I’m super excited that two weeks from today I get to be a part of what I hope will be a great conversation with some amazing voices in the church.  Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Bianca Juarez, Margaret Feinberg, Dr. Anthony B. Bradley and I will be hosting the 12 Conversations discussion here in Nashville.

12 Cities | 12 Conversations are free gatherings in strategic US cities to facilitate conversation about the internal struggles and external pressures facing the Church among church leaders, thinkers, pastors, authors, musicians, advocates, artists, social entrepreneurs, and YOU.

Here’s a quick video that will help you better understand what we hope to discuss:

I hope you’ll join us!

12 Cities | 12 Conversations Gathering in Nashville

Cross Point Nashville Campus

Thursday, September 16th at 6:00 PM

If you can’t join us in person, you can join us online at CrossPoint.tv

For more information, visit the website at www.12cities12conversations.com.

What would you like to discuss?

I’m compiling the questions for our conversation and would love your input!  Leave your question in the comment section for me.

I’m learning there’s never a dull moment in multi-site ministry…

Yesterday I headed to our Dickson Campus to spend the morning.  Things were moving along right on schedule.  We had just finished our program overview meeting and were prepared to do a full run-through of the service when the power went out in the entire building.  We quickly learned that no breakers were blown, that indeed the entire street was without power and we didn’t have any idea when power would be back up.  It was 45 minutes before the first service.

The Dickson Campus staff and I rallied together quickly to come up with a “plan b” (I couldn’t resist ).  Within 20 minutes we had chosen a new location for services that provided natural light, we had put together an acoustic set and I was reading through Pete’s message notes to try to come up with at least a devotional based on the 3rd element of our vision statement.

We pulled together the volunteers that were already there, talked through our plan, assigned new responsibilities, prayed… and I’m not joking… immediately after we prayed, the lights came back on.  Just in time for us to begin the first service.

Scenarios like this morning are just a reminder to me that you never know when you’ll really need to lead.  Leadership happens in the unplanned moments and today I was so proud of how our Dickson staff stepped up to lead through this potential hiccup.

I’m so glad we actually heard Pete’s message because it just might be the most intense, passionate, challenging message I’ve ever heard him deliver.  My notes won’t do it justice, but I’ll try…

DNA – Relentlessly Dedicated by Pete Wilson

The real crisis is that people are going to church but they are not growing in Christ-likeness.

I believe the “space between” is all about us changing the world.

I really believe this church can change the world.  I believe this church is called to change the world.

Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that church exists to serve our needs.

If you don’t live like you believe your life was created to impact the world you will miss the point of salvation and sanctification.

Matthew 28:19

Mark 16:15

Acts 1:8

God’s general will for you is summed up in these verses.

There is a disconnect in our lives between the grace of God and the purpose of God.

You were created by God to enjoy His grace, but you were also created to extend His grace.

Isaiah 43:1-2,7

Psalm 67:1-2

The ends of the earth have never needed God’s grace more than today.

Missions shouldn’t be just a program in the church, it’s the whole reason for the church.  Nobody gets a calling to do missions.  It’s what we do as followers of Christ.

Every single one of you are here for a purpose and a reason.

Wake up to God’s call on your life!

What would happen if a group of people rise up and say “it’s not about us”?

Give graciously. God has a purpose for your life and it’s to make a difference!

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Today we also celebrated many of the amazing things we have been able to do as a church thus far.  This is just the beginning!

I can remember rummaging through Nan’s purse to find her brag book.  It was always there… usually not too hard to find because she had likely had it out recently to share our pictures with her friends.

I loved Nan’s brag book.  It was a tangible reminder of how much she loved me (granted that was always measured by how many pictures of me were in the book compared with her other grandkids.) The brag book made me feel special and I know Nan took great pride in showing her friends our pictures and telling them what we were up to.  (Odds are she’s still showing my 4 year old picture and telling people what I’m doing now 30 years later.)

So in memory of the brag book, I’ve decided to start a new segment on the blog by the same name.

Although I don’t have children of my own, I have an entire team that I get to do life with day in and day out.  These guys are my family.

They stretch me.  They teach me.  They tolerate me.  They still love me.

And although most of them don’t hear it as often as they should, I brag about them frequently.  I’m proud of the leaders that they are.  I’m proud of the way they love people.  I’m proud of the way that they give their whole hearts to serve our church and our community.  I’m simply thankful to be a part of their lives.

So from time to time I’ll share a moment to brag on one of our staff.

Indulge me.

Here’s what I’m bragging about this week…

Our Community Groups Team

This past Sunday, our Community Groups Team led by Chris Surratt, hosted our Fall Community Groups Kick-off.  Chris and his team are passionate about getting people connected in community and this weekend alone they signed up 1000 people!

Did you catch that?

1000 MORE people who want to be in community!

That’s above and beyond those who are already connected to a group.

The number is simply staggering and reminds me just how hungry people are for authentic relationships and spiritual formation.

I’m so proud of this team, the group coaches and the group leaders who are making it possible for authentic community to be a part of our DNA at Cross Point.  Simply amazing!

You can learn more about our Community Groups on their blog Continue the Conversation.  Go check it out!

Who can you brag about this week?

I don’t have a lot of extra commentary for you today.  I’m still wrestling with my place in multi-site ministry now with four campuses.  Some days I feel like I’m needed everywhere and other days I feel like I’m needed nowhere.  Kinda messes with me.

Pete’s message kicked my butt, though.  Read at your own risk. 

DNA – Irrevocably Committed by Pete Wilson

We’re not here to play church.

We did not start this church because Nashville needed another church.  We started this church because we believed God was calling us to start something unique.

Genesis 2:15-25

We were created to take care of stuff.

You were created with a capacity for deep connectedness.

Adam and Eve had nothing to hide.

John 13:34

Trying not to sin doesn’t guarantee I will love more.  However, loving others will always result in less sinning.

Biblical Community is:

Intentionally intrusive.

• I celebrate you without reservation.  I look at your strengths and I celebrate them.  I’m not threatened by them.  We have a unique power to call out the best in each other.
• Criticism is the most cowardly form of self-praise.
• Speak the truth in love.  We surround ourselves with convenient relationships that aren’t true community because truth is not spoken.

Christ Centered.

• Galatians 3:26-29

Grace Driven.

• Romans 15:7
• We have been receivers of God’s grace.  Now we want to become agents of God’s grace.

Barriers to Biblical Community:

Overwhelming busyness. Our culture values busyness over connectedness.  You’ve bought into the lie that you are not valuable unless you are busy.

Underwhelming intention.  We just don’t try.

I John 4:20-21

Hebrews 10:24-25

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Which barrier to Biblical community do you most wrestle with?

Need I even answer?  I’m sure you know mine – overwhelming busyness. (sigh)

It was a crazy, good day today at Cross Point.  Our team put a lot of work into making this weekend a memorable one for everyone with the launch of our DNA series.  We do this series once a year to share the vision, heart and soul of our church.  You would think it gets old… but it doesn’t. Especially when you shake it up and deliver it for the first time in 3D!

I’m so proud of our Creative Team led by Stephen Brewster.  They dreamed big, tried some new things and Matt Singleton pulled out some of his best work, delivering 10 different videos that he created for this weekend, most of them in 3D.

Our 3D extravaganza did not come without it’s share of challenges and stressors, but all in all it was a great day and most importantly Pete shared a powerful message about the importance of the first part of our vision.

DNA – Radically Devoted by Pete Wilson

Matthew 16:24-25

Every church is unique and different.

We do not think Cross Point is the best church.  It takes lots of churches for us to be the body of Christ.

We believe that Cross Point has a unique vision that God has called us to.

We want to be a community of people who are radically devoted to Christ, irrevocably committed to one another and relentlessly dedicated to reaching the lost.

Question that plagues all of us: Why am I here?

We have to determine what we are doing with the space between – the space between when you accept Christ and eternity.

Jesus did not define spiritual maturity by what you know.  He defined spiritual maturity by how you love.

Some equate spiritual maturity with Bible knowledge.

Spiritual maturity should be defined by our response to Jesus.

There is a big difference from being a fan and being in the game.

The church has produced a lot of fans of Jesus but not a lot of followers of Jesus.

What does it mean to be radically devoted to Christ?

Commit to believe whatever Jesus says.

Commit to obey whatever you have heard.

Jesus intended for there to be spiritual transformation in the space between.  He intended for us to become more like Him.  He intended for us to make an impact on this world.

Jesus created a new vision for life, not a new list of rules.

Luke 6:46-49

The gospel does not call for reflection, but for action.

We believe in God, but we live like He doesn’t exist.

The space between is where the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ begins to chip away and we become the men and women God has called us to be.

We’re not called to just be receivers of God’s grace, we’re called to be agents of God’s grace.

We’re not called to be fans of Jesus, we’re called to be followers of Jesus.

Jesus didn’t just do something for us.  He did something to us.

It’s not ok to blame others for your spiritual maturity not being where you want it to be.  It’s your job to own your spiritual maturity.

Whew!  It’s been a full week.

It’s Friday… my day for catching up.  My day for reading, running, Cultivate Her planning, errands, writing, dreaming and shopping (if I can fit it in.) Oh and laundry, but I try not to think about that one.

I always try to pack more into Friday than I ought to since it’s supposed to be my winding down day, however today my mind is racing.  I didn’t get everything done that I needed to this week.  In fact I missed a few things that I really needed to get done.   But here is some of what I did do this past week:

• Partnered with Justin to lead the very first Discovering Cross Point class for the Bellevue Campus. So fun to share vision with a new group of potential CP members.  It was a great night!
• Had a great “All Staff” meeting with our team.  We’re gearing up for some fun stuff with our staff this fall including attending The NINES conference on September 9th.  Are you registered yet – it’s free?  Our team is going to making a fun day of it.
• Had the privilege of hanging out with the Buckhead Church staff on Wednesday and I got to share my passion for being “Confident in our Calling” as church leaders.  I love how Jeff Henderson leads his team.  I’m always trying to learn as much from him as I can.

I’m also excited about the launch of our new series this Sunday!

DNA returns, now in 3D.

Seriously, be ready to get your 3D glasses when you arrive Sunday at all of our campuses and prepare for some Cross Point DNA delivered to you in 3D!  Here’s a little preview:

Love our team and the work they put into making this stuff happen!

** This is a pondering left over from this past Sunday.  Have you ever felt this way?

I wasn’t needed today.

3000 +  attendees

25 staff

Hundreds of volunteers

Baptism at one campus

Communion at the others

And I wasn’t needed.

I wasn’t needed to:

• Solve a problem
• React to a crisis
• Identify something that was missed
• Be worship assistant
• Substitute for a campus pastor

Nope.  Everyone was there playing their part and I wasn’t needed… actually, I wasn’t needed for the obvious or urgent.

I WAS needed though, for what I really ought to be doing most days.  I was needed to:

• Coach/encourage our staff and volunteers
• Praise what went well
• See my team in action and celebrate their unique contribution
• Pray for those attending and ask God to meet them today
• Encourage someone who had a tough week

I was needed today for what doesn’t come easy.

It wasn’t to be in the spotlight.  It wasn’t to be the hero.

It was to let my team play those roles.  It was to celebrate their victories and to see them succeed.

I hope I did my job today.

We wrapped up the Chronicles series today at Cross Point.  I started out at the Nashville campus and then headed to Bellevue to celebrate baptisms at their 11:00 AM service.  Today was our first baptism Sunday for this campus – such a special milestone.

The reality of four campuses continues to be an interesting dynamic.  Today I found myself wandering around trying to figure out my place and how I could best serve our teams.  The beauty of this model is that it forces you to raise up leaders.  The challenge of this model for me is to find my place and to adequately support our teams at all the campuses.

Here are my notes from Pete’s message today.  Very challenging and very healing.

The Unmerciful Servant by Pete Wilson

This could be one of the most difficult parables to live out.

Matthew 18:23-25

This teaching goes against the very cultural grain of life.

The servant is facing a debt that he can never repay.

Culturally we operate with the mentality “you do wrong to me, I’m gonna get you back.”

Unresolved bitterness contaminates everything.

Bitterness from your past will ruin your present and future relationships.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Forgiving is not condoning. It’s not excusing the injustice that’s been done to you.

Forgiving is not reconciling.

Forgiveness is giving up your right to hurt them back. You let go of your right to get even.

Ultimately the only thing that will bring healing to your life is forgiveness.  The only thing that costs more than forgiveness is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness will cost you your heart.

Challenge: Put the burden down.

If you stay chained to that bitterness and unforgiveness and you’ll never be able to fully trust anyone in your life again.

Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive?

Hey everyone, we’re beginning the search for Student Pastors to join the Cross Point team.  If you know of someone who might be a great fit, please send them our way!

Cross Point, a multi-site church, in Nashville, TN is looking for a Campus Student Pastor.  As a member of the student ministry team the Campus Student Pastor will help shape the strategy for carrying out the Cross Point vision on their campus.  Please note the qualifications below before sending your resume.

Qualifications:

• Passionate about seeing students come to Christ and can inspire students to reach their friends.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of student ministry paid staff experience.
• Visionary & Strategic Thinker with a proven track recorded of starting new ministries and developing leaders.
• Strong communication skills being able to speak to a wide variety of audiences and ages
• Team player, we are not looking for lone rangers, you have to be willing to work along side the Student Ministry team and under the direction of Campus Pastor and Family Ministries Pastor.

Any interested individuals should submit a resume, social media contact, website/blog info (if applicable) and cover letter to Cross Point Family Ministries Pastor, Pat Rowland via email, pat@crosspoint.tv

I had the privilege of spending my day at the Dickson Campus today.  I’m really excited about this campus (which happens to be the one we’re interviewing for a Campus Pastor.) There’s a great spirit of community here and a passion to reach the city and county of Dickson with the hope of Christ. I believe great things are on the horizon!

Here’s a few miscellaneous thoughts before I give you the highlights from today’s message:

• So good to have Pete back after his 4 week study break
• Excited that I got to hang out over lunch with some of the staff and interns from Catalyst (one of my favorite organizations).  Have you ordered your tickets for Catalyst Atlanta yet?  Let me know if you are going to be there!
• Here’s the link to the book that Pete talked about in the message today: Confessions of a Prayer Slacker.  I can’t wait to read it!
• Proud of our team and all of our volunteers for another great Sunday!

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The Persistent Widow by Pete Wilson

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus is giving us three foundational beliefs in this story:

Belief #1: There is a God in Heaven who deeply loves you.

You are not a bother to God.

He is inviting you into the context of the intimacy of prayer with Him.

Intimacy always requires something of us.  It requires the risk of vulnerability.

As long as I strive to hold control of my life, I am not able to be as vulnerable as God is asking me to be.

Intimacy always comes through truth.

Oftentimes we pray what we wish was in us rather than what is truly in us.

Belief #2: Prayer is how I stay connected to God’s presence.

Ephesians 6:18

I Thessalonians 5:17

Most days we live our lives completely unaware of God’s presence around us.

Every moment is a moment of prayer.  Every moment is a moment to be aware of his presence.  Every moment is a time to awaken in me the reality that God is in me and around me all day.

Prayer becomes an overflow of the your awareness of the reality of God around you and with you constantly.

Belief #3: He is able.

Prayer reminds me that the outcomes of my life do not rest on my shoulders.

You’re too busy to pray becomes you think the outcomes of your life do rest on your shoulders.  You have too much to do to pray.

Ephesians 3:14-

Prayer reminds us that God is the force that moves this entire world forward.

Which one of those foundational beliefs did you most need to hear today?