The Word of the Lord - the FOUNDATION

On Friday of THIS week, POLYCON, our church builder, will be laying the concrete foundation for our first church home near Southpoint mall. As such, I am inviting everyone connected with this movement to offer your favorite verse of Scripture as the foundation of God’s house. Please comment below or email my assistant, theresa@newhopenc.org your favorite verse of scripture. The Pastoral Team will write that verse on parchment paper and lay those verses into the footprint area of the church building and POLYCON will then pour the concrete slab foundation. Think about it, the very foundation of newhope will be built upon the strength and power of God’s Word.

I plan to lay a full Bible underneath the teaching platform area, as a heartfelt prayer that God will use me to preach/teach the pure Word of the Lord.

If you would like participate, please send us this verse of Scripture no later than 3:00 pm tomorrow, Thursday, June 26th.

Thank you and may newhope always rest firmly upon the never changing Word of God.

Because of Jesus,
Pastor Benji

Seizing Opportunities

Why do some people see opportunities others miss? In the book, "Did You Spot the Gorilla?" psychologist Richard Wiseman describes an experiment that provides a clue.

Volunteers watched a 30-second video of two teams playing basketball and were asked to count the number of times one of the teams passed the ball. What they weren't told was that halfway through the video, a man dressed in a gorilla's suit would run onto the court, stand in front of the camera, and beat his chest. Amazingly only a few of the volunteers spotted the man in the gorilla suit. Most of the volunteers were so intent on counting passes that they completely missed the gorilla. In fact, our very own newhoper, Mark Rhodes performed this experiment with our Pastoral Team earlier this year and only a few noticed the gorilla. (I was not one of them - I still think he played a trick on us :-))

Wiseman concluded that most people go through life so focused on the immediate task at hand they completely miss gorilla opportunities. He gives the example of a team of 3M researchers who were trying to develop a high-strength adhesive. One of their attempts produced a product that was actually the opposite-a very low-strength adhesive. Most of the team thought the result was a failure, but one saw it as an opportunity. That adhesive failure went on to became the invention that made 3M Post-It notes a reality.

If we aren't careful, we can be so fixated on the mundane, that we miss God-given opportunities of significance. There are great things happening at newhope and the opportunities amaze me these days - let's stay alert and mindful of the Spirit among us so we do not miss out on what God has in mind because we are too busy looking at the mundane or the immediate. God's Word says it like this:

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, BE ALERT and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)

Who Would Have Ever Thunk It?

You will never believe where I am sitting, while drinking premium roast gourmet coffee, receiving free Wi-Fi, and enjoying flowers on my breakfast table? Go ahead, before reading further - try and guess?







Can you say, "McDonalds?" I can't believe it, either. Have you noticed how this organization has changed? Talking about changing with the times. Who would have ever thunk it? McDonalds, starting to offer good coffee, Internet access, lattes, and flowers. In fact, this is the only place in Orlando that I could find offering Internet access without a redicolous fee.

Some "McD"executives, in some fancy smancy board room, in some high sky rise building, huddled up last year and said, "Team, if we don't change the way we operate, we will cease to exist. It is a new day and therefore, we have to do things differently. In other words, no more business as usual."

I think the Church can learn a valuable lesson from our friends at McDonalds. While our message never changes, the methods always do. Maybe you have heard me say before:

"Methods are many, principles are few...methods always change, but principles never do."

I am so glad to be at a church that fully embraces keeping the church fresh with creativity and relevance, while at the same time, holding fast to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Speaking of church and the gospel, I can't wait to fly back this afternoon and be in worship Sunday. We will bring closure to the gospel series this Sunday and you don't want to miss it.

Peace...

"You are the LIGHT of the world" (Jesus Christ)

As most of you know, we are in this series at newhope simply called, "The Gospel." We have looked at Jesus on the cross, accepted the gift of salvation, learned how to regularly return there and confess sins, and are now learning afresh and anew how the cross thrusts us back into the world for the cause of Christ!

The truth is far too many Christians have abdicated their role as missionaries in the culture under the disguise of fellowship or accountability. We join Bible studies that are filled with other Christians because we need the fellowship. We work out with other Christian men because we want accountability. Christian moms go eat Christian fast food (Chick-Fil-A) with other Christian moms. We spend the majority of our free time with family or Christian friends, and all our close friendships are with Christians. Sounds like a kind of spiritual utopia - the only problem is that is not following in the steps of Christ.

In fact, we have helped excuse this propensity by convincing ourselves that true missionaries are those that travel to foreign lands - you know, the real Christians that go out there while we just insulate ourselves from the real world. Simply put, that is a lie my friends. While it is great to have missionaries and go on missions trips (We do a lot of that at newhope these days) let us never forget that all Christians are called to be missionaries. There are missionaries that are called to leave it all and travel to foreign lands and there are those of us who are called to serve as missionaries right here in the heart of North Carolina!

Jesus says we are light. Light is most needed in and around darkness. The light is not supposed to gather together with the other lights or attend a light convention. The light is supposed to shine in the darkness.

On Sunday, you were given a hard copy invitation for you to hand out to some other family or friend who needs Christ and the love of His people. Here is the deal, if we are ever going to be the light of the world, we have to intentionally develop relationships with non-Christians. It’s too easy to slip into the Christian bubble. The Pastoral Team of this church is ever challenging one another to move out and burst that Christian bubble. Here are a few closing questions for you to consider:

* Who might God want you to reach?

* When and how can you invest in that relationship? (Put it on the calendar or it won't happen)

* Where or how can you invite them to Christ or a newhope environment?


Jesus Christ said, "You are the light of the world..." (Matthew 5)

Lessons from Disney for the Church...

As many of you know, I am Orlando, Florida. I just finished a conference on leading the church in the 21st Century and now will join the fam for some R and R vacation!

Everything here revolves around Disney. And as you know, everything in my life revolves around newhope. As such, I believe we can learn A LOT from the folks at Disney.

Did you know that a person visiting a Disney theme park will experience 60 “encounters” with Disney’s people during each visit. That means 60 chances for “magic” or “misery” with every guest! At newhope, we have always talked about the number of "touches" a guest will experience.

If Disney offers about 60, it made me question again the number of touches every newcomer receives during a weekend visit at newhope: parking their cars, receiving their Connect Card, speaking with an usher, shaking hands, meeting their children's leaders, buying a sermon CD at the Resource Center, going to the restroom, grabbing a cup of coffee - whatever.

Here's the bottom line, Disney’s leadership gets the Vision of Walt Disney. If Disney succeeds people will experience temporary happiness. But our Leader, Jesus Christ, has established a similar, yet different Vision for His Church. Jesus always reached out and touched those seeking Him or struggling in life. If Christ's Church does not succeed in her efforts, eternal joy is at stake - not just a few hours of happiness.

Make not mistake about it - leadership in the church is critical and ETERNAL JOY HANGS IN THE BALANCE. The Bible says this:


”If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” – Romans 12:8

Peace and lead well...

Dear Church Shopper

One of the things that bothers me most in Christian leadership is the ever growing popularity of "Church Shoppers". You might think it sounds great and fits right in with our culture's obsession with self and choice, but that might just be the very problem. There is a huge difference between looking for a great church and becoming a life-long church shopper.

Tim Stevens, a great blogger, recently posted this article - I LOVE IT:


Dearest Career Church Hopper:

I met you again on Wednesday, the same person smiling at me through a different face, telling me that you've been shopping for churches for months now, and that darn it, you "just can't find one (you) like." The music's too rocky at this one, you said; the preacher too funny at that one. The latest one might make the cut, though: you'd had the pastor and his wife over the previous evening for a little "dinner audition" -- your words, not mine -- and he said things that made you feel good and comfortable, things that you already agree with, so you're thinking about sticking around. At the very least, you could get your teaching from this church and your worship from that one.

I'm sure we'll run into each other again, but before we do, I'd like to suggest some things you could perhaps think about before you move on to the next church, as I'm sure you will, whether this weekend or next year:

* Christ didn't bleed for the Church so you could treat your search for one like an episode of Survivor, deciding who to vote off the island this week.
* The Church was not commissioned by Christ to meet your needs. You ARE the Church, and you've been commissioned to meet the needs of the world.
* Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25). Quit treating his bride like a Jesus buffet where you can pick and choose what you like, hedging your bets against the pain and sacrifice of making a commitment.
* Per scripture's instructions to use your gifts in service to the Body of Christ -- and its lack of instruction to search for a church that scratches you where you itch -- you might want to consider what the Church you're visiting needs from you, rather than the other way around.
* If you only want to hear things you already know and agree with, save your Sundays and talk to yourself in the bathroom mirror.

Sincerely,
The Preacher's Wife

Orlando and the Church

Can you say hot? It is smokin in Florida. I hear it is burning up in NC, as well.

I am in all day meetings to discuss the future of the church in the 21st Century. We will be talking about theological and dotrinal issues, church polity, faithful ministry, reaching more and more of the world for Jesus Christ, and releasing faithful and fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

This is an invite only kind of deal, so I am honored and around some amazing leaders that I respect. I am enjoying the hang out time more than the business times. If you know me at all, you know I can only take so many meetings. So, pray for me, but more importantly, pray for the church. We will be at this for 6 straight days. (Come Lord Jesus :-))

Here is the place where they have put us up for the week. Can you say sweet?!


















Here is a view from my window. Yes, that is a golf course out there, across from the parking lot. I played it Sunday evening with a dear friend and let me tell you - I miss the game of golf.

We are about to take a break and I need a latte. Have a good one - peace...

One Prayer

I shared with the church on Sunday our plans to start the One Prayer sermon series on June 29th. To say I am fired up is the understatement of the year. This initiative is one of the most Kingdom minded experiences to come down in a long time.

I really believe the magnitude of this series is going to change the face of Church for a long time to come! It is unusual to hear about 2 or 3 churches working together - just imagine what will happen when over 1200 biblically based churches link arms. I literally get goose bumps just thinking about the potential.

During this series we will have the privilege of hearing from some of the pastors that have greatly shaped my life. Trust me, you do NOT want to miss a single Sunday between June 29th and July 27th.

Here is a map indicating the representation of the 1200+ churches participating in One Prayer. Will you pray for this movement?



Prayer Request: Would you join me in asking God to show up in a huge way and connect churches all over this land to the Great Commission and Great Commandment. Pray that God anoints these churches with favor and impact for the Kingdom. newhope, let us never forget that we are on the same team with other churches. In fact, the vision to Reach, Teach, and Release involves releasing other church to high impact, glory, and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ! Together, we can accomplish so much more than we ever can alone!

Sunday Night Download...

* It's 7 pm and I just awakened from quite possibly the longest nap ever. I feel like I have been thrown under the proverbial bus and kicked really hard every time I tried to get out. :-)

* WOW - that was an amazing Sunday. The image of 1,000's of sins written down on black pieces of paper and nailed to the cross will forever be a vivid memory. That was VERY powerful - thanks God.

* I struggle with needing to talk to people after that kind of Worship while needing to start the next service. I don't know how to handle that tension. It kills me to see people needing ministry and prayer while the band and next Worship celebration is starting.

* I am not sure how I will pass from this life into the next, but I hope it is right after I preach the gospel's power over sin and gift of grace. It simply doesn't get any better than that.

* It was cool to pray over and send off our two Missions Teams! That is two great groups of solid believers going into the world to make disciples. (Matthew 28)

* I love this Gospel series.

* Fishing with four guys at Jordan lake in the morning. We are meeting at the landing at 5 pm - you nor Jesus will probably be up that early. :-) (BTW - God never sleeps - that was a joke)

* It is starting to rain. I love Sunday EVENING showers.

* It was intense in worship this morning.

* Nena, our exchange student, only has two months left before returning to Mexico. We will miss her BIG time.

* Stoked about the One Prayer series starting June 29th. This is sooooo Kingdom Minded and now close to 1,000 churches will participate. Through our collective offerings, we will help start 500 new churches around the world - churches that will preach Christ, feed the poor, and offer freedom to the captives.

* I will spend the rest of my life trying to comprehend the presence and power of Jesus on the wonderful cross.

* Looking forward to the Anitqua Missions Trip in July. This will be the first Missions Trips for my twins boys, Benjamin and Wesley. Please pray for us.

* Have you ever watched 60 Minutes? I watch it every Sunday evening at 7 pm.

* Baseball, soccer, and softball are over! I think I hear the angels singing. :-) It has been a great season of coaching the kiddos but busy beyond words. Our family needs a break from sports.

* We have a huge All Staff Party at the house tomorrow night. This includes all pastors, staff, spouses, and children. Should be a blast.

* Catch you Tuesday or Wednesday with another post.

* Peace...