I never really let you guys step into the mind of Jeff Jackson.  Probably because everyone would freak out.  My mind turns all the time.  I love thinking of ideas that can change the world.  Here are some of the ideas I have been thinking about (disclaimer – not all are world changing ideas!):

• Global clean water initiatives resulting in Church planting (100 wells, 10 years with 100 Churches)
• Group funding website for church planters to raise money
• Cold Stone Creamery franchise
• Multiple church plants from Journey
• Seeing salvation of biblical proportion in Southern Indiana
• Building an Orphanage in Susab, Haiti (funding starts soon for this project)
• Launching a film project on kickstarter.com
• Finishing Rediscover Me which is my Dream Year project

Some of these I will finish, others I will not.  Feel free to run with one of these ideas or let me know if you want to collaborate on a project.  Wow! That feels good to give a public brain dump.

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Now…before you start all the comments and emails let me just set the record straight.  I LOVE JESUS! But I Hate religion.  Let me explain.  I hear people all the time say, “I am religious” or “I go to church.” But that’s not enough.  Read what Jesus said to some “religious people.”

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  – Matthew 7:22-23

There will be lots of “religious” people in Hell.  Sounds politically incorrect, right?  IT IS! The fact is religion won’t get you to Heaven, only a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ.  What religious acts do you see in today’s church?  If you would like to know more about Jesus, you have to read this.

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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

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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.”

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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?

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I just wanted everyone to know that I am down in Orlando Florida this week at the Southern Baptist Annual Convention.  I will have the opportunity to meet lots of people who are interested in helping church plants just like Journey.  Be praying that God will open up doors and opportunities so I can build strategic relationships.  God is at work in our church and He will continue to work through our partnerships.

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Well…no surprise but this Sunday way huge. It never gets old to hear people talking about ways to reach people for the Gospel. Here are some of my thoughts on Sunday

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 is probably the most convicting scripture that I have ever read, let alone preached
• We need to serve the nonbelievers in out community by proclaiming the Gospel
• Jesus, not having sin became sin for us.  THAT BLOWS MY MIND!
• The old is gone and we are new creations IN CHRIST
• We prayed for a Journey group that will be elevated Jesus on Wednesday…AWESOME!
• We we place our Faith in Christ we are brought into harmony with THE CREATOR
• Jesus Messiah…great worship song for today
• Our children’s team rocks.  I walked into a room full of leaders planing our first VBS
• If we aren’t about 1 Corinthians 5:17-21 we need to go flip burgers
• If you weren’t excited about the Gospel after church today then you need to check your pulse

The best is yet to come.

Pastor Jeff

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Recently our church has acquired some new equipment that is going to help us reach our community.  We are having a tailgate party on Sunday to showcase some this this equipment.  God blessed us with donors to cover a lot of the cost of the equipment.  I can’t tell you everything we got you will just have to experience it first hand on Sunday!!  BTW we are going to provide all the meat and drinks for Sunday you just need to bring your favorite side and a chair.  See you Sunday.

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I am apart of a coaching network at Oak Leaf Church led by Michael Lukaszewski and a few sessions ago we went over a leadership lesson for completing a task.  I took this lesson and expanded on the concept.  When completing a task you can complete it three ways:

1. You Can Do It…out of desperation – There are times when, as leaders, we must just get the job done.  But this is not scalable and your ministry will not grow if you are always the one completing the tasks.
2. You Can Delegate It…out of dictation – Delegation is a common misconception in leadership.  We think we are leading if we are delegating our tasks out to someone else.  This is not biblical if you don’t believe me read Ephesians 4!  I understand that sometimes we have to delegate when we are in a pinch but this is not scalable.
3. You Can Develop A Leader…out of desire – When we are developing other leaders we are extending the life cycle of our church (and don’t kid yourself…every church as a life cycle) and its biblical, if you don’t believe me read Ephesians 4! Developing leaders will allow you to sleep well at night.

Do not hold the ministry God has given you with a tight fist.  “Do it” only if you have to, “delegate” on occasion and always “develop” other leaders.

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