We announced this morning that we are starting a Sunday evening service. On September 17th (Which is our 6-year anniversary by the way), we are going multi-site by adding a 2nd service at 6PM. We’re going to be meeting in the Fellowship Hall of a local church (The sanctuary wouldn’t work), and that will add another 200 or so seats for us, plus some Children’s space. Carey put together a hilarious video and people responded really well to it (I’ll post the video this week). I think this is going to open up a whole new group of people to … Read More

I got a great question today from a church planter who wanted to know if I do reviews or evaluations with our staff and how I do them. It’s a great question because people don’t do what you expect if you don’t tell them what you expect. So we do a semi-formal review/ evaluation towards the end of the year where we discuss job performance, ministry budgets, etc… But I also meet in a less formal way with our staff throughout the year and remind them of our A-B-C philosophy. What is that? I believe that ministries vary in importance … Read More

Our set-up crew arrived at the theatre this morning to no power. There was no power on our block. We called the power company and they said they’d have someone out by 10AM (Our start time). So the amazing guys who set things up every week, set everything up in complete darkness. Then we got a couple of generators and we had some power to be able to light our sanctuary. So we had everyone (including kids) gather into our main theatre. Did I mention that there was what seemed like a monsoon outside with all the rain? So doing … Read More

I said goodbye to 2 families this weekend. They are both moving out of the state and I was able to recommend some good churches in their area. These moments are always bittersweet for me. I’m excited by what God is doing in their lives, yet I’m sad to see such great people leave us. Selfish? Probably. But I feel it nonetheless. But it got thinking about something that’s a reality for every church: attrition. Every church experiences attrition to one degree or another. People die, people backslide, people get upset, and people move. It’s the natural reality of ministry. … Read More

I finished teaching the book of Daniel this morning in a series we called, “Crash”. I was blown away when I said that today was the end and I heard the collective “AAAAUUUUHHHHHH.” The people were sad it was ending. I heard that same thing when we finished our “Polaroid” series. But I was blown away that the folks in our church were so taken by studying Daniel. Even the people in our church that aren’t Christians or recently became Christ followers were totally into the series. It just shows people are interested in truth that’s shared in a relevant … Read More

In light of some recent conversations I’ve had, I thought I’d take the time to share with you what I believe. Here is our church statement of faith, where you can find where I stand on many of the most important tenets of the faith. I write this because I appreciate the men that have called me and had the guts to ask me what I believe. I really appreciate that. It shows their care and concern for me and the church I lead. Here’s what I find interesting: the people who are questioning my beliefs are doing so without … Read More

In addition to the “No men holding hands while praying” man law that was ratified by the majority, another man law for christian men is being proposed. It’s referred to as the hug-hit rule. Allow me to explain: when 2 men feel the need to hug, the 2 men involve themselves in a skillfully choreographed motion that makes the experience last no longer than 3 seconds. This is a careful discipline because there can be no lingering or holding on. This is a seamless motion where the guys’ shoulders collide, then the mandatory 2-pats on the back and we’re done. … Read More

Can we establish some Man Laws for Christians? I think this would help and cause us to not experience awkward moments with other dudes in church. Here’s my first proposal: Men should not hold hands with other men while praying. I’m sorry, but that just makes me feel awkward. Will someone second the motion?

I officiated a renewal of vows tonight for a couple in our church that’s been married for 20 years. I told them during the ceremony that they got married when I was 12. I sat in my office trying to figure out what to say to them. Here’s what I came up with: Thank you! Marriages aren’t doing so well these days and I was so encouraged to see a couple stick it out for 20 years. It’s awesome. The highlight of the evening was during the reception when some of the decorations caught on fire and the fire alarm … Read More