Sunday Night Unwind (Monday Morning Edition)

Where is the month of May going? Even though it is flying by it just brings Cyndi and I that much closer to meeting our second son, Josiah!

I love that every Sunday is like Super Bowl Sunday in our house! It's t he highlight of our week, and it is the most energetic and fun day for us. I will say that I am sad to say that its only Monday and that means we have to wait 6 more days until Sunday is here!

Looking back on yesterday, here are a few thoughts and insights to our day:

• Saw some visitors yesterday at The Pointe Community Church (this is our sending church for Generation Church)
• Student Ministry @ The Pointe Kicked off last night...had 17 teenagers that were full of energy, and genuinely excited about coming to church. I have a feeling that 17 is a low number for what is to come.
• Played some crazy "stupid" games last night...I forgot how much fun games are in Student Ministry
• Charlie Fehrman, Pastor of The Pointe, delivered a very open, transparent, honest and amazing message yesterday on letting go of the baggage in your life and allowing God to take it. This involves taking your baggage to God, taking it public and taking a step back!
  
• I cannot wait for next Sunday!

We've got another full week ahead of us, but life is fantastic. I'm already seeing the excitement build about Generation Church coming to Noblesville. We have our very first informational meeting set for May 31st so if you know someone or are interested in being a part of a brand new church in Noblesville, please contact me today!!! (You can leave a comment on this blog or connect with me via Twitter or Facebook)

Sunday Night Unwind

What an amazing day! I missed being with our friends at The Pointe Community Church, but loved being invited to share my heart at St. Joe Community Church for a great friend of mine.

Here are a few thoughts of my day:

• Haven't preached this hard in a long time-I LOVE IT!
• I'm pretty sure I pissed some people off
• I'm pretty sure I inspired some people to BE THE CHURCH & Christians Jesus wants us to be
• COMPLETELY BLESSED beyond belief this weekend, God totally did some awesome things in the Brown family life this weekend.
• Loved watching Butler beat VCU...still a little upset that Kentucky lost, not because I like them but because I DO NOT LIKE UCONN!!! Blah!
• I am going to be glued to the tv on Monday night, watching Butler (wish I had my tv that is sitting in KY, watching a game of this importance isn't the same without my big screen HDTV)
  
• As I preached this morning, God laid it on my heart to step up even harder in our efforts for reaching Indiana.
• I believe that Generation Church is going to be influential in planting at least 10 churches/campus' in Indiana in the next 10 years and at least 1 new church in every 50 states in the next 10 years.
• Reading "Sun Stand Still" with my leadership team...only two chapters in and am BLOWN AWAY!
• Looking forward with connecting with my mentor/coach, Charlie, this week!
• Got to act like a lil kid today at Chuck E Cheeses with my son and some new friends of ours!
• I AM SO PUMPED ABOUT what God has called us to do in Noblesville, and excited for the churches and people that God has placed in partnerships with us (thanks The Pointe, Fall Creek, St. Joe, LifeGate and many of you out there thinking about partnering)
• Looking forward to seeing some of our logo concepts in the next few days...which reminds me I've gotta get a website started (any ideas on cheap hosting domains, etc)
• I CANNOT WAIT FOR NEXT SUNDAY...and for EASTER!
  

Well, those are about all of the thoughts I've got going through my mind this evening!
Peace, Love, & Chicken Grease!

Weekend Highlights

What a weekend, here are some highlights from this past weekend...

• Had a great time cooking for a few of our friends Friday night!
• Cyndi and I finally got to meet Jenna, Miranda's sister...and yes, I think she looks a bit like Natalie Portman.
• Got Dave Matthews Tickets for my bride on Sat. She is obsessed with Dave and I was excited that he is coming to Charleston and would get to experience one of his concerts with her.
• Spent almost all day in Orangeburg, SC on Sat. -it SUCKED!
• We had to go to Orangeburg to get Cyndi's dress for a wedding she is in...the dress shop (which will remain unnamed) employee's had bad customer service!
  
• I hate poor customer service!
• Orangeburg has a mall...not a very big one, but it's a mall and it's call Prince of Orange Mall-what's up with that?
• Sunday ROCKED!
• The church we've been going to and have been getting involved at is amazing! The worship was INCREDIBLE and then the message blew my socks off!
  
• One thing I learned this weekend was this: Do what God has called you to do, no regrets, no if's and's or but's about it. Do what you know He has called you to do, and if it seems as though He closes a door, it may be because He just wants you to get up on the roof. See Luke 5: 17-26 to see what I mean.
• WHAT A WEEKEND, and this week will just be so much better!!
  

Monday Morning Mind Dump (okay Monday afternoon)

Normally, I try to post my thoughts about Sunday on Monday Mornings but I had to go to Columbia this morning for a Jr. High Camp meeting!

Let me just say CAMP is going to be awesome this year!

So back to my thoughts from last night:

• The challenge has been issued to both Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers...If you can get 15 Middle Schoolers coming to WAVES student ministry on a regular basis (we say 3 weeks in a row) we will throw a party for you guys...in which you will get to shave Andy's hair and we will be coloring my hair any color of your choice.   High Schoolers, the challenge is similar, yet the reward is different.  15 High Schoolers coming on a regular basis (3 weeks too) a lucky individual and 3 of his/her friends will be heading out for a night on the town, including awesome transportation, a great dinner, and fun entertainment.
• We kicked off a series on the topic of sex...very very very uncomfortable for me!  However, the series started off well and is going to be a great series...this will challenge all of our students to hear God's Word on this important subject.
• The game we played was amazing...I never knew water could shoot that far from a straw (thanks Josh B.)
• My throat still hurts a bit from speaking last night.
• I am excited about the surprise we have for the students next Sunday!
• I'm really wanting to do some very creative extravagant things, and I actually think our next couple of series will show just how creative we can be!

Well, thats about it for now...going to go and start making some plans for Spring Break :)

Monday Morning Mind Dump

Yesterday was such a great day!
Here are just a few highlights and thoughts from the day and our services:

• The Worship team rocked! - they really practice hard and long and are trying to improve on being excellent in all that they do!
• We had a ton of people serving!
• Found out that we have about 41 volunteers just in our children's ministry.
• We had an official count close to 150 in our two services.
• I'm looking for more volunteers in our Student Ministry.  Not a huge time commitment, but seriously the most fun you will have all week!
• Got to talk to Ben, a new guy to our church who is already jumping in and serving, about Jamaica a bit more...He works with a few Jamaicans and are trying to get them to come to church.  By the way, Ben is from the New England area...love the accent, hate the team!
• I miss not having student ministry but we are back in full swing next week!

Okay, that about does it for my thoughts...I'm posting a completely separate blog about my thoughts of the SuperBowl game!

Sunday Night Flash Back

Ok, yesterday was an pretty good day.

However, I'm just going to say...WHERE WAS EVERYONE?

Middle Schoolers, seriously where were you...you missed a great time! 2 Liters of Soda being drunk in 2 minutes...belching contests, and a really cool message.

High Schoolers, come on now! You guys missed the flying eggs.

Anyway, last night was a really good night. We were just low.

But I need your help...we want to reach as many teenagers as possible. It's the biggest reason we split Middle School from High School. We need your help:
1. What can we do on Sunday nights that would make it the highlight of the week for you and your friends.
2. What can we do to get your friends here.
3. Do you know anyone in a band...we're looking for a worship leader.
4. INVITE your friends.

We are trying to be a lot more creative in what we do and you won't want to miss it!

If you have any thoughts or ideas on the above things or anything at all leave a comment.

What A Weekend

Well, it has been a few days, since my last post but I am back.

I got back from Gatlinburg, TN yesterday about 5pm and am totally worn out!

We had a great time while we were up there and here are a few of my thoughts from that trip:

• I hate driving in the mountains while it is snowing  (it snowed all the way from Asheville, NC to Gatlinburg).
• Van Rides with students are always fun...High Schoolers are way more quieter (and not as smelly!  Sorry Middle Schoolers, but your van smelled aweful!).
• I love sleeping in a King Size bed...I just wish my wife was there with me.
• Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is really a great place to take students.  The staff is friendly, the slopes are good, ski school helps, and processing is simple!  If you go, ask to see Rick Claude, definitely the best guy to talk to about skiing.  And if you want to take a group see Kathy Doyle, she'll hook you up.
• Don't eat the snow
• Our kids were awesome!  They were so polite, and really watched out for one another.
• CONNECT was a great theme for this trip.  Students really CONNECTED with God and with one another.
• I had the best volunteers ever!

Okay, after 2 really intense days of skiing, and after a day of driving I am half dead...so off to bed I go.

By the way, check out Ryan and Caleb's blog...

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Well, tonight we kicked back our student ministry in full  gear with a new series called Hmmmm...tackling some of life's most difficult questions.  What a night it was!  Here are some of my thoughts for tonight

• It was awesome to be back and hanging out with students
• Speaking on Creation vs. Evolution is kind of difficult but important, and my voice is nearly gone now.
• I'm kind of worried about next week's difficult question.
• I love "Name that Tune"
• I'm looking forward to some of the series that are coming up soon, and the time and effort we are going to be putting into them!
• Our annual winter ski retreat is just 9 days away!!
• We had a lot of students both in Middle School & High School tonight, but not all of our regulars were there...we miss you guys (Dylan, it was great to see you as well as the new ladies, Caroline & Hannah!)
• This morning in Big Church we kicked off our American Idols series!  It was awesome, Pastor Chris did an awesome job bringing the message & the band really did a great job with the music today!
• In just a week from Wednesday I will be heading up to Tennessee with about 30 teenagers for our annual winter ski trip...I CAN'T WAIT!
• I can't believe how much my Mom put up with me as a kid...I am so ADD & Hyper it's unbelievable!  I hope she feels sorry for Cyndi.
• I love students!
• We kicked off two morning services for our church today...9:30am & 11:15am, and it was great!  I cannot wait to see us continue to reach people who have never been to church!
• I can't wait to ski...matter of fact, I'm going to go and find my ski bibs, my gloves, my hats, and a few other things.

Have a great night!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Okay, I have a lot on my mind tonight, so bare with me and excuse my hyperactiveness.

• We had an awesome day in our Morning Worship Experience. We joined hundreds of other churches for the National Porn Sunday. Where we tackled the tough subject of pornography. Pastor Craig Gross delivered a very impacting message! Check out his ministry: XXXChurch.
  
• I am very proud of our band at Coastal. They really are doing a great job, and are adapting to change very well! They are so awesome and committed to serving and leading us in worship.
  
• We had an awesome fundraiser today to help out with our ski retreat. The students did a great job selling tickets for our pancake breakfast and did an even better job serving. I really appreciate Ryan and Twila Sabin, Janie Nave, and Ricky and Teresa Spell for helping out and cook the pancakes.
  
• We had a decent crowd for UnderCurrent tonight as we finished our series, “It’s Not About Me.” The whole jist of this series is to get our students thinking outside of themselves. Especially if we are a Christians, life isn’t about us any way. Everything we do, everything we say, how we act and everything else should be to glorify God. We should be making Him known and introducing our friends to Him. I have really liked this series, but I am already pumped about our next one.
  
• Our next series is all about Parents (and their kids). We’re calling it, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” It kicks off on October 21. And it will be awesome. We are inviting our parents to come and participate with the students. Then, on the 28th we have a student speaker, who is speaking about Parents. Come and be a part of this awesome series.
  
• I am really excited about our LIFEgroups (student small groups) starting on Oct. 17. This is a Wed. night and we will be beginning with our High Schoolers. They will be meeting at Ryan Spell’s House!
  
• I’m really happy that Michigan won this weekend! Kinda hoping that Detroit would have one today, but not too disappointed.
  
• Cyndi’s really happy that Notre Dame FINALLY won.
  
• I love Grey’s Anatomy and hopefully will have a few clips for my message next Sunday.
  
• I am really ticked that LOST isn’t coming back on TV till Jan. BUT at least their won’t be any reruns when it finally starts.
  
• A church I’ve been paying attention to is getting some flack on CNN. I think this church (The Gathering Church) is really trying to do some awesome things, and reaching their community in Tennessee. Check out the CNN video and the drama that its sparking here.
  
• I wish people would STOP PLAYING CHURCH! I really wish people would realize that the church should be influencing the media and our world. We’ve got to grab the attention of people because look who we are competing with...

Well, that’s about all in my head tonight, off to bed I go!

Totally Amazed!

All I can say is WOW!!!

Yesterday, Cyndi and I did something that a lot of church staffers don't do. We went to another church. Actually, we left right after our church's morning worship service and took two of our students with us and drove three hours to Anderson, SC.

We arrived a little after 4pm and so I drove them to the church just to see the facilities. Well after driving we decided to go to the Youth Facility called the 2seven. This is really a cool facility and it pumps me up to get our youth center up and running.

Well we arrived to the 6pm service at Newspring and immediately my wife, and our students were blown away, just by their facilities. They spared no expense on their kids and students. As far as the worship service went let me just say WOW...WOW...WOW!!!! Incredible worship! Creative!

During the service, the goalie for Clemson's soccer team got baptized!! Whoooo hoooo! It was really awesome to see a lot of the team their supporting her, and they had signs! How awesome is that! Newspring is holding a baptism service this Saturday but what I think is really cool, is that they are having a tailgating party before hand. How awesome is that! Why not hold a tailgate party? I mean seriously if we do it for football (which no longer matters until my Wolverines win again) why not for Baptism!! Christians should throw the biggest and best parties in the world!

Perry Noble, the senior pastor at Newspring Church, spoke on Baptism. He said what it is, what it isn't, and really made it applicable. Perry also revolutionized Chrisitanity...by that I mean this, he stated that today many Christians try to make being a Christian to hard. Jesus made it eaasy, and he made it easy by saying FOLLOW ME. Christianity is responding to Jesus's command to FOLLOW ME! It's not about rules, do this, do that, etc... FOLLOW ME!

Well, the service rocked and I love what Newspring is doing. No, I don't want to copy them, but definately use them as a resource. And for all of you bloggers out there that have been knocking Perry and Newspring get over yourselves!! It's not about you. It's all about Jesus, and if you have ever been to one of their services you would realize that! Stop criticising because people are coming to a saving relationship with Jesus...Lives are being changed!

Check back here for more notes and thoughts later this week!!