Archive for August, 2008
Sunday Night Reflections August 31, 2008
Yes, I know I sound like a broken record…but today was an unbelievable day at NewSpring Church…it was seriously one of those services that people will be saying in the future, “Do you remember that service when…” Here are a few highlights…
- Our worship time today was amazing…the song with the choir at the end was absolutely one of the most unbelievable moments I think we’ve ever experienced as a church.
- We saw around 100 people give their lives to Christ today…and we are praying for more to come!
- Our focus in worship of Jesus should be who He is…NOT just what He does. Today as a church we had a time of worship that focused on His character and not our circumstances…and it was POWERFUL! WOW!
- We announced today that we are adding a 4:15 service next week…and we need as many people as possible to commit to that service for the entire month of September.
- Why? Simple…if we will provide room for people at optimal times then they will show up at NewSpring, have a seat, hear the Gospel and meet Jesus! Adjusting our time is SO worth it!
- REALLY looking forward to having the day off tomorrow! I honestly feel like I’ve been ran over by a truck. I am literally sore from preaching today!
- REALLY looking forward to speaking at Clemson’s FCA this coming Thursday…God put something on my heart to share about a year ago…but just recently released me to say it. It’s burning in me…I can’t wait!
- We begin a new series on Sunday entitled, “Exodus!” How do we live the life of freedom that God wants us to live…we’ll hit it hard for six weeks.
- After that we are beginning a series for women (we did a series for men in the spring!) And…just to let you know…we are going all out for the ladies. (Men, you REALLY need to be at these services, trust me!!!)
- Lucretia is doing very well in recovering from her thyroid surgery. Her voice is still really weak…and her energy level is getting better, please keep her in your prayers.
- Charisse is going through a teething thing again…it breaks my heart when she cries and there is nothing I can do!
- Still upset about Clemson’s loss. BUT…I still believe we can have an incredible season.
- Already looking forward to Sunday…I seriously believe if we will apply what Jesus wants to teach us that Anderson and Greenville could be seriously impacted!
That’s it–GOT to go to bed!
Seven Qualities I Believe A Leader Must Have – Part Two August 29, 2008
Continuing from yesterday…
#5 – Humility
This is a tough one because…well…one cannot actually brag that they are humble!
Too many times in the past I know that this was a quality that was NOT in me! I wanted the credit for all of “my ideas!” If something went right and I was involved–I wanted people to know about it. If an element of service programming went well and it was my idea…I took the credit.
And then one day I had a conversation with John Maxwell that ROCKED MY WORLD…he said to me,
“Perry, you are where you are for two reasons. The first is the favor of God. The second is the giftedness of God. And Perry, please understand that God didn’t owe you either of these. You are where you are because of Him!”
DANG! When it comes right down to it…I don’t have good ideas–God gives them to me. I don’t have the ability to think or act…OR LEAD…unless HE leads me!
John 15:5 is SO true…and I have no right to boast in anything that I feel like I accomplish!
If a leader doesn’t care who gets the credit…but is obsessed with God getting the glory–awesome things can happen!
#6 – Honesty
One of the things the corporate world has seen lately is a lack of integrity…and the lie that “this is my life and how I live it doesn’t really impact anyone else” has been exposed over and over and over again!
As leaders–we’ve got to be honest with…
- OURSELVES – how are you doing? Really? Can you keep up the pace you have right now? What changes need to be made?
- OTHERS – is everyone around you doing a good job? Is there a tough conversation that needs to be had–but you won’t because you are afraid of the outcome?
- GOD – Is life and ministry REALLY “all about Him?”
#7 – Simplicity
I once heard Ed Young say, “If you want to impress me as a leader–don’t tell me what you’re doing, tell me what you’re NOT doing!”
DANG!
I think a leader who is worth his (or her) salt will admit that they are not good at everything…and as a result they will stop trying to be.
Reality is that everyone of us only do a few things well…and our leadership will be maximized when we focus on what God has gifted us and called us to be rather than what everyone else in the church expects us to be!
I can’t do everything…but I can do something…and the something that I can do…I will do!!!
What is on your plate that you KNOW you aren’t good at? You hate it? Go ahead and admit it because everyone around you already knows it and are probably praying that you will stop it anyway!
That’s about it…oh yeah...if you haven’t read this book by Andy Stanley on point #7–PLEASE–DO IT! Seriously!!! It will set you free!!!
Seven Qualities I Believe A Leader Must Have – Part One August 28, 2008
As I have been thinking through my personal leadership journey lately and trying to figure out who God has called me to be and what He’s called me to do…I have narrowed my focus down to seven areas that I believe are essential for effective leadership in the church.
#1 – Passion
I’m not talking about false excitement over an event that you would not attend if you were not on the payroll at the church!
But rather raw, unfiltered, emotional and unapologetic passion…a white hot fire inside that consumes, controls and configures us into who Jesus has called us to be and what He’s called us to do!
Be warned–passionate people make for easy targets because no one has to guess what they stand for! However, passion, if handled correctly, can be one of the best friends a leader can have.
#2 – A Desire To Please God
One of the first verses I ever memorized was Galatians 1:10. I remember reading it and feeling like it literally jumped off the page…and something inside of me kept screaming, “You are going to need this verse for yourself if you are going to be truly successful in ministry.”
A true leader in church would understands that God is our Leader…and in a passionate pursuit to please Him you and I will often disappoint people.
We can’t please committee’s and Christ–a choice must be made.
#3 – Wisdom
James 1:5 has been a verse that I have also had to cling onto as a leader! What a promise!
God has called us to wisdom…so…as leaders I feel that we need to be doing as much as possible to learn…that means going to conferences, reading books…and not being afraid to meet with and learn from people who “aren’t like us!”
What are you personally doing right now to grow and develop yourself as a leader? To add to your wisdom?
I am in the process of connecting with other church leaders…in the past several weeks I’ve been involved in numerous learning environments with people who know SO MUCH MORE than me…and God has used each experience to shape me in an awesome way.
If all we tell our people is what we know…and we lead out of our limited knowledge, never seeking wisdom from others or God–then we will raise up some very shallow people.
#4 – Courage
I don’t think the tag “leader” should be put on anyone who hasn’t had to make tough decisions on a consistent basis.
I once heard Andy Stanley say that a leader isn’t necessarily the first person to see an opportunity, but rather the first person to act on what they see.
So true! There are lots and lots of people who see what is wrong with the world, church, etc…however, very few are actually willing to do anything about it.
Leaders step up and make the hard calls…even when it’s unpopular.
On a side note–courage is NOT the absence of fear! There have been so many situations in my leadership journey here at NewSpring that have just about caused me to pee my pants!
However, courage is KNOWING what God has called you to…and then DOING it…not knowing the outcome…but KNOWING who is in control of the outcome!
Some REALLY Quick Hits… August 27, 2008
Just wanted everyone to know…
- Lucretia is doing wonderful after her surgery! Seriously, she’s already been up & walking around the house. She is WAY tougher than I am!!!
- We REALLY appreciate all of the prayers…the messages on Twitter and the text messages that kept coming in today meant a ton!
- Yes, I will be speaking this Sunday!
- YES…I would definitely make plans to GET HERE EARLY to WHATEVER service you are coming to this weekend…we are going to be SLAMMED.
- We are going to be adding a 4th service to our Anderson campus location…details coming Sunday.
- Did I mention to get to church early Sunday? We aren’t going to be on our “normal schedule!”
- September could be one of the most radical months of ministry our church has ever seen!
- Our little girl was 14 months old yesterday!!!
C-H-A-N-G-E August 27, 2008
So what’s involved in changing something up?
C = Calculation
If a change is going to be made I believe some time must be spent investigating the possible outcomes that will be associated with it. Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader have been changing something without thinking it through.
H = Hesitation
When it comes to changing something that we’ve established…we always hesitate. Don’t get me wrong, I think pausing before making the change is healthy…however, when hesitation turns into an excuse to delay the obvious…problems WILL occur.
A = Anticipate Resistance
The very first reaction to change will always be some sort of resistance. As I leader I am coming more and more to understand that the first question a person runs through their mind when change is introduced is, “How is thing going to impact me?” And…if they detect that it may impact them in any negative sort of way…their natural tendency is to resist.
N = Necessary
Change is SO necessary! That statement was EASY to accept when we first began because we were changing the ways that other people did things; however, in the past couple of years or so it has become a sobering reality that the changes that are necessary are things we once thought of as edgy and innovative…which ISN’T easy…but, like I said…is necessary.
G = God Factor
What changes are God telling you to make? This could be personal…or even church wide. I know that He’s been speaking into me very directly lately and telling me some personal changes that I need to make in regards to the ways I lead myself and His church. God isn’t a dull God…and so following Him should never be either. He isn’t telling me the “why’s” right now…just the “what’s”…and getting comfortable with that has been an adjustment…but a good one!
E = Expectation
Whenever God leads us to change–we can expect fruit to come out of it. (See John 15:4-5) I have found myself getting way to nervous in the past when God leads me to change something when, in reality, I have NEVER screwed anything up by simply being completely obedient to Him–even when that includes MAJOR change.
We Would Appreciate The Prayers… August 26, 2008
Lucretia’s surgery (thyroid removal) is tomorrow (Wednesday.)
I talked about it in this post.
Just wanted to get this reminder out there and ask for your prayers…that she will have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
I will keep everyone updated through Twitter.
Please do not call the church office as they will be slammed dealing with so many awesome things that are happening at the church right now. Like I said…I will update here. :-)
Thanks for the prayers.
Bob August 26, 2008
I have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus…I’ll call him “Bob” in this article, although Bob is not his name.
I first met Bob several years ago at the gym…and over time he and I began talking here and there for about five minutes at a time.
Let me be very clear…we have absolutely zero in common. He’s about 20-25 years older than me. He likes cats, he doesn’t sweat like me…you get the picture.
About a year or so ago I invited him to church…and he came! (it’s amazing what a personal invite will do!)
And then the next week–HE CAME BACK!
I think it would be safe to say that if Bob is in town–he doesn’t miss! EVER!
He always tells me when we talk about how much he enjoyed the service. AND…if he has questions he always asks.
One day I talked to him about his relationship with Jesus and he told me that he isn’t ready to make that decision…but, “I think I’m getting closer,” he always says.
There are weeks when we do not see each other…and then there are weeks when we see one another several times. He always smiles…and always tells me either, “I’ll see you this Sunday,” or, “I won’t be there this week…but I will make it the next.”
Bob doesn’t know Christ!
I’m glad he comes to church…but my prayer is that he ultimately will give his life to Christ.
I pray for this often!
We are supposed to go to lunch in the next month or so.
Bob doesn’t know Christ…but he needs to!
Here’s my question, “WHO IS THE ‘BOB’ IN YOUR LIFE?”
Who, in your life, needs Christ…but for some reason you have been unwilling to invite them to church…or even begin a conversation with them about Jesus?
Why? What’s holding you back?
I once heard Brad Cooper ask the question, “If you REALLY believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ then why in the world would you show up at church every single Sunday without a carload of people who need Him?”
Does Jesus save? ABSOLUTELY!!!
Does He change lives? ABSOLUTELY!!!
Has He called us to REACH OUT…or be obsessed with other things?
Jesus said in Luke 19:10 that He came to seek & save that which is “lost!”
If that was the heart of Jesus…and Jesus lives in our hearts…then that HAS TO BE IN OUR HEARTS AS WELL!!
We CANNOT claim to be followers of Jesus and NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT HE CARES ABOUT!!!
Who’s your Bob?
Who in your life, if they died today, would bust hell wide open?
What are you willing to do in order to be used by God to make a difference in their lives?
Here’s something you might want to consider…INITIATE a conversation, INVITE them to church. There has to come a day when we STOP USING, “Well, I’m prayin’ for them” as an EXCUSE!!!
Go for it!!!
Who’s your Bob?
Are you willing to get uncomfortable in order to reach out to them?
That’s EXACTLY what Jesus did in order to reach out to us!!!
Go for it! Today! Right now!!!
Let’s do what it takes to reach out to people far from God!!! They don’t need to change their life–they need Jesus–and HE WILL change their life!!!
By the way…the next four weeks here at NewSpring Church are going to be AWESOME opportunities for your friends and family members to hear the GOSPEL!
Once again–GO FOR IT!!!
Bob doesn’t know Christ!
Who’s your Bob?
What are you willing to do?