Posted by Bryan | 7 Comments
Where do I start?
I don’t even know where to start. I started this weekend as an Executive Pastor and after this morning I am now the senior pastor (but not at The ROCK). Let me give you a quick recap.
On Friday night, we kicked the weekend off with The ROCK’s Got Talent. I knew we had a lot of talent but we found a lot of new talent on Friday. I’ll post more pics in a few days.
Yesterday, Noah and Adam had their first football games of the season. Noah won 13-0 and he was an animal. Adam won 21-0 (sorry Daryl) and scored his first extra point ever!
Last night, our whole staff and their families had a cookout at Mom and Dad’s house. It was an amazing night as everyone gathered around Mom, Dad, Jen and me to pray for us.
This morning, I arrived at church as an associate pastor at The ROCK and left the senior pastor of ROCK CHURCH. Everyone will begin to see the name change work it’s way into church life around here. I’ll blog more over the next few days about the decision to refine our church name.
Carolyn did an amazing job on the new van wraps. It was such a blast to be able to unveil them today as a part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration. Thank you Carolyn for believing in the vision.
One of the things that really moved me this morning (there were a lot) was the video Carolyn put together. I believe the song says it all. He is the God of this city and we are going to let them know how much He loves them. So, I leave this video and the promise that I will try over the next few days to put this weekend into better words.
Prayer for Louisiana
I just communicated with Pastor Dino Rizzo at Healing Place in Baton Rouge. They are in the process of mobilizing and bracing for Gustav. As Matthew and our FlipSide Baton Rouge team were serving at the HP Dream Center a few weeks ago, they saw first hand the great need in that area.
I believe it is important for all of us to pray through this weekend for the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast as they brace for this storm. I let Pastor Dino know that if Healing Place needs The ROCK’s help, we will mobilize and partner with them.
Pastor Dino will keep everyone updated via Twitter at twitter.com/dinorizzo.
So, stop right now and pray for their safety. Pastor Dino said that there is fear because of the outcome of Hurricane Katrina. So pray for stability and peace in the midst of this storm.
We’ll keep you posted.
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Unauthorized Guest Post: Jeff Kapusta
My good friend, Jeff Kapusta, is the lead pastor at Lifepoint Church. He is a part of Perry Noble’s Coaching Network (I will not be jealous, I will not be jealous). This morning, he posted some of his notes from their last coaching day. This is some amazing stuff. So, I am openly plagiarizing Jeff. Enjoy!
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During the coaching network Perry drew this picture on the whiteboard.
The picture breaks down into 3 levels.
The Dream Zone/Ministry: 10-6
- God calls us to live here.
- This is where you are hitting on all cylinders.
- We love what we are doing.
- We are always asking, “What’s next?”
- You still have bad days but they don’t ruin your day.
The Drained Zone/Tired: 5-2
- You are always tired.
- You are always stressed.
- You can’t enjoy the big days because you believe it’s just going to drop next week.
- You are Pessimistic.
- You goal is to just keep the plates spinning.
- You tell yourself that things are gonna slow down soon.
- When in this zone you face 4 dangers:
- Pride-You think, “I’ve got to do more. Be first. Nobody can do it as good as me.”
- Fear-You think, “Everything’s gonna fall apart.”
- Insecurity-You think, “Maybe I can’t do this.”
- Burn Out-This is where you quit or disqualify yourself from ministry.
- NOTE: It takes a life altering decisions to get out of the drained zone.
Danger Zone: 2-0
- At this point a person usually falls Financially or Sexually.
- When you get here, only repentance will save you.
- At this stage you think, “I hope nobody catches me.”
Where are you? I believe Gods plan is for all of us to function in the Dream Zone. However, most of us are living in the Drained Zone. What life altering decision do you need to make to get out of the Drained Zone and into the Dream Zone?
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Tomorrow Jeff will post Perry’s thoughts about getting out of the Drained Zone. You should go subscribe to Jeff’s blog so you don’t miss it.
Read MoreSome thoughts on my legacy
Many years ago, my Mom and Dad had a horrible marriage. Our family was falling a part. It even got so bad that they discussed calling it quits.
But, they didn’t!
They could have given up. Few people would have second guessed their decision if they did.
But, they didn’t!
We went from living in a huge house in an exclusive neighborhood to living in the back two bedrooms of my Grandparents house. My parents left the ministry for a season and my dad sold used cars… old… used cars. Mom and Dad went through a season of being broken and allowed God to show them how to put the pieces back together.
When my Dad stepped back into the ministry, it was with a whole different perspective. Our family is better because of it. Mom and Dad’s ministry is stronger and more effective than it has ever been. It’s obvious if you look around our church today.
Listen very closely to yourself as you read these next few lines out loud.
If you don’t have a healthy family, you can’t have a healthy church. Your relationship with Christ is the only thing that should be placed over family. Ministry should never come before building a strong family.
If I cannot love Jennifer the way she deserves, I will never be able to lead our church in a way that honors God.
My parents are leaving me a legacy by their example. Their marriage is strong because they work to make it strong. This church is strong because they have led us the same way they have lead their family.
Mom and Dad, thank you for showing us how it’s done. We will honor you in this new season by leading the way you showed us.
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