You ever wrestle with God over direction?  I am there right now.  We are about to turn 3 years old and God has done AWESOME things, but we I think it is nothing compared to what God is stirring in me lately.

God has been putting the organizational pieces, the staffing pieces, the mentoring pieces, and the growing of me piece in place the last few months and there is a sense of expectancy in the office like I have never seen before.  Trust me, the fall is going to be the biggest and largest time in the history of our church.  We are going to do what we should have been doing all along!

I feel God is telling me it is time that the time of refining is complete and that the reinvention of The Stone is almost finished.  I feel a strong stirring that I am praying through, that I am seeking advice on, and that will let the world know what we are all about with one simple word.

Pray for me as I seek God and stay tuned as I continue this wrestling match….

Hands down, one of my best friends in ministry is Tony McCollum.  I have been friends with Tony for around 5 years now and I think he is one of those guys who doesn’t get enough buzz.  The dude is a church planting guru.  He knows his stuff.

Anyway they are moving out of the movie theater they meet in to a High School and we are taking the crew over today to walk through with him and give our thoughts on how we would set things up, things he should think about, etc.

Anytime you are around Tony you can rest assured are going to laugh A LOT…and most of the time it is at my expense.

Here is a  simple job description  for our Tiny Town Director (nursery and preschool).

Preschool Director

Purpose: To oversee the preschool ministry of Ridge Stone Church

Principal Function: Serve as the Preschool Director.  This incumbent is expected to adhere to and encompass the qualities and characteristics required of Ridge Stone Church employees, as defined by the Policies and Procedures manual.

Reports to: Executive Pastor
Status: Part Time
Date Prepared / Revised: July 2007

List of Responsibilities:

- Understand the overall vision for the preschool area as given by the Lead Pastor and design a ministry area that reflects that vision

-  10-12 hours a week; including one day a week in the office, preschool Sunday setup/tear down, and overseeing preschool Sunday services

- Schedule preschool volunteers weekly

- Oversee recruitment and development of  preschool volunteers

- Plan curriculum

-  Maintain equipment and supplies (Curriculum, Printables, Toys, Batteries, Snacks,… etc.)

-  Make sure Tiny Town rooms are set-up and volunteers are staffing rooms every Sunday

-  Work with Executive Pastor to consistently improve systems

Personal Responsibilities:
1.)    Maintain God ordained priorities: Jesus Christ first, Spouse second, Children third, and Ministry fourth

2.)    Always maintain loyalty to the staff and vision of Ridge Stone Church

3.)    Maintain a vital and personal walk with Christ including prayer, Bible study and meditation

4.)    Financially support the ministries of Ridge Stone Church by giving at least 10% of your gross incomeIf you’re interested in working at this crazy place we call The Stone shoot your resume to Malcolm Young at malcolm@ridgestonechurch.com

I get a lot of the same questions asked from time to time so instead of answering the same questions over and over, I thought would answer them here so I can just refer to people to them in the future.

1.) Gary, your music has touched my life more than you will ever know. Can I get an autographed picture?

Thank you very much. However, you got the wrong Gary Lamb. You can find that guy right here.

2.) Can you get me a meeting with Perry Noble?

Nope. I’m sorry, but I am not his booking agent. However you can do what I did 2 1/2 years ago which is call New Spring and see what happens. Go on you are a big boy, pick up the phone and call. I promise his assistant doesn’t bite, but she is a ninja so she might round kick you to the face.

3.) Can you get me a meeting with Steven Furtick?

See #2 minus the assistant stuff. I don’t think Steven’s is a ninja but she might still round kick you to the face.

4.) Will you pray about financially sponsoring our church plant?

I will pray about anything but don’t count on it. At this time we are planting churches through launching video campuses of The Stone. From time to time we do financially support church plants but those are guys we already know and guys we have a connection with like Tadd.

5.) We are moving into a theater, could you tell us all the details about your lease?

Gladly. We don’t have a lease. We have never had a lease. We are week to week and have been since we moved in. Our theater won’t allow us to sign one. Hope that helps.

6.) Have you been to seminary?

Nope, but I did graduate from Dacula High School in 1994.

7.) We are starting a church could you tell me what you made when starting RSC?

Nothing. Tadd and I went about 3 months without a salary.

Hope those help.

I guess I am living every man’s dream because I got a date with three women coming up. I have been selected to accompany the beautiful Jennifer Popp and Mandy Harrison, along with the MOST beautiful woman in the world, my wife DeAnna to the Michael Buble concert.

At first I thought I was going to have to turn in my man card to Chris and Travis because I was going to the concert, but then I realized I am taking three women so that has to count for something.

What can I say? That’s just how I roll….

Nothing to add.  Click here to read.

I always get a kick out of guys who say they never “steal” ideas, graphics, sermons, etc. from other churches.  Whatever.

I make no bones about the fact that we will hijack whatever we feel is a good fit for our people including sermon thoughts! We have used other churches graphics, videos, sermon ideas, etc. and I don’t feel the least bit bad about it.  Would I preach a guys sermon word for word?  Yes, I actually would BUT I don’t because I can’t.  I have my own style and I when I take thoughts from other guys I spend as much time preparing and making their sermon fit me and our people as if I had an original thought.  So when I do use someone elses stuff, I’m still praying, studying the Bible, seeking God and pouring my heart into that sermon.

Guys kill me who say they don’t use other people’s stuff.  Trust me they do and I can go all day long proving but I got more important things to do.

Steven has a GREAT post on this today and I loved it so much I thought I would steal it and share it with you here.

BTW, if you ever see a video or graphic or anything we use that you would like to get your hands on, let us know and we would be honored to share it with you.  It isn’t doing us any good sitting on a hardrive doing nothing.

But just because I shouldn’t do something has never stopped me before.  I went to the offices of a ministry group today for a meeting.  They have recently built a new building and as I pulled up today I was literally disgusted!  I fought all day about saying something about it and knew all my mentors would say to just let it go, but I can’t.

I believe with everything in my heart that is makes God sick to see the money that was spent on the piece of property (literally across the street from the Gwinnett Arena), that was spent on that building, it’s HUGE white cross coming up out of the lake, the huge murals on the ceiling, the statues, the fountains, the huge globe out front, the furniture, etc.  Even the employees are almost apologizing for the building because they know it is so over the top.

How many churches could have been planted with that money?

How many missionaries could have been sent overseas?

How many homeless could have been fed?

How many wells could have been dug giving people in Africa fresh water?

Someone’s ego got way out of hand and they decided to build a shrine and nothing more.  Sadly that building is their legacy and not the fact that lives have been changed.  Then they wonder why young leaders such as myself want nothing to do with them?  What a joke.

Disgusting.

We are hiring two part-time positions: Planet Shakers Director (elem. kids)  and Tiny Town Director (Nursery and Preschool).  Don’t worry, Preston isn’t going anywhere, but we are in the process of moving him to a new position as our Connections Pastor.  He feels God is moving him and he is PERFECT for this role!  If we find the right people to plug into the these roles, we will start the transition around October.

We are about 75% sure we have already found the Children’s Director, but we will be accepting resumes for the Tiny Town position.  Both jobs will be about 10 hours a week.  Basically one day a week in the office and Sunday mornings.  I will post a job description by the end of the week but here are some musts:

• You must be sold out to the vision of The Stone!
• You must be sold out to making an impact in the lives of children!
• If you are from within you must already be serving.  If you are an outside hire, you must be serving in the church you currently attend.
• If you are from within you must be already honoring God by tithing.  If you are a outside hire, you must be tithing at your current church.  If you are going to get paid from the giving of our people, you need to be leading by example in this area.
• You must be a team builder
• You must be organized
• You must have a huge vision!
• You must be able to work in a pretty insane office environment!
• You must be a team player!

I’m sure I’ll think of more things as I think about it, but that should get you started.  We ALWAYS look within our own church first, so if you are a Stoner and feel led to be part of a great team that is looking to impact this community and change lives, then let us know!

If you don’t attend The Stone, we are taking resumes from outside our chuch as well, but know we will look at within first.

Email your resumes to Malcolm at malcolm@ridgestonechurch.com

I’ll keep you posted on the children’s gig if the person we are talking too at this time decides it isn’t a good fit.

Wasn’t around a computer last night so we’ll call this week’s edition the Monday Night Mind Dump.

• I AM READY TO PREACH AT THE STONE!
• Four services is a lot of services!
• I was honored that our guys (and gals) drove two hours just to hear me yesterday! Very cool. I had different people in every service who came up. I am blessed.
• Preaching at New Spring was easy because I meant everything I said. I love that church.
• Coolest thing about preaching at New Spring: They have this long concrete hallway and stairwell you walk down as you go to the stage. I felt like Goldberg walking down the hall. It was awesome.
• Had a BLAST hanging out with my wife this weekend!!!!
• Just sent a check to the car company that paid 95% of my car off. We are working with everything in us to get out of debt and God showed up in a big way in that regard.
• Pray about two future locations: One in Canton. One in Jasper.
• I wish every church planter could stand on the stage at New Spring and visually get to see what could be at their church.
• Had dinner with Dean Herman last night. The dude played on the National Championship team for some little college called Clemson. I like him regardless.
• If you ever get to preach at New Spring and tired afterwards, do not go out to eat because EVERYONE at the place you will be eating (it doesn’t matter where you eat at) will be from New Spring and want to talk. They are awesome people and I loved talking but dang everyone in that town goes to church there.
• I’m lame, but I am digging the new Akon song called “Sorry, Blame it on me.” Cool tune.
• My baby girl starts 1st grade this year. They grow up quick.
• There is this old farm house that has been for sale that I pass sometimes when I go home a different way and I want it. It has been for sale for about a year. Maybe it will not sale for another year until I can afford it. I dig the wrap around porch.
• We are about to hire two part-time positions at the church. Stay tuned because you might be the person to fill one of the roles especially if you love kids.
• I think our ad in Around Canton this month MIGHT create a little buzz.
• We are planning a big event to go along with our All In Series that is going to take a lot of HEAT from other churches, but it is going to raise a lot of money for some local charities. We’ve never done anything like this but I am pumped about the impact it will have on the community!
• Got a iTune gift card this weekend. That is THE greatest gift you can give me! I love those things.
• I heard Evan was great leading worship Sunday. I dig that kid.
• Ugh, I got to get back in the diet zone.
• Had sushi today. Who would think raw fish was so freaking good!
• Got to be in Duluth tomorrow morning at 9 for a meeting that will literally make me want to kill myself. I don’t know why I get sucked into these things but I do. I’m an idiot.
• Why do my redneck neighbors see the need to shoot off fireworks at 10:00 p.m. They are idiots.
• I woke up this morning with three deer in my front yard. THAT is why I love pastoring in the country.
• It is almost college football season!!!