April 28, Building the wall
This past weekend the staff and all the spouses headed to Asheville to talk about the vision of 5 Point Fellowship. This wasn't an open discussion. The vision has been burnt deep into my heart. The goal of this weekend was for our staff to be 100% on board with the vision. Make sure you know that they are, but its always good to get away and refocus.
I wanted to share the 14 points the staff and I discussed in great detail. We looked at the vision God gave Nehemiah and how he went about fulfilling this vision. I'm sharing this with you so that you can better understand my heart and the direction of our church. Let's get started with the first four today.
1. What questions do I need to be asking?
Nehemiah 1:2
Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
Nehemiah asked questions. We need to be doing the same thing. Some of the questions we need to be asking:
a. What are the best methods of reaching this city?
b. Are we prepared as a church body for the masses God wants to send.
c. Are we willing to get our hands dirty to reach this city?
d. What causes people not to want to come to church?
I discussed A LOT of questions we as the staff need to be asking.
2. Is there anything I need to deal with that I'm trying to deny?
Nehemiah 1:3
They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
So many times in life we see the problem but just aren't willing to do anything about it. Nehemiah heard about the problem and did more than say he would pray about it. Make sure you understand I'm not discing prayer at all. We'll be talking about prayer in detail later. The point here is that way too many Christians see the pitiful state of their community, neighborhood, families, work place etc. and just aren't willing to do anything, except throw some token prayer up.
We have a community that is engulfed with sin. People are dying everyday and spending eternity in hell. Drugs, prostitution, gangs
(and the list could go on) are becoming more and more prevalent. We can't just wait on someone else to do something. We have to quit waiting on other churches or other people and begin to attack this city for Christ.
3. Am I broken over the state of our community?
Nehemiah 1:4-5
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. [5] Then I said: "O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
Nehemiah was truly broken over the state of his community. He knew how important the wall was to the safety of his people and he was heart broken for them. When you see people, do you look at them as a burden or an opportunity? Have you ever lost any sleep over the thousands who do not know Christ? Have you even stopped and thought about it? Do you love others as yourself?
More on that question Sunday.
4. Am I willing to lead with pure motives?
Nehemiah 1:6-7
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. [7] We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah has no hidden agenda. He has a true burden for his people and community. His only desire it to fulfill the vision God has placed into his heart. But he also knew he needed to be clean and pure. I asked the staff three very tough questions at this point.
a. Is there any area of your life we need to address?
b. Why do you want 5 Point to grow?
c. Are you here for the right reasons?
After our first session we sat around the room and fellowshipped. Waited on Tim to get back with the donuts.
Some random thoughts:
* This is a very long blog. Hope you make it.
* Excited about the mens camp out this Friday. The Low Country Boil is gonna be awesome!
* Been really busy working on Sunday morning.
* No, I don't want to twitter.
* Check out www.debtfreeeasley.com and get signed up for it. First 400 people get a seat. IT IS FREE!
* May 9th is our vision casting at New Spring. Tim was setting everything up with them earlier today.
* Had one of our lower offerings last week. No clue why.
* Crazy Love by Francis Chan is messing me up.
* Africa is getting close. Begun looking over materials to train pastors.
* Getting ready to go and swim 20 laps and ride 12 miles for lunch. Hope knee holds out. Want to do another tri.
I wanted to share the 14 points the staff and I discussed in great detail. We looked at the vision God gave Nehemiah and how he went about fulfilling this vision. I'm sharing this with you so that you can better understand my heart and the direction of our church. Let's get started with the first four today.
1. What questions do I need to be asking?
Nehemiah 1:2
Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
Nehemiah asked questions. We need to be doing the same thing. Some of the questions we need to be asking:
a. What are the best methods of reaching this city?
b. Are we prepared as a church body for the masses God wants to send.
c. Are we willing to get our hands dirty to reach this city?
d. What causes people not to want to come to church?
I discussed A LOT of questions we as the staff need to be asking.
2. Is there anything I need to deal with that I'm trying to deny?
Nehemiah 1:3
They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
So many times in life we see the problem but just aren't willing to do anything about it. Nehemiah heard about the problem and did more than say he would pray about it. Make sure you understand I'm not discing prayer at all. We'll be talking about prayer in detail later. The point here is that way too many Christians see the pitiful state of their community, neighborhood, families, work place etc. and just aren't willing to do anything, except throw some token prayer up.
We have a community that is engulfed with sin. People are dying everyday and spending eternity in hell. Drugs, prostitution, gangs
(and the list could go on) are becoming more and more prevalent. We can't just wait on someone else to do something. We have to quit waiting on other churches or other people and begin to attack this city for Christ.
3. Am I broken over the state of our community?
Nehemiah 1:4-5
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. [5] Then I said: "O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
Nehemiah was truly broken over the state of his community. He knew how important the wall was to the safety of his people and he was heart broken for them. When you see people, do you look at them as a burden or an opportunity? Have you ever lost any sleep over the thousands who do not know Christ? Have you even stopped and thought about it? Do you love others as yourself?
More on that question Sunday.
4. Am I willing to lead with pure motives?
Nehemiah 1:6-7
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. [7] We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah has no hidden agenda. He has a true burden for his people and community. His only desire it to fulfill the vision God has placed into his heart. But he also knew he needed to be clean and pure. I asked the staff three very tough questions at this point.
a. Is there any area of your life we need to address?
b. Why do you want 5 Point to grow?
c. Are you here for the right reasons?
After our first session we sat around the room and fellowshipped. Waited on Tim to get back with the donuts.
Some random thoughts:
* This is a very long blog. Hope you make it.
* Excited about the mens camp out this Friday. The Low Country Boil is gonna be awesome!
* Been really busy working on Sunday morning.
* No, I don't want to twitter.
* Check out www.debtfreeeasley.com and get signed up for it. First 400 people get a seat. IT IS FREE!
* May 9th is our vision casting at New Spring. Tim was setting everything up with them earlier today.
* Had one of our lower offerings last week. No clue why.
* Crazy Love by Francis Chan is messing me up.
* Africa is getting close. Begun looking over materials to train pastors.
* Getting ready to go and swim 20 laps and ride 12 miles for lunch. Hope knee holds out. Want to do another tri.
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