?
You may be thinking, wait a minute, loyalty is what you look for in a follower but not necessary for a leader. WRONG!
If a leader is not totally loyal to God, his spouse, his family, his convictions, his staff, his organization, and his people he will not make a good leader.
Let's face it all leaders expect their staff to be loyal to them. I expect my staff to defend me if someone is being critical of me. It only makes sense that they know that I will do the same for them. If someone speaks poorly of people that I care about, I won't tolerate it.
When a leader is loyal to the organization he represents, he always puts the organization ahead of his own desires.
For a Biblical example of loyalty I think of Joshua. He was Moses right hand man for many years. Never did he try to posture himself to become the leader of Israel. Never did he try to make Moses look bad in front of the people. He was loyal to God and his convictions. It is no wonder that when Moses died that God chose Joshua to succeed him.
How loyal are you?
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
** Just talked to my friend Mike Linch from Northstar Church. Mike is bringing some of his crew up to Foothills next week to speak to our staff. It's going to be great!
One of the things that I love about most of the great Pastors that I know is their willingness to sacrifice to help others. There is probably a million things on Mike's plate more important for him to take care of at his own church, yet he is making the road trip.
** It's hard to believe that Easter is just a couple of weeks away. I can hardly wait. Just a quick note---we will be having 5 identical services on Easter Sunday, March 23rd. The times will be 7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am, and 6:00pm
If you can, please consider the 7:15, or 8:30 services so that we will have plenty of room for guests. I'll tell you more about this later.
** I found out that our completion date for our new building is June 27th, so our first service in the new building will be on July 13th!!
We will do our major grand opening event as soon as school is back in session.
Until then, thanks for your patience. I know that both the 9:45am and 11:15am services are uncomfortably crowded, and I know that the parking and trying to exit have been frustrating (we are hoping to hire a policeman to help direct traffic onto Bountyland Road).
** Really looking forward to the Unleash conference that our friends over at NewSpring are having next week. We went last year and loved it! Perry is another Pastor-friend that has gone out of his way to help us.
One of the things that I love about most of the great Pastors that I know is their willingness to sacrifice to help others. There is probably a million things on Mike's plate more important for him to take care of at his own church, yet he is making the road trip.
** It's hard to believe that Easter is just a couple of weeks away. I can hardly wait. Just a quick note---we will be having 5 identical services on Easter Sunday, March 23rd. The times will be 7:15am, 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am, and 6:00pm
If you can, please consider the 7:15, or 8:30 services so that we will have plenty of room for guests. I'll tell you more about this later.
** I found out that our completion date for our new building is June 27th, so our first service in the new building will be on July 13th!!
We will do our major grand opening event as soon as school is back in session.
Until then, thanks for your patience. I know that both the 9:45am and 11:15am services are uncomfortably crowded, and I know that the parking and trying to exit have been frustrating (we are hoping to hire a policeman to help direct traffic onto Bountyland Road).
** Really looking forward to the Unleash conference that our friends over at NewSpring are having next week. We went last year and loved it! Perry is another Pastor-friend that has gone out of his way to help us.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
random stuff
We had an amazing weekend at Foothills! We kicked off our new series, Caveman. The stage crew did an awesome job, the music was great and the place was electric.
I threw out some caveman frisbees during all 4 services. It seemed like a good idea on paper, but I didn't count on the near riot!! Glad to report--- no major injuries.
Headed out early Monday morning to hang out with some fellow church planters for an annual roundtable in Myrtle Beach. It's always fun to hear about what God is doing across South Carolina. Just got back home after a rainy, windy, 5 hour drive. These guys are some of the pioneers of church planting in this state. There is so much collective wisdom, that it's scary.
I'm excited about this Sunday's message. If you've ever wondered how to hear from God, please don't miss it!
I threw out some caveman frisbees during all 4 services. It seemed like a good idea on paper, but I didn't count on the near riot!! Glad to report--- no major injuries.
Headed out early Monday morning to hang out with some fellow church planters for an annual roundtable in Myrtle Beach. It's always fun to hear about what God is doing across South Carolina. Just got back home after a rainy, windy, 5 hour drive. These guys are some of the pioneers of church planting in this state. There is so much collective wisdom, that it's scary.
I'm excited about this Sunday's message. If you've ever wondered how to hear from God, please don't miss it!
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