We all influence other people, sometimes it’s for the worse. I was sitting in Sam’s Club today picking up some tables for our Children’s ministry when I realized our circles of influence could be greater. Let me explain, I was in Sam’s Club for one hour and didn’t see one person that I knew. There is so much potential in our community to meet new people we just have to get of our spiritual couches and be intentional about meeting new people. Be intentional.

Jeff

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First, I would like to express that I do not consider myself to be a church growth expert, although I would like to become one!! I wanted to share some insights that I have discovered from some of the churches that I follow. I love to follow churches that are experiencing growth that can only be explained as a work of God. Most of these church plants have been in existence for less that five years with the exception of a few churches by they are still thinking like a church plant and not a church (there is a big difference). I started seeing some trends between these churches and here is what I learned.

1. Document Everything – Nothing is worse that to have a great outreach event or baptism and not have the media to document the event.  If you need a great video camera and your on a tight budget I recommend The Flip
2. Celebrate the Wins – This creates great moments for casting vision and reinforcing what your church is all about.  You should celebrate big wins and the small wins even if they seem too small to celebrate.
3. Never Compromise the Truth – There is a generation out there that want authenticity and they appreciate truth event if it is not PC.  God will bless your ministry if you stick to this step.  The truth can hurt but you will reap a harvest that will be worth documenting and celebrating.

So that is what I have learned about church growth.  Here is a short list of some of the churches that I follow.  If you are thinking about planting a church here is some questions you might want to ask CLICK HERE.   If are interested in planting a church in Indiana hit me up HERE.

New Spring Church
Elevation Church
Aviator Church
Coming Soon Covenant Church

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Let me just vent for just a minute…if you would be so kind and let me!  I am sick and tired of pathetic, week and disgusting so called Christians who have no passion for the Gospel.  I’m not perfect but when did become OK not to stand up for our our savior  who took the cross so that we could have eternal life and purpose?  I meet Christians all the time that would rather skirt the issues of the Gospel rather than telling people that their beliefs are wrong in fear of not being tolerant.  We need a new brand of Christians not fearing man but fearing God!  Gone are the days of lackluster faith and wimpy Christians.  Now is the time to rise up and live according to the Word not man.  Life with purpose and understanding that when we go with the Gospel, we go with the power of God.  Who will stand with me?  Who will go for broke?

Here are some practical ways to share your faith:

1. Pray for daily opportunities and that God uses you to reach the lost. -  Treat every day as though it were your last opportunity to share Christ.
2. Be ready to answer questions about Jesus show them the hope that is within you. – “The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips.” -Proverbs 16:23 (AMP)
3. Find the “hot spots” and go there regularly. Don’t wait for sinners to approach you; go to them. – “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” -Mark 16:15 (NASB)
4. Use any anxiety as a catalyst to drive you to prayer and trust in God. One of the biggest fears of man is the unknown.  Don’t let Satan trick you into a lifestyle of fear rather harness the fear into motivation for the Gospel. – “in no way alarmed by your opponents–which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.” -Philippians 1:28 (NASB)
5. Encourage others into the task of evangelism. – don’t wait for the hired guns at your church to lead the charge.  Make difference now.

Do you know Jesus?  Learn More

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There has been this ongoing debate about the XXX Church who is now based in Las Vegas. This Church founded by Craig Gross, ministers to the women who have been forced into the porn world so they could provide a means of income. It is not unusual to find XXX Church at the major porn conventions passing out Bibles and shirts that say, “Jesus Loves Porn Stars.” The “Church” has many stories of lives that have been changed because of their ministry. I mentioned before that XXX Church made a recent move to Las Vegas and have started another church called Strip Church (before for you get your panties in a bunch, the church is located on the Vegas strip).

There are definitely opposing Christians to this movement. The organization has posted, in the past, hate mail from conservatives and liberals a like. So, you be the judge and tell me what you think. Is this real ministry or is it just a publicity stunt?

If you are stuggling with porn you can see a post I wrote with some resources click here.

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According to Living Water International, “A child will die every 15 minutes because the lack of clean drinking water.”  It takes 1 dollar to provide clean water for a year to a person in a third world country.  What the heck are we doing.  One freaking double cheeseburger or a coke from a machine and we could help save LIVES.  I am committed to save 100 lives this year.  WILL YOU?

You can help saves lives through Living Water International.

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Here is one of the reasons I like WordPress. I just downloaded the latest versin of WP for the blackeberry. This make blogging very quick and easy. I am now able to share my thoughts as they come. This is also great news for Church Planters and Pastors. Now next time you have a great idea don’t loose the napkin, blog about it.

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Just for fun…I wanted to show you what everyone has been doing on my site.  Happy reading and don’t forget to give your two cents!

Top Five Articles for this month:

1. Is Being Gay Wrong? (this one has brought on lots of emails and controversy)
2. Don’t Go to Church! (lots of fundamentalist mad at this one)
3. 21 Questions to Ask Before Planting (for all you church planters out there)
4. 25 Random Things About Me. (Warning…you might be bored to tears)
5. Spiritual Checklist (this is a must read)

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1. I dream of being Bear Grylls.
2. I always think about winning the lottery but never play.
3. I’m addicted to the internet, not any one site, just the internet in general.
4. I’m secretly a computer geek.
5. I have the best wife and daughter in the world.
6. I love playing sports.
7. I hate cabbage.
8. I love everything to be in order but hate organization.
9. I tend to over commit myself.
10. I want to write a book.
11. I am going to run for local government.
12. I always act like I don’t like chick flicks, but I love to watch them with my wife.
13. I want a tattoo but will probably never get one.
14. I played basketball in Puerto Rico on and All Star team.
15. I was in a chess club in the 8th grade.
16. I love helping people, but hate social gatherings.
17. Mountain biking is my new sport.
18. For the firsts time in my life I don’t drive a truck. I drive a Honda Civic.
19. Most of the time people think I know what I’m talking about but I’m usually making it up.
20. Someone once told me I walk a thin line between cockiness and confidence. (You be the judge)
21. I want to live in Mexico one day.
22. I would have no problem living in the days of cowboys and Indians.
23. I have a Kentucky drivers license but have lived in Indiana over 2 years…Oops!
24. I’m always thinking about new business ideas.
25. I’ve had many jobs in my life.. I’ve bagged groceries, worked on a farm, worked at Brady Nursery, been a referee, counselor at kid’s day camp, telemarketer, server, host, trash man, framer, handyman, youth pastor, coached high school football, security guard, helped start a non profit, flooring specialist, residential youth worker, foster care supervisor, free lance graphic designer, general manager of apparel and promotional company and i still want to be a…police officer, bounty hunter, chef, city council man, mayor and a church planter.

26. I love Judge Judy

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No really? Maybe for the middle schoolers at your church can’t answer this question honestly. But unless you have some very unusual set up circumstances you take a shower, right? I was, of course, taking a shower this morning and I began talking with God and confessing my sins from the previous day and I realized that I had not confessed my sins for two day. Wow! Immediately I became shameful. How can my life honor God if I am walking around with an unclean heart…It can’t. I never miss a physical shower but I easily miss my spiritual shower. How about you? When is the last time you have confessed your sins to God and started the day with a clean heart? I feel great this morning.

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The other day I took my daughter to my favorite fine dinning restaurant, McDonald’s, for our weekly daddy/daughter date.  We were eating our meal when I noticed that my daughter was trying to pick up some small pieces of french fries.  Bound and determined she was not going to stop until she devoured the  small pieces of french fries.  The amusing thing was she had a whole happy meal full of  french fries and she was focused on the crumbs.  I realized at that moment that is exactly how I am.  God has so much for us if we would just take hold of what he is offering.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God wants us to prosper and have an incredible future.  The passage also goes on and instructs us that we need to seek Him with all of our heart, that is when we will find him.  We are too focused on our raise at work, our day on the boat, time away on vacation…when God is saying I have so much more for you unfortunately we choose to focus on the crumbs.  Focus on the bigger picture, I promise God will not let you down.

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