Happy Reformation day…

On October 31, 1517 a guy names Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of a church in Wittenburg Germany.  This act launched a little movement called the Reformation.

On October 31, 1999 a guy named Mark James was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in a small country church in Griffin GA… I think it was on that day that God began to birth the vision for Lifesong church.  Only God knows if it will have the same impact that Luther’s movement did.

My prayer for Lifesong…

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. 

Sunday night thoughts…

• Good day today.  I was really pleased with attendance today.  Thought we would be WAY down because of the race but we had a GREAT crowd!
• The band was awesome today.  Steven (new guitar guy) is doing a great job, really enjoying watching him.  The crowd has got to get a little rowdier though 😉
• For the first time since we launched I didnt HAVE to DO(I helped a little, hard to do nothing)any load in/load out… awesome to see new people stepping up and volunteering.  It made a HUGE difference for me today by being able to focus on the MESSAGE.
• We had more people volunteering today than we had in total at Lifesong this time last year… very cool!
• Yes I said that I was a “Hot hunk of man love” in service today… pretty sure I was the only pastor to say THAT 😉
• The Kids Kraze (elementary age) environment was CRAZY today… sixteen kids on RACE weekend!
• Wiggle Worms (nursery) had TEN babies… awesome!
• Lifesong Kids had a great organizational meeting… as Lifesong grows we MUST change, this gets me fired up! 
• The Trunk or Treat at Beaverbrook was alot of fun… didnt know that they had THAT many kids!
• Really looking forward to our Volunteer Appreciation Party this Saturday… I really want to honor all the volunteers that make Lifesong happen every week.
• If you think about it, pray for me… I have got a BIG decision to make concerning Lifesong… exciting stuff!

What should I pray…

I have been getting ready for this Sunday service and we are talking about the subject of prayer.  It has got me to thinking… what should I pray?  Most of us pray for miracles to happen when (in most cases) we should be praying for opportunities.  Let me explain…

• You are miserable in your current job.  Instead of asking God to miraculously provide a new job, ask for the opportunity to excel where you are.
• Instead of praying for God to bless you in your finances, ask Him for the opportunity to be proven faithful with what He has blessed you with.
• If you want your kids to become men and women of character, pray for opportunities to build character in their lives.
• Don’t just pray for your unbelieving friend.. pray for the right opportunity to speak to them about Christ.

If you pray for opportunities, more than likely you will recognize them when God sends them your way.

Sunday night thoughts…

• What a way to celebrate our first birthday… cupcakes, balloons and party hats make me happy 🙂
• I am amazed at how far God has brought Lifesong over this last year (we have grown over 140%in average attendance from the first ten-week average to our current ten-week average)… the really cool thing is that He is just getting started.
• We had a first today… during set-up somebody (NOT involved with Lifesong) stole my bag out of my car.  The church checkbook and a few other things were in there (including my Bible, I hope whoever got it reads it)… this did not make me happy.
• There was MAJOR spiritual warfare going on today… our drummer got held up at work, the big video that Jason (graphic & meda guru) had worked hours on was destroyed last night when his computer crashed and that bag being stolen.  Satan is pissed at what God is doing at Lifesong… that is a good thing.
• I was really angry (at the thief and myself) during the service, so much so that I couldn’t enjoy the service and focus on what I needed to.
• During the service today I forgot to mention that we are looking for volunteers for this Thursday night to help out at Beaverbrook Elementary Schools Trunk or Treat… we need people to help hand out candy, run games and decorate….if you can help out send an email to tammy@lifesonglive.com.
• DUDE night was a blast… I think the guys really enjoyed shooting their pastor.  Girls we have something coming up soon for you.
• As excited as i am about what God has DONE, I am more pumped at what God is going to DO through Lifesong… I am humbled at God allowing me to lead such an awesome church!

A few thoughts…

I though I would share a few things from the Coaching Network that I have been wrestling with.

• Lifesong needs my LEADERSHIP more than my preachership (I know this isn’t a word but it rhymes).
• There will come a point (soon) that I will have to CHANGE something that was a great idea when we started but whose time and purpose has come to an end.
• The biggest struggle we have both personally and professionally is to try to keep things in a consistent state of normalcy.
• If I (as the lead pastor) go into the mode of trying to protect my IMAGE of being in control of everything, I will hinder the growth of Lifesong.
• Change is a major catalyst for growth (for a church or a person)… change is ALWAYS preceeded by a difficult decision.
• One of the biggest enemies of change is my fear of risk.
• If the risk makes complete sense, God is NOT in it… God never calls us to a fair fight.

There is much more and I will write about them latter.  God has used Perry to really stretch and challenge me… honestly, some of it has been uncomfortable, but taking my next step as a leader is worth it.

Lesson’s from Mickey…

We spent last week with the family at Disney World.  As we walked around the park I couldn’t help but take in some lessons from the Mouse…

• Disney spends an incredible amount of effort (and money) in crafting an experience… the parking lot, the themed areas of the park, the attitude of the cast member (they don’t have employees).  Everything is done to create an experience that you REMEMBER.  I think that the church should do the same, not just create a “service” but create an experience that partners with the Holy Spirit that people will remember and want to return.
• Disney engages all of your senses… sight, sound, smell and touch.  I think that the church should do the same.
• Even though you are just one of thousands they go out of their way to make YOU feel special. 
• We have talked to EVERYONE about our visit to Disney… can we say the same about our church?
• Disney understands who they are… they don’t really have uber thrill rides, they know that they are a park for families and don’t deviate from that.  Because if this they are the BEST at what they do.
• Everything is done with excellence… from the costumes, to the bathrooms, to the gift shops… to the rides themselves.  EVERY  “cast member” worked hard to ensure that everything was the best it could be.
• Disney is the most CREATIVE place I have ever seen… the church could definitely learn from that.  After all they are promoting a MOUSE, we are promoting the KING!
• We cant wait to go back, and take someone with us… shouldn’t the church be the same?

Sunday night thoughts…

• I am GLAD that today was the last day of Fall break! 
• Jenny (Worship Diva) took her first Sunday morning off since we launched today… she deserved the break.
• The band did a great job leading worship today!  Really blessed with some talented DUDES that can sing! 
• I felt really off with the message today but based on your response it connected with you.  I am always amazed at how God transforms the message in the space between my mouth and your ears.
• Several of you guys have signed up for DUDE night this Saturday.  We are playing paintball ($15) and going to grab dinner.  Meet at the theater at 2PM.  If you want in send me an email at mark@lifesonglive.com
• Had a great time at Disney last week with the family.  Didn’t realize how much I needed a break… although now I need a vacation to recover from it!
• Planning a party for all the volunteers of Lifesong for November 1st… this thing is going to ROCK!  If you are a volunteer this is my way of showing you how much I appreciate all you do.  YOU are the lifeblood of Lifesong church an I want to do all that I can to HONOR your commitment. 
• Our new series “Why” is going to be really tough for me to preach but really needed.
• Next week is Lifesong’s first birthday… We are going to throw a party to celebrate everything that God has done… don’t miss it!

My princesses…

First day at Disney was a blast.  Great memories!  The best part is that we get to spend the rest of the week making even more!

Sunday night thoughts…

• Good day today… much thanks to Chris Lockhart for preaching for me today!
• Fall break hit us HARD today… but I am glad that our people took some time off to be with family.
• It was awesome to see that even with some of our regular volunteers out this weekend, Lifesong didn’t miss a beat!  I am really excited about how many people are stepping up and playing their part in the Song.
• Even though we had half of our attendance from last week, we had a STRONG offering.  Lifesong is a VERY giving church.
• I got to sit with my wife in service today for the FIRST time at Lifesong… she has worked every Sunday in KidsKraze since we launched.  Guess I will have to ask her if she liked it 😉
• Several of our guys have signed up and paid for DUDE night on October 18th.  We are playing paintball and going to dinner afterwards, cost is $15 for paintball.
• We are really blessed with some uber talented people… someone said that you can tell how BIG a building is going to be by the AMOUNT and QUALITY of the equipment on the jobsite…God has been bringing in ALOT of people, so watch out!
• We set the FIRE ALARM off at the theater today with the hazer… fun times!
• Headed out of town on vacation in the morning with my girls (all three if them)… going to surprise our little ones and go to Disney.  This is going to be a BLAST!
• That’s it… my wife says I have to go pack.