Archive for Vision
Heaven Went CRAZY Yesterday… February 28, 2011
Just got this email from my assistant…absolutely fired me up, Luke 15 says that when one sinner repents the angels in heaven rejoice!!!
Just wanted to keep you updated…
there were 2 salvations in Greenville and 2 salvations in Florence yesterday.
Every one counts! Yay Jesus!
THAT NEVER GETS OLD!!!
THIS SUNDAY We’re Taking It To The NEXT LEVEL!!! February 24, 2011
Interested in an upgrade?
I’ve said it before and I will say it again…hardly anyone reading this still has an eight track player in their car. (In fact, many of you have no idea what in the heck that is!!! Google it!) I haven’t seen any Sony walkman tape players in the gym. AND…I haven’t heard ANYONE under the age of 12 ask anyone to come and play their Atari lately. Why? Because, although these products used to have value we have BETTER OPTIONS today…we’ve UPGRADED!!!
Yet…what is sad is that we’ve embraced upgrades in nearly every area of our lives, yet so many of us have never really thought about/considered what it might look like to upgrade our walk with God…to step into what Jesus promised us in John 10:10…
BUT…this Sunday we’re going to DIVE INTO how to make that a reality in our lives as we examine things such as…
- How in the world am I supposed to forgive “that person” after all of the hurt they brought into my life? How can I break through the bondage of bitterness?
- How in the world can I break free from financial bondage, debt AND believing the lie that having “more” will solve all of my problems?
- I hear people say “I heard from God” a lot…and yet I’ve never heard His voice–how can I hear Him speak to me?
- If God wants me to be successful then why is my life the way it is right now? Am I the exception?
- I keep struggling with the same sin–why can’t I seem to get past this?
- I am so concerned for my friend/family member who does not seem to “get it.” I don’t want to push them away; however, I desperately want them to meet Christ…how in the world do I manage that tension?
- I want the life I am living TODAY to matter in 100 years…how can I do that?
So…make plans on being here AND bringing people with you (remember, FOUND PEOPLE FIND PEOPLE!!!)
Cannot wait!
Eight Things That Will Change You AND Your Church February 16, 2011
#1 – Ask God to absolutely set you on fire…to ignite you with passion that consumes you so that you are not merely working in a job but fulfilling His vision for your life. People who work a job make a living…but people who are fulfilling their passion/calling make a difference! (See Jeremiah 20:9)
#2 – Make the decision that you are going to lead out of CONVICTION of the Holy Spirit rather than the CONVENIENCE of doing what is easy rather than what is right.
#3 – Beg God to allow you to see people the way He sees people. I think one of the fundamental problems in the body of Christ is that our eyes no longer see as His eyes see! However, if we take off our “church colored glasses” and begin to see the world the way HE sees it…it changes EVERYTHING! (See II Corinthians 5:16)
#4 – Make the decision that you don’t have to have all of the answers before you obey the voice of the Lord. I once heard Francis Chan say, “When I read the Bible it makes perfect sense not to know what is going to happen next!” THAT might be one of the most freeing statements I’ve ever heard! Hebrews 11:1 and Hebrews 11:6 have been HUGE for me personally in this regard. YOUR church can do EXACTLY what God has told you to do…GO FOR IT!
#5 – Understand that everyone is NOT going to understand you…and that you can’t make it your goal to make sure that everyone understands and approves. (See Galatians 1:10 and Proverbs 29:25)
#6 – Quit running to the online audience that will never darken the doors of your church to seek their approval. Enough said!
#7 – PRAY BOLD PRAYERS for your church! The early church prayed for boldness…we pray for safety. The early church prayed for people to come to Christ…we pray for sister so & so’s hangnail! The early church prayed for the church to expand and the Gospel to advance…we pray that we can keep our churches small and safe. Let’s BEG God for things to happen in our churches that are UNEXPLAINABLE and UNDENIABLE so that HE can receive ALL the glory!
#8 – STOP trying to be everyone else and be who God called you to be…your church should be a result of responding to the REVELATION of God and not the IMITATION of others!
THIS WEEKEND! February 3, 2011
To say that we are excited about this weekend at NewSpring Church would be quite an understatement. I have said it on this blog and I said it this past weekend…but let me say it agan…THIS WEEKEND will be one of the top five weekends we’ve EVER had in the history of NewSpring Church…EVER!
Last weekend we did part one of, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” AND…the stories that continue to pour in are simply amazing in regards to people letting go of bitterness and anger that they’ve held in for years. (Remember, in Christ we can walk from tragedy to triumph! See John 16:33)
THIS WEEKEND we are taking that question to the next level as we take a look at some real life examples of people who have experienced unbelievable tragedy in their lives…but with the help of Christ are walking in triumph through it. There is SO MUCH POWER when it comes to people’s personal stories…and so as your pastor I am telling you that you need to do everything possible to be at church this weekend…AND you also need to do whatever possible to BRING SOMEONE with you (especially if they are struggling with bitterness/anger at God!)
Anderson campus…remember that THIS WEEKEND ONLY we are moving our Sunday night services to Saturday night…the times are the same, 4 and 6pm.
Columbia campus…remember that THIS WEEKEND ONLY we are moving the Sunday night service to Saturday night…same time, 6pm.
We are making these adjustments for one weekend only because there is this little event called the Super Bowl that a few people are slightly interested in! :-) (AND…let me know if your home group Super Bowl Party is going to have good food…I am more than willing to crash it!) :-)
All other campuses will have the normal service times.
AND…normal service times will resume the next weekend (the 13th) and we answer the question, “What is the one thing that is holding me back from experiencing an unbelievable life and relationship with God?”
I’m so excited in regards to what God is doing in our church right now…which leads me to ask each of you one more thing…
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spend some time between now and Saturday praying for this weekend and asking God to show up in an undeniable way and IMPACTS lives as only He can do. Seriously NewSpring Church…let’s BEG GOD to move this weekend like never before. I am not just thinking this is going to be an amazing weekend…I am BELIEVING IT and I know that thousands of you are going to BEG GOD and BELIEVE with me!!!
Can’t wait…see you THIS weekend.
A Letter From Pastor P To NewSpring Church January 18, 2011
Hey NewSpring Church…seven things I wanted to share with you today…
#1 – I am still overwhelmed with what I saw God do at our church this past Sunday. To think that 11 years ago we were at one location with 115 people and then 11 years later we had nearly 14,000 people at five locations absolutely fires me up when I consider this – if THIS is what God has done in the first 11 years of the history of our church then what will the next 11 look like!!! Like I’ve said for quite a while now…I don’t even think we’ve scratched the surface in regards to all Jesus wants to do in and through us…the best really is yet to come.
#2 – I truly believe if all of us could grasp the realities I taught through this past Sunday and learned to find our identity in Christ and NOT our past mistakes, disappointments and regrets then we could truly step into the victorious life Jesus has for us. Remember…”that” photograph may be what you did…but it is NOT who you are…IF you are in Christ (see II Corinthians 5:17!) Don’t allow the voice of the enemy to hold you captive (like the Israelites did in regards to Goliath!) Remember…in Christ…
- I am completely forgiven – Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18
- I am chosen and valuable – Ephesians 1:3-5, Ephesians 1:11
- I am unconditionally loved – Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 3:17-19
- UNDERSTAND THESE TRUTHS WILL CHANGE THE GAME!!!
#3 – THIS coming Sunday I really do believe I am preaching one of THE MOST important sermons I’ve EVER taught in the history of our church…it is sort of a “part two” if you will in regards to follow up from this week’s sermon. SO…IF these things are all true then WHAT in the world are we supposed to do about it? THIS Sunday we are going to MAKE WAR on the idea that we are somehow normal, ordinary people who could never do anything significant in this world. God didn’t call you to just live in this world…HE CALLED YOU TO CHANGE IT…and this Sunday we’re going to dive into that!
#4 – We had SEVERAL people who were absolutely fired up about Kenya and what we’ve seen the Lord doing over there. It blows my mind that we’ve had 241 people go on a trip over there since we’ve been partner with that nation since 2009. And…like I said Sunday…it is my prayer/desire that every single NewSpring member/owner will one day serve the Lord oversees on a short term mission trip…it is UNBELIEVABLE what God does in your heart when you break out of your normal environment. Remember two things regarding an overseas trip…
- First – DON’T WAIT until you want to go! Like I said Sunday the reason I went is because I knew the Lord clearly spoke to my heart and COMMANDED me to go. I have learned that if you WAIT to “feel good about? what the Lord is telling you to do then you’ll probably never do it. He is ALWAYS calling us to leave our comfort zone and step into the unknown!
- Second – The cost to go is $3,500 plus your immunizations. We’ve had people say they would love to go as long as the church fully funded their trip. Which…is sad because it reveals the heart of Christianity to a lot of Americans which basically says, “Dear Jesus, I will do anything you want me to do as long as it does not cost me anything!” If God wants you to go…then He will provide the money!!!
- One more thing…HERE is the website that gives you more information about our trips scheduled for this year.
#5 – We are going to be starting more campuses; in fact, right now I believe the Lord is calling us to start five campuses in the next five years somewhere in the state of South Carolina. There are over 4 million people in this state…and conservative estimates say that around 2 million do not know Christ!!! NewSpring, we’ve GOT a lot of work to do!!!
#6 – Anderson and Columbia campuses…REMEMBER that on Super Bowl weekend (the first weekend in February…the 5th and 6th) we are moving our Sunday night services THAT WEEKEND ONLY to Saturday night!
#7 – If you want an EXCELLENT follow up to the sermon this past Sunday then I HIGHLY recommend “The Grace of God” by Andy Stanley! It is SERIOUSLY the BEST book on the Grace of God that I have EVER read. You can order it online here…or you can pick it up in the resource center at your campus this Sunday.
Hey NewSpring…Let’s Celebrate! January 16, 2011
Howdy NewSpring Church! We’re officially 11 years old today…and I wanted us to celebrate together by taking a look at some quick facts…
- We began 11 years ago today with 115 people at our first worship service.
- TODAY we had our largest regular Sunday attendance EVER with 13,695 (ACTUALLY…we had a counting error @ our Anderson campus…the NEW number is 13,837 people, not including our online viewers!)
- (AND…keep in mind this is a holiday weekend!)
- Our Columbia campus went over 1,000 today in attendance!
- Our Charleston campus had nearly 400 people for week two! (Normally there is a HUGE drop off from week one to week two when a church begins…but our Charleston campus held strong!)
- Florence has been over 1,000 people for two weeks in a row!
- Our Greenville campus ALMOST had 2,500 people today (were less than 30 away…come on Greenville…SHATTER IT next week!)
- Anderson campus was INSANE today, getting close to 9,000 people!
- MOST IMPORTANT…we saw LOTS of people received Christ today…in fact…
- Since NewSpring began we’ve seen over 12,000 people trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins!!!
THANK YOU to everyone who has served, invited, prayed for and given to this ministry over the past 11 years…together we’ve seen God do AMAZING things!
I’ll write more about this on Tuesday in my weekly letter to the church…I just wanted to get this out there so we can celebrate together what THE LORD is doing! We are seeing Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 3:20 come true right before our eyes! Jesus is doing amazing work among us…and our best days really are yet to come!!!
Oh yeah…and for the record…next week I am preaching what I would consider to be one of the top five most important messages I’ve EVER preached at NewSpring Church…so do whatever it takes to get here (AND bring someone with you…found people find people!)
10 Things I Believe About The Church January 12, 2011
#1 – I believe the potential for the local church to do good and create positive change in the world is greater than it has ever been.
#2 – I believe that the ROOT of the desire to do good and create positive change in the world HAS to be the GOSPEL…and if it isn’t what will develop is cool ministry fads and ideas…but nothing revolutionary that will impact the world.
#3 – I believe that some of the greatest Christian leaders that the world will ever know are currently in elementary school, middle school and high school…thus making youth and children’s ministry one of the greatest mission opportunities that the local church can invest in.
#4 – I believe that more and more church leaders are going to begin to take radical steps of faith rather than trying to repair broken systems.
#5 – I believe that more and more church leaders are going to continually put personal preferences of ministry aside and work together with other people to accomplish more ministry than they could have ever done alone.
#6 – I believe that we’re going to see some of the greatest moves of God this world has ever seen in the next 20 years…MOST of them happening because the local church finally decided to step up and be the church.
#7 – I believe God wants to use your church to do unbelievable things in the community in which HE has planted you.
#8 – I believe the key to a healthy church is healthy church leadership…leaders cannot fly at the speed of sound and expect to hear God’s still small voice. The healthier we will get the healthier our churches can be.
#9 – I believe that if ALL leaders took the advice God gave us in Galatians 6:9 that we would see breakthroughs like we’ve NEVER seen before.
#10 – I believe God has called the church to CHANGE the world…not complain about it!!! We are an empowered body of believer whom He has called to attempt the “impossible” so that people can see HIM!!! (So…what is that thing that you know you should do next?)