So if you’ve actually been following this list of books on church planting, my #4 pick is An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus. This book is just plain phenomenal! I am totally convinced that the books church planters need to read are by people that are actually doing it! You can’t figure out what needs to be done to build a church by reading stats and examining data. You’ve got to actually do it! And Erwin is leading a great ministry in Los Angeles called Mosaic. Erwin’s insights about where the church is currently and how the church has forgotten … Read More
Name that Movie
"He doesn’t even have his license, Lisa!" Remember, no sources other than your twisted mind can be used to name this movie. Also, throw in the character (That’s a hint) who said it… Enjoy…
Mid-Week or Small Groups?
I’ve gotten some calls as of late due to the fact that we transitioned from having a mid-week service to going completely to small groups in leiu of a mid-week. Most of the questions I’ve received are pretty similar, so I decided to post how we transitioned successfully (read: minimal casualties). #1 – Share the vision for small group ministry – This is the most important component. If you don’t share the vision about the life changing aspects of small group ministry, no one is going to buy in. Mutiny takes place when those following don’t trust the leader because … Read More
Has the Member-Ship set sail?
We don’t have a membership at our church. I know, it’s crazy! Most churches have one, but unless you are congregational in your church government, I don’t see the value. I’ve heard some pretty compelling arguments about how it allows people to feel like they a part of something. But here’s my issue: I have been a “Member” of my local gym for 3 years. Even though I became a member, I was still eating McDonald’s and powdered donuts until recently. So my membership didn’t mean anything to me. Yet when I decided to get serious about fitness, I began … Read More
ipod Queen
So I just read that the Queen of England just bought an ipod. A silver 6 Gig ipod mini. What does this mean for everyone else in the world? It means that if you don’t have an ipod, then the 75 year old head of the royal family is more technologically advanced than you. And that isn’t cool! So throw your 8-track player out and go buy one! Here’s my other thought: What songs do you think she’s purchased from itunes? Here are my guesses: "Kings and Queens" by Aerosmith"God save the Queen" by the Sex PistolsQueens Greatest HitsThe … Read More
So Unpredictable…
I think our church has come to the conclusion that just about anything can happen at one of our services. A few weeks ago we had a buddy of ours, Prodigal Son, stop the worship and give us some freestyle rap, I’ve preached while making a hot fudge sundae, and I think people really liked when I threw bags of cotton candy into the crowd while I was teaching. But today topped it all: The power went out. Yes, we blew out one of the surge protectors and at the very end of worship, all the power went out. But … Read More
“Who’s gonna drive you home…tonight?”
Now that you’re singing The Cars (Which is a greatest hits everyone should own, by the way), I’ve decided to take my staff to the Drive Conference at Northpoint in August. We usually go to one conference a year all together as a pseudo staff retreat, and we decided this was the one we all wanted to attend. We’ve been to Northpoint a few times and we’ve read everything they’ve put out, but I’m really looking forward to seeing the inner working of why they do what they do. It looks to be a great time.
Best Conference Ever
Here’s a question I’d love to hear some feedback on: What’s the best conference you’ve been to and why? This might inform some of us who don’t know there’s an amazing conference that could really help us. Or it might encourage us to attend the conference you recommend. Here’s mine: Catalyst 2003. Why? I was going through a really tough time in ministry. Things weren’t going the way I had hoped, and God met me there. I learned a lot of leadership principles, got great ideas, and discovered Rob Bell, but the thing I remember the most is that I … Read More
We won! I think?
If you haven’t been to www.practicallyspeaking.org, you’ve got to. Come on, free Mp3’s by Andy Stanley! You can’t beat that deal with a stick! But I finished listening to the first interview on Clarify the Win, which is also part of The 7 Practices of Effective ministry book that Andy and Co. wrote. But I believe the interview takes the conversation a little deeper. They started talking about each of their ministry areas and what the win is for every area, including Sunday morning service. I can’t tell you how challenged I was by listening to this. It has made … Read More
I just have to know who woke up hearing these song lyrics…
“We’re off to outer space, we’re leaving Mother Earth To save the human race. Our Star Blazers. Searching for a distant star, heading off to Iscandar Leaving all we love behind, who knows what dangers we’ll find? We must be strong and brave, our home we’ve got to save. If we don’t, in just one year, Mother Earth will disappear Fighting with the Gamalons, we won’t stop until we’ve won Then we’ll return, and when we arrive The Earth will survive with our Star Blazers.” Someone please tell me you remember the greatest animated TV show of ALL TIME!!!
