Making Vision Stick

I read a great book last week. It is called, “Making Vision Stick” by Andy Stanley. This is a fantastic book that can be read in a sitting or two. Kudos to Andy for saying it quickly and not rambling!

If you are a leader in the workplace, a leader in the home, a lay leader in the church, a pastor or pastor to pastors, this is a must read. It is published by Zondervan.

In short, here are the footnotes:

1. State the vision simply
2. Cast the vision convincingly
3. Repeat the vision regularly
4. Celebrate the vision systematically
5. Embrace the vision personally

There you have it. Good stuff. Leaders of all sorts, I would print that list off and look at it at least once a week with this question looming above, “Am I consistently living and breathing these five steps in my role as leader. If not, get to it. :>) You will see your company/church/ministry area/family soar to higher heights.

If you are leading this way – well done and keep up the good work.

A Holy Hangover...:>)

I feel like I was hit by a Mack Truck sometime in the middle of the night. Yesterday was one of those days. First the good news! No, I take that back – first the awesome praise report!

It all started when I left for City Hall in Durham at 7 am. I arrived on time, was sworn in and the newhope case was presented. Long story short – they unanimously voted to give us the green light on building the church! God is good, all the time!

From there, I rushed to the office to host a church planter workshop. I spoke to a group of church planters about small groups. Have I ever told you I love church planters. These guys make it happen!

From there, our financier flew into town so I spent some time catching up with him. Gotta love Craig Dunn. He is still so stoked about what God is doing at newhope.

At this point, I realized I was not going to make it to pee wee football practice. Sometimes we just have to admit, “It ain’t gonna happen.” I called the assistant coaches and they gladly led the 7 – 8 year old boys in practice. (Probably better than if I were there :>)

At 6 pm, the Pastoral Team and I started moving the church office. We still have plenty of moving to do Saturday morning at 9 am, if you want to help.

At 7 pm, I rushed (Probably should say “sped” but “rushed” sounds better) to the church on Garrett Rd. where Theresa Johnson and I hosted a North Carolina Board of Administration with about 15 pastors and lay persons. We were discussing some important stuff so that meeting went until 10 pm. YIKES!

I barely remember driving home. I crashed on the bed and woke this morning to what I can only describe as a “Holy Hangover.” Phew - what a loooooooooong day.

As I nurse this hangover, I thank God for something worth giving our lives! This hangover beats the typical hangover any day of the week! A few verses come to mind:

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” (2 Corinthians 2:14 – 16)

As you live your life today, everywhere you go, may you leave a refreshing fragrance of life. May the aroma of Christ go with you and may you awake tomorrow literally wiped out because this day was exhausted for your Lord and Savior.

Peace...

The Just War Theory –

Many folks have asked me to post the Just War Theory I discussed in church this morning. It dates back to none other than Saint Augustine in the 4th century. The doctrine of the Just War Theory was first developed in the Christian tradition by Augustine in his work, Civitas Dei, The City of God. The church has leaned heavily upon this work to discern whether or not a war is just and warrants support from the Christian community. Traditionally, all eight questions need to be answered affirmatively before a war is considered just.

1. Is the cause just?
2. Is the intention to restore justice?
3. Is the action a last resort?
4. Is the action instigated by the highest governmental authority?
5. Are the goals limited?
6. Is the action proportional to the offence?
7. Will casualties be kept low, particularly among those who cannot or do not bear arms?
8. Is there a reasonable hope of success?

May God grant us, and our enemies, peace and wisdom....

Here comes another Sunday!

Well, it has been a hard week with regards to preparing the message for Sunday. This topic is so BIG and complex. You will understand that more tomorrow. But God has been faithful and I can’t wait until tomorrow morning. Though we will discuss the hottest topic of the series, I am pleased with the way the weekend has come together. The worship will be moving. The response to the Word, through a powerful video and feature and more worship should be God honoring and incredibly memorable.

To say I am looking forward to it is un understatement. For now, I am off to coach pee-wee football. There is nothing cuter than 30 little 7 – 8 year olds in football equipment. :>)

Peace out -

I LOVE Encounter!

There is something about Encounter on Wednesday nights at the church! Encounter is our midweek worship for believers to press in and draw close to Christ! Here is a quick download of what I like most about this worship celebration:

 I like that it is after a long day. I always see most of you in the am so to see you at the end of the day is a nice change of pace!
 I like that it is kind of raw. You know, just a group of believers with one thing on our minds – worshipping Jesus!
 I really like that we now have a new tent and meals delivered to the church! :>)
 I like the passion of worship in the room!
 I like that we are talking about the one thing closest to the heart of God – REACHing out to people in the name of Christ!
 I like what Pastor Curtis and the WAM team brings in terms of music!
 I like that God always shows up and struts His stuff in powerful ways when believers come together to worship Jesus in Spirit and truth!
 I like that Encounter kids get to grow together in hopetown and become fully devoted followers of Jesus!
 I love the fact that Joey, Laura, Pam, Sabrina, Troy, Rob, Marissa, Rachel, Josh, Simpson, Gary, Amy Lynn and Matthew and many others are always there to help us create this AWESOME environment where God moves BIG time!
 I love teaching the Word of the Lord!
 I love the way the Encounter crowd always receives the Word!

Well, that is enough. Have I said I love Encounter? :>)

If you haven’t been, I hope you will come join us. We will be there the first and third Wednesday of every month with one purpose in mind - to ENCOUNTER God.

Preaching is like having a baby weekly!

I just gave birth yesterday again. :>) I know, some of you women are like, "Pastor, what in the world do you know about giving birth?" Not a lot but I love the analogy used by John Ortberg in this great article. If you prepare weekly messages or ever speak in public for God, this is a great read.

Enjoy - it is about time for me to go conceive again and prepare for yet another birth 6 days from now! :>)

Today at newhope...

Another amazing day in the life of newhope church. I really can't believe the way this series is being received. I am blown away at the level of engagement.

Not sure how to say this, but I feel more like a pastor during this series than I have in a long time. I think it's far too comfortable to talk about easy topics that everybody agrees on. But navigating the topics that are tough to talk about is a huge part of what it means to be a pastor. One of the most powerful parts of ministry is to pastorally lead the church through difficult discussions.

I am glad this is where God led us this fall. Keep praying for me - this is what I was created to do! I am praying for you.

Prayer in the Public Schools

If last weekend was any indication of what is in store with our current series, I am jacked up about the next 8 weeks!

Have you ever thought much about the role of prayer in public schools? It is a hot button issue that has been highly debated for quite some time.

It wasn't until the early 1960's that prayer in public school was "outlawed" by a new interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the history of the U.S. includes prayer and Bible readings in all sorts of public places, including schools. In 1782, the United States Congress passed the following resolution: "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools."

What about the role of prayer in colleges? Did you know that of the first 108 universities founded in America, 106 were distinctly Christian, including the first, Harvard University, chartered in 1636 and our very own Duke University in 1924. In the original Harvard Student Handbook, rule number 1 was that students seeking entrance must know Latin and Greek so that they could study the Scriptures: "Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, (John 17:3); and therefore to lay Jesus Christ as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Proverbs 2:3)."

Things sure have changed in our public school and universities.

What did Jesus say about prayer? What does the Bible teach us about public prayer and how should the Christian’s prayer exist in the pluralistic culture in which we live. Those are just a few of the issues we will consider this Sunday we look at the Confrontational issue of prayer in public schools.

Can’t wait to see Sunday,

You will never believe this...

So, I am riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway on my Hog (That is a Harley Davidson if you were wondering :>). I was coming around a curve about to cross yet another gorgeous hangover bridge overlooking the mountains when the unthinkable happened. This was a first for me. Keep in mind that I grew up in the Carolinas so the only animals I typically see cross the road are deer, possums, a cat every now and then, and dancing squirrels! But today something happened that I never expected. This was something far larger than those traditional critters. For the first time in my life, I saw a BLACK BEAR!

This momma was huge. And I was moving along pretty good when she came walking across the road on all fours. I slammed on breaks and do you know that momma bear (And I am guessing she was a momma because it sounds better :>) stopped in her tracks and stood up on all fours and looked at me as if to say, “You want some of me?”

So there I was, slowing down to almost a crawl with a huge black bear, standing on her hind legs, staring at me. It was so cool, and a little scary. In that moment, I was thankful for two very important realities: 1.) I know the Lord and if that bear caught me, I knew I would go to heaven, straight from the mountain of the Lord. 2.) I was SO THANKFUL that I was on my motorcycle and I was certain that black bear could not catch me! :>) Thanks be to God!

Like I said in my last post, you just have to take a ride on a motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway on this side of eternity. If you can’t drive a motorcycle, surely you can ask someone to give you a ride.

It is time to go home. Can't wait to see Amy Lynn and Kiddos.

A Must Do for EVERYONE...

I left out Sunday afternoon for a Pastor's Conference in Blowing Rock. I love the mountains. The only thing I enjoy more than the mountains is riding my Harley in the mountains. I spent all day yesterday riding the Blue Ridge Parkway. Can you say, GORGEOUS?

The Word of the Lord says, "The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." (I Kings 19:11 - 12)

There is something about the mountains. God speaks on top of the mountain. I think that is why Jesus would often withdraw to the mountains.

If you can, try and get away to the mountains some time this fall. Because it has been so dry, they say it will be a stunning leaf season.

Oh, and one more thing, before you pass from this world into the next, PLEASE get on a Harley and ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a little slice of heaven! I gotta go - we just finished the morning session of worship and teaching and I have 5 hours to ride! :>)

New Things, Pt. 2 - In the words of Bon Jovi, "We're Halfway There..."

Well, the first three "NEW THINGS" have been awesome today. One left - our new series kickin off in the am.

Been IM'ing with my Worship Arts Pastor for an hour or so this afternoon - Sunday is going to be "off the chain." Can't wait. Hope to see you there.

For now, though, it is time to put the message down, go celebrate Anna Grace's 10th Birthday! Peace out...

New Things!

I am wrapping up the week and trying to get focused on the weekend and there is one thing and one thing only on my mind - NEW THINGS


First, of all, I will awake tomorrow to tell my only daughter, my first born baby girl, Happy 10th Birthday! WOW - I now have a child in double digits.


From that experience, I will go and coach 30 little 7 - 8 year old boys in their first season opener in tackle football. From there, I will join the church for our annual Festival of Hope, held at our church for the first time.


Sunday will roll around at newhope as we start a new series titled, "Confronting the Controversial Issues." This will be a crazy first as we try and hit every hot button issue under the sun over the course of the next 8 weeks. Can you say, CRAZY? I mean, we are talking about stuff 99.9 % of the people in our society want touch with the proverbial "Ten Foot Pole."


Truthfully, all these new things have me a little anxious this weekend! It helps to remember Isaiah 43:19:


"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."


That helps a lot now that I think about it! Bring it on, Lord God. Bring on the new things.


I can't wait.

IT IS FINALLY HERE!

We have been anticipating this sermon series for months now and IT ALL STARTS THIS WEEKEND! I am talking about the series titled, "Confronting the Confrontational Issues." I am stoked and I can promise you don’t want to miss a single Sunday for the next eight weeks! We are going to dig into the topics that most people don’t even dare to talk about in public. Topics like:

1. Creation Vs. Evolution
2. Prayer in Schools
3. The War in Iraq
4. The Death Penalty
5. Abortion
6. Homosexuality
7. Illegal Immigration
8. Global Warming

What does the Bible say about such “Hot Button” Issues? What is the faithful Christian response?

I have been away this week in prayer and preparation for this series and I am convinced God is about to move BIG time in the life of our church!

Dont' forget, we go to three worship celebrations on Sunday, October 7th. God is growing His Church among us! Hope to see ya Sunday at either 9:00 or 10:45 am!

Gifts

Most of us love to get gifts. It is some people's primary love language. I wonder, though, if it is more enjoyable to give gifts? Let me explain.

This week, the UNC Tar Heels football program entered a new era. They are calling it the "Butch Davis Era." At any rate, a good friend of mine gave me four sweet tix and a sweeter parking pass to this opening day debut. The only problem was that my family had been planning a little Labor Day get-away to the beach. :>)

As I faced this dillema, I tried to think of the person who would most enjoy this big game. I didn't have to think long - my good friend Tadd Grandstaff, the pastor of the new Pine Ridge Church in Burlington, NC is a CRAZY CAROLINA fan. After I gave Tadd this gift, I happened to check out his Blog, and this was his post:

-----
My boy, Benji Kelley, Pastor of newhope Church in Chapel Hill, who just got his blog up and running, but has yet to actually begin blogging ….called me and hooked me up with 4 tickets and a parking pass to next weekends season opener against JMU. It’s the first game of the Butch Davis era and I am most definitely going to be there to witness it. I was so pumped-up when I got that message that I almost passed out.

Okay…so first of all I got a parking pass in the bell tower parking lot…which is to die for and secondly we have 4 absolutely amazing seats! What else could you really ask for? Game time is set for 6 pm, but we will be down there about 3 pm tail-gaiting with the rest of the heel maniacs! I can’t wait!!

Now, I know all of you UNC college football haters are thinking what’s the big deal…it’s just Carolina football? I told you little boys before that it is the dawning of a new age here in Tarheel country and I am going to be there to witness the beginning of the transition! You mark my words…the day is coming when we own the ACC in both basketball and football!! You remember where you heard it first…right here at TaddGrandstaff.com!

Benji you are the man! Thanks so much for the hook-up bro! I won’t forget this one…I owe you big time!!
----
I can't tell you how good it felt to read his blog. To me, it was a simple hook up, but to Tadd, it made his day, or week, or football season! To, that felt really good. Now that I think about it, it was more enjoyable giving Pastor Tadd this gift than enjoying the day myself.

I think God must feel like this all the time as He pours gifts into all our lives. Think about all the gifts He gives us every day. I think it makes God feel really good to give His children gifts. As the apostle Paul reflected on this, he said:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." (Ephesians 1:3, 4, 7-8)

We serve a GREAT GOD!

The next time you have the option to GET a gift or GIVE a gift, I encourage you to give one - you will be blessed. In return, you will be closer to heart of God, the ultimate gift giver!