Monthly Archive for June, 2007

Random Thoughts From The Race

It’s always struck me as funny how some people speak with such authority. Have you ever noticed how some are experts about everything they discuss. These are the people we roll our eyes at (on the inside) the moment they begin their mantra.

I’ve realized in the last few years that I have far more questions than I have answers. So, I seek. That’s right - I am a seeker. This is not a label placed on me by others who would discredit or applaud (depending on which side of the “seeker” debate you’re on), rather it’s what Jesus says we’re to be. We’re told to seek first his kingdom, we’re told to pursue Christ - seek him and we will find him. Wow… God actually says that we are to seek him.

As the week winds down, my thoughts are on Sunday. In reality, I think about next Sunday every single day. Even on Sunday, the moment the message is over I’m thinking about next Sunday. There is a supernatural opportunity that you and I have each Sunday. Invest and Invite. Invest in relationships and invite people to come with us to C3. Did you know that studies have shown many people are simply waiting on an invitation to go to church?

I have this routine each Sunday. At the close of the service I will make my way to the room where the “cards” are held. This is not just a registry of names - this is a record of what God did that day - and it’s only a glimpse. Each one represents a life - seeking Christ. Some to meet him and others to know him deeper.

The last few years have been revolutionary for me and it’s awesome now. As I think through where we’ve come from, I realize:

I’ve been talked about, but, by those, rarely talked to.
I’ve been disappointed, but now I experience fulfillment.
I’ve experienced deep pain, yet I’ve never felt more alive.
I’ve been betrayed by “friends”, so I could discover who real friends are.
I was frustrated, now I am free.

My focus used to be to do “church” good, now it is to do life with Christ.
I used to try to make people make a decision for God, now I realize I can’t make people do anything, all I can do is make sure we create environments where God can move.
I used to think I could convince people, now I know unless the Holy Spirit convinces someone it will not last (the problem here is never the Holy Spirits lack of ability, but our lack of listening to him - those who listen hear).
I used to need approval, now I just need to know it’s from God.
“People” don’t mater as much now, because people matter more now.

I’ve been stretched this year like no other. I’ve learned the reality of a leadership lesson I heard years ago. In church life you always lose people - you just can’t make everybody happy and you can’t keep everybody. The great thing about leadership is you get to choose who you lose. You can give in to every opinion and threat and keep the complainers and control freaks - people deeply concerned about how they think church ought to be done for them. Or, you can pursue God’s vision and keep the stallions who want to do something for Christ (those who are courageous enough and strong enough to understand vision and leadership and purpose).

You choose who you lose. We’ve chosen. We’ve decided at C3 to keep the stallions. There are leadership decisions we make that we know will cause some people to leave. And, guess what - we do this intentionally. I’m not interested in a church with a bunch of jackasses - the church I pastored before C3 had plenty. I’m excited to lead a church of stallions. Yes, some are young - but they are learning that life is not about me. Don’t get me wrong, jackasses have their place (don’t freak out, the word is in the Bible - it’s an animal and when I use the word, you know exactly the kind of person I’m describing). Their place is in places where they can stubbornly stand still, refusing to move, and being proud of weighing enough not to be moved (led). The interesting thing about jackasses, they are so self consumed they don’t notice how much plowing still needs to be done, and they also think they’re the only ones capable of plowing. Then came the tractor…

Stallions are busy racing - chasing Christ, following the track he’s laid out, running in the lane he’s placed them in. They are building muscles of discipline, growing in selflessness. They are focused on the prize.

Yes, we used to have some jackasses (even a few on our leadership team) - they’re gone now and we’re running with the stallions. God still loves and created jackasses, we just don’t have to plow with them anymore. And only God can make a jackass want to be a stallion - he’s been doing that in me. Invest and Invite - swiftly.

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Byron Bledsoe
on June 29, 2007
in Church, Leadership, Life and Sunday
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No More Excuses

It’s what we often offer. When we can’t produce, there’s an excuse. When we don’t get the desired results, there’s an excuse. If we miss the promotion, have a stagnant marriage, blow the assignment, there’s always an excuse. How many times do you hear someone “own” their stuff? It’s always noteworthy when someone just steps up and says, “Wow, I missed it, right there!”

Unfortunately, this epidemic of excuses has permeated the church. If we’re not “fed”, it’s the pastor’s fault (even though that’s only 1 meal a week…). If our kids are in trouble, we need a better student ministry. If we’re battling anger, we need another Bible study - why doesn’t the church offer more, and more, and more…?

But once in a while, something unique happens - Someone is authentic. To learn of someone honestly discussing their own journey of growth in life is rare - and very refreshing. We all make mistakes, many just don’t have the strength to admit it. We all mess-up, many are just to prideful and selfish to allow our mess-ups to benefit others.

I read blog’s everyday. I start with my bride’s, then I check out our team’s blogs (here, here, here (Travis will be starting soon - no pressure), and here). Then I check out a number of church leaders - guys who are really making a difference and reaching a ton of people. Somewhere in all that, Angie and I always check Leigh Ann’s. It’s a window into the journey of a lady who is truly pursuing loving God and loving others. It’s the story of God moving in a life. A journal of personal growth which starts with an understanding that true growth is a personal journey beginning at the address of honesty. If you need to be encouraged with this kind of honesty, just check out this and this and this and this.

Connecting the Community with Christ - it’s about changed lives. Not just people meeting Jesus, but growing in their relationship with him. This growth doesn’t happen until we get honest about our “junk”, and let God change us. No more excuses - love God and love others.

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Byron Bledsoe
on June 27, 2007
in Church, Life and Life Lessons
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Life is Great


Today was a blast. I’m exhausted, but that’s normal for Sunday nights. There continues to be an atmosphere of expectancy and excitement at C3. Everyday is a new adventure and an opportunity to pursue Christ and his desire for my life, family and church with greater passion and determination.

I love summer - it’s just a different pace in many ways. The kids are home all day (I mean ALL DAY), we’re in and out of town a ton, schedules are wide open, and there’s planned R and R (vacation). On July 8 we are launching a new series called “Unplugged.” As we talk about resting in God and what it means to unplug we’ll discover some real principles for life.

Everyday we make decisions. Some small, some influential, a few major and all have ramifications for the future. In the life of C3 we make decisions every week that shape our future. God’s giving us favor to make some foundational decisions early in the life of our church that we will benefit from for a long time. As we make decisions of all sizes this week, please pray that we will discern the step’s of God’s plan and timing. In a real estate market that is sluggish at best, we’ve had an unbelievable response to the sell of our property.

There’s nothing like living on the edge and ledge of faith. There’s nothing like the local church. There’s nothing like seeing God change lives. There’s nothing like my bride and kids. There’s nothing like the people who make up C3. There’s nothing like doin’ life with Christ! Sad reality - many people struggle to breath but never really live. I’m squeezing every drop of life out of everyday and it’s such a ride! I can’t wait for next Sunday.

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Byron Bledsoe
on June 25, 2007
in Church, Life and Sunday
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Life Lesson #4

This one seems to mess us up so often. It’s partly because of mission drift and largely because of selfishness.

Life Lesson #4 - “Success is not defined by what people think, it is nothing less than pursuing God’s plan and purpose for my life.” His specific plan for every life we don’t know - but his purpose for every life we do. Jesus lived it and taught it, the Scripture commends it - reaching people for Christ. I believe the purpose of every Christ-follower is to love God (worship and know him) and love others.

Success in my marriage is not things looking great to other people, it is loving my bride the way Jesus loves the church.

Success in parenting is not having a goal to be my kid’s “best friend,” it is making sure I’m following Christ so as they fold me, they’ll be following him - it’s molding and training.

Success for kids is not making sure they go to the “right” school, have a “great” income, marry the “perfect” person, or “achieve” our goals for their lives. It is simple - do they love and follow Jesus above all else.

Success in business is not personal gain. This is funny to me. In church life if someone is “successful” in business, we seem to think they must be Godly and he must be blessing them - and so much of the time that’s probably true. Churches that have business meetings, or committees tend to place these individuals in roles of influence - because they are “successful.”

In our self driven culture we look for things to make us feel better and “successful.” We’ll even use scripture to “claim” verses or passages that tell us we’re going to be rich, healthy, and have no problems. I remember a few years ago when the “prayer of Jabez” became many people’s genie. If we just pray that prayer God’s going to make us “successful” - he’ll expand our territory. My question is, “for what purpose?” To own more, have more, and show more, or to reach people for Christ? It’s amazing how many of these people we “admire” talk more about Jabez than Jesus. Many of them have acquired much, but you can’t point to one person they’ve led to Christ.

Jesus did not say, acquire all you can for yourself. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with people admiring our marriages, being close friends with our children, our children having the best we can provide, or achieving much in the business world - nothing wrong at all, they are just not the primary definers of success, according to Scripture.

I had the privilege, recently, to meet a man who you and I would call successful, and I believe God would also. He’s a loving father, and grand-father - he has a marriage that’s admired, his children are very blessed - and he’s brilliant when it comes to business. His name is Truett Cathy, the founder of “Chick-fil-A.” Angie and I stayed at his lodge recently and got to meet him and chat. What impresses me most is not what he’s accomplished with “Chick-fil-A,” it’s what he’s accomplished with his life making a difference to reach and impact others. He serves in his church, he invests in young people who are less fortunate, and he tells people about Jesus and how to know him.

Mr. Cathy is not a young man. He’s had a full life. Soon, he’ll move from this life to the next. I’m sure his funeral will be remarkable. His pastor and family will be able to talk about and think through his amazing achievements and success. Real success, because they be able to talk about lives he touched, people he brought to faith in Christ, those he invested in to make a difference.

The benefits of success, as we often define it, will only be experienced for a short time. The benefits of real success will be enjoyed for an eternity. Jesus risked everything, gave everything and sacrificed everything and …DIED just to show his love for us. A vast majority of the disciples who followed him were martyred for their faith. People are persecuted around the world everyday, in certain countries, and often killed for their faith. Were Jesus, the disciples, and Christ-following martyrs successful? I wonder how our culture’s prevailing definition of success would honestly answer.

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Byron Bledsoe
on June 22, 2007
in Church, Leadership and Life Lessons
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Just thinking about it

So many things on my mind tonight - a few:

• We had a great planning session today. Our creative team looked at some elements for worship that we want to incorporate into what we do on Sunday mornings. I love having people around me that think through how we can creatively communicate what God’s doing and longs to do in people’s lives.

• I’m really lit about the next series coming up. In July we’re doing “Unplugged.” We’re going to dive into the 23rd Psalm and discover how to rest in Christ. Is rest a destination or is it a state of mind? How do we go “Unplugged” in a high voltage existence that never slows down? I can’t wait.

• God continues to change lives through our ministry. Sometimes it’s easy to get mission drift in ministry. We know what’s important, but we do what’s less important. I find it necessary to continually focus on the mission, otherwise I tend to drift. As we attempt to become the church God had in mind, we are the relevant church tirelessly devoted to changing lives.

• I can’t wait to move. While God has done so many amazing things at our present campus, I believe the best is yet to come. Just imagine how much more efficient and effective we’ll be able to be at our new location. Check out the info about our move at Dare You To Move. Are you ready to take it to the next level?

• iMac is going to be special. This year our students are combining a mission trip and camp. We’re headed to Beaumont, TX where there are still over 7,000 projects related to Hurricane relief - our students will be bustin’ it during the day serving the community. Then in the mornings and evenings we will have strategic sessions for the purpose of connecting with Christ. I’m really looking forward to this trip. We’ll cap it off w/a trip to Dallas, Texas Stadium, Six Flags, and Fellowship Church.

• Sunday we’re going to look at another issue in our Mythbusters series - “The Devil IS Real.” Myth or truth? What does it mean for me?

• Another billion things…

Published
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Byron Bledsoe
on June 22, 2007
in Church, Life, Sunday and Vision
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