Pivotal Thought's

Is This What Christmas Is About?!?!

Is This The Truth?

I truly believe that individuals feel this way at one place or another in their continuum's at their local churches. We often habitually fall into an acceptance trap of what we perceive someone, group, pastor, leader, or church as a whole feels about us. This is a lie from the enemy and is straight from Hell! I have seen this more in the church than anywhere else. I stand today believing that we need to be God-Esteemed and not fall into this lie-trap from the enemy. Besides, it was never about you anyway : )

Reflection: 2007 Remembrance Service

This past Saturday was bitter - sweet. The Annual Service that I was the Key Speaker at went extremely well.

What really hit me when I got there was this was a little different than when I do a Viewing and or Funeral for a family. All of these families represented were the immediate family of over 149 people that Aerhart - Echols laid to rest in 2007. The immediate thought that I had was, "everyone of these hearts here are broken and trying to put the pieces back together again."

Last year they stated that only 25 people came out. But this year (2007) there was a 500% increase. I mean 5 minutes into the service the people kept streaming in. We can never fathom those around the Holiday's that are hurting. Well, the message went great and I could feel His Holy Spirit like never before. King David was truly on point when he stated, "he is close to the broken hearted, and those crushed in spirit."

This day only rolled into Sunday as it was a dynamic time in the Lord. As I reflected yesterday... I truly sense He was smiling on our church and people. I am learning more and more that pastoring is more complex... yet simple. Oxymoron huh? What is simple or seems simple, I believe He is leading us. What is complex or seems complex, we are not allowing Him to lead. 

Weekly Reflections: Thoughts & More......

As I am wrapping up for the week I cannot help but think of How BIG God is. I guess it does not help as I finalize our Conversation (Message) for Sunday, "Facing Fears" in Chase the Lion Series.

I look back and see so much that He has delivered me from and the things that once paralyzed me and inundated my thoughts, relationships, dreams, goals, and circumstances. It is Pivotal the things that the Lord has allowed me to get through. The things that He has wiped away. The things that are gone for ever just because He is who He is and that is just what He does. He does all things WELL.

Maybe you are reading this Blog and something right now....at this very moment has you fearful and or discouraged. Let me just say that my God can help you over come any obstacle. The first thing that you must do is Minimize your Fear and or Circumstance and start to Magnify (Maximize) the Lord. He is bigger than our Biggest problem. And He is more than able to accomplish in you what He has started and destined you to become and do. I would like to pray for you now.... if you would pray with me:

Lord, I stand here now. Ready, willing, and wanting to give this fear, this hurt, this circumstance to you. I know that you are able....more than able to do the Exceedingly and Abundantly in my Life. I know that you wait for me to come boldly before your throne in order that I can leave changed, whole, and brand new. I thank you for the patience that you show in your love for me. And I thank you now for the strength, vitality, and new hope. I praise you always as you are Worthy of all Praise. In Jesus Name..... Amen!

*** New Small Group Location: Tattoo Style ***

We are excited about The SHOW's new Small Group Location (Uptown Ink Slingers) taking place on Tuesday Nights starting November 6th @ 7:30pm.

We have been praying for the Lord to do HUGE things in 2007 through us @ The SHOW so that we can fulfill the Purpose, Vision, and Reason why we are here and the Reason why we exist as a Church. Our main Focus @ The SHOW is to "Emerge Beyond Tradition". This means doing Church outside the Church. This means doing ministry @ Coffee Shops, Music Venues, Tattoo Shops, Homes, and any where else He allows us to Revolutionize the way church is done.

Today I truly feel a "Holy Connection" to the area of DC as we look to become a Multi-Site Church in the Tri-State Area. We already have our Maryland location and now we are able to bring The SHOW to the Nations Capital (DC). Today, this is a REALITY and we are thankful. Next stop..... Virginia (08)!

As I was visiting with the owner of these two Tattoo Locations I truly saw a beautiful picture of the Modern Day Church. The Artwork acts as the Modern Day Stained-Glass Windows. The location that we will be at is upstairs and over looks 7th St and Florida Ave. which I believe is a Modern Day Upper Room Fellowship as mentioned in Acts 1:12-14. I still believe that the Streets Faith & Marketplace Intersect. I still believe that the Church has nothing to say to the world until it throws better parties. We have got to meet the way our Lord met others; He met them @ Wells, Street Corners, & The Marketplace.

Below is the information to this Emerging Night of Growth:

Uptown Ink Slingers - 1915 7th St. NW, Washington DC

Tuesday Nights (Starting 11/6/07) @ 7:30pm

Contact: 240-682-5502

*** Starbucks Provided ***

15 Innovations the Church Should Embrace Now…

I was excited when I read this from the MMI Blog Team. This article hits the spot for innovative churches and individuals who do ministry outside the box. Enjoy!

This is from the latest Willow Magazine (from Willow Creek Association). They asked a bunch of church leaders what innovations they are using and came up with this list of fifteen or so innovations that they think have merit in local church ministry. Take a look at the list and see what you think. What's missing? What would you add or take off this list? I'd love to hear your response!

Here are the 15:

1.  Podcasting - circuit riding at the speed of light

In addition to your weekly messages, how about spicing it up with special editions? Try doing interviews with church neighbors, the mayor, volunteers, staff intros., etc. If it’s worth preaching it’s worth podcasting. Any church of any size can exponentially increase its impact via MP3 technology.

2.  Blogging - digital discipleship

Don’t blog for an audience, blog for you. The more you write about what’s on your head and heart, the more people will respond. Blogging increases your bandwidth and allows you to digitally disciple just about anybody, anywhere, anytime.

3.  Video Technologies - postmodern stained glass

The medieval church used stained glass to tell the gospel story in pictures. We’re using screens to tell the gospel story in moving pictures. Jesus isn’t just the Word of God. He is also the Image of God. The Church needs to communicate in images!

4.  Viral Video - get contagious quickly

Use YouTube to spread the love. There’s even a first-time visitor orientation.

Use it creatively for things like behind-the-scenes sermon prep, church staff meetings, or videos created by the congregation. There’s a reason why this is one of the top visual communication sites on the Web.

5.  Multi-Purpose Church Buildings - doing ministry in the marketplace

Jesus didn’t hang out at synagogues. He hung out at wells. Wells were natural gathering places in ancient culture. Coffeehouses are postmodern wells. That’s why National Community Church, in Washington, D.C., built a coffeehouse on Capitol Hill instead of a church building — to create a marketplace environment where the church and community could cross paths. Less than a year after it opened, “Ebenezers” was rated the #2 coffeehouse in the metro DC area by AOL CityGuide 2007. They serve 600+ customers seven days a week. Instead of asking people to come to them, the church is going to the people.

6.  Multi-Site Churches - one church, multiple locations

Once thought to be a mere fad, satellite campuses are here to stay. This is one of the most effective ways to plant strategic, intentional churches … and bring economies of scale to boot!

7.  Web Site - your church portal

Guests can watch a Webcast, read your history, and get as much information on your church as they want. And they can do it from the comfortable confines of their computer. Most people will visit your Web site long before they visit a service. Your Web site is your first impression.

FREE BONUS TIP: Ruthlessly eliminate lame Web sites (you know who you are!)

8.  E-Mail - word of mouse

Churches should avoid spam at all costs, but an e-letter is an easy and affordable way to keep the church connected. An e-mail is a simple way to keep a ministry team on the same page or evite a friend to church. Think of it as word of mouse. Many pastors preach to more people via e-mail than they do via voice. It’s a form of e-vangelism.

9.  Branding - the greatest message deserves the greatest marketing

In the last decade, branding has become the marketing rage. And there is a reason. The opposite of brand is bland. The most important truths ought to be communicated in the most unforgettable ways. Churches need to be intentional about branding themselves and branding their messages. Branding isn’t dumbing-down or watering-down the message. It’s putting the creative energy into marketing the message that it deserves.

10.  Social Networking - church as a tag-team sport

Create a MySpace page and build an online congregation. The way we network has radically changed with the advent of myspace.com, facebook.com, and even eHarmony.com. The Church needs to piggy-back off of the networking trend for Kingdom purposes.

11.  Get a [Second] Life! - “Go into all the [virtual] nations…”

Check out LifeChurch.tv’s campus at SecondLife.com (an Internet-based virtual world). It may be more real world than this world.

12.  Get Joost - the magic of television meets the power of the internet

The guys behind Kazaa and Skype are shaking it up again with Joost (Joost.com). Imagine watching your service (or other content) online and chatting with viewers at the same time on the same screen.

13.  Text Message - get instant feedback

Instant audience polls. Text to vote during the service for immediate results posted live on the sidescreens. Or text to donate to a cause, building campaign, etc.

14.  RSS - the feeds that matter most

Use RSS feeds to get your info fed fast (weekly bulletin, small group announcements, daily devotionals, blog entries, etc.)

15.  Live! Missionaries - bridging the geographic distance

Link up around the world with missionaries your church sends and/or supports.

Put them on the big screen and have Q&A with the pastor as everyone sees in real time.

You can read more here...

So… what do you think?

*** New Small Group Location (DC) ***

"Progress always involves risk. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first." - Frederick B. Wilcox

As of this morning we have our third Small Group Experience location. As of now we have our Twenty-Somethings gathering @ Panera Bread in Waldorf and our Adult, Youth, & Children gathering in White Plains. This third location is significant because it is located in Washington, DC (location & address to come).

For almost 5 years now it has been The SHOW's vision to transend beyond our boarders and start other Small Groups & Worship Experiences in MD, DC, & VA. Today, DC has become reality! We feel that this is the open door to many great things to come in the DC area and a catalyst for things to come in VA.

Today I feel as if we just chased a 500 pound Lion and slayed it. Today I know that momentum is on our side as we bring Life to the Broken in His Name. Today I know that we will keep pushing against Hells Gates and playing offense as we keep gathering experience and putting points on the board for His Kingdom's Cause. Today..........we are one step further as we are "Emerging Beyond Tradition". Today.......we are bringing The SHOW to Coffee Houses, Houses, Music Venues, & Tattoo Shops near YOU! Why? Because........."We are an Emerging Church that gives a Sunday Message with a Monday Meaning which brings Purpose to every life".

*** Stay posted for the address and location ***

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Religion vs. Gospel

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.

Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.

Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.

Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.

Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.

Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.

Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.

Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus' work.

Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.

Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.

great post and great reminder via

Limitless Resources

"He is the God of "limitless resources" - the only limit comes from "us". Our requests, our thoughts, and our prayers are "too small", and "our expectations are too low". God is trying to "raise our vision" to a higher level, call us to have "greater expectations", and thereby bring us to greater appropriations. Shall we continue living in a way that "mocks" His will and "denies" His Word?" - A.B. Simpson commenting on Ephesians 3.20

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

BattleCry Youth Conference: Coming Soon!!!

This is exactly why we need to sign up our youth for this awesome conference. Below I am posting a link that was written by Rolling Stones magazine. Understand that this is a secular view point to an amazing thing that has been happening for almost 2 decades which use to be called Acquire The Fire (BattleCry). After you read this article, just another reason why we need to engage our culture and not back down. Are you willing to Emerge Beyond Tradition?!?! Please see Youth Pastors Steve & Lauryn for details...........

Link: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/14021621/teenage_holy_war/1

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry