Weekend Reflections April 30, 2006

This has been an incredible weekend! Here are the highlights…

Friday night was supper with some friends at Sullivan’s. I am doing their wedding in a few weeks and Lucretia and I wanted to get with them to hear their story about how they met AND to hear how they both came to know Christ. All in all it was an incredible conversation–we spent almost three hours eating and talking. AND…of course I got desert…AND they did to…AND they did not finish theirs…AND I could NOT just sit there and let it go to waste! (I have no shame!)

Saturday’s run was awesome–seriously, I felt like Forest Gump! I took off and wound up doing 12 miles in 1:43:38–that’s moving for this big boy! I have no desire to do that pace for the marathon, but I just “felt it” on Saturday. This coming Saturday is my 20 mile run–PRAY HARD!

After the run I can home and watched the Houston Texans make one of the dumbest decisions in the history of the NFL by passing on Reggie Bush…just my opinion! (WOW–I miss football so much!!!)

Yesterday at 5:00 was one of the most incredible things I have experienced as a pastor–BAPTISM at NewSpring.

I pulled into the parking lot and there were–GET THIS–people tailgating! It was AWESOME! They had a grill and a sign that said, “honk if you are getting dunked.” I walked over and chatted with them and my buddy Nick said, “If people do this before football games and celebrate nothing–why not do this at church and truly celebrate new birth!” I AGREE…and I think this should be a new “tradition” at NewSpring.

We baptized 117 people–there is NOTHING more moving than seeing 117 people say, “Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord.”

One of the things that moved me the most was a conversation that I had before the service even began. When we built NewSpring we had a service where people wrote the names of people they wanted to see come to Christ on a card…and then we placed those cards in the area where we were going to one day baptize people and poured the cement for the pool over them.

So last night I walked up to my friends Scott and Lindsay–their daughter Micah was getting baptized. I told Scott how excited I was about this and he looked at me and said, “Yeah–we are too…we’ve been praying for this…her name is in the cement.”

I nearly lost it right there! I have a knot the size of a golf ball in my throat right now just writing about it…but that’s what it’s all about. We have a church that lifts up the name of Jesus and challenges people to reach friends and family members for Christ…and people…God is doing something amazing!!!

Last night I received an e-mail from a friend who asked me to consider reading his new book and then post a review on my blog…I was incredibly flattered and hope to have it done by the end of the week–this is so cool…my first book review! (You can pre-order this book here if you are interested.)

Today the message was AWESOME at NewSpring…I can say that because–well–I didn’t speak. I had a former professor of mine, Dr. James Emery White, come and give a talk on the Davinci Code. Let me just say that it is the single best presentation of the errors and fallacies in Dan Brown’s novel that I have ever heard. (You can listen to it here if you would like.)

As I said today at church–DON’T MISS THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!! Remember our first Wednesday service begins at 6:30 and it will be off the hook! If you have ever seriously dealt with worry or stress then trust me…you need to show up! (Uh, that would just about include everyone I know!!!)

One more thing…and my heart goes out to my boy for this one…but Gary and his crew had an “interesting” experience over the weekend–you can read about it here. Gary–dude–I understand about ideas looking good on paper but then not coming out quite the way you had planned them.

Ramblings From My Couch April 28, 2006

I love Friday mornings…they are really relaxing for me. Right now I am sitting on my couch and just wanted to share several thoughts…

Some have e-mailed this week asking how lunch with Andy Stanley went–it was awesome. Andy is not a “Christian celebrity” who feels the world needs to revolve around him…he is humble and very thankful for where God has him in life. I asked him questions about leadership…and he took an interest in me by asking me some questions and challenging me on the way I think about things. I loved that!

I read this in my quiet time this morning…uh…wow…for those of us in the ministry who may think God has given us a difficult task…I think we can pretty much shut up now! (Keep in mind that this is not God’s affirmation on streaking…this was a three year deal!!)

We have a 12 mile run in the morning…12 miles…it is sort of a downer…I mean, after running 18 and all. Oh well, it will be fun! Next week we are going to do a 15 mile run…I believe we are going to do the one where we run to Clemson. (I am actually going to do my 20 mile run that day…I will run from my house to NewSpring and then will meet up with the crew and we will run to Clemson from there. Anyone up for a run to Tillman?)

The next two Sunday’s at NewSpring are going to be awesome. I am not going to say a lot about this Sunday except for the fact that I am more excited about this message than any message so far in the Davinci Decoded series.

And next Sunday (May 7th)…let me go ahead and say NOW that if you have a friend or family member who does not know Christ…who thinks Jesus is not real or relevant to the culture we live in today–GET THEM TO NEWSPRING THAT DAY! We will be concluding the Davinci Decoded series and I promise it is going to be one of the most creative presentations of the Gospel in the HISTORY of our church!

And Mother’s Day…wow…more insight coming on that this weekend.

Oh yeah, let me say it again–First Wednesday is happening THIS COMING WEDNESDAY! Folks, trust me when I say that if you haven’t made it to one yet–this would be the month you want to show up. Do any of you remember the first message I did in the series entitled “Wonderbread?” We did the thing where we went into outer space and looked at different planets and stars…well…let’s just say that we received so many comments from people who “would love to see that again” that we are going to use some aspects from that message–yeah, you don’t want to miss this one!

I hope all of you have an awesome weekend…mine will be wonderful! We have baptism tomorrow night…it looks like we have 108 people registered to be dunked! If you have never seen a NewSpring baptism then come on out at 5:00 tomorrow night!

Have an awesome weekend!

OUCH April 27, 2006

This mornings run was…uh…ouch…ok, back to writing–this mornings run hurt.

First of all let me just say that we had a total of THREE people (including myself) run today. WOW, the crowds sure do get a lot thinner when the runs get more challenging! :-)

Anyway…we are on about mile four and are running down a huge hill. (For those in Anderson we are running down Bellview & hitting 81.)

Well, the light is green…but all of a sudden we see it hit yellow. I look to my right and left and traffic is lined up both ways. Now usually we hit this light and sort of work our way through traffic. (I sort of feel like I am in a live game of Frogger!) BUT today we were actually going to have to stop.

So…I made a split second decision and said, “I think we can make it.” (I know–that’s not smart–but I really get a rush out of this stuff!) And so I kicked it into high gear and flew across the street.

Small problem–my body was not designed to “kick it” into high gear; in fact, I can’t really kick anything except for people who get near my food!

So right in the middle of this “sprint” I felt this golf ball thing in my left hamstring & I thought, “That’s not normal!” As I slowed down I realized I had done something to my hammy…it wasn’t hurting…but it was letting me know, “Hey stupid–don’t do that again–EVER!”

I had this thought after finishing the run, “Why didn’t I just wait for a second on the stupid cars to go by…it wouldn’t have killed me.” The answer is one we all give at times, “I just don’t have a lot of patience!”

So why are we always in a hurry? Why do we always have to be going at the speed of light everywhere we go? And parents–I have seen you teach your children this…you hurry them to eat supper, hurry them to get their bath, hurry them to bed, hurry them to get ready for school, and then wonder why they seem to be a little stressed.

Being rushed makes us mean people. I get angry when people pull out in front of me…and so do you. BUT WHY? WHY does this happen…simple–because when someone pulls out in front of us it delays us five seconds from getting to where we need to be…HOW DARE THEY! But what if we were not in such a hurry–I honestly believe it would not matter that much.

We are in a hurry everywhere–at the grocery store. (Come on now–how many of you count the number of the items of the person in front of you in the 10 items or less line…and then get angry if they have 11?) And (this is for the true time freaks!) how many of you, when you come to two line open and they look about the same length, pick one–BUT you mentally mark your place in the other one to see if you would have gotten through the line faster…and if you would have made it through faster in the other line then your day is ruined.

Why do we do this to ourselves? We are in a hurry–we can’t slow down…and then we wonder why the voice of God has grown silent in our lives. Simple–God tells us in Scripture, “Be STILL and know that I am God.” In other words–there are times in our lives when we have GOT TO CHILL OUT and not be in a rush.

I was reminded of that lesson a few hours ago–the hard way!!! OUCH!

Some Thoughts About Youth Ministry April 26, 2006

I am so pumped! Our youth team has asked me to be the speaker this year for our church youth trip to Panama City…and Lee McDee will be leading worship all week.

I LOVE TEENAGERS! I spent eight and a half years doing youth ministry and I have never forgotten those days; in fact, I still have a notebook full of Bible studies that I used to teach. (No, you can’t see them; in fact, after looking at them I am surprised ANYONE came to the youth groups that I led!)

(On a side note–it is an incredible privilege to have three people on staff that were once members of my youth group! Can you believe that–they knew me and still wanted to work here!)

I’ll have to be honest though about my feelings when it comes to youth ministry–and BE WARNED, I have strong opinions about this stuff (big surprise!)

It is my personal belief that youth ministry gets the short end of the deal in most churches. Let me give you an example.

In the first church I served in our youth budget for the year was $500. Please read that again–$500! Let’s be honest…most churches spend more money on someone to clean the restrooms than reaching teenagers.

When a youth group wants to go on a mission trip what does the church tell them to do? Sell doughnuts or wash cars! In my opinion that is pathetic…and as a pastor I have promised our church that our kids will not do fundraisers.

Why?

Well…if I can be real honest (and I can–it’s my blog) I think it is incredibly hypocritical for a church to make the youth raise money for a trip–but when the senior adults want to do something that will impact the kingdom in an incredible way–like travel to the mountains and pick apples–the church covers their cost. I say if the youth have to raise money–so should the senior adults!

Folks–I am tired of the church merely giving lip service to youth ministry!

I am tired of the churches that have more money in their cemetery fund than they do in their youth budget.

I am tired of the church that gives the youth crappy facilities and then tells them to deal with it and be thankful.

I am tired of the church that will spend more money on stained glass windows and hymnals than youth events!

And finally–I AM TIRED of hearing church leaders who say, “We need those youth in here–they are the church of tomorrow!”

WRONG ANSWER! If you have ever said that then please apologize to God for not thinking before you speak. They are NOT the church of tomorrow…they are the church of TODAY! They matter TODAY! They need Jesus TODAY! They need to be involved TODAY! The church that says they are the church of tomorrow will wait until “tomorrow” to reach them…and by then it will be too late!

Why am I so passionate about this? Just the other day I read an estimate that around 4% of today’s teenagers will have a relationship with Christ before reaching the age of 18. PEOPLE–FOUR PERCENT! WE NEED TO WAKE UP–these are the people who will be leading our country in 20-30 years…and if you think things are bad NOW–just wait until we have a generation that does not know Jesus in leadership!

Youth ministry can’t be an after thought in a church–it must be a primary focus. I remember a senior adult one time in a church asking me why I was so passionate about reaching kids, “After all,” she said, “they don’t give.” I wanted to go off–I wanted to say, “If who and who does not give is the standard for reaching people then a lot of people are going to hell!”

Pastors–in order for a youth ministry to be successful–YOU have to drive it. YOU have to be passionate about it. YOU have to fight for the ministry to have the resources…if you make the youth minister go and ask for everything that he or she needs then you are a pathetic excuse for a leader. One of the things I had at my last church was a pastor who would make sure I had what I needed to be successful (thanks Bill!) Pastors–YOU have to make it happen.

AND…if people get offended–then so be it. If they leave–then so be it.

Oh yeah, when I say you have to drive it…I mean hire the right people…give them the resources they need…pray for them like crazy–BUT DO NOT micromanage it…ask questions but do not try to keep you hands on everything that has to do with the ministry.

I love teenagers! LOVE THEM! One of the coolest things about NewSpring is that we have teenagers all over the place–they are involved–they greet on Sunday’s…the work with our children’s ministry–they feel like this is their church (it is!)

And our parents–they love it!!!

Whew–I am tired now! That’s about it! I can’t wait for our trip in June–if you are a teenager then make sure you get signed up ASAP. You can get a form from Alden or Sandy at youth group…or you can pick one up here at the church this Sunday!

Tuesday’s Random Thoughts April 25, 2006

I am a LOSER husband!!!

Pray for Lucretia…she has what I had over the weekend! I HATE seeing my wife sick! It’s all my fault–just call me “Mr. Virus” for the day!!!

Tony Morgan included me in his podcast last week–you can listen to it here if you would like. Granger is going to actually allow me to be a part of their conference this fall…pray for them!!! I am excited about going to Indiana…BUT…I understand that they do not have sweet tea…it is a sacrifice–but I think I can do it!

I am heading to Atlanta in a an hour or so…I know, I DID go there last week to have lunch with someone–but this week I have another unique opportunity…I am meeting Andy Stanley for lunch. You don’t understand how exciting this is for me…I believe Andy is the BEST communicator in America. (You can listen to/watch his messages here.)

About four years ago I made a list of the top four people I would love to have lunch with and ask questions to–they were, (in no particular order), Ed Young, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, and Bill Hybels.

So far I have been able to meet with Ed, John and today–Andy. But Bill…well…I am not having a lot of success in this area so far. If someone out there in blog world knows Bill then tell him that a redneck from Anderson, SC would LOVE to meet with him and ask him questions about leadership–AND that I am willing to buy the meal. (He’s always looking for a free meal.)

Some might ask, “Hey Pastor P, why did you choose to meet with these guys?” It’s simple–I always want to get around people who have been where I want to go. I want to hang out with people who have been successful and ask them tons of questions and gain wisdom from their experience. (I believe Proverbs has tons to say about this!!!)

It’s the same in life really–if you want to have a successful marriage then you should hang out with people who are having a successful marriage and ask them questions. I seriously don’t think people should seek wisdom on marriage from single people (THEY ARE SINGLE) or people that are on their fifth marriage!!!

If you want to be successful financially then you should seek the wisdom of people who are successful financially…that means quit asking your bankrupt friend with 17 credit cards and two mortgages on his home if he thinks you should buy the new bass boat!

Ask the right people the right questions to get the right answers…that is a quote from Ed!

Ok–so I ran this morning…the first time since being sick. Trust me–I didn’t blaze a trail–but I didn’t throw up either. (WHAAAAAA!)

Oh yeah, I totally forgot to send a shout out to the women’s soccer team from Clemson! I had the privilege of meeting these ladies this past Sunday morning & it was awesome!!! They didn’t want to talk about their record from this past fall–but we did talk about how they all wound up coming to NewSpring. It seems that one lady on the team began to come–she invited someone who invited someone who…well…you get the picture. So now most of them attend–LESSON–INVITE PEOPLE TO CHURCH! :-)

Oh yeah–more on this later–but “First Wednesday” in May is going to be one for the books…I will talk more about it Sunday.

That’s about it for now!

A Change of Plans April 23, 2006

So this weekend was ANYTHING except for ordinary!

I had it all planned out! First of all I did no cardio on Friday because I wanted to save my legs for the 20 mile run on Saturday. I took it easy all day Friday & it was so nice! I had planned to get up and run the big run on Saturday–the weather forecast was calling for rain (and thunderstorms–I love running in thunderstorms!) so I was excited–THEN I was going to go with ‘Cretia to her 10 year college reunion at Sullivan’s here in Anderson! (I LOVE THEIR FOOD!) And then, of course, I was going to get to preach on Sunday.

But–I had a change of plans. Did you know there is a stomach virus going around? I DO!!!

Friday afternoon I began to have this feeling like, “I am NOT hungry at all.” (Which, if you know me, is NOT in my normal line of thinking!) Lucretia and I went to supper on Friday evening & I knew I needed to eat something because of the run the next day…but I could not even finish my plate. (Once again–unusual!)

After we ate we went by the church to check in on membership class & as I was standing around talking to people it HIT ME like a brick. I literally felt like I was about to throw up–right there–all over the dude I was talking to. (I can just see it now, “Thank you for joining NewSpring–whaaaaaaaa!) I am not sure that is how you spell a throw up sound–but you get the picture, right?

So ‘Cretia and I left and I came home and laid down on the couch…I figured if I could just stay still then I would not lose anything–WRONG! Let’s just say that the next several hours were not pretty…did you know the toilet flushes in a counter-clockwise motion–I do because my HEAD was in it! After the last time I thought, “that has got to be it–there is nothing left in me.”

Boy was I wrong!!!

Not to drag the story out–but I lost eight pounds! (This is a fact–I weigh the day before a long run & so I weighed before and after the “excitement” in my life!) So–needless to say–I did not run Saturday morning! (I know–what a wimp!) All I did was lay around the house. Lunch consisted of fruit and Gatorade. (If all I had was fruit–you KNOW I was sick.) And get this–I didn’t go to Sullivan’s!!! Can you believe that? I had already paid and everything–but I just could not go. I could just see it, “Yeah, I’m Lucretia’s husband and the pastor of NewSpring–WHAAAAAAA!”

BUT–I began feeling a lot better about 2:00 this morning and knew that I would be ok! I normally stand in the lobby between services but I just could not do it today because I didn’t have the energy! However, TODAY was the perfect example of the fact that HIS strength is made perfect in our weakness!!! Praise God He still uses cracked pots like me!

So I said all that to say this–many times our plans change. I have to keep telling myself that I can’t control my circumstances!!! LIFE happens–and the bad things that happen usually do not call ahead to make sure that we are not too inconvenienced by all that is going on. So–when life happens…are you going to get bitter or get better?

I chose to get better this weekend! I chose not to get bitter over the fact that I didn’t get to run–even though I REALLY wanted to. (By the way–my legs are REALLY fresh again!) I chose not to get bitter over the fact that I missed an excellent meal at Sullivan’s. (By the way–I was able to get a lot of rest and go to bed early.) I chose not to get bitter over the fact that I didn’t feel 100% today when I stepped on stage. (By the way–God is always at 100%, no matter how I feel!!!)

Plans change–circumstances change–life happens…how will you let that affect your day today? God is still God whether you are looking into a toilet (WHAAAAAA) or looking at the unemployment line! He is not limited by our circumstances! I was reminded of that fact this weekend…He reigns! Things that seem to be over our heads are under His feet! So don’t let circumstances get you down. Even though your plans change–God is still God! YEAH!

So What Do We Do Now? April 21, 2006

We had an excellent question posed to me yesterday via e-mail concerning the number of salvations we have recently had at NewSpring. This person wanted to know now that these people were a part of the kingdom–what are we going to “do” with them.

Disciple them–of course!

HOWEVER, my thoughts about discipleship and the traditional thoughts of discipleship are VERY different.

Traditional views of discipleship say, “teach them to act and think just like you.” I think a Biblical view of discipleship is, “Teach them how to completely fall in love with Jesus.”

We provide opportunities for a person to grow in their walk with Christ at NewSpring–our “Basic Five” Bible study is an excellent opportunity for someone to really get a handle on the basics of Christianity…and we have other Bible studies going on as well.

AND–I think one of the MOST neglected forms of discipleship is a Sunday worship service. We try our best to make sure that people leave with something new–something they have never thought about before–something they can apply.

I believe a key to being effective in discipleship is for a pastor to present Biblical information with practical application. In other words–if all people are getting in church on Sunday’s is a history lesson then that is not true discipleship!

AND–one of the things we also do at NewSpring is rely heavily on the Holy Spirit. I sincerely believe that it is the churches job to provide growth opportunities and to challenge people to mature in their faith; however, in doing so I think there are times when we try to “out do” the Holy Spirit and do not allow Him time to refine and reshape someone’s life. He can do more in five minutes than we can do with five hundred classes.

One of my very first posts was on discipleship–you can read more here if you would like!

ONE MORE THING…

Don’t forget that this Sunday we are returning to our normal service times – 9:30, 11:15, and 6:00. WE ARE NOT DOING A SATURDAY SERVICE!!! Remember, that was a one time deal. And this Sunday we will be looking at the questions, “How reliable is the Bible? Is it full of myths and legends? Can we be totally sure that we are reading what was actually written?” It’s going to be awesome!

AND…John Maxwell’s assistant confirmed it yesterday–he will be speaking at NewSpring this fall! I can’t wait!!!