Archive for Church Issues
Four Things That Make A Children’s Ministry Successful! April 25, 2012
- Clear Ministry Vision- Our vision in KidSpring is to teach kids about Jesus on their level. Our “Jesus on their Level” vision was born out of Perry’s heart to do church differently. No kids were allowed in the adult service in the early days of NewSpring so adults could learn Biblical truths appropriate for adults. The benefit for KidSpring is that every kid birth through 5th grade comes through our ministry!! That gives us the opportunity to teach Biblical truths in an age appropriate way that builds a spiritual foundation in the next generation. Our values that support our vision are relationships, age appropriateness, creative Bible teaching, safety, and fun!
- Focus on Relationships- Relationships are just one of the important values we have in KidSpring. It’s our desire that every child experience a personal relationship with Jesus while growing in their friendships with each other and with their leaders. As parents commit to coming to the same service, we partner with them to provide a consistent small group for their child to be a part of. As kids grow in their friendships with the same kids, and as leaders pour into the same kids each week, spiritual friendship and foundations are formed and create an irresistible reason for coming to church. Kids don’t want to miss their friends or their leaders and leaders don’t want to miss other leaders or their kids!
- Eye for Evaluation- One of the ways we gain success is by failure! We make a weekly habit of evaluating our values and vision. We celebrate the wins but we take action against the losses. We ask for input from our volunteers, parents and staff. Our biggest form of evaluation comes from hearing our kids answer the following questions, “Did you have fun?” and “What did you learn?” We only get better as we evaluate the details that make our children’s ministry excellent for kids.
- Fun- Kids love fun! We realize that when children have fun at church, they can’t wait to come back. We value creating fun ways for children to learn about Jesus and we make sure our children’s ministry budget reflects it!
This post was written by Cherie Duffey, our children’s ministry director here at NewSpring Church. You can follow her on twitter right here!
A Letter From Pastor P To NewSpring Church April 24, 2012
Howdy NewSpring, Seven Things I Would Love To Share With You Today…
#1 – I absolutely LOVE what Jesus is doing in our church right now, especially in regards to the way He is stirring the heart of our men! (Once again, check out I Corinthians 13:11!) I lOVED the fact that we saw 201 people go public for Christ through baptism…and that we had an attendance record of nearly 19,000 people across seven campuses, it was amazing as we took time to focus on the fact that EVERY man needs to understand the following in regards to a woman…
- Before She Was Your Wife She Was God’s Daughter – when we see her as a gift and not something/someone we “attained” then we will treat her with honor and respect. (How does God feel about how you are treating His little girl?)
- If You Do Not Lead Your Family Then satan Will – Men are called to lead (not control and dominate!) And, leading IS hard, it IS awkward, but it IS worth the fight!
- It’s Not Just What You Say, It’s How You Say It – Romans 8:1 and Ephesians 5:25-27 reminds us that we are to speak to (and about) our wife in a kind, considerate and affirming manner. AND…if we don’t there will be consequences (see I Peter 3:7!)
- Pursuit Is Intentional, Not Accidental – A man who is pursuing his wife effectively does not have time for porn or an affair! (AND…had fun here reminding the single guys that pursuing a girl is not leading her on through obscure text messages for about three weeks or so…it’s about being a man and talking to her face to face!)
#2 – Men, if you want to read some more stuff I’ve written in regards to being a husband then you can check out the following links…
- Ten Facts Men Should Consider About Their Wives
- Seven Ways You Can Destroy Your Marriage
- Seven Ways You Can Make Your Marriage Awesome
- What A Husband Needs To Understand About His Wife
- Five Things A Successful Marriage Has To Have
- 10 Reasons I Think Your Marriage Is Going To Make It
- Four Reasons Marriages Are Falling Apart – Part One
- Four Reasons Marriages Are Falling Apart – Part Two
#3 – This coming Sunday MIGHT be one of THE MOST INTENSE messages we’ve ever done on Biblical manhood here at NewSpring Church as we deal with three things that a man cannot have! I’m seriously excited about the fruit that I feel is going to come about as a result of this message! I honestly believe if men could learn to allow Christ in them and through them to control THESE THREE THINGS that we would see our nation completely change in less than a year!!!
#4 – Parents of kids in KidSpring, Off The Rails begins this coming Sunday at every NewSpring campus! (Check out the promo video here!) It’s going to be one of the most amazing things your child has EVER experienced in church…I promise!!!
#5 – If you are wanting to get into God’s Word or are struggling in your personal time with God and have been looking for something to maybe freshen things up a bit…then stop by our devotional page (right here) at our NewSpring Church website and check out the resources available to help you take your walk with God to the next level.
#6 – As I said a few weeks ago…go ahead and put down the dates of August 24 & 25 on your calendar…TRUST ME, we’re going to do something as a church that we’ve NEVER attempted…and it’s going to be one of the most amazing things that we’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing! Can’t wait to tell you more about it! :-)
#7 – If you have recently received Christ and have not taken your next step by going public through baptism then check out this website to find out more information about baptism and/or to sign up!
That’s it for this week…I LOVE MY CHURCH!
Off the Rails! April 20, 2012
Hey parents, our KidSpring ministry is launching a brand new series beginning on Sunday, April 29! I know that Charisse, my little girl, is already talking about it…check out the promo video!
A few more things…
Just in case you did not know, our KidSpring ministry is designed for children from birth through fifth grade!
You can keep up with what you kids are learning each week by stopping by our KidSpring blog (right here)…and you can keep up with updates and such by following our KidSpring ministry on twitter (right here!)
AND…if you want to help us get the word out to families then stop by our Facebook page (right here), scroll down just a little and then like, comment and share this video!
I love my church!
Four Problems The Church Has GOT To Deal With! April 19, 2012
#1 – We are answering questions that no one else is asking.
I’m glad that we can debate theology and know terms that make us seem intelligent and cause other people to scratch their heads; however, at the end of the day people are not asking about the five points of Calvinism, the trichotomy or dichotomy of the Spirit or the peccability/impeccability of Christ! They are asking “why is my life falling apart?” Or, “how do I get past the fact that I was sexually molested when I was eight?” Or, “how do I, as a single mom, lead and provide for my family?”
Too many people are so obsessed with their theological labels, I believe, so that they don’t actually have to do real ministry!
#2 – We call laziness “authenticity!”
The church is the bride of Christ–established by Him, purchased by Him and pursued by Him! We have the promises of God and have been empowered by HIS HOLY SPIRIT! We should be doing things BETTER than Apple, BETTER than Disney and BETTER than Google! There is WAY more at stake with what God has called us to! And “Spirit Filled” should not equal poorly planned, thrown together and poorly executed! And…no one should say, “I’m doing this for Jesus” and then follow it up with a half-hearted, piss poor effort. When it came to redeeming mankind Jesus did not search the back corners of heaven to find some under-challenged angel who had nothing to do…HE came, HE did it, HE paid for the sin of the world!!! HE GAVE HIS BEST…His followers should do the same!
#3 – We use “discipleship” as an excuse to not do evangelism.
I’ve heard too many churches say that they are not reaching people because they are too busy making disciples. A few things to consider here…
ONE – EVERY disciple in the Bible was an evangelist!!! There is not one example of one of the original disciples that formed some sort of holy huddle and gave the rest of the world the middle finger! It is IMPOSSIBLE to become a DISCIPLE if EVANGELISM isn’t a part of the process!
TWO – I have found that every time people in a church says something like what was mentioned above it is simply because they do not know anyone that is lost!!
#4 – We are becoming political and neglecting the prophetic.
Let me be very clear…Christians can and should have political opinions! (Have you ever noticed that those who criticize Christians for having a political opinion always seem to have their own political opinion?) We should vote (and if you don’t then keep your mouth shut when it comes to our country and how it is led!) We should pray for our leaders as the Scriptures clearly teach.
However, the churches main goal should be to declare the Gospel, NOT advance an agenda of a particular political party!!! We should declare God’s message, God’s Word, God’s truth and in God’s way (see John 13:34-35!) Churches than get in bed with politics always wake up the next morning to find their lover gone!!! We should NEVER use the platform God has given us for an agenda other than HIS!!!
Five Reasons I Believe YOU WILL SUCCEED! April 18, 2012
No one wants to fail, everyone wants to “get it right” and so here is my encouragement to church leaders and five reasons I believe you will succeed…
#1 – You Will Trust In God’s Word!
As I tweeted a few weeks ago…the greatest PREDICTOR of our future are the PROMISES that God has already made! One of the keys to success is finally accepting the fact that God’s Word > how I feel! Jesus said HE would build HIS church–PERIOD!
#2 – You Will Listen To The Right People!
Proverbs 15:22 & Proverbs 20:18 (as well as quite a few others) emphasize the fact that we’re not called to do this on our own, that leadership really is a team sport and every single one of us need the right people around us. For me I will always listen to a person who…
- Loves Jesus
- Loves The Church
- Loves Me
(And is HAS to be in that order or I will not get accurate information/feedback!)
#3 – You Will NOT Listen To The Naysayers
Check out I Chronicles 11:4-5, seriously!!! If David would have listened to the people who were telling him what he could not do (ultimately because they didn’t WANT him to do it) then he may have never seen success in conquering Jerusalem! I have honestly made it a core value of mine to never allow anyone who has never accomplished anything great for God talk me out of attempting something great for God!
#4 – You Will Pay The Price To Learn And Grow
Proverbs 4:5-7 commands us (as leaders) to get wisdom whatever it cost. You will always see success if you are willing to pay the price as a leader. (Below are some articles I’ve written in regards to this)
- Five Prices A Leader Must Be Willing To Pay
- Cheap Spiritual Leaders Are An Oxymoron – Part One
- Cheap Spiritual Leaders Are An Oxymoron – Part Two
#5 – You Will Finally Begin To Realize That Your Burden Is Your Calling…And That God Hasn’t Given You That Burden So That You Can Complain About The Way Things Are…But Rather So That You Can Do Something About It!
AND…if He called you to it He will lead you through it!!! (See Philippians 1:6) Remember, no one EVER made the world a better place by whining, complaining and making excuses!! God called leaders to LEAD…and leadership requires ACTION!
A Letter From Pastor P To NewSpring Church April 17, 2012
Howdy NewSpring Church, EIGHT things I would LOVE to share with you today…
#1 – This past Sunday was one of the most moving services we’ve ever had at our church as, at the end of the message, hundreds of men across every campus stood to their feet and prayed out loud together. Like I said Sunday…I really do believe MOST of the problems our nation is facing could be solved if men would simply step up and embrace Biblical manhood. (And we saw around EIGHT people receive Christ!!!)
#2 – For those who stood and prayed…remember that Jesus being primary & not secondary (or…the LORD God and not just God) is a daily decision that all of us must make. As we said in the “All In” series, a growing relationship with God is INTENTIONAL, not ACCIDENTAL! What step is HE calling you to take today? What change is He calling you to make today?
#3 – If we are walking with God we will constantly be shaped and transformed more and more into the image of Jesus. Some of the things we shared on Sunday about this…
- Single men…Jesus had a job! He was a carpenter until the age of 30 and then did ministry! He was not a boy who shaved…He was a man (please see I Corinthians 13:11!) He didn’t live in Mary’s basement, watch youtube clips with his buddies until 2am, sleep until lunch, go get a cheeseburger from a drive thru, come home and play games and then get on Facebook around 5:00 or so to see which woman He wanted to use and manipulate that evening!
- Single guys…Jesus treated women with respect & admiration…He never sought to use them or manipulate them in any way.
- (BTW…I wrote an article last week entitled, “EIGHT WRONG REASONS FOR DATING A GIRL” that was written to challenge guys, you can check it out here if you think it may help!)
- Married guys…Jesus had a job but He was not a work-a-holic!
- Dads…Jesus had time for children (see Matthew 19:13-14) – we MUST have time for ours! (I wrote more about that here in a post about dating my daughter)
- Too many dads today want to give their kids PRESENTS…when they really want our PRESENCE!
- Married guys…Jesus hasn’t walked away from His bride (the church), we should NEVER walk away from ours!
- Men…Jesus was generous, we should be as well. People who get closer to Jesus get more generous–period!
#4 – Men, if the Lord convicted and corrected you on Sunday (as He did me) then rejoice in that and move on! None of us have ever out-sinned the grace of God! He can STILL USE YOU! Adam screwed up and He still used him! In fact, every Bible hero we have (other than Jesus) was a complete screw up and God worked in and through them anyway! If you are still breathing then it is NOT TOO LATE to make right what has been wrong for so long!
#5 – THIS COMING SUNDAY we are going to be talking about “Four Things That Every Man Must Know About A Woman!” I can promise you that the men WILL be challenged (I know I have been as I’ve been preparing) and the ladies will be encouraged!
#6 – If you have not checked out our Easter recap video yet then do so right here!!! I love my church…thank you to everyone who brought someone to church with you Easter weekend. AND…if they have not yet received Christ then DO NOT give up on them!!! (One more time, check out II Peter 3:9!!!)
#7 – I cannot emphasize this enough…The Gauntlet is filling up FAST. If I am not mistaken we only have around 200 or so more spots and once they’re filled then registration will be officially closed. There literally will be no more room as we have rented out the entire hotel for this event!! If you are thinking about registering your child or just haven’t gotten around to it then I would urge you to do so ASAP! It’s going to be amazing! (You can do so here!)
#8 – I am super excited about my friend Matt Chandler being with us this Thursday night! Matt just wrote a new book entitled “The Explicit Gospel” and our church will be hosting him for this event as a part of his book tour. You can find out more information and register for the event here (it is a ticketed event!) It’s going to be a GREAT evening!
That’s it…I LOVE MY CHURCH!
Easter 2012 Recap April 16, 2012
STILL cannot get over what happened at NewSpring Church on Easter weekend! Check out this video that our incredible team put together…and then go over to our Facebook page and like, comment and share it!
WOW! I love my church!