Jul 01
I need to apologize…been out of the loop. Sorry about that. Had a lot on my plate and my mind so I’ve been in my shell…blogging-wise that is. Anyway, here is a bumper for when I spoke a few weeks ago on going old school.
Jun 21
been a pretty hectic week. I’m excited (and nervous) about preaching tomorrow. Both the nervousness and excitement are a part of it. If it wasn’t then I would be worried to be honest. All of it causes me to get on my face even more and ask that God would move in the lives of the people that will be there, that He would help me to communicate His grace and truth in a way that brings Him honor. Tomorrow, we’re “Goin’ Old School”. I would appreciate your prayers.
PS: the bumper for tomorrow’s message should be pretty funny, too. I’ll post it next week here on the blog.
Jun 16
Last week was very cool but man, I am wiped out. It began a week ago Saturday. Kim and I went down to Hilton Head and had some down time until Tuesday. She came back home while my week was just cranking up. We did the production for breakaway and wrapped yesterday (sunday). I drove back yesterday while Danny and Walter stayed to see Switchfoot. We had thought that we were going to get to do some production for them but all video for the concert got nixed earlier in the week. It’s a long story, but it wasn’t anything we did or didn’t do. Had to do with the promoter/booking stuff. I got pretty good sleep last night, but I am just wiped. It reminds me of the days when I would take students to youth camp or on a mission trip. those first few days are rough. Preaching this coming Sunday so I’m pretty pumped about that. May have to take several trips to Starbucks to help me through these next few days, though 
Jun 03
When I was beginning in ministry (I was a student ministry intern), I learned a valuable principle in raising up and training new leaders. Once you have either identified potential ministry leaders or someone has expressed interest in leading,serving or volunteering in a ministry area, here is a process in passing the batton so that they are ready to begin ministry. This might be stating the obvious, but it has been helpful to me:
1. I lead
2. I lead, you watch
3. I lead, you help
4. You lead, I watch
5. You lead
Now obviously in there are conversations, reviews and ways to improve. Hopefully that is helpful in thinking through a system and process for volunteer and leadership training.
Apr 28
We used this Sunday during Phillip’s message on being World Class locally. An example of a woman who opened up her life and made a huge impact in the life of one young man:
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Apr 24
wow..you have got to check this video out. This is a must for leaders, minister, Christ-Followers..period.
Rick Warren Interview
Apr 18
How would you define “World Class”? What does it mean to be a World Class Christ Follower? Be at CCC starting this weekend for this new series.
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Apr 08
I was reading Batterson’s blog this morning and I think the guy has been reading my thoughts. Seriously, I have been thinking about this for the past two years:
You see the shift in current sermon message styles and even in newer worship music styles. Here’s my hypothesis:
The seeker sensitive shift that occurred in the 1980’s (starting with Willow Creek, Saddleback and others) was to have worship experiences where those that were unchurched or had been burned by the church could come, hear about the Love of Christ in a way that was non-judgemental. The idea was that people would not become theologically aware until they become environmentally comfortable. I agree with much of that sentiment. There is much good in that.
The danger in that is that some pastors, and I don’t think it is a majority, but some have backed away from preaching the full counsel of the Bible and have soft served key teachings that might be offensive. Words like “sin” and “repent”, words that are in the Bible are often winced at and instead the temptation is to replace them with words and phrases that are more….palatable.
What I see among churches that are experiencing growth, that are reaching the unchurched, are impacting rising generations, and that are becoming leaders in new and innovative ministry are those that 1. chose to do ministry in ways that are creative, innovative that push the boundaries of “we’ve always done it this way” 2. communicate the Gospel and God’s Word in a way that is honest, real, challenging, sometimes confronting, and relevant.
The shift that I see and that Batterson touches on is that while the seeker sensitive approach was in part due to a generation that had seen a church that was “bible thumping”, rising generations value authenticity, the real deal, and honesty. You don’t have to be “beating someone over the head” to show them the truth of scripture. I think it is not only possible, I think it is CRITICAL that if we are to continue to reach and engage the culture, we must communicate in our music, in our messages, in our communications, and in our relationships in ways that are real, relevant, Biblically centered, full of grace and love, and honest.
Mar 31
I setup a flickr account today for CCC. We have so many photos that we could share and flickr is an excellent way to do that. Here’s a slide show of some photos compliments of Bruce Hart.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Mar 31
This is the March 2008 version of Kidz Worship Live. These are shown in our worship service for K to 5th grade.
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