Mad Babble From A Church Planter...

We are in business!!!!

2007-02-10T08:35:00.000-05:00

FINALLY we have the feed junk working over at www.garylamb.org

Go update your feeds and keep up with all that is going on or not going on in my life.

Okay here is the 411....

2007-01-29T19:36:00.000-05:00

My blogger site now transfers to the new domain but for those getting this from type of feed the new website is:

www.garylamb.org

and the new feed is:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/GaryLamb

Update those feeds and come join my adventure in planting the greatest church in the world!!!

EDIT: okay, I can't get the new blog to work in bloglines. Any of you other people getting that feed to work?

We've Moved!!!

2007-01-29T16:41:00.000-05:00

This blog has been good to me the last two years but today I am officially moving to WordPress and my own domain. I have had the domain directed here for a while but in the future that will be the only way to check out the blog.

Update your bloglines, feeds, and all that other stuff I don't understand. :)

The new blog is www.garylamb.org
We still have some tweaking to do to it but it is live!

Shout out to Ken Wilson for hooking me up with the new blog!

See ya over there!

Sunday Night Unwind: Daughtry

2007-01-28T19:19:00.000-05:00

After hearing the band freaking NAIL the Daughtry song "It's Not Over" to end our 4 Better 4 Worse series I had now choice but unwind tonight listening to Daughtry.

Great CD with some great songs on it. Of course you can never go wrong when you have a song featuring Slash ripping on the guitar. :)

I honestly thought the song today could not have been better to end our marriage series.

Rocking Morning!!!

2007-01-28T17:40:00.000-05:00

Allow me to give a disclaimer before posting: About 2 hours ago I bent over and I had a pain run through my back like I have never experienced in my life. It literally knocked me face down on the ground and I could not move for about 5 minutes. I am in such pain that I can't be responsible for anything I write below if it doesn't make sense. :)

Today was AWESOME. I personally thought it was the best service of the series. The crowds were GREAT, the worship was GREAT, and I thought the message was pretty good as well. :) This will go down as one of my favorite series without a doubt.

I found out today that we have given out over 500 message CD's in the last four weeks!!!! This series hit a nerve and I think that is awesome. We also added some very cool families over the last month. We have grown a little over 200 people in the last month and that has been awesome as well.

Next week we launch a series called Simple and we are going to look at the three things we do as a church. We are going to be talking about Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Others. Should be a great series as well.

Saturday Nights = Chill Out

2007-01-27T17:54:00.000-05:00

I have grown to love Saturday nights.

I remember sitting at the ChurchPlanters.com conference last year and hearing Bil Cornelius talk about how protective he was of his Saturday nights because the most important thing he does is Sunday.

It convicted me. DeAnna and I decided that we will not do anything after 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. I mean nothing. My extended family has got mad a few times about it but the greatest thing I do is teaching on Sundays and Saturdays nights I need to start to unwind and focus on the awesome responsibility of Sunday.

I have had to turn down a lot of good things like Georgia games to make sure I am ready for the greatest thing which is Sunday.

I usually spend about 4:30-6:30 with the family and then DeAnna settles down the house. She gets the kids off, bathed, and to bed and I spend the rest of the evening looking over my sermon, listening to music and chilling out.

I have learned as the church grows I have to become more protective with my time and Saturdays are non-negotiable on my calendar.

Tonight I am sitting here getting pumped about tomorrow. I am excited about the message, I am excited about the people who walk through our doors need to hear the message, I am excited about our regulars who are having their lives changed by what God is doing, I am excited about the person who doesn't even want to be there but will leave looking at God and church in a different way after leaving

On the iPod tonight is the latest offering from The Desperation Band.

Church Planting Rocks!!!

2007-01-26T18:20:00.000-05:00

Mark Batterson is the Lead Pastor of National Community Church in D.C. and is kind of a forerunner in multi-site church and church in the movies. Met him last year when I got to be on a panel of speakers meeting in a movie theater at his Buzz Conference. He is a sharp dude.

Just read on his blog that their theater flooded and they are scrambling to relocate for Sunday. That is rough.

You can read it here and THAT is why I say church planting is the extreme sport of ministry.

I love church planting!!!!

Good day

2007-01-26T18:07:00.000-05:00

Had a great lunch with Michael today. They are so far ahead of where we were in regards to systems and junk then we were at that stage that it is crazy. He is doing a good job. They are outgrowing their theater and it made me very thankful for our MONSTER theater that we have. Having a movie theater that holds 600 is overwhelming when you are trying fill that joker up, but it is nice when you need space.

Drove down to West Ridge and spent about 30 minutes with Brian. Honestly one of the highlights of my life was being on staff at West Ridge. To be part of a church that was running 3,000 and still meeting in a high school gym stretched my vision BIGGER then I thought possible. WRC doesn't get the pub a lot of churches get but they are 9 years old running 3500 and they are getting it done. It has been cool to see my relationship with Brian evolve from him being my boss to him being my peer and mentor. I have said it a thousand times but they have dealt with a lot of heat for things we have done and they have not always agreed BUT they have alway supported us. Talking to Brian today about some of my insecurities and struggles as we grow was huge. It was worth the drive.

Then I got to hang out with my family the rest of the day. Like never before I appreciate and value my time with them. As the church grows I have to balance my time with them to insure they are my #1 focus. Today we took Ashlyn to Nana and Papa's for the weekend and then I came home and painted Thomas The Train pictures with Avery and watched Toy Story. It was a blast.

I just got done looking over my notes for Sunday and I got to tell you it is going to be off the hook!!!! We are wrapping up our series 4 Better 4 Worse and I can't wait to talk about marriage and money this weekend.

See ya Sunday!!!!

In The Meeting Zone...

2007-01-26T06:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday and today I am in meeting mode. Had a good breakfast yesterday with a local pastor. I had a good time talking to him and hearing their story. They have plowed on for 5 years and though things haven't went as they planned, the dude is hanging in there and seemed as pumped up as ever for his church. I like that. It convicted me on the fact that I don't do as good a job as I could on reaching out to area church plants. If nothing else, it reminded me be praying for area churches more. I like the guy and he has asked me to come and speak to his leadership team. I am praying about it.

The yesterday afternoon I had a cool lunch with Greg Sinclair. It ended up being the entire staff and a few of a our musicians. You can never go wrong with BBQ so it was good as well.

This morning I have breakfast with Michael, pastor of Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville. They are getting it done and I am looking forward to hearing what God is doing there. Michael and I probably could not be any more different but we both have the same vision and that is to impact our communities with the gospel. I am looking forward to it.

THEN I am heading down to West Ridge to meet with my pastor, Brian Bloye (can't link to him, no blog) and having lunch with Jim Akins who is over their church planting efforts. I don't get down to see our momma church very often anymore but I always enjoy my time down there.

Lot's of meetings the last few days but they have been good and I enjoyed the break from the norm.

Congrats to Chris and Taylor

2007-01-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

If you have come to The Stone for any amount of time you have seen the red headed guy who looks like a postmodern grizzly Adams working at the youth booth. Also if you have kids you probably have HEARD Taylor because trust me she is not quiet.

Both of them are vital members of RSC and will probably be coming on staff by the end of the year.

Anyway Chris FINALLY did the smartest thing he has ever done since accepting Christ and that is pop THE question to Taylor last night. She was not as smart because she said YES.

Congrats guys!!! You guys are going to make an awesome team for God.

Coming out of the fog....

2007-01-24T16:15:00.000-05:00

Headache gone. Now head is just sore from having such a bad headache. :)

I think this is the last day of the pain from no sugar and caffeine. I am looking forward to having energy and starting to lose weight will be nice too. :)

20 Blogs You Should Be Reading

2007-01-23T19:49:00.000-05:00

Harmony Blog listed his top 20 must read blogs and named this one #7. It is amazing how my insane ramblings have impact outside of Canton, Ga. The internet is a powerful tool.....

Tadd is #13 so two Ridge Stoners in the top 20 (yep, he will always be a Ridge Stoner). Ridge Stone representing! :)

A First....

2007-01-23T17:06:00.000-05:00

Today I had to leave the office early due to being a wuss. :) I have never had that happened and pride myself on working even when sick.

However in my quest to be healthy in 2007 I decided Friday that I was going to be completely done with cokes and I was going to 40 days without sugar. Like I said that started Friday. Today it hit me like never before. My head hurts so freaking bad that I feel like someone is sticking a knife in my skull. I finally had to leave around lunch and I just now woke up. I was in big time detox mode today and it was not fun.

Hello my name is Gary Lamb and I am addicted to coke and sugar. :)

Perry Noble Unleashed

2007-01-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

Since the day Ridge Stone was started there has not been a single church that has influenced the ministry of The Stone more then New Spring Church in Anderson, S.C. To be honest I don't really remember how Perry and I crossed paths (I think it was on Terry Storch's blog) but it honestly was the best thing to happen to our church. In the last two years, our entire staff has met with various people on their staff on numerous occasions, I have personally been able to meet with Perry face to face several times, I have exchanged e-mails with him and phone calls, CRAP he even drove down here to meet with me ALL day at a Starbucks one day, we have brought in Jason Moorhead to consult with our church (EVERY church should do this), we have set in their staff meetings, etc.

Ridge Stone has been protected by some GREAT churches. However the first time we went to New Spring was the first time we saw someone doing church the way we imagined it being done. The music was beyond rocking, the creative elements were insane and Perry was letting it rip in a way that was still very relevant. For the first time we visually saw what RSC could be if we were faithful to God.

I believe with all my heart that New Spring is one of the greatest churches in America and their heart for reaching out to others is second to none.

I think they are one of the only mega churches around (there are others) that still remember what it is like to be a church plant.

I said all that to say this: They are holding their first conference!!!! I think this is great because it is affordable and it is done by guys getting it done. I am telling you to find the money (I think it is like $45 a person) and get your people to this conference. You will learn more in one day with these guys then you will for a week somewhere else.

Ridge Stone Website Verson 5

2007-01-22T18:55:00.000-05:00

I get bored very easily :)

In the next few weeks we will launch the 5th version of our website in two years. The one we have now was done by a great dude in our church who owns Personal Web Solutions. The one we are launching soon is being done by another great couple in our church who owns o2graphicdesign.

It is going to be awesome!

One More Thing....

2007-01-21T18:07:00.000-05:00

After church today, I went to the office and I had 6 e-mails from pastors telling me they felt led to pray for me this morning. That I can remember I have never gotten an email from a pastor on Sunday morning telling me they are praying for me. This morning I got 6.

How awesome that God knew I needed the prayers and put us on the hearts of others!

Intense Morning

2007-01-21T17:40:00.000-05:00

What a morning! I am not the type of person to see the devil behind every bush but you could feel the warfare that was taking place this week. It was simply an intense week.

This morning it got more intense.

I woke up this morning and went to the office like every Sunday to print my sermon. EVERY printer in the office wasn't working. The commercial and the personal ones. I couldn't get any of them to print my sermon. That was cool. I worked it out and got to the church.

Today the it was about 34 degrees and pouring rain. Again no big deal. Our people have proven they don't let rain stop them.

For some reason the message was as intense as any message I have ever taught. I taught on communication in marriage (a issue I think is one of the leading causes of divorce) and I hammered our people about communication. I talked about making fun of your spouse in public, making time to talk, etc. For some reason it was very serious in there. We got through the first service and I actually went off to pray for a second because I could just feel something wasn't right.

THEN the second service started. That is when I found out that they had closed I-575 down between exits 14-24 to do something with the power lines. Every one was coming in at the last minute and talking about how they had to take back roads to get to church. Along with the rain and along with the interstate being closed (the main way to get to our location is the interstate) we still were right at 700, but something was not right.

The service started and about half way through I noticed this couple on my left leaving and I could tell they were upset. I thought it odd because I really hadn't pushed anything but I could tell they were upset. I later found out they were a lesbian couple and they were FIRED up because I talked about marriage and communication and said that "men and women were different and in marriage there are problems that stop us from communicating." They were furious that I said men and women and I was so "closed minded." Oh well, we have several lesbian couples and we welcome them with open arms. They all love the church but know where we stand on marriage.

Then we had a baby start crying in the service. For those of you who don't know, we do not allow children over 3 months old in our services. Under 3 months we feel parents are hesitant to leave their children and some children don't even have all their shots. Since we don't have room they can sit in and watch the service we allow 3 months and under in the service. 99.9% of these babies are sleeping anyway. Well not the one today. :) For 10 minutes the baby cried and cried and cried. You would think they would have left the service but they didn't. Finally from the stage I had to ask one of our greeters to please show them where the children's area was. Tough to do, but the message was to important for distractions. Needless to say they weren't happy and let our greeters know it in the lobby.

I am convinced the enemy knew the importance of today's message and was doing all he could to distract. The amazing thing was we had people telling us right and left that it was the best message they had heard and we ran out of CD's from this week, last week and the week before.

I came HARD with the message but I got to be honest, I am sick of dealing with marriages falling apart. I want our people to know God has the answers for their problems and the Gospel is that answer.

We have a blast at church! However some days are like today. They are intense but they are needed.

Why we do what we do?

2007-01-20T15:45:00.000-05:00

It is so easy to lose sight of why we do what we do here at RSC. Trust me, it isn't easy. It would be a lot easier to find a small church with a nice little building where all I had to do was preach and visit the sick. :) There are plenty of churches where the pastor is nothing more then a babysitter and get paid a nice salary.

However that isn't what God has called me to do.
That isn't what God has called our staff to do.
That isn't what God has called our church to do.

God has called us to do whatever it takes to reach this community and we will stop at nothing to see that accomplished.

One of the highlights of my week is hearing feedback from our first time guests. Nothing reminds me more of why we do what we do then those emails. The trump the abusive phone calls, emails, and other churches that stay mad at us any day of the week.

We got another one today and I need it. It was just a reminder to stay focused on the mission at hand. I love this church and God is doing some awesome things. You guys make it happen so I felt led to share this one with you just to remind you of how awesome all of you are!! (Malcolm sends out emails to all first time guests that is why the email is addressed to him)

Malcolm,

The best word I can think of to describe my first experience at the Stone would be PHENOMENAL!!! It seems strange to feel such passion about the Stone after only attending one time. I called all my close friends and sister on Sunday to tell them all about my experience. I am taking that as a very good sign and can't wait to be back on Sunday.

Church has been a huge issue for me all of my life. I have a very religious mother and growing up had some VERY negative experiences. She has always attended the non-denominational type churches so I am sure you can imagine. By my teens I had such a bad taste for the whole church thing, saying I had a phenomenal experience is something I thought impossible.

I have 3 children and over the years have wanted them to grow up hearing about God. I had my kids in my late teens and have just never found that place where I thought we fit. You know God has always had a presence in my heart, but I haven't lived for him over the years. My older kids are now 13 and 14 and I feel a sense of loss that I didn't find somewhere like the Stone years ago for us to attend. I walked in there and within minutes thought this is IT! This is what has been missing all these years. Gary cracked me up, my kids loved it and the band was OFF THE HOOK. I want to THANK ALL OF YOU and God for giving the vision to create the Stone. ANYONE who likes and plays 80's hair metal in a service is #1 in my book! :-)

You know I could talk for hours about how insane it is for me to bragging about a church and being excited all week to come, but I will spare you the details. :-) I do know the fact I felt that way has made me want to do whatever I can to help keep the Stone going. If there are any areas you need help in please let me know. Do you guys have any programs for single moms? I live in Ball Ground and have a pretty big living room if you ever need a place for home group in that area. I am not in a place yet to lead one YET, but can provide the home.

As far as a prayer request, please pray for all my kids. We are facing HUGE challenges that have been very difficult and going on for a long period of time.

Okay I am sure you are close to asleep by now! So I will end by just saying THANK YOU again and can't wait until Sunday!

Sincerely,

***** *******

RIDGE STONE, THAT IS WHY WE DO THIS CRAZY THING CALLED RIDGE STONE CHURCH!

Charlotte Bound

2007-01-20T08:44:00.000-05:00

Sometime in February I am heading to Charlotte to do lunch with Steven Furtick. I need to get away for a couple of days and spend some time with God and some leaders who are getting it done. I will also be hooking up with Jimmy Britt and I am sure either on the way there or the way back I'll be stopping in Anderson to grab a bite to eat with someone from NewSpring.

Anyway, I will be gone at least two days, possibly three. If you are along the I-85 between North Atlanta and Charlotte and want to hook up then let me know. It has been a long time since I hung out with some with some guys getting it done for the kingdom and I am looking forward to it.

I don't know the exact dates yet as February is a crazy month but I'll post them when I know for sure.

New Blog Coming VERY Soon

2007-01-19T22:16:00.000-05:00

If things go right, I will be moving this blog to a new one next week. Blogger has been a lot of trouble for me lately and then they switched to the new version of blogger but every time I have tried to make the switch, it hasn't worked and that has created me more blogging problems.

Then Ken Wilson gave me the Christmas present of a custom made blog and that confirmed that I was leaving blogger.

I will keep you updated but the new address will be www.garylamb.org which most of you already use to get here anyway!

One of my favorite people is blogging

2007-01-19T17:59:00.000-05:00

Right after launching The Stone I was in a coaching network with Nelson Searcy, pastor of The Journey Church in New York City. I have no doubt this was on the best moves I ever did for our church. Nelson and I have didn't always see eye to eye but I learned a ton and love and appreciate the dude.

Anyway in that network I met one of the funniest dudes in my life. I looked forward to the meetings because I knew he would make me laugh and the dude was real as they come. His name is Jimmy Britt and I just found out he is blogging. The dude is the real deal and just one of those people I have stayed connected with over the last two years. Check out his blog.

Congrats to Georgia Tech :)

2007-01-19T16:25:00.000-05:00

Your coach is staying and as a Georgia fan, I could not be happier. :)

I hope he stays a long long time because you guys are a great match, especially every November when you play the Dawgs.

Skipping School

2007-01-19T07:56:00.000-05:00

Ashlyn is in the next room getting ready and instead of going to school today we are going to eat some pancakes. :) I am sure Kindergarten is important but not as important as spending time with daddy. The IHOP in town opened around Christmas and EVERY time we pass it she wants to go there. So today we are. Today is my day off and I am looking forward to it.

I have a lunch meeting and need to get my fro cut but other then that, I am hanging with the family.

It's been about 13 years since I skipped school and I got in a lot of trouble for it. The good thing about being the parent is no one can get on to me this time. :)

Feels Like Nothing....

2007-01-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

I have gotten several e-mails from other pastors and even some of our people asking what it feels like to have broken through another growth barrier (hopefully) in the life of RSC. I'll be real honest, it doesn't feel any different. :)

Our goal is to rock this town with the message of Jesus Christ and nothing more. Until everyone in this community knows Christ, we will position ourselves to grow and make no apologies about it.

If there is any change in the way it feels is the OVERWHELMING desire to draw closer to God. More then I have in a long time I have a unquenchable thirst for prayer, the bible, reading books. I never want to be the hindrance to God doing great things here.

I feel the spiritual attacks like never before and I feel the need to draw close to God because the stakes are high and eternity hangs in the balance. It isn't a game and I feel that very strongly lately.

The thing is I should always feel that way, not just with what is going on lately.....

Distractions and Focus and Prayers, oh my!

2007-01-17T19:04:00.000-05:00

Man what a day!!! God has been busting things open here and I LOVE it but it is amazing how crazy things have been since Christmas Eve. We are averaging 200 more a week the last four weeks then we were the previous month. That is awesome but with it comes craziness.

With the warehouse remodel, building two new offices, assimilating all the new people, launching Home Teams, starting TWO youth services, adding a new part-time staffer, along with just the every day normal stuff is insane.

Today is my study day and it was a day full of distractions. That is life and you move on but nevertheless it always puts me behind the eight ball. I am not the type of person to see the devil behind every bush but I can feel the spiritual warfare the last two weeks like never before. I literally feel as if I have dealt with one confrontation after another the last two days.

Like never before I feel a need to be focused at the task at hand. It is so easy to allow distractions to pop up, but staying focused is a must.

I am as excited as ever to pastor RSC. I feel over the last few weeks, the ball we started rolling two years ago is picking up even more speed. It is so awesome to see the people God is sending our way and it is so awesome to see the life change that is taking place. I love it.

If you are a Ridge Stoner (or not), let me give you some things you can be praying for me and our staff:

1.) Pray for focus
2.) Pray for our quiet time with God
3.) Pray we continue to grow as leaders
4.) Pray for our families
5.) Pray for God to allow us to accomplish what needs to be accomplished while we are in the office.
6.) Pray our staff doesn't kill each other :)
7.) Pray that God would allow our time of rest to be refreshing
8.) Pray for me as I prepare Sunday's message
9.) Pray as work in a construction zone for the next week and a half :)
10.) Pray that we can enjoy what God is doing!!!

These are exciting times to be part of RSC. God is doing a awesome thing but more then ever we need and appreciate your prayers!

24...again

2007-01-16T20:40:00.000-05:00

Night two was slower but that is needed to get the storyline rolling.

BUT...Jack shot Curtis. Man I couldn't believe that.

Cool Words From Tadd....

2007-01-16T12:31:00.000-05:00

Tadd Grandstaff was in town this weekend with his launch team and they visited three churches, one of them being us.

He says some very cool things about The Stone, along with his visits to New Spring and Mountain Lake.

Great Blog For Church Planters!!

2007-01-15T18:38:00.000-05:00

Devin Hudson is a planter in Las Vegas who just celebrated their one year anniversary by averaging about 400 a week. He has started a blog telling about his first year. There are SOME great insights on this page and this is must reading for anyone planting a church.

Check out the blog here.

Allow me to brag....

2007-01-14T22:05:00.000-05:00

I have been very open on this blog with our wins and our loses as a church. I make no bones about what I feel we do right and I make no bones about what I feel we do wrong. I have shared over and over how the youth thing has kicked our butt. EVERYTHING we tried has bombed. A lot of that falls on my shoulders. One of the biggest mistakes I made was hiring the biggest stinking bum in the world who I actually went to college with and considered my friend. He had about as much character as dog crap and needless to say that didn't work out too well.

Since that dumb move, we have struggled in the area of youth worse then before he came because we had lost the trust of our kids big time. BUT, during that time God sent four people, Julie, Joe, Taylor, and Chris who began to sow seeds in the lives of our middle school and high school kids. I'll be honest, it has still been a struggle and I have lost it a couple of times over the youth area. However these four volunteers took my criticisms, frustrations, and problems with the youth and KEPT plugging away.

They have worked HARDER then anyone I have ever seen building relationships with the kids. Then the last two weeks they have LITERALLY worked around the clock getting our warehouse turned into a youth space and getting ready for our first youth worship service tonight. They have been AMAZING. This week things got tense and yet they stayed focused.

Tonight when I walked in the youth area, I almost lost it. It literally was as close as I have ever come to having that salty discharge stuff come out of you eyes. :) I couldn't believe what they had pulled off. They had volunteers coming out their ears, they room looked AWESOME, and the kids had a blast.

They had 53 kids there and if you knew our past in that area, that is a miracle. I never been so proud of anyone or any ministry as I was of that team tonight.

Guys, you have put up with a ton but you guys pulled it out tonight and I wanted to publicly thank you guys for loving the kids in this city so much that you pour your life into them!

YOU GUYS ROCK!

Yep...

2007-01-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

Jack Bauer killed a dude by biting his neck out.

That was awesome!

AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-14T14:24:00.000-05:00

Second week at two services and close to 800 people there without counting twice!!!!! I am now off to do two more services, one for our middle schoolers and one for our high schoolers.

Hanging with Pine Ridge Church

2007-01-13T18:57:00.000-05:00

Got to hang out with Tadd and his launch team today. Ate some great BBQ and then they came to the office and I got to tell the RSC story and take some questions from them. Seems like a pretty cool group of lay people and most of his staff reminded me a lot of us when we first started. We were so caught up in the image of being cutting edge church planters that we were clueless as to what it mean to plant a church. We learned quickly and they will too. Tadd has got a big time winner in his administrative pastor.

The asked some great questions and will be in our morning service tomorrow so that should be fun.

I count it an honor that we get to partner with Tadd and what God is doing in North Carolina. He is going to have some growing pains just like we all do but they are going to knock it out of the part big time.

Actually Thinking Before Speaking

2007-01-12T18:42:00.000-05:00

I found out this week from two different people that some of my old college mates read my blog. I find that funny because these are the same guys who have bashed me for 99% of the methods we have used at RSC. Remember when I became a Christian at 19 it was in a fundamental, KJV only, screaming and shouting baptist church. That is also the type of college I attended. It is a legalistic movement and a movement that is doing a great job of producing small ineffective churches. So I found it funny that these guys were reading my blog especially since they consider me such a heretic. :)

All the guys I went to college with are either OUT of ministry or they are pastoring churches that are on their death beds. However they have always delighted in gossiping about us and giving their lame reasons as to why we have grown and the churches they pastor haven't.

I spent the last moments typing a response to these guys since none of them have the guts to communicate with me one on one. Then I thought better of it. For one of the first times in my life I decided to think before speaking. :)

I might at a later time post it but for now let me say welcome to those guys (you know who you are). I hope you enjoy the blog and hearing what God is doing here.

:)

Extreme Makeover In Town

2007-01-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

If you have seen the big rock star bus with the police escort driving around town and thought it was our staff, it isn't. :)

The Extreme Makeover team is in town this week building a home for a very deserving family. Very cool.

Welcome To God's Country Tony!!!

2007-01-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

About 7 years ago I met Tony Morgan on an online pastors forum and we sort of hit it off. I was new to the whole modern church thing and I was star struck that this dude from a mega-church would log onto this forum and post. He then started blogging and we have just kept in touch and he has always taken time to answer questions He has encouraged me in the process of planting The Stone.

Anyway, last week he e-mailed and told me he was moving to the dirty south as he had taken a job with New Spring. I was speechless and pumped. First off I think New Spring is one of the top churches in America (probably second behind Ridge Stone :) ). Secondly, from a selfish standpoint I was excited because now when I make my what seems to be bi-monthly trips to New Spring to learn from Perry, I can come early and learn from Tony. :)

Tony you are going to love the south, but we do some things different here so I thought I would give you a few things to remember as you transition down to God's country.

10.) When you order tea, it comes with sugar already in it.
9.) We fry everything and make no apologies for it
8.) If there is a 1% chance of snow the stores run out of milk and bread
7.) A lift kit on your truck is totally acceptable – yes, you must own a truck not that sissy car you just bought
6.) We drink Coke NOT Pepsi
5.) Collard greens and black-eyed peas are a must on New Years
4.) YES, there are churches on every corner, NO most are not effective
3.) Wrestling is REAL
2.) Yes, we believe Elvis is still alive
1.) God’s team is the Georgia Bulldogs!!

Seriously dude, welcome to the south!!!! I look forward to seeing what God does through you at New Spring!

Building Stinks!!!!

2007-01-11T21:58:00.000-05:00

We are almost done with our warehouse build out that will allow us to do everything we do but Sundays in one location. It is a small project and has to be one of the biggest headaches I have ever been part of!!!! I feel bad for John as he is overseeing the project and now we are two days away from our first youth service and there is A LOT of work left to be done.

BUT I can't wait for everyone to see it. It looks incredible and all our people have done a awesome job getting the room done. Tomorrow a 42 inch plasma with a Xbox 360 hooked to it goes up and I imagine that is where the staff will be spending their free time during the week. :)

It is going to be so nice having a meeting space that we can be proud of. Whenever we have done things outside of Sunday it has been a huge pain trying to find a meeting place. Now we don't have to worry about that anymore.

Building stinks, but when it is done it is going to be awesome.

Blown Away!!!!

2007-01-10T19:48:00.000-05:00

We have had over 60 families visit RSC for the first time over the last three weeks and I have blown away as I hear their stories and it just reminds me of why we started The Stone. We have had lesbians, full-fledged atheists, denominational employees, former staff at mega-churches, people going through marriage problems, and even a couple in their 80's who have come three weeks in a row!!!!

I LOVE reading the email responses they send us, I love hearing their stories, and I love who God is sending us. The big mo is rocking and we are just surfing the wave right now and loving every minute of it.

The Project

2007-01-10T19:42:00.000-05:00

Sunday night we are launching a worship service geared toward the all the youth we have here at The Stone. We are simply calling it The Project. Youth has kicked our butt but we now have the volunteers and space to pull it off. I am pumped up. I am teaching this week and Tim is leading worship so it is going to be awesome.

The potential for students is insane in this community. I can't wait the the teens walk in and see The Warehouse. We have pulled out the stops and the area is going to be off the hook!!!!

If you are a middle school or high school student, get to The Warehouse this Sunday night!!!!

Shout out to Jamey Snyder

2007-01-10T14:44:00.000-05:00

Jamey and Wendy Snyder have been coming to The Stone BEFORE our first service. Wendy runs most of the moving graphic stuff you see on the screens on Sunday and Jamey has done a ton of different things for us. They are a great couple!!!!

They recently opened a restaurant in Woodstock and I saw the AJC did an article on them today. You can check it out here.

Fight Right

2007-01-08T18:29:00.000-05:00

I am pumped about THIS week!!!!! We had a great Sunday yesterday and I am as motivated as I have ever been to see RSC reach this community and continue to see lives changed. This Sunday we are going to continue our marriage series and I am going to teach you how to fight. I don't care how great your marriage is there will be days when it is time to rumble and I am going to show you how to do it right.

I am so pumped up about church this week. On top of the sermon we are busting out a AWESOME Bon Jovi tune and that always gets me pumped up. :) I think Bon Jovi might have the record in regards to whose songs we have done the most of. :)

Oh yeah, Tadd is bringing the crew in this weekend as well. I look forward to hanging out with his guys.

I think Perry is fired up! :)

2007-01-08T10:53:00.000-05:00

I like it when Perry stumbles across someone debating stuff he says and he goes into fired up mode. Check out his thoughts here.

His thoughts on the "emergent" church about made me wet my pants. :)

Stages of Life

2007-01-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

It is odd how much our tastes and the things we need change at different times. Tonight I deleted about 20 blogs from feed service because for whatever reason they aren't connecting with me for various reasons. Last week I unsubscribed to 5 sermon podcasts because for whatever reason at this stage in my life they aren't connecting with me.

I have added several new podcasts and blogs in the last months.

To be honest I could have kept the blogs and the podcasts, but as our church grows I am finding my time management has to improve. Balancing pastoring, family, and leading our team has to be my focus.

I think one of the awesome things about the internet is the ability to find resources that speak and stretch you at the various stages in your life.

Sunday Night Unwind: Brian Setzer Orchestra

2007-01-07T19:27:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I did a Sunday night unwind but after two services, a tornado watch outside, and rain so thick you can't see, I just needed to chill tonight. So tonight it is Brian Setzer Orchestra. Rock-A-Billy is something I have just started listening to and I have to admit, I kind of dig it.

So there you go, that is what I am jamming to tonight as I sit on my front porch watching it rain.

Oh man :(

2007-01-07T18:33:00.000-05:00

I thought 24 started tomorrow night but I have to wait another week. BUMMER.

4 Better 4 Worse

2007-01-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

Today we launched our new series called 4 Better 4 Worse. Obviously it is on marriage but more importantly we are looking at how something God intended to be such a beautiful thing becomes such an ugly thing so quickly. We are looking at the leading causes of divorce and how to overcome those things.

Our creative team did a GREAT job with the stage. We said we wanted it to look like "wedding gone wrong" and they nailed it. They started with a beautiful wedding set then simply set it on fire!!!!! The end look to me was amazing. The creative team at our church amazes me week after week. They are second to none.

I also got to do one of the coolest things ever and that was we renewed the vows of Ernie and Sharon Hall who were celebrating 50 years of marriage this weekend. We did it at the end of both services as a picture of what marriage could be if you follow God's plan. There was not a dry eye in the place.

Our volunteers we simply incredible today. Our set-up team did a great job doing their job in the pouring rain, our greeters did a great job getting people in, and the band did a great job with worship plus White Wedding by Billy Idol and How to Save a Life by The Fray. As always our kids workers were amazing.

(Thanks Lori Swann for ALL the photos you always take!)

2 Services

2007-01-07T13:42:00.000-05:00

We launched two services today and it was awesome!!! I haven't seen "official" numbers yet but from what I hear we were around 680 not counting people twice. Our first service had about 150 people which shocked me!

Our marriage mailers were huge. We had never done mailers until this Christmas Eve and I am now a huge fan....IF you know how to market. Both of our mailers have really connected with our area and the marriage one connected big time.

Two services makes for a long morning and I am going to have give up the flops and buy some good shoes because my feet are KILLING me right now. :)

Of course, I'll take hurting feet any day for a morning like we had.

Let's Play Two!!!

2007-01-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to remind everyone we start two services tomorrow morning: 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Come attend one and come serve at one!!!

See ya Sunday!

Rocking Church In Milwaukee?

2007-01-05T19:52:00.000-05:00

Any of you guys who read this blog know of a rocking church in Milwaukee? I need one for a friend.

If you know one that is knocking it out of the park and designed to reach unchurched people, let me know.

Thanks!!!!

Awesome People!!!

2007-01-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

I don't know what I did to deserve the people who go The Stone but they are amazing. If you have read this blog you have heard me talk about Ernie Hall, the 72 year old man who walked into our first service and has been coming ever since. He is there at 5 a.m. EVERY week for set-up. He is awesome.

Anyway, we don't normally do things like this but it is Ernie so we are doing it. Tomorrow he and Sharon are celebrating 50 years of marriage!!!! So we are throwing them a party and we have had volunteers here all day getting the place ready for them. Along with that they have worked all day building props and stuff for our new series that starts this Sunday.

Our mailers went out today and we have already had 3 phone calls from people who are going through hard times in their marriage and said they will be there.

I love our people and all they do to make RSC the greatest church in the world.

Blogging Church Part 2

2007-01-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention that I think the coolest thing in the entire book is it talks about my friendship with my heathen friend Evan. :) It is very odd to me how a friendship can develop online but that is what happens through blogs. Evan is straight up an atheist and makes no bones about his distaste for the church. That is one of the reasons I read his blog. He is honest and reminds me of why I do what I do.

I am one of those crazy people who are all out, sold out for Jesus. I make no bones about it, but there are many issues he has on church that I can totally relate too. I am glad the book will turn more pastors onto his blog and I hope it is a wake up call for many of them as to how those who don't do the church thing actually look at us many times.

Check out his latest post here. It is very honest and eye-opening.

The Blogging Church

2007-01-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

Got a copy of The Blogging Church by Brian Baily and Terry Storch in the mail last week and I was asked to snap a picture of me with it and write a review so here you go.

First let me say that a book on blogging for churches was NEEDED!!!! It was actually needed a year ago. There a ton of bad blogs out there and this might have stopped that from happening.

The book is a easy read and it covers all the bases in regards to blogging and how to do it. It has some great examples of how networking and relationships can happen through blogging. It also gives some great stuff to think about in regards to how churches can better use blogs to communicate to their people. Some of the ideas we will be thinking of using here at The Stone.

If you are looking for a way to start blogging and want to know how then this book is a must have. If have have the blogging thing figured out, it will still give you some great ideas and also point out some great blogs to you.

There are several things in there about this blog and that was a little surreal to say the least. Per instructions, I have sent the book to another blogger (Tadd Grandstaff) and he should have a review up sometime next week.

One more thing: It passed the Bathroom test which is important for a guy. :)

Cabin Fever

2007-01-01T19:33:00.000-05:00

With the exception of Sunday, we have been off since Christmas Eve. It was a nice break but I am chomping at the bit to get back to work tomorrow. We have a 40,000 piece mailer hitting this week, a marriage series starting this week, a very cool thing coming up Sunday, and a new year upon us.

It is the best feeling in the world to love what you do for a living. I can remember jobs where I went to bed dreading getting up because I knew I had to go to work the next day.

I often say my worst day pastoring Ridge Stone Church is better then my best day anywhere else.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Bowl Games are on TV!

DeAnna is cooking collard greens, black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, and ham.

I'll be eating a extra helping of collard greens and black-eyed peas because I need all the money and luck I can get in 07!

Happy New Year to all of you!

Starting The Year Off Right....

2006-12-31T16:38:00.000-05:00

Crud, I was going to list some New Year's Resolutions then Chris Elrod posted against them so now I'm not. :)

However I do think the first of the year is as good a time as any to evaluate your life and look at areas that need improvement and put plans together to improve in those areas that need it. Before starting The Stone, I was on staff at West Ridge Church and the leadership lessons I learned there were second to none. One of the things that stuck with me was how Brian Bloye (Lead Pastor) has 6 areas he evaluates his life in every day to make sure his life is being lived in a way that is honoring to God. As I have prayed and thought a lot over the last few weeks, I have decided I am going to steal his 6 H's and apply them to my life to help me grow in 07.

I figured since I tell you guys everything, I might as well share this area of my life as well so you guys can keep me accountable. :)

Holiness - I want to live a life that is honoring to God. I want my life to be above approach and I want to make sure that I am living a life that is glorifying to God not only in public, but also in private. As a pastor, I am not exempt from the temptations that are out there. Matter of fact, I am pretty weak so in many ways I feel I am in their path even more. In 07 I am going to bring accountability partners in my life that will ask the tough questions, I want to spend more time praying and seeking God for my actions and I want to live a life that is Holy before God.

Home - The most important thing in my life after Jesus is my family. It might not be a popular statement but I have said it before and I'll say it again: I'll let the whole world die and go to hell before I lose my family by neglecting them. If my home life isn't right, then it is impossible for me to lead The Stone. This year I am making it a point stay off the computer when I am not working, I am making a point to not stay at the office late if I don't have too, I am making it a point to take my days off, I am making a point to date DeAnna, I am making a point to tell others no where I can tell them yes, I am making a point to put them first over the church, and I am making a point to enjoying my time with them. I have the greatest family in the world but talk is cheap. This year I am going to work better at showing them.

Health - Ugh. Pastoring a church leads to a lot of eating out and not enough time for working out. This year that changes. I actually have DeAnna on my case so that is a big thing. I need to lose about 30 pounds and I am going to do that by being at the gym with Tim every morning and actually working out and not pastoring every one there. I am going to do that by eating smarter. Multiple services is going to kill me if I don't take better care of my body. If your body is temple, mine is starting to look like a lot of the dead mountain churches around here. I am 30 years old and I want to be around to see my kids grow up.

Humility - When we started The Stone it was NEVER my goal for anyone to know me outside of Canton. For whatever reason, God has opened doors for me and has given some attention to our work here at RSC. I thank God for the sphere of influence. Very quickly we have become one of the largest churches in Canton and if things continue on this year, we will might be the largest church in town by the end of 07. That is all well and good, but I never want it to become about me, my name, or what I am doing. I want everything here to be about Jesus. This year I am making it a point not to read my own press and allow it to go to my head. I think anyone who has known me for a while will tell you it is all about Jesus in my life, but I want those who don't know me to know that just from what they read and hear.

Happiness - I think this is THE area I grew in during 2006. In the first year of planting RSC, I was never happy and never content with all that God was doing. This last year, I entered into a place with being very happy with where God has me. My marriage is as good as it has ever been, I love what I do for a living, and I have learned to treasure my children. Life is to short to be miserable. Loving life and having a blast are HUGE to me. This year I am going to constantly remind myself the enjoy the ride because it is over before you know it.

Hunger - I feel as if 07 is going to be one of the best years ever for RSC. We are going to do some awesome things this year and as we grow, I MUST grow as a leader and in my hunger for God. It was very easy for me to get so busy with the church last year that I didn't spend as much time as I should have hungering to grow in my passion for Jesus and growing as a leader. This year that will be different. I am going to devour everything I can on leadership, great preachers of the past, etc. I am going to take time meet with great leaders. God has put GREAT leaders in my life and I am going to take advantage of that. I am going to start every day with God and I am going to eat, sleep, and drink Jesus and Leadership.

I could go on and on but this is way to long already. My passion for my life, family, RSC, and Jesus is as strong as ever.

I am looking forward to 2007.

Glad we do it again in 7 days...

2006-12-31T13:26:00.000-05:00

Every year since we have started we have taken the Sunday between Christmas and New Years off. This year because of all we have going on we didn't want to lost mo so we had church.

To still give everyone a off Sunday we decided to really scale things back. We only set up 4 pieces of staging instead of 25 pieces. Tim lead worship with just him and his guitar instead of a band. We didn't use any motion backgrounds, just black screen with white words. Should have been a simple Sunday.

Nope.

Today might have been one of the roughest services we have ever done. It actually took us LONGER to set up the smaller amount of staff, we had HUGE sound problems which we never have, Tim was losing his voice, and I wasn't clicking on all cylinders at all. On top of all that is was POURING rain during set-up, during church, and during tear down.

We did have a great crowd for a holiday weekend and the attitudes and energy was great as well.

Next week we get back to normal and we are launching a series on marriage that I am pumped up about!!!!!!!!! Next week is going to be awesome.

The great thing about days like today is you get another chance in 7 days to do it again. :)

Calling It Quits

2006-12-30T09:50:00.000-05:00

In what is a depressing day for me, I am here to announce my official retirement from club concerts. :)

Last night DeAnna and I went (can you believe DeAnna went?) with about 16 other people from The Stone to check out The GnR Tribute Band at the Peachtree Tavern in Buckhead. I had a good time but I am old as crap. They didn't take the stage until midnight. By then my feet hurt, my back hurt, my head hurt and I was dying from the smoke. It is over, I am done, I will never go to another club concert again. I'm to stinking old. I'm sad but I am glad I have come to accept that I am old and can't hang anymore.

BTW, the band rocked. The Fake Axl was amazing. The Fake Slash, stunk.

Back to normal...

2006-12-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

Life is starting to get back to normal....Thank God! DeAnna is taking down the Christmas junk, I am getting my energy back, and the kids are coming down off their sugar high. It appears the pink eye is under control as well.

Tomorrow we are all going to the Tennessee Aquarium. We have a season pass there and it will be a blast. Yes, we have an aquarium in Georgia but we actually like the Tennessee one better. It is about the same drive from our house, it is a lot less crowded and it is more kid friendly. The kids will have a blast and that is all that matters to me.

Friday I will go into the office and work on a few things to get caught up.

Then being the loser I am, I am heading to the Peachtree Tavern Friday night some people from the Stone to see Appetite For Destruction, a Guns n Roses tribute band. Believe it or not, they rock and I am looking forward to hanging out with some of our people.

Then comes Sunday. We are kicking back and chilling this week and it should be fun. Tim is leading worship by himself, we aren't setting up all the video equipment, and I am going to have a very frank talk about what God is leading us into the next year. You don't want to miss Sunday.

Well, it is 4:00 p.m. and I am still in my pajamas so I think I should get a shower and get cleaned up. :)

Coming Soon Signs

2006-12-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

We meet in a movie theater so we have always put upcoming events signs over existing movie posters to help get the word out about what is going on at The Stone. This week we added a few free standing signs to help promote very HOT upcoming events. These signs get passed by everyone in the church and looked sharp. They will change weekly.

New Signs

2006-12-27T10:42:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of our new signs in the theater. We changed our colors and logo about 3 months ago and finally got around to getting the inside signs change to that look. These signs are HUGE and take about 1 minute to put up.

As always o2 graphic design did the work. Not only do they do graphic work, they are in the process of becoming a clearing house for portable churches. Seriously they are becoming a one stop shop for portable churches. They did the design work and ordered the signs and stands. They were about $40 a sign cheaper then everyone else we looked at PLUS they did the design.

We have used them for:
90% of our graphic design
Our new signs and stands
Did a Video Projection consult for us
Heck, we have even had them there at 6 in the morning the last few weeks to help us with set-up. :)

If you are a portable church and you haven't looked at these guys, you are missing the boat.

Kid's Hall

2006-12-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

Someone asked for some pictures of our kids area. I don't have any in the classrooms, but I am looking. Here is what the hall looked like Sunday. Very Griswald Christmas. :)

Ridge Stone Baby

2006-12-26T19:29:00.000-05:00

Check out the Bogg's cute little girl, Sadie. That is freaking awesome!!! Too cute for words.

Christmas Eve Pictures

2006-12-26T13:23:00.000-05:00

Here a a couple of pictures from Christmas Eve. Our set up crew did another GREAT job getting things set up and tore down in time.

ChurchPlanters.com Conference

2006-12-26T13:02:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I posted about the ChurchPlanters.com conference coming up at Mountain Lake Church.

I honestly feel this might be the best conference happening this year. The main session speakers stacks up against any conference I have seen. Shawn Lovejoy, Ed Stetzer, Perry Noble, Matt Carter, and Dave Ferguson are all ACTUAL planters who have ACTUALLY grown churches. These guys are not giving you theory, they are going to be talking about actual principles that are getting the job done and helping them pastor some of the sharpest churches in America.

The main sessions alone are enough to sign up for the conference BUT on top of the main sessions, they also have some of the best breakouts I have seen for a conference. The guys doing the breakouts are also guys on the frontline getting the job done. I have been asked to do a session called "Going All Out For The Disconnected." Even though they have the age of our church as 3 years old when we are only 2 years old, I am still pumped about speaking on this topic. :) Seriously, reaching the disconnected is THE issue to me in church planting.

If you are looking for a typical "how to start a church" conference this isn't the conference for you. There are a ton of those out there and they are great. However if you are looking for a conference that is going to stretch you and allow you to be around guys who are getting the job done, then this is the conference for you.

One more thing, the conference is $99 until December 31st. Not only is it the best conference line up around, it is the cheapest conference around.

Choke

2006-12-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

After starting the fantasy football season 0-4, I then won 9 straight to make the playoffs. I rolled in the first round and made it to the championship game.

Yesterday my team CHOKED and I had the worst games out of the year by Reggie Wayne, Chad Johnson, and Jeremy Shockey. Combined they had 10 points. Tim beat the crude out of me and I lost.

Second year in a row I have lost in the championship game.

Last year I was up by 32 points going into Monday and all he had was Gates from SD. Gates then went out and scored 35 and I lost.

My team chokes every stinking year.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

2006-12-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

Today is DeAnna's birthday! I truly think I have the greatest wife in the world and I mean that with everything that I am.

She is sold out for God - Her walk with God is real and she is open to His leading. She is also a strong prayer warrior.

She is a great wife - She has stood by my side through everything. She has never not bee not supportive. When we didn't know how we were going to pay the bills, she never complained. When we moved several times in the early days, she was supportive. She loves what we do as much as I do.

She is a great mother - All she has ever wanted to do was be a mom and she is the best. Raising my crazy kids is not easy and she thrives at it.

She is a great pastor's wife - She is not the typical pastor's wife and to be honest most of the church doesn't even know who she is. But she allows me to pour my life into the church and never feels slighted by it in the least. RSC is lucky to have her.

She is hot - 10 years later and she still is smoking hot to me. That is a good thing.

Happy Birthday!

BTW, for her birthday we all got pink eye and she is playing nurse. :)

Not a creature was stirring....except me. :)

2006-12-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

Christmas has knocked everyone in the Lamb house out and therefore I am the only one up. We had a great Christmas this year. I LOVED doing Christmas Eve in the morning and having the rest of the night off!!! I'm still pumped up about what happened yesterday and I can't wait to see what God has planned in 07. It is going to be an awesome year and we are going to turn the heat of telling the story of Jesus up like never before.

We have an entire week off and I am looking forward to chilling out. We are going to have a very laid back service this weekend. We are going to be talking about 07, doing a little praying, and sharing the Lord's Supper together. It is going to be a fun Sunday.

This week I intend to really focus on how I am going to grow as a pastor, teacher, and a leader. It is so easy when you are so focused on what is happening in your church that you forget that you need to continue to grow. I live by the conviction that The Stone will never grow beyond my own personal growth and the growth of our staff. This week I am going put the steps necessary to insure I am growing.

It is going to be a relaxing week and I am looking forward to some time with the family and some personal self-reflection.

Great Quote!

2006-12-24T20:27:00.000-05:00

George Marankie sent this to me today and it is a GREAT quote. The Marankie clan is another family that has been with us since basically the start and another couple who gets IT.

When you're small, they'll dismiss you; when you're growing, they'll criticize you; and when you're large, they'll resent you. So ignore 'them' and get on with whatever God has told you to do!

- Rick Warren

AWESOME QUOTE!

One more thought...

2006-12-24T20:06:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I have posted to much over the last two days but it is my blog so I guess I have that right. :)

I simply can't get over how proud I am of our people today. It simply was an awesome day!!!

The thing that was the coolest though was not the set design, the rocking music, the great sermon (if I do say so myself :), the tons of visitors from our mailer, or the buzz that was going on. Hands down the coolest thing to me was watching all of our people who brought friends with them.

To me a sign of whether or not your people truly get IT is whether or not they are willing to invite their friends. For whatever reason inviting your friends to church is a very hard thing for people to do, yet today (actually always) our people worked and it paid off. It was awesome as person after person introduced me to their friends.

It is that type of stuff that will keep you going another week!

Malcolm and Amy Young

2006-12-24T17:36:00.000-05:00

One of the first families who joined with us in planting The Stone was Malcolm and Amy Young. From day one they have worked as hard as anyone in the church. Malcolm was on our advisory team from day one and has played bass in the band from the start. Amy leads up all of our creative elements and is over everything you visually see at church. She is da bomb!

Besides what they do at the church, Malcolm is also one of my best friends in the world. I love the dude and as much as he drives me crazy, I trust him with my life.

September 1st, we brought Malcolm on staff full-time as our connections pastor. He oversees our Home Teams, Volunteers, and Assimilation. He is doing a great job.

Starting January 1st, Amy comes on staff part-time and she is going to take everything to the next level in the production and creative areas.

I am blessed to have these guys on our team and you are RSC are blessed to have people who are so sold out to the vision of the church.

Anyway, I said all that to say this: Malcolm is now blogging! Check out his thoughts here.

Proud and Humbled

2006-12-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

I don't have words to describe today. I am wore out and in awe of how awesome God is. I am as proud of our people as I have ever been and I am humbled by how awesome they are to make The Stone happen every week. I honestly get way to much credit for what God is doing here. Our people make it happen and I think they are the greatest in the world.

I don't have total numbers but we had over 800 in our services today and several people accept Christ.

The atmosphere was awesome, our worship was off the hook, and it was a rush to tell the story of the greatest gift ever.

Marriage Mailers

2006-12-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

Our people will see these tomorrow so I feel free to pass them on to you now. We are hitting the marketing trail hard this year. I am still convinced the large majority of people don't know we exist. Mailers are not the end all but they get the name out there and make it easier for your people to invite people.

In January we are doing a marriage series addressing the leading causes of divorce. The stage set-up is going to be off the hook, the lobby is going to be awesome and I think the mailer is freaky...in a good way. We are going to be looking at how something so beautiful such as marriage can turn so ugly so quickly. As with everything we send out, we have one goal and that is to get the mailer turned over. I think the chopped off finger does that. :)

Shout out to o2graphicdesign for creating the mailer. I have said it a thousand times but they are the best I have ever worked with. Their prices rock, their work is awesome, and their professionalism can't be matched. Give em a look.

Only at The Stone....

2006-12-23T20:47:00.000-05:00

In what has become a three time a year competition (Easter, Anniversary, Christmas) I think I am going to win this time.

What am I talking about?

The best dressed for the big day of course. :)

Things have been known to get out of hand and today was no exception. Tim, Preston and I were all out fighting crowds for the perfect threads. Malcolm felt no need since had already gotten his stuff earlier. Plenty of phone calls and plenty of smack talking has been going on all day.

I'm pulling a "first" tomorrow and I feel pretty confident that I will be crowned the winner. :)

Oh, the traditions we develop. For those wonder, John hasn't yet entered into the madness that is the dress contest but I feel we will have him in the Easter one.....of course he is an admin guy so he could care less about dressing well. He only cares about finding a good deal. :)

Mind Dump - Christmas Version

2006-12-23T14:27:00.000-05:00

I can't wait for the morning to get here!!! Christmas Eve in Canton is going to be awesome!
I picked up our marriage mailer from Fed-Ex today. Man, it is sweet and freaky all at the same time.
This blog, along with the Backstage blog were named #10 in the top 20 Church communication blogs by Outreach Magazine. That is cool.
Crude, I got to get some posts up in the Backstage blog. :)
Love Tony Morgan but not as wild about the top 25 most innovative church list. Innovation is an odd thing and means different things to different people, but not enough portable church plants on there. There are two that I saw and I have been to both of them. Also no New Spring? I think the large majority of the people on the panel might have been to big time to know anything but the mainline churches that everyone knows about. I would love to see how innovative some of those churches would be if they were portable and had to do everything with duct tape and chicken wire. I'm not bitter, I promise..... :)
I am digging The Killers like crazy lately.
The kids area looked like a Griswald Christmas last week and Preston said it is going to be crazier this week. He rocks!!!
My staff wants me to do the worm on stage during the Christmas Eve service. I don't think so...
My mom is coming to church tomorrow. She hasn't been to the movie theater yet, so I am excited.
The wife is baking and it smells good.
I am about to venture out to the stores. I need some shoes and probably a shirt for tomorrow wouldn't hurt either.
This is Avery's first year understanding that Santa is coming. He is pretty pumped and I am already sick of Lighting McQueen stuff. :)
Yesterday there was a possibility of me doing 4 services. 2 for us and 2 at night for a friend. He is feeling better and I am pumped for his services as I am ours.
Hey Michael, is Alabama ever going to hire a coach?
The Popp's will be at church tomorrow with their new baby. I'm pumped to see the little man.
I'm excited about the worship tomorrow.
I'm excited about the stage design.
The office is closed next week. Our guys deserve the break and next week the service is scaled back so it was a good week to take a break.
Why isn't it colder?
10 years of marriage and the wife is still hot. That is a good thing.
I need to pray for all the dudes doing Saturday night services this weekend. Go get em boys!
Tim and I were out late putting out new street signs. It reminded me of the old days.
We have new internal signs going up tomorrow. These dudes designed them and ordered them. Great to work with and price was GREAT.
Is it a sin to be this happy with your life?
I can't wait to teach tomorrow!!!!!! I feel like a caged lion.
The kids are napping and that is kewl.
Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!

Don't Be Late!!!!!!

2006-12-21T21:59:00.000-05:00

Man, I just left the office and all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!! I knew the band was practicing tonight so I wanted to hear the music they were playing for Christmas Eve and all I can say is YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE LATE THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, the song the band is starting the service off with might be the best song I have ever heard them do. They were rocking it out! What was the song? You'll just have to be on time and find out.

Man, I can't wait for Sunday to get here!!!!!!!!!!

The Rap Video Won't Die :)

2006-12-21T13:23:00.000-05:00

Yep, just when I thought the buzz was dying down, the AJC ran another article on us!

It makes me laugh every time I read it.

You can check it out here.

Just for the record....

2006-12-20T19:45:00.000-05:00

We had a discussion on the way home from the movie about what our entrance music would be if we were a boxer, wrestler, or a cage fighter. :)

Malcolm said his would be Wildside by Motley Crue. Not a really bad choice.
I can't remember Preston's but I think it was something like Can't Touch This by MC Hammer (okay, not really but I don't remember his)
I said mine would be Simple Man by lynyrd Skynyrd. I just think it would be different and sort of have the same effect as when Matt Hughes comes out to fight to Country Boy Can Survive.

No one probably cared but now you know. :)

Still the man....

2006-12-20T19:08:00.000-05:00

Sick staff
Last minute rushing
Last minute ideas
Long hours
A few staff fights
Lots of stress
Little sleep
Lot of money being spent

Yep, it is the week before a big Sunday and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week has been intense (in a good way), but one thing about our staff is we always find time to have fun as a team. I make no bones about the fact that I have hand picked all of our staff because not only can they do the job, not only do they buy into the vision, but also because I LOVE doing life with them. I enjoy being around my team and I don't care how busy things are, I like to have fun.

So today, we stopped what we were doing and piled into the car and went and saw Rocky Balboa.

Here is the deal: Rocky is the first movie I ever remember seeing and I'm not sure why but when we went to see it, we saw 1 and 2. So Rocky has always had a awesome place in my heart. Rocky Balboa isn't the greatest movie I have ever seen but it is Rocky and is nice closure to the series.

Just as I was as a kid, I was on the edge of my seat during the fight scenes.

It was a nice break to the week and more importantly and awesome time hanging out with our team.

Ridge Stone Second Campus

2006-12-19T15:49:00.000-05:00

I found out Sunday that The Stone has started it's second campus and I didn't even know it! We have a cool couple in our church and their parents live in North Dakota. Well, their church hasn't had a pastor in a while so they send them my CD's and that is what they listen to on Sunday mornings.

Very cool. :)

Simply AWESOME!!!!

2006-12-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I heard two stories that reminded me why we do what we do:

1.) We have an awesome lady who attends The Stone and has for about 6 months. She is a brand new Christ-follower and is so hungry for the things of God. Her husband is an atheist and has not been happy about her attending church. There have been a ton of prayers thrown her way. Anyway, he saw the rap video and told her (without her asking) he would come to Christmas Eve services with her.

2.) Because of the lovely e-mails we received in protest to the rap video, we brought in an off-duty officer yesterday. He was the son of a pastor and had been out of church for years. He was blown away by our people and the services and told us that he was bringing his wife to check the church out because he loved it so much!

In case you are wondering, THAT is why we do things the way we do them....

Coming Strong in 07

2006-12-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow marks a first for Ridge Stone. Our first direct mailer will hit mailboxes. People find this surprising but we have done very little marketing since starting church. We do a full page ad in Around Canton Magazine every month and we have did some door hangers in the early days but we have never done anything else.

God has blessed and we have grown and we have actually created quite a buzz in our community but we are coming stronger in 07. For the first time in our 2 years, we have the systems in place to break 1,000 and we will do it in 07. We are coming strong with marketing to get our name out and make it easier for our people to invite friends and family.

Along with our direct mail piece tomorrow we are coming back in two weeks with another one for our marriage series, then another one at Easter, along with the cover of Around Canton. The time has come for us to get the word out. To be honest, until now we could not have handled 1,000 people, but the systems and staff are in place and our people will step up to the task.

This is going to be a HUGE year for us and I can't wait!

We are launching a marriage series in January called 4 Better 4 Worse that is going to be off the hook. We are pulling out the stops in the creative arena and I can't wait. We have a HUGE surprise that is going to be awesome during the January 7th service. Trust me, if you ever thought your marriage couldn't stand the test of time, you will NOT want to miss what we have in store for you. There won't be a dry eye in the place.

In February we are going to do a series simply called SIMPLE. We are going to be talking again about the vision The Stone has for everyone who attends and how we got about implementing that. I am stoked about this series not only for the content but because the band is going to be breaking out the theme song of my life: Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd!!! Great son with a great message and our people will rock it out!!!

We are still batting around the creative elements for our March series but it will be focused on telling the story of what God has done in the lives of our people with their friends. RSC exists to bring those on the outside into the inside and that happens when our people are out telling their story. It is going to be awesome!

Then it is Easter!!!! I am not ready to unveil what we have planned for this day but we are shooting for breaking 1,000 for the first time on this day and we are pulling out the stops to make this happen.

I am as pumped about pastoring RSC as the day I started it. It is an awesome feeling to know you are where God wants you and it is even more awesome to see God fulfill the vision He has given you.

Ridge Stone, hang on for your life because 07 is going to be a wild ride as we go the next level as a church!!!!!

Christmas Eve Week!!!!!!

2006-12-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me, knows I LIVE for Sundays. I love being at The Stone on Sunday, I love hearing the worship, I love seeing everything come together, and most of all, I love teaching and seeing people get IT!

I can't describe but seeing lives changed is like a drug to me. It is the ultimate high and I live for it.

Every week excites me but there is something awesome and special about Easter Sunday and Christmas Sunday.

We have tired to create a lot of buzz about our Christmas Eve services and I can't wait to walk into the theater Sunday and see it all come together. Our set-up crews will start arriving at midnight and there will literally be people there all night getting the place ready.

I am teaching a simple message called The Gift and I can promise if you have friends who don't know Christ, they will have heard about how awesome He is before the leave.

I am praying for all of you as you are investing and inviting your friends to church this week. Mailers should start arriving in mailboxes tomorrow and this is a great way for you to start a conversation with your neighbors about the church!!!

Sunday is going to rock!

Why Church Plants Fail?

2006-12-18T16:02:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, most church plants don't make it. Matter of fact I have heard that 2 out of 3 don't make it to year 2. I meet with a lot of planters and I am often asked my opinion on what is the reason why most plants don't make it.

As with most things I have my opinion but that is all it is but I believe there are several practical reasons why most church plants don't make it:

1.) MOST guys who think they are called to plant a church simply aren't - That sounds rough but if you started a church because you wanted to preach, wanted to be a lead pastor, couldn't get hired by another church, or are mad at your current church then you probably aren't called to plant. I have met so many guys who have REAL skills in the area of pastoring but they AREN'T called to be planters. Starting something from scratch takes a different type of skill set and not everyone has that set though they have other gifts that many planters don't have.

Far too many people think planting is the answer to church growth and an easy gig. HA! Shows they don't know much. I am convinced most guys who are planting simply aren't called to plant.

2.) Most planters aren't called to their area to plant - Again I am not questioning anyones calling as that is between them and God. However I think as planters we spend entirely to much time looking at demographics for the fastest growing areas and most white collar areas and think that is where we fit. I remember when I felt called to plant that I immediately started looking at all the fastest growing areas. Problem is every other planter in America was looking at the same places. Don't get me wrong, Canton is growing but it isn't growing like many other towns I looked at. However we went to an area that fit us and that needed to hear about Jesus.

Someone pointed out a blog to me where someone commented about how our rap video was prove they wouldn't fit as a planter in Canton. I am glad that person realized they wouldn't fit here (Though I think the video would have worked anywhere). Far to many planters don't realize who they are and realize the importance making sure they area they are called to fits them.

3.) Most planters don't know their area - Again, all of them think they do, but most know their area through their churchy eyes. They see the area they way they want to see it and not the way it truly is. I think planters need to be at the forefront of knowledge when it comes to the city they are called to plant in. I know as much about the history of Canton as I do the present. I also know tons about future plans because they will effect how we do church.

Planters need to know their area.

Guys want to blame everything and anyone on why their plant doesn't make it. Everyone wants to start over and thinks everyone else had it better but the fact is most guys simply fail in some of the above areas and therefore their plants are doomed from the beginning.

I have a few more reasons why I think plants don't make it but that is enough for now and those are important because they focus on the planter and not the plant. I'll give more as I get time....

Fun day with church planters...

2006-12-16T16:25:00.000-05:00

I have often said that my hobby is church planters. I love them. I love being around them. I love learning from them. I love investing in them. I love to hear them dream. I love to see church planters do what they do. Basically, I love church planting! :)

Today I got to teach at the West Ridge School of Church Planting. I served on staff at WRC and I can honestly say that there is no church in America investing in helping churches get started and training church planters to start churches like West Ridge is. In the last three years, they have started 6 churches in Atlanta including The Stone, 1 in Cleveland, and one in Utah. They are church planting machines.

They had 18 planters at the school today and I taught on learning your community and reaching the unchurched in your community. This is a topic I have a lot of passion about. I am actually teaching this same session at the ChurchPlanters.com conference this year (more about that next week).

Being around the planters got me pumped up and I learn as much from them as they do me.

If you are a church planter and want to be part of learning more about how to launch and start a church, I would encourage you to look into the school, it is pretty good.

Hey Ridge Stone!

2006-12-14T12:59:00.000-05:00

I wanted you all to know how much I think you ROCK! I am amazed that you guys created such a buzz over the Christmas Eve invite video that it has literally gone national. This week it has been on the front cover of the AJC, it has been covered by WSBTV.com, it was one of the top viewed videos on YouTube, and last night it was on the Fox News show Hannity and Colmes.

When we created that video we created it as a funny way for you to remember our Christmas Eve services times and as a way for you to send it to friends to invite them to our Christmas Eve services. That was it.

I know a ton of you have been surprised by the reactions both good and bad. The stories we have heard of you showing it to your unchurched friends, co-workers and family and them laughing and saying they would attend a church like RSC has been AWESOME! One of the coolest stories I have heard is of a shock jock in Tampa talking about the video and commenting that he would like to check out The Stone. That was the goal!!!! We wanted to create a buzz with your friends where they would come and hear about how awesome God is and how He loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. I can’t wait to hear about those who have come into a relationship with Christ after the Christmas Eve service.

I also know a lot of you have seen the negative press as well. We at the office have seen it as well and we simply laugh. It was a video geared towards being funny. I am surprised that our staff shaking our butts as cause such a uproar.

In regards to the criticism, let me remind you of a few things:

1.) When you are attempting big things for God, you will be criticized - It happened to a dude in the Bible named Jesus as well!
2.) Don’t give ear to the critics - Stay focused on getting the word out to your unchurched friends. Time you are listening to critics is time you could be investing in your unchurched friends.
3.) RSC is not for everyone - We know that and that is totally cool. There are some great Christians out there who don’t understand why we do things like we do and will never understand it. That is fine. We’ll hang out with them in Heaven one day and laugh about this. Until then we are going to continue thinking outside the box in reaching unchurched people.
4.) Consider the source – Some people are offended by everything. When people are getting upset, ask yourself if they were the intended target of the video. Again, other Christians getting upset is not the end of the world and it is nothing new.
5.) Keep it up! – I am praying Christmas Eve is packed out and we run out of seats. You do what we can’t do – spread the word to those you know, and we’ll make sure the message of Jesus Christ is communicated in a biblical, creative, and relevant way to those you bring. Keep sending the video and invites to everyone you know.
6.) Pray - God has given us a huge platform and with that comes a huge responsibility. We didn't make the video because we were bored. We made it to get your friends and family in church so they could hear the life changing message of Jesus. Pray our staff can stay focused on the task at hand.

I know I am a broken record but let me say again how proud I am of all of you! You guys never cease to amaze me with your zeal and excitement for the vision of RSC and what God is doing here. What God has done here in the last two years has been amazing. Trust me when I say it is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to what God has planned.

See all of you Sunday!

Hannity and Colmes!!!!!!!!

2006-12-13T22:16:00.000-05:00

Yep, the buzz machine keeps rolling. Tonight Hannity and Colmes showed half the video and our mad rapping skills. :)

I can't believe the buzz that has been generated from a bunch of pitiful whiteboys from Georgia rapping about their Christmas Eve Services.

HA! It is to stinking funny!!!

The great thing is they both said they thought our services would be entertaining. It took the Stone to bring Hannity and Colmes together. :)

Yeah boy-ee! :)

More Buzz....

2006-12-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

WSBTV has now posted a little more buzz about the rap video. I'm not the Santa but everything else is accurate. :)

Check it out here.

FRONT PAGE PRESS!!!!

2006-12-13T08:50:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, that AJC not only ran the story about our rap, they actually put us on the FRONT page of the paper. I figured we would make the local section but they put three pictures from the video and a blurb connecting to the article on the FRONT page.

Simply Crazy.

The buzz is off the hook right now!!!

GREAT job, Ridge Stone in getting the word out!

The Stone in the Press....AGAIN!

2006-12-12T15:14:00.000-05:00

The AJC picked up on our mad rapping skills and the buzz the video has created and called today to write an article on about us doing the video.

You can read the article here.

I love it when God starts creating a buzz!!!!

YO! Ridge Stone Raps

2006-12-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

AWESOME day today. Our Superheroes series has been a blast and today started pumping up Christmas Eve In Canton, our annual Christmas Eve Service. The buzz was off the hook and of course my fly rapping skills and ability to do the worm like no other didn't hurt. :)

So now for your viewing pleasure, I present to you the Christmas Eve In Canton rap. :)

For those who don't know our staff, allow me to introduce them:
I'm the fly guy in the old school white jump suit. :)
Preston is the big tall goof and also our Family Pastor.
Malcolm is Pimping Santa and also our Connections Pastor.
At the turn table is our Creative Arts Pastor Tim.
And last but not least the angry elf is our Administrative Pastor, John Ventry

Enjoy!!!!!

Ridge Stone Rap

2006-12-09T09:20:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the day! Trust me when I say you do NOT want to miss church tomorrow. The sermon is going to be good (if I do say so myself), the worship will be rocking and we will be showing you the world premiere of Christmas Eve In Canton, a rap that we wrote.

It might be the scariest thing you have ever seen in your life. It could scar you for life but I promise it will be funny.

If you can't make it, I will be posting it here after church tomorrow, so check in and see how fly I am for a white guy. :)

Reason 1,000,000 I love Pastoring The Stone

2006-12-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

I grew up in Dacula, Ga. My graduating class was 141 and then it was country as country could be. Over the last 10 years the area has BOOMED with growth, actually being one of the fastest growing areas in America for a few years. It is crazy with growth.

Anyway, when I was growing up there was a little section that was called Hog Mountain. I can remember skipping school to go get biscuits at the Hog Mountain Store before going off to do other things that I can't mention (remember, my mom reads now).

Anyway, NOTHING in the area is called Hog Mountain anymore EXCEPT Hog Mountain Baptist Church. I literally drove by this church every day growing up and still drive by it going to my parents. It is in as good of a location as ANY church I have ever seen yet it has never grown. They have a nice little building and I have always laughed at the name especially since the area has changed so much.

I just logged onto the AJC and found out after being about 10 years behind (typical of the church) they have decided to change the name and it has hit the fan. The church runs 50 people and they are making asses of themselves over changing the name!!!! Are you serious????

As I sit here tonight, it is reason #1,000,000 I love pastoring The Stone. :)

You can read the article here.

I like the guy who hasn't went to church there since 1994 and now attends the church my mom works out, yet he is complaining about this church changing their name! Christians, kill me. :)

New Blog Coming Soon....

2006-12-06T12:57:00.000-05:00

Got an early Christmas present from this dude in the way of a new blog in the works. I'm pumped up and excited. Don't know when exactly you will see it but it should be in the next few weeks.

Good to be back!

2006-12-04T19:26:00.000-05:00

Man, it was awesome to be back at church yesterday and teach the first message in our Super Heroes series. It was probably one the more in your face sermons I have done in a while, but that is the way it is.

We have to much to do and the time is short for people who want to play church. I thank God for all the people who serve and make RSC happen. Yesterday around 36% of the people in attendance were serving. Over the course of a month, over 50% of our people are serving and making things happen. I think that is awesome and I love all that you guys do to make the vision happen every week. But the fact is there is a large amount of people who need to take that leap and I won't quit until they realize the awesomeness of contributing to the Kingdom of God!

We have so much planned in the next few weeks that if feels crazy. Awesome but crazy!

Christmas Eve is going to be off the hook. If you have friends or family who you have been praying about entering into a relationship with Christ, then get them to church on this Sunday. Even the person most anti church are open to coming on Christmas, they are simply waiting for someone to invite them. Don't let the holidays go by without inviting someone you know to The Stone on Christmas Eve.

Then on January 7th we start playing two!!!!!! Yep, we are going to two services. This is going to allow us another opportunity to reach out to those who don't attend church in Canton. Along with another time for you to invite your friends, it is also going to provide another service for all of our volunteers to attend service every week. Now, you can attend one service and serve in the other. I can't wait!!!!

Christmas Mailers

2006-12-03T18:41:00.000-05:00

We have never done a direct mail piece before but we are trying it for our Christmas Eve In Canton. I'm excited. We will be mailing out 45,000 pieces, along with putting this same look in the inside back cover of Around Canton. We are also encouraging our people to mail them to friends.

Our people thought it was funny and so did I. Every time I look at it, it makes me laugh like crazy.

I'm sure it will offend some people but I figure those people need offending. :)

Huge shout out to Karen at O2 Graphic Design for the design work. We use Karen for 90% of all we do and she is the BEST we we have found. She is good, the prices are fair, and she meets the deadlines, which is rare when dealing with graphic designers. If you are looking for some graphic work to be done, give her a call.

New Staging!!!!

2006-12-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

Without a doubt the heroes of our church are our set-up crews. They are there at 5 in the morning every week and they make things happen. The one thing they do is set up the staging from hell every week. We literally have the heaviest, most awkward staging in the world. It doesn't fit through our door and takes 4 guys to load it in the trailer.

That is why it was so awesome to know that today was the last day we will ever use it again!!!! Wednesday Tim and some of the guys are going to pick up our new staging and it is going to be awesome to have REAL staging that doesn't kill people. :)

Along with the staging, we are getting a multi-pin connector that should knock about 30-40 minutes off setting up our sound board. I have no idea what it does but the guys seem happy so I am happy. :)

God has used our people to go above and beyond in their giving and as a result we will be upgrading several pieces of equipment soon including our projectors!!!

a LITTLE sneak peek

2006-12-02T16:05:00.000-05:00

Here is a little sneak peek of what to expect NEXT week with the world premier of Christmas Eve In Canton, a rap that Preston and I wrote to promote our Christmas Eve services.

Expect some dope rhymes and a busting out the worm in the town square. I not only rap, but I am a heck of a breakdancer. :)

Yes, that is John in tights!!!! He rocks!

We started building!!!!

2006-12-02T15:59:00.000-05:00

Wow! We have the most awesome group of people I have ever been around. Today we started construction on a place for our youth to call home and build a couple of offices where I could actually have one and quit sharing with Preston. I have NO skills in construction so I basically hung out but our group was awesome!

The framed the two offices, sheetrocked the two offices, insulated the two offices, painted the hall, painted the conference room, built a stage in the youth room, built a shed behind the office, and that was all before I left!!! On top of that one of our dudes called in some favors with some people he works with and get two XBox 360's for the youth room. We also had a great guy donate a brand new 42 inch flat screen!!! This week we have one of our men putting AC in the warehouse and another guy coming and putting in security, network junk, and a phone system in on his dime.

We can know do EVERYTHING we do as a church with the exception of Sunday mornings in one location.

Our people are awesome!!!!

LONGEST sermon ever

2006-12-01T13:57:00.000-05:00

I am in countdown mode to Sunday. I haven't taught in two weeks and I am ready. To me standing in front of our people and watching them get "it" is the ultimate rush. I love it. It is possible I might teach for about 3 hours this Sunday as I have a bunch to say. :)

Just kidding, but I am pumped about being back at church this Sunday!!!!!!!!

Rappers Delight

2006-12-01T13:35:00.000-05:00

Preston and I wrote an original rap to promote our Christmas Eve services. It is dope. :)

We laid the track last night at the studio and today, Tim, Malcolm, John, Preston, and I made a music video for it.

I'm not really sure what to say now that we are finished. It might be the funnies thing you have ever seen. All I can tell you is Malcolm dressed up like Santa meets a Pimp, John was dressed like an elf (yes he had tights on), and Preston and I were dressed like the most white rappers you have ever seen in your life.

Oh yeah, I got on the ground and did the worm in the middle of the gazebo in downtown Canton. :)

You don't want to miss next week as the world premier of Christmas Eve In Canton will be shown.

I am sure it will be on YouTube and posted here shortly after. :)

Lessons learned from NOT attending church....

2006-11-26T10:40:00.000-05:00

As I stated earlier, DeAnna and I for the first time in 10 years did not go to church on a Sunday morning. We got up and went to eat breakfast and did a few errands and along the way God really pointed out some things to me.

RSC goes on without me - I'll be honest, from a human perspective that is somewhat hard. Everyone wants to feel needed. However, the truth is it is AWESOME! RSC is NOT about me or my "style." It is about God and what He is doing in the lives of our people. They don't come because of the music, the teaching, etc. They come because God rocks and is doing some awesome things in their lives.
RSC has the greatest staff in the world - I have not talked to one of our staff since we left on Tuesday in regards to "church" stuff. There again that has been VERY hard for me. I kept waiting all day yesterday for a phone call with some emergency that only I could fix. The call never came because we have a awesome team that knows what they are doing, is just as sold out as I am, buys into the vision, and doesn't need me around to make it happen. That is awesome. It is good to know that if I was killed in a car wreck (not that I'm looking to die) that RSC would continue on. One of the big criticisms I get from other pastors is that RSC is built on me. People who say that don't know how awesome our team is.
The large majority of people DO NOT go to church - Every pastor who has ever said we don't need more churches or that their church is reaching the community just fine is simply an idiot. I got the family up this morning and took the family to eat breakfast and run some errands and every place we went to was SLAMMED. Driving through the neighborhood I saw the large majority of my neighbors home. The church parking lots were empty as well. As pastors we are in church on Sunday mornings and as a result we don't see the facts about our community. The large % of people are not in church and see no point in it. The church better wake up and accept this fact and they better do it soon.
Men don't go to church - Yep, this is my hobby horse and I make no apologies about it at all. I would say there were 3 men out for every one woman we saw. I heard three different men at three different times at three different places make some type of comment about the wife and kids being at church. The church has become to feminine in it's methods and practices that men look at it as something women do and the kids should do. This is a hill I am willing to die on and as such RSC will always focus on reaching men because if you reach the man, you reach the family.
People are craving community and they will find it SOMEWHERE - We went to the Waffle House this morning and there was more community happening there then 99% of the churches I have ever been. It was actually sad. People are desperate for relationships and friendships that a place like the Waffle House becomes that fix for them. I watched the "regulars" come in and everyone knew everyone. They asked about each others weeks, talked about Thanksgiving and as crazy as it sounds, they were doing life together. For many of those people, it truly was the highlight of their week. Again the funny thing was the large majority were men. Men needed community as much as women they just won't admit it. It really stressed to me the importance of Malcolm's job here as our Connection Pastor.
A lot of people work on Sunday mornings - It never occurred to me how many people work on Sunday morning or have worked all night on Saturday night. It is a very large number. I think Perry is on to something huge with doing Sunday night services that are identical to Sunday morning. I even think Bob is doing this now. Everyone jumped on the Saturday night thing but people are busy on Saturday night. It has me wondering where we could start a Sunday night service to reach all those who simply won't or can't come on Sunday mornings.
The NFL has a Pre-Game show - I just saw the ad for it and it comes on in an hour. I had heard rumors of such a thing but never really believed it existed as I had never seen it. :) I'm excited.
I need church - Honestly I have enjoyed the morning off but I think I am good for another 10 years. :) To me there is not greater place to be on Sunday mornings then at the Riverstone Cinemas worshiping the living God with all the people who make up The Stone.
I'm ready to preach - Seriously I am in countdown mode to next Sunday. I haven't taught in two Sundays in a row and I am chomping at the bit to be on stage and share God's word with the people who make up The Stone. Next week we start a new series and I am so looking forward to being back in church and back teaching!!!!!