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Quick Hits

July 28, 2008 in Books, Church, Personal with 2 Comments

Monday quick hits:

  1. Getting closer to moving in to our house.  Our furniture arrives on Thursday but we probably won’t close until at least next week do to some “title issues.”  The owner is going to let us move in on Thursday so hopefully everything works out well.
  2. Heard from my attorney this morning and my incorporation papers are at the SC Secretary of State’s office.  I’ll officially have a church within the week (I hope.)  I promise once that process is finished, I’ll reveal the name of the church.  
  3. Hoping to make some more progress on the look of the church (the logo, website, etc.)  I can’t wait to share with you guys what it all looks like.
  4. I’ll also be working on one the best parts of starting a church, FUNDRAISING.  No, it’s not the most fun but it’s very important.  I cannot wait to meet the folks God has out there that are ready to partner with me financially to make a difference here in MB.  It takes funds to fund God’s vision and I am looking for churches and individuals to help.
  5. If you would like to partner with me financially, email me.  (If you are wondering what “partner with me financially” means, it means “send money to help support the church.”  Just wanted to make that clear.)
  6. Still reading lots of books as well.  I just read Launch by Nelson Searcy on Friday and loved it.  I’ll probably be treating it like a workbook for the next month or so.  It’s so practical.  
  7. Really starting to look and pray for the right worship leader to join the team down here.  I prefer someone who wants to be a part of the team and will look for that first, but may have to use a “hired gun” if it comes to that.  If you or someone you know has mad skills as a musician AND loves Jesus AND loves his bride the church AND loves people that are currently far from God AND is willing to do whatever it takes to reach those people even if that may mean doing some things that have never been done before AND has the ability to follow and submit to leadership . . . email me.  We should talk.
  8. Seriously, I know God has the right person out there . . . it might be you.  Just let me know.
  9. Happy Birthday to Angie Burton, one of the coolest gals I know!
  10. David starts his second round of swimming lessons today (without mom in the pool) and is almost fully potty trained.  Yeah, we’re pretty stoked!
And I’m out.  Have a great Monday.  
If anything today made you want to email me, go ahead and do it.  You know you want to.

Confessions of a Reformission Rev

July 17, 2008 in Books with Comments Off

Recently, I read Confessions of a Reformission Rev by Mark Driscoll.  It was the first of many books I plan to read as I start the new church in Myrtle Beach.  As I read the books, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and takeaways with you.

On to the book.  These are the notes I took while reading the book.  These are quotes that I loved, thoughts I had, or things I found interesting.

There are 4 Priorities upon which Mars Hill is based:

  1. Christology- who Jesus is and what he has done
  2. Ecclesiology- proper understanding of church leadership
  3. Missiology- the best way for the church to expand the kingdom
  4. Ministry- the church serving others in culture 

One huge thing I learned from Mark is that prayer and scripture reading are the only way to build the cores of any church, including mine.  He is constantly talking in the book about studying and seeking God over these issues and decisions.  There are many ideas out there, but only God can give me the vision for his church.  I appreciate Mark’s transparency on this issue.

“The church has two simultaneous missions: going out into culture (missional ministry) and bringing people into God’s kingdom, of which the church is an outpost (attractional ministry.)”

His study of ecclesiology was interesting.  He seems to be very strong on “elder rule,” yet most of the book talks about the decisions he made, not the elders.  Wonder how that really plays itself out.

As a church of 1,000, Mark decided to never view his church as a church, but rather as a church plant with a launch team trying to reach his city (Cool way to view the church and something to remember for the future).

“The 3,000 barrier is the most difficult of any church size to overcome.” 

When things finally seemed to be going well and settling in, he felt God lead him to make massive changes.  They worked.  God never seems to want us to get too comfortable.  We must always be relying on him for wisdom, strength, provision, etc.  If the vision doesn’t require God to complete it, its not from God

“My kids are my first disciples.” 

Really glad I read this book.  It gave me a new insight into Mark, Mars Hill and the work that God is doing.  It also provided some cool insights into Mark’s personal walk with God and how he wrestled and is still wrestling with issues of how to best lead his church.  Mark’s a guy trying his hardest to hear from God and do what God says.  At the end of the day, how can you do anything but applaud a guy like that?  May someday people say that I sought to listen to God and do what he says.  

Any thoughts?  Have you read the book?  Any books you would suggest I read?