Showing posts with label Church Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church Stuff. Show all posts

Overwhelmed...

Some people are ready to quit because of burnout or because they are overwhelmed... God has given them a dream and the enemy is in the full time business of trying to snatch that dream away.

If you are overwhelmed or tired and worn out, don't miss this weekend at Barefoot Church as we continue our "Qwitter" series. God's Word has a lot to say about overcoming this overwhelmedness.

Preparing Messages...

I am working on the weekend message this morning. Lots of people have been asking me how I prepare for the weekends. This is a hard question for me to answer, because sometimes it seems kind of random to me in how I do things. I will give it a shot though...

1) I am a week of guy when I prepare for the weekend... In other words, I do not have next weeks message ready to go... I do not even have this weeks ready to go. I knew what I was preaching about this weekend about two months ago... but I do not put it together until the week of. Why? I do not really know... But I think it is because I am tweaking the message up until I walk out on stage and even on stage sometimes. This is the way I roll. My team knows the idea... Most of the time... So they are able to create sets, videos, and things to go with the message or series... But the message is put together the week of.

2) Where the big ideas come from: Lots of times the series idea flows out of my time alone with God... I am going to do a whole series later on this year based on something that jumped off the pages of scripture last week in my time alone with God... It touched me deeply... Now it works in me, so it can work through me. I will lob this out to our creative team and some pastor friends in the next few weeks and we will build a series out of it.

Sometimes I will hear other communicators say something... Then off to the races we will go with another series. Sometimes they can say one phrase and it triggers us to build a whole series.

Another way I come up with ideas... I listen to our people. This encourages me to go into God's Word and help find answers for their questions.

Sometimes I may know the big idea months in advance or even a year before we do the series.

Knowing the big idea helps me when I am reading, listening to others, and talking with people... I get all kinds of stuff for my sermons, because I know the big Idea in advance... It is like creating anything. You learn and add... learn and add... tweak... learn and add.

The hardest thing in preaching is you really never turn your mind off. It works all the time... unless you totally disengage for a few weeks. The weekend is always coming and Pastors are always thinking about ways to communicate God's Word in a way that works in the hearts of people.

Drift Not...

God has been working in my heart about risk, faith, moving forward, etc. One thing Barefoot has been from the very beginning, is a people of radical faith. I never want us to drift away from this. Even in a time when the economy is working against the world we live in.

We see God do some of His best work when we are limited in our resources. We can never stop dreaming, moving, and risking to make His name famous.

I know it's hard, believe me!!! I feel like my neck stays stuck out on the chopping block of failure. However, in my journey, I have found that this is where God is experienced. In my weakness, He shows up strong. When I can't, He can. When He says, "Are you all in".... I have to be willing. He nudges us to take take steps that are hard... But the results are always amazing.

Let's keep on encouraging each other to follow God... It is a joy to do the journey with you.

Climbing the Stairs...

We just finished outlining the next five weeks and they are going to be incredible. You want to get your friends to church. If you ever struggle in your walk with God, you may want to be there too!

This week, we'll be talking about how to continue climbing up, rather than being pulled down, the stairs of life. We are all at different places on the stairs, but climbing can be difficult where ever you are. The Christian life has its struggles, but these struggles can turn into successes... Come to one of the three services this weekend to find out how!!!! Service times... 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Also, we have a couple of awesome things happening in the month of April. This Sunday, we will be letting the cat out of the bag. We have an awesome opportunity coming to Barefoot. You don't want to miss this announcement!

Remember, Jesus is in the High Place pulling for you!

Tail Chasers...

What is chasing your tail?

I know that when a running back breaks free and is gaining yardage in a championship football game, he has a whole lot of tail chasers. The opposing team does not want him to score.

Any time we are trying to move something forward, we will have opposition... That is just the way it works. There is always an opponent. It is no different in the Christian life. We have an enemy chasing our tail. He does not want those of us, who are Christ followers, to experience the fullness of God's grace. He does not want others to learn about the freedom God can give to them through Christ.

If the enemy is not chasing your tail, then something else might be wagging the dog.

I am finding that the more splash I make in this world with the name of Jesus, the more the enemy comes against me. I feel as though sometimes I am struggling, but I have to remember the battle is the Lord's, not mine. My job is to follow His orders and keep charging. This is not easy... I need God's help, my family's help, and my brothers and sisters in Christ's help. I cannot do this thing called life alone... Especially when I am doing life for the Kingdom of God. Is anybody out there with me? If so, let's keep encouraging each other until our King returns or He calls us home! Church you are awesome and I love you very much.

A Reminder...

I love this post by Perry. What a reminder! A must read for all pastors and church staff. As far as that goes, this is for all people who are driven! I understand this and I never want this to happen to me and my family.

Pray for me... It is so easy to leave the family and marry the church. Not on purpose, it just happens. I have to be intentional about not letting this come about.

Pray for our staff... We never want lazy people leading... but we don't need burnt out ones either.

Pray for their families... They are precious... Pray that they would allow their spouses, moms or dads to serve, but time would be spent wisely when they are together. Yes, we will work odd hours, get up early and leave late. May we take the time in between to nurture each other.

God help us to move the ship forward and take our families with us.

I want to thank all those on staff for your hard work. May I also say a special thank you to the families of these people. I love every one of you. You are a great team!

Ultimate Chef

If you are eating out this week, take notice of the chef… What do you like about them? What do you like about their cooking? What do you like about how they serve the food on your plate? What do you like about the way they treat you? What do you like about their attitude? Pay close attention to the chef. What attracts you to them and the food they prepare?

Email your thoughts on this to… questions@barefootcommunitychurch.org We would love to hear these stories.

This is what the next five weeks at Barefoot is going to be all about… Being an “Ultimate Chef”! How to connect people to the meal of a lifetime.

Bring someone with you… It’s going to be a fun series!!!

Story Time...

It is time to send in your stories about Community Groups. I have heard lots of them. We are seeing Jesus impact lives through Community Groups.

It is so radical that the local newspaper called today to interview us about Community Groups. We will be meeting with them on Monday of next week. Pray that God will use this time to make the name of Jesus famous in the North Myrtle Beach area.

If you have a story about Community Group life, send it to questions@barefootcommunitychurch.org . We will not use your name... We just want to hear about what God is doing in the lives of people through Community Groups.

Also, we are wanting to impact our city through helping others... Your ideas on this can be sent to questions@barefootcommunitychurch.org ... Understand that we will not do all of them... however, we may do some of them. Always, when we serve the community it is to help people step closer to a relationship with Jesus.

Thanks for your participation... Let's keep "Changing Lives that Change the World."

An Opportunity for You...

Hey Barefooters...

Here is a chance for God to possibly use your story in a powerful way.
If God has blessed you through the ministry of a Community Group... in the smallest way or in a big way (whether it was in your spiritual growth, marriage, health, finances, emotions, relationships, forgiveness, or anything else) take a few minutes out of your day and let us know.
Send a short testimony to questions@barefootcommunitychurch.org

Many of you reading this will think: “Well, I’m sure they can't use my story." It may be just what we need to encourage someone in our new series, "Table Talk" or in another series. God may use your story to change someone's life. We will not use all the stories in this series, but they will encourage us anyway and no encouragement is insignificant.
After we have received all the emails, we are going to use some of them to help build this series. We will not share your name without your permission. We just want to encourage others to experience the same life change that you have experienced in a Community Group. Please participate! We can all make a difference.

Opportunity of a Lifetime...

Nick Hempsey, who is our graphic artist, changed my blog header… What do you think?
Nick does an awesome job with our graphics at Barefoot… I just want to thank him for all he does. Nick you are the man!

We have so many people serving in various positions on our team at Barefoot. People put in countless hours each week for one reason… They love Jesus!
If you are not on a ministry team and would like to get in the game, go to the attendees page on our website and sign up by clicking on the volunteer button.

We are growing very fast and could use some more players on the field… God is impacting North Myrtle Beach with the name of Jesus. This is what happens when we use our various skills and play together.

I know there are great players out there who are not in the game yet… let this be your personal invitation to get on the playing field.

We are getting ready to expand some things at Barefoot, so now is the time to step up if you want to play. Kingdom work goes on all week… We have people doing everything you can imagine. Things like... Proof readers, administration, data entry, building, drama, music, video, cleaning, artist, strategist, cooks, decorators, encouragers, writers, greeters, prayers, givers, phone callers, to name a few. We would love to give everyone who attends Barefoot an opportunity to serve. We believe this is a vital part in growing in our relationship with Christ.

Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime… The application is on the website. If you don’t see a place you fit… Then email us at questions@barefootcommunitychurch.org You all Rock! Let’s play to win!

Favor...

I just found out this morning that God has granted our church favor... I'm talking big time favor.
I cannot wait to share the details with everyone.

We are sitting in the heart of a city and I believe this is straight from God. He wants to be the center of everything... including the community. May we never, I mean never, forget that we are here to make the name of Jesus famous.

Throughout the Scriptures I see people who are blessed lose sight of the One doing the blessing. The ones who continued to trust the Blessor, continued to remember the Blessor and gave Him the glory, are the ones He used to do great things.
We need to remember Who has brought us this far, trust Him to take us to where He wants to go and give Him the glory on the journey. This is called, "faith in and worship of" the One true God.

I am so amped up about the future of our church, God is using us to do great things. Let's remember Him, continue to trust Him, and enjoy the ride He has us on in this life.

Ushering in the Kingdom of God here on earth is an awesome purpose to live for. To Him be the Glory, forever and forever.

What's the Point...

What's the point? This is the big question that many people ask about the things we are doing and this will be the question many ask about the things we are getting ready to do.


The Answer... It's God's vision and people matter to Him.


Everything we do here at Barefoot is to honor God's vision, which is to connect people to Him. That's why He came to planet earth. This is why we do what we do. We are connecting people to the one that can change their life. There is no limit in this fishing pond. God wants all people to be connected to Him and He has called us (the local church), challenged us, and gives us what we need to reach this community for Christ. The only thing that can hold us back is us. God does not limit what can be done, but we can. When someone says, "That costs too much or we can't do that" they are limiting God and belittling His vision.

When people say, "the church is too big"... I say... says who? God blessed us to be a blessing and He wants to make his name famous through us. Will we allow Him to flow in us, so He can flow through us?

We are getting ready to take this thing to a " Whole 'Nother Level"... So when people ask us "What's the point?" We should say, "To Make the name of Jesus famous, so that people can connect to Him, so that their life will count here and forever." Folks... Life is found in Christ!

Working for the Weekend...

I have been preparing for Sunday's message today... I am jacked about it. We are going to be talking about something that is small, but very, very POWERFUL. You want to be at church this weekend. This message has the potential to transform our relationships with our spouses, children, friends, bosses, employees, you name the relationship, this information can change it for the better!

Speaking of this weekend...
We are experiencing lots of growth, I want to thank all of you for this. I always say, "the personal invite is the best way to get others to church and if you do your part, we will do ours." Thanks for doing your part!!!! Yall are Awesome!

Here's another way you can help us grow and keep advancing the Kingdom...
Those who attend the 10:30 service could consider moving to the 8:30 service to free up seats for our 10;30 service. Most new people show up at our 10:30 service and it is becoming pretty full. We have seats available in our 8:30 service and it would be a big help if we could get some of our 10:30 families to our 8:30 service. When we start filling both of these services we will be starting another service... Maybe Sunday evening!

I cannot wait to see all of you this weekend... bring some people with you! Peace!

Impact...

Mark and I finalized some things about the series we are starting this weekend... "All Out War". This series has the potential to change the way many people think. I believe lives are going to be changed, relationships are going to be restored, and joy is going to be installed in the hearts of many people. There is nothing like being on a winning team. We, who are Christ followers, are on that team. The team that wins the big game... life eternally with God. I've been on vacation for the past two weeks and I am so pumped about being back this weekend.

The creative team has been working late nights this week putting together the stage set, graphics, and other elements for this series. I was amazed at all the people there last night painting and building the set... You all Rock!

It reminded me of how our church team has grown over the past several months. People are serving like crazy and giving to the vision God has giving to Barefoot Community Church. I have never been a part of anything like this. I see lives that are walking closer to Christ each week. I see numerous people loving God more, loving each other more, and serving together so this love is known to the world. This is exactly what Jesus said for us to be and do.

As long as we are following Him in this way, He will continue to bless our church and work through us. We will be a high impact church that battles well. Jesus has deployed us into the battleground and we don't fight with weapons of mass destruction but with the greatest weapon ever known... "The Love of God".

Today I was a Spectator...

I was able to see God working through His Peeps in North Myrtle Beach today. Man... just think, a few short years ago this church did not even exist. Today -- Aug. 12th, 2007 -- Multitudes were serving, many gave money to God's vision, many people stepped into a life altering relationship with Jesus, people signed up to go public with their new found faith with baptism, and many lives were changed. That's God's work at it's best!!!

People... we are seeing God move in a way that honors Him and His name is becoming famous in this corner of planet earth. I just want to say I am proud to be a part of a church that has so many dedicated people working as a team to accomplish something great. I did nothing today but watch, worship, and wonder what's next.

Chris, our Director of Student Ministries brought IT!!! I love this guy... He amazes me and God is doing some big things through Him. He can preach the house down! Bro. just know I love your heart and commitment to the vision.

Mark B., our Worship Experience Pastor and His team amazes me. The worship experience was off the hook today. Thanks to all of you.

Mark C., Our Connections Leader and His team keep the flow going. I don't see how anyone could ever feel unloved with the environment you all create. Thanks for the smiles, handshakes, and hugs. Yall Rock!

Ricky and that Cafe' team could feed an army. The food and the service were awesome! This team really offers a "WOW Factor" to our church. Thanks for out doing yourselves.

The Children's ministry was awesome today. Christy, our Director of Children's Ministry was out of town today but the team Rocked. I saw the kids upstairs having a blast and the babies in the back rooms were being cared for in an unbelievable fashion. This team is so committed to seeing children learn to love Jesus.

The facilities were spotless and things were in place... thanks to this team who work hours each week. the building looked great!

I was amazed at our church environment today... It was great seeing God work through all of you today. Let's keep it rollin... The party is only getting started.