Hey Friends,

As leaders and Christ-followers we all experience seasons. In the Book of Ecclesiastes it talks about a “time for all things under the sun.” As a leader I wonder what season you’re in right now? Last Friday, I wrote about the upcoming fall season in the Church world. Fall is usually a great growth season. It is essential that a leader recognize what season he or she is in. Timing is key for a leader.

As my buddy John Maxwell says, “The right decision at the wrong time is the wrong decision.” We leaders must learn the lay of the land and the time of the season. There are times to march forward and times to wait and pray. There are times to communicate the vision with power and there are times to stop and love the people. As leaders it is up to us to make the right call.

Right now at FPC we are in a major growth curve. We are at our highest attendance ever and growing. We will open up our on-campus satellite in two weeks to handle the increasing crowds. The senior team and leaders are praying through our options for growing to the next level. Now is the time to share the vision for the next step once we have it. At FPC we have gone through many changes and not all have been easy. Picking the right time for a move or change makes it easier on everyone involved.

I know it is hard enough to make the right decision, and to have to deal with timing makes it even harder. It is the load the leader must carry. So I ask again, what season are you in? What season is your organization in? What is the next step for you to make personally or corporately? I know God is leading us all, but sometimes it is not easy to hear what He is saying. How do you see it?

Yours to count on,

Pastor

Hey Friends,

Summer is over, everyone is back in school and the crowds are back in church. Our attendance is up 20% over last year at this time and I expect a fabulous fall. As a matter of fact, as leaders of ministries all over America and the world let’s prepare for a great harvest of souls. What is your outlook for the fall?

One of the many things we leaders must do is set the expectations for the people God has for us to lead. As you look to the future, close and distant –  how do you see it? How you see it, THE VISION, is how others will see it. Sight of the leader, plight of the people. You set the speed as you lead.

In our current economy and outlook by most people worldwide, we leaders must give encouragement and hope that the future will be brighter. Please beware leader, that you don’t allow your political views to hinder your ministry. So many Christ-followers are discouraged and that mindset has infiltrated the Kingdom. Remember our God rules and He is not worried or whining about the outlook.

Come on leader, let’s get revved up about the fall and the potential of miracles and life change. Our God is able. I know there are negative things going on in the world but our God trumps it all. That is the thought that gets me up in the morning. That biblical principle is what gives me hope and enables me to keep going when others want to quit. How are you? How is your outlook? Is our God able?

Have a great weekend!

Yours to count on,

Pastor

P.S. As my good friend Chet Carney says, “It takes Kingdom people to do Kingdom work.”

Hey Friends,

As you know, the Bible is called the “Sword.” Many times in my prayers I ask the Lord to help me swing His Sword. I pray that He will empower His Word as I share it. Two years ago my wife, Michele, began praying for me that God would anoint me to the level that the teaching and messages would demand a response! I was thrilled at her prayer for me. I believe God is answering that prayer in a big time way.

I have watched in the last year as the Sword is swung and the conviction has fallen. The conviction is the cutting edge of the Sword. Let me tell you what I saw a few weekends ago as we dealt with sex. I watched two lesbians on the front row struggling with the issues and what their responses would be. I praise the Lord as I, or we, leaders get to watch people struggle and be changed into the image of Christ. What a job!

As a leader it is our job to speak the “truth in love.” We do not help those we lead when we refuse to deal with issues we know must be dealt with. In the church world being “nice” seems to be the highest value. But is letting issues go really being nice? Is letting people walk in darkness or continue having issues that hurt the Kingdom or their ministry NICE? No Way!

As leaders in the Kingdom of God, it is our job to speak up whether it is to one person or a congregation of thousands. Are you speaking the truth? Are you saying the last 10%, or even more difficult, the last 2%? It is hard, but it is the job of the leaders to raise up other leaders and see the Kingdom of God expand one person at a time.

How do you see it? What a joy to see lives transformed by the power of God!

Yours to count on.

Pastor

Hey Friends,

Church growth is near to my heart because the Bible is clear that healthy churches grow. In the book of Acts the churches grow “unhindered.” This is a passion for me and I know it is for you or you would not be reading this blog. I believe it is the heart of Jesus to see His Bride grow. He said, “I will build My church.”

If this is the case and we know it is, then why are 90% of all churches in America not growing? This is a complex question and has a complex answer, but let me give you just a thought. Most churches do not grow because it is the most selfless thing a church can do. It is also the most difficult thing a church can do. To grow means more work. It means giving up certain things, like knowing everyone. It means adding services, servants, and treating everyone like family. It means giving up some of the things we have come to love.

This past weekend we had a powerful visitation of the Spirit of the Lord. As you know, we have 7 services. At the 11:45 service the Lord moved even more powerfully than in the other services. Near the end of the service people just started toward the altar. People were weeping and others were laying on hands and praying for them. You could cut it with a knife. What are you to do when God is working and 300 kids are waiting to be picked up? What about when 800 people are waiting for the next service? I could go on about so many other costs to growing, but what about the alternative? Not growing? What about just enjoying it ourselves? What about the lost that are hell-bound? What about the ministry that goes undone and the captives that remain chained? I could go on for days.

Where do you stand? I am laying my life down on the altar of impacting the Kingdom of God for the maximum effect on lives. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is people! How do you see it?

Yours to count on.

Pastor

Hey Friends,

            The leader wears so many hats that  it’s not even funny. One of the hats we must wear is the momentum hat. If the Church has lost momentum it falls to the lot of the leader to get the engine firing on all eight cylinders. Every church goes through cycles and needs momentum to move it to the next level. One great way to get mojo for momentum is by picking great players for your team.

          We recently added a senior team player to our staff that knows a lot about momentum. He was the principal of one of the top high schools in the country. His name is Chuck Carringer. Before he became the principal he was the head basketball coach and held the record for wins at Oak Ridge High School. With fewer years as coach he still racked up more wins than any other coach in the school’s history. He knows how to win. He will add serious horse power to the team.

          A great staff is vital to victory in any organization and a church is no different. I am thrilled he is on our team and I look for many more wins in the future due to his leadership.

          Picking players is one of the most important parts of a leader’s job. When the team wins, we all win. I believe the Lord will help make the right choices if we are sensitive to His leading. Look at the life of the Lord; He chose a great team. They didn’t all look like winners when Jesus picked them, but they ended up changing the world. Not bad for some fisherman!

          Chuck Carringer will be leading a monthly leadership seminar starting on August 27. There will be many others to follow. You can get more information on our website at http://faithpromise.org/events, or by calling 865.251.2590.

          I love it when the momentum is marching us off the map, how about you?

Yours to count on,

Pastor

Hey Friends,

            As we watch the world and see the same problems surface, I wonder what the answer is. The Bible is clear that the Church is the answer and the only hope for the world. Has a political system been the answer? Has the White House fixed the problems? What about the military or education system? Nope! Look at every organization where we place our hope and trust. No change.

God planned for the Church to make the difference. It is the only organization that can. Sadly the Church does not see this as our job nor do we think we can. If we think we can’t, then we can’t. “Where there is no vision the people…”

The Church has become a great thermometer and a poor thermostat. We are great at pointing out the problems and weak at finding a way to change them. WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD AND WE OWN THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM!

Why do we sit around wringing our hands when we have the power and the plan to make the needed changes and to make a difference? The world is waiting for someone with the answers and we are hoarding it.

            The Church deserves visionary leadership and God demands it. Come on leaders, let’s turn up the temperature! Time to quit telling the temperature and start setting it. I believe it is part of our calling, passion, and job – how about you?

Just a thought for the day.

Yours to count on.

Pastor

Hey Friends,

            Jesus was faced with a lady that needed His help and she would not take no for an answer. Jesus was so impressed with her desperation that He granted her petition. How desperate are we for Him to move?

Heavenly Father, we are lost and impotent without you. I ask you to move on the hearts of those that read this blog and make them hungry and desperate for YOU. I pray for this weekend that You move in great power. I pray You show up to the degree that we have to have Church under the chairs. God, You can, and I ask You to. Master, all the people that read this blog are going to agree together with me in asking for You to show up, so that everyone will know You are there. I pray people are never the same because they will be confronted by You. I ask You to make Your glory evident to all. I ask the Holy Spirit to be not only resident, but President. I ask you, God, to breathe on us the “Ruach” (Breath of God) and send revival.

            We believe we are praying according to Your will and that You will answer this request. Holy God, we bow at Your will and Word and Your presence. I believe and I receive all You will do. I pray at the end of the weekend that every worshipper and attender will be impacted to the point that they look to experience and worship You 24/7. We believe this to be Your will and look to see You make it a reality.

 In the Name of Jesus I/we pray.

See ya Sunday,

Pastor

P.S. I’m believing God for a great weekend; don’t miss it!

Hey Friends,

            As you know, either by reading the blogs this week or being involved in our current sermon series, we are dealing with experiencing God 24/7. There are not many issues a Christ-follower can deal with that are more critical than this. In planning and preparing for the series “Intoxicated” we started with practicing the presence of God, and we ended up with being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. He is our Guide, Power, Comforter, and Helper…Without the Spirit we are totally impotent and devoid of the presence of God. This is a biblical issue of which there can be no debate.

            So what are we leaders to do with this information? I usually try leading from under my desk. When I sense a dry spot in my heart or in the life of FPC, I get under my desk on my face and tell God I’m not getting up until He fills me. I remind Him that He commanded me to be filled and yet the command is in the passive voice – which means I can’t cause the action, but it is done to me. (Ephesians 5:18)

            I have been under my desk many times and have experienced the power and presence of God. I have seen Him pour living water into a desert many times, because He can! Remember Jesus said in John chapter 15, that “without Him we can do nothing.”

            “Intoxicated” is being under the influence. Are you under the influence of the Spirit of God so much that you experience Him daily? Do you love Him more today than ever before? Are you walking in joy, victory, and power? He bought the “abundant life” for us on the cross. Are you experiencing it?

            As leaders we not only plan the strategy and vision for the future but we lead by example. It is our job to show others how to walk in victory and experience God daily. I believe this weekend God will show up and show out. How about you? As a matter of fact, I’m “waiting” on Him this very minute to blow my doors off. Are you? I pray you walk under an open heaven.

Yours to count on.

Pastor

Hey Friends,

Where is the power promised to us by our Lord? He told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had been filled with power for the tasks He had given them and us. We hear about demons deliverance and miracles in Africa, but what about us and what about here?  Let’s get real; look around, shouldn’t the Church have more power? Shouldn’t saints have the power to overcome in this present age? Well, the Bible says we should. So what’s the problem? Have you ever wondered what the problem is?

Being in the ministry for over 25 years and watching so many fall prey to the enemy, I ask the question often. I think the Bible and our Lord has an answer. I think we are sorely distracted in our day to day lives. Instead of experiencing God daily, hourly, minutely (I know, I know, this is a Chrisism) we are focused on us, our problems, and our circumstances. It says in Heb. 12:1 to “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Jesus said he would be with us always.” He also said the Holy Spirit would be in us and with us. So the question is, are you under the influence of the Holy Spirit right now? We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit, are you? This is the key and the critical element of our experiencing God 24/7. Where is your focus?

It is time for us to call out and cry out to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you hungry? Are you desperate? What are we waiting for? Especially as leaders, we need God even more today than ever before. I don’t know about you but I am DESPERATE for God and all He has for me and us. As leaders in the Church of Jesus, people are looking to us for direction and inspiration. Leaders need His help more than anyone else.

Just a thought.

Yours to count on.

Pastor

P.S. Love to hear your heart.

Hey Friends,

            So Sorry I did not post a blog yesterday, I completely forgot! I’m serious I forgot. You may wonder how I could forget something I do every day, and that would be a good question. I was just so blown away by the weekend at FPC. I was in shock all day Sunday and Monday morning. We started a new series called “Intoxicated” many of you commented about it last week on the blog. I must confess I went into it a little concerned; I never want to offend people for no reason. With that said, I was just a little on edge. At the end of the weekend not only were lives changed but we set another record attendance for a non holiday weekend, over 3300 worshipers and seekers! Thank you Lord.

             I felt better, to be honest with you, after last Wednesday’s blog and your many encouraging comments, thanks! As we launched the series I was blown away at the hunger of the people with us for the weekend and on both of our I-Campuses. God showed up in a big way. I believe He may do more in this series that ever before. I am so excited at the potential and what God can do if we are open to Him.

We must never forget we serve the God who is able! He has all authority and ability. I am praying that He show up and fill 1000s with His Holy Spirit during this series. I believe He will give a hunger for His Word and for His presence that most have never experienced.

The crux of the series is that we learn to experience God 24/7! That is His expressed written will for us. He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you, I will be with you even to the end of the age.” I am so sad at the multitudes of believers that go day to day and don’t even think of God or all He has for us. Brother Andrew called it “practicing the presence of Jesus.” That is what we all should do. Life would be exponentially better for all of us.

Yours to count on,

Pastor

P.S. Let us know the daily disciplines you use to experience God 24/7, it will help us all.