Coming Soon

I have taken way too long since my last blog. We've had weddings, vacations, and just a bunch of other stuff.

It is going to be a little bit longer until I actually put something of content up here, but just to give the heads up...I am working on a new site design and a new location for my hyperactive and random thoughts.

Stay tuned!

ARC ALL ACESS TWENTY TEN

I was planning to blog often last week during my time at the Association of Related Churches (ARC) All Access conference. We traveled to Baton Rouge, LA, which was my first time in the state, to Healing Place Church led by Pastor Dino Rizzo.

What an awesome time hearing from some passionate men in ministry, worshipping with Hillsong United, and connecting with some great church planters. I wanted to touch on a few key things that I was reminded of and learned while there:

• There is going to be pain in church planting and in ministry - the key is to embrace the pain and thank God for the opportunity to go through something so small compared to the pain He endured for us.
• Being a leader is vital to ministry - leaders never cross the finish line first, because they are always bringing people with them.
• Don't be afraid to cry out to God - desperate people do desperate things, therefor never lose desperation when trusting God.
• To measure your church start with these 4 questions: Is your church humiliating? -does your service embarrass the unchurched or is it too embarrassing to bring friends to?; Is your church schizophrenic?; Is your church in denial about who they are?; Is your church delusional? - DO NOT FORGET about the hurting people around us, be the hospital, not a country club.
• We ought to be a magnet, not just drawing people in but also drawing God down.
• There is no big churches, only a BIG GOD using small churches in a really BIG WAY - stay small KEEP HIM BIG!

These are just a few small thoughts from my time in Louisiana. I would highly recommend if you are a church planter, a pastor, or anyone in ministry be sure to check out All Access Twenty Eleven next year.

So, whether you went to the conference or not what are your thoughts?

Life UnPlugged

What would your life look like if the Holy Spirit truly flowed through you and out of you like a river?

Jesus said in John 7:37-38 - “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Verse 39 explains that this living water is in fact the Holy Spirit.

So, if you were consumed by the Holy Spirit, what would life be like? I think many times Christians tend to minimize the Holy Spirit. Particularly, many of us think that the Holy Spirit is an inactive part of God that only shows His face when its convenient for us or when we feel guilty about something. However, time and time the Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is living and active dwelling in God's New Temple, our hearts.

I think if many of us would begin to come and drink, as Jesus says, that we will begin to experience the rushing rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit. When allowing this rushing river to unleash we cannot help but see our life changed. The way you look at things becomes different, the things you say sounds different, and ultimately your purpose changes. By allowing this river of living water to rush through you others will be changed.

So, do you want to make a difference in your life? In someone else's life? In your church? Allow the Holy Spirit to consume you and take control of everything! That is life unplugged and to the fullest!

How to Have a Great Staff Meeting

I love the staff at LifeGate Church!! I could not ever imagine being a part of a better group of people when it comes to planting a life-giving, spirit-empowered church! Besides Sunday, one of the highlights of my week is Monday's, particularly our staff meetings. I always leave those meetings encouraged, challenged, and pumped up about taking things to the Next Level! There have been times at churches I've been a part of where I dreaded the staff meetings because it was more like a "you suck" session, but not at LifeGate. So why is that we have a great staff meeting and how can you have them for your staff?

1. Know that what you do is making an eternal difference. Therefore, priorities become about how to move people to the next level in their walk with Jesus.

2. PRAY TOGETHER - I would say that 1/3rd of our staff meeting is us praying for the people of our church and their friends and families, praying for one another and our families, and praying for God to move and use us!

3. Have fun - a team that laugh's together stays together. If you aren't having fun with one another, things become boring and you will end up hating working with the your team.

4. Always evaluate WINS/LOSSES - not only from a Sunday and your ministry area but in personal lives as well.

5. Know that a staff meeting is meant to make each of you better at what you do and to make that ministry you are a part of better - staff meetings should never be about bashing people, but how to evaluate things that can be done better, things that are going great, and set up a game plan for what's next.

6. Have staff meetings at times when most people think and operate the best - our staff meeting is at 8pm. Partly because of how our scheduling works, but mostly because several of us operate and think best later in the day. I know for me as a hyperactive individual, my brain tends to be thinking at its best during the 8-11pm time slot.

Following these six basic steps will allow you and your staff to really be united, as well as make staffing meetings a fun part of the week.

Loving What You Do

How many times have you heard this: "Man, I hate my job!" or "I hate what I'm doing."

This is all too common, and to be honest with you it is very common in the church amongst ministry staff members. I have definitely gone through it and am embarrassed.

However, right now... God is using me in a new role that I never thought I'd be in and is using it to prepare me for some great things in the future. But in this role I am getting the opportunity to truly love what I do! I am working hand in hand alongside some amazing people and I'm getting to lead others.

So what is your situation right now? Do you love what you are doing? If so great! If not here are three things to do/ask yourself in order to begin loving what you do?

1. Is Jesus in the center of what I am doing? If not, it is important to get things straight and put him back in whatever it is you are doing!

2. Is my attitude a reflection of who I am? You choose your attitude and attitudes are contagious. By choosing a positive and encouraging attitude, you have the ability to make the most of anything.

3. What can I do to improve my situation? Many times we play the blame game and forget to reflect on our own personal impact!

If you don't love what you do, its up to you to change the situation!!