I know this is probably going to upset a few people (Mostly non-church planters), so let me say sorry right up front. But I find that many of the guys writing books about church planting have much to say about demographics, sociological issues, trends, and what’s hot, but many lack one key ingredient: they’ve never planted a church. So when we started CCML, I read all of these books about how to plant and healthy church. Then I realized this was all theory. Surveys can help to a degree (If they are done in your area), cultural changes are very … Read More
Reading is FUNdamental
One of the ways I train my staff is through giving them books to read. In nearly every staff meeting we have, the fist hour is spent either watching a DVD or discussing a book we are reading together. I know this is nothing new, but I decided to mix it up recently. I gave my staff totally different books to read and we are discussing the various books together. I’ve found that is a more beneficial way to train for a couple of reasons: #1 – More Conversation – If we’re reading the same book, there’s only so many … Read More
Planters Nuts?
I think church planters are the oddest bunch of people on the planet. Since I am one, I feel I can speak freely on the subject. One reason is because we see every building as a potential church. I once sat and talked to my wife about how easy it would to turn a Pizza Hut into a church. I hadn’t decided if the salad bar would need to be removed, but I could have worked with it. I originally wanted to start our church in a Kung-Fu studio. I thought it would be awesome. “HIIII! Welcome to Calvary Chapel!” … Read More
A Special Weekend
This Sunday was special because it marked 12 years that my wife and I gave our lives to Jesus. Carey and I were just dating at the time and we visited Boston to see my dad and brother. My brother modeled a life that had been changed by God and as we inquired about Jesus and eternal life, my brother Billy shared the Gospel with us and we prayed for Jesus to forgive at the very moment. I had heard the Gospel a bunch of times before, but for Carey it was the very first time she had heard that … Read More
My First Memorial Day
Today is the first day I am really celebrating Memorial Day. I’ve always gotten the day off, but I’ve never been so thankful to all of the men and women who have given their lives for our great country as I was yesterday. My friend Joey was in Iraq serving his country and he came home yesterday! I saw him and hugged and couldn’t let go. Tears filled my eyes as I told him how happy I was to see him and how proud I was of him. I don’t think a day went by that I didn’t pray for … Read More
Can the Canned Jokes
Charles Spurgeon once wrote…There’s a story that’s told about Napoleon…Two frogs were talking one day… – Let’s get real: Most people don’t read Spurgeon. I don’t. I read one Spurgeon book in Bible College, ‘Lectures to My Students.” To this day, it’s probably one of my favorite books of all time. Probably because of the story he tells about a student that he wouldn’t let into his Pastors’ school because his tongue was too long! I wonder if he went on to play bass for Kiss? But we don’t read Spurgeon’s writings. Let’s be honest, we read Bible Illustrator. Sorry, … Read More
2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
Yes that’s right, I just quoted Meatloaf! I never thought I’d ever use that sentence. But my weekend prediction was right. The Red Sox took 2 out of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (That’s gotta sting)! But I feel great since the Red Sox out hit the Yankees 43 to 14 over the last 2 games. That’s brutal! The Sox have proved why they are the World Champions ( I love how that sounds)!
Get to the Point!
I’m a huge fan of the 1-point message that Andy Stanley has made famous. It has totally changed the way that I communicate. I believe that I am a better teacher because of it. I came from the traditional homiletical style that I learned in Bible College. So when we started our church 4 1/2 years ago, I would walk up to the pulpit (I used one back then), and take out my notes that were in formal Roman numeral style and alliterate my points and sub-points. I have talked with many communicators about this and I was converted to … Read More
Name that Movie!
I’ve decided that each week I am going to pull from my arsenal of useless pop culture information and create some trivia for each of us to enjoy. So I will be posting a quote from a movie (Usually a cult classic 80’s film) and our job will be to guess the name of the movie. If you are really daring give us the name of the character who said the line. So here’s the first one (It’s not easy): “I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy.” Have fun…
The Names have been changed to Protect the Innocent
Our church is building out an 18,000 square foot facility 3 miles from our current location. It takes us outside of Miami Lakes which is where we started, so we want to change the name of our church so we aren’t Calvary Chapel Miami Lakes, but in different city. Due to the size of cities in South Florida, we prefer a name that isn’t tied to a location. We want to keep “Calvary”, but I’d love some input as to what we should rename our church. So fire away…