chazzdaddy

Archive for October, 2009

Worship Wars on My Blog…

In Watch This, worship on October 30, 2009 at 4:54 pm

So people are hitting me with different versions of REVELATION SONG after I posted another amazing version earlier this week. So, I tracked this suggested one down, and DANG. WOW.  SMACK. I keep listening over and over in this coffee shop and I know people must think I am weird as I am bobbing all around with my mac on my lap.

If you need a lift toward the throne this Friday...turn the lights down, center yourself on Christ, CRANK UP THE VOLUME and sing like you are freaking saved while in the shower with no one around but Jesus.

If you have others that will make me tear up which is a VERY RARE thing…just being real with you…hit me. We’ll put ‘em to the test.

this will give you chills…

In Watch This, worship on October 29, 2009 at 6:01 am

Love me some REVOLUTION SONG. Totally about my GOD. The amazing team @ New Spring might have pulled it off better than anyone. Great video and audio for this beast. I just keep playing it over and over. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

are you scum?

In Spiritual Growth on October 27, 2009 at 3:28 am
“ If you don’t need the Gospel more than the people you’re sharing it with, you ought not be sharing it with them.”
 
Dan Allender, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Mars Hill Graduate School
[ht/http://www.blainehogan.com/] 

Clerk Shares Her Faith and Prays with Robber. This is Faith Lived Out.

In Watch This, prayer on October 22, 2009 at 5:28 pm

Did you see this? I don’t even want to say what fully happens…but MY JAW FLIPPING DROPPED several times during this report.

As a former cop…I would have busted a cap in someone pointing a gun at me…BUT THIS IS TRUE FAITH IN ACTION!

 ”A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [john 13.34-35.niv]

Spill Your Seed.

In Wooster Campus, church planting journey, evangelism on October 22, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Got this message on Facebook this week.

Lesson here in advance: YOU MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT FRUIT YOU ARE BEARING…SO KEEP CASTING SEED!

No matter if you have started a campus or just a conversation with someone at work…your SEED matters, and rarely will you get an e-mail or letter about it. But one day…you will receive your inheritance for your faithfulness. 

It is amazing to get a glimpse of this while on earth. This person who sent this to me lives out of state, which makes it even more amazing to me:

__________________________________

Hey Charles… get this!

___________, my 15 yr old niece is going through “stuff” as only 15 yrs olds can. She’s starting to show interest in spiritual things and asked her mom if they could find a church.

Yep. And they went yesterday…to New Hope in Wooster. ;)

_________ loved it and __________ [her Mom] said she’ll take her every Sunday she wants to go.

Pray with me, wouldja’? This could be the start of some real hope that’s been missing for a long time: a first for my niece and renewal for my sis.

Your efforts are bearing fruit…even after you’ve gone. How cool is that?

Just a reminder that what you’re doing matters. Thanks for bringin’ it home. :)

____________________________________

Update on Pastor Dave Anderson and XPT Church.

In Uncategorized on October 17, 2009 at 4:26 pm

If you did not read this FIRST REPORT, please do so.
Pastor Dave is out of the procedure room and was found to have no major blockage. He is resting comfortably with Dana and should be released home sometime late today.

We PRAISE GOD for this report and for answering our prayers the way we wanted them answered! Please allow Dave and Dana time to rest and recover by not texting, e-mailing, twittering, facebooking, etc. They know they are loved deeply, and we don’t want a bunch of work for them when they arrive home.

Cards would be the perfect thing right now, so go old school and buy one and use the real mail with a real stamp and get on it right now!

 There will probably be no other major updates until this weekend. See you at XPT this weekend with your friends…I’m telling you, people will be trusting Christ this weekend! Be there!

Special Announcement for Crosspoint Church and Dave and Dana Anderson Fans:)

In Uncategorized on October 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm

You might be asking, why is Chazzdaddy making a special announcement on his blog about Crosspoint?

It’s simple…Pastor Dave is not able to right now and he has asked me to keep the church informed. I would post this on his blog, but he is more secure than the pentagon. So here we go…

A ton of amazing things have happened at Crosspoint this past year or two. Growth from around 200 people to over 500+ every week. An amazing building project that is being completed FULL THROTTLE as we speak [it's under water, but once it dries...the steel is heading up!]. Revolt Student ministries killing it for Jesus. Wells being drilled in Africa [don't forget this weekend to bring your bottles!] Tons SAVED, BAPTIZED and LIVES ARE BEING CHANGED! This will continue, and THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Here is the issue. Dave has been working 2-3 jobs to support the biggest bi-vocational church in the country that we know of. This has taken it’s toll physically. Dave has had numerous physical issues this year and in the past that have led to even greater stress on his hunk of a sexy body. Back to serious…Dave was scheduled for a heart catheterization today in Decatur. The Dr’s. have found some abnormal results and seek to take a closer look at why he is having chest pain.

Last night, while doing his best to take the staff out on a Christmas get-away he scheduled long ago, he suffered chest pains and difficulty breathing while in Memphis. Dave was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Memphis, TN with Dana and the staff at his side. All heart attack tests were negative, and he was admitted last night and they are performing the heart cath to see if there is anything wrong as we speak. I just got off the phone praying with Dana and we are awaiting the results in a few hours.

Before all of this happened yesterday, Dave called me on Tuesday and at his request I was asked to gather some of his pastor friends to walk alongside the staff in any way possible in the short-term to help Dave and Crosspoint to continue to go to the next level and at the same time allow Dave to get the much needed physical rest that he must have to meet the demands of a growing church.

By his Dr’s. orders, his pastor friends nagging him, the staff knowing this rest is needed and himself, Dave realizes that he needs to take a time of sabbatical to rest physically and to seek the Lord spiritually for the next steps at XPT. He’s such a tough dude that he would just walk right back in, and that is not a good idea per Dr.’s orders.

I had already been asked to come in this weekend by Dave and as I did last summer, to advise and work with the staff to develop a plan while Dave is out on sabbatical for an unknown amount of time. The amazing XPT staff will carry the load as they do so wonderfully every week! Myself and some od Dave’s friends will help in any way possible as well! We love Dave and XPT! Dave simply needs some time to heal up. Nothing more. No juicy stories, no grievous sin, nothing of the sort. Just rest.

Dave MUST rest to overcome this season and as many of us [myself included] a sabbatical is a season that is necessary for the Sr. Leader every 4-5 years. Dave is way overdue and if Crosspoint is going to welcome the hundreds that WILL come to the HOUSE OF ROCK this year, then he must be at the top of his game and in step with the Lord along with the staff. God rested a full day. Jesus got alone all the time. In this crazy, hectic world of Dave working too many jobs, it’s time to get alone!

And yes, plans were being made between Dave and the financial team that oversees the church finances [The Change Group/Casey Graham] for Dave to go full time next year and to add a much needed Teaching/Assimilation Pastor to the team to handle all of the growth that WILL BE COMING and ALREADY IS! I know that I am excited as I know how much this addition to New Hope helped myself and the church soar to new heights!

Dave’s pastor friends will be working with the staff to plan and program the church over the time that Dave is on sabbatical. The Crosspoint staff and the volunteers are some of the most outstanding people that I have ever been around, and if you were not, we could not help assist you from afar. THANK YOU for stepping up and being the radical people of God that you are.

Dave could go on vacation for 2 months and it is not the same as allowing him to go on sabbatical where he can focus on physical and spiritual well-being. A time where EVERYTHING is taken off his plate and he can hear from God as he heals up.

The load has been lifted from Dave and Dana and after my time off following a very similar physical issue, I came back and led New Hope bigger, better, stronger and wiser after the time I spent away with the Lord. A SABBATICAL IS A NORMAL THING FOR ALL KICK-BUTT LEAD PASTORS. We just wish it didn’t take a physical issue to give Dave some time off to seek the Lord and to physically get well.

Here is the skinny: I will be coming to Crosspoint under Dave’s and the staff’s request to work with the church and staff to prepare for this sabbatical. I will be there this weekend to speak to you all and work with the staff during Dave’s time off. This weekend’s service is going to be off the hook…trust me. We transplanted Yankees can get it done as you well know:) So don’t miss it! We will talk about Dave and Crosspoint a little bit and Jesus a lot.

DAVE WILL BE BACK! Better than ever. Ready to take the next mountain as he takes some time to get well and spend time on the mountaintop with Jesus. We will be providing teaching pastors every week until Dave returns and Crosspoint will be better than ever! The staff and I have been in dialogue for 2 straight days and the external Sr. Pastor team who do this every day are well aware and have been in this situation before. We know what it takes to see this through and we will be there for you all each step of the way until Dave returns! I praise God for the team of staff and leaders outside Crosspoint that love Dave, Dana and each of you beyond belief!

XPT is not about 1 person, 1 ministry, 1 vision. It’s God’s church, and the leader he put in place whom I love with all of my heart [and his amazing wife Dana who needs our prayers] needs to step back for some time of healing.  

People will be saved, baptized, join the church, be set free, the list goes on and on…we are not stopping this assault on Northern Alabama! Jesus is alive and his heart is still working just fine. It’s HIS church! Nothing will change! Dave and Dana are 2 of the most amazing leaders I know ANYWHERE, and this is NOT a sign of weakness, this is a sign of God needing to take XPT to a new level through Dave being alone and being with God as he heals up! Satan doesn’t mess with people who aren’t making much of a difference and Dave, Dana and you at XPT are making a huge difference!

It is up to us right now. We can cower and question and wonder and whisper. Or we can carry on as Dave and our Lord would want! This did not take God by surprise. Are you in? Really? Come on…let’s get it done. From Perry Noble to Mark Batterson to Bill Hybels, Rick Warren and myself [yes, I don't belong in that list:] every one of them had a point where we learned that when we are physically drained, it’s time to take a sabbatical. All of us came back knowing how to not get to that point again, and better leaders than ever taking our churches to new heights! So, Dave is in great company.

I am excited to see you all this weekend and will be praying about those who will come that need Jesus this weekend as we bring it. Also, next weekend [December 27th] don’t forget there are NO WORSHIP SERVICES as we are honoring the XPT volunteers and staff. You will have the chance to worship with your family at home…amazing stuff!

January 3rd, we have the privilege of having Michael Lukaszweski from Oak Leaf Church preach at XPT! I just saw his outline this AM and it is going to be quite a day! He is a dynamic lead pastor who is killing it in Georgia and a great friend of Dave’s. Every week you will be rocked by God’s Word and those who we will bring in to teach. If I could be there the whole time I would, but you will see me 1-2 times at least and we will be providing teachers to carry the load and the staff will keep bringing it as they always do. What a chance to experience a variety of voices speaking into your lives!

XPT will not stop rocking it for Jesus…and we must respect Dave and Dana during this time of rest. Please try to allow them to rest by not sending e-mail, twitter, texts, etc. Dave and Dana need to rest. Feel free to drop them a card, I know they would welcome that right now. [SO GO GET ONE AND FREAKING SEND IT OLD SCHOOL]…anyway. If your need is urgent, please contact Jack Alford, Kevin Burns, Becky Alexander or myself and we will relay the urgent need to Dave if necessary.

NOW…LET’S PRAY! No, don’t grab your cell to call someone, stop right now and pray for them both and for XPT as we seek to see many saved this weekend! If we can pirate his blog passwords we will update you on his blog if we can, or here again if we have not cracked that hackers codes yet. Watch twitter and facebook for updates from any of the staff or myself.

Here is all we need to know to close:

SATAN SUCKS…JESUS WINS.         EVERY TIME.        The end.


“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!” [1 john 4.4.nasb]

Throwing the Book of Mormon on the ground.

In church planting journey, community outreach, evangelism, lds faith, love on October 14, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Are you serious? This is what I was talking about on twitter/facebook last week during the LDS General Conference and the reason why those outside the faith lend us an ear and take us seriously.

While I do not agree with LDS doctrine, nor the Book of Mormon…is this really an effective way to spread the love of Jesus?

In response to how “the others” go about their business as you will see below: Next year our team is going to go to the LDS General Conference [THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of people are there...] And SERVE our LDS friends. Many of those attending are our friends, neighbors, co-workers and school mates to our kids here in Utah. Real people with real lives, who really are a part of our lives.

I would venture to say that this man doesn’t know 1 LDS person in “real life” in an “real relationship.”

We hope to hand out free drinks, etc. and just show the love of Jesus while other idiots are showing their “love” like the below video. [click here for video if not below.]

We will also make signs to stand by people like this that say:

We are sorry for this ———————>
“You will know them by their LOVE.” –Jesus


And NO, I am not joking. Wow.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Are we doing the right thing? What is happening in YOUR culture to turn off people to listening to the radical love of Jesus where YOU are called to be salt and light?

The WORST, BEST thing has ever happened to us as a family.

In church planting journey on October 13, 2009 at 6:01 am

Just to throw this out: When God asks you to do something, it usually comes with a price. If it doesn’t…you probably aren’t doing much for His kingdom.

So as we are approaching month 10 of this calling, I wanted to give you a brief review of what has transpired the last 10 months. It can be described like this famous line: “It was the best of times…it was the worst of times.”

1. We left our best, dearest, closest friends and family to answer the call to go to…where was that? Utah? Really? We left an amazing church that God allowed us to be a part of starting. A place that will forever be near and dear to our hearts. We may never pastor a church like that again. We love and miss you ALL at NH and in our community!

I can’t even describe how hard it is to talk about what God us from…it was the worst, best thing that has happened to us as a family…and we STILL trusting that HE knows best! We miss and love you all with all of our hearts. You will never be forgotten.

2. Somehow between our move to where God was leading us, we ended up in a very surreal place called Decatur, Alabama. Thankfully they tolerate Yankees now and we survived the stay:) Once again, we fell in love with some amazing people at an amazing church that is kicking butt big time. No really, they are. And they were like a sweet balm to our souls as we were grieving our loss.

They took us in as family, and those are not just words. Thanks Dave and Dana and our XPT family! We learned so much while there…and made some friendships that will last a lifetime! We also found out they had a pretty good football team too! ROLLLLL TIDE! We love and miss you too!

3. After another sad goodbye following our 4 month interim in Alabama, we packed with one goal in mind. See next pic. It was on. NO turning back.

4. After a really, really, really long road trip…we made it to that place described in Genesis 22: “Take your [family] and go to one of the mountains I will tell you about…don’t worry, you will know it when you see it.”

Little did we know at this time last year that we would be leaving all we know and love to head to a foreign place outside of Salt Lake City, UT! So we did what were were getting used to…we unpacked again in a strange place.

5. As our family [that's their shadow heads] marched up a mountain to overlook the Salt Lake City area and beyond that we were called to…this “dark night” began to lift and we began to see more clearly what our mission was all about.

Partnerships with great churches like K2, and beginning to get out into the community [the pic below is the girls U10 Softball team that I coach...and this Saturday we will take home the crown...mark my words.] There are some great people here, and many who need Jesus.

5. There were even some people as CRAZY as we were who heard the call to join us in the calling to Utah. There are still some who are not with us yet…and our family will grow over the next few months…we wait for you!

We are in it to win it…for “no one who puts His hand to the plow and looks back is worthy of the Kingdom of God…” –Jesus

THANKS brothers and sisters for becoming a family to answer the call on our hearts. Words can’t express what you all mean to me. Those here, and those who will be here soon.

Oh yeah, and we even started battling enemies like Rocky the Bull Moose.

Rocky does not like Church Planters…as you can see by his charging of us. Not sure who was dumb enough to stop for that photo op as we ran pretty fast in the opposite direction.

 

Good thing we have a leader who is as powerful as King David and he took care of the situation. [Yes that is really a dead moose. It just might not be Rocky. That might have been a stretch.]

6. Our staff hiked up into the mountains to chart the beginning of our journey for our first “lead team meeting”. I shut my mouth and listened, learned and together we formed some foundation for what God was asking us to become.

We then carved a memorial into a tree to mark the day. [I hope that is legal in a National Forest...good thing we were a ways off the beaten path.] These guys get it, and we truly love one another. Something great is once again forming.

7. I am loving life as I am networking, raising prayer and financial support and serving our community as much as I can.

I also am still loving training other church planters like in this pic I took a top the Space Needle in Seattle recently. I am also jacked about the team of leaders we have running THE STICKS ministry. Such a needed gathering in our world today.

I am learning and growing through being coached myself, and coaching others not to make the same mistakes I have made. I am loving the calling God has placed on my life.

8. I owe so much to my amazing wife and kids…who have been a part of this calling and who gave their support since day 1. I wouldn’t choose to do it without any other group of people in the world.

Thanks guys…I love you more than this calling.

 
Yep…we have a huge challenge ahead of us as we write the next chapters of this story God has called us to. 22+ cities out here do not have 1 NON-LDS CHURCH in them [no disrespect to our LDS friends]. That blows my mind. But that is why we and our team are here. That’s why we were called to join the work out here and leave it all behind.

Thank you for being a part of this. You say…how am I a part?

Want to know how? WE NEED YOU IN MANY WAYS! Go HERE to learn more. SIGN-UP for our newsletter that will continue to chronicle our journey. We are 17 people away from 1,000 people on our Mission West newsletter update list. The 1,000th person to sign up gets something special from us…so go there now and sign up!

Thank for your prayers and for OBEYING the CALLING THAT GOD HAS ON YOUR LIFE wherever you are, and wherever you are headed. It’s a big calling for you and for us…and don’t forget that satan will not be happy with your OBEDIENCE. So when you feel down…do what I do and look at this picture and tell satan what he can kiss:

If we figure this one thing out…we will change the world.

In christian unity on October 12, 2009 at 12:00 am

No matter what state I have lived in [Indiana/Georgia/Ohio/Florida/Michigan/Alabama/Utah]…it is elusive.

“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” –Jesus in John 17.21

But we are to BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS. RIGHT????

They USE DRUMS. They LAY HANDS ON EACH OTHER. They READ HARRY POTTER. They don’t HAVE COMMUNION EVERY WEEK. They SPEAK IN TONGUES. They DON’T SPEAK IN TONGUES. They PEE STANDING UP [inside joke for some of you].

Did Jesus come for those things…or to usher in HIS KINGDOM? To SEEK and SAVE the lost. Sorry…I might not see eye to eye on many things, but if you are in the business of SEEKING AND SAVING THE LOST…who am I? [many of you will cringe at that...] And yes, I believe in good theology, but good theology to me is what good theology is to you. Follow?

When we fight. When we compete. When we snicker. When we talk. When we write letters to the editor. When we post signs in front of our church about another church. [ummm, yes, even the last 2 happened to us at New Hope]…nobody wins.

It looks a lot like this video below to the world…and they stand back…chug a beer, laugh and cheer us on BECAUSE WE ARE KILLING OURSELVES RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES!

When HELL jumps on your back.

In Devotional, Watch This, prayer, spiritual battle on October 10, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Many times we don’t even know, think, BELIEVE that HELL is all around us, ready to take us out. 



We are in a BATTLE. We are in a WAR for our hearts and the hearts of our families. Many times we are on fire and don’t even realize it. We are caught up in attack, caught up in a slippery slope, or just immersed in sin totally unaware or aware and we are OK with it.

That’s why we must stay connected TIGHT with our Savior. That’s why we need a team around us. That’s why we need accountability. That’s why we need a BAND OF BROTHERS or SISTERS. To have our backs, to point out sin, to steer us in the right direction so that when EVIL ATTACKS, God can do what HE PROMISES and use it FOR GOOD!

“11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” [Ephesians 6.11-13.niv]

 ”22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” [Proverbs 15.22.nlt]

We still need some WARRIORS for this LIFE AND DEATH team. ARE YOU IN?

Breaking Church Planting Rules–Part 4

In Spiritual Growth, church planting journey on October 8, 2009 at 6:01 am

We will focus on BUILDING LITTLE CHURCHES more than BUILDING THE BIG CHURCH.

This is going to be one of my favorite rules to break. At my first church plant we had a “ton of people” for a small town in 4 campuses. But one thing we fought from day 1 [contrary to popular opinion] is the SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROCESS. The hard thing that hinders this is that “big church” came with regularity every 5 days [we had Sat. night services]. And people EXPECT to be “fed” and “engaged” and well, “entertained” in their public worship.

We never quite formulated that “killer plan” for growth. We tried a ton of things, with varied “success.” From classes to retreats to seminars to plans to small groups. Why is it that creative arts/worship/programming people are a dime a dozen these days, but the equippers, the thinkers, the spiritual developers are as scarce as a Bengals playoff victory [just wait :].

I was at Kensington Community Church when I was introduced to Alan Hirsch, an amazing “thinker” and “provoker”. It was for a “small groups conference.” He said 1 line that set off a nuclear explosion in my mind. He said we must look at small groups as “little churches.” Those 2 words were all that I needed.

And when they operate that way TOWARD EACH OTHER [love, care, prayer, giving, growing, outreach, serving, etc.] the church will explode as she did in Acts 2.

Equipping our leaders to be “pastors” of their “little churches” will forever change what I am called to do [Ephesians 4]. Why have a “meals ministry” and a pastoral “care team” and a big church “serving day”. Why are PEOPLE not caring, praying, serving and taking meals to EACH OTHER? Because we are used to professionally doing this through the TRAINED CLERGY PROGRAM.

Explosive growth happened at the GRASS ROOTS LEVEL. With the COMMON MAN and WOMAN. The gospel has spread for centuries and even in communist China through EQUIPPING LITTLE CHURCHES. Equipping the saints. Each one of us becoming a united FORCE in OUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE and not just for an hour on Sunday.

That is what we are going to do as we kick off this thing in Utah. Starting with ALPHA GROUPS, they will morph into “mission communities” or “little churches.” Instead of planting “A” church, we are going to plant hundreds hopefully. From pubs to cafes to libraries to parks to wherever we can find a crowd of people who are hungry to seek the truth…we will engage with a “little church.”

And don’t worry…we have not forgotten how well people can worship and learn about Jesus in “BIG CHURCH.” You can’t have one without the other…but that’s a different post and I don’t want to tick off all the house church people that I got really excited with the first 75% of this post.

“BIG CHURCH” just can’t be our every focus or one day you will look back and see Christians that are tossed and blown by every wave that comes as James tells us. The hard work of equipping must begin from the top down. We must model it and live it. [We held our first group this past Sunday night...it was amazing...true friends who actually love and care for one another in community.]

So next time you ask me about light boards, stage trussing and marketing…don’t be surprised if I ask you about “little churches” and truly structuring everything we do around them and letting BIG CHURCH flow out of LITTLE CHURCH. That’s mobilization…that’s power…that’s Christ-followership that will STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

And  stop being a HATER. I know what some of you are thinking…I’VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS! Well, the moment we are dominated by a mentality of spiritual growth is the path to CHANGE THE WORLD, we stop caring about those around us who are going to HELL and we are right back to SQUARE 1.

I could find many pastors and elder’s and seminary prof’s and some very deep people who have probably led no one to Jesus in YEARS. Where’s the love? Where’s the balance? There is NO SUBSTITUTE for the GREAT COMMISSION that includes both: REACHING and TEACHING!


“We can only live changes: we cannot think our way to humanity. Every one of us, every group, must become the model of that which we desire to create.” –Ivan Illich in The Forgotten Ways

Breaking Church Planting Rules–Part 3

In church planting journey, community on October 7, 2009 at 4:01 am

We will focus on LOVE and RELATIONSHIP more than TASKS.

At some of my previous ministries, we were so focused on TASK, that RELATIONSHIP was relegated to 2nd priority. No time for that stuff. Work is work, and we are working for the KINGDOM AFTER ALL…right?

But you aren’t supposed to be FRIENDS and INTIMATE with staff, members, etc. Right? Keep it professional? [the great debate...]

The way I see it now is that you will more than likely get CRAPPED ON by both anyway, so go ahead and RISK the INTIMACY. It will pay off in the end, at least that’s what Scripture says [see verse to follow at end]::

I have built safe guards around my heart after being burned in the past. That’s Satan’s plan. To scar us so that we don’t allow TRUE COMMUNITY/INTIMACY to reign and rule. To have an atmosphere of FEAR instead of FREEDOM. That starts with the leader being vulnerable and creating a culture of TRUST, and your team and congregation following. I’ve not always done the greatest job at that, just to be real.

Our current team has VOWED to become a BAND OF BROTHERS and SISTERS at ALL COSTS. Professionals won’t come to your rescue when you have been attacked. Trust me on that one. A BAND OF BROTHERS will.

I am willing to take that risk. Why? I believe that not only is this Biblical community, but it is a line to tap into God’s power. Devotion to one another ushered in God’s power.

[They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.] Acts 2.42-43

Breaking Church Planting Rules–Part 2

In Spiritual Growth, church planting journey, fear of man on October 6, 2009 at 4:01 am

We are going to FEAR GOD more than we FEAR MAN.

And that begins with ME. Most people think I am a cut-throat, type A, take no prisoner’s personality. The simple answer is that I can be when I need to be, but I am not at heart. Don’t mistake preaching passion for personality.

I am stuck with this diagnosed PEOPLE-PLEASER tag. That has gotten me into a ton of trouble as a leader in the past and has cost me some serious heart-ache.

I always want to keep everyone happy, and keep all sides equalized. I see the glass as half-full. I see staff members who need to move onto a different calling as a work in progress that of course I can help change. I see dissenters as people who will see the light eventually.

That has cost me and the ministries that I have been a part of over the years, big time.

Instead of getting down to business…which I can do with the best of them…I prefer to keep the false peace and pray for the best. Not a good thing, and after all, almost 100% of the time, the TOUGH call I/we had to make was the RIGHT call. You can see it months or years later.

We know what GOD wants us to do. If not, you shouldn’t be the leader. Step down.

As leaders, we have to accept that some people will take us off their Christmas gift list, un-friend us on Facebook and speak bad evil about us being the anti-Christ and/or power-mongering, control-freaks.

So what. Do what God asks you to do. Jesus was loved so much He was hung on cross.

[The fear of GOD is the beginning of WISDOM.] Proverbs 1.7

Breaking Church Planting Rules–Part 1.

In Spiritual Growth, church planting journey, prayer, spiritual battle on October 5, 2009 at 9:04 pm

We are going to focus on PRAYER as much as we focus on PROGRAMMING.

Admit it…you need to as well.

I certainly have had staff complain about too many staff meetings, how long they are, how much work they have to do…but I can’t remember 1 person who made a big deal about the amount of time we spent in PRAYER. Or asking for their load to be lifted so they could pray more.

Should we have to “make time” to pray?

I’m guilty. I want to ATTACK THE LIST every morning when I wake up.

I know first hand that our lives are much less powerful when we do that…living in an attitude of constant prayer as we live our daily lives is POWERFUL and our days are EFFECTIVE.

Our team is committed that we are going to give it our best to SHATTER THIS RULE.

[The prayer of a righteous person is POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE.] James 5.16

We’re Going to Break Some Church Planting Rules…and My Liver.

In church planting journey, prayer, spiritual battle on October 4, 2009 at 12:13 am


*I do not recommend this series for everybody…so think hard before being adopting blindly.

Correction: PRAY and LISTEN and OBEY hard before adopting. Plan to crank out a 5 part series on how God is leading us to break some church planting rules in Jesus name.

**Still room on this TEAM if you are brave enough. We need a few more warriors.

Thanks for all the prayers for our families and myself this week. 8/9 of our household [Hills/Stakes] were down with the flu, and I got it severely where it affected my liver and I had to be hospitalized for 2 days. Out now and back at it, resting well [don't worry...I'm fine :]

***p.s. // Do you think it is a coincidence that the exact day I started getting very ill, was the EXACT day that I posted the request for INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM MEMBERS?

A few years ago we started a PRAYER SERIES @ New Hope, and I went into the hospital, and this amazing pastor who took the reigns that weekend preaching was carted off by the squad. You make the call.

After further review :: // We’re in a battle. And we will win, but none the less, we fight.