Northpoint finally hopped onboard the podcast train. They uploaded an older series, but does it really matter? Here it is.

I found out today that 30% of our small group leaders were apprenticing during the last semester of small groups. That’s exciting to me because it means that the leadership engine of our church is getting some traction. We’ve been casting the vision for groups for the last 2 years and now we are finally seeing the fruit of our labor! Our church is buzzing about groups getting underway again and we aren’t starting the sign-ups for another 2 weeks! I hope this is an encouragement to you. Sometimes the things we want to see happen need time to develop. … Read More

One of the things I’ve found in attending conferences over the years is that the place where you really learn is in-between sessions. That’s because this is the place where you can ask the really practical questions about ministry and church. My prayer for years has been that a conference would come that took these practical matters to the stage and allowed us to hear from some people who are doing ministry well in a portable setting with all of the challenges which come with that. Having said that, Calvary Fellowship is going to host a conference specifically for churches … Read More

So the news is out that Fellowship Church has landed in Miami. I think it’s a great thing. Lord knows we need relevant ministries in Miami. I’m interested to see if they make some cultural adjustments to what they do to reach people in Dallas to reach folks in Miami. Either way, welcome!

In this article from Catalyst Monthly, Erwin McManus talks about something really important for leaders: reading books that make you uncomfortable. I’ve talked about this in the past, but I believe as a leader you have to expose yourself to ideas that force you to think. The problem is most people don’t read books to think, they read books to relax. Leaders should read because it opens them up to a new way of thinking or at the very least allows us to understand someone with a differing view a little better.

In light of the Church Report’s list of the Top 50 most influential churches, I decided to share a couple of ways some of these churches have influenced me: #1 – Willowcreek – They taught me that leadership and vision are critical to the success of any church. #2 – Saddleback – They taught me to keep the unchurched in mind in everything we do. #3 – Northpoint Community Church – I’ve learned so much from Northpoint, but their greatest influence on me has been how to preach with only one point (This has been the greatest blessing to me … Read More

We had a surprise visit this weekend from a couple of Pastors/leaders from this church, who came to check out how we do church in a theatre. I didn’t get to talk to them afterwards, but we were able to connect through e-mail. Visits like these (especially when they are unannounced) create a great opportunity for feedback. These guys were doing some R & D of their own, but I wanted to hear the good, the bad, and ugly about what we’re doing and their experience. Even if you change up your routine and come in through a different door … Read More

Is there a new holiday I don’t know about? I’m thinking today might have been unofficial “Anti-Rick Warren” day and no one informed the rest of us. I have heard so much smack talk about Rick Warren lately that’s out of control. Yes, he sold millions of books. Yes, he Pastors a big church. Yes, he has a passion to reach people that don’t know Jesus. Yes, he is using the money he earned from his books sales to help plant churches and relieve the pain of those suffering in Africa. I know these are all reasons to hate. 🙂 … Read More

I had a great time meeting with a couple of Pastors from Flamingo Road Church in Cooper City. They just started a satellite venue in Doral (That’s in Miami, for you out of towners). I am so glad they called and wanted to get together and talk about doing ministry in South Florida and specifically Miami. I was shocked by a statement that a speaker made at a conference they attended: “The new southern-most border of South Florida is Broward county because Miami is totally lost!” I couldn’t believe it! That’s why I give Flamingo Road mad props. They didn’t … Read More

I’ve been totally blessed listening to this years’ Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor’s conference. The theme is “God’s Continuing Work Through His Church.” Basically, each speaker is telling their story of how God worked in their lives and lessons they’ve learned. Great stuff! I’m about 1/2 way through the sessions and here’s the 2 consistent themes I’ve heard throughout: #1 – God is faithful – It’s a fact and a great reminder! #2 – God works differently every time – Every story the Pastors told featured God leading the Pastor and leaders to do something different at each stage of the … Read More