Posted by Bryan | 2 Comments

Passing the baton

Today I preached what could very well be my last message as an associate pastor. Next Sunday, Dad will pass the baton of leadership to me as I lead the next season of ministry at The ROCK.

I talked about where we are headed as a church in this new season. The reality is that we will not run a different race. We are just going to turn it up several notches and kick things in to high gear.

It does not matter how well you run your leg of the race if you do not successfully place the baton in the hand of the next runner. This was made very evident this last week as the men’s and women’s 4×100 relay teams dropped the baton in a semi-final heat. They didn’t even make it to the finals because they failed to transition from one runner to the next. They were disqualified.

The key to a successful baton pass is dependent on the new runner taking off fast enough to keep the momentum going but not so fast that he leaves before the baton is passed. He doesn’t look back. He just holds his outstretched hand behind him and feels for the baton. The baton holder must place the baton firmly in his hand and release it. Then it’s on! The new runner turns the heat up and runs for everything he’s worth.

Once the next runner hears his approaching team-mate yell “GO!”, he never looks back. He doesn’t stop for small talk. He has a job to do.

When the race is over, every member of the winning team stands on the podium to receive their award. No member of the relay team is more important than the others. They all run with a common goal.

Next Sunday, one of the most amazing leaders I know will pass the baton of leadership to me. We will not drop it. We will not go backwards. We will continue to run the race God has set before us. I am so excited that I can see our time coming!

Hold on ROCKERS, we’re about to kick it into another gear!

I believe the message today was the most powerful message God has ever allowed me to deliver. I was humbled and in awe of what God is about to do.

Carolyn will post the podcast of today’s message early this week HERE.

BOX SCORES
429 in attendance (we just keep growing!)
9 people raised their hands and give their lives to Christ!
God was glorified.
We were all challenged.

Don’t lurk, contribute! Tell us, what was your favorite part of church today? Even if it wasn’t at The ROCK.

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This morning at The ROCK

What an amazing day at The ROCK! Attendance was up. The worship team was awesome. Dad brought another amazing message reminding us of God’s faithfulness for the last ten years. FIVE PEOPLE COMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST!

It was good to have Jen back in the groove in Kid’s ROCK. Matthew and the Baton Rouge team made it back to town last night. Hopefully, Matthew will put some pics and video up on the FlipSide Blog soon. Go check it out.

Now we’re headed out for Reagan’s birthday party. I hear he’s having a Blue, Kung Fu Panda, pool party. Should be interesting.

Check out these pics from this morning.

Leave me a comment and tell me what God did at your church today?

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Posted by Bryan | 8 Comments

This is how

I wish I could say I wanted to go to church today. Actually, it was the last thing I wanted to do. After our weekend, I wanted to be with Jen at the hospital. But, I knew I had to bring the message today to finish our MORE series. How could I send someone else to bring a message that God wants All Of Me. So this is how you minister when you have been attacked.

You sit in a chair and make your life an example. Today I had the opportunity to paraphrase Isaiah 54:17.

No weapon formed against me will stop me.

I have given God all of me because that is what He demands. So, today I left Jen in the capable hands of our dear friend Helen and Terri and went on the war path.

I won’t be bullied by the Devil. I won’t back down. I will not be silenced. God is up to something huge.

Because rose above my feelings I experienced this.

and this…

or this…

In fact, you should just look at the gallery here.

Today, was one of the hardest days I can ever remember to be the leader. But, because I set that all aside…

• I had the privilege of baptizing 17 men, women and children who publicly professed that they have given their whole lives to Christ.
• A whole bunch of people recommitted to give God everything. After all, it’s all His anyway.
• I got to worship with my amazing church family.
• I was reminded again why I do this.
• We received a preliminary report that the CT and MRI scans show NO STROKE! They are currently diagnosing Jen as having a complicated migraine. More tests tomorrow.

Sometimes you have to admit the the weapon of the enemy has hit you. That you are hurt. That you are tired. But, that the weapon has not stopped you.

What if I had let the enemy stop me? Can you be stopped?

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Another church I don’t want to be

Pastor Tim Blevins is the real deal. I had the privilege of having lunch with him a few weeks ago and I left encouraged and inspired. Tim and his wife, Harriet, held the first service for Life Community on Easter Sunday of 2004 at Bradley Creek Elementary School. Over the last several years they have seen steady growth in their church. They currently meet in a building that was formerly Nevada Bob’s Golf Shop and have two services to accommodate their congregation.

On their website, Pastor Tim quotes John Wesley,

“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell.”

Anybody who quotes Wesley is a friend of mine and fellow trailblazer.

Life Community Church and The ROCK are two very different churches leading people in Wilmington toward the same God. Each of us have specific callings, purpose and destinies. That is what makes us unique and I celebrate that.

Why not comment and tell me about other church in our city that are rocking it for God?

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Even more churches I don’t want to be

I love the churches in our city. I pray for them often to be filled to overflowing with people giving their lives back to God. When I drive past them, I bless them. When I hear of what God is doing in them, I celebrate. When someone tries to put down a local church, I am quick to point out what I know is true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling and gracious about them.

Today, I want to tell you about two more amazing churches in our city.

Pastor Clay Ritter leads Calvary Chapel of Wilmington. I have had a few opportunities to experience their church. Last year, Jennifer and I were able to attend a Passover Seder with their congregation. The first Seder Pastor Clay ever attended was the one he led that night and he did an incredible job.

One of the best ways you can know a church from a distance is through it’s people. We know several members at Calvary. If they are an example of their church, then Calvary is an amazing place. I want God to bless Pastor Clay and Calvary with God-sized dreams. Then I want to see them live out those dreams.

Pastor Clay, keep listening to God’s voice and then leading in that direction. You are doing a great work and The ROCK loves you and your church.

Scotts Hill Baptist Church is at the other end of Sidbury Road (our address). Pastor Phil Ortego is a visionary leader who is blazing new trails with his church. Growth is not all about how many people are coming each week. Although Scotts Hill continues to grow numerically, their greatest growth is by helping their people grow in their relationship with Christ.

Today, I’ve been watching Pastor Phil’s message, “Growing Up In Jesus: The Carnal Christian“. He had some very good things to say.

Scotts Hill has a phenomenal youth ministry called Detour that is reaching hundreds of teens every week. They revere and respect their senior adults, they minister to the poor and they are actively involved in overseas missions. Wilmington would not be the same if Scotts Hill Baptist was not in our city. They are doing an amazing work. Pastor Phil, The ROCK loves your church.

Pastor Clay and Pastor Phil are great leaders. Even though I am not called to be either of these men, there is a lot that I could learn from them. Calvary Chapel of Wilmington and Scotts Hill Baptist Church are strong churches making a difference in our city. The ROCK was not called to be them. Instead, we are all parts of the body of Christ. Without them in our city, we would be incomplete.

God thank you for these amazing churches.

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