Blessed Life

We learned long ago how important it is to give God our tithe. As time went on, we also learned the huge lesson of giving an offering over and above our tithe. It has been part of our lifestyle ever since. So after receiving our envelope with $500.00 in it, we prayed, “God, what would you have us do?”  And after two weeks of praying to God and sharing with others what we had been charged with, we still didn’t sense or feel we knew what direction to take.  Sunday, we manned the ‘What’s Next’ booth before & after the 11:30 service.  It was during this time we helped a young couple who came to get info on ‘What’s Next’ from the booth. They had a really neat story of what God did for them. The wife told me just several days before another member of Journey Church had blessed them with money for food at the grocery store where they went to shop. There is much more to the story she told me but in short, they came to Journey Church that morning because of the blessing they received in the grocery store.  The young man received Christ that morning during the service. As we prayed with them amidst all the activity in front of the ‘What’s Next’ booth, we both were so touched by what God had done in and for this young couple.  We talked about it several times during the next two days. It made us even more excited to know just what God wanted us to do with our envelope. I felt after praying on Monday, I heard God say ‘we were trying too hard to do just the right thing that we were missing the obvious.’ And that many people still have their envelopes praying ‘what do we do God?’ This is a new responsibility for many who took an envelope Sunday morning, the 1^st week of the Blessed Life.  They are worried that they won’t do the right thing.  I sensed God saying ‘The opportunities to bless are everywhere! – They are everywhere! Tuesday morning, we got an email from Herschel sent to all the Journey Group Leaders which told of another group member who had a project they were doing to raise even more funds to add to their envelope – so even more people could be blessed. After reading their list of people to bless, we sensed we were to join our Blessed Life funds with theirs to help accomplish this goal. I called the group member and told her. She was so excited – saying it was an answer to a prayer they had prayed just the night before! They were starting to think they had set too high a goal. Calling them was such an encouragement that God is right in the middle of all of this! This is the Blessed Life!

20 Something Survey

I had a great meeting this morning over coffee with a few new friends who are in the work world just a few years out of college.   The awesome thing about them is their sincere desire for community in the context of friendship and authentic/real openness to God.  Speaking of their group they said that they value community, worship, & teaching similarly during a worship experience but more importantly want to see lives open to Christ’s leading & direction.  They really value demonstrative worship as evidence of the internal communion with God, but are accepting of all people.

I’m challenged by this because I wonder how our church experiences are not meeting this need for community.  Are we really accepting all people?  Is our comfort with ‘church as normal’ demonstrating faith or just the habit of attending church?  On the other hand, Is demonstrative worship necessary to display a heartfelt communion with God?  I think there is something deeply fulfilling to joining with others in expectation & excitement celebrating God together but is that what makes community valuable?

Obviously, the easiest example here in Norman, OK, is a Sooner football game.  86,00+ of your closest friends standing, cheering, yelling, & being a part of the greater ‘team.’  The students in the stands are discouraged by the old people (23+) who like to side down during timeouts.  Likewise, us old people are tired to standing when nothing is going on…  Maybe the communal expectation for students is what is important in allowing them together to not miss anything.  Maybe the knowledge of the flow of the game allows the older folks to catch 95% of the amazing stuff that happens while conserving energy for the long run…like a day full of running after 3 pre-schoolers.

20 – somethings?  I’d love your thoughts on ‘what does community look like to you, and how can the church help?’

Spawning…can you do that in church?

I had a great time tonight at the couples group that my wife and I attend and I was so pumped that i just had to share about it.  One of the hardest times in the life of a group is when the group grows so much that people stop sharing, or stop coming, or don’t feel connected anymore.  A great solution is to pray about God opening doors for multiple groups to ‘birth’ out of a single group.  I’ve been a part of multiple birthing situations in groups, some successful (with 2 or 3 healthy groups afterwards), and some not so great…(zero healthy groups afterwards.)

Although saddened that the time is finally here (we started discussing it in January) the whole group was excited about the next step in God’s adventure for both groups.  Our group is going to be expanding to be two groups in a few weeks, and we are really looking forward to it.

I avoid painting a picture with words that describe the event in negative terms (separating, ripping away, splitting, etc…) and focus on words that point to the purposes of group (birthing, multiplying, regenerating, expanding ministry, missional multiplication, etc…).  One of our leaders came up with a new term tonight though that I loved…he referred to it as “spawning.”  Of course it is not the same as birthing since it really means ‘depositing eggs in water’ (thanks to wikipedia), but for guys it may be a way to embrace the terminology of an often mis-understood opportunity for tremendous personal & group growth.

Happy Spawning!  Shout out to the Zike’s for being amazing group leaders for us these last 2 years.  We love you guys & hope to love our new group members as much as you’ve loved us.

Have you had great group experiences birthing, multiplying, expanding, or spawning?  Let me know by leaving a comment…

Maxwell ADVANCE Leadership Conference

Yes, you may be saying, “What, another conference!”  Yes, I have been blessed to get to attend a number of unplanned conferences this Spring and feel like I’ve been drinking from the holy spirit fire hydrant!

Here are my thoughts from Friday’s Maxwell conference.

* John Maxwell is cool.  Seriously, no matter if you like following the “21″ or “17″ laws that has the impact that he has been able to make in christian & mainstream leadership circles is amazing!

* When Maxwell came out the band played ‘Sharp Dressed Man.’  While he did look sharp, I couldn’t pull off a light grey suit, blue shirt, yellow tie…maybe it worked for him because the suit matched his hair now…?

* #1 key to overcoming challenges – “smile when you talk” & be as concerned with your peer group & mentors as you are with your kids’ peers & mentors – Andy Andrews from The Travelers Gift.

* The best leaders are listeners (and we all think we’re good listeners) & Don’t manage your ‘time’, but instead manage your life. – Maxwell

* Customers want an experience, not just a product.  They want values, passion, & energy…and of course a quality product.  No one alone is as smart as the collective of everyone working for them – Bill Taylor in Mavericks at Work

*  Vision = a mental picture of what could be, fueled by a passion that is should be!  It is the leader’s responsibility to reaffirm vision because “vision leaks.”

* Change – When the rate of external change exceeds internal change, disaster is emminant.” & the BIBLE gives cutting edge insights into successful business life. – Dan Cathy/ Chic Fil A

* Patrick Lencioni – (my favorite) – Managers have to care for people.  It is the one factor that will bring hope to those under you…ministry in the workplace.

Hope you enjoyed my insights!  Enjoy leading your groups this week, and if you are interested in the ‘full’ raw info, just let me know… Blessings, Herschel

 

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ARC Conference day 3

Brian Houston again…talk about Trusting God to bring solutions out of what you currently possess with his power.  Hillsong worship is internationally famous (American Idol even sang their Shout to the Lord recently propelling it to the #5 download.)

 

Talked about Biblical stories that played out opportunities to show His power from people’s lack.

1.      Exodus 4:2 – Moses with the rod. “What do you have in your hand? – staff turned to snake, then rod of God.

2.      1 Kings 4:1 – poor widow. “What do you have in your house?” – little oil, but wit neighbors’ empty pots they were all filled with that little oil.

3.      Matt 14:17 – Jesus with the hungry multitudes. “You feed them…” or ‘What do you have in your sphere?’

 

What has God given you?  Your skills, resources, children, group relationships, influence at work, etc…

What will you do with those gifts?  Invest or bury in the sand?  I challenge you to ask God to show you your gifts & give you passion for sparking something new with them in your group this week!

 

ARC Conference day 2 part 3

Brian Houston – Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia spoke on “moving forward to the past”, but I prefer ‘the best is yet to come,’ to encapuslate his talk.  Here are some highlights from the study of Psalm 51…

* We tend to live in the ‘once upon a time’ nostalgia vs. current realities of God’s blessing.  David’s prayer – create a clean heart, renew, restore.

* While remembering the golden years is okay, the fact that we are still alive means that our purpose on Earth is not done and God has something even better for us.

* Old age is not nearly as bad as having an ‘old spirit’ – common ailments include loss of sight, loss of hearing God, lack of God experiences, jaded or pessimistic, focused on past successes.

Do you have an old spirit?  Are you in need of a restored/renewed joy?  Pray David’s prayer from Ps 51 & trust in his new mercies every morning.

 

ARC Conference day 2 part 2

Q&A Session with Billie Hornsby (ARC), Greg Surratt (Seacoast), and Matt Fry (C3 Church in NC)

* tips for new church  leaders? = learn by and train an apprentice

* how do you inspire leaders? = get them around other successful leaders and successful environments and let them soak it up.  they’ll catch the vision.

* do all visionary leaders have to be bald? yes (all 3 are…)

* How do you break through growth barriers? = pray, have great content, change the method/process that the content is delivered in, ask your people for help-word of mouth is #1

Workshop #1 – Geoff Surratt – Seacoast

* multisite keys = not too soon, not too late, key strategic leader, not too far or too close, follow God.

*Also, I learned that while interpreters are great, if you have a small room for the workshop with twice the firecode # of people in it, an interpreter can be a real distraction.

Workshop #2 – Layne Schranz/ Church of the Highlands- Intern director

* They have a great 3 year training program for 18-24 yr olds, borderline “militaristic” (his word), excellent training for mission field. 

* Anyone that can devote their time to 1 & 1/2 hours of PE, 1 hour of prayer, another one for journaling & Bible study daily, plus work is pretty stout and all their interns do it!

Their study structure was pretty interesting an applicable to us…Luke 2:52.  They keep a balance (like 4 legs of a table) in educating in wisdom (mental) & stature (physical), in favor with God (spirtual) and man (relational).

How is your balance these days?  My table is definitely lopsided but moving towards balance this week as I am actually in town and get back to the Y.

ARC Conference – Day 2 morning

Session 2 – Greg Surratt, sr pastor Seacoast Church, SC – helped Church of the Highlands get started, running 12 campuses and lead member of ARC.  Greg talked about some of his struggles with the kings that Chris talked about last night of discouragement especially.  Another huge part of the talk was about asking where people connect with God at your church?  and Where do they have an opportunity to respond to God?  Great verse from Isaiah 29:14 – that “once more I will astound the people with wonder upon wonder.”  Connecting with God is huge and I was thinking through our group options and although many have great prayer, great fellowship, great Bible discussions, (and some great food!), I wonder if your group has a place for people to connect with God personally, or to respond if they do encounter God.  Nothing weird here, but honestly God still speaks to us and desires to connect with us daily, but we have gotten away from listening. 

     How do you connect with God?  Is there an opportunity for your group members to connect during Group time, or a good way to respond to God’s direction if they do?  Leave me a comment to share…

Session 3 – Dino Rizzo – sr pastor for Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge, LA with 5 campuses, and 15 years old.  Dino’s focus was based on prov 4:23…above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  He encouraged us to identify your heart calling from God and to guard it very carefully.  To protect our passions and intimacy with Jesus.

     What is your unique vision that God has given you, and have you drifted from it?  If you haven’t identified it, consider our Discover your Design grow group this Sunday night!  Once you find it, guard it…for it is the ‘wellspring of life!’  blessings, herschel

ARC Conference overview – Day 1

Okay, so the conference is not over yet so I can not effectively give the ’summary’ so I am opting for the overview and will work on the summary when I get back in town.  I have been at the Association of Related Churches (ARC) conference this week and it has been probably the best conference experience I have ever been at in that the goal has not been informational, but transformational…sound familiar?  Yes, our vision to see a city transformed, and to see groups transformed, one life at a time starts with the same 1st step… what makes that 1 life become a ‘transformed’ life?  Like my first grade son would say to the answer to almost any church question, “Jesus,” or “God,” or maybe “the Bible.”  Myself and the Journey gang have been blessed this week to experience God in a new way & prayerfully consider the areas that he is working in our lives.

I can’t speak for others beyond that, but I will give some of my summaries of the past sessions & some of my observations.  Here we go…

Setting: Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL – Chris Hodges is the pastor…the church is 7 years old, running at 4 campuses, and built their first building last July.  (It is beautiful…especially considering that they were a ‘portable church’ for 6 & 1/2 years!)

Theme of the conference : ALL ACCESS; to the ARC, to each other, and God in our lives

Opening comments – Billie Hornsby, church planter guru, pres of ARC…  his encouraged us that despite all the planning, strategizing, and hard work that we need to be even more commited to building healty relationships with God, with our families, within our churches, and with our place in the global ‘church.’  I think all of us can focus on work, on our groups, or on the busyness of life that we forget to stay focused on the eternally valuable things – God, family, body of Christ (church).

Session 1 – Chris Hodges, Sr Pastor of Church of the Highlands (was also at New Life Church in CO Springs, CO and the World Prayer Center in LA.  Chris shared an encouraging word about God’s plan to give us territory for the kingdom in Joshua 1:3-5 but then calls Moses to be strong and courageous…because, by chapter 12 he had already defeated 31 kings!  So, God gives us gifts and calls us to be strong in him BECAUSE we are going to encounter resistance!  Severe resistance!  What are the kings that you are facing these days?  rejection, lonliness, temptation, discouragement???  God will never leave us nor forsake us, and says that he’ll give us strength to stand, but also challenges us to be strong and courageous to step into his plan for our lives.  Please pray for myself & the Journey leaders that we will remain strong & fight the good fights that He has called us to in humility, honesty, & trusting in the Holy Spirit. blessings – Herschel

Starbucks Anyone?

Many of you have taken personality tests and can articulately describe yourselves by the labels of the test… mayby you’re an SCID, or a TFD, or you’re a blue, or sanguine/choleric, or some other mix of labels.  I was in my favorite restaurant recently (yes, Starbucks is a restaurant) and got to thinking about how drink orders give insight into the lives of the people that place the order. 

For example, my wife usually gets a tall, iced, decaf, vanilla latte.  Tall because she’s a minimalist, iced because it is getting warmer out, decaf so she can maintain a low level of caffeine intake, and vanilla latte because it’s not too sweet, but sweet enough.

Our CFO here at Journey gets a venti americano (triple shot plain coffee) first thing in the mornings but orders a venti triple vanilla nonfat with whip latte if it is after noon.

What about you?  Coffee orders are one thing that may define you but what about other labels that people overhear?  Christian?  Journey Church member? Small Group Member?

People have perceptions of what those terms may imply, but only you know the reality of what those terms mean in your life.  I encourage you to take the time to speak about your life with others in terms that you know they understand, or go the opposite direction and explain it in terms that are new to them so that you can define those terms.

I’m a venti Jesus lovin’ community living desperado…what about you?