chazzdaddy

Archive for December, 2008|Monthly archive page

get it freaking on.

In church planting on December 31, 2008 at 5:01 am

come on…now that the holidays have slooowed a bit…help a brotha out. check this conversation out, hit the comments and let’s fly with it.

let me know what would be good to discuss and talk about in this leadership community. your thoughts are key to what we do. impress me with your amazing insight and bright ideas. let me know what you want to talk about in ohhh9.

whether you are a fellow pastor or staff person or an attender at NH or elsewhere…what can we talk about? this blog is equal opportunity for all.

and by the way…may I be the first to wish you a: HAPPY NEW YEAR! here is my toast to you:

keep kicking butt and taking the Kingdom by storm as we work together to see the great commission fulfilled RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE CALLED TO BE. stop making excuses…let’s rock this thing. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN 2009 and BEYOND? Don’t pansy out after a few weeks. DISCIPLINE YOURSELF.

whether your church is small or big, rural or city, well resourced or poor, encouraged or discouraged, traditional or contemporary, ugly or pretty, you get the picture. whether you are a Christian with little experience, lot’s of experience, fired-up or ready to give up, scared to take the next steps or taking big strides. DON’T GIVE IN! THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

please…the KINGDOM is counting on us all whether you have a blog, website, big church, small church, no church (like me in a couple months), whether we are well known or unknown, liked or disliked, hip or backwards, new believer or seasoned, manager or worker, healthy or sick, moving up or trying to dig out…

come on…keep the fire burning, keep your Spirit hot, screaming and teachable. most of us are just ONE big prayer and/or idea away from major break-through (and I don’t just mean in your attendance or in your “blessing” in life.) DO IT. STEP OUT. ROCK IT. if He has called you to it…He will see you through it. (cheesy, but flipping true).

hang in there. we are all in this battle together. let’s watch each others backs as we: “FORGET WHAT IS BEHIND AND PUSH ON TOWARD THE HIGH CALL OF GOD in CHRIST JESUS…cause we are not battling FLESH AND BLOOD.” (–Paul in the epistles.) sometimes we win, sometimes we lose…sometimes we get beat up, sometimes we kick some tail.

and by the way…don’t worry, it’s not YOUR battle…it’s not your church, it’s not your family, it’s not your job, it’s not your checkbook…but for whatever crazy reason, we were called to be a part of the battle, part of the story, part of the GREAT REDEMPTIVE DRAMA…yep, you and me and those we serve, those at the cubical next to us, those at the desk beside us in school, those who live across the street that we need to go start a relationship with. we aren’t just puppets held up by the great puppeteer. GET IT! sorry if your theology was offended. or not really. OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE IS WAY MORE THAN A BEST-SELLING BOOK.

it’s been a wild few months for me and our CHURCH (and i bet the same for you, come on…) and I tell you this: Whether or not it is me at the healm…that is NO MATTER…it’s not about me, it’s not about you. it’s all about HIM. this is HIS church, HIS mission, HIS future. HIS story of redemption and grace. He has something perfect for New Hope, for US, and for YOU…RIGHT WHERE HE HAS CALLED YOU TO BE! It looks a little like this:

WE SEE THAT HE HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR PAST…WE SEEK HIM EARNESTLY IN THE PRESENT…BUT DO WE REALLY BELIEVE HE IS ALREADY STANDING IN OUR FUTURES? He’s just standing there waiting on US.

so…whether you are a Pastor, lay worker, attender, or not even convinced about this whole Christianity thing…get on it…HE WANTS TO USE YOU. how freaking cool is that?

dang it…let’s stick with it. eternities are counting on it! get your knees dirty and get it on!!

who’s with me?
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THE STICKS regionals website is up and running…you won’t want to miss this gathering. have a few tweaks and videos to add…but ready to reserve your spot for ohhhhhhhhhNINE!

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/resclassic/2961959549/

small towns/church plating ideas?

In Big Church-Small Town Church Leadership, church planting journey on December 29, 2008 at 5:01 am

Hey all! I am totally enjoying some downtime, including this on-line sermon from family church in pj’s today (watch this…it was amazing…and will help with some innovative ideas for helping people find their service and calling).

So far, it has also included this movie and this man fest getaway night with my brother’s-in-law while here in Motown tomorrow night. And on Tuesday, our family is heading downtown Lord-willing, to serve at this place together.

Tiffany and I are resting after a crazy year that we have seen more amazing things than ever at New Hope, and we know that God has amazing things in store for NH and for us as we seek HIM fully. Rest is KEY to staying passionate! “Divert daily, withdraw weekly, abandon annually.” (Rick Warren). I live by this theme…do you? If not, you are heading for a hard crash!

So…for oooooooooooooh-9, help me here…since I have been rolling in small towns for awhile and since we are planting again…what are some things that you would want to read here that would help you in your leadership journey in small towns or church planting?

Hit the comments and let me know…would love to have a community conversation that will help everyone and MYSELF (or mySELPH, ’cause my boy needs help) in the process.

Blessings all!

what should I read when planting a church?

In church planting journey on December 27, 2008 at 5:01 am

Great question. Besides theology and other older and newer classics that are well worn, here is a sampling of what our team will be journeying through:

THE BIBLE. Anyone worth their dust will read the Bible cover to cover many times. I am working chapter by chapter through the OT. I am currently in 1 Kings. And I don’t mean reading when you are studying for a sermon or small group.

Leadership:
*21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Maxwell
*Developing the leader within you. Maxwell
*Developing the leaders around you. Maxwell
*Courageous Leadership. Hybels
*Good to Great. Collins (there is also one written for the non-profit sector)

Spiritual Growth:
*Into the Depths of God. Calvin Miller
*The Sacred Way. Tony Jones
*The Forgotten Ways. Alan Hirsch
*Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Jim Cymbala
*Prayer Series. C. Peter Wagner
*Humility. CJ Mahaney
*Dig into the church structure of Mars Hill, Seattle. Elder/Deacon/Etc. I think there is a book coming out on this, or is it out? They seem to have a nice grasp on the topic, especially when dealing with multi-site churches as well.

Church Planting:
*Planting Fast Growing Churches. Stephen Gray
*Planting Missional Churches. Ed Stetzer
*Simple Church. Ranier
*The Present-Future. Mcneal
*Attend “First Steps in Church Planting Seminar” Taught by Yours Truly or Someone else.

What would you suggest we add to this list?

so happy.

In church planting journey on December 25, 2008 at 5:00 am

That TODAY the SAVIOR was sent for ME. I don’t deserve it.

That I have an AMAZING family, ALL of them, extended and immediate. I don’t deserve it.

That I serve an AMAZING church family and also know great people like YOU who are passionate about spreading the GOSPEL. I don’t deserve it.

And I am so happy that this year via the Advent Conspiracy, this was the most GOD HONORING Christmas we have ever had. I pray yours is and will be as well.

Merry CHRISTmas to all of you!

____________________________________________

I will be on vacation for a couple weeks. I might post some, I might not.

One big thing to watch for: I will be talking about the first area(s) that we have been called to go to and PRAY about a region for planting a church as amazing as this one here @ the HOPE.

While I am excited, my heart is still hurting as we absolutely love the GIFT of being called to THIS PLACE to share the LOVE OF JESUS with this amazing group of people in Loudonville, Ashland, Wooster, China and beyond!

pic: http://flickr.com/photos/jennyromney/323793917/

Christmas Eve: this is worth reading just for the picture.

In christmas on December 24, 2008 at 4:58 am


You don’t want to miss tonight’s worship of our Savior. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about. We are on the EVE of something crazy that blows my mind every year.

I promise you that you will be turned inside out in the spirit and truths of what HIS COMING to earth really meant.

I have been MESSED UP studying what I am about to present tomorrow night. And the rest of the celebration and reflection is simply amazing as we posture ourselves to celebrate the coming of our SAVIOR. Are you ready or rushed? Hurried or stilled? Anxious or expectant?

Now, go invite someone (send an e-vite off our web, make a call, send annoying e-mails, faxes or telegraph). Seriously. Right now. And pray. Yes, right now. DO IT.

People will meet the KING OF KINGS…and you will be pushed into HIS presence. And PRAYER is the weapon that catapults us there.

See ya tonight…Loudonville (3/5/7) Wooster and Ashland 7pm. Details HERE.

[pic ht: Jud Wilhite]

it doesn’t matter.

In are you kidding me?, politics on December 23, 2008 at 5:01 am

I wish to elaborate, but I won’t. You can’t win for losing. Trust me, I am a pastor and if you are too, you know you can’t please everyone all the time. As a matter of fact, just pleasing one is a victory. I usually can’t even win with my wife :)

I am tired of hearing about Rick Warren being chosen to pray (and I haven’t even been listening much). First, the conservatives were mad at Rick for actually being in front of the world and praying to our Holy God, because of course you should only pray for those who are exactly like YOU and Republican. (Doesn’t Scripture call us too: 1 Timothy 2:1-4? Read it complainers).

And now the Gay and Lesbian community is mad because Rick was chosen and they are mad at President-Elect Obama. Why? Because Rick believes the Bible teaches that marriage is only for a man and a woman.

This is why politicians get nothing done. They are forced to pick people who are walking middle ground instead of people who are really the movers and shakers who will get things done and tick people off sometimes. (Man, I get accused of that many times:)

But in God’s power, I believe myself, our team and our church is getting it done as best we know how in the power of God. And sometimes we get yelled at too. I am called all kinds of things all the time, so much so, I am not sure what I am anymore. I have quit trying to figure out the whole helpful vs. hurtful as much as I used to dwell on it. People will never fully buy into everything. We just need to push them to Jesus as best we can and try to come out alive on the flip side.

The media needs something to talk about, and the day everybody is happy, look around: you won’t be reading blogs, because you are obviously in HEAVEN.

Go find Jesus, fall at His feet and sing a hymn or chorus, wear a robe or jeans, electric drums, trap drums, pr satan’s drums, hold up your hands in worship or just sing from your heart, say “forever and ever” or just “forever” at the end of the Lord’s prayer, and ask Him to preach to you expositorily or topically…whatever, get used to it.

what say ye?

what?

In church planting journey, Devotional on December 22, 2008 at 5:01 am

One of the constant things I am asked is: How did you have crazy success 3 times in planting? First, of course, I didn’t…I truly am Spirit-led and without our great God and great team, none of this would have been possible

But one of the most important things I can zone in on is that: I am always learning, growing and pushing to make things happen for the Kingdom. No excuses. If God gives the vision, we will do EVERYTHING He asked without cutting corners…When we don’t, we see less impact. When we do: WATCH OUT!

Not being afraid to say yes in the face of insurmountable challenges, and not being afraid to say no or stop or change course as you learn and grow is also a key. Whether a church planter, a banker, a teacher, a student, whatever and wherever God has you in His story…don’t forget that. This isn’t just for the “professional” clergy. HE has a vision for ALL of us!

I just had a friend who was pretty wild like me in High School stop by recently. He has been radically changed by Christ. He wanted to say how proud he was that we were stepping out, and then he told me he was going to take a HUGE pay-cut because he felt God was calling him from his great engineering job to teach math to kids at juvenile detention facilities. ONLY GOD.

The disciples must have been overwhelmed with their marching orders…and so am I. But to push through and not fear, to always learn, grow and push yourself and your team to the limits with the sole goal of seeing HIS KINGDOM COME is one huge life lesson I have learned. And not being afraid to change course along the journey is the ultimate X factor. Stop/observe/re-orient/move…from week 1 of the Advent Conspiracy teaching.

huge disappointment.

In christmas on December 21, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Worked 2 days in bed to prepare this weekends message only to have it flipped on me. Ended up in ER with complications from the big V last week. After our announcement, I so need and want to see my New Hope family as I missed last weekend too.

I was so on no matter what this weekend, even if I had to go to the ER afterwards and show video Sunday, but it absolutely was killing me to the point of dizziness. Pain meds are my only help outside of much prayer right now.

1 simple request: I will be preparing to teach Christmas Eve and will do it at all costs. It will take an army to keep me out of there. Please pray this thing heals up over the weekend.

With all of the ministry that happens on Christmas Eve and the salvation’s and touch of God that will happen, please stop and pray that I will be ready to go. God will use this for HIS honor and glory. HE knows what is best and a huge shout out to Pastor Tim for stepping in at the last minute. Quick thought: Me teaching on narcotic pain meds would be a freakin’ trip though.

I have the most killer thing planned that God laid on my heart for Christmas Eve and I can’t wait…thanks for the prayers! Now…get out there and invite everyone you know to whatever campus you come too! Let’s rock all our campuses to the core this Christmas Eve…this my friend is what CHRISTmas is all about. Put your parties on hold, and help start a party in heaven.

ouch. a must read 2 minute post for all of us.

In Spiritual Growth on December 19, 2008 at 8:17 pm

“GET OFF THE NIPPLE” POST FOUND HERE.

you’ve never heard anything like this before @ NH

In christmas on December 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm

I can honestly say that you have never heard a message like this before @ New Hope as you will this weekend.

It will be hard for me. I love this place, and this is tough, but we must be obedient and practice what we preach. That doesn’t make it any easier on us or many of you.

In life’s hardest decisions come the greatest passion.

I promise this weekend will be right from my heart. This message has less script, more heart and I think it will be a blessing like no other.

Come and bring a friend. Let’s celebrate CHRISTmass together.

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