I’m worn out from the trip to Texas. Fourteen hours in the car yesterday (b/c of the side trip to Panama City dropping of kids for camp). It really is great to be home for a few before we go again.
This morning I was connecting with our team, going over things and we were talking about some issues we all face. It’s the “grass is greener” syndrome. Often in life we become less than satisfied with where we are and other opportunities, or options, look better. It happens in marriages, jobs, with our houses and cars… it can infect every area of our lives. We begin thinking, “if I had that job instead of this one, or that house instead of this one, or that wife instead of this one…” and we go to a place in our minds that will never exist in reality. Why? Because even if you had that job or house or wife it will not be all that you’re thinking now. There is one thing that your job, house, wife (and church) have in common - you! And, the reality is when you move to the “greener grass” you go with yourself.
You go with yourself.
The path to a better life is not found in changing your surroundings, it’s discovered in changing yourself. How many people have you known that found something wrong with the church they were attending… so they changed churches. Then a few years later (or months) they changed again. And again. The problem… - you go with yourself. The things about your spouse that you really don’t like - the person you’re thinking could/should replace them will have things about them you don’t like (the difference is they haven’t had years to build up… but they will). What if we began to view the people/things God has placed in our lives as blessings and rather than focusing on all that’s wrong with them, worked on changing the things in our own lives that desperately need attention. It’s harder and more painful, but its the only process that will truly take you to greener pastures… because you go with yourself.
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 in C3 Church,
Church,
Faith,
Future,
Past,
Resources,
Thoughts,
Vision,
church leadership,
feed the children,
pastors and
transitioning church .
Today we launched “You Asked” @ C3 Church. I love the passion of the people of C3 to pursue Christ and lean into him rather than tradition. I’m tired but wanted to crank out a few thoughts:
- Today’s question was, “Can A Christ-follower Drink Alcohol?” - if you’re interested in today’s flow, check out C3’s site and listen to the message - it will be up by Tuesday afternoon.
- When you deal with potentially divisive issues, you have to make a decision. You have to decide if your purpose is to please people or God. You also have to remember that you speak for God, his truth, to people he is crazy in love with… so you better come from a perspective of love.
- Several people made decisions to become Christ-followers this morning.
- It’s hard to change your mind. Honestly, there are issues that I’ve wrestled with and it’s really tough to abandon what you’ve been taught to embrace truth. Not because of what people think, but because I’m a husband and dad before I’m a pastor. I desire to love my bride and raise my kids from the depth of truth, not the facade of traditions.
- I’m headed to Texas this week for a family reunion. Excited about seeing family, dreading the drive…
- Next weekend we continue “You Asked” @ C3 with “Why Do Bad Things Happen?”
- Major news coming tomorrow about The Xcel Experience.
This week, purpose to love God and love others and live life to it’s fullest.
Published in C3 Church,
Church,
Faith,
Family,
Leadership,
Life,
Life Lessons,
Random,
Sunday,
Thoughts,
Vision,
questions and
transitioning church .
I hope you’re ready for summer… it’s here! This weekend at C3 Church we are kicking off a brand new series called “You Asked.” We’re going to be dealing with a few questions that many people seem to have. Here’s the flow:
- Can A Christ-follower Drink Alcohol?
- Why Do Bad Things Happen?
- Can I Lose My Salvation?
Then, on June 21 we’re going to wrap the series up with a special worship experience.
“You Asked” is going to be a very compelling series, so be sure to invest in relationships and invite people… seriously, many of them will come if we’ll just ask!
Pastors and church leaders, I hope you’ll plan on joining me, David Foster, Justin Haigler, David Middlebrook, Jim Tomberlin, Pete Wilson and others at The Xcel Experience! To learn more, check out The Xcel Experience and follow xcelmychurch on twitter for updates.
