Next Level

Things are going good at Next Level!

NLC.TV

Small Groups tonight

We are getting ready to do some crazy things as a church. I can't wait to see what is going to happen after we step out.
Tonight we kick off our one prayer small groups.

More

How can I get more done with the resources God has given?

impactme.tv

http://impactme.tv/

Alone

We are tearing down the walls of church separation and isolation.
We believe that more can get done for the kingdom if we work together and not alone.
It is not a competition.
We just want to get it done!

Hit the road Jack

A new 2 week series starting Sept. 28th

Small group

Coming to a group near you
Oct. 7, 2008

Tailgating

Yesterday we had a huge tailgating party for the Patriots season opener.

Multiply

One thing we should always be doing is multiplying. I want to be someone that grows up other people. I want to be a pastor that multiplies churches and other pastors. I think we should always be looking for ways to multiply our recourse's and abilities.

Baptism

I tried dunking Roman after the baptism Tue. It didn't work out to well for me.

School

I forgot to mention that Cadence starts school tomorrow.
Yes, I will need extra prayer, and love, and sympathy, and cookies, and attention, and medicine, and space, and help, and tissues, and possibly Dr. Phil.

Wild Goose Chase

Need a good book? Try "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson

Creation

Take the time to admire God's creation. I went to the beach today and it was awesome. It's not like I have never been before, it's just that it seemed fresh to me.
Enjoy his creation.
Notice the details.
Smell the air.
Slow down for a second and take it in.

Acts 4:13

Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Team

I am learning more and more the importance of team. I can only do so much on my own, but with a team we can get so much more accomplished. A team player doesn't care about the spotlight. He cares about the greater good of the team and accomplishing the goals that the team is working towards. If you are not yet a team player I encourage you to become one. It is much more fun to celebrate success with a team.

Refresh

Let's live our lives constantly refreshing others. Purpose to be the type of person that refreshes.
You never know when someone will need it. Plus Proverbs says that he who refreshes will also be refreshed.

Psalm 16:7

Psalm 16:7 says, "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;"How many times do we do stuff and go through life without seeking him?How many times do we run to others for help and advice, without running to him?He is a great counselor if we go to him!

Making a difference

Are we just simply existing, or are we actually making a difference?
Are we accomplishing anything with our our resources, talents, and our time?
Would it matter if we died?
How much impact are we making? Or are we barely making a dent?

Birthday girl

Today is Alivia's birthday. 3 years old!
My youngest is 3............I can't believe it.
Seriously. How do they grow up so fast?

Man on the run

We talked about Jonah yesterday and how we all have a little bit of Jonah in us. Jonah went against what God wanted. I pray that I am obedient to God when he asks me to do something. Even if I know that it will be painful. I don't want to be a man on the run. Or even a drifter.

Sesame Place

So we took the girls to Sesame Place the other day.

A trian and a horse

Today we went on an awesome train ride in Amish country and then went on a horse and buggy ride.

R&R

So we are having a good time and getting some R&R. We are down in Lancaster PA doing some of the parks and stuff. The girls are loving it.

Loving people

It doesn't matter how awesome our church is, or how awesome our programs are, if we don't have love. It doesn't matter how great our music is, or how exciting our events are, if we don't have love. It doesn't matter how big we get, or how many people we reach, if we don't have love.
Love is the most important thing. Loving people.

Reverse

This pic is from Sunday. We did everything backwards for the series we where in. We started right off the bat with the sermon and then went in reverse from their.

3 kings

I started this book yesterday. It is a very easy read and I know that you would enjoy it. It is about brokenness.

Pass it on

We started a little site to help promote the Jonah series coming to Impact Church. Check it out. Pass it on.
http://jonahpromo.wetpaint.com/

Giving our best

Are we giving our best? In everything we do? Do we strive for excellence?
Let's not be average.........let's be better than that.

Today

We had a very productive day today. We decided on an Impact Image. Not really a logo, but something with our name on it. You will start seeing it next week. We worked on this coming Sunday for a while and then had a great lunch with pastor Josh and his assistant Ben from NLC in Dover.
Great guys.
Anyway,
I am just excited for this Sunday. It is our last week in our series called,"The Upside Down Way of God"

Time

Time is ticking and life is going by fast. What are we doing with it? Are we just simply getting by or are we living life up to our full potential? I want to do everything I can to make my life count

Jonah

We are going to be starting a new series in a few weeks about the life of Jonah. There is a lot to be learned from this man's life. It isn't just a cute kid's story.

My sisters

My sisters fly home tonight after spending the year in L.A. I can't wait to see them!

No Go yet

Still no logo yet. We are still working on a design. It has been a little frustrating, but I know we will find one that clicks. Roman has been working real hard on it and has had the fun task of helping the designers find something we like.
Anyway,
That's what has been going on. We are pumped about tomorrow's service and hope that you can make it out.

New logo

The last few days we have been working on our new logo. It has been narrowed down to two.
We should have some revisions this week which will help us decide. I can't wait to show you guys. We are hoping that we will have a final design by the end of this week.

Cats and toast

Have you heard of the new scientific theory? "When a cat is dropped, it always lands on its feet, and when toast is dropped, it always lands buttered side down. Therefore, if a slice of toast is strapped to a cat’s back, buttered side up, and the animal is then dropped, the two opposing forces will cause it to hover, spinning inches above the ground. If enough toast-laden felines were used, they could form the basis of a high-speed monorail system."

Give

Well today we had a great service. We talked about the upside down ways of God and the fact that God uses pain and hard times to grow us. When we come out of hard seasons we are stronger.
Next week we are looking at another upside down way of God. I don't want to let the cat out of the bag. Let's just say, "give".

Plasma

Today we got the other plasma tv up in our building. Roman, Steve, and Milton helped hang one of them. It was real comical trying to get the first one up, but the second one went so much smoother. The old youth center room is looking pretty sweet!

Growth

Sunday we are talking about growth. Not our way, but God's way.

New Book

So guys I am reading a new book right now that is simply amazing. "Simple Church"
If you are church leader I would encourage you to read this book. I am only on page 70, but it has opened my eyes to a lot of stuff already. Check it out.

Upside Down

This Sunday we are kicking of our new series called, "Upside down way of God".
God has a way of doing things different. We could say, "Upside down".

Car Show

We hosted our first car show tonight as Impact church. It really was something that my dad did a lot so I give him all the credit for the idea. We just hang out with the community and have a good time. It's a great way for us to be a blessing.

The Only One

This Sunday we are talking about, "The Only One".
Have you ever been faced with making the right decision even when you where the only one in the crowd?
I can't wait to talk about this, and I hope that you join me this Sunday @ Impact Church.

Your book

What if at the end of your life someone wrote a book about it? Would it be worth reading?
Would it be boring? Would I be asleep after page 7?

yo

Yo everyone!
We are officially Impact Church! The name was voted on today. I want to say thanks to everyone for all their support and thanks to the great team we have. We are excited about the future.

Regrets

Live with no regrets

Awesome conference

Today's conference down in D.C. was amazing! It was totally different than any other conference I have ever been to. There are only about 50 people attending and it is a very relaxed and intimate setting. There are also lots of Q and A which I love. We are learning a whole bunch and can't wait to get back home.
It has been good to come down here and see a church that is actually doing what we want to do. (Video Venues) It's unbelievable to see it in action. We have also talked with other pastors who are doing the same thing. Now that's encouraging!

Back down

Today me and Roman are headed back down to D.C. for a quick 2 day conference at Mark Batterson's church. It's a quick blitz, but we learned so much the last time we where down there. This conference is a much smaller one with a more intimate setting. It should be amazing!

Impact Church

Sunday I announced the new name of Family Christian Center: "Impact Church"
We are excited to begin a new journey with a fresh new name. As we set up other venues we will call them Impact/city........"Impact/Manchester" for example.
We want to have many, many locations as we impact our region!

Fishing

This is me throwing my massive fish back!

I did some fishing this weekend with the boys. I don't want to show you any pics of my fish because they where way bigger and I want to be modest.

Try

I want to be know as someone who at least tried. I would rather fail trying than not try at all.
If something doesn't work than get back up on your feet and try again. I want to be a risk taker!
Someone who isn't afraid to try new things. I want to be like Peter. He stepped out of the boat.
That's how I want to be.
What about you?

This is how we do it!

This is me and Alivia playing XBOX 360.
She thinks she is playing, but her controller isn't plugged in.
Kinda like us with our heavenly father.......we think we are running the show, but we really aren't!

Test Launch

I am blogging right now from "The Well". People are still hanging out, talking, chilling. We had an awesome test launch! The Well is our Sunday night video venue service. It's relaxed. There is free coffee, and espresso. The sermon is a video of that Sunday morning's talk. I am so excited for the potential of this venue!

Enjoy life

Enjoy Life!

Quote

Phil Cooke, owner of Cooke Pictures, as quoted on his blog (June 9, 2009)
“I’m shocked at the number of people that just keep doing the same thing year after year as if the direction of the ministry, audience numbers, response, income – whatever, will magically change. But getting from point A to point B doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through a well thought out plan.
“And by the way – when it comes to churches - changing graphics, cool music, lighting effects, or dumping the choir robes isn’t a strategy. That’s just re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. You need a fundamental re-think of what story your church or ministry is trying to tell, what that means to your audience, how to connect with that audience, and why it’s absolutely urgent they respond right now.”

Chase the Lion

Next month we are starting a new small group study called "Chase The Lion"

If you have never read the book "In a pit with a lion on a snowy day" I would encourage you to get it!

We will take about six weeks and go through the study with our small groups.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1590527151/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

If you haven't been to small groups yet, this would be the time. We have really been enjoying doing life together with our groups. Last night we did a combined small group and grilled out at Roy's house. What an amazing time we had!

Washington D.C.

This weekend I went down to Washington D.C. to check out http://theaterchurch.com/ .
It was amazing!
We learned so much just being down their and experiencing it first hand. They are doing so much of what we will be doing in the future. Coffee shops, video venues, multiple campuses.
It's awesome!
They are strategically located in the market places! Something I find Jesus always did.
We are currently looking into some areas where we are going to launch some multi-sites.
Being down there and seeing it done was truly inspiring!

Missed

Last week we lost one of the most beautiful person I have ever met in my lifetime. My aunt was an amazing person to me and also to our church. Never was it difficult to be around her as she was always smiling. She served our church faithfully for years in various ministries, but was the most dedicated to our food ministry. Her tireless work, and concern for the needy, fed thousands of hungry mouths. She demonstrated a servants heart in whatever she did. Words can't explain the hole she has left in our hearts............we miss her deeply.

This week

We had a great week this week doing all kinds of stuff. The Well is almost done, but will be ready enough for our test launch tom. night. We hit a few glitches, but that's expected. I really want to thank the team of people who helped yesterday as we kicked some butt!
Let's go get em tom!

Pie

Sunday we had a pie eating contest. Let me just tell you that Nikki kicked some butt. She took on Matt and Brian and actually won!!!! She is the FCC pie eating champ. Make sure that you give her props when you see her.

Sweet

Just got back Wed. night from an awesome time of fishing with my father and other friends and family. This picture is a 12 pound lake trout that was caught Tue. morning by my uncle. It took him a half hour to fight this fish in to the boat. What an awesome experience it was to see this fish when it first revealed itself to us! If you like fishing you will understand.
Anyway,
We are in full swing for our next series called "Humble Pie". God is really speaking to me about humility. I know I have a lot to learn. If anything this series is already speaking to my heart.

Fishing

This week I head up north for 2 days of fishing! Ya baby! Fish on!
Yesterday was fantastic. Our mothers day service was amazing. Milton preached and did an awesome job. Now we are getting ready for Humble pie. I hope that you can make it.

Bill Cosby

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
Bill Cosby

Sunday

The last series Roman helped co-teach with me. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next time we do this. We had a blast preparing it and teaching it.

This weekend you will all get to hear from Milton.

He has been working on a mothers day sermon for weeks and I can't wait to hear him. If you are a mother, I encourage you not to miss this Sunday. And cherish your own mother. I know I miss mine!

The well

Yesterday I announced our plans for our cafe' video venue.......

We will have more information on the web soon, so keep your eyes open.

Humble Pie

Starting May 18th
This is a new series we are getting ready for!!!!

Leadership

I found this the other day and thought it was pretty cool:
When Gen. George C. Marshall took command of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, he found the post in a generally run-down condition. Rather than issue orders for specific improvements, he simply got out his own paintbrushes, lawn equipment, etc., and went to work on his personal quarters. The other officers and men, first on his block, then throughout the post, did the same thing, and Fort Benning was brightened up. Leadership by example. Source Unknown.

Saturday and Sunday

This is what I did Saturday morning

Sunday we had a great service as we kicked off the office series. Milton did a great skit with one of the ugliest suites on in the world. Seriously, I don't even think this suit was popular in the 70's!

We learned about about work ethic and integrity with our work.

Point 1: Consider the ant

Point 2: See it from your house