Over the past several months God has shown me that my role in ministry needs to change.  I have always had a huge heart for discipleship, but I absolutely love youth ministry as well.  Its been a very bitter sweet decision, but I believe along with the wisdom of many other Godly people including my wife, that God is calling me to an area of discipleship at Element Church and away from youth ministry.

In the midst of this change in call I was reading in a famous devotional, “My Utmost For His Highest”, by Oswald Chambers and the Lord really used these words to stir my heart for discipleship.

Oswald Chambers said this:

“As workers of God, we must reproduce our own kind spiritually, and those lives will be God’s testimony to us as His workers.  God brings us up to a standard of life through  His grace, and we are responsible for reproducing that same standard in others.  Unless the worker lives a life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3), he is apt to become an irritating dictator to others, instead of an active, living disciple.  Many of us are dictators, dictating our desires to individuals and to groups.”

I am nervous, in a good way I think.  I’m nervous that as we continue to tackle the issue of discipleship at Element Church that we could unintentionally become dictators, dictating our opinions on people.  This nervousness and fear ought to drive us to the cross, seeking after wisdom with every facet within us. May God reproduce Himself through us to other people.  May we lay aside our opinions and desires and seek after God’s desire for people.

My prayer has been that God would continue a work in me, so that as we tackle discipleship in our church we do not reproduce a “religion”, but that we develop disciples that are “totally yielded to God”.

In Him,

Pastor Andy

We used to have a sign that said please turn off your cell phone or silence them.  That was before social media and smart phones.  Nothing more annoying than a cell phone ringing during an “altar call.”  Well a baby crying is pretty bad too.  But we want you turn your phone on.  Here’s why.

I want you to light up facebook and/or twitter.

Really?  You want me tweeting in church?  Yes and here’s why. (insert facebook below if you dont tweet)

• What you write down you will recall more effectively than just hearing it.  So if you hear something good tweet it.  This is the new way of taking notes.
• When you tweet your followers get an update.  They will know God is speaking/moving and they will hear the word too.  The potential to reach a much wider audience exists.
• Post pictures when things are moving – like a baptism service.  Post a photo of your kid after they come out of fusion excited.  Post a picture of that smoothie or latte!  People love seeing what goes on in a church.  The family who had a kid baptized will repost it.  The news of life change goes exponential.
• It creates BUZZ.  If someone tweets something good on twitter it gets retweeted.  Or liked on facebook.  More people see it.  The more people who see what’s going on at Crosspoint, the more people we have the potential to impact.
• Think about it, if each of us has 200 follower on twitter and 500 friends on facebook the potential audience is 400-600 people.  Lets say its 500.  If we have 200 people with smart phones connecting with 500 people thats 100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE) potentially hearing about what God is doing.
• Even if we share half our friends its sill 50 THOUSAND people.  Thats HUGE!!
• Tweet about the online campus http://www.crosspointlive.tv/iCampus about 10-15 minutes before the service.  Post it up on facebook.  Your friends who havent come to church yet may check it out online and find out we dont wear converse, drink cool aid or handle snakes.

Am i worried people wont listen when I preach?  Not at all.  Im smart enough to know people have SADD (Sermon Attention Deficit Disorder (I stole this term from my friend Scott Williams along with the idea for this post).  People tune out all the time.  They wander off or doodle on a communication card or offering envelope.  Why not have them wander off to something that could actually help them pay attention and get the message out to more people.

I usually shoot out some Tweets of what’s happening at Element in between, or even DURING our worship experiences every Sunday.  I love being able to celebrate with other people via the web, about what God is doing right then in our church.  But what if more and more of us starting sharing via our social media what God is doing WHILE IT’S happening.  I fully understand that MANY people will not agree with this encouragement, but I think it’s a GREAT way to share what God is doing in your church.  So, what do you say?  Start tweeting.

Tweeting,

Jeff

You can friend Element Church on Facebook HERE and follow Element Church on Twitter HERE.

This is kind of a continuation of the blog posted on Jan 17 titled Biblical Guided Community v. Gospel Centered Community (HERE). This is the stuff that I wanted to culminate that blog with, but as I typed I realized that the length of the actual blog itself was only rivaled by the length of the title of the blog.  So I decided to hold it for another blog and HERE IT IS…

Over the last two years I was fortunate to see the process of building community played out in this amazing group of young adults, that banded together to allow God to form them into a community sometimes called theSHIFT.  Just to recap the community building process before we continue it’s goes like this…

Fellowship (Connection with other believers)
Seeking (Two parts: Part 1 – Seeking Knowledge of God and God’s purpose for the Group…often times occurs through study of His Word. Part 2 – Seeking God’s Presence…often time through corporate worship & prayer)
Accountability (to God and to the group — can be a set of standards or an accountability partner or smaller community group)
Sacrifice (The giving of yourself to the group and the giving of the group to others…culminates in the sending out of believers to find the lost and bring them into the fellowship of community and ultimately Christ).

Since the birth of theSHIFT God has placed it under the leadership of three different people.  I had the honor of being number two.  Since being released from leadership in theSHIFT and placing the reigns in the very capable hands of Sean Brink, I’ve been able to step back and see the bigger picture of the road God has led us down and have caught a glimpse of where they may be headed.

So here is what that process looked like in theSHIFT.

When God birthed the vision for theSHIFT in the heart of Curtis Marshall, there was literally a handful of young adults that would band together under this vision.  In the early days of theSHIFT, the group dynamic was fairly dependant on Curtis providing the atmosphere for fellowship.  He facilitated the environment and organized events that encouraged fellowship.  This was so necessary in those early days.  The connections to each other, the friendships developed and the commitment to group that grew out of those early days would be essential as theSHIFT moved forward in what God expected from them.  As the group began to build fellowship, this fostered a desire to seek what God had for theSHIFT as a group.  Through group study and discussion theSHIFT began to discover who God is, what it meant that He was relational and what He intended as the purpose for them. Eventually, as God revealed Himself to theSHIFT, they would begin moving into the early stages seeking God’s presence and Accountability.  Soon after, God (and the military) would call Curtis away to Arizona.

As God moved me into my season of leading theSHIFT, it quickly became very clear that my role would be quite different than Curtis’.  While Curtis played a necessary role in facilitating and building fellowship (which meant he was very much a part of community), God made it repeatedly clear that I was not called to be community for theSHIFT (or even be part of it at times).  Instead I was called to lead them to a place where they built community themselves.  No doubt I routinely got to facilitate the the environment that encouraged community and often time got to be a part of it, but there was a distinct difference in the group dynamic and what God was doing in it.  I got to see theSHIFT as a whole desire more of God’s presence and move toward a sincere desire for Accountability.  Smaller community groups formed, people met with each other, corporate worship became a regular occurrence and the group began to move toward selflessly give to each other.  This group of friends that cared for each other transformed into a community that loved each other.  As God began to call me away from theSHIFT to lead in other areas of ministry I began to see God calling the group to more.  People who had been long time SHIFTers left theSHIFT and a new generation began to emerge (which is actually quite common in a college ministry).  It was more than obvious that God expected theSHIFT to give to those outside the group.

As Sean Brink moved into leading theSHIFT, God began to change a lot of stuff.  The face of theFAMILY began to look different, community groups had a renewed vision, even the night theSHIFT met on changed.  Now, I can’t honestly speak on where God is taking theSHIFT because He hasn’t told me (and why would He?), but I can see that God had already started moving theSHIFT in a direction where sacrifice is going to be a major theme.  It seems to me that God is bringing theSHIFT to a place where they move from Biblical Guided community to Gospel Centered community.  This road won’t be an easy one.  It will be paved with selfless giving, sacrificing personal comfort and resources and the giving of your whole self all for the purpose of bringing the lost into fellowship with Christ.  And although it won’t be “easy”, I know no better man than Sean Brink to lead theSHIFT through this next season.

Only God knows where theSHIFT is headed (and Sean as God reveals it to him), but from where I’m standing it looks to be an amazing journey and one that is covered in the presence and purpose of God.

Excited to see God move,
Bruce

There is something about finding the right church that drives me. In my lifetime I have been to many churches in different cities and I have never really felt at home as I do at Element. For some reason every other church I went to was just ok for me. That is not to say that it would not be great for someone else, it was just me. Churches of 70 people all the way up to 1000′s were just ok. The preaching was good and so were the people, but I never felt moved. For example one church here in town when I went everyone greeted the new people, we talked, we sang and prayed, everything that a church does, but I felt uneasy with it. I do not know if it was me or if there was no Spirit there, but I knew that this was not the church that I needed to attend. Element on the other hand was a total opposite feeling. The moment I stepped through the doors I felt at home. It was a warm atmosphere with happy people and through the whole service I was at peace. The moment I left the building I knew instantly that this was home. And another striking thing is this. Every other church we went to both of my kids did not want to go to the children’s rooms, but at Element they did not hesitate one bit to go to the rooms. To me this says something about where the Spirit leads a person. It does not matter what church you go to, it comes down to where God wants you to go. I know that it was God who led me to Element. because He knew what I needed to hear and what needed to be fixed. That my friends is what the Spirit can do.

Being Led,

Shane

Last week, I got on a cruise ship 600 miles away from my home and sailed to the Caribbean. I love to cruise, I especially love to let my hair up (my doesn’t go down) and relax. It’s a time where Cindy and I can get out of the fish bowl for a few days…or is it? One day while sitting at the port in Calica, Mexico a couple asked “are ya’ll from Arkansas”? After a few minutes, they shared how on Facebook they posted a pic while aboard and a friend mentioned that “Shannon O’Dell, my pastor is on that ship”. I was immediately riveted in humility, and reminded of how small the world has become.

So many leaders have told me, “Well, while I am on vacation I will drink a beer, smoke a Cuban, or whatever.” They will even go on to share how the Bible doesn’t say drinking, or smoking is a sin. What if I had made the choice to have a Booze Cruise? Not get drunk, just a beer or two. I realized this week, that as a leader, more importantly a Christ follower, I can never relax from bringing God the utmost Glory through my life. I never want to build my theology around what I can get away with, but God’s way in me. (Holy cow that is good!)

Here is my point…your life is always “on call” to promote, propagate, permeate, and penetrate God’s message at all times. (That dog’ll hunt)

• A critic is often just someone trying to cover up their own lack of commitment…they are threatened by yours so they criticize you.  A critic is often just someone trying to cover up their own level of conviction…they are convicted by yours so they criticize you.  A critic is often just someone trying to cover up their own love of comfort, so they criticize your willingness to leave comfort behind.
• HOWEVER, sometimes you are criticized because you are living contrary to Scripture.  God will NEVER call you, choose you, or be okay with you living in a way that is in contradiction to His WORD.  I don’t care HOW much you aren’t “convicted”.  Your conviction is NOT the litmus test for God’s TRUTH or God’s STANDARDS.  In fact, if you are ok with living in sin you probably still need a Savior, for the Bible is clear that if Jesus lives IN us we are not okay living AGAINST Him.

Pastor Perry Noble had a GREAT series of blogs he did back in January.  The series was called “7 differences between a coach and a critic”.  I would have LOVED to share them in my sermon but it was already packed full of probably too much stuff.  You can follow a link to the series of blogs HERE which gives a full explanation of each of the seven differences.  It’s definitely worth the read.  I’ll highlight each difference below:

#1 – A Coach Has A Relationship With You – A Critic Barely Knows You.

#2 – A Coach Always Assumes The Best – A Critic Always Assumes The Worse.

#3 – A Coach Corrects Out Of Love – A Critic Corrects Out Of Pride.

#4 – A Coach Has Earned Respect – A Critic Has Not.

#5 – A Coach Will Handle Things Privately – A Critic Will Always Go Public.

#6 – A Coach Will Love You Through A Disagreement – A Critic Will Hate You No Matter What.

#7 – A Coach Should Be Listened To – A Critic Should Be Ignored.

Till the end,

Jeff

This is actually the first time I’ve done an update, but I thought this was worth sharing.  I probably should have wrote this last month when I realized it, but I was pouring through some old blogs, came across “My Son the Teacher” and felt I needed to follow up to share the amazing things our God does.

Back on April 9, 2010 I wrote a post titled “My Son the Teacher“ (HERE).  In that post I talked about a kid in my sons 5th grade class that was so desperate for friends he brought money and was willing to pay other kids to be his friend.  This boy was often reluctant to answer invitations to play with what the other kids were playing and instead often chose to walk the playground by himself.  My son didn’t take the money and concluded that he would just walk with this kid until he was ready to accept him as a friend.

Now, understand that both my sons are amazing young men, but Andrew has this heart for people that can only be given by God.  He also hands out church invite cards by the dozens because he wants to see his friends in church. So after a couple weeks of just “walking” with this boy, Andrew gave him an invite card.  Soon this boy and his family began attending Element Church (probably some time in the beginning of May) and Andrew was STOKED (really that’s an understatement, but he was super pumped about it).

After a few weeks of attending Element, Andrew told me that his friend accepted Christ in Elevate (our children’s ministry – lead by Pastor Derek, Blog HERE).  Again…super stoked!  So as if that weren’t enough, I had the opportunity (I think during Element’s Stripped Series – Sermon HERE) to witness the father of Andrew’s friend answer the invitation to surrender his life to Christ.  SO STOKED!!!

So here’s the bottom line…two kids, one that just wanted some one to walk with him and one that was willing to, changed an entire family.  That’s God.

Super STOKED,
Bruce

This coming Sunday will be the first of many that our kids will have the chance to earn tokens to be used in our NEW Reward Zone machines. Your kids can earn their way to prizes every week: All it takes is a little effort! I’d like for your kids to learn to discipline themselves to memorize scripture, complete family devotional take-homes, bring their friends to church, and develop admiral character traits. Here is what the program looks like…..

Purpose: Program to reward children as they develop in personal character and work towards specific personal devotional goals.

How it works: Volunteers will distribute tokens for the things listed below during the Sunday experience.

Tasks for tokens: Children may present their completed items from below to volunteers during the last 5 minutes of each service to receive tokens.

***Children will NOT have the opportunity to redeem their tokens for prizes during services and will need to do this after services.
***Children MAY share or give away tokens to classmates if they so desire. Tokens will be distributed to Explorers & Elevate age children only. DO NOT allow children to put the tokens in their mouths as they pose a choking hazard.

SINGLE token for….
· Bringing a friend- Bring a friend who has never been to E:kidz before. ( remember that first timers get 2 tokens just for coming )
· Recite the Bible verse- Memorize and recite to a classroom volunteer the Bible verse from a previous weeks lesson.
· Return your devotional sheet- Bring back your completed & parent signed family devotional take-home sheet from previous weeks lesson.
· Character counts- Bring in a COPY of a current Character Counts Award or other character related award you received.

DOUBLE tokens for….
· Bringing a friend- Your friend came back after their first visit.
· Recite the Bible verse- Recite 2 weeks Bible verses.
· Extra credit sheets- Bring back your completed & parent signed “extra credit” sheet from the reward zone display. Extra credit sheets available weekly.
· Serve in the community- Bring evidence that you were involved in a service project at home, in your neighborhood or school, or other organization. (Ex. Newspaper clipping, school newsletter, photograph of event, or parent testimony)

E:kidz LEADERS of TODAY : Do you have what it takes to earn extra tokens?

Tokens will be distributed by volunteers who observe the following leadership habits. Every volunteer will have tokens to distribute during all services.

· Character- Be noticed by a volunteer for your character. Example: Get caught displaying exceptional character during your time in class. Being patient with other kids, showing kindness to a new kid, being honest with the teacher, showing courage by answering questions in front of the class, loving the kids that others have been unkind to, or forgiving a kid who was unkind to you.
· Participation- Be noticed by a volunteer for joining the class in all of today’s activities. Example: Outstanding participation during singing & motions, listening attentively, following instructions, answering questions, doing the craft/project, or engaging other kids to get in the game.
· Awareness- Be noticed by a volunteer for efforts to encourage your classmates. Example: Speaking positively to other kids, encouraging someone who is nervous, helping someone who falls down, welcoming a new kid, outstanding respect for others.

I would love to see these machines get WIPED OUT every single week by kids who are willing to spend a little bit of their time learning about the God that loves them! Support your kids if their efforts: It starts at home!!