Life Is a Journey ... Keep Moving

Last Saturday I had an opportunity to speak at a Spiritual Wellness & Empowerment Workshop in Brooklyn.  The host and sponsor of the workshop is a professor of one of the young men in our youth group.  To be honest, I didn't know what to expect.  I knew they were having different speakers from varioius backgrounds and perspectives.  It was an opportunity to share the Gospel message with folks that may not be in the faith.  The theme of the workshop was Life Is a Journey - Keep Moving! 

That is so true.  We often get hung up on so many little and big things that happened to us each day in our lives.  We dwell on it, let it sit in our pool of thoughts in our mind, and allow it to spin out of control in the vortex of our reasoning.  The reality is that things, good and bad, will happened to any one of us.  We have to see it for what it is and keep it in perspective and keep moving ... FORWARD.  Not backward.  So in preparing for this speaking engagement, the approach I was taking was that I'd use scripture as my reference but not be too "churchy".  Get the necessary message across without pounding them over the head with it.  So I get there and the event progresses through the first few presenters.  There was a praise dance, a talk on domestic violence, a preso on leaving a legacy, with a few breaks in between. 

I talked about living our lives not in fear but in faith.  It was based off a series that was done in 2007.  We can go from living in FEAR TO FAITH!  If a talent, skill, ministry, or purpose has been planted inside of us, it will be summoned at a necessary time.  Gideon was destined to be a mighty warrior - even though he didnt know it yet.  He was about to become one of the greatest military leaders of his time.  He used his strength, but God's presence was with him.  We dont have to be afraid our doubt ourselves because we dont think we're cut for the task.  He created us for the task at hand.  Don't be afraid of the losses in life but be faithful to obey what He wants and needs you to do.  Step out of your hiding place and embrace the call on your life. 

I look back and can say that I enjoyed the experience and thank God for the opportunity to talk about Him and how He can help us go from Fear To Faith! 

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Church Autopsies

These are notes from a session led by Steve Pike at the X Conference. He is the National Director of the Church Multiplication Network. The question that was put in front of the audience was, "Why Do Churches Fail?" This is based on research conducted by the network on failed vs. growing churches.

1. Truth About $$$
a. There is no correlation to success or failure
b. Success will be accelerated if used properly
c. Compensation focused on leadership and developers. The developers will recruit doers (volunteers).
d. Train & resource volunteers … TRAIN HARD – MANAGE EASY
e. Use caution when advertising and promotions
f. Leverage matching funds

2. Leadership
a. The leaders has to have “IT” ... people will know if they have "IT"
b. Leaders must take responsibility to bring TEAM w/them

3. Y?
a. Mission drift – are we still on point with the mission or are we drifting away with no end in sight.
b. Not knowing why we are doing this is a major reason for fatigue, burnout, and failure
c. Live by faith
d. Keep MAIN THING the MAIN THING

4. Who?
a. Not knowing who we are doing this for
b. Starting a new church is popular now
c. Remember whose church it is … God’s church
d. Don’t lose touch with whose church it is
e. Right Thing for Right Reason

5. IED – Improvised Explosive Devices
a. Over-dependence on family
b. Planting for convenience
c. Using the wrong tools
d. Pastor(s) must keep their Sabbath – get refresh time alone and with family.

Final Thoughts:
Church planting is a direct attack on hell and Satan. This is spiritual warfare so go prepared to get into battle.

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Winding Down to Fathers Day!

This week has been interesting!  The weekend will be full of things to do and places to be.  The body and mind is winding down.  But thank God for the health and ability to be here and enjoy these moments in life. 

It's been a true pleasure to read a simple story from the Bible and how the Word truly comes to life through the Holy Spirit and it speaks to you.  Dwelling on the Word truly is different than just reading the Word.  I've come to realize it over these past several years. 

I have the privilege to minister at a church on Fathers Day.  In preparation the Spirit led me to a father in the book of Luke.  There are so many life applications to take from his life story.  I hope and pray that God makes it clear and relevant for His people on Sunday.  The details will follow next week ...

On a "father" note ... having Abigail in my life has made me look at life differently.  Even though my wife doesn't think I can feed Abi - which is not my strong suit ... I know we can definitely be an example for her in so many ways.  Those ways must be positive ways! 

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

p.s. To all the fathers,

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

X Conference Snippets - continued

FROM JOEL HUNTER

WORKSHOP 1: “LESSONS ALONG THE WAY”

- launch team was 6 people … now has 3 locations in Houston and New Orleans

- Worship leader (one of the 6) – April died in car crash … but the effects of her life and death realized years later

- One young lady came to church, got saved and baptized

- At baptism service this lady revealed how she came to church … she used to work with April

- At April’s funeral Pastor Joel’s message spoke to this young lady's heart and spirit

- At baptism, the Spanish pastor led by Holy Spirit to ask how many people present is here because of April – her life or death … 39 people stood up!

Mark 5 (feeding of 5000)

- God is a God of journey, not just God of destination

- God wants to know what’s in your hand and not what’s out there in the village

- God instructed them to have people sit down in groups of 100 and 50

• He has a plan and strategy

- Moments of breaking is truly the miracle

- Mission is more important than methods

- Everything needs to be intentional

Stay tuned for more takeaways from more speakers at the X Conference.

Being Kind To The Community

Kindness is a key that opens hearts.  Winding down on Remix before summer break.  Worship night with a focus on servant evangelsim to the community.  Do we really love our neighbors?