Tag : church

Sunday Reflection

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 2:13 pm

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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American Spoiled Version

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 10:09 am

We have so many talented people at Journey Church.  This week I had the distinct privilege to read  a very creative rendition of the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 by one our many talented people, Cole Harper.   I was talking to Cole prior to Sunday and we started talking about how the church in America has lost its first love and how we have distorted what the Great Commission embodies and have deduced the commission from our Savior Jesus Christ to something that is more focused on buildings, lights and HD videos cameras and a passionless life not focused on people who need Jesus.  Before all the emails and comments start coming in, I am not suggesting we can’t use buildings, lights and HD video cameras to promote the Great Commission but what is our motive, OUR kingdom or HIS Kingdom?  Without further ado, the American Spoiled Version of the Great Commission by Cole Harper.

Go therefore and make disciples of already lukewarm Christians, baptizing them in the name of cool buildings, consumerism and the fear of lost people, teaching them to ignore both the Gospel and that lost people go to hell. And behold, I am with you always [assuming your sound system is sweet] even as you pogo-stick aimlessly from church to church for the duration of your anemic, passionless lives.

Lets keep Jesus the main thing, shall we?  I can speak for myself and for Journey Church, we will not subscribe to this idea.  In fact, we will die flying the banner of Jesus Christ.  Who is with us?  The time is now.

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1000 ways to die and one way to LIVE.

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 2:53 pm

There is a show on TV called 1000 ways to die. It always catches my attention but I really don’t have a desire to see all the different ways to die. In fact it kind of freaks me out that there are enough people out there that want to fantasize about death but that is another post. We can focus on on the different ways to die or we can CHOOSE to focus on the one way to live. I chose to live, how about you?

I was recently motivated by a Bible study from the book of Philippians. Paul is in prison, in chains, and continues to preach the Gospel. Not worried about what the guards will think of him when he tells them about Jesus, he continues to preach (Philippians 1:13). Not concerned about the people preaching the Gospel with wrong motives, he continues to preach (Philippians 1:17). He wants to die but knows he will be used for the Kingdom if he stays the course, he continues to preach (Philippians 1:23). The one continuous theme we read through this chapter is that no matter what Paul is faced with he continues to preach the life changing message of Jesus Christ, crucified, laid to rest and raised from the dead. What is your message? What will you preach? I am convinced there might be thousands of ways to die but only one true way to life.

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Buck Up Boy

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 10:08 am

I was recently talking on the phone to one of my good friends John Stamper and he reminded me of a story I told him one time about a personal experience I had growing up.  It’s funny how you will forget and someone else will remind you about yourself.  I told him a story one time about when I was working on a farm in High School.  I worked for an old school farmer who pretty much rigged everything he did.  We were walking a fence line one day repairing the barbed wire.  The old farmer would get me to place my shoulder behind the fence post and he would swing a SLEDGE hammer nailing the wire back to the fence post.  You can imagine that every time he swung I was praying that it would be the last because it would rock my world every time.  He was hitting me so hard that I kept falling down and all I heard him saying was “Buck Up Boy!” Swing after swing, “Buck Up Boy!” Its a funny story to laugh at now but the reality is the majority of people who call themselves Christians, need to “Buck Up Boy!”

Done are the days up pathetic Christianity.  I envision a group of believers not of afraid to speak the name of Jesus.  People who not afraid to stand up for what we believe in.  Dads, man enough to lead their families and do what is right no MATTER the cost.  DONE are the days but the reality is that we all need to buck up and take the bull by the horns.  Who will come with me?  Who will stand up and say enough is enough?  Now is the time, today is the day.

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Sunday Reflection

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 3:43 pm

God is doing big things at Journey Church.  I just wanted to take a quick reflection on what we experienced today at church:

• God is always in control
• We need to run towards the will of God
• Our actions affect others
• Running away is not the answer
• God’s will, will be accomplished with us or without us
• We may have quit on God but God has not quit on us
• We need to reach out to our neighbors. co-workers, family and friends
• We had a room full of Journey Group Leaders
• We have the best Children’s Ministry Leaders in the world
• Lots of outreach to be done in our community
• We are training so we can take this ministry public in the Fall

I encourage everyone to start praying about who you will bring on Easter Sunday.  This is a great way to invite the people you have been building relationships with and we are starting a new series that Sunday called “Jesus Is…”  its going to be awesome and people will hear the Gospel.

Pastor Jeff

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What I’ve Learned About Church Growth

Posted by admin at 10:37 pm

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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God, Religion and Porn!

Posted by admin at 10:27 am

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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WordPress on my blackberry

Posted by admin at 7:31 pm

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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Don’t go to church!

Posted by Jeff Jackson at 10:00 pm

That is right, I am asking everyone not to go to church but instead to be the church.  How about we raise up a generation that is passion about Kingdom work and not afraid to stand up for Jesus.  It is not enough to just stand on the side lines it is time to get in the game.  So how can we be the church?

1.  Make church and your relationship with God a priority.

2.  Don’t sit back and let the hired guns (your pastors) do all the ministry.  Ministry is meant for the people!

3.  Go for broke! (this is my current life saying…take no prisoners…charge hell with a water pistol…you get it!)

4.  Live your life through the eyes of Jesus.

5.  As Perry Noble says, “Kick Satan in the cookies.”

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25 Random Things About Me

Posted by admin at 11:18 am

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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