Archive for the 'Past' Category

Register For Xcel

XcelIt’s here!  Registration for the Xcel Experience is now open.  The Xcel Experience will be this October - so to get the incredible rate of only $79 per person register early (and, for all participants, spouses can attend free of charge!).

I’m really jacked about this unique experience that will include a behind-the-scenes look at C3 Church and how we flow on Sundays, to meaningful main sessions and rockin’ break-outs.

Xcel is for every pastor or church leader who desires to see God move their church to the next level… it’s time to Xcel.  Plan now to join me, David Foster, Justin Haigler, David Middlebrook, Jim Tomberlin, Pete Wilson and others for this unique experience.

Check it out here.

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on June 16, 2009
in C3 Church, Church, Future, Leadership, Life Lessons, Past, Random, Resources, Staffing, Thoughts, Vision, church leadership, pastors, portable church, questions and transitioning church
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One Life At A Time

Life-change is what drives everything at C3 Church.  God is allowing us to experience hundreds of lives changed and it never gets old.

This afternoon I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of Christian and Alexie.  Alexie came to C3 having only been in church a handful of times in her life.  She committed her life to Christ, was baptized and is a faithful member of the C3 movement.  Her and Christian already had two precious kids together, but had never been married.  Recently Christian gave his life to Christ, has gotten plugged into C3, and last month I baptized him also.  Today they are a family and they’ve placed Christ at the center of their lives and home.

Christian and Alexie - I’m so proud of both of you, and I’m jacked to see how God’s going to use you and continue to bless your family!

Published
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Byron Bledsoe
on June 12, 2009
in C3 Church, Family, Friends, Future, Life, Past, Random, Thankful, love, timeless and women
. 0 Comments

Church Marketing

I know there are a ton of opinions about church marketing.  Some guys say they never do any, and others build an entire system of marketing for their church.  At C3 we have found that strategic and intentional marketing is a huge asset.  Recently, I walked into an office building and a man in the room said, “I know who you are!“  I get this often, but when I asked how this man’s answer intrigued me.  He said, “You’re church has great marketing, because it doesn’t look like a church did it!“  This guy is a professional in our community, very successful… and it wasn’t just that we market, it was that we are strategic and intentional in the creation and execution of the marketing.  We also evaluate quarterly to see what’s working.  If what we’re investing in isn’t producing results, we stop.  We also kill some things that are working to try new things to see if they have better traction.

However, with all we’ve done - there is one thing that stands above all the others in producing results, and we didn’t even do it for marketing!  The best “marketing” hasn’t been our billboards, mailers, ads, etc.  The best marketing has been a unique partnership C3 has formed with “Feed The Children.”  On three occasions now we have adopted families in need and fed them (once for a week and twice for an entire month - different families each time).  Something special happens when you invest not just in what’s pretty or cool, but a deeper investment in those who are hurting and in need gets people’s attention.  Let me be clear, we didn’t do it for the purpose of marketing… we did it to be like Jesus.  Jesus had a heart for and helped people who could do nothing for him, but had real needs.  As we’ve purposed to flow like Jesus, and reach out to those who are hurting and in need, God takes care of the rest.  There’s been nothing we’ve done that has resulted in more life-change (people coming to Christ, being baptized, getting plugged into serving and Community Groups) like the partnership with FTC.  People really just want to know we care, and at C3 we’re changing people’s opinions about Church because we care!

Pastors - I’m pumped to be able to share with you that “Feed The Children” will be @ The Xcel Experience!  You will be able to learn how they can partner with you to make a huge difference in your community, make the name of Jesus famous, and change the perception of church for people far from God.  Don’t miss Xcel!  Also, check Xcel’s website regularly because we have a number of things in the works that are huge and we’ll be updating periodically.  Registration begins June 15!

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on June 1, 2009
in C3 Church, Church, Faith, Future, Past, Resources, Thoughts, Vision, church leadership, feed the children, pastors and transitioning church
. 0 Comments

If I Were Starting Over - Part 2

  • I would make sure to bring the God factor into each day.  Somehow in our church culture we can easily get to the place of thinking about God on Sunday.  In life, with all the challenges we face, I need to remember and teach my kids that God is God more than one hour a week.  He’s active and always moving - he loves us not for how we perform on Sunday, but for who we are everyday.  Proverbs also teaches us “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (19:21).
  • I would also give each child prime time.  It’s so easy because of how busy we are to multi-task our time with our kids.  Angie and I have four - so each evening at dinner we talk about their day.  But, as in any family with more than one child, their personalities are very different.  So, the one’s who tend to be more reserved often sit quietly by while others share.  I read recently how Jonathan Edwards and his wife had eleven children.  He was used in such a great way during the “Great Awakening” in our nation.  He was also a pastor and the President of Princeton.  But his greatest achievement was with his kids.  He and his wife made sure that sat down with each child individually on a regular basis and he would say to them, “let’s just talk about you.“  If I were staring over, I would make more of an effort to focus on each child intentionally.  Scripture teaches us, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds…” Proverbs 27:23.  I don’t have any flocks or herds, but I do know that our kids are far more valuable than anything else we oversee - God has given them to us to influence for him.  We can only do this, and point them in the right direction if we truly know them and they know how much we love them.
Published
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Byron Bledsoe
on March 2, 2009
in Faith, Family, Future, Life Lessons, Past, Random, Thoughts, Vision, my thoughts and timeless
. 0 Comments

If I Were Starting Over…

As we continued the series “Create” @ C3 Church this morning, I shared some things that were not easy for me to communicate.  Angie and I are closing in on 20 years of marriage, and it’s unbelievable how time has flown by.  I still remember the very first moment I saw her.  While we have an incredible marriage and family, there’s always room to grow.  This morning I shared what I would change if I were starting over… things I would do differently.  For the next couple days I’ll share a few:

If I were starting over… Part 1

In marriage there are sometimes seasons of struggle.  A couple of years ago we were going through an intensely difficult time.  I was leading our church through transition and a ton of people were ticked that they were loosing their club.  As we became more and more passionate about loving God and loving others those who embraced religion more than the Christ-life were doing what pharisees always do.  I was weary from what felt like a war.  I remember coming home one day, feeling sorry for myself… thinking about how mistreated I was.  Angie was trying to talk to me about something and I was a million miles away… then it happened.

I don’t remember what she said prior to this statement, but all the sudden I heard, “You don’t see me!“  She was right.  I had allowed what I thought was urgent to replace what was important.  If I were starting over, I would see her more.  I would realize the distractions that seem so urgent in the moment are never as important as the people you’re building moments with.

Proverbs 14:13 says, “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.“  If we’re careless with those we love and only casually pay attention, we will see their laughter around the dinner table, but not know of the ache that may be in their heart.  So many times I can get caught up in how I feel about something and neglect to consider how my bride or kids may be feeling.  I’ve purposed in my life to do more than be with my bride and kids, but to see them.  Proverbs also says, “Point your kids in the right direction - when they’re old they won’t be lost.” (22:6).

I meet a ton of adults who seem to be lost in life.  Somewhere, instead of pointing them in the right direction, perhaps someone was careless with them and simply didn’t see them.  My bride and kids not only desire, but deserve to be seen - they only have one husband and one father to see them.  I’ll see their laughter, but I’ll also be able to see beyond it to the moments of grief, and in those moments to love them and point them to the only one who loves them more than I do.

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on March 1, 2009
in C3 Church, Faith, Future, Life Lessons, Past, Random, Sunday, Thankful, Thoughts, Vision, love, marriage, timeless and women
. 4 Comments