1. Another great day at People's Church. God has blessed us with some great momentum. Lives are being changed.
2. The testimony video we showed at People's Church was incredible. TJ was a drug dealer, drug user, gang banger and came to People's Church and God has changed his life! What an awesome God we serve!
3. We had a drumline play at church. They came through the back doors of the church and marched down the aisle to the front of the church, then turned left and went back up the aisle to the back of the church. The drumline tore it up! It was inspiring!
4. Yesterday was CRAZY Halftime at People's Church. Many people made commitments to tithe and to give over and above their tithe to the CRAZY Stewardship Campaign. I'm very excited to hear the testimonies flood in about how God has blessed people’s finances as they invest their resources into God's Kingdom. The greatest joy will be all the lives that are changed because of our faithfulness to give. It's all about more changed lives!
5. I had two fantasy football drafts this weekend. One on Saturday afternoon and the other on Sunday afternoon. I have a very strong team in one league, and my other team could do really well. If I had it over again, I would have drafted a little different on Sunday's draft. I have another draft tonight.
6. I taught a message yesterday called Conquering Giants.
7. I was very pleased with the way people responded to the message. I have a deep desire to see people experience the blessings of God. We must be faithful in the little things if we want to be in position to receive the big blessings of God. Small doors can open into big rooms!
8. We showed a Michael Jackson video on Sunday. I played Michael Jackson. It was a teaser video for what's coming up this Sunday! I'm not letting the cat out of the bag, but all I'm telling you is you better not miss this coming up Sunday at PC! You better get to church early and get ready to have a blast and have God change your life.
9. 500 More in September! Who have you invited to join you at People's Church this coming up Sunday? What are you waiting for? Get busy inviting everybody you know! Everybody needs forgiveness, grace and mercy!
10. I took my three oldest kids outside to play in the backyard on Saturday. Afterwards, we went on a family walk through the neighborhood. The weather was awesome this weekend. The little things in life mean the most.
11. Wicked begins this Sunday! It's the most evangelistic series we've ever done! It's going to be a great series. Buckle up and get ready for the ride!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday's Download
1. The Wednesday Connection was awesome last night! Hundreds of people came to the PC building for Bible study, food and fellowship. I am so excited to see so many people committed to growing closer to God and building God-honoring friendships! Be there next week at 7PM.
2. On Sunday, I'm teaching a message called Conquering Giants. Do you have any giants that you're facing in your life? Come this Sunday with a friend and learn how to conquer giants. I'm excited to teach this message to you!
3. On Sunday, we are turning in our CRAZY commitment cards. It's halftime of the CRAZY Stewardship Campaign, so be sure to pray over the next couple of days and ask God what He would have you give over and above the Lord's tithe over the next 18 months. God is going to do huge things in our finances and life as we respond in obedience to His voice.
4. Wicked is kicking off Labor Day Sunday. All I'm saying is you better not miss the opening Sunday of Wicked. We are going to do something that we've never done before. It's going to blow you away! You better get to church early and bring every friend you know to PC! I'm not letting the cat out of the bag, so you better be there on September 6.
5. Have you ever seen a drumline at church? All I'm saying is you better not miss THIS Sunday at PC! We have a special surprise up our sleeve!
6. This Sunday we are showing a video at church that brought tears to my eyes.
7. Cale has a flag football scrimmage tonight.
8. Case, my one year-old, is not walking yet, but he's pulling up on everything.
9. Fantasy football is in full swing. My first draft is on Saturday. I have four drafts next week. I am a fantasy football nut. It is a great outlet for me.
10. I beat my wife twice last night on Wii golf. I needed revenge because she beat me twice two nights ago.
11. Let's conquer some giants on Sunday!
2. On Sunday, I'm teaching a message called Conquering Giants. Do you have any giants that you're facing in your life? Come this Sunday with a friend and learn how to conquer giants. I'm excited to teach this message to you!
3. On Sunday, we are turning in our CRAZY commitment cards. It's halftime of the CRAZY Stewardship Campaign, so be sure to pray over the next couple of days and ask God what He would have you give over and above the Lord's tithe over the next 18 months. God is going to do huge things in our finances and life as we respond in obedience to His voice.
4. Wicked is kicking off Labor Day Sunday. All I'm saying is you better not miss the opening Sunday of Wicked. We are going to do something that we've never done before. It's going to blow you away! You better get to church early and bring every friend you know to PC! I'm not letting the cat out of the bag, so you better be there on September 6.
5. Have you ever seen a drumline at church? All I'm saying is you better not miss THIS Sunday at PC! We have a special surprise up our sleeve!
6. This Sunday we are showing a video at church that brought tears to my eyes.
7. Cale has a flag football scrimmage tonight.
8. Case, my one year-old, is not walking yet, but he's pulling up on everything.
9. Fantasy football is in full swing. My first draft is on Saturday. I have four drafts next week. I am a fantasy football nut. It is a great outlet for me.
10. I beat my wife twice last night on Wii golf. I needed revenge because she beat me twice two nights ago.
11. Let's conquer some giants on Sunday!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Signs Of Insecurity
1. You try to make yourself, your church, company, etc. look better by putting others down.
2. You get together with others and only talk about yourself.
3. You think you know it all (or close to it).
4. You don't learn from those behind or below you.
5. You won't allow others to help you.
6. You rarely say you are sorry to others.
7. You blame everybody else for where you are in life.
8. You look down on people.
9. You are consumed with what people think about you.
10. You try to make those around you fail so that you can look more successful.
2. You get together with others and only talk about yourself.
3. You think you know it all (or close to it).
4. You don't learn from those behind or below you.
5. You won't allow others to help you.
6. You rarely say you are sorry to others.
7. You blame everybody else for where you are in life.
8. You look down on people.
9. You are consumed with what people think about you.
10. You try to make those around you fail so that you can look more successful.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Questions Every Leader Should Ask Themselves
1. Am I obeying the voice of God? When God speaks, do I obey His voice even when I don't like it?
2. Am I growing as a leader? Have I improved in areas of my leadership over the last year or am I struggling with the same leadership issues?
3. What tough leadership decision do I need to make to take our organization to the next level? Often times, leaders are one tough decision away from a breakthrough.
4. Am I taking risks or playing it safe? When is the last time I risked everything, and God had to bail me out? There is nothing more exhilarating than risking it all and watching God do what only He can do!
5. Do I have the right people on the team and are they in the right role? Are the people around you a blessing or a burden? Do the people around you lift you or lower you? Do the people around you energize you or drain you? The right team member in the right role can take your organization to another level.
2. Am I growing as a leader? Have I improved in areas of my leadership over the last year or am I struggling with the same leadership issues?
3. What tough leadership decision do I need to make to take our organization to the next level? Often times, leaders are one tough decision away from a breakthrough.
4. Am I taking risks or playing it safe? When is the last time I risked everything, and God had to bail me out? There is nothing more exhilarating than risking it all and watching God do what only He can do!
5. Do I have the right people on the team and are they in the right role? Are the people around you a blessing or a burden? Do the people around you lift you or lower you? Do the people around you energize you or drain you? The right team member in the right role can take your organization to another level.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Weekend Highlights
1. My little princess had a birthday on Sunday. Caris turned 3 years old! She opened her gifts at home, and then she picked Freddy's for dinner and ice cream. I love that little girl so much!
2. I took my wife on a date Thursday night. We had a good time talking and laughing.
3. Cale is in half-day kindergarten. So after school on Friday, we hung out as a family. Tiffany and I rented a Red Box movie and relaxed after the kids went to bed.
4. We had a great Sunday at PC! People gave their lives to Christ!
5. Many people signed up to get plugged into a ministry! I am always excited to see people step out in faith and begin serving. The greatest in the Kingdom of God is the servant of all.
6. We had strong attendance.
7. Our church is in a season of prayer for CRAZY Halftime. PC, set aside time this week with your family and ask God what He would have you financially commit over and above your tithe for the next 18 months to see more lives changed. I'm excited that we will finish strong what we started strong.
8. Our new Junior High experience on Sunday mornings at 10:30AM is going awesome! It has great attendance and students coming to Christ.
9. We had well over 700 people at the launch of The Wednesday Connection last week. This new ministry is going to be so good for our church to build relationships and grow spiritually. I'm very pumped about this ministry.
10. 500 MORE in September! We told our church that we want to see 500 MORE people come to Christ in September. We are asking our church to bring all of their friends and family who don't know Christ to church so that they can experience love, grace and forgiveness through Christ. September is going to be an awesome harvest month.
11. The hottest series of the year is happening in two weeks! WICKED!
12. Pray and read your Bible every day this week and watch what God does in your life.
2. I took my wife on a date Thursday night. We had a good time talking and laughing.
3. Cale is in half-day kindergarten. So after school on Friday, we hung out as a family. Tiffany and I rented a Red Box movie and relaxed after the kids went to bed.
4. We had a great Sunday at PC! People gave their lives to Christ!
5. Many people signed up to get plugged into a ministry! I am always excited to see people step out in faith and begin serving. The greatest in the Kingdom of God is the servant of all.
6. We had strong attendance.
7. Our church is in a season of prayer for CRAZY Halftime. PC, set aside time this week with your family and ask God what He would have you financially commit over and above your tithe for the next 18 months to see more lives changed. I'm excited that we will finish strong what we started strong.
8. Our new Junior High experience on Sunday mornings at 10:30AM is going awesome! It has great attendance and students coming to Christ.
9. We had well over 700 people at the launch of The Wednesday Connection last week. This new ministry is going to be so good for our church to build relationships and grow spiritually. I'm very pumped about this ministry.
10. 500 MORE in September! We told our church that we want to see 500 MORE people come to Christ in September. We are asking our church to bring all of their friends and family who don't know Christ to church so that they can experience love, grace and forgiveness through Christ. September is going to be an awesome harvest month.
11. The hottest series of the year is happening in two weeks! WICKED!
12. Pray and read your Bible every day this week and watch what God does in your life.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Spur Leadership Conference
My friend, Mac Richard, is having his 2nd annual conference. This is a must attend!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Advice I Would Give A Young Man
1. Pursue Jesus with passion.
2. Don't take shortcuts because that's the long way to your goal.
3. Pay now so that you can play later. If you play now, you will pay later.
4. Find mentors and let them speak into your life.
5. Make sure your priorities line up with your schedule. If God is first, family is second and work is third, it should be reflected in your schedule.
6. Whatever you are good at, develop it so that you can become great at it. People don't pay for average.
7. Find a woman who is in love with Jesus and marry her. Don't settle! Marry a sold out follower of Christ.
8. Tithe. Give God the first ten percent of your income and watch how He blesses your socks off.
9. Start giving over and above your tithe while you are young. Make this a habit when you are young, and it will pay huge dividends in your life. You can't out give God.
10. Develop a budget and stick to it. You can't spend more than you make and be financially free and invest heavily in the kingdom of God.
11. Don't follow the crowd, follow the Word of God. The Word of God will more than likely go against the crowd.
12. It takes years to build a reputation and seconds to lose it. Live a life above reproach.
13. Work hard. I mean really hard because laziness will not produce success.
14. Make sure you have 3 or 4 really close friends who really know you and love you for you.
15. Don't burn bridges because you never know when you need to cross one again.
16. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to enjoy this gift called life.
2. Don't take shortcuts because that's the long way to your goal.
3. Pay now so that you can play later. If you play now, you will pay later.
4. Find mentors and let them speak into your life.
5. Make sure your priorities line up with your schedule. If God is first, family is second and work is third, it should be reflected in your schedule.
6. Whatever you are good at, develop it so that you can become great at it. People don't pay for average.
7. Find a woman who is in love with Jesus and marry her. Don't settle! Marry a sold out follower of Christ.
8. Tithe. Give God the first ten percent of your income and watch how He blesses your socks off.
9. Start giving over and above your tithe while you are young. Make this a habit when you are young, and it will pay huge dividends in your life. You can't out give God.
10. Develop a budget and stick to it. You can't spend more than you make and be financially free and invest heavily in the kingdom of God.
11. Don't follow the crowd, follow the Word of God. The Word of God will more than likely go against the crowd.
12. It takes years to build a reputation and seconds to lose it. Live a life above reproach.
13. Work hard. I mean really hard because laziness will not produce success.
14. Make sure you have 3 or 4 really close friends who really know you and love you for you.
15. Don't burn bridges because you never know when you need to cross one again.
16. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to enjoy this gift called life.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Wednesday Connection
The Wednesday Connection is a new ministry for the entire family that begins tomorrow night at 7 PM. There will be bible studies for the adults, junior high small groups, a high school worship experience and kids programs.
The Wednesday Connection from Andy Wynn on Vimeo.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday's Download
1. It was a great day at People's Church!
2. Many people gave their lives to Christ! This never gets old! It's about reaching one more person.
3. Many people were baptized in water! Way to go public for Jesus. God will bless you for obeying His Word.
4. We launched our Junior High experience yesterday, and it went great. YEA! Parents, bring your junior high student to the 10:30AM experience so that they can get plugged into the new Junior High experience.
5. A ton of people are signed up to attend The Wednesday Connection beginning this Wednesday night at 7PM at the People's Church facility. There is something for the entire family every Wednesday night this fall. It's going to be great seeing people connecting to God and to others. The church is a place where relationships are built, needs are met and where people grow closer to God together.
6. We told the church about 500 MORE! During the month of September, we want to see 500 people come to know Christ as their personal Savior during the Wicked series. We are challenging our church to pray and invite their friends and family like never before. Everybody needs to experience the love and forgiveness of Christ!
7. Wicked is going to be an incredible series. Get ready to tackle and overcome the dark side.
8. We handed out CRAZY Halftime brochures to our church family. We are at the halfway point for our CRAZY Stewardship Campaign. Our entire church family is praying over the next two weeks about what God wants them to give for the remaining 18 months of the CRAZY Campaign. This giving is over and above the Lord's tithe to see more lives changed by the power of Christ! August 30 is our Celebration and Commitment Sunday! It's going to be an exciting day at PC!
9. I am ashamed to admit that my 4 year-old son beat me at a video bowling game. I’d better start practicing because this can't happen again. :)
10. My wife made a great pot roast dinner on Saturday night, and it was even better for lunch on Sunday afternoon.
11. My son, Cale, is playing in a flag football league this fall. This will be fun and very interesting to watch 5 and 6 year-olds playing football.
12. I am wrapping up the He Said What!? series this coming up Sunday with a message titled Do What?
13. Get plugged into the family of God!
2. Many people gave their lives to Christ! This never gets old! It's about reaching one more person.
3. Many people were baptized in water! Way to go public for Jesus. God will bless you for obeying His Word.
4. We launched our Junior High experience yesterday, and it went great. YEA! Parents, bring your junior high student to the 10:30AM experience so that they can get plugged into the new Junior High experience.
5. A ton of people are signed up to attend The Wednesday Connection beginning this Wednesday night at 7PM at the People's Church facility. There is something for the entire family every Wednesday night this fall. It's going to be great seeing people connecting to God and to others. The church is a place where relationships are built, needs are met and where people grow closer to God together.
6. We told the church about 500 MORE! During the month of September, we want to see 500 people come to know Christ as their personal Savior during the Wicked series. We are challenging our church to pray and invite their friends and family like never before. Everybody needs to experience the love and forgiveness of Christ!
7. Wicked is going to be an incredible series. Get ready to tackle and overcome the dark side.
8. We handed out CRAZY Halftime brochures to our church family. We are at the halfway point for our CRAZY Stewardship Campaign. Our entire church family is praying over the next two weeks about what God wants them to give for the remaining 18 months of the CRAZY Campaign. This giving is over and above the Lord's tithe to see more lives changed by the power of Christ! August 30 is our Celebration and Commitment Sunday! It's going to be an exciting day at PC!
9. I am ashamed to admit that my 4 year-old son beat me at a video bowling game. I’d better start practicing because this can't happen again. :)
10. My wife made a great pot roast dinner on Saturday night, and it was even better for lunch on Sunday afternoon.
11. My son, Cale, is playing in a flag football league this fall. This will be fun and very interesting to watch 5 and 6 year-olds playing football.
12. I am wrapping up the He Said What!? series this coming up Sunday with a message titled Do What?
13. Get plugged into the family of God!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday's Download
1. People's Church, don't forget to bring your Britton school supply bags back THIS Sunday. The kids and parents at Britton Elementary School will be blessed by our generosity!
2. This Sunday is going to be super exciting. We will be baptizing people. There is nothing more exciting than seeing lives changed by the power of Christ!
3. This Sunday morning at 10:30AM, we are launching our Junior High worship experience. Students from 6th to 8th grade, don't miss the kickoff to this incredible worship experience designed just for you. The experience is located right across the hall from the 3 & 4-year old kids’ room.
4. On August 19 at 7PM at the People's Church facility, we our launching The Wednesday Connection. There will be Bible studies for adults and worship and activities for kids and students. This is an event for the entire family. Oh yeah, we will be serving food on August 19, so come hungry! PC is all about connecting people to God and to others!
5. I got to meet Rick Warren in Orlando. He is a great man of God!
6. Tiffany and I are still trying to recoup from our trip to Orlando. We had a lot of fun, but it was a tiring trip with four little kids.
7. I love my wife so much. After Christ, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am a blessed man!
8. It was a huge honor to speak at the General Council event in Orlando. Thank you, Dr. Wood, for the invitation.
9. All of my kids have runny noses and colds. Thanks for praying for my precious kids!
10. This Sunday I'm preaching a message titled Love Who? I'm very excited about this message.
11. People's Church family, don't forget that this Saturday from 7AM to 12PM we are putting in landscaping at SeeWorth Academy. Thank you for coming and helping us make a difference in our community.
2. This Sunday is going to be super exciting. We will be baptizing people. There is nothing more exciting than seeing lives changed by the power of Christ!
3. This Sunday morning at 10:30AM, we are launching our Junior High worship experience. Students from 6th to 8th grade, don't miss the kickoff to this incredible worship experience designed just for you. The experience is located right across the hall from the 3 & 4-year old kids’ room.
4. On August 19 at 7PM at the People's Church facility, we our launching The Wednesday Connection. There will be Bible studies for adults and worship and activities for kids and students. This is an event for the entire family. Oh yeah, we will be serving food on August 19, so come hungry! PC is all about connecting people to God and to others!
5. I got to meet Rick Warren in Orlando. He is a great man of God!
6. Tiffany and I are still trying to recoup from our trip to Orlando. We had a lot of fun, but it was a tiring trip with four little kids.
7. I love my wife so much. After Christ, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am a blessed man!
8. It was a huge honor to speak at the General Council event in Orlando. Thank you, Dr. Wood, for the invitation.
9. All of my kids have runny noses and colds. Thanks for praying for my precious kids!
10. This Sunday I'm preaching a message titled Love Who? I'm very excited about this message.
11. People's Church family, don't forget that this Saturday from 7AM to 12PM we are putting in landscaping at SeeWorth Academy. Thank you for coming and helping us make a difference in our community.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lessons I Learned From Disney World
1. One person, passionate and committed to a vision, can accomplish great things. It's amazing what Walt Disney accomplished, and it all began with a vision.
2. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Walt turned swampland into the vacation capital of the world.
3. Give people an experience no matter where they go. Everywhere I went at the Walt Disney World Resort, they gave me an experience. Even on the bus ride to the airport, they gave me an unforgettable experience.
4. Invest in kids and their parents and grandparents will come and spend a lot of money and time.
5. Create a friendly atmosphere. There were Disney Cast Members (workers) everywhere. One time I was looking for something, and one of the cast members approached me and asked if he could help me find something. With all the people around me, I was blown away that he noticed that I was looking for something.
6. Pay attention to every detail, and you will blow people away. Disney World pays attention to every little thing. Every ride and set design was amazing. Cast Members at every ride were dressed in an outfit that went along with the ride.
7. Make people do a lot of walking and have a lot of food and drinks available for purchase, and people will spend a lot of money.
8. One Cast Member told me that they average between 40,000 to 100,000 people a day at Magic Kingdom alone! I guess Disney knows something about attracting a crowd.
9. They were very organized. Buses and ferry boats take you from park to park. They checked every bag before you entered the park. At every ride, lines were organized. After certain rides, you had to go through a gift shop to exit the ride, and that tempted many people to buy something.
10. I'm glad I had a major speaking engagement in Orlando so that I could take my family to Disney. We enjoyed the experience, and we will go again when my kids are older.
2. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Walt turned swampland into the vacation capital of the world.
3. Give people an experience no matter where they go. Everywhere I went at the Walt Disney World Resort, they gave me an experience. Even on the bus ride to the airport, they gave me an unforgettable experience.
4. Invest in kids and their parents and grandparents will come and spend a lot of money and time.
5. Create a friendly atmosphere. There were Disney Cast Members (workers) everywhere. One time I was looking for something, and one of the cast members approached me and asked if he could help me find something. With all the people around me, I was blown away that he noticed that I was looking for something.
6. Pay attention to every detail, and you will blow people away. Disney World pays attention to every little thing. Every ride and set design was amazing. Cast Members at every ride were dressed in an outfit that went along with the ride.
7. Make people do a lot of walking and have a lot of food and drinks available for purchase, and people will spend a lot of money.
8. One Cast Member told me that they average between 40,000 to 100,000 people a day at Magic Kingdom alone! I guess Disney knows something about attracting a crowd.
9. They were very organized. Buses and ferry boats take you from park to park. They checked every bag before you entered the park. At every ride, lines were organized. After certain rides, you had to go through a gift shop to exit the ride, and that tempted many people to buy something.
10. I'm glad I had a major speaking engagement in Orlando so that I could take my family to Disney. We enjoyed the experience, and we will go again when my kids are older.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
SeeWorth Academy and Britton Elementary
This is an outreach our church is doing. I have a heart to impact our community with the love of Jesus.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
10 Things You Don't Know About Pastors
Leadership Network recently conducted a survey of 232 pastors of churches with an average weekend worship attendance of at least 2,000. The following ten statements are taken from a full-length report which can be downloaded HERE.
1. They think of themselves more as teachers and directional leaders than as pastors.
Sure, their business cards may say pastor and their congregants may call them Pastor Smith -- but when these leaders are asked which phrase best describes how they see themselves and their role, the phrase "pastor, shepherd or spiritual guide" ranks a distant fourth.
Which words do today's senior leaders resonate with? When presented with nine options, more than 80% select "preacher/teacher." Half choose the term "directional leader," and slightly more than a third select the word "visionary."
2. Preaching tops the list of things they do best.
Jesus spent a lot of time healing people, but only 1% of senior pastors surveyed say visiting members, the sick and shut in is something they personally do best. Only 7% say they're great at converting others to the faith, and only 10% identify pastoral counseling and spiritual direction as an area of significant strength. These results may seem problematic, but with a high value on lay involvement and an average reported staff of 55, it's likely that others at the church excel in these areas.
So where do senior pastors believe their strengths lie? Seventy nine percent say they're best at "preaching" followed by "thinking about and promoting a vision and goals for the future."
3. They haven't always worked in churches.
Although most attended church regularly at the age of 16, 42% of them spent five or more years working in another field before entering the pastorate. The most popular prior career choice? Business. Meanwhile, a third of senior pastors' spouses work both outside the home and outside the church.
4. Being an extrovert isn't mandatory.
Yes, their role demands that they be comfortable standing on a platform and speaking in front of large crowds. But nearly half of them say they're somewhat or very introverted.
5. Family stays at the top of mind when it comes to prayers.
In a 53-hour work week, megachurch senior pastors spend a full 19 hours in and preparing for preaching, teaching and worship, 9 hours in meetings--and 5 hours in intentional prayer and meditation.
When they pray, who do they pray for? Their family (94%) and themselves (84%) primarily, followed by church staff (76%) and other individuals at church (64%). Almost two-thirds say they seldom pray for political leaders and roughly 20% say they never do. Similarly, only 19% regularly pray for their neighbors.
6. They usually like the people they work with.
Megachurch pastors report low levels of conflict in their churches, and high levels of satisfaction with the individuals they work with. Only 5% of pastors report being "somewhat dissatisfied" with the church board; the remaining 95% of pastors gave satisfactory ratings. Worship directors got the lowest rating of "very dissatisfied" but only among a mere 2% of the pastors surveyed.
7. They believe their top gift is leadership.
According to our survey, the spiritual gifts most often possessed by large-church senior pastors are leadership (77%) and teaching (67%), distantly followed by exhortation (21%).
8. They are actively involved in sports.
When asked "in which of these areas outside your church community would you describe yourself as ‘currently active'," the most common answer was not a school-related activity, a social service or hobby group; it was a parachurch group (37%), followed by a sports league (34%) and denominational activities (32%). As was found to be the case in Leadership Network's recent executive pastor survey, the top non-church involvement for senior pastors in large churches is sports leagues. In fact "sports" is also the most frequently mentioned way megachurch pastors say they maintain their sanity during crazy or stressful moments of ministry.
9. They find worship at their church helpful for personal spiritual growth.
One might think that working at a church could hinder full engagement in the worship experience, however 41% of pastors surveyed said that worship services were extremely helpful for them. On the flip-side, only 27% of senior pastors report finding small groups extremely helpful to their spiritual growth, and 11% went on record to say they're not very helpful at all. Personal time with God still tops the list with 79% saying that reading the Bible, prayer or solitude is "extremely helpful" to spiritual growth. This finding also parallels the responses of executive pastors.
10. They're not thinking about quitting.
In today's world, people tend to switch careers a lot. But what about pastors? Just under half of large church senior pastors surveyed admit they've thought about leaving their church to enter a different occupation in the last five years, although on the upside, most say it's only "once in a while." Furthermore, when asked about their plans to retire, on average senior pastors expect to be in their position for 17 more years (until age 68) – on top of the 15 they've already put into their role.
1. They think of themselves more as teachers and directional leaders than as pastors.
Sure, their business cards may say pastor and their congregants may call them Pastor Smith -- but when these leaders are asked which phrase best describes how they see themselves and their role, the phrase "pastor, shepherd or spiritual guide" ranks a distant fourth.
Which words do today's senior leaders resonate with? When presented with nine options, more than 80% select "preacher/teacher." Half choose the term "directional leader," and slightly more than a third select the word "visionary."
2. Preaching tops the list of things they do best.
Jesus spent a lot of time healing people, but only 1% of senior pastors surveyed say visiting members, the sick and shut in is something they personally do best. Only 7% say they're great at converting others to the faith, and only 10% identify pastoral counseling and spiritual direction as an area of significant strength. These results may seem problematic, but with a high value on lay involvement and an average reported staff of 55, it's likely that others at the church excel in these areas.
So where do senior pastors believe their strengths lie? Seventy nine percent say they're best at "preaching" followed by "thinking about and promoting a vision and goals for the future."
3. They haven't always worked in churches.
Although most attended church regularly at the age of 16, 42% of them spent five or more years working in another field before entering the pastorate. The most popular prior career choice? Business. Meanwhile, a third of senior pastors' spouses work both outside the home and outside the church.
4. Being an extrovert isn't mandatory.
Yes, their role demands that they be comfortable standing on a platform and speaking in front of large crowds. But nearly half of them say they're somewhat or very introverted.
5. Family stays at the top of mind when it comes to prayers.
In a 53-hour work week, megachurch senior pastors spend a full 19 hours in and preparing for preaching, teaching and worship, 9 hours in meetings--and 5 hours in intentional prayer and meditation.
When they pray, who do they pray for? Their family (94%) and themselves (84%) primarily, followed by church staff (76%) and other individuals at church (64%). Almost two-thirds say they seldom pray for political leaders and roughly 20% say they never do. Similarly, only 19% regularly pray for their neighbors.
6. They usually like the people they work with.
Megachurch pastors report low levels of conflict in their churches, and high levels of satisfaction with the individuals they work with. Only 5% of pastors report being "somewhat dissatisfied" with the church board; the remaining 95% of pastors gave satisfactory ratings. Worship directors got the lowest rating of "very dissatisfied" but only among a mere 2% of the pastors surveyed.
7. They believe their top gift is leadership.
According to our survey, the spiritual gifts most often possessed by large-church senior pastors are leadership (77%) and teaching (67%), distantly followed by exhortation (21%).
8. They are actively involved in sports.
When asked "in which of these areas outside your church community would you describe yourself as ‘currently active'," the most common answer was not a school-related activity, a social service or hobby group; it was a parachurch group (37%), followed by a sports league (34%) and denominational activities (32%). As was found to be the case in Leadership Network's recent executive pastor survey, the top non-church involvement for senior pastors in large churches is sports leagues. In fact "sports" is also the most frequently mentioned way megachurch pastors say they maintain their sanity during crazy or stressful moments of ministry.
9. They find worship at their church helpful for personal spiritual growth.
One might think that working at a church could hinder full engagement in the worship experience, however 41% of pastors surveyed said that worship services were extremely helpful for them. On the flip-side, only 27% of senior pastors report finding small groups extremely helpful to their spiritual growth, and 11% went on record to say they're not very helpful at all. Personal time with God still tops the list with 79% saying that reading the Bible, prayer or solitude is "extremely helpful" to spiritual growth. This finding also parallels the responses of executive pastors.
10. They're not thinking about quitting.
In today's world, people tend to switch careers a lot. But what about pastors? Just under half of large church senior pastors surveyed admit they've thought about leaving their church to enter a different occupation in the last five years, although on the upside, most say it's only "once in a while." Furthermore, when asked about their plans to retire, on average senior pastors expect to be in their position for 17 more years (until age 68) – on top of the 15 they've already put into their role.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
God Of This City Rap
During our Grand Opening Celebration, July 19, Exodus returned and joined our Worship Team for God Of This City. Check out this video:
Monday, August 3, 2009
Weekend Highlights
1. I had a good time with my wife and kids this weekend.
2. I am getting back to normal emotionally, mentally and physically after the building project. It's nice to wind down and get back to a normal pace.
3. We kicked off a new series called He Said WHAT!? I spoke on Who Me? Yes, if you are a follower of Christ, you are the light of the world!
4. We are the light of the world, not the light of the church!
5. Who are you going to share your faith with this week?
6. Who are you going to invite to church this week?
7. What kind of good deeds are you going to do so that people will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven?
8. This coming Sunday’s message title is Pick Up What? On August 16, it's Love Who? On August 23, it's Do What? Going to be a fun series!
9. On August 30, it's the CRAZY Campaign Halftime Celebration and Commitment Sunday!
10. I can't believe how God has so blessed my life! I have such a wonderful family, great friends and a super church. I'm living the dream! I mean that!
11. On Friday, we went on a family walk around our neighborhood. Cale and Cade got to ride their bikes around the neighborhood while the rest of us walked or rode in a stroller. The boys thought they were big time stuff.
12. Tiffany and I watched a Red Box movie on Friday night! You can't beat $1 movies! Oh yea!
13. I'm getting geared up for fantasy football!
14. I'm getting pumped up for college football! GO OU Sooners!
15. It's going to be a busy and fun week!
16. Live life to the fullest! You only get to do this thing called life once!
2. I am getting back to normal emotionally, mentally and physically after the building project. It's nice to wind down and get back to a normal pace.
3. We kicked off a new series called He Said WHAT!? I spoke on Who Me? Yes, if you are a follower of Christ, you are the light of the world!
4. We are the light of the world, not the light of the church!
5. Who are you going to share your faith with this week?
6. Who are you going to invite to church this week?
7. What kind of good deeds are you going to do so that people will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven?
8. This coming Sunday’s message title is Pick Up What? On August 16, it's Love Who? On August 23, it's Do What? Going to be a fun series!
9. On August 30, it's the CRAZY Campaign Halftime Celebration and Commitment Sunday!
10. I can't believe how God has so blessed my life! I have such a wonderful family, great friends and a super church. I'm living the dream! I mean that!
11. On Friday, we went on a family walk around our neighborhood. Cale and Cade got to ride their bikes around the neighborhood while the rest of us walked or rode in a stroller. The boys thought they were big time stuff.
12. Tiffany and I watched a Red Box movie on Friday night! You can't beat $1 movies! Oh yea!
13. I'm getting geared up for fantasy football!
14. I'm getting pumped up for college football! GO OU Sooners!
15. It's going to be a busy and fun week!
16. Live life to the fullest! You only get to do this thing called life once!
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