ChurchPlanters.com "Giving You Permission"

Part 4 of 5: Why Am I Here?

I love to write.  I don't write books because it cool or I'm good at it.  I write books because there is something intrinsically in me that drags my thoughts out on paper in the  form of words.  A few years back I heard Len Sweet make a comment that the movement of God is like a tornado...in that it touches down randomly...here...here...here...he went on to say that we would see a huge impact if we could only figure out how to connect the dots.  I remember thinking I want to spend the rest of my life connecting dots.  That's exactly what I try to do through my writing.   

Writing is part of the answer to the question "Why Am I Here?"'  However it is not writing for writing sake...Writing for me has been a journey...and it is becoming even more of a journey...When I wrote Breaking the Missional Code with my friend Ed Stetzer, God began to show me something about my heart.  As a result I just finished a second book that will be out in May call Breaking the Discipleship Code: Becoming a Missional Follower of Jesus.  It is a sequel to the first.  If Missional Code helped you as a leader then Discipleship Code is going to be the book you want to put in the people you lead hands. 

Something happened to me when I was writing the Discipleship Code.  I broke the discipleship code for me.  That's right...God spoke to me...He continues to do so....he showed me that  breaking the discipleship code is about losing my religion and finding the Jesus way.  Something I will be working on the rest of my life. 

I'm now on a new journey...I am working devotionally through a new book that is designed to serve as a sort of detox for the overly religious...I really want to invite others to join me in the journey of rediscovering the centrality and simplicity of the Jesus way.  I believe we've made this thing way to complicated. 

That's why I write...it is how God works in my life...it's part of "Why I am Here?"' We all have a story.  We all are living out our book.  We will all have a final chapter.  Some of us write, while others speak.  While other chose to remain silent.

I write....Just like right now...I wrote this for me.  I hope it helps you...david

Part 3 of 5: Why Am I Here?

I want to take this opportunity to talk about church planting and ChurchPlanters.com.  Church planting is a huge part of why I am here.  It is a calling.  It doesn't go away.  Early on I was a church planter and now I help church planters.  Just over three years ago a left a major church planting organization where I was very involved in working with church planters to join the the ministry team of a three year old church plant and founded ChurchPlanters.com with Shawn Lovejoy.  I just can't get it out of my system. 

This past week we had 17 teams come to our campus where we spent 24 hours pouring into them through one of our Best Practices Practicums.  It was awesome.  I was overwhelmed by the fact that we were able to help these guys at some point.  I know God spoke loud into their lives.  That's why we exist.  When they go back and experience a breakthrough, we succeed.  Over half of them signed up for our next Coaching Network which means we are going to have the opportunity to journey with these guys over the next six months.  I love this because over an extended period of time together we will see life changing results.  These guys are going to be encouraged, there churches are going to be more focused, disconnected people are going to be reached, and God's Kingdom is going to be advanced.  What an honor. 

Our mission is simple at ChurchPlanters.com...to give you permission to do what it takes.  We really believe that there are a lot of things and people that kick us and keep us down.  What we really need is someone who says "go for it...you can do it."  We believe that the best thing we can do is help you with perspective and then give you permission.  The rules of engagement has changed...when this happens in the battle field there is often confusion.  We want to bring clarity and be the guys who encourage you to take the hill. 

Our Strategy is simple....

1) The Conference - Once a year we have a large gathering of church planters and church planting leaders at Mountain Lake Church.  This year we will have some 600 or so church planters.  We have a really neat line up of leaders and it is going to be awesome.  It is here that we build relationships, encourage church planters, and get all fired up about the mission of reaching those who are disconnected from Christ and the church.  You can check it out or register for this years conference at www.churchplanters.com.  It will happen on February 18-19, 2008 and will include guys like Steven Furtick, Bil Cornelius, Mark Batterson, Darrin Patrick, Gabe Lyons, Devin Hudson, Shawn Lovejoy and many more.  It is going to be awesome.

2) Best Practice Practicums -  A couple of times a year we offer a Best Practice Practicum for guys who we connect with and they want to go to the next level of relationship and information.  Our Practicums are designed to give them our Best Practices and help them drill into their own ministries and make ministry changing applications. 

3) Coaching Networks - For those guys who are really serious about a relationship and want support, encouragement, perspective, coaching, and resourcing on an on-going bases we have our coaching networks.  Our networks are design for 8 to 12 lead church planters and meet over six months for once a month. 

4) Church Planting Residency - Because we are local church based we are able to offer a residency program right out of Mountain Lake Church.  The Residency consist of guys who are willing to spend a year with us before they launch there church plants.  Through the residency ministry we look for high impact leaders who will take what they learn and over time turn it into a movement. 

5) Church Planting Networks - Realizing that none of us can do everything God has put in our hearts we are forming a network for launching new churches.  We use our conferencing and coaching to fund our ministry in order that we might put 100% of any funds committed to supporting church planters into their church planting ministry.  It pretty cool to create an organization that no only resources church planters, but also allows other to contribute and partner together for planting churches in a way that 100% of there dollars gets to the field.   If you are looking for a church planter to support or a network to parter with in making a huge difference then we can help.  We are currently building networks to support two new church plants in Cincinnati, Ohio and Columbus, Georgia.

Why am I here?  Well here is one of the four reasons, I exit to come along side of church planters.  What an awesome privilege to do what you were created for and to do it in a way to advance His Kingdom. 

Part 2: Family Man First and Foremost

I am so stoked...my son is coming home tomorrow...that's right he called last night at 2:00 AM to let me know that he would be arriving in HOT ATL Saturday at 7:20 am.  He will be home for the next 18 days.  My daughter will be arriving today around 4:00 pm.  Let the party begin...kill the fatted calf...get the robe and don't forget the ring. 

Here is we I'm going to do over the next eighteen days...

1) According to my wife be at the airport tomorrow by like 4:00 am.  She doesn't want to be late. 

2) Go to I-Hop first thing Sunday Morning.  My son plans on eating at every fast food place and I-Hop every morning. 

3) Help lead a Best Practice Practicum.  Dang it...been on the calendar a long time...however it is going to be awesome and it at MLC so I don't have to leave town.  I hope I can get my son to come by and hang out with us a little. 

4) Shop for motorcycles.  Dave is planning on ordering a Harley Night Rider so we want to go check them out and I'm looking for something so I can cruise the country with him once he gets back.

5) Watch movies and play a lot of playstation. 

6) Go fishing...since he doesn't want to camp...we will go catch some good size bass. 

7) Have a big party on November 3rd.  We have all of our family coming in from out of town and a bunch of friends coming over.  I think we have nearly a hundred people confirmed.

8) Attend church together as a family.  Since I am taking a lot of time off it will be neat just to go to church together.

9) Maybe take a road trip or two. 

With all this said...please remember to pray for our troops...my son spent his last two days in Afghanistan in the Hospital visiting 12 guys from the 82nd Airborne 3rd Platoon that got caught in an ambush.  One of them lost his leg...another got hit in the groan area...all of them were cut up with shrapnel and shot up.  These are the guys he served with.  He called me and asked me to pray for them.  I asked him how he was doing with it and he told me he was mad and wanted to go back and take care of business.  Coming home is hard on these soldiers...they are so committed to each other. 

When you worship this weekend thank God for your religious freedoms and pray for our troops...pray for peace on earth and good will toward all men.  Thanks.....david

Part 1 of 5: Why Am I Here

During the Catalyst Conference I picked up a book by Reggie McNeal, Get A Life! It is All About You.  I'm not sure this title is my favorite, but I get what Reggie is saying.  Reggie is a friend that goes back a long way.  There was a time in my ministry that he encouraged me and saved my ministry...probably my life and family.  I owe Reggie a lot.  He is a great leader and even better missionary to the North American church.  Anything Reggie writes is worth the read. 

I picked up the book because it is interactive and I am talking with a publisher about writing a book that allows for a lot of interaction and processing.  I thought it would be good to see how Reggie did it. 

As I read through the book it hit me that  it would do be well to refocus my life on why I am here.  I don't feel that I have lost my way.  In many ways I am more focused and have more purpose then ever.  However, I do realize more everyday I have limited time here on earth.  I am 48 years old...now I must confess a very young 48...as my son said, "the new 24". 

As I've reflected on Reggie's book I realize there are four areas that I am incredibly called to and passionate about.  Here is how I see it:

1) I am a family man first and foremost.  I have the privilege of spending the rest of my life investing in wife and two children.  Matter of fact my son will arrive home for 18 days this weekend from Afghanistan.  It will be the first time we have seen him in nearly a year.  We can't wait.  At the end of the 18 days he will return to the front lines of the War on Terror.  You better believe that we will spend everyday as if it is our last.  I can't wait.  It is going to be so good to hang out as with my wife and two children. 

2) I am a pastor.  God has called me to the local church.  The local church is our front lines on the War on Sin.  Jesus tells us that "the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  I have come that you might have life and have it to the full".  John 10:10  The local church is the context in which the rest of my life is informed. 

3)  I am a missionary.  That's right a missionary.  I really thing we all are or at least should be.  I am a missionary to the North American church.  God has called me to work toward the re-planting and the renewal of the North American Church.  All of my ministry has been about helping the church become relevant to North America and the way you become relevant is to become like Jesus.  This is where ChurchPlanters.com comes in.  It is the means in which I relate and connect with other young leaders and churches.  I will tell you more in my next few blogs. 

4) I am a writer.  I don't know why I am a writer, but I have always wanted to write.  It is just something that God has put in me that has to find some kind of expression.  I have always been good at figuring things out, connecting the dots.  I'm about to start on book four and five.  I will write one of them with my ministry partner, Shawn Lovejoy and the other will be a follow up on Breaking the Discipleship Code.  I really believe both will be helpful to a lot of people. 

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to flesh out how all four are these areas are key to me living out my life and mission.  I'm doing this for me.  Sort of a reminder of why on earth I am here.  I don't want to ever forget...but I hope it will encourage you as well.  I hope you will be reminded that God has a very special plan for your life and you too are important to the kingdom... 

Family, Family, Family...

In eight days my son will start home from Afghanistan for an 18 day leave from the US Army.  We are going to have a blast...we are going to do whatever my son wants to do...Here is what he has communicated he wants to do:

1.  Sleep in a bed...when I suggested we go camping he said he thought he might pass since he has spent the majority of the pass ten months under the stars.

2.  Eat fast food everyday...currently he eats one MRE a day when he's out and enjoys the Mess Hall when he's not on mission. 

3.  Take lots of showers...he has gone as long as three weeks without a shower and uses a complete bar of soap when he comes in and takes his first shower. 

4.  Shop for a Harley...his mom is concern that driving a bike can be dangerous...I don't think I will talk with him about danger considering he has been hit by and IED, and been shot at regularly by terrorist.

5.  Talk about life and all kinds of stuff...because of security and what he does much of our conversations have responses like "top secret" or we will talk later due to security issues over the phone and internet. 

6.  Party, Party, Party....On November 3 we are going to throw a big party for him.  His birthday is the 4th so it will be great to be able to celebrate his birth and his service as an All American Hero.  Each moment he is home we are going to celebrate and party. 

Most of these things we take for granted....thanks to all of our troops who pay such an incredible price....as you approach life today...celebrate it and say a pray for our troops. 

Nurture Spiritual Vitality

I know two days in a row!  I told you I am back.  The book is done.  I can't wait for you to read it this when it is released this Spring. 

Right after joining the Mountain Lake team just over three years ago I have a conversation with Bil Cornelius.  Bil (that's right one l) has done an amazing job as pastor of Bay Area Fellowship in Corpus Christi, Texas.  They have grown from 0 to 7000 over the past nine years.  I still remember when Bil was getting started.  I am so proud of him.  When we was just over 1000 in weekend attendance I asked Bil what had to happen for us to break through the next barrier I will never forget what he said, "You have got to take care of the leader."  At first I didn't understand what he was saying, but I come to understand that he is right on.  As the leader goes so does the church.  Churches consistently grow into the size of that their lead guy can lead.  It simply the way things are.  That is why it is so important that to the leader nurtures his vitality. 

If you are a church planter you have got to take care of yourself.  You have got to nurture physical, spiritual, emotional, relational, and spiritual vitality.  This doesn't happen automatically, but is the results of the leader practicing the discipline of self-development. 

On October 22-23, 2008 we are offering a Best Practice Practicum for church planters and lead pastors of new churches.  One aspect of the practicum will be to come along side of these leaders and help them develop a personal plan for nurturing vitality.  Make plans now to join us for this event at Mountain Lake Church.  It is going to be a blast.  For more information visit www.churchplanters.com

Overtime Upset

I am up to my ears with this book....one week to my dead line...thank God!  I promise when I'm done I am jumping back into the blogging world...

I just got off of the phone with my mom....She was updating me on her life...let me fill you in...it is a story worth hearing.

For the last twenty something years she has had a terminal form of Cancer.  In the last five years the doctor told her she was fast approaching a time when treatment was going to be ineffective.  She took her health care in her own hands.  She found a clinical trial at MD Anderson.  She is now in remission for the first time in 20 years...the doctors think that this research is going to lead to a cure.  Amazing!  More recently she had a pacemaker put in to regulate her heart beat and ultimately her blood pressure which often hovered around the point of a major stroke due to her blood disorder.  Her heart and blood pressure has now radically changed for the positive. 

Today she told me she is going back to work.  She retired ten years ago after teaching art in the public school.  Now she is going back!  She loves kids and art and sees it as her calling.  She is past retirement age and she doesn't need the money, but she is going back. 

It was the forth quarter with seconds to go...with a miracle play she has pushed the game into overtime.  She is well on her way to an upset.  She she is one of my hero's in life.  I told her that today.  Regardless of what life brings her in the future.  Regardless of what happens with her disease, she wins! 
We too, can win.  Church planting is tough...but in Jesus we win! 

Staying in the Race

I remember back in 1989 attending a Purpose Driven Church Conference and hearing Rick Warren speak for the very first time.  God used him to speak into my life.  I don't recall the name of his message, but his points were lighten up, line up, and look up....Isn't that weird how you remember that stuff. Under lighten up his points were relax daily, rest weekly, and retreat annually.  This is good advice for all of us that tend to drive ourselves and others way to hard...

So this week I'm spending the week at Destin, Florida retreating....the only thing I would add to what Rick had to say is retreating annually just isn't enough for most of us living in a high pace world and a high intensity ministry like church planting.   

Remember life is a journey, don't forget to stop at the rest area....

Coaching:Learning Your Way Into the Future!

First let me give you the official number for our two weeks of Baptisms: 346 life changing stories of people who with public with their faith through baptism!  That's right!  It was absolutely amazing.  Next week we are going to post a resource that you can utilize for your own H20 series. 

On to Coaching...I spend a lot of my time coaching leaders.  It begins with our own team.  We have young team of guys with lots of questions about their ministry area.  They are learners so they are constantly reading, networking, and asking key questions.  I love it.  I also spend a lot of time coaching church planters.  I will meet with one tomorrow.  I can't wait.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to met another new church planter; Steve Furtick.  Steve is pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC.  Elevation Church is one year old and they have 1600 people attending their weekend worship services.  You heard me right!  1600! 

Steve and his team had come to Atlanta to meet with North Point and stopped by to meet with our team at Mountain Lake Church.  As I sat there and mostly listened to the conversations that were happening in the room it hit me.  Both Steve Furtick and Shawn Lovejoy the founding and lead pastor of MLC are learners.  It was obvious that both of these guys are fact finders and did their homework prior to planting their churches.  It was also obvious that they continue to learn their way forward.  They are just as eager to learn today as they were prior to launching their churches. 

This is a value they share with the most effective church planters and leaders in the nation.  One of the best practices that we talk about in our Best Practices of Effective Church Planters is their commitment to self leadership.  The best of the best understand that before they lead others they have to lead themselves.  Leadership happens from the inside out, not the outside in. 

This was a great reminder of why we do what we do at ChurchPlanters.  In late April we will launch a new coaching network in the Atlanta area.  I can't wait to see the guys that will make up this network.  More importantly I can't wait to see what happens in their ministries throughout the rest of 2007 as iron sharpens iron. 

Learning Our Way Into the Future

The most effective church planters are learners.  Ed Stetzer did a study of the North American Mission Board Church Planting System while he was working for me that demonstrated clearly that churches that grow larger faster were lead by leaders who were in multiple mentoring relationships.  These church planters described these mentoring relationship as frequently as weekly.  While I don't know of any mentoring or coaching ministry in the country that mentors or coaches on a weekly bases the research demonstrates a number of things I have observed over the years.  They are:

1.  The most effective church planters are learners.  They are constantly paying attention to what is happening in culture and who are the other churches and church leaders that are best addressing those changes.

2.  The most effective church planters learn their way into the future.  They view failure differently.  They understand that failure is a simple setback that allows you to assess where you are and to move forward with new resolve and perspective.  They literally learn as they go.

3.  The most effective church planters do due diligence.  They are relentless about investigating the facts.  When they pull the trigger on a decision they have done their home work.

4.  The most effective church planters debrief experiences.  One of the most beneficial things we do every Saturday night is debrief our Saturday night services.  Once this is done we implement change by the time our Sunday morning services rolls around.  It is a lot of hard work, but makes a huge difference. 

5.  The most effective church planters participate in learning networks.  Effective church planters learn from effective church planters.  They come together formally and informally.  They call, do lunch, meet at conferences, join coaching networks together.  They are very intentional about the who of learning networks.

6.  The most effective church planters have lots of informal mentors.  They follow leaders who share a similar philosophy and who help them move the ball down the court.  They may never meet these leaders, but they learn from them. 

Make plans to checkout a breakout at our ChurchPlanters Redone Conference designed for learners; Fast-forwarding Your Church Plant by Participating in Learning Communities. See you there.