Core Values #2

I have been going through my core values and determining what I truly value!  So far, I have given 7 core values.  Let me give you a few more of those driving forces in my life and ministry.

• Prayer empowers our potential.  Communication with God is the key to life.  As a pastor I have to work as though everything depends on me BUT also pray as though everything depends on Him.
• Missions and Outreach are the heartbeat of Jesus.  If we are not sharing our faith we are saying to those around us, “Go to Hell.”
• Ministry is best done as a family.  God wants to use your family.  Don’t hide your spouse and kids from the ministry – include them.  They can enhance your ministry.
• Be original.  Don’t replicate.  Embrace who God has made you to be.  Use your gifts and talents to bring honor to Him and His cause.
• Integrity is more important than image.  Character gives us “favor” with both God and people.  Live a life that is worthy of Jesus’ name.

These drive me.

 

A Message for Church Planters

In the early days (which is only almost 3 years ago) I remember feeling alone at times.  Like no one knew what I was going through.  Almost as if I even wondered if God was in what I was doing.  Now don’t get me wrong I know God called me to launch The Point Church – but there were days of doubt.  I am sure if you planted a church you have had moments like those.

Here’s what I have learned about church planting – it is not a sprint, it is a marathon.  Too often we can find ourselves looking at the success of those around us and think, “What am I doing wrong?”  Here’s the deal if you are doing what God has called you to than no matter what size or significance you find in this world you are exactly where God has placed you.  Especially, if you are like me, and you are committed long-term to the place God has called you.

Church planting happens daily, not in a day.  It’s a process.  Let God work in you first!  Then let God work through you.

Zephaniah has 3 principles for you today:

• “But the Lord is still there in the city …” (Zeph. 3:3) He is with you!  Never lose sight of the fact that God is your source and your strength.  He will never abandon you … ever!!!
• “For the Lord your God is living among you” (Zeph 3:17) – don’t let your circumstances override your cause.  The circumstances in Zephaniah were not good, but we can’t look at what is going wrong we must look at what God is doing right.  God is living among your vision and mission – after all He has called you to it!
• “I will bring u home-give u a good name-and will restore ur fortunes b4 their eyes” (Zeph 3:20) – God is in the business of rebuilding!  Now this may not mean you will get rich – especially in church planting – but the principle best seen in this verse is that God rebuilds.  Work hard in your city and the city will come to know and love your church!  Don’t give up too early.  Hang in there!

Church planting has so many seasons, but never ever give up!  God has called you to reach your city – He will enable and equip you with all the tools necessary.

Praying for my church planter friends today.  Need Prayer – email me todd@pointchurch.tv and I promise to pray for whatever your need is.

Addicted

I am a junkie.  It’s true.  To what you ask?  I am addicted to church growth and personal success.  Its hard to admit, but its true.  This addiction started a long time ago.  Way back in Bible college I was intrigued by the Book of Acts and how the early church was driven to expand its influence.  For the record, I am also addicted to technology and social media (not good).

Church Growth

• I believe God designed the church for growth (Book of Acts)
• Healthy churches should grow – spiritually, relationally, financially, missionally, etc.
• The church grows as people grow.  You can’t grow the church w/o first growing people.

Personal Success

• Success defined by me:  “living my full redemptive potential”
• Each day is an opportunity to succeed with my calling.
• Success to me is different than anyone else.

No one ever wants to talk about growth and success, but they drive me.  I am driven to see God’s Kingdom expand and for me to live my full redemptive potential.

X Conference Updates

I am so amazed at opportunity.  Have you ever wondered, “Why is this happening to me?”  Or even “God you have been way too good to allow me to experience this or that.”  That is exactly how I feel with The X Conference.  God has opened up so many opportunities for The Point Church to create an impact in NY Metro and now beyond …

X New York Update ...

• Through an amazing partnership with National Cinemedia we are hosting the NY X Conference at Westbury UA Stadium 12 (7000 Brush Hollow Road – Westbury).  I love bringing this conference into the “marketplace” – our theme is “Shifting the Culture of our communities” – what better place to host X than in a movie theater!  Thanks NCM for sponsoring the location of X.

X Detroit Updates …

• We have confirmed Troy Gramling (Lead Pastor – www.potentialchurch.com) and Rich Wilkerson (Lead Pastor – www.trinitychurch.tv) as our main session speakers.  Wow!  Amazing.
• The venue is Bridgewood Church in Clarkston, MI.  Pastor Curt Demoff has opened up his amazing facility to us.

Wow.  We believe that X is becoming a multi-site conference enabling leaders to discover and live their redemptive potential.  Now, we are talking about X California in 2012.  How cool is that?  I would never had thought!!!

Check out www.xconference.pointchurch.tv for more details or to register!

Core Values #1

I know that values drive us.  They drive organizations, businesses & churches.  But I also think they drive us.  “What drives me?” Is a question I have been asking myself lately.  So over the last 7 days I have been on a quest to discover my personal core values.

• Jesus matters.  It’s that simple.
• People matter.  The church is a catalyst to love people towards Jesus.
• The Bible is a life-giving, transformative collection of God’s Plan for us. It is flawless. It is holy. It inspires.
• Every person has the opportunity to live out their full redemptive potential. Go after a God-sized dream.
• Creativity is a reflection of our Creator. Be creative with your life & ministry! Dream.
• Excellence in every area and arena. Bring God your best today – whatever you are doing.
• If you are not serving you are sinning.  Serving is the call of Christ that brings us to His Cause.

More to come …

Fall in Love Sunday

Today we are wrapping up our Relational Rehab Series.  It has been amazing.  We are finishing with the “starting block” of all healthy relationships —- LOVE.

I am going to challenge The Point to FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS this morning.  It’s pretty simple.  I am a simplistic person, but I believe our perspective, our choices, our dreams, our lifestyles are all attached to our LOVE for Jesus.  There is no way around it.

We are changing our order and allowing time for us to come face to face with Jesus today … and respond to Him.  Can’t wait!!!

CBC Chapel

Last week I had the privilege of speaking at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO.  What a great honor to share my story with the students, faculty and alumni at the college were God spoke so powerfully to me.  Plus I was awarded the “Young Alumnus of The Year” – what a great honor!  So many of my classmates have done some pretty significant things for God – so I honestly feel so undeserving of this, but also so appreciative!

Friend or Speaker

Someone asked me recently how I get the line-up of speakers I get for some of our leadership events.  The answer is pretty simple:  I am not looking for a speaker – I am looking for a friend!  Speakers can speak anywhere, but friends are selective!  The truth is I can ask anyone to speak.  But I don’t just want anyone.  I want someone that I trust, value and believe will bring the very best to whatever event we are doing.

How do you start this friendship?  You call.  Not rocket science.

CAUTION:  Don’t take advantage of your friends either!  Respect their time/schedule.  Pay them what they deserve.

iLead

So excited about launching iLead tonight with up and coming leaders at The Point Church!  I am pumped about investing time into leaders who have the potential to bring something substantial to the table.

10 Leaders – 90 Minutes – 6 Weeks.

Gonna be awesome!

Honor

God has been speaking to me a lot over the last 2 months about HONOR.

1 Peter 2:17:  “Honor all people.”  Or “Show proper respect to everyone.”

HONOR is a lost art in the world today – especially in the church!

Do you know when we tend to HONOR people?  When they are in a coffin or casket.  Man, that’s too late to show HONOR.  We should show HONOR to the people that are around us that love us, value us and believe in us.

Jesus Christ, the person of highest HONOR, came down to us, the people of lowest HONOR, and gave us what we did not deserve, but what we need – and what was that – it was HONOR.

Teaching Series begins Sunday, November 21.  Don’t miss it.