I am pumped about the Churchplanters.com conference coming up in less than a week. 

I did NOT get to go last year - so I have been waiting on this thing to roll around for quite some time.  It will be a blast to hang out, learn, and get to know some new people…

 Let me know if you will be there…

I use to tell student pastors this all the time…

You are not competing against other student ministries - but rather with teenagers alternative use of time.  It wasn’t the kids who were engaged in other ministries that I was concerned with.  It was with the teenagers who didn’t even have us (or any other student ministry) on their radar. 

 The same is true with church.  There are thousands of people who are already engaged with some church in your surrounding area.  This shouldn’t concern you as this is not your primary competition.  If it is - that’s another issue. 

Your primary competition is with people and their alternative use of time.  If going to your church is not better than hanging out at the lake, shopping, or staying in bed - than you have a problem. 

Give people an experience that will leave them different from when they walked into your auditorium.  If you don’t - the competition will win every time!

Very good day today.    People keep coming back and we had a lot of new people as well.  I can’t wait to hear the stories from the “It’s On Us” cards.  This will be fun!

On Sunday we will do a standalone message that I am PUMPED about, host our first Newcomers Lunch, and get ready to kick off the Face the Music series the following weekend. 

A lot is going on - and we are having a blast…

Devin and I went out to Dolce last night for dinner.  It was GREAT!  Very cool atmosphere and the prices aren’t ridiculous. 

If you are ever in Atlanta - then head to Atlantic Station and give this place a try. 

You will love it!

1.  Duke beat Carolina this week.  Not much better than that!

2.  Breathing is a rare commodity in my life right now…I despise sinus junk.

3.  The Glade Rd. exit will be closed Sunday for construction…Use the 92 exit instead. 

4.   If you don’t know what #3 means - no worries. 

5.   I have gotten more Myspace messages in the past 3 days than I have in the past 3 months. 

6.   Devin is making some crazy doughnut contraption for a baby shower tomorrow.  If food can be sexy - than this thing would qualify.

Some of you have asked for the set list - so here ya go…

Week 1

The Sound - Elevation

Happy Day - Tim Hughes

Awakening - Blake Goss/Freedom

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone - w/ a twist :))

Week 2

All Because of Jesus

Awesome is the Lord Most High

Shout Unto God

If Everyone Cared

Beautiful the Blood

In every working relationship there is a certain percentage that get’s swept under the rug.  

A person may be incredible, but there is that 10% that they could really improve.  Most of the time this never gets talked about because it’s just too awkward to bring into the open.  As a result, those things get ignored and the opportunity to speak into the life of an individual is missed.  This should not be!

As far as Freedom is concerned, we will make it a priority to discuss the 10%.  Is it awkward - sure.  Do I risk offending someone in a key position - maybe.  But, I believe that this little detail is one of the differences between having a good team - and having a great team. 

I want the best for our staff.  As a result, we have decided to keep the 10% out in the open. 

What do you think?  Do you think we should engage in the 10% conversation?

Church planting is a cool thing to do.  I agree with that 100%; however, if you are thinking of planting a church, you better have a better reason than that.  When a comment like “that didn’t work out - so now I will go and plant a church” is made - the person should probably reconsider.

Planting a church because it’s cool? - buy a new car…
…because it is exciting? buy a skydiving session and go jump out of an airplane…
…because you hate the one you’re in?   find a new one and invest your life there…
…because you want to be the “lead” pastor?   check your motives and make sure there is more to it than that…

We need more churches and we need more church planters.  Just make sure that it wasn’t your idea.  Make sure you were called to do it.   Then, answer the call - just make sure that is what you are answering.

Can’t wait for this series…Beginning 2.24.08

Better Days

Apologize

Crashed

This one will be a blast!

My good friend and my former Student Pastor - turned church planter, Jeff Chandler, did the pre-game devotional thing for the Patriots tonight.  Even though they lost the game - how cool would that be! 

 Jeff started Southcrest Church and is doing a great job!  I am pumped for him and a little jealous at the same time