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Hello From Peru

Peru Blog Video from C3 Church on Vimeo.

 

Your Destiny Is Connected To Your Leader

This past weekend at C3 Church we heard a powerful message by Pastor Steve Kelly from the Wave Church in VA Beach.  Pastor Steve shared that this is one of his personal life messages and it’s one that I believe everyone involved in church life should hear. In fact if you are a pastor I would suggest you listen to this together with your staff and leaers.

His sermon was, “Your Destiny is Connected To Your Leader”. And it’s not just a church principle but a life principle.  One key thought that stuck with me is that there is a blessing in not getting offended.  Wow! I had to meditate on that thought.  So you can go here and listen to the message or you can watch it by clicking here.

 

I'M TOTALLY PSYCHED OUT OF MY MIND ABOUT

Here are 7 things that I am totally psyched out of my mind about (what movie is that from?). Check it out…. 

Ministry Expo! – I am so thankful for all of those who have signed up to serve on a ministry team the past two weeks.  We have already had over 550 people say yes I will serve! Our Ministry Expo concludes this weekend so be sure and get signed up and get your free pair of flip flops :).  Also remember that even if you are currently serving on a ministry team you need to re-sign up! If you haven’t signed up you can even sign up online by clicking here.

Back To School Blessing! – This weekend we will have our Back To School Blessing at C3! So this weekend we will be praying a blessing over every student, teacher, administrator, coach, bus driver, cafeteria worker, custodian, etc. So spread the word and invite your teachers, students or principals this weekend.

C3 Leadership College! – Our 24/7 interns will begin their new year the week of September 6. We will have a total of 12 total students as we start our second year of the 24/7 internship. These young adults age 18-29 commit for one year with a potential of 3 years.  While in the program they receive education and can earn an Associates in Bible or a B.S. in Bible as well as practical hands on ministry training and mission trips.  Be praying for our students that this will be a blessed year. If you are interested in more information go to www.C3LeadershipCollege.cc

First Wednesday! – I love First Wednesdays! It’s one of the most exciting things that happens at C3 every month. We have extended worship, powerful response time, a fresh message from my heart, baptisms, communion.  There’s nothing like it! Our next one is Sept. 7th @ 7pm and I look forward to sharing with you! Then October 5 we have well known speaker and author Pastor Jimmy Evans coming to speak! Go ahead and mark your calendars and make First Wed part of your routine!

Fall Kick Off with Exodus! – September 10-11 is our Fall Kick Off at C3.  I am pumped to have the band Exodus from Liberty University join us that weekend for all 3 services.  They are a very talented and passionate group of young adults that travel and lead worship. That weekend feel free to wear the jersey of your favorite football team and bring a friend with you.  We will have a blast!

C3 Warriors Kick Off! – After a summer break we are fired up and ready to kick off our C3 Warriors men’s prayer gathering Thursday morning, September 15 at 6am.  Come early for free fresh Starbucks coffee and get ready to spend time in worship, prayer and some thoughts from God’s Word.  Can’t wait to see all that God does this year!

SYATP Rally! – Sunday night, September 25 is our annual area wide See You At The Pole Rally for our students. Middle School and High School students from around the community will come together that night for a powerful time of worship, testimonies and a powerful message.  This rally is in preparation for the SYATP prayer gathering at the local school flag poles Wednesday morning September 28 before school.  Our special guest this year is Mike Haman from Baton Roug, La. Pastor Mike has been involved in student ministry for many years and is a powerful communicator to this generation.  So spread the word to any students you know!

 

Staff Talk - Living and Leading By Priorities

This week at our staff meeting we talked about priorities from Matthew 15 and Joshua 1.

PRIORITIES ARE DRIVEN BY VISION - We have one vision. Real Hope, Real People, Real World.

        Expose – the gospel in a relevant way to hurting people.

        Equip – help our people grow in their relationship with Jesus

        Experience – Every Christian is a minister and has the opportunity

        to serve using their gifts and talents.

And anything outside of that is optional! OPTIONAL! It’s not the main thing.  We’ve got to keep the main thing the main thing or the little things will choke the life out of the church and the staff!

I grew up in a church where every week we had Sunday School,  Morning worship, Sunday afternoon youth choir, Sunday afternoon Church Training, Sunday night church, Monday night outreach, Wed night Bible Study, week long revival services. The average church in America has 100 people. Only 2% of churches have more than 1,000 people in attendance.

My concern is that we get away from the main thing.  Don’t buy into the lie that if we address more needs with more programs and more ministries than we will be more effective.  NOT TRUE!

1. Less is more!
2. Less is more Effective,
3. Less is more Productive,
4. Less is more Enjoyable!

PRIORITIES ARE GUIDED BY VALUES - What are the values of C3?

• We are a Holy Spirit led Church
• We Take Bold Steps of Faith as God leads Us
• We do ministry with Excellence
• Leaning Forward with Passion for God
• Above and Beyond Church - generosity
• All people matter to God
• Focused on Reaching The Unchurched in a Relevant Way
• Generational church and want to impact future generations.
• Passionate church and we love to Worship God!
• Culture of Honor - our Leaders and Each Other.
• We are a Simple Church and we do a few things well.

Assess – Assess your situation.  Don’t bury your head in the sand! If it’s not broke break it. In other words if you feel like you’ve gotten into a rut or are coasting try something new.

Assess your leaders, assess your programming, assess your facility, assess your culture, assess your first impressions.

Address – this is where you have to address people that have gotten off track. Address programs that are dying. This is where you might have to have a tough conversation and risk someone not being your friend any more or being upset with you.  This can only be done by STRONG leaders.

Progress – You rally the troops, You promote, promote, promote. You move forward with the power of God and you begin to see miracles and people getting saved.  It might get tough but hang in there it’s a NEW DAY!

PRIORITIES ARE LIVED OUT BY STRONG LEADERS - God is calling leaders to be strong.  To be bold and live out their calling.  In fact if you aren’t living out your calling and it’s just become a job where you clock in and clock out it would be better for you to do something different because you are robbing someone else of impacting the kingdom.

Joshua 1:1-10

So here’s your assignment:

Assess, Address And Progress!  Our greatest days are ahead!

For the full message from our staff meeting click here.

 

Staying Focused

Recently I was at Carolina Beach and made this video about staying focused. Check it out: