Any body interested in a gifts? Sure, we all love gifts……
If you are a parent, no doubt you have purchased an instrument for a son or daughter , no doubt it cost you something. Maybe even it caused you to sacrifice some other things you personally wanted.
So the greatest gift that your child could give back to you, is not to play the instrument perfect, but to play and play with passion and to give themselves to the instrument that you gave them as a gift. It would no doubt frustrate you if you sacrifice to get them it and it was ignored, never used ….
Well God has given us some gifts … matter of fact God has given every believer in Christ at least one gift … You don’t choose the gifts you want , but God chooses which gifts to give to you ….
This is tough at times, because we define ourselves by what we do … Yet that goes against everything that God says … God says you are defined by whose you are, not by what you do …
Peter tells us … Each one should use whatever gift God has given them to build up of the church …..
So here at NewPointe we choose to value and operate by giftedness …
We call it Vital Service
As gifted members of the body of Christ, each believer is responsible for understanding and expressing their SHAPE. Maximum impact is contingent upon a coordinated strategic exercise of gifts in the body.
We call it Vital Service because we believe that first and foremost God has called us to Servant hood…. It is not that you stay there forever, but you are willing to serve in the area that is vital, that needs help right now …
That means I will serve where I am most needed. Where it is most vital in the life of the church in fulfilling it mission .
So the first question is; Where are you serving?
Second question – is your serving area the most vital need right now at NewPointe. Or could you be serving in a more vital area? This is a hard question to ask ourself.
That is why it is my prayer is that NewPointe would develop a servant culture.
All of us want to be called a servant, yet many of us, myself included struggle with really being a servant. Many times what we call servanthood is nothing more than choosing what I will do and won’t do …. giving the impression of a servant
Servants don’t act that way. A servant is told what to do and is expected to do it.
Want to go deep? Become a servant not by name but through actions. It will take you deeper than you have ever been with Jesus Christ. Because it will require you to find your identity in Him and not in what you do.
Humble yourselves..under God’s mighty hand, that he my life you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
May 31, 2007
May 30, 2007
In Shape
I just experienced something unbelievable. I just finished playing basketball over lunch. I really enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun. My heart was racing. I felt a little bit of the feeling of being back in high school, that I haven’t had in a while.
Reason : I have lost 20 plus pounds.
What does that have to do with it? Well I love the game of basketball, so when I play I want to be able to play well. In the past it has been more frustrating than fulfilling. I got tired quick. My legs were shot and I couldn’t shoot my jumper (not to say I can now). I wouldn’t run up and down the court consistently. I didn’t play much defense. My shot got blocked (not too often!). See why I was frustrated. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to do those things, I really just couldn’t.
Not because of a lack of ability, but because my physical condition wouldn’t allow me to.
Today was different, I was able to run up and down with out totally gasping for breath. I was able to do something I really don’t enjoy - play some defense. Offensively, I was able to score when open – I had my legs back.
It was Fun! It was also fulfilling.
Why blog about this? Physical health is important. And being in shape is great. But even more than physical shape, our spiritual shape matters deeply. The apostle Paul tells Timothy - “Physical training profits little, but godliness is profitable for all things…”
Paul, exhorts us to Train ourselves to be godly ……..
Where is it that you are frustrated in life ? Could it be the fact that you are our of shape spiritually?
Proverbs 24:10 “You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity”
You see playing basketball and enjoying it isn’t a matter of just trying. It is much more fun when you are in shape. It allows you to do things, otherwise you only think about doing ….
Same thing spiritually. It is not fun being a Christian when we are out of shape. It is frustrating …… It is much more fun, exhilarating and enjoyable to be in shape…..
Where do you need to quit trying and start training?
Reason : I have lost 20 plus pounds.
What does that have to do with it? Well I love the game of basketball, so when I play I want to be able to play well. In the past it has been more frustrating than fulfilling. I got tired quick. My legs were shot and I couldn’t shoot my jumper (not to say I can now). I wouldn’t run up and down the court consistently. I didn’t play much defense. My shot got blocked (not too often!). See why I was frustrated. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to do those things, I really just couldn’t.
Not because of a lack of ability, but because my physical condition wouldn’t allow me to.
Today was different, I was able to run up and down with out totally gasping for breath. I was able to do something I really don’t enjoy - play some defense. Offensively, I was able to score when open – I had my legs back.
It was Fun! It was also fulfilling.
Why blog about this? Physical health is important. And being in shape is great. But even more than physical shape, our spiritual shape matters deeply. The apostle Paul tells Timothy - “Physical training profits little, but godliness is profitable for all things…”
Paul, exhorts us to Train ourselves to be godly ……..
Where is it that you are frustrated in life ? Could it be the fact that you are our of shape spiritually?
Proverbs 24:10 “You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity”
You see playing basketball and enjoying it isn’t a matter of just trying. It is much more fun when you are in shape. It allows you to do things, otherwise you only think about doing ….
Same thing spiritually. It is not fun being a Christian when we are out of shape. It is frustrating …… It is much more fun, exhilarating and enjoyable to be in shape…..
Where do you need to quit trying and start training?
May 29, 2007
Sustaining Success
“When individual, group and organizational values are in synch, tremendous energy is generated. Commitment, enthusiasm, and drive are intensified; people have a reason for caring about their work …… Shared values are the internal compasses that enable people to act independently and interdependently.” Kouzes and Posner
When everyone who calls NewPointe their home, are in synch with the Vision, Values and Mission, it creates sustaining success in the purposes of God. Just like when your physical body is working in harmony you are able to do incredible things, so it is with the church.
Here is another value that we hold at NewPointe that is critical:
When everyone who calls NewPointe their home, are in synch with the Vision, Values and Mission, it creates sustaining success in the purposes of God. Just like when your physical body is working in harmony you are able to do incredible things, so it is with the church.
Here is another value that we hold at NewPointe that is critical:
Relational Evangelism
We believe every believer has the responsibility of carrying out the great commission in their sphere of influence. This happens best through relationships. So the question is -
Who are you investing in?
Listen, there are basically only two things you can do here earth that you can’t do in heaven. One is Sin. The other is win people to Christ. The huge question of the day is why do you think that God is still giving you life and breath?
Philemon 1:6 says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of everything we have in Christ.”
WOW --- isn’t that the problem with many believers, followers of Christ, church goers. There is no full understanding of everything we have in Christ. Many people would think this is because we need more knowledge. But remember knowledge alone puffs up.
Paul says that if you want to have a full understanding of everything you have in Christ, begin to share your faith. Now just wait a minute. I thought that is why we paid the pastor, have staff etc… I don’t have the gift of evangelism.
God’s word instructs that we are all responsible …
“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their death.” Ezekiel 33:7-8
“.. he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
Here is the problem with this particular value. It is one that we all say we believe in but the truth of the matter is that we all don’t about care about it.
Jesus said: I have come to seek and save that which is lost. We are his body, so we have been called by the head of the church to do like wise – to seek and save that which was lost.
So, we have adopted the strategy of Invest and Invite.
Do you know that Satan is strategic in his approach to you ? He doesn’t just go after people hap-hazzardly … Scripture says I don’t want you to be ignorant of his schemes and ways …
Do you know that God is strategic as well … Scripture says that just at the right time God sent Christ into the world ….
Do you know that we as well need to be strategic in reaching our family and friends for Christ…
Basically invest in two ways .
Philemon 1:6 says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of everything we have in Christ.”
WOW --- isn’t that the problem with many believers, followers of Christ, church goers. There is no full understanding of everything we have in Christ. Many people would think this is because we need more knowledge. But remember knowledge alone puffs up.
Paul says that if you want to have a full understanding of everything you have in Christ, begin to share your faith. Now just wait a minute. I thought that is why we paid the pastor, have staff etc… I don’t have the gift of evangelism.
God’s word instructs that we are all responsible …
“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their death.” Ezekiel 33:7-8
“.. he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
Here is the problem with this particular value. It is one that we all say we believe in but the truth of the matter is that we all don’t about care about it.
Jesus said: I have come to seek and save that which is lost. We are his body, so we have been called by the head of the church to do like wise – to seek and save that which was lost.
So, we have adopted the strategy of Invest and Invite.
Do you know that Satan is strategic in his approach to you ? He doesn’t just go after people hap-hazzardly … Scripture says I don’t want you to be ignorant of his schemes and ways …
Do you know that God is strategic as well … Scripture says that just at the right time God sent Christ into the world ….
Do you know that we as well need to be strategic in reaching our family and friends for Christ…
Basically invest in two ways .
- Prayer ---- By specifically and consistently praying that God will speak and move in their lives ….
- Time -- by spending time with them. Doing things for them and with …
When we invest we are building a bridge instead of throwing them a rope. After strategic investing and suffice time, we take the next step…. Invite
You invite to a service on Sunday. Any time is a good time, but the best is at the start of a new series that addresses a life issue. We design our Sunday service in a way that creates an environment that is conducive for God to speak to people who have yet come to Christ as well as to those who know him.
NewPointe staff is committed to helping you reach your family and friends for Christ.
By the way: The day you begin to live out this value is when you start asking what did my friend who is without Christ think of the service, instead of critiquing it through your own eyes.
You will begin to look at every at Newpointe through a different set of lenses - so the question - Whom are you investing in?
May 22, 2007
Value 2
What is it that makes NewPointe unique?
Some churches are driven by tradition. They’re famous phrase is “We’ve always done it this way.” “Because we’ve done it that way” drives the program, the process, the strategy, everything that happens in the church.
Some churches are driven by finances. Particularly when they get into a building and the mortgage is so heavy that everything has to be built around, “Are we making the payments for the building?”
NewPointe is different. NewPointe is a value-driven church. This means that there are some underlying assumptions and beliefs and values that make us unique. Here is another value that drives us … Effective Environments
Every church and every room is an environment. The question is: Is it an effective environment?
Our whole facility is designed to give us every opportunity to experience this value, on every age level. Our building was not designed and then the function was determined. The function was determined and then the building was designed. Most “church buildings” are not built that way.
Though NewPointe is referred to as a church, in its purest form it isn’t. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their life are the church. Christ followers are the church. NewPointe’s new building may be better referred to as a Ministry Center. ( just a thought )
You see, we believe that our role is to create environments that are conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people. A relevant, focused, aligned environment combined with competent leadership will allow us to connect with our audience.
This means nothing more than long hours of creative thinking, and hard work. You see Paul, said, that some plant, some water but God gives the growth.
Just like a farmer who goes out and plows and cultivates the land to make it ready for the seed he is going to sow, we who are leaders in the church have to make sure that the environment is ready for the seed (God’s Word) to be planted in the hearts and minds of the people . As it is with the farmer, this is work.
We view every environment for children, students, and adults like greenhouses. We can make any one come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t make anyone become a fully devoted follower of Christ etc…. Just like no one can cause a flower , plant etc…. to grow. Only God can do that.
But what we can do is to create environments that are conducive for the Holy Spirit to speak and work, and cause growth.
Before you check out on me. I bet you live in an effective environment. Just to be sure though, answer these questions :
Some churches are driven by tradition. They’re famous phrase is “We’ve always done it this way.” “Because we’ve done it that way” drives the program, the process, the strategy, everything that happens in the church.
Some churches are driven by finances. Particularly when they get into a building and the mortgage is so heavy that everything has to be built around, “Are we making the payments for the building?”
NewPointe is different. NewPointe is a value-driven church. This means that there are some underlying assumptions and beliefs and values that make us unique. Here is another value that drives us … Effective Environments
Every church and every room is an environment. The question is: Is it an effective environment?
Our whole facility is designed to give us every opportunity to experience this value, on every age level. Our building was not designed and then the function was determined. The function was determined and then the building was designed. Most “church buildings” are not built that way.
Though NewPointe is referred to as a church, in its purest form it isn’t. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their life are the church. Christ followers are the church. NewPointe’s new building may be better referred to as a Ministry Center. ( just a thought )
You see, we believe that our role is to create environments that are conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people. A relevant, focused, aligned environment combined with competent leadership will allow us to connect with our audience.
This means nothing more than long hours of creative thinking, and hard work. You see Paul, said, that some plant, some water but God gives the growth.
Just like a farmer who goes out and plows and cultivates the land to make it ready for the seed he is going to sow, we who are leaders in the church have to make sure that the environment is ready for the seed (God’s Word) to be planted in the hearts and minds of the people . As it is with the farmer, this is work.
We view every environment for children, students, and adults like greenhouses. We can make any one come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t make anyone become a fully devoted follower of Christ etc…. Just like no one can cause a flower , plant etc…. to grow. Only God can do that.
But what we can do is to create environments that are conducive for the Holy Spirit to speak and work, and cause growth.
Before you check out on me. I bet you live in an effective environment. Just to be sure though, answer these questions :
- Do you have shelter that is enclosed? ( house )
- Do you have electric?
- Do you have heat?
- Do you have air condition?
- Do you have plumbing?
- Do you have a garage?
- Do you have carpet?
- Do you have a microwave?
- Do you have a TV?
- Do you have a DVD player?
- Do you have a phone?
- Do you have a computer?
I believe you get the point. If you answered yes on 10 of the 12, then you live in a relevant, effective environment. You would not be known as backwards or outdated. So it should be at NewPointe.
You see we can’t do what God can do, but God won’t do what we are called to do. The question to see if you are living out this value is: Are you connecting?
You see it is not good enough just to show up. It is not good enough just to say you did your duty …… God wanted to connect with us so much that He became like one of us.
Christ himself was like God in everything. But He did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit. He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant. And when He was living as a man He humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that cause his death, death on the cross.”
Or, what about this – “..whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.” I Corinthians 9:22 (LB)
You can’t connect with people when your focus is on yourself.
It takes a very spiritually mature believer to create environments that are conducive for the Holy Spirit to speak and work in.
May 21, 2007
Eulogy
I went to a funeral today, for my friend’s father. He was way to young to leave this world. He was 66. When was the last time you went to a funeral?
Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to a funeral than to a party. We all must die and everyone should think about this.”
WOW ! I can only say it was better for me to go to a funeral than a party.
This was once again a reminder that life is short… but a vapor as James puts it …. It challenged me that if I want to die well, I must live well.
My friend’s father was diagnosed with cancer and it took him in less than a year. He didn’t scramble running around trying to get life in order. He didn’t need too. He already lived that way ….
He loved his wife of 43+ years … wrote her poems instead of giving her cards ….
He loved his five boys …. He wrote them each a letter as they left home to go on their own.
He loved his 13 grandkids ….
His favorite Bible verse, “Not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42. He said that he did not prefer death but was comfortable with it.
Knowing that he was facing death . He sent his pastor an email to read to his family and friends at his memorial. Here is what it said:
Mourn for a season – but make it short. I lived life, I loved life.
He summarized and challenged every one to live out the Great commandment. That was the key for his life . Serve & Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself.
A man told me at the funeral, that the pastor did a good job of Eulogizing Fred. I agreed, but what made it great was the material he was given . . .
Have you gone to a funeral lately? Have you thought about how you want to be remembered?
I have.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to a funeral than to a party. We all must die and everyone should think about this.”
WOW ! I can only say it was better for me to go to a funeral than a party.
This was once again a reminder that life is short… but a vapor as James puts it …. It challenged me that if I want to die well, I must live well.
My friend’s father was diagnosed with cancer and it took him in less than a year. He didn’t scramble running around trying to get life in order. He didn’t need too. He already lived that way ….
He loved his wife of 43+ years … wrote her poems instead of giving her cards ….
He loved his five boys …. He wrote them each a letter as they left home to go on their own.
He loved his 13 grandkids ….
His favorite Bible verse, “Not my will, but yours be done” Luke 22:42. He said that he did not prefer death but was comfortable with it.
Knowing that he was facing death . He sent his pastor an email to read to his family and friends at his memorial. Here is what it said:
Mourn for a season – but make it short. I lived life, I loved life.
He summarized and challenged every one to live out the Great commandment. That was the key for his life . Serve & Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself.
A man told me at the funeral, that the pastor did a good job of Eulogizing Fred. I agreed, but what made it great was the material he was given . . .
Have you gone to a funeral lately? Have you thought about how you want to be remembered?
I have.
May 15, 2007
Going Deep
This past week, at some meetings I shared my heart and vision for NewPointe. I shared with the group where we had come from, where we are and where we are going.
I shared that our vision has always remained the same for the last 21 plus years that I have led here … Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ …. But the methods in how we accomplish that is always up for grabs….meaning that though the Message (God’s Word) doesn’t change, our methods will.
You see, people have come to NewPointe and liked what we were doing at the time they came and then struggled when we made changes and adjustments. The reason for their frustration – they didn’t understand the real reason behind what we were doing and behind the changes. It was never to be cool or different. It is always because of our values.
I believe that the key to belonging to any church (for that matter any organization) is: Are you in sync with their values?
Values are what drives a movement. They are the root of anything that is living. There are times in every organization that it may not be your taste or style, but that isn’t, and shouldn’t be the determining factor. The determining factor is - do I embrace the vision and values?
At NewPointe, our Values are not only our guiding factor, but are also a road map for going deep with God. If you want to go deeper with God (as many mentioned they wanted), make it your aim, goal, and desire to live out these values.
You will go to depths you never dreamed of before. And you will do it without becoming more religious.
Here’s our first core value - Scriptural Authority.
We believe God has spoken to us through the Scriptures. Therefore the Bible is our ultimate authority. But, this value is just a statement unless you can measure it. So how do I find out if God’s Word is a value in my life?
Ask yourself this question - Are your priorities consistent with Scriptures ?
Here a priorities mentioned in Scripture, to help with your measuring:
- Time alone with God daily (bible reading & prayer)
- Small Group time - Hebrews 10:25
- Tithing & giving - Malachi 3:6-12
- Share your faith - Philemon 1:6
By the way, for this really to go beyond just a good feeling, you need to give the people in your life permission to ask you these questions. Because, if you want to grow, accountability is a must.
Remember our faith is to be personal, but never private. By the way : Are your priorities consistent with Scripture?
May 14, 2007
Unrealized
There was an announcement the P.A. system …….. “Whoever left their hearing aid and false teeth in the rest room please come to the information booth to pick them up.”
This is not a joke. I couldn’t believe it. How on earth could some one walk out with out realizing that they don’t have their hearing aid in and their teeth? How can you not realize that you lost something so important? Seriously, how could you not notice?
It reminded me of a passage I just read lately in Judges 16 - the story of Samson. Philistine rulers went to Delilah and asked her to find out what made Samson so strong. They asked her to trick him into revealing how we can over power him and capture him. If you do this we will reward you.
So she tried and tried to get the information from him, and eventually he told her it was his hair.
Judges 16:20 - Delilah said to Samson, the Philistines are here. He woke up and thought, I’ll leave as I did before and shake myself free. But He did not know that the LORD had left him.”
WOW! He did not know that the LORD had left him.
Question of the day - Not do you have your earring aid and false teeth? But -
Is the LORD with you?
This is not a joke. I couldn’t believe it. How on earth could some one walk out with out realizing that they don’t have their hearing aid in and their teeth? How can you not realize that you lost something so important? Seriously, how could you not notice?
It reminded me of a passage I just read lately in Judges 16 - the story of Samson. Philistine rulers went to Delilah and asked her to find out what made Samson so strong. They asked her to trick him into revealing how we can over power him and capture him. If you do this we will reward you.
So she tried and tried to get the information from him, and eventually he told her it was his hair.
Judges 16:20 - Delilah said to Samson, the Philistines are here. He woke up and thought, I’ll leave as I did before and shake myself free. But He did not know that the LORD had left him.”
WOW! He did not know that the LORD had left him.
Question of the day - Not do you have your earring aid and false teeth? But -
Is the LORD with you?
May 11, 2007
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!! I know it is not until Sunday, but I believe that the family is critical, for the entire world, and moms play a huge role in the family. Thanks to all the moms out there - you have a special calling.
It's been a busy week, so blogging hasn't been something that I got to do.
It's been a busy week, so blogging hasn't been something that I got to do.
- Maximum Impact Simulcast was on Friday - I always enjoy hearing insights from some of the leading voices on leadership
- Returned home from our church visit tour to Las Vegas. I blogged about it, and though the trip was excellent, I still love being back home.
- Held a seminar with NewPointe leaders - I love sharing the vision of our church, including how we plan to see our dreams come true - we serve a big God, and that makes having a big dream become a reality
- Final prep for our Adventures in Missing the Point series - I believe it is going to touch the heart of things we all have questions about - mainly - where in life are we missing the point.
See you on Sunday. I can't wait.
May 7, 2007
Las Vegas Trip
(Long trip - long post!)
What happens in Las Vegas Stays in Las Vegas … Is not the case here on this trip … I not only shared the gospel with you, but my life …. Here we go …..
It was a long trip…. 4 hours… well that is too long for me. I was getting anxious …… Got off the plane go to the van, asked the guy about IN & OUT – he smiled and laugh and told me where we could find one. I turned to Sherry, Mike & Becki on to their first IN & OUT experience … They couldn’t believe it. The Shakes were great. . fries and burgers as well ….
Met up with Doug Parks, he is a great guy. He is the operation leader at Canyon Ridge Community Church (5500 in weekend attendance. He took us to the “The Crossing” (a Church Plant 7 years old 1500). We met with them for a couple of hours and heard their story. Doug then took us to the infamous strip, did a little bit of site seeing and went to the Mirage for a buffet dinner. I had heard they were awesome …. It was ok, nothing to write about but I did eat some ice cream there that was good.
Next morning, we went to Canyon Ridge and met with staff all day long. It was very gracious and generous of them. Props to Doug and all of the staff at Canyon Ridge for such an insightful experience. It got my wheels turning about stuff back at NewPointe.
Doug and His wife Jennifer had us over for dinner. They just had a baby girl named Iana. She is just pulling herself up to furniture. We sat around the table and talked. It was fun and enjoyable.
Got back to the place again late. It has been a steady run since we got here. Got up next morning …. All of us decided to go get some crispy cream doughnuts, all of us. So we thought we would walk. And walk we did. We walked, and walked and walked and walked … It was good though … We finally got there and ordered one dozen. That’s right, one dozen of Crispy Creams … They were unbelievable. Right off the conveyer belt.
We then decided to go site seeing. We visited Caesar’s Palace, the Mirage, the Bellagio unbelievable flowers, New York, New York, Paris, Vegas has lots to describe!
I loved the people watching …. I mean you see people of every kind. God is creative that’s for sure. I shared with Mike & Sherry that when you walk in to one of the major hotels, they engage all of your senses. It got my creative juices flowing.
I know why we think everyone comes to Las Vegas, but I believe one of the reasons is that they go all out. I mean it is incredible. I thought to myself… they are doing this for the almighty dollars. We the church are called to do it for Almighty God. I was challenged once again in my heart and spirit to do church as creative, energetic, engaging as possible.
The church for too long has allowed the world to be the one leading the charge in being creative. It is my desire that NewPointe will never be blah, bland, non – engaging, etc…… I believe it conveys the wrong message about the God who we say is so great, and awesome. I believe that many churches could be brought up on charges of false advertising.
Or at least fraud …… promising some thing that it never delivered on.
At the Bellagio, I was watching a group play black jack … when I left, one lady won 22,000 Thousand. It was a $ 500 minimum table … We walked into Caesar Palace and an entourage was coming in from the side. Here it was 50 Cent and his people. I stuck my head in between the bodyguards and stuck out my hand and said whazzzzzzzzz up 50 Cent. He smiled and laughed a little and the guard quickly moved me along.
We followed him for about 10 minutes. He went into the exotic cars store, we waited on him, on his way out he walked by me again and I asked him if he was here to see the fight Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Merriweather … He smiled and said yes, and shook hands with me.
It was a fun experience. I shared it with Sarah, my daughter and she said “No you didn’t, no you didn’t.” I said yes I did, she said WOW! She thought it was pretty cool ….
We started to make our way back … it ended up being a 4 ½ hour walk. We were all tired. So we jumped in to the van got another bite from IN & OUT came back to the place, and slept. Doug came by about 3:45. He took us to Central Christian (week-end attendance 12,000) ….. We got the tour of their building and met with some people on staff. We then attended their Saturday night service.
After we went to see the new Wynn Casino … WOW! It was unbelievable …… and had dinner at Maggolios . It was the first for Mike, Becky, and Sherry. They loved it.
Sunday Morning….. got up met Doug at Canyon Ridge at 8:15. He gave us a tour of the campus. They are in an $18 million dollar project ….. met with a couple of staff and fired some questions. Then we attended the 10:00 service. Kevin Odor did a nice job. Went to another meeting …. met with some other key staffers.
Their Students Leader Mike had just finished a masters degree in church growth .… he had specific items for churches to go from 2000 to 3500. We had a healthy robust discuss on where NewPointe is and what needs to be happening. He hammered on 3 ideas …. Coaching, Leadership, Discipleship ….. It was very insightful.
Great Trip – more to share soon.
What happens in Las Vegas Stays in Las Vegas … Is not the case here on this trip … I not only shared the gospel with you, but my life …. Here we go …..
It was a long trip…. 4 hours… well that is too long for me. I was getting anxious …… Got off the plane go to the van, asked the guy about IN & OUT – he smiled and laugh and told me where we could find one. I turned to Sherry, Mike & Becki on to their first IN & OUT experience … They couldn’t believe it. The Shakes were great. . fries and burgers as well ….
Met up with Doug Parks, he is a great guy. He is the operation leader at Canyon Ridge Community Church (5500 in weekend attendance. He took us to the “The Crossing” (a Church Plant 7 years old 1500). We met with them for a couple of hours and heard their story. Doug then took us to the infamous strip, did a little bit of site seeing and went to the Mirage for a buffet dinner. I had heard they were awesome …. It was ok, nothing to write about but I did eat some ice cream there that was good.
Next morning, we went to Canyon Ridge and met with staff all day long. It was very gracious and generous of them. Props to Doug and all of the staff at Canyon Ridge for such an insightful experience. It got my wheels turning about stuff back at NewPointe.
Doug and His wife Jennifer had us over for dinner. They just had a baby girl named Iana. She is just pulling herself up to furniture. We sat around the table and talked. It was fun and enjoyable.
Got back to the place again late. It has been a steady run since we got here. Got up next morning …. All of us decided to go get some crispy cream doughnuts, all of us. So we thought we would walk. And walk we did. We walked, and walked and walked and walked … It was good though … We finally got there and ordered one dozen. That’s right, one dozen of Crispy Creams … They were unbelievable. Right off the conveyer belt.
We then decided to go site seeing. We visited Caesar’s Palace, the Mirage, the Bellagio unbelievable flowers, New York, New York, Paris, Vegas has lots to describe!
I loved the people watching …. I mean you see people of every kind. God is creative that’s for sure. I shared with Mike & Sherry that when you walk in to one of the major hotels, they engage all of your senses. It got my creative juices flowing.
I know why we think everyone comes to Las Vegas, but I believe one of the reasons is that they go all out. I mean it is incredible. I thought to myself… they are doing this for the almighty dollars. We the church are called to do it for Almighty God. I was challenged once again in my heart and spirit to do church as creative, energetic, engaging as possible.
The church for too long has allowed the world to be the one leading the charge in being creative. It is my desire that NewPointe will never be blah, bland, non – engaging, etc…… I believe it conveys the wrong message about the God who we say is so great, and awesome. I believe that many churches could be brought up on charges of false advertising.
Or at least fraud …… promising some thing that it never delivered on.
At the Bellagio, I was watching a group play black jack … when I left, one lady won 22,000 Thousand. It was a $ 500 minimum table … We walked into Caesar Palace and an entourage was coming in from the side. Here it was 50 Cent and his people. I stuck my head in between the bodyguards and stuck out my hand and said whazzzzzzzzz up 50 Cent. He smiled and laughed a little and the guard quickly moved me along.
We followed him for about 10 minutes. He went into the exotic cars store, we waited on him, on his way out he walked by me again and I asked him if he was here to see the fight Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Merriweather … He smiled and said yes, and shook hands with me.
It was a fun experience. I shared it with Sarah, my daughter and she said “No you didn’t, no you didn’t.” I said yes I did, she said WOW! She thought it was pretty cool ….
We started to make our way back … it ended up being a 4 ½ hour walk. We were all tired. So we jumped in to the van got another bite from IN & OUT came back to the place, and slept. Doug came by about 3:45. He took us to Central Christian (week-end attendance 12,000) ….. We got the tour of their building and met with some people on staff. We then attended their Saturday night service.
After we went to see the new Wynn Casino … WOW! It was unbelievable …… and had dinner at Maggolios . It was the first for Mike, Becky, and Sherry. They loved it.
Sunday Morning….. got up met Doug at Canyon Ridge at 8:15. He gave us a tour of the campus. They are in an $18 million dollar project ….. met with a couple of staff and fired some questions. Then we attended the 10:00 service. Kevin Odor did a nice job. Went to another meeting …. met with some other key staffers.
Their Students Leader Mike had just finished a masters degree in church growth .… he had specific items for churches to go from 2000 to 3500. We had a healthy robust discuss on where NewPointe is and what needs to be happening. He hammered on 3 ideas …. Coaching, Leadership, Discipleship ….. It was very insightful.
Great Trip – more to share soon.
May 2, 2007
Coming to NewPointe
Thought I'd drop a quick blog to let everyone know what we are going to be exploring in May and June at NewPointe:
Starting tonight, and ending on Sunday (May 6th) we are working through a series called Remember. It is all about exploring the relevance and application of two ancient practices - communion and baptism.
Then next Sunday, we are starting a challenging series called Adventures in Missing the Point. No it's not about missing church (the Pointe, get it?). It is about how we so often settle for second best in life - we settle for a moment of happiness rather than a lifetime of joy.
We simply just miss the point. Be there - it will be a series to remember, and more importantly, a series that could just change your life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
