Archive for June, 2008
Struggling With The Question Of Discipleship June 30, 2008
One of the questions I have been asked often as a pastor is, “What is NewSpring doing to make disciples?” I’ve got to be honest…there is usually never a “right” way to answer this question in the eyes of the person who is asking.
What I have began doing is turning the question around and asking, “What exactly do you mean by disciple?” What’s funny is…I’ve never gotten the same answer from anyone on this. (What the person usually asking the question finally boils it down to is, “What is NewSpring doing to make people think and act just like me?”)
Pastors, let me say right up front that Jesus pretty much demanded that we make disciples. (BUT…let me also say it is incredibly difficult to have a disciple without first having a convert!) And it is imperative that each day people are encouraged to keep in step with Jesus…but…
How does one make a disciple?
Several churches have a series of classes that people are asked to go through…and I think that is AWESOME; in fact, we are in the process of putting together what we consider to be some key fundamentals of the faith that will be taught in a group setting within the next year or so.
BUT…and just being honest, to the “discipleship critic” this just isn’t good enough. They think there should be “more,” but, once again, when pressed on it–they can’t define what “more” is.
I’ve always said that one of the ways we disciple people at NewSpring Church is through our Sunday services…it is my goal as a communicator every week to either - A. Teach a person something they didn’t previously know…or B. Remind a person of something they had forgotten.
BUT I was reading something the other day where a person was asking, “What does your church do to disciple people…and you can’t say you do it on Sundays!” WHA? (They also suggested that the church actually slow down the evangelism process until a solid discipleship process is in place…something I wholeheartedly disagree with!)
I always find it amazing that those who are usually the most adamant about discipleship usually fall in the reformed theology camp…which sort of blows my mind that they believe the Holy Spirit is completely responsible for the salvation of an individual…but after the person gets saved man must take over. Why not trust the same Holy Spirit who originally drew the person to God to continue drawing the person on a daily basis?
Some people want to claim that discipleship happens in small groups…but that doesn’t really work for the churches that use small groups as a basis for connecting people in community.
So…what IS discipleship? (By the way…this is a debate that will not be ended with this blog post!) I personally believe that making a disciple consists of teaching someone how to walk with Christ (a child can usually walk by the time they are one), being there to help them when they fall down (provide community) and teaching them how to feed themselves.
People always go back to Acts 2 and talk about Acts 2:42-47, yes, it is true that 3,000 people were baptized…but the question I want to throw back out there is…do you really believe every single person followed through on their commitment? (WOW…am I a heretic or what?)
Scripture does not say. BUT…knowing human nature I think it is a pretty safe bet that some people, even though the opportunities for discipleship existed, probably went back to their old way of life after just a little while. Heck, it’s human nature. After all, there are quite a few examples in Scripture of people who at one time followed Christ but then for one reason or another chose to go another direction. Lack of commitment is NOT something totally new.
BUT…the church was still there and still provided opportunities! THAT is why I think that discipleship will look different from church to church…and when people ask me what NewSpring is doing to create disciples I always reply, “Everything we can!”
What is making a disciple? We are wrestling with that questions and doing all that we can to develop a process that we believe is biblical and will set up people for success in their walk with Christ. It will be a work in progress…and we will be shaping it and reshaping it until…well…Christ comes back! It’s our call–and while I don’t believe we will ever perfect the process…we will do all that we can to fulfill the Great Commission.
Sunday Night Reflections June 29, 2008
Here are a few thoughts before heading off to bed…
- I am BEGGING God for Him to allow us to see over 100k people receive Christ over the next 15-20 years!
- I believe that a MAJOR way we are going to see that happen is through technology.
- I believe that the most effective ways of doing church haven’t even been discovered yet…quite possibly because those that God is going to use to introduce them aren’t even in the Kingdom yet.
- Today we baptized over 100 people at NewSpring Church…the testimonies we saw were absolutely amazing!
- Anytime I see over 100 people say out loud, “Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord,” it completely messes me up!
- The three prayers I challenged everyone to pray today are, “Jesus, show me why You made me - Teach me to see as You see - Show me the next step You want me to take!” WARNING…doing so will absolutely ROCK your world! (It has mine!)
- I am super excited about what the Lord has put on my heart for next Sunday!
- Prayer request - please pray for my back, it is seriously giving me problems again.
- Oh yeah…DO NOT BE LATE next Sunday…the opening song is going to absolutely melt our faces off!
- I get to connect with some incredible leaders this week who I know God is going to use to stretch me…and that absolutely PUMPS me up.
- I will be in Atlanta tomorrow…and I am seriously thinking about Fogo for lunch!
- I still cannot believe my little girl is one year old–that was a REALLY fast year.
- I said it today–but let me say it again…God has called Lucretia and I to disciple our daughter–not the church. The church should serve to teach, support and encourage…but should NEVER be the number one spiritual influence in her life–her mother and I should.
- I believe if more parents embraced that God has called them to disciple their kids there would be fewer people po’d at the church for not doing what parents should have been doing all along–making disciples.
It’s time to go to bed!
Happy Birthday Charisse June 27, 2008
A year ago she arrived…
And here she is a year later…
Charisse…
- I love you…and I always will. There is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you!
- Hearing you say “daddy” was one of THE most awesome events in my life.
- I pray daily for your salvation…the thing I want the most out of your life is for you to be in heaven with your mother and I.
- God has used you to teach me so much about HIS unconditional love.
- Seeing you smile ALWAYS makes me smile.
- I love our Saturday morning dates…and pray that those continue…FOREVER.
- I love seeing your face light up when I give you a sip of sweet tea…I knew you would love it.
- I will always share my ice cream with you…and that’s pretty special!
- Your blue eyes are beautiful!
- The first time you hugged me was amazing…I love “daddy hugs!”
- Feeding you your first Krispy Kreme doughnut was so much fun!
I could go on and on. This first year happened fast–people told me that it would. You have grown up so much…and I know that before I blink you will be five, then twelve, the graduating high school, then college…and then some guy is going to want to marry you–if he survives what I put him through–I might let him! :-)
(Don’t you just love the shirt!!!)
I want you to know you’re incredible. I am sure I will make some mistakes as your dad; however, I hope you know that I will always…
- Love your mother
- Love you
- Beg God to give me wisdom on how to raise you
- And tell you about Jesus
Charisse–happy birthday…you are a gift from God to your mother and I…and I will never take you for granted. You are an amazing girl–God has an incredible plan for your life…and I can’t wait to see it unfold.
Six Spicey Sermons… June 26, 2008
We are beginning a new series on July 13th (the opening date for Greenville) entitled, “You Asked For It!” Back in April we asked people to submit questions that have about life, the Bible, God…and anything else and the response was tremendous.
After going through hundreds and hundreds of questions we then categorized them into the 18 most asked about topics and then set up a website where people could vote on their top pick. There were literally thousands of votes cast…and DANG…this series is going to be INTENSE.
Here’s what’s coming our way…
July 13th - What Is Sexual Sin? (6th most popular question)
Warning–I am not pulling any punches on this one–people asked about masturbation, oral sex, swinging couples, porn…and a few other things. I will be going through Scripture and addressing these things…and I will not be obscure.
July 20th - Can I Lose My Salvation? (5th most popular question)
One of the things a non-Christian struggles with is, “If I receive Christ and I mess up–will He really forgive me again?” Christians deal with, “If I were really saved would I live like this?” That will be an intense day.
July 27th - How Do I Know God’s Will For My Life? (4th most popular question)
One of the most asked questions of me since I’ve been in ministry is this one. God made it pretty clear in Scripture…it’s easy to see & hard to follow.
August 3rd - Is Is OK For A Christian To Drink Alcohol? (3rd most popular question)
Quite possibly one of THE most controversial issues here in the South…and we are going to tackle it head on. Scripture isn’t vague about this issue…and we won’t be either. I believe this one will be one of THE most controversial messages we’ve ever done here at NewSpring Church.
August 10th - How Can I Enjoy Entertainment/Culture (movies, television, music, etc.) without distracting myself from Jesus? (2nd most popular question)
I’m REALLY looking forward to this one!!! One of the misconceptions that exists in Christianity is that when you receive Christ that you must turn in a license to have fun and commit yourself to a life of boredom. Not true…BUT…there ARE limits. Should be fun!
August 17th - Are We Living In The End Times?
By FAR THE MOST asked question! We will do a message here…and are thinking about doing an entire series on it next year. Maybe we will call it, “Left Behind!” (Just kidding about the title…but not about the series.)
Fun times ahead!!!
A Reminder That My Life Is Not My Own June 25, 2008
A couple of weeks ago Lucretia and I arrived at Panama City Beach and went to check into the place where we were staying. We have stayed there about three or four times…but we haven’t been there since the Spring of 2006.
I walked in and saw the lady behind the desk & told her we wanted to check in. She said, “Noble, right?”
I asked, “Yep–are we the last ones to check in today or something?”
“Nope,” she replied, “you guys are the only ones checking in today–most people are arriving this weekend.”
Then she looked at me and said, “Hey, you are the pastor aren’t you? I remember you–you pastor a church in the upstate of SC.”
I was floored! I don’t really remember ever telling this woman I was a pastor…but she remember it–FROM TWO YEARS EARLIER.
Later on that night I had this thought, “Integrity in life–no matter WHERE I am or WHAT I am doing is key to long term success…NOT just as a pastor, but as a follower of Jesus!”
I can break away from my routine. I can break away from my schedule. However, I can’t ever break away from the fact that Jesus has called me to be devoted to Him at all times–anywhere I go.
People are watching me. (They’re watching you too!) I think that the BEST thing that a Christian can do to advance God’s kingdom here on earth is to understand that and really try to maximize every moment that God gives us to model for a hurting world what it means to walk intimately and deeply love Jesus.
The apostle Paul said in Ephesians 5:15-16 that we should be careful as to how we live, being wise and making the most of every opportunity. In that rental office that day it hit me like a ton of bricks–EVERY word I speak and action I take communicates to everyone I meet how I really feel about Jesus.
I need to be so aware of…
- How I act when someone pulls out in front of me.
- How I treat the server in the restaurant, especially when something seems to be wrong with the order.
- How I speak to my co-workers.
- How I react when my daughter does something that displeases me.
- How my voice tone is with my wife. (Your spouse ALWAYS knows how your walk with Christ is going!)
- How I treat the person I’m dating. (OK…that doesn’t apply to me…but I wanted the singles to feel like I was including them.)
- How I speak to people on the phone. (Telemarketers are the exception!)
I could go on. I don’t know if this does anything for you–but it was a HUGE reminder for me.
BIG Sunday Heading Our Way… June 24, 2008
We talk about this all the time at NewSpring…we plan ahead. Seriously, we are about five or six months out in regards to sermon concepts…and always at least 3-4 weeks out in planning for a specific service. I believe that God works through people who are willing to continually seek His face, do all that we can and then BEG Him to make up the difference.
But…from time to time God changes things up…sometimes weeks in advance…and then sometimes its days (or even hours) before what we had originally planned takes place. And so, this coming Sunday–well, let’s just say He’s changing things up!!!
I’ve been away for 10 days…and while I was on vacation God completely ROCKED my world. Seriously, I feel like Jeremiah did in Jeremiah 20:9…He’s set me ON FIRE…and I feel like if I don’t get out of me what He has put into me–I’m going to explode. So…
I will be speaking live this Sunday at NewSpring. I had planned on being off for one more week–but what I feel like I need to communicate to our church can’t be covered in one Sunday–I need two weeks to do it…so this weekend and July 6th I will be spending some time talking about what I really feel the Lord wants to show us!
I haven’t been THIS PUMPED UP in a long time. I can’t wait until Sunday…and the next Sunday as well.
Also–we will be announcing an upcoming change this Sunday that I think is going to be AWESOME.
Seriously–Sunday’s going to be great…I can’t wait!
Impact? June 23, 2008
Hopefully I will see you this Saturday at the, “Live Free, Live Loud” concert that is happening.
We’ve done this for several years now…and it has ALWAYS been an incredible event. (I heard it was incredible last year…I was actually in the hospital with Lucretia and our NEW DAUGHTER!!! WOW–she turns one on Friday–that year FLEW by!)
One of the things that we as a church have always felt that we need to do is make an investment in the community that God has placed us in. And the Lord has placed some incredible organizations here in Anderson that are doing much needed work–and we, as a church, want to assist in providing them with some much needed $$$.
NewSpring Church is covering any costs related to the concert itself–and so what we are asking for is a donation (preferably a generous one) upon each person entering the concert. Folks–EVERY DIME raised will be going to three local charities that we are partnering with. And…
This year NewSpring Church is going to match every donation given–dollar for dollar. Last year we raised over $25,000 for two local charities…wouldn’t it be awesome to at least double that this year?
The concert is going to be incredible. (Lee is my favorite rock star!) And there is going to be an awesome fireworks show afterwards…seriously, you DON’T want to miss it.)
Looking forward to Saturday!!!