Archive for June, 2006
Why A Benefit Concert? June 30, 2006
Tonight the NewSpring band will perform at 7:00 at the ampi theatre located at the Civic Center. Last year they did a concert there to raise money for hurricane Katrina relief…and this year they are doing to concert as a way for our church to pour into local missions.
Two of the local organizations our church supports both through prayer and finances are Anderson Interfaith Ministries and the Crisis Pregnancy Center. As I have said earlier…tonight’s concert is being completely paid for by NewSpring–and EVERY dime given will go straight towards these organizations–NewSpring will not be taking any money.
I am so thankful for both of these organizations. I have personal experience with A.I.M. (Anderson Interfaith Ministries.) When I graduated college my father and I moved into a one bedroom apartment. (I had a mattress on the living room floor & allowed him to have the bedroom.) It was really all we could afford as he was on disability and I had a job making $16,000 a year.
When we moved into this apartment we could not afford to get any of the utilities turned on. I am not trying to be overly dramatic here–but we were flat broke. We went to A.I.M and they assisted us financially in getting power for our apartment…and water. I will never forget their generosity.
This organization helps so many people in our community by providing food, clothing, assisting with getting power cut back one, back to school supplies for kids who may not be able to afford it…and the list goes on. This concert will hopefully raise a lot of money for them…and bring an awareness to our community in regards to all that they do.
The other group we will be raising money for is the Crisis Pregnancy Center here in Anderson. I believe in this ministry and what they are doing…and I am glad we have it here to assist with the mothers who feel hopeless and may not want to “keep” their baby. This committed group of people assist these young moms, provide them hope, provide them with supplies such as formula and diapers…which if you are a parent then you KNOW how expensive these things are.
And this organization is serious about life. They want to see the baby given a chance and not murdered in the womb. I am so thankful for this group…and tonight is a way to draw attention to them and to pour resources into their ministry.
Hope to see you there tonight–it’s going to be awesome.
Network Update June 29, 2006
Wow–yesterday’s meeting was awesome! I would love to say a huge “thanks” to the people who came and were a part of the brainstorming session…your input was priceless.
We are going to begin the network…after what I heard yesterday–it’s needed. We want to do all that we can to help as many as we can. I honestly feel that we can protect others from making many of the same mistakes we made.
AND–we can provide a sense of community. Being a pastor or a church leader is lonely–despite what other people may say. And the fact is that when you are doing well in a community you are ostracized by most of the pastors there. I remember John Maxwell saying once, “The fact is that most pastors in your community would rather you run off with your secretary than grow a great church.”
So…to all who came…and to those out there who are interested–we are going to take the lessons we learned yesterday and put a plan together–we will be having another meeting either in August or September for those who want to be a part of the network.
E-mail us if you have any questions about this…and we will get back with you ASAP.
Is Your Church Red or Blue? June 29, 2006
WOW–election time is here again. Here in Anderson County we had a pretty heated mayors race…and the race for county council has been one of the nastiest things I have ever seen. I am serious–the only other place I have ever witnessed this type of behavior is when I was in the first grade and there was a massive fight about who was the better team at kickball.
Politics…you’ve got to love politics! Without this group of people–well, I am just not sure there would be any need for news networks.
And the way some churches embrace politics completely amazes me!
Now let me be very clear–as believers we are all called, no, COMMANDED by Scripture to pray for those who have the responsibility of leading us in our government. AND…I believe that every American, and ESPECIALLY every Christian, should vote.
However, I believe it is a sell out when a church embraces a particular political party. So when people ask is our church red or blue–I reply, “Neither–we’re purple–get over it!!!”
Seriously–Republicans and Democrats have been fighting for years…you have people like Dick Cheney on the right–Michael Moore on the left…and they can’t agree on anything except for maybe that buffet restaurants were a good idea!!! We can’t do anything good by immersing ourselves here.
Folks–the salvation of our country will not EVER be found in a political party…and our job as the church is not to lift up either the elephant or the donkey…it’s to lift up Jesus.
Here at NewSpring we will never get involved in endorsing particular candidates. That does not mean that I do not have friends in politics…I do. I enjoy talking with these men and women…but the majority of our conversations center around church, Jesus, and their faith and not how NewSpring can partner together with them to undermine the “evil” party that stands on the other side.
Is there right and wrong? Absolutely…and I am secure enough as a believer to challenge the people at NewSpring who vote to pray and ask God who HE wants to lead this country…if that happens then I promise He will lead you in the right way.
It’s our job to be passionate about Jesus! When it comes to leadership–I vote for Jesus! If a church takes a Sunday out to endorse a candidate or a party and they don’t talk about Jesus…then that church just wasted everyone’s time! People go to heaven because they know Jesus and not because of more social programs or watching FOX news.
Now about the issues…well…that’s a different stories. NewSpring will always take a stand on issues pertaining to Scripture. For example–homosexuality is not a political issue–it is a Biblical one, and we are on the side of Scripture here. Abortion is not a political issue, it is a Biblical one, and we are against murder. Greed is not a political issue, it is a biblical one, and so we are for generosity.
Why do I write this? Two reasons…
First of all to inform those who attend NewSpring that our church will always be about Jesus, lifting up Jesus, and challenging you to go and tell others about Jesus. I can’t waste people’s time talking about Washington DC. I believe every Sunday may be someone’s last opportunity to hear the Gospel…and God help me if I ever miss the opportunity to share His message because I want a particular person in power.
Second–to challenge other pastors and leaders to not go down the political road. Teach your people to fall in love with Jesus…NOT a political party. And then challenge them to vote and pray for the leadership of this nation. THAT is our responsibility as leaders. This does not mean you can’t have friends that are politicians…I do…and I am not ashamed of that. But never EVER use your pulpit to lift up any man other than Jesus!
Hey NewSpring–This Is What’s Heading Our Way… June 28, 2006
Don’t forget THIS FRIDAY NIGHT at 7:00 at the William A. Floyd ampi-theatre!!! Our band is going to be doing a benefit concert for Anderson Interfaith Ministries and Crisis Pregnancy Center…two local groups here in Anderson doing an incredible job at impacting this community.
Lee & the rest of the crew have worked really hard getting this thing ready…and it is going to be AWESOME! AND…there will be a fireworks show…A GOOD ONE! It won’t be me out there lighting roman candles…I promise!
And this Sunday–we are going to celebrate who God is and what He has done for our country…it will be the most politically incorrect sermon you have ever heard!!!
Oh yeah…this will be sad news for some–but we are not going to be having “First Wednesday” in July! However, we will kick it back up full blast in August…and we are already working on some things for that service that will be incredible.
On July 9th–let me just say–don’t miss that Sunday! God has laid a message on my heart that many pastors would not preach. It is going to be from my heart and soul…I wish I could preach it this Sunday! Can’t wait!!!
Creating A Leadership Environment June 28, 2006
I have an incredible team around me. It has taken well over six years–but I believe we have created an incredible leadership environment here at NewSpring…here are just a few of the things that the Lord has led me to do…
#1 – Do Not Put People On Your Team Who Are Just Like You!
I get e-mails from time to time from people telling me they don’t like me…and many times I agree with them, I don’t like me either! (WOW–that’s going to upset Joel Osteen!!!)
I looked around our lead team meeting this past Monday and it is safe to say that out of the 11 people in the room…none of them were just like me. I could not work with someone like me…I am amazed that the team I serve with can work WITH me at times!
In our team we have people who have different theological beliefs. (Let me be clear here…we differ on the minors–we agree on the majors!!!) We have different leadership styles. AND the opinions on how to do things often differ…and I love it.
#2 – Hire “Yes Men”
Got your attention? Good!
I only hire yes men! It makes things so much easier.
Oh yeah, I’ll bet your thinking they are MY yes men! Sorry…didn’t mean for you to misunderstand that, what I mean is these men and women say “yes” to God…not me.
Our attitude when we meet as a team to make decisions is “yes God!” I have made sure that the people in the room who make decisions are sold out to Jesus Christ…and if God says to do something we do it! And if you have people on your team that will compromise their convictions just to make you happy–fire them today! I am so thankful that the people I serve with do not have a goal of making me happy–they love Jesus and the church…and they say “yes” when He speaks to their heart.
One of the rumors that a staff member said that he heard before coming on our lead team was that I surrounded myself with “yes” men who I tell what to do and how to do it…that I am sort of a dictator and that the team is not willing to tell me what they think.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Just yesterday on two separate occasions I had some of these men tell me that a decision I had made was a bad decision!
The reason that some people might think that I run the show is that outside of the meetings–we are all unified. Seriously, you will never hear a staff member from our lead team say, “Well–they made the decision…I tried to talk them out of it…” No–outside of the meeting we are all on the same page once the decision is made…but inside the meeting…well–that leads to the next point…
#3 – Encourage Conflict
I love conflict! I love to see two people…or two groups of people…who are passionate about something and willing to defend it.
And man, have we had some conflict in the past. You would be amazed at how we go after issues, debate things with passion…and say what needs to be said. NOW…the conflict never gets personal–we never talk about another dudes mama or anything…we stay on the issue.
And…as a leader–when I say something OR someone else says something and I see a person in the room make a face…I call that out. I want all opinions on the table!
#4 – LISTEN To Those Closest To You
As a leader you understand that EVERYONE has an opinion on what you should be doing…and your church should be doing.
(It’s amazing how many people have ministry ideas that “God” put on their heart–but they want the church to pay for it!)
I made a decision a long time ago to listen to the people who are closest to me. There have been times I have wanted to do certain things…and the men around me have said, “Perry–we love you–but that is stupid!”
Just the other day I wanted to schedule something and my assistant said, “Perry–you can’t–you literally don’t have the time!”
A good leader is a good listener. If you find yourself not wanting to listen to the people around you then something is out of place. I hardly EVER make a decision without the complete support of our lead team.
Leadership is a process…and we are still learning–hope some of that helps!
For The Ultimate FREAK June 27, 2006
OK…some of you thought I was crazy for attempting a marathon…and you think I am EXTRA crazy for trying one this December in Kiawah.
Well…check THIS out!!! I have always been told to NEVER say that you will NEVER do anything…but I am about 101% sure I will NEVER try something like this!!! Who in the heck are these people–where do they come from? I just don’t get it!!!
An Encouraging Word To Pastors–SAY IT!!! June 27, 2006
I hate cats! I am serious…and I make no apologies for it. Cats were once worshipped in Egypt as gods…and they have never forgotten this. And no matter how much you claim that your cat is awesome–the fact remains that if your cat were bigger than you–he would eat you!
I often speak about cats & the fact that I dislike them–and so one night a dude told me that his friend was really offended by the fact that I didn’t like cats and because of that was never going to come back to NewSpring. (No…I am not making this up!)
I am not a Gamecock fan! I am serious–I cannot bring myself to pull for USC under any circumstances. I have had Clemson fans say to me, “Well…I pull for Carolina when they are not playing Clemson because…” It is right there that I tune them out because I know they are NOT true Clemson fans. A true Clemson fan remembers several years ago when USC went 0-11 and we smile every time we think about it.
I often speak about the fact that I do not like USC…and that the Clemson “rivalry” just isn’t a rivalry anymore because we keep beating them like a drum–and so one night after a service I was approached by a dude who told me that he was probably not going to come back to NewSpring because I had offended him by making fun of his favorite football team.
I can’t stand lazy men!!! And so…I often challenge men, especially singles, to get off their rear ends and get a job. One of the saddest things to me is when single dudes are either living in their moms basement and/or with other single dudes, have a part time job delivering pizza, and think they are going to be attractive to a woman who has goals and ambitions.
And so I often challenge the single men to GET A JOB! GET OUT OF DEBT! You know, things that will prepare them for marriage because it is the mans role to provide for the family. Just a few weeks ago on Father’s Day I challenged the single men with this…and after the service a single dude approached one of our pastors and said, “Perry basically just called all single women ‘whores’ because he made it seem like they wanted a mans money!”
(NO–they want to be able to live in something other than the spare room at the parents house and eat things other than Ramen noodles!)
Sorry…what I am saying pastors is this–you WILL be misunderstood…you WILL be misquoted…and you WILL be misrepresented. And those who talk about you the most know you the least! AND–what is REALLY bad is that they often seem like the majority. You simply CAN’T go a whole Sunday and NOT make someone mad–there are people who show up at your church EVERY week LOOKING for something to rip you apart on–I promise.
If you are a pastor then you TOTALLY understand what I am talking about. You work your rear end off preparing a message–you pray over it, study it, and then deliver it with fire and passion…and then there is that one person who always takes that one comment you made and completely blows it out of proportion.
And so what do many pastors do? They hold back! They don’t say what needs to be said! And not only having to do with cats and football…but there are pastors who refuse to speak about adultery because there are people in their church committing adultery. There are pastors who will not speak of abusing alcohol because there are people (maybe even deacons) abusing alcohol. There are pastors who will not speak about abusing food because–well–THEY are abusing food… :-)
What I am saying to pastors is this–PREACH GOD’s WORD and do not try to analyze every point and illustration to death. You WILL offend people…and there will always be “Monday morning quarterbacks” who can tell you everything wrong about your sermon. AND–I PROMISE–there will always be at least ONE person who takes something that you say & makes it seem like tons of people are mad at you–when that just isn’t the case at all.
I made a commitment when I entered the ministry that I was not going to be fake–that who I am in the grocery store would be who I am when I am on the stage preaching. I can’t stand FAKE preachers who have a FAKE voice and a FAKE smile when they get in front of people…and their only goal is to make everyone happy!
So…when I am on stage–I communicate in ways that people understand. I use strong language (which I am sometimes criticized for). I am Southern…and so I do not try to disguise my accent. And I say EXACTLY what God has put on my heart to say because I work for Him and not the people sitting in the seats.
I was reading the Gospel of Mark this morning and this all came together. Jesus taught some incredible stuff…love your enemy–turn the other cheek–you know, life changing stuff. But at His trial someone stood up and said, “He said He could tear down the temple and then build it up again in three days.” Point–they took something He said…blew it out of context…and eventually they crucified Him.
If they did it to Him they will do it to you!
That is why you MUST preach from conviction and passion! And you MUST say what needs to be said. You HAVE to hit the issues…and hit them in a direct manner…and make sure that people know exactly what you mean! It’s our goal to make things clear.
And one more thing pastors–do NOT get caught up in arguing with these people and trying to make a case for yourself…it will only lead to frustration on your part and give them more ammo! Stay true, stay focused, and say what needs to be said. Jesus did, John the Baptist did, Elijah did, and the list goes on and on…are you on that list?