Excellence or Extravagance

This first part is a Guest Post by Tim Briggs.

Tim:

'Being in ministry for 5 years, I’ve heard the term “excellence in ministry” thrown around frequently, especially in regards to technology. I’ve been disappointed to learn though that the term for many is translated to mean “extravagance in ministry.” In other words, people really mean they want the best, most expensive, and most luxurious. Is that what excellence really means though?

Certainly, this term is polarizing and has different meanings for different people but what does the Bible say about the topic?

At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks about the “most excellent way.” He says, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”

What is the most excellent way? Love.

“If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” The next few verses echo this same sentiment.

In Colossians 3:23, Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me…” I’m not a Biblical scholar by any means but meditating on these verses leads me to believe that doing something with excellence refers to how we do things. It does not mean perfection. It does not mean the best. Rather, it refers to our effort.

Me:
Are we striving for excellence (as in "the most excellent way: Love) or are we striving for extravagance (as in "bigger, faster, louder, easier, finer: Flash)?

Actually both of these paths come with a high price tag. As a church, if we only have enough resources to purchase one... either excellence=Love or extravagance=Flash which would we buy? or a better question might be, which one have we already bought?

I'm bankrupt without LOVE.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. Love never dies.

I hope to see you Sunday @ Radiant Life. Mike's going to help us explore this theme of Love Always Wins.

Personal Pronouns and the Church

When I'm talking with people, after church, on Sundays...they often tell me more with their words than they realize.

They almost always say one of two things:

• “I go to your church” or "It was great to visit your church"
  
• “I love our church” or "My church is doing some great things"
  

When they say, “I go to your church,” I know this person is not likely very engaged in the life of the church. In most cases, they aren’t serving, participating, or giving. They are casual observers...outsiders (only because they see themselves as outsiders). The "I go to your church" or "I am just checking out your church" people use that sort of phrase to communicate that there is still a distance between where they are in relation to the church. They are not ready or wiling to call it "my' church yet. They are simply attending a church that is not yet “theirs.”

When they say, “I love our church” or "We have a great church" they are usually very involved. The church doesn’t belong to someone else. It is “their” church. They know that there is a place for them...HERE at their church. They are ALL in. Invested. It's personal.

This Sunday WE are going to be challenged to consider our place in this church. Hopefully everyone will move from a "your church" stance to a "my church" posture.

I’m asking God to empower me to move people from “going to church” to “being the church.” When they stop going and start being, the church goes from "yours" to "mine".

(some of these concepts are from Lifechurch.tv)

Good News Huntersville

Have you ever WONDERED...
If God is always 'WITH' us, then why is He so hard to find?

If the Lord says His sheep know His VOICE, why doesn't He talk to you?

If God is as RELATIONAL as the Bible says He is, where's the intimacy?

If the universe is THAT big (and assuming there is a God) what am I to Him?

You want to believe that having a 'personal relationship with God' is more than just words. You long to really know Him. But you don't have a relationship with someone who doesn't show up. Where is God?

He's CLOSER than you THINK. He's more EAGER to connect with you than you can imagine. But amid the relentless crush of daily living, discerning God can be a lot like spotting Waldo in the popular kids books. He's in every picture, but you've got to train yourself to recognize him amid the clutter and noise.

There is a fundamental/basic desire (embedding in every human who's ever lived) for connection and fulfillment in a relationship with the living God. He gives each of us an invitation to "taste and see that the Lord is GOOD" and is ENOUGH to satisfy you.

This Sunday, @ Radiant Life Fellowship, we will explore how to find God where you least expect Him. We'll talk about how you can make your mind God's dwelling place. We'll get a sense for how to draw closer to God when He seems absent.

The most frequent promise in the Bible is "I will be with you". God IS with you (Closer then you think) and within easy reaching distance. He is closer--much closer--than you think.

See you @ Blythe Elementary this Sunday @ 10am.

Looking forward to the Weekend

Make plans this weekend to CONNECT with other Radiant Lifers.

This Saturday, September 26, 7-9 PM we've discovered some FREE and FUN entertainment! Come hang out with us while listening to Blues Express, a blues/rock 'n roll band performing as part of Birkdale Village's Mingling on the Green Concert Series.

If you feel like learning some new dance moves, you can join the Havana Social Club Dancers for free dance lessons during their "Dancing Under the Stars" event in the fountain area. Blues and dance moves right here in Huntersville---we hope you'll come with friends.

Please also bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Neil and Brooke will arrive early to stake out a space near the front so we can all find each other. See either of them with questions (765.244.0294).

Spread the word. See you there.
Chris

Sunday Night Mind Dump

I'm adding a new feature to the blog. It's my initial thoughts, ideas, wishes, high fives that come on Sunday some time after church. It's kind of like my own debrief...added to this blog. So I'm debriefing with you. Ideally, I'd like your feedback too.

So here it goes in bullet-point form.

• A lot of hours went into this weekend. I want us to work smarter, not harder. My hope and goal for this week will be to streamline and refine our set-up and take-down process. This is a marathon, not a sprint. I hope to have at least 2 point leaders for this area by this Sunday. Set up and Take down is work, no doubt. But I believe we can do it much easier and faster and simpler.
  
• I like seeing lots of people come to Radiant Life today that I did not know. I think that ought to be our expectation. That every week we add new faces to the new faces we meet the week before. That will only happen if you get as passionate about inviting people as I am.
  
• I think we forgot to give people a planned chance to greet each other during worship. I also think I forgot to prompt people to watch the communion video before they took communion. That was my fault.
  
• I should have given the kids more time to get into the auditorium before communion. The more kids we have (Jenny counted 30-something altogether) the longer it takes to get them from point A to point B.
• I called, and talked with, every person who filled out a connection card today. Great conversations. Everyone really enjoyed the service and felt welcome. We will be sending them a follow up email tomorrow.
  
• The Grove had lots of kids today. They had a blast. I'm sure their leaders are processing how to make it even better next week. This is such a critical area of our church. I am their biggest fan and willing to do whatever it takes to help our leaders succeed and feel valued.
  
• The Connection Cards, Life Group brochures and About RLF brochures all were well done. Thank you Mike and Katy.
  
• Josh was a beast this weekend. Tons of hours. Assembled a band. Trouble shot lots of sticky scenarios and did it with grace and leadership.
  
• I got LOTS of VERY positive feedback from the video clips that Jacob created. Well done.
  
• You techie guys (Brian, Tom, Gary) were spot on today. I lot could have gone flippin wrong (and might have behind the scenes) but you all pulled it off. We'll work on a solution to our electrical issues this week. I also hope to get the projector mounted (per Josh' suggestion) this week.
  
• It was great to have my brothers (Andy and Mark) and their families...my parents and Jenny's parents here today. Of course they wanted to be a part of significant events in our lives. My guess is that this coming Sunday, we'll begin to see who our most potential RLF-ers will be.
• I'm getting used to the stage. It's a different environment than the clubhouse or the house, that's for sure. I hope I didn't come off to stiff or nervous. I don't want to be a distraction from the message. I do have real insecurities (believe it or not) and I pray real hard that God would use my in spite of my insecurities and imperfections. I pray that God would allow me to be at peace and speak with confidence the message He wants us to hear.
  
• I'm meeting with Mike, Josh and Jacob tomorrow @ 8am (Dunkin Donuts) to debrief and plan for next Sunday. Pray for us.
  
• I am open to your thoughts and ideas. I'm a life-long learner.
• I do appreciate and continue to need your prayers for me...for my family...for this Church. My hope is that God would show us His favor and entrust us with His God-Sized vision for our community and our world.
  

I will have more thoughts and ideas this week.

I'm very pumped about THIS coming Sunday's message: "God Saves the Day"

We'll explore these questions:
"What if Jesus was living in Huntersville today?"
"Who would He hang out with?"
"What would He do?"
"What would He say...And to whom would He say it?"
"How would you respond to Jesus living in Huntersville today?"

Love God. Love People. Love Wins. Prove it.
Chris

Whatever it takes

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts THIS Sunday, September 20th (10AM) @ Blythe Elementary School.

Do WHATEVER you need to do to make sure you and OTHERS get to Radiant Life Fellowship this Sunday @ 10am. {video clip}

40 Days of Prayer (day 37)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts THIS Sunday, September 20th (10AM) @ Blythe Elementary School.

Who is going to be at Radiant Life Fellowship this Sunday?

I'm sure there will be extended family members (I think even my parents, my brothers and their families and Jenny's parents and her sister are coming).

I'm sure there will be people from other churches coming to check us out.

I'm certain there will be people who have been hurt by the church (at some point in their life) and they will be there with critical eyes looking for love.

People who have given up on church...but not given up on God.

I'm pretty sure there will be some who come that were compelled (forced) by their spouse. So they are reluctant.

There will be some skeptics.

And any 1st Timers (We call them VIP) WILL be given the VIP treatment.

How are all these people hearing about Radiant Life? From YOU!!!

Be sure and pick up a green Radiant Life coffee mug. Use it in the Cafe (which is located in the auditorium-can't miss it).

Please pray for all these people God will send to us over the next 6 weeks.

I'm stoked.

40 Days of Prayer (day 34)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts THIS Sunday, September 20th (10AM) @ Blythe Elementary School.

10 Ways God has Saved the Day for Radiant Life Fellowship
1) The custodian @ Blythe (Freddy Rauda) is a Jesus follower
2) The principal at Blythe (Patty Johanson) is a Jesus follower
3) We are able to set up for Sunday services on either Friday afternoon or Saturday
4) We are able to store all our sound system/cafe/pipe and drape/lighting/etc @ Blythe
5) A local church allows us to park our trailer in their parking lot for free
6) Connection Church provided us with all their equipment @ a good cost
7) We have a few people who have trucks that can pull a 24' trailer
8) We have an incredibly motivated staff
9) We had a great "practice run" last weekend
10) God has bless us with money to afford to start a church in Huntersville

This is my short list from the past couple weeks.

How has God saved the day for you, recently?

40 Days of Prayer (day 33)

Here's an opportunity for you. Fill a row of seats at the Grand Opening season of Radiant Life Fellowship starting THIS Sunday @ 10am. BIG opening you won't want to miss. Your kids are going to love it.

YOU are going to love it.

The people you are inviting this week ARE going to love it.

THIS SUNDAY.
Blythe Elementary School (corner of Hambright and Old Statesville)
10-11:15AM

Thank you for praying. God is good.

40 Days of Prayer (day 32)

I’m looking for God to do great things in our day...and I really, really, want to be a part of it. I'll take a job sweeping the floors among a people who are also looking for God to do great things in our day.

God usually does his great work through people who are totally yielded to Him. This is a daily deal for me.

So what about you? Are you and your tribe looking for God to do great things in our day? Would you consider your life totally yielded to Him?

How about checking out the Radiant Life tribe of people I hang out with? This is the kind of life we are striving to live...and there's room for you.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th (10AM) @ Blythe Elementary School.

40 Days of Prayer (day 24)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th (10AM) @ Blythe Elementary School.

Why does Huntersville need a new church?

NEW CHURCHES REACH NEW PEOPLE

Why do new churches reach new people? I don’t have a clue, but they do. When we launch Radiant Life Fellowship in a few weeks there will be people in North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and even Mooresville who will try church for the first time ever, or the first time in a long time. Why? Because there aren’t already good churches in the area? NOPE. There are some great ones. It’s just that new churches reach new people.

Would you join me in praying for all the Jesus following churches in the area?

IT’S A FRACTION OF THE COST

A few weeks ago a church moved into their $25+ million dollar facility. Is there anything wrong with spending 25 million on a building? Nope. Could we raise $25 million for a building? Not sure. I have all the faith in the world if that’s what God called us to do that we could raise that kind of money. The problem is we don’t feel God’s called us to do that.

We’re committed to keeping our facility costs to a minimum so we can maximize our resources for ministry in the community.

AN INCREASED OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY

On a human level, we believe our number one resource is people.

Starting our first campus @ Blythe Elementary School requires a new group of people to step up and trust God like never before. It requires a group of people to step up and lead. It requires a group of people to partner together with their different gifts and abilities to form the body of Christ.

These are exciting days for Radiant Life Fellowship. I’m so proud to be a part of a church community that’s willing to take some risk to help people discover an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

40 Days of Prayer (day 23)

For the last week or so, our family has had lots of fun playing the game "telephone" around the dinner table.

Noah will start by whispering a phrase, a word or a sentence into Sara's ear. She will then whisper what she heard into Jake's ear (who always says 'I forgot what she said' and then Sara has to tell him again). Then Jake whispers what he heard into my ear (along with crumbs from his dinner) and I then whisper what I heard into Jenny's ear and she then into Cole's ear who announces to us all what the final phrase was.

That's the "telephone game" in our family.

It's interesting how upset Sara gets when her brothers try to purposefully twist the message before it gets to the end. She puts her hands on her hips. Wrinkles her eye brows and squints her eyes and says "Hey. That's not what I said."

We have laughed and laughed playing that game.

Over the next month or so we will get the opportunity, as a church, to do something similar to the "Telephone Game" in our community. We get to take the idea of Radiant Life Fellowship and invite others to come check us out during our Grand Opening Season.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

It's a BIG risk, of sorts, on my part. I worked with a church planter friend of mine (Jonathan) to create a really nice postcard (front / back) that points to our new website and invites them to our Grand Opening Season. Now I'm trusting that our Core Team passes the cards out with personal invitations to come check us out.

Will they do it?

Will their invitation be genuine and clear?

Will people in Huntersville get the message we intended or will they be like Jake and say: "What? I didn't get it."

I know it's a risk. But I also know that part of being a disciple of Jesus includes taking risks. My friend, Jonathan, says (as Jesus followers) we ought to be taking 'repeated risks in the right direction'.

Would you join me in praying that God would prompt you and I to take repeated risks in the right direction this week? And the next week?...

PS -- thanks to those of you all who are passing out the postcards and inviting people to our Grand Opening Season.

40 Days of Prayer (day 23)

There is a lot of NEED around the Huntersville, Cornelius, North Charlotte area. After spending 13 plus years here in Huntersville, I've noticed that the NEEDS have a way of staying hidden...if you are not looking for them.

One need, everyone has, is for food.

Here's a question for you.

Are there people in Huntersville who are hungry day after day and can't afford to eat properly?

Sandy Tilly believed that there was a real need to feed people for free in Huntersville. So about a year ago she opened Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen. They serve a delicious (free) meal to about 100 residents of Huntersville Monday through Friday.

At least once a month, volunteers from Radiant Life Fellowship go and help Sandy prepare and serve the meal to the people who come...in NEED.

My hope is that the people of Radiant Life Fellowship will search out the needy amongst us and take initiative to help alleviate those burdens.

Needs in our area include (but are not limited to): food, water, friendship, yard work, house work, mentors for high risk kids, school supplies, healing from addictions, encouragement, broken families, abuse, furniture, a job, a place for families to connect, JESUS.

Would you join me in praying that God would choose to use you and me to notice NEEDS in our community...and BE the answer to those NEEDS.

So what kind of NEEDS did you notice around you today?

40 Days of Prayer (day 22)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Exodus 10:2 "You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the Lord."

Deuteronomy 4:9 tells us: "Do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and (be sure that) they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. "

In these sections of the Bible, there was a strong sense that God was doing some incredible stuff for His people. It was obvious to everyone around.

God knows that we tend to forget. So in these passages, He's telling them NOT to forget how He has provided for, and rescued, His people.

God is still providing for us. God is still rescuing you and me from all sorts of destructive, addictive patterns. God has ultimately rescued us from the consequences of our sin, through Jesus.

Maybe for you...it's remembering way back to a time when it was clear to you that God was near. Maybe it was as recent as earlier today you sensed His work. God is already here, now, working in, through and around you.

Have you taken any time today just to quietly reflect and notice?

God is actually closer than you think. Join me, today, by spending a few moments practicing the presence of God in your life. When you do this...soon you too will be able to 'tell wonderful stories...about all the marvelous things God is doing...to prove He is the Lord.'

40 Days of Prayer (day 20)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

This next week; Jacob, Josh, Mike and I will be putting the details of our "Good News Huntersville" series together. This will be the 'opener' series throughout the Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship, Huntersville.

Would you join me in praying that...
Jesus would be made famous throughout Huntersville and beyond
the creative juices in our heads to flow out into this series
God would send lots of people to experience Radiant Life's birth
Each sermon would attract people to Jesus
God would use our parking team, greeters, coffee cafe, band, environment to break down barriers to the Gospel.
Our authenticity would be evident
We would bear much "fruit" throughout our Grand Opening Season

Thank you for your prayers. You rock.

40 Days of Prayer (day 19)

Have you ever watched a parade through a hole in a really tall wooden fence?

If you have, then you know something about the "law of perspective" that is at work.

Looking through the hole in the wooden fence gives you a very limited perspective of the parade that's passing by in front of you. In fact, from that perspective you only get to see what is immediately in front of you. You have no idea what's coming. You have no idea of any sort of order or plan or how what's happening right in front of you fits into a bigger picture.

If you watch a parade on TV, you have one of the best perspectives. With 100's of cameras placed along the parade route as well as blimps and helicopter views...you get to experience and see the bigger picture.

This is the framework for the "law of perspective".

Everyone of us is affected by this law.

• Lori Hine's mom (who's battled cancer for years) is back in the hospital, poised to hear news about her fragile health.

• Courtenay Nixon's aunt has a critical doctor's visit today that has created lots of anxiety in the family

• My great friend from college (Paul) has a niece who's husband was killed in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. I got a chance to talk (and pray) with her over the phone about 30 minutes before she was going home to tell their 5 kids that their daddy died.

• Tom Paullins is still looking for employment after losing his job a couple months ago.

• Brooke Seufert is still looking for employment locally, so she won't have to keep her job in Asheville and she can be home with her husband in Davidson.

• We pray and plan for Movies in the Park and there's a high probability that it could get rained out.

WHY?

Part of it has to do with the "law of perspectives". We only see a very small piece of the story.

But our God knows the story from beginning to end. He is mighty to save. He is with (and strengthening) those of us who grieve loss. He is the father to the fatherless. He is our Great Physician. He is our all in all.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Join me in praying a prayer that acknowledges our limited perspective and declares our trust in our all knowing and all powerful God.

40 Days of Prayer (day 18)

"Many hands make light work." - Chinese Proverb

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

This is a BIG deal. Starting a church is no small task.
I've made lots of mistakes.
I've had to do a lot of learning on the job.

I've had to endure devastating blows to the stomach (so to speak...I wish it was just someone punching/kicking me in the stomach or head. I can take that much better than having good friends jump ship).

I need your prayers.
And so does the staff of people who God has put together for such a time as this. Most of them are volunteers. Only two are part time. I'm the only full-timer (and old timer). They give a lot of themselves. They are a group of huumble, caring, sensitive, passionate, risk-takers who are proving daily that they love God, love people and that love actually wins.

Christine - Her clarifying questions and careful attention to details and communication are such a huge gift to Radiant Life. That's not even close to the gift she has given of herself, personally. She loves families to the point that she has probably only been able to participate in adult worship a handful of times. Why? Because she humbly serves you and me in the infant room or teaching the grade schoolers so you and I can benefit from worship while our kids benefit from her teaching and example of love.

Jacob - His thoughtful reflection of intentionally leading us into worship week after week...since day one...has been such a huge blessing to us all. He has a way of making you think "mmmm" as you sing familiar as well as not so familiar songs. I love how Jacob takes on the challenge of introducing new songs into our mix without flinching. As we gear-up for our Grand Opening, Jacob will be transitioning into a new critical role in our church and on our staff within the next few weeks. More to come.

Courtenay - On a search for an internship, she chose Radiant Life to find her place to serve, lead, learn and grow. She is doing all of them well. She has a heart for our teenagers (which makes this dad of a 6th grader happy to know). She's thoughtful. Wise. Willing to risk. I am proud of the way she handled the Art Walks we hosted this summer. She learned some valuable leadership lessons as well as gave several local artists a chance to show and sell their prized masterpieces.

Mike - After meeting Mike through the Church Planters' Coaching Group I'm in (called Cypress Project), I knew we were going to hit it off great. Mike's call and desire is to plant a church one day. He and his family (Katy, Emily and Ike) came to us from Journey Church after serving on their advisory board since about 6 months after Charlotte North's beginning. Mike brings lots of experience, packaged in a very encouraging and loving person. He's a part of my teaching team. He's creating an inviting "front door" experience for our guests. He's working with me to develop our Discipleship systems and he's fun to be around.

Jenny - My soulmate. Best friend. Wisest one in our family. Now that all 4 of our kids are in school, I invited her to join our staff. She's in a season of discovering her newest role that happens to not include the title of "mom". Can't wait for you all to see her shine in her ministry groove.

Josh - Our newest staff member. I've known Josh since he was in high school and have watched him grow and mature as a worship leader @ Independence Hill Baptist Church and then @ Connection Church. We will benefit from the years Josh has experienced at those 2 great churches. As we gear up for our launch, Josh will be transitioning into the worship leader role in our church and on our staff within the next few weeks. More to come. Can't wait for you to meet Josh.

Would you join me in praying for this team? If you belong to another church, by all means pray for the staff/pastors at your church. They need your prayers too.

40 Days of Prayer (day 17)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Would you join me today in praying for all the teachers who, in many cases, are carrying a heavier load this year as a result of economic realities. I'm especially praying for the teachers and staff @ Blythe. Since that's where our Grand Opening location (for Radiant Life) will be, I think we ought to be praying for and investing in the people who go to that school.

Remember, we are working to gain credibility and influence in order to earn the right to be heard and be given opportunities to share the Good News.

Today, on behalf of all of you @ Radiant Life, I woke @ the crack of dark and arrived at Dunkin Donuts as they opened. I picked up a couple of Box O Joe's and some bagels and some munchkins. These weren't for me or my family (although my kids would have been freakin excited and jumped out of bed). I took these and gave them to the office staff @ Blythe. They were excited and very grateful.

I took several of our newest postcards (the ones we'll hand out @ Movies in the Park this Friday) and gave them out with a note that said "We're praying for you. Thank you for all you do. - Radiant Life Fellowship".

I wanted you to know that you are being represented well to the people @ Blythe even before we actually start there.

Let's take some time today to pray for teachers and for the people of Blythe.

40 Days of Prayer (day 16)

1st Day of school today for CMS students.

This year, Jenny and I have 4 of the over 100,000 CMS students filled with anxiety, excitement and nerves. Our kids talked, last night and this morning, about the fears they had of going to a new class, with a new teacher and not knowing who would be in their class and not wanting to get lost.

Can you remember times when you were nervous about showing up at a new place for a new thing for the 1st time? What were your feelings?
Fear?
Anxiety?
Excitement?
Nervous?
Confident?

Those feelings could be some of the same feelings people have about going to church. Especially a new church. If they've never been to church before, or even if they used to go to church, the thought of showing up for the fist time can be intimidating.

For some people, that's what keeps them from coming to church, period. The intimidation factor. The fear factor. The perception that church-is-boring-outdated-and-irrelevant factor. All of these are barriers that keep the yet-to-follow-Jesus people from hanging out with His family @ church.

How can you and I help alleviate this barrier?
1) acknowledge that the barrier exists
2) pray that God would help us eliminate all barriers to the Gospel
3) describe our church in a way that helps relieve fears and intimidation factors
4) allow God to transform your own life...that's the most attractive and compelling commercial for Jesus (and for Radiant Life)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

Oh. Check out our new website: Good News Huntersville
Let me know what you think.

40 Days of Prayer (day 15)

Did you know that once you start to feel thirsty, you are already on the way to becoming dehydrated? Some doctors say you should drink 8 cups of water per day. That's what your body needs in order to be healthy.

Thirst is your body's way of saying to you "I need something or I'll start malfunctioning."
Hunger is your body's way of saying to you "I need something critical to our survival."
Hunger and Thirst reveal a critical need.
When your body is really thirsty, your "liquid radar" kicks in and you go in a desperate search for something that will quench your thirst and satisfy your thirst. And once you find it... ahhhhh!

Mysteriously God has embedded a hunger and thirst in all people for Him. At various points of our lives we have stronger hunger/thirst for God than at other times. So every person you meet, has some level of hunger and thirst for a God who really does know them and love them deeply.

In a few days, we will get a chance (God willing) to host our last Movies in the Park this Friday. If it doesn't rain, we could have over 1000 people show up. Many of them have a thirst (although they could not articulate it) to have a real relationship with our God who created them, loves them and desires a relationship with them.

Would you join me in praying that God sends us very hungry and thirsty people? I want nothing more than to introduce scores of people to my God who gives us living water so we will never thirst again. (reference to the story about the woman at the well).

40 Days of Prayer (day 14)

I know we need the rain. You can look at the grass in my yard and it's obvious. But I'm asking you to join me and others in praying that from this Friday (around lunchtime on) the skies remain clear enough for us to host our last Movies in the Park for the season.

While we're on the subject of Movies in the Park... let me run through a few details for you.

• We need all of you.
• Set up begins at 4:30pm
• Wear your orange t-shirt
• Make an extra effort to interact more with the individuals and families in the crowd in the time leading up to the movie.
  
• Strike up conversations using the tools we're providing you (ie. bug spray, registration cards, sun screen and the Radiant Life Postcards).
• Make a point to make sure everyone at the park gets a Radiant Life postcard.
  
• Also make it a point to give a verbal personal invitation to everyone in the park to Radiant Life's Grand Opening season starting September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School (10am)
• Would you consider bringing at least 1 or 2 gift cards to give away?

Thank you for all the investment of time, money, sweat and prayer you've put into these events. Most importantly, would you pray with me that God would bless us with a harvest of people (that you've connected with and invited) that will come to Radiant Life and meet Jesus.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

40DaysofPrayer (day 12)

Let's say you just purchased some new technical gadget (a new lawn mower, a home theater system or a new ceiling fan) and on the box it indicated some assembly required. How many of you actually read through the instructions before trying to assemble all the pieces? Be honest.

I'll admit, I am a "look at the picture of the fully assembled product on the box and figure out how all the pieces fit together" type of guy. My approach is much like putting a puzzle together. The instruction manual is for when I'm stuck.

Now I know lots of you would carefully read the manual first. And you'd be much wiser than I. Once I stayed up all night trying to install a ceiling fan in Cole and Noah's room. The end result was a 4 speed remote-controlled fan with a light that now operates at only the highest speed with no possibility of ever being remote controlled. Good Times.

I mention this, because I totally understand how technical glitches can mess up well laid plans.

Radiant Life Fellowship is purchasing all the equipment (large sound system, video projectors, screens, helium tank, laptop, speakers, wireless mics, lighting, etc) from Connection Church. Our Sunday mornings are getting ready to change radically. It's going to rock. But "Murphy's Law" has a way of kicking in to big plans. Murphy's Law states that "if something can go wrong...it will".

So my request from you is that you begin adding this area of planting a church to your prayer times. Join me in praying that God would protect us from technical failure and glitches. That we would be able to have a smooth transition from where we are (technically) to where God wants us to be (spiritually). That God would be who we rely upon to grow Radiant Life...and not a video projector. After all, it's His church anyway.

I'm grateful for the new equipment we're acquiring and how it will enhance our ability to do more in Huntersville. It's a tool to help us do what God is calling us to do here in Huntersville -- make disciples of Jesus who make disciple of Jesus.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

40DaysofPrayer (day 10)

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

I want to take today's post and leverage it to ask all of you to join me in praying specifically for the following:
1) For Tom Paullins to get some great job offers.
2) For Brooke Seufert to get a job in Davidson (or a lot closer to their home in Davidson). She's been commuting to Asheville to keep her job (with benefits) until she or Neil can get a job locally that would support them.
3) For Neil Seufert and Courtenay Nixon and Jacob Collins as they begin this semester of seminary.
4) For Rafael Hernandez to have just the right job offered and for clarity and wisdom to know what that job might be.

Please pray. These are real people who love and follow Jesus...and they have real tangible needs. I know for a fact that they would get giddy excited to know that all of YOU were praying specifically for THEM.

Thank you for praying.

40DaysofPrayer (day 9)

You probably remember the occasion when Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin to leave the disciples alone because:
“If their purpose or activity is of human origin it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

If you are doing the work of God for the purposes of God in the power of God, you’re unstoppable too. Just like the early church. Just like Jesus Christ.
When I want what God wants for the reasons God wants it I’m unbeatable and unstoppable. - author unknown

Receive that today. Breathe it in. Then live it out.

Maybe it might seem like the odds are stacked against you. Maybe you have lost your confidence and courage. Maybe it's been awhile since you've taken a risk on behalf of God. Maybe you've felt stagnant and stuck in life.

Stay on the wall, Nehemiah. That person / situation /fear can’t stop you. God is fighting for you! Dream, implement, preach, evangelize, cast vision, reach out, risk...
It will come to pass.

Maybe you’re a parent trying to instill godly values into your child, and they’re putting up a hell of a fight every step of the way. Remember, your child isn’t fighting against you. According to Gamaliel, they’re fighting against God!

And whether they know it or not, they’ve met their match. It’s just a matter of time ‘til He lands the knockout blow.

Maybe you need God to fan what is now a tiny ember into an internal blazing flame that passionately pursues God's agenda for this city. Maybe you need a kick in the pants to get you off the couch and into this exciting game God's got planned for your life.

Keep training, encouraging, correcting, disciplining, praising, mentoring, sowing. It will produce a harvest. But you've got to get off the couch and get in the field.

If God is for you, who can be against you?
As long as you keep moving forward, you’re unstoppable!

Will you join me in praying that the assuring 'breath' of God will blow on the people of Radiant Life as we pursue God's plan for this city...which will be unstoppable if God is leading it.

The Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship starts Sunday, September 20th @ Blythe Elementary School.

You don't want to miss out.

40DaysofPrayer (day 8)

Today I went by Blythe Elementary School and met with the new principal Mrs Johanson. She is really excited about Radiant Life using the facility, starting September 20th.

As we were talking, I thought I'd offer to bring coffee and bagels and such for her staff as they get ready for school starting. She was thrilled.

I even got a chance to talk with Freddy. He's the friendly custodian at Blythe who will be unlocking the doors for us each Sunday...starting September 20th. It was good to catch up with him and find out how his week was going so far.

It's the little things that mean so much in a relationship like this.

The little thoughtful things matter.

As we prepare for the Grand Opening Season of Radiant Life Fellowship, there are 1000's of little thoughtful things we could be thinking to encourage, invite, attract and compel the people of Huntersville to come check out Radiant Life Fellowship.

Can you think of some little details that would help us attract and welcome people well?

My prayer today is that God would give us the ability to pay close attention to the little details (like opportunities) as we prepare for September 20th.