Jeff Jackson Live

Darrin Patrick from the Acts 29 networks gives us some great inspiration. If you are a church planter or want to plant this video is a must watch. If you are interested in planting we have tons of opportunities in the State of Indiana. Hit me up if you want more information. Also here are some great questions to ask if you are praying about planting a church.

Tweet This Post Facebook

Apart from the obvious, my relationship with Jesus, incredible wife and daughter (and the one on the way), I wanted to tell you why I am so excited that our Grand Opening is just days away.  Here they are in no particular order:

• We moved back to this area just for this day.
• I have been waiting for this day for three years.
• I personally believe God is going to move in such a huge way on September 12 that the only explanation is Him and that is AWESOME!
• I get floored every time I see people from journey sharing Jesus with people and ministering to their needs and on September 12th that will happen.
• September 12th we go public and our community will see Jesus through our church…WOW!
• Jesus promises that if we elevate Him, He will draw all men to himself!!
• September 12th will be the clearest Gospel presentation I have ever preached and people are going to place their faith in Him that day.
• I couldn’t imagine fighting this battle with different people…journey you ROCK!!
• God is awesome, has the power to save and willing to do so!!!!
• September 12th will not only be significant for journey church but also will mark spiritual transformation for those who place their faith in Him

I could go on and on but you get the picture.  Now let me know what floats your boat?  Why are you excited about our Grand Opening?

Tweet This Post Facebook

The reality is American evangelicals close more churches each year than we open new ones.  Like it or not, we are a post-christian nation.  This is why it is so important to plant churches.  I have read stories and met guys that had all the good intentions in the world for their church plant but for some reason or another they failed.  Here are three reason that contribute to the closure of new churches:

1.  Lack of Vision - Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us to write the vision clear so it is easily understood and able to spread.  There are churches that I have walked into and no one knows the vision of the church.  No one can even articulate a version of the church’s vision.  Problem?  YES!  Vision is key to any church growth but vital for a church plant.  I heard once that if your staff is tired of hearing about the vision then your people will get it and if your people are sick of hearing the vision then your community will get it.  We want our communities to GET IT so preach it until you are blue in the face.

2.  Moral Failure - want to ruin your church plant?  Then have a moral failure.  NOT only you but your staff’s moral failures can ruin your plant.  It is important to have accountability in place to keep you clear of immorality.  Also since your staff can bring it down be slow to hire and give titles.  Your church  plant will thrive without fancy titles.

3.  Lack of Execution – Church planting is fought and won in the trenches.  This is probably one of the hardest components to church planting.  Most church planters are 60 foot view guys.  Let me explain, most guys are entrenched with vision and forget to seek and identify the steps to take to complete the vision which gives them a 60 foot view.  If you are a big picture thinker then you need to surround yourself with execution people, clipboard nazi and self proclaimed bean counters.

Church planting is our only hope so make sure you are ready for the pressures of church planting and educated yourself on the things that can bring it down.

Tweet This Post Facebook

Most of the time we go through life not expecting anything to happen. The sad culmination is that when God does show up unexpectedly we are so caught off guard we miss the blessing.  What if everyday you started with the thought, “Today God is going to reveal Himself to me.” Would your prayer life change?  Would your weeks become shorter because you wouldn’t be drawn down but the mundane things in life?  I believe that we would be set free to serve our Lord to our greatest capacity if we prayed and lived with expectant hearts.  Every ordinary day has a miracle waiting to happen and I want to experience everything that God has to offer.

As we move closer to our Grand Opening at Journey Church we need to expect God to show up and take care of business.  Lives are at stake here.  Decide to change, to be different and experience God in the fullness of His Glory.

Tweet This Post Facebook

I believe we need to plant churches like it is going out of style not only because its biblical but because its our only hope.  Here my top 5 reason why we need to plant churches.

1. Hands down most effective evangelism tool - in major denominations around 80% of the recorded salivations came from churches that where younger than two years old.  What does this tell us…? Church plants are more effective.  This doesn’t mean that established churches don’t have there place, they DO and they can have a big impact on the culture of church planting.  Lots of larger and more established churches can fund church planting.
2. We are commanded too! -  the results of the great commission ministry is discipleship and discipleship leads to congregationalism aka church.  So, if we are making disciples we are planting churches.  Right?  Its a natural progression.
3. Lots of lost people - the last stat I read was that there were over 120 million unchurched people in the United States.  This make us the largest mission field in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth largest field in the world.  Hmm, think we should be starting new churches?  Especially since we close somewhere in the neighborhood of 3500 churches each year.
4. Church plants reach younger people – A key characteristic of church plants is that their attenders tend to be younger than churches generally, with more than two-thirds (69%) of adult attenders being aged 15-49 years, compared with only 48% at churches generally.
5. It is the most exciting thing to do on the face of this planet (yeah I’m partial) – need I say more!!!

The fact is we need a reality check.  If we don’t plant more churches than close each year our children won’t have a church to attend.  Actually we need a GUT check.  If you feel like God is leading you to plant then I encourage you to begin the process of becoming a planter.  Here are some good questions to ask yourself before planting.

Tweet This Post Facebook

I truly believe the best is yet to come at Journey Church. God has been in the process of positioning us for a huge movement from God and here is why:

1. We have been faithful in the little – On March 14th we started with nothing, at least equipment.  However, we had the most dedicated team in the history of church planting.  We continue to elevate Jesus in our community while intentionally making disciples.  Matthew 25:23 tells us that if we continue to be faithful God will give us more Kingdom responsibilities.
2. God pours out His favor on those you seek Him – Jeremiah 29:11, probably one of the most misused verses, tells us that God has plans for us to prosper, plans of a future and hope.  If we keep reading in Jeremiah 29:13 we see that we will find God when we seek Him with all of our hearts.  I can only imagine that when we experience God’s presence the only outcome can be a movement that changes our community.  God will respond to prayers of restoration so remain faithful and God will deliver his promises.
3. God is not done with His Church and neither are we - Matthew 16 assures us that the enemy will not over take the church so until the day that Jesus returns we are not going to stop elevating Jesus and disciple the saved.

Do you believe the best is yet to come?  If we continue in obedience, step aside and let God move then we will truly see great things in the future.

Tweet This Post Facebook

As Journey Church moves closer to our Grand Opening we wanted to dedicate the 30 days leading up to this exciting day by praying.  We will see God continue to move in our church as we join together and praying for our church, our families and community.

What Do I Pray For?
During our 30 Days of Prayer there are specific things you can be praying for.  Each day you will have a scripture to read and a suggested prayer.  While you are praying, be open to what the Spirit is telling you and start praying for specific request.  You might pray for:

• A family member that needs Jesus
• People to invite to our Grand Opening
• God to show up in a huge way leaving the only explanation that God showed up
• Mended relationships
• Personal renewal
• Favor

Tweet This Post Facebook

I am so pumped as we get closer to our “Grand Opening.” We are promoting the service as “Come as you are.”  We truly want people to come to church just as they are. They do not need to be cleaned up, perfect or polished before they come to Journey Church. We are jacked up people made clean by a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are ways you can help get the word out about our “Grand Opening” by taking a yard sign or signs this Sunday:

• Take a yard sign and place it in your yard!! (I know it rocket science)
• If your place of business is in our target area ask if you can put a yard sign up
• Ask friends and family members to place a yard sign in their yard even if they don’t go to our church (I know right…Christians working together!)
• Pick up a few extra signs and place them at busy intersections on your way home from church

It would love to be just driving down the road and say, “Hey, there is one of our signs!!”  I am so honored to be your pastor and I am so excited to see what God is going to do at our “Grand Opening.”

Tweet This Post Facebook

I believe there is an element where we have forgotten our own personal freedoms whether we’ve forgot the freedom the American Solider fought for or the freedom in Christ we have from the Cross. We have to balance the fact the we are dead in sin and that we have been set free in Christ through His sacrifice on the cross. Its easy to camp out on one side of the spectrum but I find it is difficult to live a balance between man’s sinful nature and the freedom of the cross.

My fear is that we live content with the vanishing thought of those who fought and paid the ultimate price for our freedom and an eternal tragedy if we forget the freedom found in Christ. What are your thoughts?

Tweet This Post Facebook

Tweet This Post Facebook