Archive for October, 2006
Erwin McManus October 31, 2006
Many of you know I made a list a few years ago of people I wanted to meet who I felt could really add value to me & the leadership God has allowed me to be a steward of…they were Ed Young, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, and Bill Hybels.
(The meeting with Hybles is looking more and more like a possibility–pray hard!)
I said I would not make another list until I was able to meet with all the men on my original list…but that has changed…because I would love to sit down with Erwin McManus and pick his brain.
For those who are unaware of who Erwin is…he pastors this church in Los Angeles. However, I would say that Erwin has had the most impact on my life personally through his writing…THIS BOOK is one of the top books of all time…it’s the only book that I’ve read & then had to read it again immediately. (And this book will cause you to want to charge hell with a water pistol!)
Erwin was at the A2 conference that Willow just put on but was not listed to speak…until Bill asked him on Thursday to speak on Friday…and he proceeded to get up and BRING IT! I want to share some of the thoughts that he shared with us…these will not be exact quotes…but nonetheless…they are challenging.
There are more people on the planet today that need Christ than ever before, over 300 million in the US alone, with experts saying that the US will have 400 million by the year 2040, and our churches are concerned with “incremental growth?” No wonder we are having problems!
How are we going to reach people across the world when we won’t even change our style of music to reach our own kids?
The opposite of a “come as you are” church is a “don’t come at all” church!
Most of the time the people who have not met Christ are way more honest than those who have met Christ.
Many times if you lead the attack for the cause of Christ…the spears thrown at you will come from behind you. (AMEN!)
It’s a tragic thing when Christianity exists without Christ.
The churches that look perfect–they’re dead!
Many churches have an “intimate” feel–but not in a good way. it’s sort of like when you walk in on someone making out…it’s intimate, but you just feel like you’re not supposed to be there.
DANG! Those are just some of the things he said…my hand about fell off because I was trying to write everything he said down.
So there it is–some Erwin quotes that are bound to be said at NewSpring in the future.
AND…if anyone can make the connection…if anyone can set it up to where I could meet this guy…you would be my hero!!! I know there are some readers in blog world that could pull this off for me…help a brotha out!!!
One more thing–NewSpringers…
#1 – Don’t forget tomorrow night is First Wednesday–be here at 6:30. (Remind everyone that you can!!!)
#2 – The service structure for this coming Sunday is going to be a little different…I would not be late!!! The title of the message is going to be, “How To Have An Affair.” Yes, it will be tense!!!
#3 – Yes, I will be tricker treating tonight…I love candy…and this does not mean that I worship the devil and am going to sacrifice kittens!!! (Bob has some awesome stuff to say about that here!)
Thanks!!! October 30, 2006
As I said in the post from last night…I was presented with a treadmill from our church for pastor’s appreciation month (are you guys trying to tell me something?)
However, the thing that blew me away the most was the video that our tech department put together, for those that were not here yesterday…this is what we all saw.
Thanks guys!!! Ya’ll ROCK!
Sunday Night Reflections October 29, 2006
I am sitting here on my couch getting ready for bed…but before I take off I wanted to share a thought or two…
October is pastor’s appreciation month…and so many of you have sent a card or an e-mail encouraging me…and for that I wanted to say thanks, it means more than you know.
But today the way all of you at NewSpring Church blessed me by showing appreciation and also giving me a treadmill was incredible.
I was thinking on the way home tonight of a conversation I had with a friend a year or so ago. He asked me, “So, Perry…what is your dream in life–what do you REALLY want to do more than anything else in the world?”
I thought for a second and then I nearly lost it…seriously, I almost started crying right there on the spot because I realized something…I was (and am still) living out my dream. I am doing exactly what God has called me to do…and would not trade places with anyone on the planet. I LOVE serving NewSpring Church!
Our church has seen an outstanding pattern of growth. At the beginning of the year, before moving into the building, we were averaging around 4,000 people–and both last Sunday AND this Sunday we’ve had over 7,000. (Today was 7,723!) Please understand…this is NOT normal–it would not be normal in Chicago or LA…but ANDERSON!!! This is GOD working and moving in an undeniable way!!!
You can download the message here if you would like…the message was about sex…the good and the bad aspects. WARNING…as I say in the message…if you are from a churched background you will probably find this message offensive because I say what people need to hear and not what people wish I would say!!! Don’t say you were not warned!
(Sure, we’ve been accused of being an “entertaining church,” which is actually a compliment. I would much rather entertain people that bore them…just being honest!) :-)
God is awesome…and is doing amazing things…but let me say that there is NO WAY this could be happening if it were not for the incredible staff that He has put into place…AND for the volunteers that literally make the Sunday experience happen! THANK YOU!!! People are meeting Jesus and being forever changed because of all that you do!!!
I am blessed…blessed beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I love this place!!!
A few more things before I close out…
DON’T FORGET THIS WEDNESDAY!!! It’s the First Wednesday service at 6:30…Lee & the band will be back…and it will be off the hook.
Props to the men who wore pink to show support for the ladies who have fought breast cancer. You can check out the pictures here from the first service, the second, and the third.
I have some more thoughts from the Willow Creek conference I attended in Chicago–but I am too tired to write about them right now. That’s about it–I am tired!!! :-)
Awesome Sayings From Chicago October 26, 2006
OK…this conference has been one of THE top conferences I have ever attended–EVER!!! I’ve been able to hear from some pastors and leaders that are from churches where God is doing some amazing things–people such as Craig Groeschel, Matthew Barnett, David Ireland, Gene Appel, and Mark & Nicole Conner. (Tomorrow I will get to hear from John Burke.)
As I said in my previous post–I have been stretched WAY beyond anything I ever imagined. I wanted to share some of the things that have been shared up here…and in no way does this reflect the entire conference…it’s just some of the things that have been said…
“There ought to be something in every church service that you don’t like…and you should be mature enough as a Christian to say, ‘I don’t like that personally–but if it reaches people for Christ then praise God!’”
“Weekend experiences should be a place where people can experience the power of God wherever they are in their spiritual journey.”
“If people showed the emotion about people stepping into a Christ less eternity that they showed regarding the way people dress in church then the world could be turned upside down for Christ.”
“We’re not called to cope with change or manage change–we are called to LEAD CHANGE!”
“Eagerness must be combined with brokenness.”
“The Holy Spirit needs to lead the church–not small minded people.”
“Don’t take a window shopping approach to building your church–get a God given vision!”
“What if what happened in the Bible could happen in the church?”
“What if, as a church,, we could redeem technology and use it for God.”
“Stop expecting people to come to your world and go to theirs.”
“If you reach the people that nobody wants then God will eventually send the people that everybody wants.”
Those are some things I have picked up…and I am having a BLAST!!!
I can’t wait for this Sunday–speaking of this Sunday–two things…
#1 – Don’t forget to wind your clock back on Saturday night.
#2 – Don’t forget to wear your pink shirt & hang out afterwards for the picture.
I can promise you that Sunday will be one of the most direct, blunt, and biblical messages you have ever heard on the subject of sex. Should be fun!!!
Chicago Is Cool… October 25, 2006
No, really–it’s COLD up here! Remember now…I am from South Carolina–where cold is anything below 60 degrees…AND…when it snows we try to drive and usually buy all bread and milk at the grocery store.
Anyway, Chicago has been awesome so far. The three conference speakers today were Bill Hybles, Craig Groeschel, and Matthew Barnett. All three hit home runs!!!
God ROCKED my world and stretched me big time! I am still trying to get my mind around all these guys said…it was a ton of information!
I will say this–God is doing some awesome stuff in me personally AND continuing to throw gas on the fire that was already inside of me in regards to our church reaching our community and continuing to make a significant impact. I have been challenged so far…and I can’t wait to see what steps that God is going to lead us to take next.
I’ve said it before…our best days are still ahead of us. There are too many people in our community that do not know Jesus…but they desperately NEED to know Him…and we will NOT give up until they are reached.
I know when I make statements like that it causes some people to roll their eyes; however, for others of you the people that you think about are your friends and family members who do not know Jesus…and they matter to us…and we will not stop until we reach every one of them!!! That is a promise from me!
I can’t wait for this Sunday…it’s going to be awesome–we are going to push the edge with some things. I can honestly say that you will see something in church this Sunday that you have NEVER seen in church before…EVER! :-)
Chicago–Part One October 24, 2006
Well…they lost my luggage…
NO…I am NOT kidding! We got off the plane and walked for at least three and a half miles to the place where you get the luggage…and everyone got theirs except for me.
I just stood there and kept saying out loud, “This is not happening to me!”
It was!
I went and found someone who worked for the airline and asked them about my luggage. She said it was in the airport somewhere and that they would be glad to deliver it to me. I told her that I would wait.
And…I waited!!! Until finally she left and went and found it herself. WOW…at least my luggage didn’t wind up in Cananda like last time.
The trip to the rental car place was fun. There was a business man on the shuttle that was complaining to his partners that no one was going to show for the meeting he scheduled. I spoke up and told him that I would be more than happy to attend. He was not amused…but I thought it was funny.
Oh yeah–it’s flippin’ cold up here!
And…Jason Moorhead, on the way to our hotel, managed to run through a toll booth. Oh well–guess a ticket is in the mail…the only problem is that the rental car is in my name!!!
Tonight we had supper at the Macaroni Grill…good stuff. Then I spoke with ‘Cretia and now it is time for bed. The entire crew is meeting at 6am in the lobby to go to the gym…well…the entire crew except for Jason Moorhead and Allen Cothran!!!
Updates on the conference coming soon.
Pink Shirts, Chicago, and Other Random Thoughts October 24, 2006
OK…my ADD is in overdrive this morning…I’ve been up since 3:30…wow!
First thing…evidently some peeps have gotten wind of this new series we are doing on sex, dating, and marriage called Lord of the Rings. When I checked itunes yesterday our podcast was ranked #48 in the religion & spirituality section…HOLY COW! You can download the message here if you would like.
AND…don’t forget to invite people this Sunday. Trust me…if you have someone who thinks church is boring…that will be changed! This Sunday is the sermon on sex…and while I will not be crass and crude…I will teach exactly what Scripture says, not backing down from the “tense” issues. AND…I can promise that people from a churched background are likely to be highly offended because they have never had to hear the subject dealt with so bluntly!
(For those who have kids in middle school/high school…yes, this sermon will be ok for them…trust me, it’s not going to be any worse than that watch on television OR see in a chat room!)
On to the next subject…pink shirts!!!
The month of October is breast cancer awareness month. Anytime the word “cancer” is used it gets my attention. My mother lost a battle with cancer in 1982 and went to be with Jesus. It wasn’t breast cancer–but nonetheless, I remember her struggle.
AND…I know ladies who have fought the battle with breast cancer and survived. SO…in a show of support I am going to ask the men in our church to do something that could be considered “unmanly!” This Sunday I will be wearing a pink shirt in a show of support for those who have had to deal with breast cancer…and I am asking the men in our church to do the same!!! I know–this is pushing the edge…but it will be awesome for us to show the ladies in our church who have had to deal with this…and who may deal with this in the future that we support them 100%.
(If you wear a pink shirt…I want you to hang around after the service a join me on stage for a group photo!!!) And spread the word guys!!!
Next thought…Chicago…
I am heading to the windy city today for this conference. I can’t wait!!! I am a freak when it comes to seeing what does and does not work in other churches!!! I made the commitment to God when I began the ministry to always learn…a person who ceases to learn will stop growing…and so will the organization that they lead. Pray for us that we will have a safe trip–that I will not sit behind someone on the plane that INSISTS on reclining their flippin’ seat…and that I get a snack on the plane!!!
Next thought…Tony! Tony Morgan had this post about what he learned at Disney World…HOLY COW…maybe a lesson or two here the church can apply?
AND finally…I did an interview for Cory about why I blog and a few other random questions…you can read it hear if you would like. Thanks for including me Cory…you rock my friend!
Uh…yep…that’s about it. I’ve got to go pack now–takes about 15 minutes…as opposed to most women who can take up to 15 days!!! Just being honest! Stay tuned for trip updates!!!