Tag Archive for 'courage'

Just My Extremely Acurate Opinion…

I’ve got to say it.  I’m over the whining. I got an email from a pastor today that lit my fire a little.  I’m tired of excuses from guys who are more concerned with job security than reaching people.  Sometimes we spend more time complaining about what we can’t do than actually pursuing what God created us and called us to do.

I continue to be amazed at the number of pastors and leaders who criticize Bill Hybels and Willow Creek for the Reveal Study.  In my opinion (which I am fully persuaded is correct :-) ) many of these don’t have the guts to honestly evaluate how their ministries are doing, but are more than willing to take aim at someone who does it differently, even if that someone is achieving results that many never have.

It seems to me Bill is willing to risk what you and I might think of him because of his apparent desire to truly reach people and help those who desire to do so.  He understands that those who are both critical of his results and impotent in reaching people themselves are simply not his audience.  Also, the very existence of the study “reveals” a desire to grow and change and learn more.

I remember years ago a lunch I had with some of the senior adults in our church.  One lady tossed out (like it was the atomic bomb), “Are we a part of the Willow Creek Association - just tell us the truth”?  There are so many things wrong with that statement and thinking, which came from a biased and ignorant perspective.  At the time we weren’t, today we are.

The following quote is from Bill Hybels… it hopefully it will cause us to think and pursue loving God and loving others rather than to simply figure out how we can position ourselves to look better to other pastors and churches and church people.

Perhaps if more pastors had more courage, more people would know Jesus.

Published
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Byron Bledsoe
on August 29, 2008
in C3 Church, Church, Faith, Future, Leadership, Life, Past, Random, Sunday, Thankful, Thoughts, Vision, church leadership, pastors, prayer, questions, timeless and transitioning church
. 3 Comments

That’s Why

I’ve resisted for a long time dealing with some things that have taken place.  There are things that some do in the name of “church” (really pride, arrogance, and ignorance) that do nothing to build the kingdom and everything to damage their own credibility.  Why would I address it - why not just let it go?  We do, at C3, let it go weekly (sometimes daily), but every now and then it’s good to be reminded what Pharisees look like and how sinful and delusional their actions and words can be.

A young girl in our church went to a “Bible Study” with her grandmother last week at another church.  At that “Bible Study” one of the pastors of the church proceeded to bash C3 and me.  He told those present that he wasn’t originally going to speak on it, but had to share what was on his heart.  I think the Bible says the heart can be deceitfully wicked and we need to be careful.

He told those present not to read my book, “Barbaric Grace” (a book that to my knowledge he’s never read - however I really don’t care if he reads it, it wasn’t written for him or people like him) and that we had destroyed a church and had stolen money.  Of course, all of these are lies and accusations we’ve heard a million times from a handful of people who used to be a part of the church I pastored.  There is no proof or merit to it, yet they continue to spread it.  So why do they continue to focus on it?  Well, they’re mad.  They’re deceived, and they’re unhappy that the vision of C3 is being realized (a vision of connecting the community with Christ).  That’s why.

It baffles me that some could accuse us of misusing money when their pastor did that habitually - they have no proof for their accusations, we, on the other hand, could have revealed volumes filled with documentation.  It baffles me that they accuse us of being “immoral” in how we “destroyed a club” “church” and they have no proof for the accusations they make surrounding it, but, if we wanted, we could share volumes of proof of immorality and indiscretions from those they’re closely associated with.  Proof they really wouldn’t have wanted to read because they can’t handle that much truth.

The bottom line is this is what happens when a church is built with disgruntled people.  Their mission in life each week is to try to destroy what God is doing in and through C3.  They have to.  Perhaps they’re trying to distract themselves from the knowledge of the history of the ministry they’re now apart of.  That’s why.  It’s justification and rationalization.  - this little girl that went to the “Bible Study” said she “felt trapped and wanted to cry…”

Honestly, I wish for these people that they would fall so in love with Christ and his mission that that would become their focus.

Of course, these handful of people will be upset that I addressed this - they will gasp as though the unthinkable has been done - someone has actually called them out and dared to reveal what they do and who they are.  They think their suppose to be able to say anything and whoever they’re slamming should just take it and say nothing.  Just remember, this post wouldn’t exist if it hadn’t been for your gossip and slander session “Bible Study.”

Finally, this pastor asked those present to pray for me that the blinders would come off and I would repent.  The blinders came off a few years ago, THAT’S WHY C3 was born!

So, everyday I thank God for this ministry, smile, and focus on what God has called us to.  I can’t wait for Sunday at C3!

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on July 23, 2008
in Barbaric Grace, Books, C3 Church, Church, Faith, Leadership, Life, Past, Random, Sunday, Thankful, Thoughts, Vision, church leadership, finances, money, pastors, prayer, questions and transitioning church
. 3 Comments

A Church Where…

C3 is the church I’ve dreamed of my entire life. Much of the vision God birthed in me for C3 is a direct result of growing up in “church.” I’ve dreamed of a church where all people are really welcome, a church where the Great Commission is more than cheap talk prostituted to the highest religious bidder, a church where love drives decisions, a church where the vision is not for sale, a church where the person coming for the first time, with real needs, is just as valuable as the small business owner - a church that is simply… a church rather than a club.

What God is doing in the life of C3 is a miracle - it’s the story of a movement that couldn’t be stopped. Today, hundreds of C3′ers, and those soon to be, converged upon Moss Park and took it to C3 level! It was an amazing day. And… the story is still young. One family I met today couldn’t believe a church would do something like this for the community - they were blown away, and we’ll see them on a Sunday real soon. The history of this movement will be about so much more than it’s cost. It is a story being written everyday as more and more lives are transformed with the deep, abiding, unconditional love of Christ and a people who are crazy in love with him… so they’re loving others. It’s a story that’s being written not in a brick building on a “plantation”, but in hearts of lives of the community - it’s a story not just for Sundays but for each and every day. It’s the reality of the church - the called out of God impacting the community in huge ways. Jesus said we would do greater things than he did - if the church is not, why not?

Recently I finished the final edits of my first book, “Barbaric Grace” (being released in a few days). The process of writing and editing brought back many memories - many of them of the many battles. I didn’t fully realize early on that it was the battle for the soul of a church. Remembering made me even more grateful for the grace of God and how he has prevailed - and always will. It has made me more humbled and grateful for the opportunity to pastor the greatest church in the world.

The baptism in the lake was awesome also! The last guy I baptized today flew in from NC from a business trip and was flying back out this afternoon to Dallas on another business trip. He flew back home to Orlando to come to C3 just to be baptized - God’s done an amazing work in his life and his future is full. Tomorrow I’ll throw up some pics of C3 Day at Moss Park - until then, thank you C3 for being the church I’ve always dreamed of - the church God had in mind. It’s the C3 Reality!

Published
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Byron Bledsoe
on March 30, 2008
in C3 Church, Church, Faith, Family, Friends, Future, Life, Past, Random, Sunday, Thankful, Thoughts, Vision and transitioning church
. 0 Comments

Not Just Welcome - Also Wanted

Comments on my blog like this one are such an encouragement to me and our team. C3 really is a place for all people, where all are not just welcomed, but also wanted. The following comment from a C3′er was added to a previous post.

“Byron as an African American woman who has attended this church since 1989 - I could not have said this better!!!! I always felt like the “fly in the Buttermilk” when I attended church but was compelled to stay because the word of God was always preached. I knew that someday someone would see the light and open the door for all people of all races to be welcomed and be a part of this great church and you have done that!!!!. My heart just overflows as I now sit in the audience and see the diversity all around me. Bless you Byron and the wonderful team that we now have at C3 - I know it has not been easy but oh it is sooo worth it.
Keep pushing forward.” - Rhonda Rosa

This Sunday who will you invite to this unique community of faith - the movement known as C3? Invite today!!!

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on March 21, 2008
in C3 Church, Church, Faith, Family, Friends, Life, Past, Random, Sunday, Thankful, Thoughts and transitioning church
. 1 Comment

In Just Three Days…

In just three days from now, a life-changing experience will take place. An atmosphere of engaging worship, exciting children’s experiences, a real message in a place of raw honesty, optimistic hope, and people connecting. This experience - Easter @ C3. Some research suggests that nearly half of those who never attend church would attend on Easter Sunday if someone would just invite them. (stop, read that last sentence again… then read on).

This Sunday we’re launching BIG and RICH. I believe this series will revolutionize many lives. I’ve never been more excited about a series, and the lasting potential it has in people’s everyday lives. Our God is a BIG and RICH God, and he longs for us to experience him - the Christ-life. There are elements to life that are bigger than fame and richer than wealth. How do we get in flow with God? If God’s so big, why do our problems often seem bigger? If life is suppose to be enjoyed, why do my days so often just meaninglessly run together? If being a Christ-follower is the ultimate, why do I still sometimes feel so empty and alone? If age is suppose to bring knowledge, why do I now have more questions than answers? If God loves me, why isn’t he paying attention and doing something? Why does it seem I’m missing something?

C3 - Invest and Invite - over the next few days God can use you to bring someone who will, in just three days, move from death to life! BRING THEM!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D71bQ5HQoTo]

Published
by
Byron Bledsoe
on March 20, 2008
in C3 Church, Church, Faith, Friends, Future, Life, Random, Sunday, Thoughts and transitioning church
. 0 Comments