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.