Let me start off by saying THANK YOU for all the emails and prayers.  I’ve been blown away by the amount of grace and encouragement that has been sent our way.  Even some of my biggest critics have emailed to let me know they are praying. I truly appreciate it.

I’ve received over 3,000 emails and I haven’t responded to any of them due to the fact that I need to process some things and take some time to get my head clear.  As many e-mails as I have gotten, there seems to be basically the same questions asked over and over. So many of you have been such a vital part of my life over the last few years whether it was through attending Revolution or reading my blog, I feel like the least I can do is answer some of the generic questions.  At this time I’m going to pass on answering questions about my family as we are still sorting through all of that, but I’ll do my best to answer some of the other questions you’ve asked.

How are you doing?

That depends on when you ask. :)  My emotions literally change by the hour.  I would say overall, I’m good.  As crazy as it sounds, I am so glad to not be carrying around the guilt of hiding what I was doing.  While my situation right now it is not what I wanted or thought would happen a few months ago, it is what it is.  I’m focused on my relationship with Christ and I’m focused on the next steps in this adventure called life.

The bottom line is life continues and I can wallow around doing nothing or I can get busy letting God point me in the right direction for the next steps in my life.

What is next?

Honestly, I have no idea.  I thought I would die pastoring Revolution Church so I never once thought about what I would do outside of ministry.  I have a few leads on jobs and even have a couple of job offers, but I’m praying through those right now.  Everyone always told me I would be a great in sales so we’ll see if that is true or not in the coming months.

Just because you have an affair and lose your job doesn’t mean the bills stop coming so finding the right fit in the job market is a pretty big priority right now.  Your prayers for wisdom in this area are appreciated.

Will I be returning as the pastor of Revolution?

No.  That chapter of my life is over.  Let me say again that I agree 100% with the decision by our board to ask for my resignation.  I was in blatant sin that at this time disqualifies me from pastoring.  I know this is hard to accept by so many people who attend Revolution because Revolution is a place of grace, forgiveness, and for less than perfect people.  It still is all of those things but as I said in my resignation letter there are consequences for sin.

What is the future of Revolution?

I have no idea.  As I said above that chapter in my life is over.  My prayer is that it will stay a place that is doing whatever it takes to reach those far from God.  That is in the DNA of Revolution and Canton needs a place that is doing whatever it takes to reach those far from God.

I do know this:  Revolution is God’s church. Contrary to popular belief it was not the Gary Lamb show.  God has a man and a plan to lead Revolution to greater things and greater impact. I look forward to seeing it happen.  God used me to start Revolution and DeAnna and my children will still be attending there, so to say I have a vested interest in seeing her do great things would be an understatement.

Will I be starting another church?

Hands down this has been the #1 question asked.  There is no easy answer to this question.  I have no idea what the future holds and I have no idea how God will lead in the coming days, months, and years.  All I can tell you is that today, June 19th, 2009 that starting a church is the farthest thing from my mind.

I believe with everything that is in me that God is not through with me in a full-time ministry role but I do believe He has me on the sidelines right now to get some things right in my life.  I’ve been asked by a few people to do some church planting coaching and consultating on being portable, but even those things are not something I’m ready to tackle today.

Let me close out this post by again saying THANK YOU.  I would love for you to continue to pray for me as I seek God as to what the future holds.  I know some of you will disagree with the fact that I’m posting online and I understand that, but I’ve lived my life online for 5 years and have many online relationships as a result.  Being online from time to time allows me to communicate with those people in my life and it allows me to feel some sort of normalcy.

BTW, I will be posting another post this week that you don’t want to miss. I have received over 30 emails from pastors (all anonymous) confessing to be involved currently in sexual affairs.  As I read these emails it was like someone punched me in the gut. NO ONE knows what you’re going through like I do and I want to give you guys the reality of what your involved in but I want to take some time to allow God to get my thoughts straight before I post.

This is a copy of the letter my friend Greg Rohlinger read from the Revolution stage today:

Dear Revolution Church,

5 years ago DeAnna and I moved to Canton Ga. with a vision to start a church that was doing whatever it took to reach those far from God. Over the last 5 years God has exceeded our expectations and more people than I can count have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Pastoring Revolution has been one of the great highlights of my life. I think Revolution Church is the greatest church in America and I count it an honor to have been called to start her.

It is with those thoughts on my mind that I’m now writing the toughest letter I’ve ever had to write.  Effective immediately, I will be stepping down as the pastor of Revolution.  6 weeks ago, I entered into an emotional and physical affair with my personal assistant, Elena.  I have no excuses, no justification, and no one to blame but myself.  I did exactly what I have preached against from the Revolution stage by letting my guard down and putting myself into a position to fall into sin.  I’m so sorry.

It breaks my heart to know all the people I have let down from my wife DeAnna to all of you who have invested your blood, sweat, and tears into making Revolution the church it is today.  I know what I did was wrong, I have asked God for forgiveness, but there is still consequences for our sin and I’m no longer qualified to lead Revolution.

I know this comes as a shock to many of you and your emotions will vary from anger to hurt, know that it was never my desire to hurt any of you.  This is the end of my time as your pastor, but it is not the end of Revolution.  Revolution was not about me, it was about Jesus Christ.  God has awesome plans in store for Revolution and I believe with everything that is in me, He is going to to take Revolution to places we never imagined.

God has blessed this church with an incredible staff and an incredible Board of Overseers who will be led by God to make sure Revolution remains true to the vision God gave us when we started.  I plead with you to stand by them, rally around them, support them, and do whatever it takes to lift each other up during this time.

I would also ask that you stay in prayer for me and my family.  I am committed to doing what it takes to get my walk with God back to the place where I know it should be.  I am focused on Him during this time and I’m looking forward to seeing Him work in my life in the days to come.  Also pray for DeAnna and my children.  They are the true victims in this and they will need your love and grace like never before.  I am committed to getting myself healthy where I can be the husband and father my family needs.  I appreciate your prayers during this time.

Let me close out by again saying how much I love all of you.  I am so sorry I let you down. I am so sorry that I have given the cause of Christ yet another black eye. I’m so sorry that I have left all of you in this position. I’m sorry, but know I believe in you and I will be your biggest cheerleader as you reach this community for Jesus Christ.

Be Revolutionary,

Gary

I’m not really sure what words to type or say to what so many of you have just read.  I know I have let so many people down and many people have been hurt and will be hurt through my actions.  There are no words that can make it better.  There is nothing that justifies the actions I chose.  I took my eyes off God and in the process didn’t care how my sin affected anyone else. I’m truly sorry.

Let me say that I take 100% responsibility for my actions. I also stand 100% by the decision of our Board of Overseers to ask me to step down as pastor. I believe in grace and I believe Revolution is a church like few others when it comes to grace.  However that grace doesn’t eliminate the fact that there are consequences for sin. I have felt God’s grace like never before in the last 48 hours, but I also have to face the consequences of my sin. I’m glad they loved me enough to act swiftly on my behalf and Revolution’s behalf.

So many people have asked what is next for me and the truth is I have no idea.  My first commitment is to my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am so far away from the man I was when I first felt the call to start Revolution.  I’ve become all about me and my ego.  I have to focus on getting my walk with God where it should be before I can do anything else.  Beyond that, everything else is in God’s hands. I have tried to control every aspect of my life for 12 years and for the first time I realize the only thing I can control is how I respond and handle myself. I plan on seeking the face of God with everything that is in me.

Revolution Church, I love you. I am so sorry that I let you down as your pastor. I honestly believe God is going to show himself to you in ways you’ve never experienced. Stay focused on Him and the vision He gave Revolution when she started. Support the staff and rally around them as they lead Revolution to reach Canton.  To my pastor friends, I’m sorry for letting you down. I’m sorry that I’ve given people in your communities more ammunition to use against the church.  I plan on being your biggest cheerleaders and praying for you on a daily basis as you seek to turn your communities upside down for the cause of Christ.

Those of you who read this blog owe me nothing but I would be honored if you would pray for my family during this time.  Obviously I have left their lives in shambles by my actions. Pray that God shows His grace and mercy to DeAnna and my children like never before. I would also greatly appreciate your prayers as I pick up the pieces and begin the long road to redemption.

I know so many of you will want to contact me over the next several days, but I plan on unplugging from the web for a period of time. The only way to contact me is through the contact form at the top of this blog. Please know that I won’t be responding much, but I will get around to reading your emails as I have time.

Again, let me tell say I’m so sorry to all of those who have been hurt by my actions.

• Simply a GREAT day at Revolution!
• We baptized over 100 people today! It was awesome watching story after story of life change happening!
• Revolution Church KNOWS how to tailgate!  I have never ate so much awesome food in my life. Scott Vaughn took it WHOLE NUTHA LEVEL by smoking more meat then I have ever seen in my life along with 3 homemade sauces!
• The band put on one of the best concerts I’ve ever heard! I put those guys up against anyone. Heck, they did some songs better then the original bands do them.
• We dedicated around 40 babies today too!
• I was so proud of our staff for pulling off a great event.
• The rain held off, but it is pouring at my house now.
• Along with a great day, I shared with the church I’m taking SEVERAL weeks off from teaching and being in the office.
• I’m not a big fan of gossip so let me give you the 411: Revolution is almost 5 years old and I have been consumed with her 24/7. As much as I tried to take off, I never really did. Even on vacations, I would work.  I’m toast.
• You can’t give the amount of time and energy that I have to Revolution without neglecting something else. I’m ashamed to say the thing I have neglected is my wife and children. That is wrong and there is no excuse for it.
• I can’t go back and change that, but I can let them know they are #1 to me, so I’m taking a sabbatical to focus on them.  They need my attention and they deserve it. I’m looking forward to time with my children and time away from my children while I spend time with DeAnna!
• I am thankful for a staff and my Board of Overseers who put up with no excuses when I was telling them how I was feeling. They demanded I take time off and I’m glad.
• I spent this past week detoxing from working so much and I plan on spending the next several weeks enjoying life and getting my priorities back to a way that honors God.
• I’m in this thing for the long haul and in order to do that, I got to take care of myself and family.
• Year 5 is going to exceed our wildest expectations so I’m looking forward to getting healthy before it happens.
• During my sabbatical we’ll be joining with churches all across the country for One Prayer. We’ll be hearing sermons from Pastor Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, and my great friend Tony McCollum will be with us live one of the Sundays.
• Revolution, I appreciate your prayers during this time. Pray for me, DeAnna, Ashlyn and Avery. Pray God rocks our world! Pray the time is restful. Pray for each other. Pray for our staff as they lead Revolution over the next month.
• God is so freaking awesome!
• While I’m chilling out, I doubt I’ll be blogging much but if something striks my fancy, I’ll post it here.
• See ya in a month! Can’t wait to hear about God doing awesome things at Revolution the next month!

• Took today off and went with my family to West Ridge Church where I served before starting Revolution. WOW!  I was supposed to be there today. I needed it.
• Brad Cooper from New Spring taught at Revolution today and over 30 people accepted Jesus Christ!!!
• Next week we baptize!!! I am looking forward to being back at Revolution for the week!
• I’m going to spend the next few weeks hanging out with my family and focusing on DeAnna. So, that means very little to no blogging.
• Peace out.

Party Promo from Revolution Church on Vimeo.

106. That is how many people have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior over the last two weeks! To say God has rocked our world during the PARTY series would be the understatement of the year! God is up to huge things at Revolution and I love that we all get to be a part of it!

This Sunday we continue the PARTY series by talking about the next step after the party has started! Come ready to worship, ready to shout, and come bringing a friend because this Sunday we PARTY…Revolution Style.

See ya 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 p.m.

• Very awesome day!
• Around 30 people entered into a relationship with Jesus in our second week of PARTY. Our goal has been real simple: We want to make Heaven party like it says it does in Luke 15. Over 100 people in two weeks makes me think we’re on the right path!
• Today was as physically exhausting as I’ve ever been after preaching. I came home and my body literally had chills and shakes. Kinda freaked me out.
• I sweated so hard in the second service that I shorted out the mic Not cool.
• Worship was amazing! Thad literally tops himself every week.
• Kicking off the service with One In Every Crowd by Montgomery Gentry was awesome! Great party song and they freaking nailed it!
• The momentum at Revolution right now is unlike anything I’ve ever seen! Every week I show up EXPECTING God to do something huge!
• I finished talking about the story of the Prodigal Son today by talking about the older brother. I don’t think he was a bad dude. I think he simply FORGOT what the father had already done for him.
• So today, I reminded everyone what the father has done.
• I never cease to be amazed at our Volunteers. They blow my mind!
• This week is the first “normal” week I’ve had in over a month. NO traveling and I actually get to be in the office.
• Elena has been my assistant for a month and I haven’t been in the office for a full week with her yet. That might explain why she enjoys the job so far.
• We’re having our baptism tail-gating service in two weeks so if you need to get dunked email Preston@therevolution.tv
• I have loved hearing the awesome stories of life change that we’ve been sharing during the offering the past few weeks. Very inspiring.
• I’ve been having some small health issues lately so I would appreciate your prayers.  Nothing big but it happens when I’m stressed so I guess I’m stressed because it is happening a lot lately!
• I’m still processing a story Perry shared the other day from Acts 14 about Paul getting stoned. Rocked my world!
• I dropped the ball huge today!!!  I feel the need to admit it in public so here goes: I did nothing for DeAnna for Mother’s Day. I’m not sure what happened but it just didn’t happen. I’m a scum.
• DeAnna is probably the greatest mother I’ve ever seen. She loves our children and deserves a better mother’s day then she got.
• She didn’t complain though. She basically knows I’m an idiot.
• I did remember to call my mom today which I haven’t remembered to do the last two years.
• Now you know why I have Elena. She reminds of this stuff and for the record she reminded me earlier this week about Mother’s Day but I still sucked and forgot.
• Am I the only one who is sick of the rain?
• I confessed to the church that I write most of this mind dump on Saturday nights. But actually I wrote all of this one tonight.
• Got to go hang out at Oak Leaf Church last night in Cartersville as they moved into their new building. They bought a old bar and did a great job with it!
• Do I want a building? Yep. When God gives us one, I’ll take it. Until then, I keep focused on reaching lost people.
• We got several church planters coming to hang out at the office on Tuesday. Should be fun.
• I’m dead so I’m done.
• Good night.

• Over 70 People accepted Christ on Sunday! That literally blows my mind!
• Read this post from one of our awesome Volunteers about his brother coming to know Jesus on Sunday!
• 300 people have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior at Revolution since January 1st!
• Elena told me Monday that we have literally doubled in attendance from the same weekend last year!
• We are going to baptize between 100-200 people in three Sundays!!!
• We had a ALL day staff retreat yesterday that was the BEST day of meetings we’ve ever had!
• We’ve moved some guys around on our team to position them in their sweet spot and I believe the results are going to lead to us doubling in attendance BEFORE next year!
• We have space issues which sucks, but is a GREAT problem to have!!!
• God is moving in ways I’ve never seen!
• I’m as happy leading Revolution as I’ve ever been!

Those things never get old!

Just sayin…

• Probably the greatest day of ministry I’ve ever been a part of!
• Over 70 people entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today!
• We have been INTENTIONAL about giving people opportunities to accept Christ this year and over 300 people have done that!
• Our goal today was very simple: We wanted to make Heaven party! Mission accomplished.
• I was as nervous this morning as I have ever been for a message. I literally thought I was going to get sick.
• Our band NEVER ceases to amaze me.  They lead our people into a worship in a way that Jesus is lifted up and prepares our people for when I walk on stage.
• We might be one of the only churches I know of that CHEERS when the preaching is about to start!
• Seriously, our people will preach you into the freaking ground!
• I was as spiritually and physically exhausted at the end of today as I have ever been! Honestly, I thought I was going to pass out while preaching the third service.
• Today was one of those Sundays that make everything worth it.
• It was weird, I left church today and my heart actually broke for some families that are no longer with us. I hate that they were such a part of making Revolution happen and their selfishness is now causing them to miss what God is doing here.
• It was nice of the conference center to tell us they had a bunch of construction going on today.
• I loved how flexible our Volunteers were in making church happen even with the changes that resulted from the construction.
• We’ve taken to grilling out the first week of every new series. Our motorcycle guys do it and I JUST LOVE IT!
• As I left today, I was blown away by how many people were literally just hanging out to eat and enjoy each other. Very cool.
• Got to have lunch with Carey Nieuwhof today!  He’s a pastor in Canada and I just like the dude.
• We have a crazy week this week! Tuesday we’re heading away with our entire staff for the day and then Thursday I’m taking a few of the crew up to New Spring for the day.
• While at New Spring I get to hang out with Perry and Pastor Furtick so that should be awesome!
• I’ll also get to introduce Elena to Perry’s assistant Lyndsay, who is one of my favorites! She told me I looked like the fat dude from Rascal Flatts one day but I’m taking it that she meant I was a good dresser not a fat dude.
• I kinda felt big time today because I had two assistants. I had Elena for the first couple of services before she had to head to some family thing then I got to have Libby back for a service. Two assistants is good for my ego.
• Tim has been on vacation all week. I actually miss the dude. Our lives are so interwoven that is weird when he’s not around.
• I feel so blessed with our staff. Honestly, they are the best group I’ve ever been around.
• Confession: I was freaking out shaking everyone’s hands today because I didn’t want to get the swine flu.
• Instead of shaking I resorted to “fist bumping” - Yes, I have issues.
• We are ONE week away from The Sticks. Hosting a conference for someone else has been crazy but I’m crazy jacked about how God is going to impact some leaders!
• ARE YOU SIGNED UP YET?  WHY NOT?
• I’m sitting here while our student Volunteers get ready for tonight. I’ve been thinking a lot about student ministry lately. I’ve got some thoughts but I’m not ready to take them public……yet.
• I would appreciate your prayers through the month of May. I have a lot on my plate which is going to mean some LONG hours. Just pray I can not cheat my family while I do all the things on my calendar. Poor planning and it won’t happen again!
• I’m still trying to process all I learned at the Thr3e Conference this past week. Amazing time.
• Got asked today if we have anything big planned for Mother’s Day which is next weekend? Yep. We plan on having church.
• I’m hungry.
• I’m tired.
• I’m done with this mind dump.
• Peace out.

As I read about the life of Noah I think the most frustrating thing about his 40 years of building the ark is probably not what we think it would be. I think the most frustrating thing would have been actually building that joker or even dealing with the criticism from those around him as he built it. I’m sure those things sucked but the part that was the worst I believe was the waiting part.

God had given him a vision and it took 40 years of PREPARATION and PAIN before the PAYOFF happened.

I’m convinced the reason most leaders never accomplish what God wants for their life is because they aren’t willing to go through the preparation and pain process that MUST happen before the payoff arrives.

4 years ago we started Revolution Church with a few clear cut things we felt God truly wanted us to accomplish.  Some of those like being known for doing whatever it takes to reach those far from God happened quickly.  Others like creating a culture of rocking worship music that men can relate to is just now happening as we are in the studio recording our first worship CD. God gave me that vision before we ever started Revolution and it has taken 4 years to get the ball rolling.  Then there are some things like being a training ground for church planters who truly want to reach those far from God is still in the pain and preparation stage.  We’ve done great things to influence church planters but we’re not to where I envisioned yet.  However, I don’t sweat it because I know the payoff will come. We’re willing to wait on God and pay the price of preparation and pain.

Waiting sucks.  But God forms and molds you in the process of waiting.  Far to many leaders miss the importance of this with their impatiance and that is why they never accomplish what God truly wanted them to accomplish.

Party Promo from Revolution Church on Vimeo.

Needless to say I am JACKED up about this Sunday!!!!! We’re kicking off a series this Sunday with the sole purpose of telling your friends and family about Jesus Christ!!! I believe this is has the potential to be one of the most life-changing series we’ve ever done at Revolution!

Get everyone you know to church this Sunday and DON’T BE LATE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HEAR HOW THE BAND IS GOING TO KICK OFF THE SERVICE!!!

Send your friends an invitation through email by clicking here.