Aug 20 2010

Fruit Happens

We’ve had two great weeks with _ _ _ IT HAPPENS and more of the same continues this Sunday.

We’ll see you Sunday at North Cobb High School at either 9:45 or 11:15.  See you then!

Comments Off | posted in Freedom Church

Aug 19 2010

MidWeek Review

  • We kicked off our first Momentum Experience this past week.  Proud of the people taking part in this 8 Week Challenge!
  • Good day on Sunday.  Learning a ton during this season of ministry.
  • You never graduate past grace.
  • Re-read Next Generation Leader this past week.  Very practical book.  It’s an essential for leaders.
  • Had the privilege of speaking to a group of our leaders last night.  I am so proud of them!  God is doing great things in them and through them each and every week!    They inspire me.
  • Does anyone else take pictures of books at Barnes and Noble and then buy them on Amazon?  I do that all the time.
  • Privileged to have fantastic leaders speaking into my life on a continuous basis.  I never want to take that for granted.
  • I’ve been on a bit of a reading frenzy lately.  The more I read – the more I enjoy it.
  • Devin and I are just a couple months away from our 10 Year Anniversary!
  • We (Freedom Church) are teaming up with North Cobb High School for some exciting things in the days ahead.  There is a ton of potential at that school and in this community!  More to come…
  • Pumped about this coming Sunday!  Pray for a life-changing day.  I believe that is what it will be.

1 comment | posted in Church Planting, Freedom Church, Leadership

Aug 18 2010

Funded and Free

I have heard Andy Stanley ask the following question numerous times:

What do I believe is impossible to do in my field…but if it could be done would fundamentally change my business?

Pursuing a picture of a preferred future energizes everyone with at least one leadership bone in their body.  The challenge? Vision almost always outpaces the capital needed to pull it off.  Don’t sit back and wait for a better set of circumstances.  Your calling is too important to back down from just because it presents a challenge that you can’t afford to solve.  Besides, what you are called to do always precedes how you are going to do it.

—-
My friends Casey Graham and Joe Sangl have written an important book specifically for church leaders that will help you navigate and prepare for the challenges/opportunities that are ahead.  Don’t just “hope” to generate a culture of generosity at your church.  Embrace the tools needed to see that culture become a reality.  Here is a link to purchase Funded and Free. Do it today!



Comments Off | posted in Generosity, Leadership

Aug 17 2010

Generosity from Buffett

You might not recognize the picture, but you will recognize the name.  This is a story of  generosity.  This is Warren Buffett – in his own words.

In 2006, I made a commitment to gradually give all of my Berkshire Hathaway stock to philanthropic foundations. I couldn’t be happier with that decision. Now, Bill and Melinda Gates and I are asking hundreds of rich Americans to pledge at least 50% of their wealth to charity. So I think it is fitting that I reiterate my intentions and explain the thinking that lies behind them.  First, my pledge: More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death. Measured by dollars, this commitment is large. In a comparative sense, though, many individuals give more to others every day.

You can read the rest right here…

Comments Off | posted in Generosity

Aug 16 2010

The Cause is Worth the Criticism

We moved to Acworth, GA and started Freedom Church about 2 1/2 years ago.  Doing so has been an incredible experience. I am filled with gratitude for the favor of God on our journey up until this point.

That favor has produced a lot of things.  One of them being more than our fair share of criticism.

Nobody likes to be criticized and some handle it much better than others.  I’ve been blessed to have some great leaders speak into my life on the subject. (One conversation actually turned into a blog post from Pastor Perry Noble that you can read here.)

Since there are already such great resources available – my point is not in helping you deal with criticism. My point is this…

Has God called you to do that which you are doing (whether in the church world or not)?
Are you being obedient to the calling that He has on your life?

If fulfilling your calling causes you to be criticized.   The Cause is Worth the Criticism

Comments Off | posted in Leadership