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Our Worship Planning Process (pt. 2)...

As I mentioned yesterday, our message and service planning here at Mountain Lake is not flippant, by any means. Much strategic prayer and planning goes into nailing down what God wants us to say and how He wants us to say it to the people. Here are a few more elements that help us in our worship planning process:

5. We work a individuals and as a team in our message preparation process. One of the reasons I love NOT teaching every week at our church, is because on those weeks, I get to spend more time with God, seeking Him about what He wants us to say to His people IN THE FUTURE. Honestly, the future can be as near as two weeks from now, but more often stretches out to months in the future.  Each week, our primary communicator studies alone on Monday & Tuesday. Then, on Wed AM, 2-3 of us get together to listen to where the communicator senses God is leading him. We speak into that and help confirm and strengthen a strong direction and even application of the message.

6. Collective Service Planning and Creativity is a TEAM SPORT. On Monday afternoons, several of us meet to plan and examine the collective worship services. This process is not left to one person either. Tod Nichols, our Worship Pastor, does a masterful job of driving this process, and the team of several pastors who have creative bents join this meeting to bring their spiritual gifts to bear on the process. In this meeting we nail down final songs, creative elements, announcements, and orders of service for the next several weeks of worship. 

7. We plan months into the future. Twice per year, we meet ALL DAY to look 6 months into the future, specifically regarding our worship services and message series content. This past week, our team met to nail down our next six month teaching calendar. I brought a sense of what I felt like God wanted us to say, and allowed our top Ministry Leaders to speak into that, push back on that, bring new ideas to the table, and confirm where I feel God is leading us. We get highly creative at these meetings, which are always held off-site to stimulate that very thing.  We had an awesome meeting this last Monday, and I feel SO GREAT about where God is taking us, what He wants us to say, and HOW we're going to say it! I can't wait to begin to share SOON what He has laid on our hearts!

8. We remain open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Often, over the years, we've had a great plan, and then we begin to sense God is up to something different; that something that wasn't in the plan becomes more urgent; or less urgent. We sense God leading us to go a different direction in our teaching. In this event, we never allow the teaching calender to control the Spirit. We always allow the Spirit to control the teaching calendar. Many times over the years, we tweaked the calendar as we've gone along. Other times, we've worked the plan just as we had laid it our months later. IN either event, we listened and cooperated with the Spirit of God!

Largely due to this process, and the leaders who helped shape it, this Fall is going to be one of the most spiritually impactful times in the life of our church! Mountain Lakers, buckle your spiritual seat belts!

Our Worship Planning Process (pt. 1)...

One of the questions I'm often asked, both inside and outside our church is: "Where do you guys get your sermon series ideas?" Today, I'll unpack the answer to that question a bit.

1. What's important to God? What is important to God's heart and mission? These ideas drive our teaching calendar.  Our five marks of a follower of Jesus are already pretty clear from God's Word: Spiritual Growth, Using our Gifts, Visionary Giving, and Greater Impact. God wants every Christian to grow consistently in these areas. These ideas from god;s heart largely drive our teaching calendar each year. We just need to figure out how to communicate them. We never allow creativity to drive what we teach on. We allow God to drive what we teach on.

2. What is God teaching me? I have come to realize that when God is speaking to me, He is not just speaking to me for my benefit. He wants to use what he's teaching me to teach others.

3. Where are the people? Scripture challenges church leaders to KNOW , PAY ATTENTION TO, and CARE for "the flock of God," the church. What are God's people dealing with or struggling with? What's missing in their lives? What's needed in their lives? What do God's people need to know RIGHT NOW? These go near the top of what God has us teach on.

 4. WHEN should this be taught? Once we begin to put together WHAT  God wants us to teach on, we THEN begin to discuss WHEN during the year would be the best time to share this with God's people? Our worship planning process helps us accomplish this. I'll discuss this in more detail tomorrow.

Stay tuned for pt. 2 of this post!

What I learned @Disney World a/b Guest Services (Pt. 1)

Disney World and the church are in the same business: The people business. The church just has a higher goal for people than Disney does. Disney's goal is to deliver fun and entertainment to people. The church's goal is to deliver the message of hope, joy, and eternal life to people. So would you think Guest Services would be more important at church or at Disney? Sadly to say, however, Disney does it better most of the time. We could make some observations from them about how we can deliver our message more effectively to people by HOW we relate to guests on our church campuses each week. Here are a few observations I made about Disney and Guests Services experiences, and their implications for the church.

* Everyone is in Guest Services. They don't have a customer service area or a customer service team at Disney World. EVERYONE is in Guest Services. I mean EVERYONE! As the church, we need to realize every week that guest Services should never be limited to one ministry area. Every follower of Jesus should view themselves as a member of Guest Services! We are all there to serve guests each week! Question: If I really understood this, would this change at all where I park, what time I get there, where I sit, or or how quickly I leave each Sunday?

* The guest is always the most important thing No matter what they were doing, over and over again, Disney World "cast members" (not employees) would stop in their tracks to answer ANY question we had. Always. Never seemed rushed. Never seemed like we were interrupting what they were doing. Never. Every one of them seemed to be convinced that the guest was the most important things at every moment. As guest services volunteers in the church, we need to remember that people ARE our business! Not a program. Not a task. Not a service. People are the church. The church IS people! This means music, programming, curriculum, and meetings are not the most important thing. Loving God is best expressed by loving people! Questions: If I really understood this, how would it affect how I interact with people each week at church? How often do I have a conversation with guests at my church? Or do I only talk to non-guests?

Stay tuned for part 2 of this post...

Bigger on the inside...

God led me to a Scripture passage today that rocked my world. I pray that He uses it in your life the same way:

 

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

God reminded me once again today, that perhaps the most vital choice I make every day is to focus on the inside; or focus on the outside.

 

Focusing on the inside means I will focus on:

 

Spiritual fitness vs. physical fitness.

Sacrifice vs. Comfort.

Faith instead of Feeling.

Character vs. Charisma.

Ministry over materialism.

Generosity instead of Greed.

God’s perspective, vs. the problems.

What I can’t see vs. what I can.

The Audience of ONE vs. the audience of everyone.

The Eternal vs. The Temporary.

 

Here’ the good news: If I am bigger on the inside than I am on the outside, then I won’t worry about the outside! When the outside changes, the inside will still be solid and secure!  God reminded me today that there’s great peace, fulfillment, and reward through focusing on the INSIDE over the OUTSIDE!

Question for you: Are you more worried about being bigger on the INSIDE? or the OUTSIDE?

Relish the Responsibility: Guest post by Tricia Lovejoy (pt. 2)

        As believers, we are called to serve God and others.   But, as a Pastor’s wife, I also have the distinct honor of getting a front row seat for all the action!  I'm not going to squander the influence and responsibility my role innately has.  No way. I have chosen to relish the responsibility.  I have chosen to leverage my influence for God's purposes.  I understand that I live in a fishbowl, and people are watching me. Might as well give them something good to watch, right? ;)  So, I discipline myself to stretch my faith and skills so that I have something of value to offer those who are watching.  Paul’s words are a great motivator for me: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:9
    What about you, Pastor’s wife?  How can God use the partnership you share with your husband?  My suggestion?  Get in there and get your hands dirty!  Whether you are best behind the scenes or out in front, love God and lead well, my friends!  Break the mold! Relish the responsibility!

Relish the Responsibility: Guest post by Tricia Lovejoy (pt. 1)

        I'm not the stereotypical pastor’s wife - if there is one anymore.  I don’t play the piano, I’m rather outspoken, and I’ve been known to laugh at inappropriate things.  I also have strong opinions....about a lot of subjects. Just ask my husband. On second thought, don't ask him. No need to stir that pot.  Suffice it to say, I don't fit the mold. But just like Mountain Lake’s tag line, “We'll change the way you think about church,” I had to change what I thought about the role of the traditional Pastor’s wife.  I am not, nor do I want to be, the quiet wife who sits idly by while her husband completes his "job" of being a pastor.  You see, 15 yrs ago God called Shawn and me to invest our lives in His mission. Did you catch that?  He called US as a TEAM. I don't bear the title of pastor on Mountain Lake Church letterhead, but I am one nonetheless. I partner with Shawn on his weekly messages, I am highly invested in the prep/planning of MLC activities, I know the needs of our people, I am driven to see people know God, I celebrate and encourage our team, and I bear the burden with Shawn of how difficult it can be to sit in the Lead Seat.

    God has chosen to bless this partnership I share with Shawn, and we have seen God do astounding things. But, here's the clincher: our ministry would be severely hindered without each other's support. As a pastor and wife, we make each other better. When Shawn is overwhelmed, God gives me perspective to encourage him. When I doubt my abilities, God gives Shawn words to strengthen my spirit.  When God speaks to one of us, He always confirms it in the other.  God put us together for marriage AND ministry, and life rocks! Pastors' wives: whatever you do, relish the responsibility God has given you to lead in the church and follow Jesus with your spouse! It's a special calling and privilege!

Stay tuned for Part Two of this post tomorrow...

Re-imagining the church...

Today I am in NY hanging out with some pastor friends discussing trends and future movements within the church.  We are discussing MANY of the issues I have been sharing with Mtn Lakers, regarding our desire to BE the people of God like never before in the days ahead.  GREAT DISCUSSIONS! God is at work shaping His church for things to come! Greater things are still to be done!

Steve Andrews: Kensington Community Church, Detroit

Todd Proctor, Rock Harbor Church, Orange Co, CA

Brian Bloye, West Ridge Church, ATL,

Dave Ferguson, Community Christian Church, Chicago, IL

Mark Deymaaz, Mosaic Church, Little Rock, AR

Greg Surratt, Seacoast Church, Charleston, SC

Greg Nettle, RiverTree Christian Church, Ohio

Some of our guides:

Todd Wilson, Exponential

Alan Hirsch, Forge

Bill Cochenour, Cogun

Ed Bahler, Aspen Group

Staffing as a church grows...

William Vanderbloemen saved my life. At least  I think he did. I met William last year,  and the timing could not have been better. I shared with William the challenges our Ministry Team was having, because on the heels of moving in a new auditorium and experiencing some explosive growth, NO ONE ON OUR TEAM HAD EVER BEEN ON STAFF AT A CHURCH AS LARGE AS OURS...NOT EVEN ME! That's a challenge.

If you've been a part of a church that's experienced exponential growth, you know that the challenges and complexities of ministry change so much over time with the growth of the church! I was recognizing it. Our team was, too! We were in over our heads! We sensed God leading us to bring in some team members that had ministry experience in ministries larger than ours. Since that time, we have asked William to help us in the search for THREE new executive ministry positions. Working with William has been everything I'd hoped it would be.

Here are just a few of the ways the ministry of the Vanderbloemen Search Group has helped our ministry:

• They sat down with me, sought to understand my leadership style, our church's mission and culture, and asked me the hard questions. I have a better understanding of our church's unique mission and culture because of them.
• They have helped us reach outside our usual church relationships and cultures and connected us with new types of churches and ministry leaders. This is going to help diversify our team and church over time.
• Most Pastors and churches don't have great HR processes. We've been no exception. William is helping our young church grow up here.
• William is a Pastor with a Pastor's heart, has worked in and for the church, knows ministry, recognizes the call, and knows a ministry match when he sees it. He's really gifted at this.
• William loves Jesus, seeks Him, and asks God to lead Him as part of the search process. That means the world to me!

Bringing in some seasoned ministry veterans with new energy and fresh perspective is going to rock our church...for the better! Thanks, William, for following God's calling... I can't wait to see what God is about to do in and through you! Honored to partner with you!

As for Mountain Lakers, get ready for greater impact than ever before!

Helping churches face Stewardship Challenges...

EVERY church is facing stewardship challenges during this economy. Believe it or not, Mountain Lake is weathering the storm as good or better than most churches. We have a heart for helping churches face the stewardship challenges facing them! 

We're HONORED to be hosting John Maxwell, and our ministry partners at ISS for a one day event here at our campus. Get registered now!

Velocity Reflex…

• Sold out.  33 states and 4 countries represented!
• Worship was amazing.
• God used Todd & Jenee Nichols, Anthony Evans, and  our band to absolutely rock our faces off!
• Great times with tons of friends.
• Made lots of new ones.
• Got to share from my heart.
• Got to see my church BE the church to the church.
• Had Pastors tell me that had made a decision to quit, that they had made a decision to stick it out AT this conference.
• Every main session speaker had been with God and brought a message from God.
• My wife is the best ministry partner I could ever ask for.
• David Putman is the second best. Love you dude.
• Saw our Ministry Team lay it on the line for the Kingdom. Great will be your reward in Heaven.
• My 7th Grade Student Pastor showed up and surprised me at the conference. He’s planting a church in his 50’s! Go, Tom! God has greatly in my life.
• My family and even our campus experienced spiritual attack this week, so I knew it was going to be good. I underestimated HOW good it was going to be.
• The breakouts at the conference were some of the most practical we have ever had, led by some of the most amazing leaders we’ve ever had.
• Our ministry partners and vendors made the conference even MORE practical and encouraging to young and growing churches. I hope you guys worshipped, too!
• Rick Warren has always been my hero; but I’m even more honored to call him friend and partner these days.  I’ll blog on him later (too much to say HERE).
• God was here. God changed people here. God changed churches and pastors and ministry leaders here. God changed ME here.
• Thx to everyone. Honored to be a fellow traveler with you!