June 1st we have a huge announcement to make that is going to stretch us like never before and put us in a position to reach more of Cherokee County like never before. It is a total God thing and I can’t wait to share it with all of you!
Today we spent the last few hours looking over some things involving the announcement and it is going to be awesome!
Hang on because things are about to get more fun!
I am sure this true for anyone in ministry, but at a church like Revolution where the large majority of people were out of church before attending, I have learned that I can’t ride the roller coaster because it will wear me out. The highs and low of Revolution are hardcore and it is hard for me not to be vested in the lives of our people. I joke that I am pretty non-pastoral, but the truth is I have a huge pastors heart….in my own way.
Just this week, these are some of the highs and some of the lows:
Highs:
Lows:
I take a beating that I focus to much on reaching men at Revolution so I thought I would throw a little something out for the ladies today.
For the record (because I know Elrod is going to have a field day with this) my wife MADE me take these pictures and post them.
So ladies, here is some pictures of Jon Bon Jovi’s butt.
Last night DeAnna and I went to the Daughtry/Bon Jovi concert at Phillips Arena. Thanks to an awesome couple in our church, we had GREAT seats in a large companies section of the arena. We parked 50 ft from the door, entered in through a private entrance, were right down front, had a private lounge, and to say I could get use to seeing concerts like that would be an understatement. It was awesome!
The concert was great. Daughtry is star. The guy has the goods and as soon as he band gets on par with him, they will will be super stars. The guy is going to be around for a long time.
Bon Jovi was great. I know there is a lot of talk about which band from the 80’s was the biggest back then, but there should be no debate which band from the 80’s will go down as the biggest when it is all said and done. Bon Jovi has evolved. Where many groups from that time are still playing the same songs, trying to have the same look, and haven’t changed in 20 years, Bon Jovi has changed with the times. As they played hit after hit, you can see it. They played HUGE hits from the 80’s, 90’s, and hits they have had as recent as this year. The church could learn a little something from them about changing with the times. There message hasn’t changed (songs are about the same things they were in the 80’s), but their look and style has changed and that is why the sold out Phillips Arena TWO nights in a row instead of doing what most bands from the 80’s are doing and that is touring outside venues with about 4 other bands praying it is half-full.
When we got in our seats there was a platform directly in front of us, two rows up. About half way through the concert, Jon came through the crowd and sang in front of us. He was so close I literally could have slapped him across his face. I was VERY worried what DeAnna was about to do. She did keep her clothes on, she didn’t throw herself at him, and she did leave with me but I was worried about that for a moment.
To show you how close we were, here are some pictures I took with my iPhone which has no zoom and makes things appear farther away than they actually are.
Tonight DeAnna and I hit the next stop on our concert stop with Bon Jovi and Daughtry. We actually have tickets in a suite so to say we are pumped up would be an understatement. Please pray that DeAnna doesn’t make it backstage because if she meets Jon face to face, it is over for me.
Thanks for the prayers! God opened the door for us today in a very cool way and I am excited about what the future holds for Revolution!
What was the deal? You’ll have to wait until Sunday, June 1st to find out.
BTW, since any time I have a big announcement people assume we are moving out of the theater, I will go ahead and tell you that ain’t it.
Appreciate your prayers as we have a very important meeting at 10 today that could result in some very cool doors being opened for us.
I’ll keep you posted.
I have had this thought for a couple of weeks and really wasn’t sure how to write it out, but let me try and write I am thinking. In the last 6 weeks we have made a lot of changes at Revolution in regards to people’s roles. We have moved several of our staff around into positions they were better suited for, positions we had holes in, and positions that would enable us to reach more people. We have also moved around a ton of our volunteers into different roles. Again, this was to put them in position they were best suited to serve in and to enable us to take the next steps as a church. Not only have we moved around some staff and volunteers, but I myself have changed my role here at Revolution. I realized I was becoming a huge bottleneck in many areas and I stepped aside and am allowing our incredible team do what they are here to do and that is lead. Transitions are never easy and I’d be lying if I said I have enjoyed everything that I have changed. However, I understand that Revolution is NOT about me and I have made the necessary changes in my role to allow us to continue to grow and reach more people.
We are already seeing the results of these moves as we are having the largest crowds we have ever had, putting on some of the best services we ever have, and there is a buzz in the church that is insane. Changes are life. The day we stop changing is the day we will start dying. As things grow, as new people come on board, as individuals figure out their calling and passion the simple fact is that leads to change.
I have sat back over the last month and observed how people handle change and I have learned it really boils down to what you love. What you love determines how you respond to change. Some people love the position they hold at Revolution and some people love the vision of Revolution. There is a huge difference between the two.
Those who love their position won’t make it through transitions and change. Now, I am not saying you shouldn’t be sold out to the area you serve in because you should be sold out, passionate, and consumed with the area of service God has given you. However, if you love the position more than the vision, you won’t navigate through times of change. When you love the position more than the vision you can’t see the big picture, you can’t see how the church is improved by the changes that are being made, you can’t see that someone else might be able to do your job better and more effective. All you see is YOUR desires, YOUR wants, and what makes YOU happy. When you love the position more you take it personally when you are asked to move to another area. Instead of seeing vision all you can see is YOU are being punished or how YOU are being effected.
When you love the vision over the position, all that changes. When you understand that everything we do at Revolution is about reaching those that are far from God, you could care less where you are asked to serve because it doesn’t matter. When you love the vision over the position all you care about is seeing those far from God come to know Him. Whether it means you are in the band or you are a greeter, you could care less because you know every move that is made is to further the vision. When the vision comes first, you don’t take things personally. You rejoice in changes because you know it is enabling us to reach more people.
We have volunteers at Revolution who have had 10 different areas of ministry and don’t care because they understand the vision. They just want to be part of making it happen and if it means they are carrying crates after the service, they are happy to do it. We have also had volunteers who loved being in charge, loved being in a “cool” position, and loved getting credit and praise from everyone. When those people are asked to change areas just once, they pout and take their ball and go home.
A church cannot, will not, and isn’t able to grow if it is full of people who love position over vision. I have watched over the last few weeks those who have moved around on our staff, with our volunteers, and even myself and I have never been prouder of Revolution as I have watched. For every one person who has loved position first, 25 have loved vision first.
That is why God is moving right now at Revolution!
We are filming our One Prayer message NEXT Thursday. Something came up and we had to change the date. We still want you to come hang with us for it, but if you come this Thursday we won’t be here.
Next Thursday, May 8th we will be filming at 7:30 p.m.