Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Family Camp '08M






I am tired. Camp was good...but busy and I hurt my hand so this is kind of hard to do. But here goes:

Sunday night- we watched Meet the Robinsons. Fun times.

Monday- We went to Applewood Raceway and went Go Karting; at night we went to IWU for some basketball, dodgeball, raquetball, and swimming.

Tuesday- We went Paintball at Splat Attack and I got hit twice!; Then at night we went to the Gas City Pool...brrrrrr!

Wednesday- We went to River's Edge for some putt putt and batting cages; At night we went bowling-over 100 people and I had to give some ppl their money back!

Thursday was my day off. I had lunch with my mom and we went and watched a movie. Much needed! Thanks mom for listening and for lunch.

Friday- We went to the Splash House in Marion; At night we had a game night in the dining hall.

Saturday- We had a stars vs stiffs game of softball where I hurt my hand (havent gone to the dr. yet, Sarah thinks its broke); at night we showed the Incredibles.

Busy week. I also helped cook 200+ hamburgers and 100+ hot dogs on Friday evening for the camp.

Pics:
Me closing my eyes for a second on the bus
Me, Matt and Ben at the Raceway
Me lifting up a golf cart with two girls in it
Ben and me getting ready to go racing
Isaac Capshaw chillin'

Friday, July 18, 2008

GO COLTS!! Whoops!!!!

One of the funniest videos I've ever seen!

Honda Element Pointer Ad :30 Dog

This video reminds me of my mother in-law, Peggy. On vacation anytime she would see wildflowers she would go, "Wildflowers"! Here's to you Barry.

Summer


This summer has been crazy! We had vacation and then off a week and then Sr. High Camp and then off a week and then Missions Week and then off a week and then Family Camp next week. That is three weeks of me being gone from my wife. It won't happen again if I can help it. Something is getting cut because I've been gone too much. Especially when we have children this will have to change. So...I just wanted to thank Sarah for putting up with me being gone for so much. I love you baby! Let's go on vacation!

A great read for those involved with church

I happened on a blog by Perry Noble, a pastor from South Carolina. He had a three part series that I thought would be great for you to read. If you want more go to perrynoble.com.


Pastors/Church Planters…BEWARE - Part One

I was thinking the other day about what I would types of people I would warn a pastor/church planter about–there are seven, here are the first few…

#1 - The “I’m Going To Leave If” Person

Pastors, you are going to have people threaten to leave your church–period. And 999 times out of 1,000 the best thing you can do is let them go.

I remember once in the early years being on the telephone for over an hour, begging a young lady in our church not to leave. Why was she wanting to leave? A group of singles had gotten together and forgotten to call her.

You are going to have people who don’t like the music, your wife, you talking about your kids, the way you dress, the kind of car you drive, the version of the Bible you use, your hairstyle, your zodiac sign, your staff, and your belief on the end times.

You can’t please everyone…and, to be honest, that BOTHERS me! But, reality is, according to Hebrews 13:17 you and I will stand before God one day and be held accountable for how we led the church…and I would much rather a disgruntled person walk out that God’s presence go instead!

Don’t ever be held captive by a person who keeps threatening to leave.

#2 - The “Let Me Tell You How Much Money I Have” Person.

Pastors, you’ve GOT to make a choice early - are you going to be motivated by money (thus becoming a prostitute, not a prophet) OR are you going to resign to the fact that Jesus purchased you, thus making you not for sale?

I remember early on a guy calling my assistant and demanding that I come to his house for dinner. (Something I just don’t do…explanation later!) He told her where he worked, where he lived (a NICE neighborhood), the kind of car he drove and also told her he wanted to get financially involved in the church…all I had to do was some to his house for dinner.

I didn’t go. I don’t play that game. When people begin to dangle money in front of you…it is ALWAYS attached to an agenda.

We have some incredibly generous people at NewSpring Church who give faithfully every single week. In our two campaigns that we’ve done we had a giver once give $1.4 million and another one gave $1 million…and neither of them ever asked me for one second of my time. They gave with a pure heart and with pure motives.

When people threaten to stop giving then that is an issue they will have to work out with God. Don’t let a person who has a lot of $$$ keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

When a person begins telling you how much money they have…trust me, they ultimately desire to either buy you or control you. Don’t let it happen. Tell them you are excited they have money, ask them to give generously, challenge them to be faithful in their giving…but don’t EVER begin to let them dangle money in front of you, thus becoming your source of motivation.

#3 - The “Feed Me” Person

I have never been able to keep one of these people around…ever!

You know the drill…they always come from another church (they weren’t being fed there either) and they want you to know that they are sincerely seeking a church that teaches the Bible (and they will stay as long as you teach THEIR VERSION of the Bible.)

But, if they become displeased with the sermon direction…or dissatisfied with your particular view on a theological issue…or convicted of not doing what they know they should be doing–they will say you are not feeding them and leave.

Pastor, being honest here…I’ve NEVER encountered a person who claimed they weren’t being fed that also had a dynamic personal walk with Jesus. If that were true then they would show up to the church FULL and not need to latch on to the breast!

It’s not our job to feed–but to lead to places where food can be found.

#4 - The “At My Other Church” Person

I have ZERO tolerance for this guy/girl.

They come into your church and begin to say, “Well, this is nice, but at my other church we used to (FILL IN THE BLANK.)”

I say, without apology, to these people that we are not “your other church,” and…if you liked your other church so much–GO BACK!

Enough about them…

#5 - The “This Is Too Big” Person

These people amaze me. A church will begin growing, lives will begin to change…literally the Bible begins to come to life…and because a person finally has to face the fact that the church is not about them…they take off, saying that the church is TOO BIG.

Now, that same person will go to a college football game the day before with between 80,000 to 100,000 fans (99% of whom they do not know) and be absolutely PUMPED that the stadium is packed. (Usually a sign that the team is winning!)

BUT…they want to go to “God’s house” the next day and desire for it to be small and “intimate.” Hmm, they want the football crowd to grow and the church crowd to be small…sounds like some very screwed up priorities to me.

Bottom line…the church is SUPPOSED to grow–period! And if it gets “too big” for someone, I would say it’s because their heart is “too small.” Seriously, ask yourself, what spiritual force would motivate someone to get angry when large numbers of people are coming to Christ and being taught to walk in an intimate relationship with Him? Jesus…or satan? Seriously–it’s NOT rocket science.

Let the “this is too big” person go…and don’t argue with them!


#6 - The “I Want To Know The Pastor If I’m Going To Be Here” Person

Here’s the deal, pastor, you and I are called by God to lead His church.

BUT…before that is an even greater call on our lives to love Jesus, love our wife and love and disciple our children…and there is no way that you can do all of that and also grill hot dogs with everyone in your church!

For too long pastors have been manipulated by church people into a “a pastor ought to know his church people” mentality. A thought that sounds good on the surface…EXCEPT for the fact that it is COMPLETELY un-Biblical! (Acts 6:1-7 is just one example. Exodus 18 is another!)

If a person comes in claiming they need to know you–TRUST ME ON THIS ONE–they have an agenda a mile long!!!

Yes, we should have relationships with the people we serve…but those should be led by the Holy Spirit and should NEVER take away from the first four priorities that I mentioned earlier. I lead a home group of incredible people who are not currently on staff. I go to lunch with lots of people in our church–but I never allow myself to be “guilted’ into doing so…and you can’t either.

Pastor, let me warn you–there are church people out there who will allow you to spend all your time with them…and then when your marriage falls apart or your kid turns out to be a hellion or you begin to fall apart spiritually they will turn on you so fast it isn’t funny!!! I’ve seen it…so have you–that is why you must prioritize your life…and if you don’t have time for every social in the church…so be it!

#7 - The “This Place Is Too Judgmental” Person

I was reading the other morning in the OT (either Jeremiah or Ezekiel) that if a prophet doesn’t preach repentance then he isn’t a true prophet.

Pastor, any time you begin to call people out in their sin…the fertilizer will hit the fan…and you will be labeled as an intolerant, judgmental preacher.

BUT…

The only people who get angry when you preach on giving are those who bow before money.

The only people who get angry when you preach on sexual immorality are the sexual immoral.

The only people who get angry when you preach on adultery are those who are committing adultery…or those who really want to.

The only people who get angry when you preach on gossip are the people on the prayer chain…uh…I mean those who are gossiping.

Pastors, speaking about sin isn’t easy…but it’s right. We are called to call for confession and repentance…and offer hope for those who are willing to follow Christ.

If someone isn’t angry at you then pray for God to set you on fire and lead you to preach a message that will hit the majority of your church between the eyes…and then HANG ON!



Monday, July 14, 2008

Missions Week 08



What a week! Here is a look at what we did:

July 5th- We sold Nelson's Port-a-pit chicken and ate some too!


Monday- we cleaned around the church. I mowed my lawn (lol) and it was good.

Tuesday we went to Potato Creek State park and picked up trash, cleaned out fire rings and got water out of boats.

Wednesday we went to the Lion's eye glass recycling plant in Upland, IN. We sorted over 10,000 glasses that will be sent to people who cannot afford them. What an amazing opportunity to serve. If you get the chance to go, you should do it.


Thursday we went to a local mobile home park and picked up trash and then served 40 hamburgers and a lot of hot dogs to the residents. It was a cool time to get to connect with people where they are.

Friday we held a free car wash which was really free. No strings attached and yet people still didnt believe us and also gave us $200 in donations which we gave to our church's missions fund.

Saturday we had a free breakfast for the community and that ended our week!



It was a great week of work, fun and hanging out with the kids. Nothing can replace time when you are building relationships with people.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Senior High Camp '08

What a great week at camp. I couldn't have done it without Ben and Amanda Capshaw, Bryan and Ashlie Donaugh and Matt Wallace. We make a great team!

The week was leaps and bounds above last year in terms of messages and worship. Jeff Eckart and Woody were my type of leaders. Down with the people, doing things with the people, getting muddy with the people!

I thought I was going to get into some trouble on Wednesday because we had a mud pit after one of our games and everyone, literally, everyone that played got muddy and drenched with mud. So naturally, they go back to take showers right? I went into the boys bathroom and there was water standing like six inches! It was crazy! Mud everywhere! But I didnt get in trouble.

Fun Fun Fun

I had a girl that hasnt been coming to youth group lately tell me that her dad said that she had to come on Sunday morning to "real" church to be able to go to youth group and have fun. I was on vacation and was talking with a mom and she said that she would keep her kid from coming to youth group as a punishment because it was a fun activity. I've had numerous kids say that their parents grounded them from coming to youth group events. We've got families in the church that won't let their kids come to youth because all we do is have fun. I'm fed up and tired of this. Really.
Here I am, working my but off to 1.) have an atmosphere and events that kids will WANT to come to 2.) Have people that will help me sponsor those events 3.) Have content that will mean something to this ever changing generation 4.) Make sure that I build relationships with these kids because if you don't they won't care and then I have parents fighting against me? C'mon! Really? Do they know that I am telling their kids to:

1. Honor their parents
2. To do their best in school because it will matter in the end
3. Telling them that they need to deal with their anger and attitudes
4. Helping them understand that they need to read their bible and pray
5. To be better people by following Christ

Does that sound like something that we should be keeping our kids away from? Mind boggling!

Do we have fun? You bet ya! I love having fun...but I also love it when these kids finally start getting it. Youth group isnt all fun and games...don't be the enemy be the solution!