Preaching-More Challenging

Going through homiletically correct motions in a sermon is a waste of time. Continuing some previous blogs regarding Ray Johnston's keynote address at the 2011 Thrive Conference at Bayside Church... young leaders are weighing in with Ray.

Young leaders are clamoring for their preaching and teaching pastors to stop talking just to be heard. Instead, throw down the gauntlet. Eloquent words are not desirable. What's needed is for young leaders to be challenged by the teaching of the local church. When that happens... young people will rise to the occasion.

I'm 45 years old. I'm not a 'young person' anymore... even though, inside, I feel like I'm about 28. I can say that this makes perfect sense to me. I agree. And, to the best of my ability, I try and live this concept out in my own teaching. Maybe to a fault.

I realize most readers, when asked if challenging preaching and teaching is what they desire, would give a resounding, 'YES!' But, could it be when we hear challenging preaching... we actually tend to get upset and really DON'T want to hear it?

Change-Implemented Quicker

Bayside's Ray Johnston explains how his younger staff are begging to be led. In striving for a God-directed ministry accomplishing the impossible... here is the 2nd characteristic.

2. Change needs to be implemented quicker.

They are NOT saying that change is fun. But young leaders are stating when change is needed, it needs to be done quicker.

Young leaders understand there’s an urgency that’s obvious. So they want to see the politics stop and the needed changes be swiftly made if the church is to have a successful future.

Do you agree? Should we start making quicker changes when it's needed and stop worrying about being so safe? Do we stop prolonging the inevitable?

Young leaders say, “YES!” What say you?

Future Church

The Thrive Conference with Ray Johnston changed lives again this year. I had the privilege of attending a session during a William Jessup University board meeting a few weeks ago.

WOW!

I've always been a Bayside/Johnston fan. But I have added measures of respect, excitement and appreciation for the ministry of Johnston and particularly Thrive.

My understanding of the conference's purpose is to help produce healthy churches and leaders. There aren't many nobler causes, are there? Think about it. If healthy churches were in play... lives would change and needs would be met.

People would get saved.
Human trafficking would end.
Marriages would be restored.
The hungry would be fed.
The needy would have their needs met.
The weary would find encouragement.
The angry would find peace.
Those in pain would find joy.
The withdrawn would find connection.
The shy would reach out.
The less fortunate would be less unfortunate.

You get the picture. Pick a cause that's out there. Pick a need that's worthy of your time, talent and treasure - not to mention your prayers. If the churches in America (and abroad) were healthy... those needs would be met and lives would change exponentially around the globe.

Over the next set of posts, I'm going to reveal some insightful, challenging and convicting ideas I learned during Ray's address to the energetic attenders of the Thrive Conference. I think you'll be challenged in your thinking as well.

KidLead - Is It Possible Adults Are Hindering Young Leaders... A Lot?

I'm finally back to reading the book, KidLead, an awesome book on raising young leaders. I can't describe how motivating and convicting a book like this can be for me as it gets into my very core. Not just because I have an 8 and 10 year old to parent... but because of my faith. 

As a pastor and Christian leader, I've heard the stats of what age people typically come to faith in Christ. These numbers previously revealed that kids under 18 were most likely to accept Christ as their Leader, Savior, Boss of their lives. However, that number has declined over the years... quite substantially. Which is why a book like this on developing young leaders becomes so dear to my heart.

If Christendom is experiencing people come to faith and a relationship with Jesus at the age of... let's say... 15 and under - then by golly if we can develop significant leaders in that age group, what do you think will happen to the number of those putting their trust in Jesus? BINGO!

So, let's chat about that a while... 

Thailand Hotel Attempting Church Relevance

This picture is an actual flyer I got in my hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I absolutely love it. In case you can't read it - here are some excerpts.

• Dear My Guest
• Beverage rate in refridgelator
• "another beverage and snake you can buy at office"
• Please bring your cloth to office
• Free coffee in small house every day
• For another question you can ask me later

I think this stuff is so cute. But still... I'm wondering if my "refridgelator" will hold my beverage and "snake" that I buy at the office. And what "cloth" do I take to the office? Is that near the small house with the coffee? I only see a hotel with a clubhouse-sort-of-building. Honestly, I didn't have any questions until I read this unsolicited flyer in my hotel room. The last thing I want to do is get "another question" from this gal later.

Sound familiar? I think many churches, including Impact, can communicate in very similar ways to our 'target market.' As a church in Elk Grove and Sacramento, how many times have we used language that the people we are trying to reach just 'don't get?'

Communication is a KEY to reaching others. How are you doing? Do you use a lot of words like 'blessed' and 'hedge of protection' and 'my walk with God?' I'm really thinking that this type of language is like the well-meaning office manager who put that flyer in my room.

Oh - just so you know, I appreciated the effort of this office manager and  did take her up on doing my laundry. I looked past the miscommunication and to the heart of her message. It was actually helpful. But are our neighborhoods as apt to overlook our miscommunication? If we communicate more intentionally, we won't have to worry about it.

City Hope '09

Here is another update on City Hope '09 which begins Sept 12/13, 2009 in Elk Grove and at Impact... with the inauguration of our first Saturday night service (which is very cool, by the way).

As a part of this incredible way to impact our community, our small groups will be participating in various 'projects' over the 40 days (7 weeks). Here are a few ideas of what those projects might look like:
* Blood Drive
* Mentor Development for Men and Women
* Job Fair
* Adopt A School
* Senior Center of Elk Grove

And so much more. This is going to be one of the best things that has ever happened to the churches in Elk Grove. When God's people join together - from ALL denominations - to do a work in the name of Jesus alone... GREAT THINGS ARE IN STORE!

It will be SO cool that for 7 weeks - we will be known as "The Church At Elk Grove" - NOT Impact Community Church... NOT First Baptist Church... NOT Lifepointe Christian Church... NOT Grace Community Church. For 40 days, we will be "The Church At Elk Grove."

And for that - I am TRULY EXCITED! More information coming in the next week or two! Yard signs, 40 Day Devotionals, and Small Group Curriculum will all be provided for you! SWEET!

Sacramento Bee - Fox 40 News - "Am I Being Painted As The Bad Guy?"

The Sacramento Bee ran an article this morning on pastors who use other pastors' messages as a source for ideas and content in their own preaching. This is something I've always done. It's no secret. No big deal. Nothing to be ashamed of... right?

Well, according to some of the Bee readers, you'd think I was a bad guy - that's for sure. And even the article... it has an unwritten bent that kinda makes me (and several thousand other pastors) out to be the rebels. You can read the article here.

To add to this seemingly benign FRONT PAGE article of the Bee... Fox 40 News called this morning and wants to do an on-camera interview tomorrow. Seriously? Is this really that big of a deal... well... except for the 5000 pastors who took "The Pastor's Pledge," promising to use the Bible as their primary sermon source?

WHOA! Wait a second. Who says that I'm not already using the Bible as my primary sermon source? Let's think about that for a moment. If Pastor Joe Schmoe was one of the elite and uber spiritual 5000 pastors who took the pledge - and he wrote a sermon with his primary source as the Bible... and then I wanted to preach it a year later... does that mean the sermon is no longer a Bible based sermon? Did somehow the Source get changed in that message?

Why can't I find a pastor who uses the Bible as his primary source and then utilize that great Biblical CONCEPT while tweaking it to fit my personality with personal stories and illustrations?

Seems like I should be able to be in the 'Bible Source Club' too. In fact, if you read this article - I think I'm already qualified to be one of the 5000 along with Pastor Schmoe. :) Additionally, the whole "Pastor's Pledge" was started by www.sermoncentral.com - a leading provider of sermons and sermon resources as a way to encourage pastors to focus on the Bible as they consult other resources for inspiration in communicating as effectively as possible.

What do you think... should I do the Fox 40 News interview... or am I being painted as the bad guy here? Comment below if you like.

What is a Legacy Church?

Dr. Stephen Gray, the guy I wrote my first book with, came out with another book this year that is turning the church upside down (in a good way). It's called, "Legacy Churches" and the response has been off the chart with everyone clamouring for a piece of the pie.

I think he sorta 'accidently' stumbled upon this great idea... but it has now become something way bigger than he could have ever have imagined. It's a great, short read and I highly recommend it. There are literally thousands of churches that not only need to read this, but to implement it as well.

The kingdom will be greater because of this book.

Is Satan Real? ABC Nightline Face-Off Debate

WOW! This is a pretty amazing debate (click here) about Satan's actual existence. Mark Driscoll (pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church) and Annie Lobert (founder of "Hookers For Jesus") face off against the clueless Deepak Chopra and Bishop Carlton Pearson regarding, "Is Satan Real?"

This is just a little long but it is well worth your time. Pastor Mark Driscoll did an excellent job representing Christ, the church, and believers in Christ. He was outside his normal abrasive self. Hopefully, there were thousands of people to hear the gospel in a very interesting, but sometimes frustrating conversation!

If you'd like, let me know your thoughts below by pushing the 'Post a Comment' button.

Stats, Facts, and Interesting Video About YOU and Your World

Check this out. I found this at "already been chewed' - a very creative blog space by Barton Damer.

 Most certainly makes you think... huh? I wonder what my 9 & 6 year old kids college education will look like. How do you prepare for stuff like this? In fact, how does the church get in the game with this type of progress and technology? Or do we?

If you don't see the video - click here!

Fasting Update - WOW, WOW!

The 21 Day Fast is just a week underway and NUMEROUS people are growing in their faith. Here is the rundown!

Approximately 450 people are involved in some fasting endeavor.

20 people are doing the full-on 21 Day Daniel Fast. Most are fasting from all meat, bread, sweets (including coffee, caffeine, soda, etc) and anything else that most of us find enjoyable to consume. :)

115 people chose at least one full day to fast completely from everything but water (including 2 children). This number also includes a few duplicates as some are fasting more than one day. Regardless, this should produce some amazing results over the next three weeks as most every day has at least four or five people fasting for themselves to get closer to God, for Impact, and for unchurched people to get saved at our Easter Series, "It's Personal".

An additional 334 people are fasting from various things for various time periods over the next 21 days. This includes 92 children who are fasting for 21 days from 'something.' It could be sweets, 'fast food,' video games, technology, etc. Some adults are fasting for 21 days in several areas of their life as well. For instance, my kids are fasting from desert for 21 days - WOW! And my daughter is fasting from sweets as well (with just one slip-up so far with her grandparents... it's hard to say 'no' to root beer floats).

The point is, some 450 people are growing in their faith, stretching their comfort level, going deeper, and prayingfor our church and its ministry to the unchurched. (This even includes about a dozen prison inmates from Folsom who are joining us in the fast.)

May the fires of evangelism remain WHITE HOT at Impact. May YOU continue to reach OUT as people are more receptive than ever to a word about God! These are amazing times we're living in... be a part of it!

If you haven't checked out the site yet, head to Impact's 21 Day Fast site... print out the CALENDAR and read the daily verses and prayer requests for the 21 days. You can also find recipes, FQA's, food guidelines, etc. God is doing something supernatural here. Don't miss out!

Fish Frenzy

I have to admit, I love tropical fish. I love the tranquility that comes with their graceful movements. Seriously, it's great therapy... especially the way the Sacramento Kings have played this year.

They're also a pain. Keeping up with the water cleanliness. The filters. The food. It all just adds up to 'work.'

Kinda sounds like church to me. There's nothing like seeing people come to Christ. The joy of knowing that our people had something to do with that. It's awesome. It's also a pain. Cause with more people comes more stuff that needs to be 'cleaned up.' More crap needs to be filtered. More people need to be fed. And with twice the fish... I mean, people... we have twice the problems and 'issues.'

But it's SO WORTH IT! Helping to grow people up is not easy. Taking care of new believers is hard work. I hope those of you who are mature believers understand your grossly important role of helping take care of these new folks. There is little that is more difficult, or more rewarding, than growing people in their faith.

21 Day Daniel Fast... WOW!

This is it kids - the 21 Day Daniel Fast began yesterday. For me and my wife, it all began Friday morning. I gotta tell ya, I am looking forward to a gigantic Mt Dew big gulp at the end of this thing... like maybe 6am on the Friday 3 weeks from now.

I am truly amazed and blown away by the response from the people of Impact. I am honored and priveleged to serve alongside so many people of faith.

Here's the deal though... can you imagine what God is going to do throughout the next three weeks and beyond? Seriously! This is going to be absolutely amazing. People are seeking God, praying for lost people to come to Christ during our Easter series, "It's Personal," and they're going deeper in their own walks.

Be watching for stats this week on just how many people are doing the 21 Day Daniel Fast, one-day complete fasts, and miscellaneous fasting from all sorts of things over the next three weeks.

You Go God!

Confessions of a Kings Fan

Ok - so I got some free tickets to attend the Friday Kings / Cavaliers game. I was incredibly excited because the seats were row "H" and on the isle at center court. I was also pumped about seeing LeBron James - probably the best player in the league.

The Kings really beat the Cav's. Serious. They outplayed them up and down the court with a 16 point lead with just 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

That's when the Kings choked... they just started playing like wussy's. They tried to protect the lead... to be too careful. They stopped being aggressive. They stopped attacking on offense.

I HATED THE GAME! It was ours. It was a win. It was in the bag. And we choked... again! I went home and was physically mad. Then... I was even more mad at myself for being mad about another stupid loss. I would rather have lost by 20 than have it go down to the wire like that... and choke.

Oh, I'm still a fan... it's in my blood. I wish I could get a transfusion, but I won't.

Here's the insight. I think we do the same in the church. We see people come to Christ (we get a lead), and then we go into protect mode. We just want to 'keep our lead.' We don't continue to be aggressive. We don't continue to passionately reach out to unchurched people.

And that, my friends, is more than disappointing. I am so thrilled that we have a church that continues to reach out! As we grow bigger than we've ever been (well over 700 now), we continue to be aggressive, to seek ways to reach out, to not protect our lead but to gain on our lead.

I love Impact Community Church.

I Want To Go Deeper

We've all heard it. You might have said it. I have talked about it.

"I WANT TO GO DEEPER!"

Perry Noble is the pastor at Newspring Church in Anderson, SC. He is pretty outspoken and I like his style. If you have ever thought this, said this, or heard someone say this - you really MUST go check out Perry's Blog about "You Are Not Deep Enough" - you'll love it... or hate it. Either way, I hope you read it.