Archive for May, 2007
Some Thoughts That Have Been Running Through My Mind May 23, 2007
So here’s what’s going on in my mind (scary place…)
- When it seems like things are out of control, THAT is when God is most in control!
- My circumstances do not alter God’s character–no matter how “bad” things seem to be–He is still HOLY and AWESOME!
- I will NEVER make a mistake IF am careful to listen AND obey the Lord.
- God is Omnipresent–I said this for years, but for some reason I didn’t believe it until I took my first vacation from the church…and even though I wasn’t there–GOD WAS!!!
- I am hosting a pastors roundtable this evening and tomorrow…and I can’t wait to dialogue with these men! I learn just as much (if not more) in these settings than I do in conferences.
- Leadership is as easy as listening to God. (I know I’ve said this before–but I’ve GOT to keep telling myself this!!!)
- Lucretia and I shared a baked apple dumplin’ at the Cracker Barrel last night…I STILL think that is my favorite dessert in the world! :-)
- Left to itself an organization will always look inward–that is why LEADERSHIP with a heart for people is so important in the church.
- Jesus Christ was controversial!!! Seriously, go through the Gospels sometime and see how many times He purposefully healed on the Sabbath! Now He could have done this on a Tuesday…but He did it on the Sabbath because He SHATTERED man made rules!!! We should do the same!!!
- Legalism has damaged the Gospel–you don’t go to hell for listening to certain kinds of music or going to different kinds of movies…a person goes to hell because they don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ–that’s it.
- “Deep” is what you do! A person can’t say they are “deep” if they have memorized books of the Bible but are not living out their faith…that kind of attitude is not more Christ like–it’s more like satan, who KNOWS all of Scripture but applies none of it.
- The church is supposed to be on offense not defense!
- God is FAITHFUL…if you ever doubt the future just look at how good He has been in the past.
That’s about it…my A-D-D is in overdrive!!!
Top Ten Mistakes Church Planters/Pastors Make May 22, 2007
#10 – Refusing To Dream Big
I hear TONS of excuses from pastors who say, “But I can’t do this and I can’t do that because I am not in Chicago or Atlanta.” NEITHER ARE WE!!! God is NOT limited by geography! Come on, when He sent His Son into the world–He sent Him to Bethlehem, NOT Rome!!! DREAM BIG…and take small steps to get there.
#9 – Trying To Be Someone Else
I’ve fallen into this trap before–pastors, understand that there is a unique calling on your life to be YOU! We should ALL learn from other leaders and other ministries…but at the end of the day we MUST be ourselves. I will never be as smart as Bill Hybels, as creative as Ed Young or as happy as Joel Osteen, but I will be the best Perry Noble I can be.
#8 – Not Growing As A Leader
If you are not growing then you’re dying…and so is your leadership.
#7 – Refusing To Take Risks
Too many churches grow to a certain size and then fall into “safe mode.” There is a safe place for all Christians…it is called HEAVEN…and until we get there we need to do all we can to continually kick the devil in the mid-section!!! We are called to do a lot of things–but we are never called to play it safe.
#6 – Letting People With Money Dictate The Vision
I have a theory…and so far it has been true with every church planter that I know. Within the first year a “big money” person will threaten to leave the church over an issue related to the vision…and you will either beg them to stay or let them walk. I have seen first hand that if you don’t allow them to leave then God will leave!!! We are told in Scripture to FEAR GOD…and that’s it. If you allow people with money to dictate your decisions then you are nothing more than an ordained prostitute.
#5 – Not Teaching About Money
Too many church planters were told somewhere along the way that you can’t teach on money–that it is offensive and will run people away. I believed that for a long time; in fact, I believed that until we did our FIRST money series last year here at NewSpring…and OUR ATTENDANCE INCREASED throughout the series. People want practical help with their lives…and the Bible has a TON to say about money; therefore, the church should as well. AND STOP APOLOGIZING for it…we don’t apologize for preaching on adultery…why should we apologize for speaking on money–especially when Jesus said what He said in Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 6:24!
#4 – Listening To The Wrong People
Christians are the ONLY people in the world who will buy a book and read it…and the author has never done what he has written about…all he has is theories. NO ONE in the secular world would do that crap! Seriously, if I wrote a book on surgery and then tried to say, “Buy my book…my wife is a doctor,” there isn’t a doctor in this country that would think my book was necessary for success…but many church planters are victims of that exact scenario. That is equal to asking your bankrupt brother-in-law for financial advice…it just doesn’t make sense.
#3 – Too Much Prayer and Not Enough Planning
I know church planters who are in constant prayer mode, asking God to “do it all.” And five years later they are in the same place…it takes a PLAN!!!
#2 – Too Much Planning And Not Enough Prayer
AND…I have seen the opposite! I will say this–EVERY leadership mistake that I have ever made was because I was not listening to the Lord.
#1 – Forming A Leadership Team Too Quickly
I have discovered that when you plant a church that you will attract every freak within a 50 mile radius. SO…delegate slowly! Allow people to serve…but do not appoint people to leadership positions until you are confident that the person is a leader, loves Jesus, gets the vision AND loves the church.
A “Shout Out” To The Men I Serve With! May 20, 2007
I once heard John Maxwell say, “Those closest to you will determine your level of success.” I am continually discovering the truth of that particular statement more and more. Let me say up front that I get WAY too much credit for all that is “right” about NewSpring. It’s not me…it is the team that I serve with, and while I can’t mention everyone in this post…I wanted to say thanks to…
Wilson - dude, I remember the night you dedicated your life to Christ, you were already saved…but that night you NAILED it down, we were at Trevor’s church…and I saw a change in you. I remember the early days of NewSpring, how you gave countless time and energy to the vision…and how that night at Creekside when I asked you to come on board you just about jumped out of your skin. I see Jesus in you…and you are awesome at what you do!!! I will never forget baptizing you and your brother…and then watching you and him baptize your parents just a week ago. I am proud of you and I can’t wait to see what the next 50 years hold. You are going to be an incredible dad! Thanks for your friendship!
Moorhead - wow, I remember asking you and your wife to serve God by emptying trash cans…and you both embraced that responsibility and did it with servants hearts. I saw Jesus work in both of you and I saw him repair a marriage that had been through some rough times. I rejoiced at the birth of each of your children…and I love them like they are my own. I remember asking you to come on staff–we were at Ruby Tuesday…and you accepted the job that night. AND I have seen the Lord do such a work in you…and I know the best is yet to come. You have been willing to take on tasks that you have never done before, and I never worry if you say, “I’ve got it!” Thanks for your friendship!
Shane - thank you for your faith!!! There have been so many times that I lacked faith…and the Lord used yours to pull me through. I have NEVER seen you say, “I don’t think that can be done.” AND your passion for Jesus and His word BOTH challenge and encourage me. I remember the night I asked you to come on board–we were at Cracker Barrel…and you said yes and then worked for three days before you even knew what your salary was!!! I see Jesus in you and the way you lead your family and love your wife…and it is my prayer that I can be just half the dad that you are…thanks for your friendship!
Paul - There are times when I think about you and am just blown away. You were a huge success in the business world, you had a very promising career…and you “sold out” and came to work with me. I am so honored by your step of faith…and the fact that you believed in me has encouraged me more than you will ever know. I remember the night at Texas Roadhouse I asked you, “are you supposed to sell beer, cigarettes and condoms for the rest of your life…OR, do you want to build God’s kingdom?” You didn’t sleep for three night and FINALLY stopped running…and wow, we’ve seen God do some amazing things haven’t we? I LOVE the way you love your wife–your relationship with her challenges me to be a better husband. Thanks for modeling marriage and parenting for all of us…and thanks for your friendship.
Tony - dude, I cannot believe you are on staff with us! The energy you display in staff meetings absolutely PUMPS me up! I love how you are always rational…and already have talked me out of doing and saying some stupid things. I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing you as long as I have known the other guys…but I know God has called you here, the way you stepped in and connected with us immediately has been amazing. There are times I walk out of my office and down the hall just to see if you are there so we can chat for a minute or two…I just love being around you dude. I love your family, you have GREAT kids…and your friendship means the world to me!
I thought of all you guys this week when I read I Chronicles 12:22, the Lord has brought us all together, and we are here to FORCEFULLY advance His kingdom. I would walk through hell with you guys…and I know you would each do the same for me.
To pastors and church planters out there–take your time forming a team. AND do not listen to the LIE that you cannot be friends with the people you serve with…it is simply NOT true!!! I have heard people say that if you get too close to people that they will not respect your leadership–this ALWAYS comes from weak, insecure leaders who feel that the world is out to get them! These men I have listed…I love these guys. AND…they love me, serve with me, are honest with me…and are dedicated to building God’s kingdom!!
Guys–hold onto your forks…the best is yet to come!!! We are “unschooled” and “ordinary” by the worlds standards, but according to Acts 4:13–that’s pretty good!!!
(Did anyone find it funny that I offered everyone of these guys a job at a different restaurant? What can I say…I love to eat!!!)
I wish I had time to post about the others at NewSpring that mean so much…wow…I will cover that in another post! :-)
Pursuing Dreams May 18, 2007
What is it that you want? OK…put THAT thought OUT of your mind…
What is it that God wants you to want? Is there a dream or desire in your life that is so huge that you can’t seem to shake it…but you also can’t seem to believe that it would ever happen?
God rocked my world this morning when I read I Chronicles 11:4-5, WOW!!! Basically David had became the king of Israel…but after becoming king he STILL had ambitions and dreams. (In other words–pastors, church leaders–our point of “arrival” is no where on this planet…as long as we are alive we need to pursue God sized dreams!)
SO…in this passage he goes after his dream–Jerusalem. (Yep, I definitely think God wanted him to pursue this!) The first thing he was told was, “You will never be able to do this.”
When we pursue God’s dreams–the first thing to happen is ALWAYS the naysayers who somehow find us and begin to tell us about all of the things that we cannot do!!! I know we had them at NewSpring when we first began…we were told our church would not work, that we would never be able to move into the Fine Arts Center at Anderson University, that we would never build a building, that I would never succeed as a pastor because I do not have a seminary degree…and the list could go on and on.
BUT…I would not let go of the dream!!! It wasn’t something I could let go…it was a passion that God had placed inside of me. I see that in David in this text–even though he was told by a group of people that his dream could not take place–it didn’t stop him. (By the way…I find it strange that the people who told him that the dream could not be accomplished didn’t know God!!!)
In verse five we see the dream accomplished…it worked. When we pursue God given dreams and inspirations with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength…GREAT THINGS HAPPEN. Please note that David didn’t sit around and PRAY about taking the city. (Too many Christians use prayer as an excuse for inactivity.) AND–he didn’t form a committee to study the problem! NO…he had a vision from God–and he pursued it.
Please keep in mind that people who have big dreams will always be attacked by others with small minds. If God TRULY places a dream and a passion inside of you–pursue it!!! And please do not tell me about how, “God closed a door & so I am going to give up.” If it is a dream BY GOD then, when the door closes then look for a window OR knock a hole in the flippin’ wall!!!
Don’t EVER give up on what you KNOW that God has placed in your heart–EVER!!!
The problem with many churches AND Christians is we have given up…we no longer have dreams…we just sit around and celebrate what God DID instead of looking forward to what God is WANTING to do! Seek God–ask Him for His dreams…and then HOLD ON, they WILL NOT BE SMALL!!!
And when that dream that you are pursuing happens–ask God for what’s next!!! His retirment plan for us includes a box under a lot of dirt…until that happens–PURSUE!!!
NewSpring…HOLD ON…God is getting ready to rev up the engine…the vision that will be presented this fall is larger than anything I’ve ever seen…and it’s going to happen…I can’t wait!!!
Two more things…
#1 – Mark Batterson hits another home run…GOT to read this!!!
#2 – Steven Furtick hits the nail on the head as well–DANG!!!
Seven Reminders For Effective Communication–Part Two May 17, 2007
Continuing my post from Tuesday…
#5 – Listen to God
Someone once asked me about the amount of time I study and then said, “Perry, with that much time put into study and preparation–I just feel that leaves no room for God to move.”
I shocked them when I said, “Every week I say something during the message that was not planned…AND…in every service that I do it is different. The Lord will often bring something to mind in a service that He did not bring to mind in the other services…and I have an obligation to speak what He lays on my heart.”
Just like the Sunday I spoke on vision here at NewSpring. After the U2 video I walked back out on stage and the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Give an invitation.” I thought that was the craziest thing ever because we hadn’t really planned for that…but the feeling was STRONG…so I did…and over 150 people gave their lives to Christ.
GOD KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING! Study…prepare…pray…and then be obedient.
#6 – Evaluate the message on the front end
I know this is going to sound like I am bragging…AND…I almost didn’t say this…but I’ve got to. We don’t lay very many eggs here at NewSpring when it comes to the messages…BECAUSE…we have a process in place so that, if a message is going to be an “egg,” then we crack it through the process of a creative team.
Every week…EVERY SINGLE WEEK I run the message by a group of between 4-8 people. We go through it theologically to make sure that we are teaching sound doctrine. We go through the points of application so that we are sure people are walking away with something they can use. And we also look at it from a creative point of view to see what can be added to REALLY get a certain point across. (This Sunday is going to be really cool!!! Someone had a great idea!)
Let me say this…this meeting has protected me so many times. I have people who love me…BUT love me enough to tell me the truth…AND if they are having a hard time understanding a concept–they tell me. I have learned that if I can’t explain it in that room then I won’t be able to explain it on Sunday.
ALSO during this meeting we brainstorm through future sermon series ideas and concepts that we feel that should be addressed on a Sunday. More on this later….
Let me say this and I will move on…pastors, you have some incredible creative people on your staff, it is up to you to find out who they are.
#7 – Be yourself
When speaking YOU have to be YOU!
I do not have a fake preacher voice!!! I don’t know about you–but that just bothers the heck out of me. I try my best to be real! I talk about the times I get things right…and I am also honest about the times I don’t get it right. I am transparent and honest…and while some don’t agree with this approach I would simply say, “It works for me.”
Once a pastor challenged me on this and said, “You don’t need to tell people about your mistakes, you need to give them someone to look up to.” I told him, “I do give them someone to look up to…His name is Jesus. If they look up to me all their lives and don’t know Christ then they will spend eternity in hell–and I just don’t care about looking good in people’s eyes to carry that weight into eternity!”
Now pastors, be wise…don’t use sermon time and confession time. BUT…what I have discovered is that if people in the audience feel like they can identify with you then they are more likely to listen. People don’t want to be yelled at and told they are screw ups–they want to see that there are people out there who ARE trying, who MISS IT at times…but who get right back up and try it again.
That’s it for us…like I always say, might not work for you…take what you can, throw away the rest! :-)
Veggie Burgers May 16, 2007
OK…I HATE to admit this…but last night for supper Lucretia fixed us “Veggie Burgers,” AND…uh…I LIKED THEM!!!
She told me on Monday that we were going to be having Veggie Burgers on Tuesday night. I will have to admit…I wasn’t excited about it…BUT…I am REALLY trying to be more risky in life and try new things–and what could be more risky than eating a veggie burger?
PLEASE–do not revoke my man card!!! I still love red meat!!! However, trust me–veggie burgers ARE good! Believe it or not–the veggie burger experience inspired me to be MORE daring…to try some new things…so, in the next several years I would like to…
- Go deep sea fishing…and actually catch something!!! (Never been)
- Travel to Australia
- Start several new satellite campuses all over the state of South Carolina and see THOUSANDS of people come to Christ and STAY on FIRE for HIM!
- Take 1,000 middle schoolers to our middle school week at the beach…and then the next week take 1,000 high schoolers!
- Take my seven year old daughter (in seven years) to Disneyworld and ride EVERY ride in the park!
- Go to Hawaii with Lucretia for our 10 year anniversary! (2010)
- Go on at least two oversees mission trips
- See Lee record his first worship CD!
- Have a podcast with Tony that is equipping and encouraging thousands of leaders. (This is on the way!!!) Is that another job opening on his blog?
- Write a book
- Learn how to snow ski (THIS would be a MIRACLE!)
- Go snowmobiling
- Go big game hunting somewhere out west…and kill some sort of really large animal!
- Go white water rafting (never been!)
- Be MORE on FIRE for CHRIST than ever…and because of my walk…my daughter will want to know Him!!!
That’s about all that I can think of right now. WOW…I had no idea a veggie burger would impact my life this way. BUT…tonight is date night and I promise all of the men reading this that cow will be consumed!!! :-)
Jerry Falwell May 15, 2007
My heart was both sad and excited today when I heard the news about the passing of Jerry Falwell...sad because he will be missed…and excited because there is not a doubt in my mind that he is with Jesus Christ.
My admiration of Dr. Falwell runs deep because…
- He finished well…people did say mean things about him from time to time, but no one could attack the mans integrity–he truly loved Jesus until his last breath!
- He loved his wife…and ONLY his wife!!!
- He had a huge vision and never allowed anyone to alter it!
- He knew God’s Word!
- Whether you agreed with him or not–you knew where he stood. He had convictions and the guts to share them.
- He was willing to take action…and while some did not agree…at least he was willing to take steps instead of sit around and complain!
- He ALWAYS shared the Gospel whenever he was interviewed by the media.
- He always seemed pleasant when on television…many Christians I know look saved and mad about it–but Dr. Falwell genuinely seemed Christ-like.
Those are just some of the thoughts running through my mind about him. I hope that the ministry the Lord has given me will be half as successful as his.