Hey Friends,

I am well underway in writing my fourth book. Not really sure who will read them, but I am enjoying the discipline of writing. The fourth book is about reaching people for Jesus. I am really not sure who will read this one because the last several books I have read on Kingdom leadership from current thought leaders are very anti-growth. Shocking but true! Not sure how Jesus feels about it. That is another blog for another rant.

As you are going to church this weekend, let me ask you a question – what are the bottlenecks and barriers? Look around and ask the question, “What is keeping us from reaching more people that are hell-bound today?” Don’t hear that question much anymore.  Strange!

As leaders we must always be on the alert to the barriers that build up to stop up reaching more souls for the Savior. Some of the barriers are physical. There are so many, from the width of a hall to the signage in the building. The list is long. The second barrier is spiritual. It can be sin in the camp, lack of burden for the lost, to strongholds in the staff. Again, the list is as long as the plethora of possibilities that prune our potential.

I want to challenge US to open our eyes this weekend. Look around with fresh eyes and ask the Lord to show you the barriers to building bridges to those without Jesus. Are you burdened, broken, and passionately pursuing people who are without our Lord? Just a question.

The last thing Jesus gave us before He ascended into heaven was the Great Commission. Let’s not lose it in our generation.

Love you,

Pastor Chris

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

This post was written by Josh Whitehead (joshwhitehead.net), Executive Pastor at Faith Promise Church.

Each year at FPC, our Senior Leadership Team sets church goals. It has been a part of our culture since the beginning of the church. Pastor asks each of us to pray daily for our ministry and for each of the goals. We’re often asked, “Where are we at in reaching the church goals?” Here’s a mid-year update:

*  3500 in Attendance – We are currently averaging 3079 in total attendance for this year. The fall will play a huge part in reaching this goal as we re-open Satellite I to accommodate those coming to FPC.

* 50% in Small Groups – Groups ministry continues to create new opportunities for connecting with others in relationships. We continue to see 50% of adults attending small group.

* 400 New Servants- VolLink has been a tremendous help in connecting people to ministry this year. Through May, we have seen 195 people begin serving in a ministry.

* 13 Mission Trips – There have been trips to all different parts of the world. Through July, teams have visited Costa Rica 3 times, New Zealand, Thailand, England, South Africa and Houston. There are other trips planned throughout the end of the year.

* 200 Baptisms – 109 people have followed Christ in Baptism this year. In 2008, FPC was 4^thin baptisms in the state of Tennessee. God is awesome!

* Compassion Ministry – Susan Troop is organizing the Kid’s Hope ministry to begin mentoring at Beaumont Elementary School. We are also pursuing hiring a Pastor of Missions to oversee all compassion ministries, local and global.

* 15.5% Budget Increase – to date we have fulfilled 10.5% of our 15.5% increase. God continues to do financial miracles at FPC and I expect that we will finish the year funding the entire budget!

* The Journey Campaign: 4.7 million pledged – We’ve received $1.11 million to date with $2.89 million left to begin construction. Continue to pray for The Journey!

* 2 New Worship Services – Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 8:30am have helped us make seats available for guests at both the 10 & 11:45am services. This will become even more critical as we enter the fall.

We are absolutely spoiled at FPC to see God move in such amazing ways! Each of you plays a significant part in our ministry impacting people’s lives for Christ. Continue to reach out to your family and friends. Invite them to FPC so that they can experience the true living God and grow in their relationship with Him!