I Got the Power

After being without electricity for nearly 80 hours, Vectren finally got power r

estored to our house today. What a blessing. You forget how much you rely on electricity until

you do not have it anymore. Here are a few things that I have missed being able to do over the last 3.5 days.

• SportsCenter
• The internet & blogging
• Lights in the bathroom
• Clocks
• Charging my cellphones
• Lights to read by
• The washing machine
• My refrigerator & the food in it

And think it was only 3.5 days. What would you miss?

Superhero Saturday

Planting a new church does not happen overnight and it certainly does not happen on the back of one person. While Kitten and I have been excited about what God has been doing at Discovery, we are very cognizant that it is only happening because of the hard work of others. Each Saturday I will be highlighting one of the superheroes at Discovery Church. Remember, "you do not have to have superpowers to be a hero" (Heroes, Season 1, Episode 6).

Our superhero for today is still in elementary school. Elise is an incredible young lady who helps nearly every Sunday morning when we unload at 7:00 a.m. Elise is always willing to help carry anything that she can. She arrives and begins working. Last week she did an incredible job of helping focus Alyssa, our four-year old. Together they made a dynamic team unloading and setting up in the Children's Ministry area. So for all you do Elise: thanks! You're awesome.

You Can't Handle the Truth

I went through high school and started college with the dream of being an attorney. While keeping in debate, I loved the cross-examination time. It was so fun to watch your opponent squirm as you fired questions at them. Today, the favor gets returned to me. It's my time to squirm.

Today I will stand before the Midwest Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to transfer my ordination. As part of the process, I have already taken written exams and been orally examined by a committee. Today, all of the ruling & teaching elders at the meeting will be given the chance to play "Stump the Chump" with me. (FYI: I'm not that formidable as a chump.) They can ask anything they want to about the English Bible, Theology & Sacraments, The Book of Order, Reformed Tradition, and the Nature and Office of the Minister of the Word.

If you're a praying type, please do so. I can definitely use it. Hopefully, it won't turn into a Jack Nicholson moment where the elder is yelling, "I want the truth" and I reply, "You can't handle the truth."

Discovery Worship (September 07)

The playlist from our first weekly gathering service this past weekend:

"Faceless Man" by Creed
Announcements
Drive-In Faith video
"All Because of Jesus" by Fee
"It is You" by Newsboys
"Enough" by Jeremy Camp
I Believe video
Message
"All I Need" by Shawn McDonald
"Everyday" by Lincoln Brewster

9/11

Vince Antonucci asks the question today, "What were you doing seven years ago today?"

I remember very clearly the events of 2001. I remember hearing on Bob & Tom that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. Not many details were available and I supposed they meant a little crop-duster. I went into Jojo's to meet a friend for breakfast. When I came back out and started up my car, I heard the latest update: another tower had been hit. I was headed to my parents home (less than a mile away) and by the time that I arrived there the Pentagon had been hit. I immediately went to Olivet where we spent the day wondering what we could do and how we could speak in the midst of the crisis.

Often we encounter tough times, even earth-rocking devastation. How do we continue to function in the midst of the pain? Where do we find hope in the midst of the crisis? How can we move on when there seems no where to go?

"Turn to God." The answer seems trite, a little too Sunday-School. Yet, sometimes the answer is the obvious. Just because 4 seems like the easy answer to 2+2=? doesn't mean it is wrong. Psalm 77 reminds us that even when it seems like God has forgotten us, we can continue to trust in Him.

Strip Blogging

Eric (aka Mustafa) showed me a great link. You can create your own comic strip. Check out my attempt at making a funny.

Tuesday's Thoughts

Okay many people take a break once a week and do a mind dump on their blog. I think that there is something catartic about it. So as a weekly feature, I'll place my random thoughts on here for you to read.

• Sunday was freakin' awesome. The setup in the childrens area rocked. Way to go team!
• I can't believe that I said the phrase "menstrual problems" in my sermon. Definitely a first.
• Had a really cool conversation with a friend at Starbucks last night. He has become infected with the disease called Jesus. As the Russian proverb says, "Those infected with the disease called Jesus are never cured."
• By the way, Starbucks weren't ready for us this Sunday so they gave us free coffee. They can run a little late every week as long as they give us free coffee!
• My fantasy teams took big hits this weekend. I can't believe that I took Tom Brady with the 3rd overall pick. UGH.
• I'm loving the new Chris Tomlin CD. It's in steady play on the iPod during my morning workout.
• Speaking of morning workouts, I had my body fat tested and I've lost 2.3% body fat in the past four weeks. I'm down to really fat from obviously really fat.
• The Colts looked horrible Sunday night. It just goes to show how important every cog is. Hurry up and get healthy Jeff Saturday.
• Speaking of Saturday, it's always good to see the Gators beat the Canes.
• Looking forward to an interview this Sunday as we continue the Urban Legends series.

Discovery Church Launch This Weekend

What an amazing summer it has been. When Kitten and I began this journey toward Discovery together, we had no clue what we were in store for. It has been incredible watching God create opportunities for us. It has been humbling watching others buy into the vision for Discovery. It has been incredible watching people sacrifice and serve together. I love those moments at 7:00 in the morning watching people unload our trailer and transform a theater into a gathering place for the church.

We launch weekly services this week. Our three previews services have been a great time for us to learn and to grow. This Sunday we'll begin a series entitled "Urban Legends: Debunking Spiritual Myths." I'm excited about what we learn together over the next four weeks. Feel free to come join us this Sunday at 9:00 (for free Starbucks) or 9:30 (for the service).

Healer

I believe in God moments. Let me define what I'm talking about for you. God moments are those moments that are beyond coincidence, beyond chance, but where God seems to divinely just place you somewhere, put something in your lap that has a significant impact on your life.

My latest God moment happened tonight. Right here in the basement of my mom's house. I was trolling through some blogs, catching up on some reading when I came across a song on Los' blog. As I listened to the song, I was overwhelmed. It was like a burden was placed upon me to pray. As I was praying for friends and coworkers in need of healing, God reminded me of an incredible experience that Kitten and I had where we experienced His healing.

For several years, Kitten and I desperately sought to have children. We tried and tried, but the good ol' fashion way just wasn't working. We even went to see fertility specialist. Nothing. Nada. It was like the plotline to a Seinfeld episode...nothingness. Each month we would get our hopes up; each month we would feel absolutely crushed when we realized we still weren't pregnant.

In the midst of this struggle, two friends invited us over to their house for dinner. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joviality, two things we were in desperate need of. They then invited us to their back sunroom. In that back sunroom they told us that they were praying for us and they were confident that God would provide a child for us. They challenged us to act in faith and make a purchase for the baby. Then they surrounded us and prayed for us.

Kitten and I left their house that night feeling healed, not necessarily physically, but emotionally and spiritually. We did, in fact, make a small purchase. We did trust that God was in control. A few months later, God worked through some amazing circumstances to give us a daughter, Alyssa Grace. Since that time, He has blessed us twice more. Each story is different and unique. But the healing that He has brought to us each time has been amazing.

The song that inspired this story tonight can be found here. The story and song are truly inspiring. May you experience God at work in and through you today. May He bring healing into your life where you need it. May you be an agent for healing in others lives as well.

Great News

I got the word today. After waiting for a few weeks, the word finally arrived. I passed my ordination exams. I passed the Theology & Sacraments, the English Bible, and the Polity exams. In order to pass each exam, I needed to score at least a 75. I exceeded those scores. YEAH! One more step in the process of transfering my ordination is complete.

The Second Preview Service

Last week was the second preview service for Discovery Church. I'm pretty stoked about what God is up to. The band continues to improve. We are continuing to refine and add new pieces. For those of you who like the rundown of what happened where, here's the set list.


"Nothin' At All" by Third Day
Welcome
"All Because of Jesus" by Fee
"Always" by Generation Unleashed
"Draw Me Close" as arranged by Kutless
Message with clips from Get Smart & Hellboy II
"Slow Fade" video by Casting Crowns
"Everyday"

Wordle experiment

What do I talk about most here? Take a look here and see if you can figure it.

HT: Billy Chia

Photos from the First Preview Service

Check out the photos from the first Discovery Church preview service here.

Supporting Church Planting

At Discovery we believe that we are called to be live sacrificially. We also believe that we are called to reproduce (just not in the back row of Kerasotes). One way that we are merging these two beliefs together is in supporting other church plants and making plans to help plant other churches.

At our June preview service (the next one is July 20th, btw), we were so appreciative to have some of our best friends show up from out of town just to help out. Kevin and Emily are expecting. They are expecting God to add to their family in November (17th...my birthday and Ajax's due date...disclaimer: the baby will not be named Ajax, but wouldn't it be cool if it were?). They are also expecting God to add to his family through a church they are planting in Knoxville. And what better place than in amid all the pagan UT fans. The Ridge will be launching in early 2009.

What am I excited about? I'm excited that perhaps Discovery might be able to partner with Kevin & Emily and others like them in multiplying the work of being churches that are making a difference in their communities. We're committing to give 10% of all our tithes and offering each Sunday at Discovery to support new churches. Another 10% (yes, a total of 20%) will go to support missions (like our partnership with InterVarsity and others).

How are you making a difference? How are you living sacrificially?

Time flys when you're having fun...and really busy

I am a loser. I am a shame to the blogosphere. I have neglected my blogging duties and I confess my unfaithfulness in posting. I repent and ask for your forgiveness.

The past few weeks have been very busy. I am beginning to feel that I understand my responsibilities at Bob's. However, every time I think I have a handle on it, I find myself calling Anna (the woman I'm trying to somehow replace) and begging for advice/wisdom/counsel/help. Mental note: try and not replace the "Hall of Fame" employee next time around (and hopefully that will not be anytime real soon).

Discovery is moving forward as well. Big meeting with the Board/Commission on Tuesday. The worship team was hard at work on the music for July today. I'm so proud of how they are progressing as a team. They sound really good. Can't wait for July 20th!

The other big ticket item: I'm preaching at the Midwest Presbytery of the EPC this week in Brighton, Michigan. Just a short little trip in the middle of the week. I'm so excited/nervous about this awesome opportunity. It is one of the last steps in the transferal of my ordination to the new denomination. Major step though. More details to come this week.

The First Preview Service

The fun has begun! This past Sunday was the first preview service for Discovery Church. Here's some of the pics from the weekend. We had several people there (more than we anticipated) and had a great time. The band sounded awesome and the Starbucks Coffee was hot and good.

The Worship Service Outline

"How to Save a Life" by The Fray

Welcome

"All Because of Jesus" by Fee

"You're Worthy of Praise"

"Enough" by Tomlin & Giglio

Message

"Savin' Me" video by Nickelback

"Flood" by Jars of Clay

We're Pumped!!!

Just 3.5 days away from watching God turn the dream that was Discovery Church into reality. The first preview service begins this Sunday (June 22nd) at 9:30 at Kerasotes Stadium 16; Coffee & Donuts at 9:00.

God has done so many amazing things along the way for us. A brief recap of how we got where we are.

• February 2007...God begins to birth the dream of Discovery in the hearts of two couples.
• April 2007...I go to the session at Olivet and ask for their discernment of this calling and passion.
• Summer 2007...Begin looking for places to host Discovery when it launches a year later. Several places, including Kerasotes, are either flat out "no-s" or cost-prohibitive.
• September 2007...I announced to the congregation at Olivet that I would be resigning my ministry position effective the end of May.
• October 2007...The Board of Discovery Church organizes featuring some of the greatest Christian leaders in Evansville (and Chandler).
• November 2007...Discovery Church of Evansville, Inc. officially forms in the eyes of the state of Indiana and the Federal Government.
• January 2008...The Midwest Presbytery of the EPC begins financially supporting the church launch through a matching gift.
• February 2008...Kerasotes becomes a possibility again.
• March 2008...Kerasotes becomes a reality! God is so good.
• The team continues to grow to 20 launch team members.
• Website development begins.
• May 2008...God (and Billy Long) sell our house for nearly the asking price. A miracle in this market.
• God gets me a job on the westside. By the way, join Bob's Gym (three convenient locations: North, West & Newburgh).
• June 2008...The website goes live (mydiscoverychurch.org).
• Projector and sound system arrive.
• First preview service June 22nd!

God is so good. Stay tuned for more developments.

An Ontime God

A few weeks ago, Kitten and I were stressed. Okay, we were wigging out. We were wondering how we would pay our mortgage payment when we entered the world of unemployment. My dad kept encouraging me to remember that God was an on-time God.

In the last 7 days a lot has changed. We sold our house last Monday and expect to close in the next couple of weeks. I also got a call today that I have a job. I'll be working for Bob's Gym in management. Never doubt...God is good, all the time. He might take us to the brink, but He always shows up. He shows up and He shows off.

People of the Book (part four)

In the end, the summary of the article is that we must fall in love with the book. We must return to being a "people of the book." Like the Israelites, we should rise with a desire to hear from God afresh each day. We should listen to Him as He speaks into our lives. We must direct our attention and our affection to the One worthy of both. We must develop an insatiable appetite, an unquenchable thirst for the Word of God.

People of the Book (part three)

John Ortberg describes the prophets as the "orginal performance artists." God would give them a message, but also creative ways in which to live out that message. To illustrate the desperate situation that would be the siege and exile, He commanded one prophet to make bread over a fire fueled by excrement. He commanded the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute named Gomer (to which the only appropriate reply must have been..."Golly.")

Today, as we share the message of Scripture, as we teach and live it, how are we bringing the gospel into three-dimensional reality for those around us? We must find creative and powerful ways to communicate the love of a creative and powerful God. I believe that this should include the use of video, media, art, photography, drama, comedy, poetry, prose and a variety of other expressions.

People of the Book (part two)

"In many ways our situation is increasingly like that of the early church. The gospel had to compete in a multi-religious, pluralistic environment where, as Edward Gibbon put it, "the masses considered all religions equally true, the philosophers considered them equally false, and the politicians considered them equally useful." Historians like Rodney Stark say that the reason the church exploded across the ancient world was, to a large extent it was because the church incarnated the word—cared for the poor, fed the hungry, embraced the orphan, risked sheltering the sick." (People of the Book)

As I read those words, the truths and maxims came rushing back:

• "They do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
• "You are the only Bible some people will ever read."
• "If you were charged with being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict?"
• "I would have became a Christian if I ever met one."

How is that we allow the gospel to be proclaimed on Sunday morning, yet stay dormant within our lives the rest of the week? How can we talk about how Jesus cared for the poor, the broken, the hurting as we retreat to our middle-class, suburbian like dwellings? How can we claim God as our Father, Christ as our Lord, the Spirit as our Counselor and not care for the very same people that they care for, the widowed, the orphaned, the immigrants?

God & Politics

In light of the Indiana primaries that just occurred, I found this story particularly interesting. It seems that after years of being tightly linked to the Republican party that many evangelicals are shying away from politics altogether. The signers of this new manifesto are some of the leaders in the evangelical world, including my former ethics teacher: David Gushee.

What's your thoughts? What role should the church play in politics? What about individual Christians? What is their responsibility?

People of the Book (part one)

Just finished reading an article by John Ortberg entitled People of the Book. It caused a rush of thought and questions. Over the next four days, I'll unpack some of the ways that it knocked me around and the questions it raised.

First: the issue of passion for Scriptures within the church I serve starts with me. In our Student Ministry at Olivet, the middle school and high school students are not going to revere the Word unless they see that modeled in my life. At Discovery, the passion that I bring to my personal study of Scripture will be translated in the rest of the community. When my time with God is shallow, rushed or non-existent, how can I expect anything less from those in the pews (or in Discovery's case...the theater-seating). When I spend time in God's Word, it is a rush of exhiliration. I learn so much about who God is and what He has done throughout history and how He is moving in the future.

"By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity, a word that will not be revoked: before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." -- Isaiah 45:23

Home Page Sneek Peak

Many of you end up here from the church urls. Soon, you'll have to come in through another portal. Why? Because within the next month, the Discovery Church website will be going live. The team at Details Communication has been working hard to put together an awesome tool for us. Here's a sneak peak of the screen capture for you.

Communion Confusion

How do those who do not go to church react to the language we use in a communion service? What do they hear when we say this is the body and blood of Christ? Here's a hint from indexed.

Perhaps we need to give more explanation or find another way in which to receive this sacrament. Could it be that because we fail to accurately explain the background and the reasoning behind our actions that we have people thinking this?

Awesome gift

What's it like to be the church that has very little? It's interesting and yet so helpful in remembering that God gives us exactly what we need. For example:

Exhibit A: Kitten's preschool classroom at Olivet recently got a new rug for the kids. Kitten was commenting to the Director of how nice it was and how she hoped that she would be able to get something like it for the kids at Discovery. She stated that she would probably settle for something plainer though for pure cost purposes. A couple of weeks later, Kitten walked into my office at Olivet to find a gift. Here's what it was. One of her co-workers had overheard the story and had got online and ordered it for Discovery. What an awesome gift.

Exhibit B: Just got done talking with one of my talented debaters from North. He said the passage he read this morning was a great reminder to trust God. Read it for yourself. Luke 12:22-31.

The Exciting Announcement

As many of you know we have been praying for a space to become available for Discovery to have their Gathering (Sunday morning) services in. We've been through many options and discussed the possibility with numerous people. This past Friday we got the confirmation of a space. And the place where we'll meet is...



Kerasotes Stadium 16
5600 Pearl Drive
Evansville, IN 47712



Over the next few days, we'll explain what this will look like. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 22nd for our first preview service at Kerasotes Stadium 16!

Plenary Session 5b -- Rick Warren

Rick is the author of the NY Times best seller, The Purpose Driven Life. He has also recently made it his goal to work to bring P.E.A.C.E. throughout the globe. Here's the highlight of his closing talk.

• Listen to your wife. She's often the Holy Spirit.


• Before you marry, opposites attract. After you marry, opposites attack.


• The purpose of marriage is not to make you happy; it is to make you holy.


• God gave you your wife not just for sex, not just to mother your children, but to be a counselor to you too. You don't have it all together. You need other people, especially your wife.


• God said, “I never called you to compare yourself to others. If you do, you will limit what I want you to do in your life. I want you to be you.”


• Growing churches require growing pastors. The moment you stop growing, the church will stop growing. Leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you'll stop leading.


• There is one thing you cannot delegate and that is faith in God.


• Rest and relaxation are so important that God put it into the Big 10 right next to murder and adultery.


• Don't call it a day off, call it a Sabbath. If you call it a day off, you'll violate it.


• Don't pay attention to critics and compliments. They are both like bubblegum: chew on it, but don't swallow it. You have to do your work for an audience of one.


• A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great church, Christian, community.

Plenary Session 5a -- Tim Keller

Tim Keller is a true inspiration to church planters. Tim and the congregation at Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan have taken the call to plant very seriously. In living it out the Great Commission, they have helped change the world. Here's the highlights from his part of the last session.

• It's pretty obvious that the DNA of a reproducing church has to be the gospel.



• The text says that gospel is power. It is the power of God in verbal form.



• The gospel completes the baseline cultural narrative of hearts and society. He's taking the baseline aspiration of the culture, he uses it to confront the culture, but also there is an invitation to repentance from the culture.



• The gospel is: In Jesus Christ, God emptied Himself and became a servant; In Jesus Christ, God atoned for our sins by substituting Himself for us; In the end times, God will come back to restore all things to Himself.



• God cares so much for His creation that He became materially and that He will restore it as well.
  

Big news coming in 4 days

God is amazing. We've got big news on the Discovery front coming down. We'll be announcing in on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. right here. You won't want to miss it. Plan on stopping by and finding out what we're excited about. We'll start dropping hints soon.

Plenary Session 4b -- Dave Ferguson

Dave Ferguson is the President of the Conference this year. He does an incredible job in leading the New Thing Network. He also wrote an incredible book entitled The Big Idea. The highlights of his talk:

• Community :: grow in their love for God, their love for God's people, their love for God's world.


• From the very beginning of time, God has been all about community.


• If it is what God is about, maybe it should be what we're about.


• The most important question might be: Are we coming together to create community? Are we loving God and loving God's world?


• Be the community. Be the church and go create community.

Plenary Session 4a -- Steve Andrews

Can't find a good picture, so you just get the highlights:

• There is a fresh wave of the Holy Spirit in the church. There is a spirit of openhandness that is catching like a virus. There is a spirit that is rejecting the competitive, isolationist attitude.
• Every man or woman has to hear the call of God, decide what that is and then give their lifeblood for that.
• Live with the vision in an unwavering way.
• There is an exploding number of people who believe in the Great Commission who don't care who gets the credit. They just want to see Jesus Christ lifted high.
• No ego leadership means that we will change the world by allowing others to surpass us in every way.

Plenary Session 3 -- Alan Hirsch

Alan Hirsch wrote The Forgotten Ways. His talk in the main session was challenging and very entertaining. The highlights:

• Organizations exert a certain pressure on us to conform. Sometimes to wake up out of the mesmerizing effect we have to get kicked in the butt.


• It is Christology that lies at the heart of the renewal of the church.


• If we don't go back to Jesus, what are we doing? We get so busy with the stuff of the church that we can forget all about Jesus.


• You know that Jesus is like you when He hates the people that you hate.


• The embodiment of the faith is critical to transmission.


• We disciple in the context of consumerism, which is the overwhelming alternative religion of the day. It is the state religion.


• What we need are missionally responsive, culturally adaptive, organizationally agile, multiplication movements.


• Every believer a church planter, every church a church planting church.


• God sent and went to make a difference. We must be a sending people.

Breakout session -- Vince Antonucci

I confess. I have a church planter's crush on Vince Antonucci. Why? Ten reasons...

10. His church name has a golf term in it: FOREfront.

9. In a world of tall, handsome, perfect teeth church planters, I'm actually taller than Vince.

8. He has an awesome sense of humor.

7. He is a genuine great guy. I sent an email asking for some advice last fall and he quickly replied (multiple times). He wasn't too busy for others.

6. He told people not to join his church.

5. He has a church service in a bar. You could blame someone sleeping on them "passing out" and not on the fact that they didn't like the sermon.

4. He's really good at top 10 lists.

3. He is an incredible story teller.

2. He wrote an incredible book that I highly recommend.

1. He takes God's work very seriously. He doesn't take himself too seriously.

So I got to meet Vince in person today. Awesome experience. Here are some of the highlights of his talk:

• God is an uncivilized God. He acts in uncivilized ways. He calls people to act in uncivilized ways.


• If it seems like the right thing to do, it's probably not. If it seems like something that we can be criticized for, it's probably of God.


• Do what God is calling you to do, not what someone else is doing. The Bible says that God gives us visions and dreams. Perhaps God has a vision or dream for your ministry.


• To reach people who haven't been reached, you have to do something that has never been done.

So much more good stuff. I encourage you to look at his blog to catch even more details.

Plenary Session 2 -- Andy Stanley

The second followed the first, imagine that. Andy Stanley, the pastor at Northpoint in Atlanta, shared some of his thoughts. He mainly focused on the need to communicate vision. Here are the highlights:

• “I've never done what you've done. I know more about splitting churches than planting churches.”


• “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That statement is the glue that holds all of it together.


• Vision is the mental picture of what could be, fueled by the passion for what should be. This isn't just what can be, but what has to be. Something needs be different.


• Memorable is portable and you need a portable vision.


• What is Barack Obama's vision for America? Change. We have a candidate who has done an incredible job of linking his vision to a word. You may say we don't know what it means. He'll have four or eight years to explain it if he wins.


• Define the problem. Offer a solution. Explain why and why now.


• Don't miss opportunities to systematically celebrate someone fleshing out the vision. Stories are powerful for communicating vision.

Exponential Conference -- Opening Session

Exponential has arrived. The volunteers are amazing. The worship team from 242 church are leading worship. They are amazing. I wish I could put some of our worship team, like Dan & Nick, in touch with them. They are great.

Ed Stetzer, one of the godfathers of North American church planting, opened the conference. He did a great job. Here's some of the highlights from his talk and the panel discussion he led.

• Many church plants are moving away from a denomination backing to more of a local church focus.


• Churches that plant aggressively: expect church planters to raise 50-80% of their support; provide less financial support to one church so they can support multiple churches; assign 10% or more of their overall budget to the church; had staff assigned to church planting; encourage their members to be involved in supporting church plants.


• Churches of 200 or less are 4 times more likely to plant than those of 1000 members or more.


• There's never a good time to plant a church, like there is never a good time to have children. Yet they are both very positive experiences.


• How awesome would it be if all our church plants were born pregnant.


• Neil Cole -- Your church is never better than the disciples you produce.


• Ron Sylvia -- Learn and return. What we learn from God, we are going to return to His kingdom work.


• Randy Pope -- They (people in the church) are going to seek what you celebrate.


• Ron Sylvia -- You are doing some of the greatest work. You are involved in the extreme sport of ministry.

Don't mess with Los

Carlos Whittaker, one of my favorite bloggers, had a bad experience at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Read about it here. It's sort of funny. Great way to handle anger at poor customer service by the way.

Church in the ATL

Here's the highlights from my experience at The Midtown Bridge. Larry Grays began their series called Caffinated Conversations this week. Here's some of the highlights:

• God is always working but sometimes it feels like nothing is happening while we wait.



• The farther we get from God, the harder it is to hear His voice. Stay close to the bucket!



• However, proximity to Jesus does not guarantee you are a Christian anymore than being in a garage would guarantee that you are a car.



• When Peter began to sink, he wasn't doubting God. He was doubting whether or not God could do the supernatural through Him.



• He's an on-time God.



• God has adopted us! (one of my personal favorites)



• What are you doing with God's time? If God were to give you 15 more years, what would you do during that time?

On the whole, I had a great time visiting with TMB. The people there were extremely friendly, a great example of Southern hospitality. I really appreciated the way the staff and volunteers were so willing to share what God's doing in this relatively new church plant.

Tomorrow, the Exponential Conference kicks off. I'll try and keep updates flowing.

When you're just a little off...

Most of us have complained at one time or another about Mapquest. It's directions may or may not be accurate for whatever adventure you are on. Yesterday, however, I met something worse. When I booked the Doubletree, I clicked on the get directions map. They gave me directions through a program called MapPoint. I assumed..."Hey the hotel gave me this program. Everything else that Doubletree does is excellent. This must be good too." Or not.

I realized I would be in for adventure when I looked at it further on Saturday as I was jumping on I-65 to Nashville. I looked down and it said 150 miles to Nashville. That was very interesting since I was 100 miles from Louisville. The total trip according to MapPoint was 360 miles. In reality, the trip was much more like 585 miles. Not even close. It starts with minor errors though. Like one of the last directions was to drive 2.0 miles on West Paces Ferry Rd. In reality, it was more like 3.3 miles. Mulitiply that out over 360 miles and you nearly get the difference.

It made me wonder. How many times am I just a little bit off, not quite where God wants me to be. If I am off, where am I ending up and how far short of what He desires is that? My hope for today is that you and I might live according to His guidance, His direction. May you end up where He leads you.

Heading to the ATL

Kitten and I drove up to Kokomo yesterday to check on her mom. She looks to be doing alot better. I'm heading out tomorrow morning to begin my pilgrimmage to Orlando for the Exponential Conference. I'm spending the night tomorrow night in downtown ATL (Atlanta) at the Doubletree Hotel. I love that hotel. They know all about exceeding expectations. When you check-in, they give you some of the best cookies on the face of the earth...for free. When I was a kid, I loved when my dad stayed at a Doubletree when traveling because it meant I got cookies. Not so sure that my girls will be that lucky this time.

I'll be going to The Midtown Bridge on Sunday morning for worship. The Midtown Bridge launched in August 2007. I'm excited to see what God has been up to. The church meets in a movie theater in downtown ATL. It will be interesting to see what it looks like when the church meets in a non-traditional setting. Definitely something for us to keep in mind at Discovery Church.

Stuff Christians Like

I had a friend who pointed me in the direction of the satirical blog, Stuff White People Like. It definitely has a humourous approach to life.

Well, today, Carlos Whittaker pointed me toward a similar site, Stuff Christians Like. I have to admit that I don't necessarily agree with all that is written on either site. I think there are some factual inaccuries (like #124 and the reference to the name Trey...I never got the pretty girl...until Kitten...almost got myself in trouble there). Anyway, take a few moments and laugh. Definitely worth it.

Learning about Leadership from the Bible

Tony Morgan has been writing about leadership lessons that he learned from Scripture, particulalry the Gospel of Matthew. They have really got me thinking. More importantly they have got me reading. It hit me that God has been revealing much about what it means to be a leader and a Jesus-follower way before Warren Bennis, Warren Buffett, or Jimmy Buffett were around. So I've been crawling back through the beginning pages of Scripture and learning some amazing leadership lessons. Here's some of what I've learned.

• God is creative. A leader should strive to be creative as well. Who wants boring when you can create the Grand Canyon? (Genesis 1:1)
• God is waiting to move and work. Are we waiting in anticipation of what He is up to? (Genesis 1:2)
• All that God created was expected to produce results. Jesus reiterated this in John 15. What is my life producing? What is the church I am serving producing? (Genesis 1:11-12)
• All of God's creation has a purpose. Nothing is created by accident. You and I have a purpose. Does all I do reflect this purpose? (Genesis 1:17-18)
• We reproduce what we are. If I want those who follow after me to be something, I need to be that something. I do not have the genetic make-up to create a 6'5" skinny NBA baller. I can reproduce Jesus-followers though. (Genesis 1:24)
• God made me exactly like I am (though a few more inches would have been appreciated). I am not an accident. I bear His image and am sufficient to lead and develop leaders. I have the ability to be creative. (Genesis 1:26-27)
• We are called to be leaders. We have responsibilities and assignments that we are expected to fulfill (Genesis 1:28).

I am the Champion...Almost

Plantingspace.com hosted a NCAA Men's Basketball Bracket Challenge for church planters & bloggers. I entered not expecting much. After the first weekend, I was a miserable 59th out of 135. Less than impressive. Clearly I was not in the same league as these men and women of genius.

However the games were not over being played. I slowly began moving up the rankings. Going into Monday night's championship game I had risen all the way to 19th. If Memphis won (which they easily could have), I would have finished a respectable 25th. Not embarrassing, but not great. However, Memphis did not win, Kansas did.

Like the legendary phoenix, I rose from the ashes to new heights. No, I was not the champion. But I did finish 5th. Which put me firmly in top 3.7% of church plant prognosticators. I might not have been smart enough (or worked hard enough) to finish in the top 10% of my high school class, but in this competition I did. Thank you Derrick Rose. Thank you John Calipari. Most importantly, thank you Mario Chalmers. Thank you for making me special.

Final Four Cookout This Saturday

We're having a cookout this Saturday night for the Launch Team. Not a member of the Launch Team, but still want to come? Come! You're welcome.

We'll be hanging out at the McClain's abode (that means house) watching the Final Four. We'll have multiple environments for you to enjoy (living room with furniture & garage sans "real" furniture). We'll have great food...and you'll bring some of it! We'll provide the meat and bread-like items. You bring salads, side items, desserts and drinks. Don't miss out. Be a part. Should be lots of fun. Drop a note to let us know you're coming!

Holy Week

This might be the busiest week in the life of most churches. Obviously, for us at Discovery, not so much yet. (But no promises on next year.)

At Olivet this week, we kicked off Holy Week with the Palm Sunday service and the Easter egg hunt. We do the Easter egg hunt the week before, because we do not want to miss the celebration point of Easter. On a side note, it creates two big weeks for visitors back-to-back.

Wednesday will feature the normal Wednesday evening programs. I'm excited because I'm up to teach in the Matrix. At the beginning of the school year we went to team teaching. The upside was that it made the ministry less dependent upon me. The downside is that I miss the opportunity to teach some of the best middle school and high school students in Evansville.

Thursday evening will be our Maundy Thursday service. We will be remembering (perhaps that is the key word for this week: "remember") Jesus' final moments with His disciples. We'll celebrate community through communion this night. The service begins at 6:30.

Friday evening will be our chance to focus on Good Friday. I'm really excited because I get to help teach and design this service. I think I'll be working with Jeff Kleinschmidt, one of the most gifted acoustic guitar players that I know. Can't wait for this evening.

Sunday will celebrate Life and Hope. Easter Sunday. He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

If you want to follow the Holy Week closely, check out In the Agora. They are observing this Holy Week on their blog day-by-day. Here are the previous days blogs.

• Palm Sunday


• Holy Week Monday


• Holy Week Tuesday

Something to Look Forward To

I just got the chance to read Vince Antonucci's talk for the Exponential Conference. His seminar will be entitled, "The Idiot's Guide to Idiotic Church Planting." It's a homerun. Vince shares passionately about what church planters (and Christians as a whole) are called to be. He lays out a solid exegetical framework (big words) for the fact that we are called to be fools, idiots. He weaves his own personal stories in with media and sound advice to make one killer point. I don't want to spoil it for those who will be there, but don't miss it. You'll definitely be glad that you were there!

Know When to Fold Them

The headlines in tomorrow's paper will no doubt be about the Ohio and Texas primaries. There will be celebrations of Hillary Clinton's win in Ohio. They will say that Texas is still too close to call. Yet below the fold will be the story of two men who decided that it was time to fold.

Mike Huckabee stepped away from the Republican campaign today. Huckabee's attempt to win the nomination has seemed at best to be a long shot. However, he persevered even when the pundits said he was finished. In fact, he even won primaries after he was supposely finished. He stuck it out until it was abundantly clear that he could not win. In doing so, he helped keep John McCain, the newly crowned Republican nominee for President, on the front pages and relevant.

Brett Favre also announced today that he was hanging up his spikes. Favre, the holder of nearly every major passing record, stepped away from the game yesterday. He stated that the issue was not his physical ability to compete, but rather his mental fatigue. He realized that the Green Bay Packers were not likely to win the Super Bowl and so it was time to quit.

So what do we learn from these two men?

First, if it's not possible to achieve your objective, it might be time to quit. Rather than wasting valuable resources and time on the impossible, move on to something else that you could thrive at.

Second, when you do call it quits, it does not hurt to do so gracefully. Both of these men demonstrated an amazing amount of tact in calling it quits. They refused to trash others; instead they focused on the positive experience that they had.

Two questions do remain however. Who does Chuck Norris endorse now? And who will be the recipient of the next Colbert bump?

New Logo for Discovery

The Beauty of Teamwork

One project requiring 300 man hours to complete would take one individual nearly 17 days (18 hours/day) to complete. That same project can be completed by one team of 150 people in two hours. That is why I love teams. I'm super-thankful for the Discovery Launch Team and the Discovery Board. You make this journey a joy (and a lot easier).

On the blog, Indexed, you'll find lots of interesting drawings like the one on the right.

Starbucks revisits standards

I'm a Starbucks fan. After reading Joseph Michelli's The Starbucks Experience, I developed a great deal of respect for how the company tries to run its business. Starbucks' commitment to the environment, the coffee workers in the third world, and its corporate standards were inspiring. Today, Starbucks has reinvigorated my passion for them.

After noticing that the average customer was having a less enjoyable experience, Starbucks is taking a radical step. They are closing their stores nationwide for three hours tonight to re-train each of its 135,000 employees. Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schulz explains the rationale in a memo to employees. "We are passionate about our coffee. And we will revisit our standards of quality that are the foundation for the trust that our customers have in our coffee and in all of us."

What a great example for the church! What are we passionate about? How do we insure that the quality of the experience for our customers (the unchurched/dechurched) is equally inspiring? Thanks Starbucks for setting a great example in how to build trust with those who visit.

mydiscoverychurch.com

As soon as we could, we began working on securing website addresses for Discovery. We were quickly able to get: mydiscoverychurch.net & mydiscoverychurch.org. Today, we finally were able to secure mydiscoverychurch.com. In the coming days, we will begin website development. Keep checking back for more updates!

Crazy Experiment

Are you up for a crazy experiment? If so, check this out.

ht: Carlos Whittaker

Launch Team Meeting Coming Up

Love at First Sound

May you have a surprisingly romantic Valentines Day.

Changing How You View Love

Have you ever encountered a Bible verse and just moved through it without really thinking about it because you were so familiar with it. Then all of a sudden something grabs a hold of you and forces you to look at it with new eyes. Today that happened to me.

Matthew 5:43-48 took on a new image for me today. The great communication experts tell us that our brain locks concepts with images. That passage of Scripture has a new image in my brain. It looks like this now:

Not what you were expecting probably. But definitely life changing. May God cause you to love others in a completely scandalous way. May love be the natural overflow of your life. May those you encounter be changed by the gracious way in which you embrace them in love.

Want to know more about the art, check it out here.

Mandles

For those ladies looking for a last minute Valentines gift...

HT: ITA

The Purpose of a Launch Team (Part Two)

So I'm not as quick on the posts lately, but round two as promised...

2. It's Your Church Plant....GIVE.

The initial start-up of a new church plant can be expensive to say the least. No one person (besides Warren Buffett, Bill Gates or Mitt Romney) could afford to sustain the effort on their own. However as a launch team working together to make a difference in a community, we can. The needs are great, but as we work together we can see the dream become a reality.

If you are not currently giving to a church, consider making regular contributions to Discovery. Just drop a check in an envelope and mail it to: Discovery Church, PO Box 6018, Evansville, IN 47719-0018.

White Board Sessions

If I could pick one conference to attend in the coming year, it would be The White Board Sessions. Top ten reasons to attend:

1) A conference in the nation's capital (or right around it). Think of the great site-seeing opportunities (and the beautiful cherry blossoms).

2) The line-up. Any one of these individuals would be worth the price of admission, but together...wow!

3) It's only one day. No need to block out a week (unless you want to make it a vacation).

4) The topics. Each leader gets 30 minutes to lay it out for you on a topic that they are passionate about.

5) It's cheap. Register through the end of this month for only $99.

6) It has a blog. How cool is that?

7) They give away free stuff. I'm all about free stuff...especially when it includes Starbucks coffee.

8) Everyone (from everywhere) will be there. Twenty-four states and DC (Washington, not to be confused with Discovery Church) are represented. Give in to peer pressure on this one.

9) Wireless internet. So you could listen and blog at the same time.

10) Casual attire. No need to dress to impress.

Check it out. Register if you can. Don't miss out (unless you are going on an already scheduled vacation to beautiful South Carolina with your family and friends).

Great Video

Everyone needs a good laugh. Here's a link to a laugh for today. Hope you enjoy.

ht: Vince Antonucci

The Purpose of a Launch Team

Over the next few days, I will be sharing the purpose of launch team members. As Discovery Church begins, these individuals will be playing a crucial part in shaping and creating the environment that allows the unchurched/dechurched to feel welcome and invited.

1. It is your church plant...invite others.
Launch team members must know that they are planting a church. It is not Trey's church plant, but rather it is yours. You have the ability/responsibility to invite others into the journey. In fact, the expectation is that you will be inviting people to the preview and launch services. Ed Stetzer recently posted a blog about how the unchurched feel about talking with others about spiritual matters. Guess what...they like it! As a launch team member, you become the biggest advocates for Discovery Church in the Evansville community. It's your church plant...invite others to join the adventure.

Being Chosen

I remember high school dances. They frightened me. Especially the winter dance, Santa Switch, because it was there that the girls chose the guys. On other occasions, I could always blame my lack of guts as a reason I did not have a date to the dance. But with Santa Switch, it became an issue of the finer, gentler sex not wanting to ask me. Ouch...I hated not being chosen.

I was afraid that I was setting myself up for another Santa Switch moment. Tim Stevens recently asked for 10 leaders to read his upcoming book, Pop Goes the Church, and to offer him feedback to make it a better book. Tim would send the selected individuals an electronic copy of the book prior to it being sent to the publisher. I quickly responded that I was excited about the opportunity and that I would love to be selected. Tim was overwhelmed and found over 100 people who wanted to read the book. Who would he pick? The waiting had begun...

I was chosen. Tim picked me! I received an e-mail yesterday from Tim's assistant, Theresa, notifying me that I had been selected to read the book. Now I sit in expectant anticipation for the book to arrive in my inbox. I might not have had a date to Santa Switch, but Tim Stevens chose me.

Launch Team Meeting Tonight

The Launch Team for Discovery Church is meeting tonight. I am really excited about the growth that is happening. We have gone from a team of 10 a month ago to nearly 25 now. Wow! God is doing an incredible work and lives are going to change. Check back tomorrow for a recap of the night's events.

Blown Away and Honored

For the past eight years (and two other years before that), I have been involved in coaching debate at Evansville North High School. We have been blessed to have some very talented students come through our program during that time. This past weekend, our students traveled to the Ben Davis meet in Indianapolis. This large tournament kicks off the second (and most competitive) half of the season. At the awards ceremony, I was recognized as the "Indiana High School Forensics Association Coach of Month."

Wow...I was blown away and deeply honored. I recognize that so many men and women give so much of their time to help students learn to think analytically and critically about significant issues. To be recognized by my peers was overwhelming. I can think of several individuals who are more deserving, but the recognition is much appreciated.

Goals for 2008 (part two)

GOAL #3: Make my girls laugh on a daily basis. I love my girls. They are by far the most amazing creations in the world. I find myself standing near their rooms watching them sleeping and completely and totally in awe. What amazing gifts from God. In Psalms 100, it talks of bringing a gift of laughter to God. My hope is to bring such joy to my little girls lives that they will laugh, bringing joy to their daddy and to their Father.

GOAL #4: Read & read some more. I love reading. I have read some really incredible books lately including: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, The Dip, The Starbucks Experience, and am currently reading Built to Last. I am really looking forward to reading some other books, including: Made to Stick, I Became a Christian and all I Got was this Lousy Shirt, and Pop Goes the Church (yet to be announced release date). The point is that readers are learners and learners are readers. I want to learn, to stretch, to grow beyond where I am right now. If you have suggestions, I would love hearing them.

Goals for 2008 (part one)

I'm not big on resolutions. They seem so over-played. No body really sticks to them, and by saying it was "just a resolution" it seems okay to dismiss the fact that you did not reach your objective. I say all that to say that I prefer goals. Definite, achievable goals.

Over the next few days, I want to share some of my goals for '08. I must confess, I'm pretty excited about this year. It will be one of the busiest, most stress-filled years of my life, but I am expecting God to do some pretty amazing stuff in the midst of it. So without further ado...

GOAL #1: Take the time each evening to have a serious conversation with my wife. Relationships are important and need to be cultivated. They do not grow through proximity, but rather through conversation and living life together. Furthermore, my wife's love-language is quality time.

GOAL #2: Read through the Bible. I read alot. I should read the Bible more. This year, I'm reading through the Bible in "The Message" translation. I figure I'll shake things up a bit by not reading a translation I am overly familiar with (particularly in the Old Testament). By the way, if you want to check a cool online resource to help you read through the Bible in a year, check out: youversion.com. It's really neat how they have put it together.

Going Tiger

The early morning news shows and the Internet were ablaze this morning with the news of the escape and attack of a Siberian tiger at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas evening. The tiger, in a manner yet to be determined, escaped from its habitat and attacked three young men from San Jose. Two of the victims are in stable condition, while the other died at the scene.

The attack reminded me of the Sigfried and Roy incident from not too long ago. Following that unfortunate event, there was great public outrage that the tiger might attack. Chris Rock, the well-known comedian, finally stated the obvious: "That tiger didn't go crazy. It went tiger."

The truth is that tigers, like many other animals, were not designed to be put on display. They were designed as predators in the wild. While we may put them in cute cages, and even occasionally dress them up in cutesy outfits (like at the circus), they still remain wild beasts whose natural instinct is to attack.

All of these thoughts made me wonder about the purpose of man. Surely we were made for more than punching a clock, surfing the web, or daydreaming. We were made for a purpose as well and until we find ourselves living within that purpose, we are going to feel as out-of-place as a tiger with a tutu, standing on its hind legs as kids scream for cotton candy.

In the coming year, may you find your reason for existence. May you encounter the purpose for which you were created. May you experience life at its fullest.

Merry Christmas

Hope you and your loved ones have a great Christmas. May these holidays bring you more in love with your family, friends, and the God who would wrap Himself in skin to know you.

In the Presence of Greatness

I'm finishing my preparation for my part of the Christmas Eve service at Olivet right now. I'm excited about the service tonight because we are combining with two other churches, Westminster (Evansville) and New Hope (Chandler). I'm always excited when the church breaks down artificial walls and begins to demonstrate what heaven will be like, when the Church is united.

In preparation for tonight, I've been thinking about the impact of the truly great have on what they do. For example, James Naismith created basketball in 1891. For nearly a century the game was played with some truly excellent players in that period. However, when Michael Jordan began playing for the Chicago Bulls, he showed us what the game could truly be like. He changed how the game is played forever.

Others that I can think of with a similar impact include: Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, William Shakespeare, and Chick-Fil-A. What about you? Who do you think has completely reshaped how something is done?

Chanukah Ham

There is nothing like a nice kosher Chanukah celebration. Imagine sitting at the table with your family waiting for the "boneless, smoked ham." Oh wait...that wouldn't be kosher. What was I thinking?

ht: In the Agora

Lovin' my wife

I was reading one of the many blogs that I cruise through on a daily basis when one line jumped out at me. Craig Groeschel has been writing a list of 40 things that he wished someone had told him when he was 20. I really appreciated number 36 (just wondering why it took until 36 to get to it). It said:

"36. Love your wife more than you love the church. The church is Jesus' bride, not yours."

The temptation in ministry is to spend so much time loving and serving others that you forget about the one that you committed to loving and serving "until death do you part." What a regular temptation for me. It is so easy to eat lunch with an elder/youth worker/another pastor and never invite your wife (and those beautiful girls) to lunch.

Kitten...if you are reading this...first, I'm impressed you found the time in the midst of raising two amazing girls at home where there is no internet connection. Second, you've heard me say on numerous occasions that I married out of my league. No doubt there are many times that you agree. Thank you. Thank you for loving me when I am imperfect. Thank you for doing a great job with two awesome girls. Thank you for being so supportive of me and our calling to the church. Thank you for making sacrifices so that others can know that God loves them. Today, know that you are loved beyond measure and I appreciate you.

What does God really desire from us?

This morning I was reading Isaiah 1 when some thoughts jumped out at me. As I read Isaiah 1:11-14 the question formed in the back of my brain and moved forward, smacking me between the eyes. What does God really desire from us? Does He want us to routinely go through the motions of worship or would He rather sincere love and appreciation? Does God really need our worships songs? Does He need our recitation of "The Lord's Prayer"? For that matter, does He even need our tithes and offerings? No. What He really wants is us. He delights in those aforementioned acts only as they are a authentic response to who we are and our love for Him.

What God desires are worshippers who "worship in Spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). What He wants is for all those Jesus-followers to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly" with Him (Micah 6:8). He desires for us to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).

Legal Steps Begin

Today was a very exciting day in the life of Discovery. We submitted our Articles of Incorporation to the Secretary of State for Indiana. They were approved nearly instantaneously. We then filed for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service and were quickly granted that as well. In the coming week, we will be setting up our own checking account and be ready to receive funds (like donations).