Steven Gibbs

Nice Quote

I ran across this old quote from Philip Yancy in What's So Amazing About Grace.

One China expert estimates that the revival in China represents the greatest numerical revival in the history of the church. In an odd way, the government hostility ultimately worked to the church’s advantage. Shut out of the power structures, Chinese Christians devoted themselves to worship and evangelism, the original mission of the church, and did not much concern themselves with politics. They concentrated on changing lives, not changing laws.

Now, I'm not saying we shouldn't be involved in governmental affairs. But our primary mission is larger and more transcendent. We will stay focused on why we exist. When we lose sight of our purpose, we resort to second rate methods of operating, which result in judgmentalism and control.

Attitude

To accomplish something new, we need to change what we're doing. One place to start is usually with a new attitude. If we have the same attitude about our future, we'll keep getting the past.

It may be judgmentalism - comparing yourself to someone else. Do you constantly find yourself comparing yourself to your colleagues, your neighbors, or your spouse? It comes out like this: "I wouldn't have done that." "I am glad I didn't do that." "They always think they're right." "That was stupid."

It may be selfishness - always being right and wanting to get what you deserve. Trust me, you aren't and you don't.

It may be defeatism - you don't want to try something new, because it never works. "This always happens to me."

Whatever your attitude malfunction, it's holding you back. Take it out, examine it, and throw it in the garbage disposal where it belongs.

Consecrate

One thought that has intrigued me of late is how God calls people to be consecrated prior to His showing them a great work. Specifically in the case of Joshua, and the children of Israel crossing into the promised land, we see God tell them to be consecrated.

This means to be set-apart. I’ll be posting on some areas that need to be set apart in our lives. What is it that you see God wanting to accomplish? What area of your life do you need to set apart?

Why Milk?

When it snows in Atlanta, why do people go for the milk? Is it because it is white, like snow? Is it for hot chocolate? Is it to feed the cat? Does our body need more milk when it is cold? I have no idea. That has nothing to do with today's post.

Many times, when people don’t attend church on a Sunday for various reasons, they don't "make up their tithe the next week.” I’m grateful that so many people are committed to honoring God through their generosity, whether they miss a week or not. Online giving is a great way to help us remain consistent in giving, even when we miss. We’ve got some aggressive plans for reaching our community as we head towards Easter, so if you need to take advantage of online giving to be part of what will happen, here you go. The mission doesn't stop with the weather.

More importantly, however, notice the evite while you’re at the website. This Sunday we will present a shattering view of what it means to get rid of our junk and re-design our lives. You’ll want to continue to invite people you know. These last weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting the people that you have invited to Stonecreek. Keep it up.

Team Approach

One of the great things about our church and it’s leadership structure is our team approach. With my unexpected absence last week, Ken was able to step in and speak on a moments notice. He already had a lot on his plate – he lead worship, had to pick up Man-Laws, and then prepare to speak on Sunday morning. I heard he did a great job, as he always does. It’s great to have someone who connects so well with the people in our church.

Most people don’t understand Ken’s role. They just think of him as the guy who leads worship. But Ken’s official title is “Lead Pastor.” While as the Senior Pastor my role is primarily vision and direction, Ken’s role is to coordinate the resources and strategy necessary for Stonecreek to continue in it’s mission to connect with people and lead them into an authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. God has also blessed us with a great friendship over the years.

I know a few of you were bummed that I didn't continue with the faith and science topic from our Why series. We’re looking into potential ways to hit that topic. We’ll keep you posted.

I need to give a shout-out to our 9:30 Nursery leaders this week! Sounds like you guys stepped up to the plate and were prepared as our guests brought their children. I got great feedback about your efforts!

Alright, who is next? Has your ministry been featured in a shout-out yet? If not, ask your staff contact what it’s gonna take, and lead the charge.

I’m looking forward to Sunday, as we launch a new series and open our Splash! theater. More on that tomorrow.

Shout Out

It takes literally hundreds of volunteers every weekend to engage our community for Christ through the ministries of Stonecreek. Every volunteer is valuable. However, I wanted to give a special shout out to 2 groups of volunteers.

Our 9:30 Splash! volunteers knocked it out of the park this week. Every room was staffed by 9:15 and they had quite a crowd of kids. Can you imagine the experience that a guest had to show up and find adult leaders hanging out in the hall expecting their kids! Way to go guys, you are making the difference.

Our adult volunteers for 24, a student event held this weekend for middle school and high school stayed up ALL night with no sleep to connect with our students. You guys paid the price, and there are stars in your crown!

Alright, other ministry areas. Who will be the next group to receive a shout out? You're not gonna be outdone, are ya?

Webinar

Technology is pretty incredible. Currently I’m sitting in on a webinar sponsored by The Big Idea. Some good info and neat presentation, as well as great motivation.

One thing I've been taught is that leaders are learners. How are you learning? If we’re not learning, we’re going backwards, and we’re not becoming everything God intends for us. Learn. Ask Questions. Read. Webinar. Blog. Whatever it is, learning moves you forward. By learning, you lean into your future.

Alarming Numbers

I read some stats about pastors the other day that caused me to stop and think about my vocation a little bit. You can see the post here, but the bottom line is that 1500 pastors leave their churches every MONTH because of burnout, conflict, or moral failure. 70% suffer from depression. Even beyond that, 80% of pastor’s spouse’s wish they would choose another profession.

That is some serious junk right there. I'm sure it can be attributed to many causes. It may be just the spiritual warfare side of it, or a lack of training, etc. One area where I have been trying to guard myself is through self leadership. I’m currently reading Ordering Your Private World again. This book does a great job of helping a leader develop the private strength necessary for such a public calling. When our private world’s are in order, we’ll have more capacity to deal with the outer demands of life.

If I had a camera that could tape a snapshot of your private world, what would it look like? A teenager’s room, with dirty clothes and shoes thrown all over the room? Or a neat office, with books in their place and pens in the drawer?

Leading every church has it's challenges. I'm grateful that there have been no days over the last 15 months where I wished I had different challenges!

Sunday Night Ramblings

Sunday comes every week. That’s part of the life as a pastor and a church staff. As soon as Sunday is over, next Sunday is staring you down. There’s not a lot of time to celebrate along the way.

And it’s not just the fact that the staff has to GO to church. It’s the fact that they are on every Sunday. People come and expect something from you. In a certain way, all eyes are on you.

I look forward to every Sunday. But there are weeks when NEXT Sunday is particularly appealing. Those are the days when THIS Sunday didn’t go as well as I would have liked. The message prep may not have been as productive. The delivery feels like it’s not connecting. You get home and your wife grades your sermon at – well, let’s just say a low mark… So, yeah, next Sunday is staring you down, but you have the opportunity to improve the very next Sunday.

Today was one of those Sundays for me. It didn’t click as I would like. I got good feedback, and the message meant something to several people. The music was on. But I struggled. I worked on it all week, but sometimes it just doesn’t come together.

I love next Sunday…

First Who

Many of you have read Good To Great. Here is a quick audio of Jim Collins' on the "first who" principle. Super reminder.

Speed

"Deliberate mediocrity is a sin."

I read this quote and it shook me. God wants me to maximize everything he’s given me. We talk about being good managers of our money, but what about everything else?

As a pastor, I realize the speed of the leader, the speed of the team. I’m re-orienting my life in order to be sure that I don’t waste anything that God has given me. I’ll be sharing in the coming weeks some of the methods I am adopting. Possibly you need to do the same thing?

Our mission is too important for me to hold us back. Our mission is too important for YOU to hold us back.

Do you feel it? Our speed is picking up…

Unleash

Some of our staff and I went to a one-day conference yesterday in Anderson, SC at Newspring Church. It was a great learning experience, 900 people attended. Perry Noble, the pastor, challenged us and stoked our fire to reach those who are not following Christ. I'm reminded every day of the importance of our mission.

Jesus was always clear on why he came. It wasn't for the religious, or in our vernacular the "churched." Jesus came for those who are sick - who recognize their need for God. Our mission is to present the message of life to them. When we focus on "what's in it for me," we lose sight of the mission and we turn selfish and bitter.

I'm grateful to be part of a church that recognizes this. We do have some work to do, and we'll get it done.

We left at 6 a.m. for the conference. If you know some of the night owls that we have on our staff, you know how much they SACRIFICED of their time to go. They were grumpy most of the day, so please pray for them.

Now, I need to go catch up on my NCAA bracket.