Generous

I thought this devotion from Rick Warren needed to be spread around.

Being Generous When You’re Stretched Thin by Rick Warren I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends for eternity. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven … but if you are unfaithful with your worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? ... You cannot serve both God and money. (Luke 16: 9-14 NLT) If you're going to become like Jesus, you need to learn how to be generous. It’s easy to give your time, energy or money when you have a lot to spare. But the true test of generosity comes when you don’t have a surplus. Do you still give what little you have to help somebody else? If you do, congratulations! You’ve passed God’s test of generosity. Why does God test your generosity? Because you were made in his image, so if you’re going to become like Jesus, you need to learn how to be generous. If you don’t, you’ll never grow to maturity, and you will never have the blessing of God on your life. What if you’re in a recession and things aren’t going well — you’re out of work or you’re out of money and you feel like you have no more time or energy to give. How can you be generous when you’re stretched thin? A good example for us is in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul says this about the churches in Macedonia: “Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others” (2 Corinthians 8:2 LB). Joy and generosity always go together. An acid test of how much you trust God is the way you handle your money, because it shows what’s important to you. As a pastor, I want you to succeed financially so you can be generous, help other people, and do good in the world. So here are five principles to help you thrive even in a recession. Obeying God’s vision will bring God’s provision. When you say, “God, I’m going to do what you want me to do regardless of whether I have the money or resources to do it,” God will provide everything you need to get it done. When I do all God tells me to do, he does what I can’t do. Give God whatever you have, however meager it may be, and God will multiply it to do more than you imagined, just like he did with the five loaves and two fish. God gives to generous people. The more generous you are, the more God will give you. Whenever I have a need, I need to sow a seed. Whatever you need more of, give it away. In order to harvest a crop, you first have to plant the seeds. There is always a delay between sowing and reaping. A harvest is not automatic. It takes time and patience.

What I love about sending my kids to school

I'm excited. School started back today. Nathan is moving up in the world. He starts 5th grade at a new school. Matthew begins life as a 3rd grader. Levi officially begins going all day like his big brothers on Thursday.

Now, I'm not just excited because they are out of the house, which just happens to be my office.

I've been thinking a lot about why I'm excited.

• Going to school helps my boys develop independence. As a parent that is one thing I want for them. I want for them to eventually be able to live without me. I've always said that a main goal in parenting is to learn to de-parent. This is one reason why we don't do homework or project for our boys. Sure we'll help if they are stuck, but they have to learn to take responsibility of their own work. School helps develop this in them and grows them as individuals who can contribute to society. Nathan is riding the bus home for the first time in his educational career. That's a big, exciting step for a 10 year old. I figure he'll be driving alone in 6 years. He needs this kind of baby step now to prepare him for that giant leap.
• Going to public school puts my kids in an environment where they can learn what it means to be salt and light. I want my kids to be missionaries. They can't do that if they are only surrounded by like-minded kids or me. One day they are going to enter the real world. Our real world is growing more secular by the day. I want them to learn now how to be salt and light and live for Jesus in that world.
• Going to school opens my boys up to a whole new level of experiences that they would never get at home. Nathan's starting band this year. He's already begun jammin' on his beginner percussion kit. Matthew is in the gifted and talented program (something I was never invited to be a part of) and the Creations Honors Art program (something that doesn't go to people who's best artwork is crooked stick figures... like me).
• Finally (at least for now), going to school opens up the doors for my kids to make new friends and learn how to navigate relationships. Relational Intelligence is something I want my kids to develop and putting them in a context where they can make new friends and deal with kids who aren't so nice or who aren't like them is the best way to put them on a path that leads to relational intelligence.

That's why I'm excited about today. I can't wait for 3 PM to get here to hear all about school on day one. Now I'm enjoying the silence.

Don't co-op Jesus

Yesterday I went to the Get Motivated seminar at the Bilo center. I'll confess, my expectations were pretty low. I mean, the tickets only cost $1.95. But they had some impressive speakers in the line-up (Laura Bush, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes, Bill Cosby, etc), so I decided to go.

First, there was some good content from the promoted speakers. I will say that many of them seemed like they threw a speech together in 5 minutes while sitting on the toilet, but hey, it only cost $1.95.

But there were two speakers that I wanted to punch in the throat. I know it's not nice to say that, but they made me mad. They were slick sales guys who were trying to get participants to sign up for a class to learn how to make more money. That's fine. I have no problem with that.

What angered me was how these guys co-opted Jesus. It was like Jesus was on their side and he was their trump-card. "Invest their way, love America and follow Jesus and you won't have to work a real job any more in your life."

I may be wrong, but I don't think Jesus needs to be co-opted. I think he needs to be followed, and humbly at that. Jesus is the Lord of all. He is the King. Let's not go out of our way to bring him down to our size and help us fulfill our American Dream. That's not what being a disciple of Jesus is about.

I guess what I'm getting at is that these guys make genuine follower of Jesus look bad. So please, if you were there, don't judge Jesus' followers from what you heard/learned from these guys. I apologize for how they misrepresented Christianity.

On a humorous note, I left the Bilo center to get some lunch (had a great Calzone at one of my favorite places downtown Greenville - Bertollo's Pizza). When I got back the doors to the Bilo Center were locked. Supposedly the Fire Marshall wouldn't let any more people in. I think it might be because I didn't sign up for the class on how to make more money. Eventually they let 100 people in and I was number 47. But man, people sure can get angry when they are locked out of a $1.95 seminar. I wasn't one of them.

Privileges vs. Obligations

I read a quote today that was super powerful.

Do you remember the elder bother in the parable of the prodigal son? He wanted the privileges of being a son, but not the obligations that came with being a brother.

I think that so often describes us as Christians. We want things cool between us and God with all the privileges that come with that. But we could do without loving our brothers and sisters.

But following Jesus is about both. It is both vertical and horizontal. We live out our love for God by loving others. Most of Jesus' and the New Testament commands have to do with how we treat others.

In other words, privileges and obligation go hand in hand. If we get this right we would radically alter people's perceptions of Christianity and in turn, radically transform the world in which we live.

God's investment advice

I know, stock are plummeting. I read this today and wanted to pass it along:

God's Investment Advice

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth." - Matthew 6:19

Imagine you're alive at the end of the Civil War. You're living in the South, but you are a Northerner. You plan to move home as soon as the war is over. While in the South you've accumulated lots of Confederate currency. Now, suppose you know for a fact that the North is going to win the war and the end is imminent. What will you do with your Confederate money?

If you're smart, there's only one answer. You should immediately cash in your Confederate currency for U.S. currency--the only money that will have value once the war is over. Keep only enough Confederate currency to meet your short-term needs.

As a Christian, you have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by Christ's return. This is the ultimate insider trading tip: Earth's currency will become worthless when Christ returns--or when you die, whichever comes first. (And either event could happen at any time.)

Investment experts known as market timers read signs that the stock market is about to take a downward turn, then recommend switching funds immediately into more dependable vehicles such as money markets, treasury bills, or certificates of deposit.

Jesus functions here as the foremost market timer. He tells us to once and for all switch investment vehicles. He instructs us to transfer our funds from earth (which is volatile and ready to take a permanent dive) to heaven (which is totally dependable, insured by God Himself, and is coming soon to forever replace earth's economy). Christ's financial forecast for earth is bleak--but He's unreservedly bullish about investing in heaven, where every market indicator is eternally positive!

There's nothing wrong with Confederate money, as long as you understand its limits. Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect your investment strategy. To accumulate vast earthly treasures that you can't possibly hold on to for long is equivalent to stockpiling Confederate money even though you know it's about to become worthless.

According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn't simply wrong. It's just plain stupid.

-- Excerpted from The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

Mike Breen

I'm beginning to like this guy more and more. I like the way he thinks. I like the way he sees. This is a great post that's worth reading and that I've found to be true, but unfortunately, it seems that few leaders in the modern-American church care.

How C.S. sees it

I love this quote from C.S. Lewis on attending a worship gathering.

When I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and wouldn’t go to the churches and Gospel Halls; I disliked very much their hymns which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren’t fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit.

Shallow Small Group... funny!

The Obituary of the American Church

The Obituary of the American Church: "Are these three deadly factors at work in your church today?"

I enjoyed this article and thought I'd pass it along.

Genius video we showed today @ Hub City

Video for churchplanters.com

Yesterday I get to shoot a video for churchplanters.com and answer the following questions. Just thought I'd share:

What is your #1 lesson learned since planting a church?

I’ve learned about myself. I’ve learned what I’m good at doing and more importantly what I’m not good at doing. Self-awareness should be very high on a church planter’s to do list.

The #1 mistake you've made since planting the church?

That’s easy. Waiting too long to have the tough conversations, and not being clear enough about the real issue. I’m still not very good at this. I don’t like it, but I’m working to get better.

Why have you sought out a coaching network at this juncture in your church plant?

I know that for Hub City Church to move to the next level that I need to grow. I’m the lid. I also know that I need support, encouragement and help from others who are doing what I’m doing.

What's the #1 piece of advice you would give someone who's thinking about planting a church?

Make sure that this is what you are called to do and that your calling has been confirmed by others.

Why? - Immersion

Last post I shared why Hub City's mission is to make disciples who make disciples.

But how does that happen?

It happens through intentional relationships.That's why we do Hub Groups. And that's why we do Immersion.

Immersion is a three week class where we teach you our Discipleship Process. If you haven't been through it then you need to go through it. It changed my life. I think it will change yours.

But discipleship is not just about relationships. It's more than just having friends. It's more than just doing life together with some other people.

What's important is intentional relationships. By that I mean that there's a destination and getting to that destination requires an intentional, guided, relational process.

The destination is a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples. But it doesn't just happen. Jesus was very intentional with his disciples. He was taking them somewhere.

Immersion can show you where you and others are in the process and where you/they need to go to grow and mature. Immersion can open your eyes to the phases of spiritual growth: Spiritually Dead, Infant, Child, Young Adult, and Parent. Our next Immersion begins Sunday, July 31. Sign up by emailing me.

Along these lines, someone asked: How are parent's discipled? That is a fantastic question. That's what our Leadership Community is for. It is the environment where parents (disciplers) are discipled, because no matter how mature we are we all need to be discipled.

Another question often asked is: What happens when someone is brought through the process? The simple answer is that a person who has been brought through the process continues to bring others through the process. At the same time this person continues to hear from God and do what he says. (I've been a Christian for 32 years and I feel like I know less and am more of a sinner now than when I was 20.) God is continuing to refine, sanctify and make us like Jesus.

Why? - Our Mission

Our mission at Hub City Church is to make disciples who make disciples.

An important question to ask is: Why is making disciples Hub City's mission?

We didn't steal this mission from another church. As you can tell, it's not all that creative. We didn't read about it in the latest popular book.

Our mission is to make disciple who make disciples because Jesus told us that making disciples is the mission of the church (Matt. 28:18-20).

Everything he did was to make disciples. He had 12 guys that he invested it. And he didn't choose them just so that they could be best friends. He chose them because he wanted to make them into something. That something was a group of guys who could do what he did with them, with others.

He chose them to be obedient to him. The Gospels reveal this continual interplay where Jesus tells his disciples to do something, and they do it. That's why we define a disciple as someone who hears from God and does what he says. That seemed to be what Jesus was creating in those 12 guys.

All the other stuff that we're supposed to do (love God, love others, serve others, pray, take care of orphans and widows, give, fast, forgive, etc.) all comes under the umbrella of being a disciple of Jesus. We hear from God about those things, and then we do what he says by responding in obedience.

I know we all hated when our parents would tell us: Because I said so. But that is why our mission is to Make Disciples. It's because Jesus said so.

Why?

So we started a new series this past Sunday called Why? We're talking about why we do some of what we do as a church.

I asked folks to email me their "why" questions and the first question I got was "What's with the logo? Is is a movie real or a cross? Why do you have it?

Well, here's what I love about our logo. It's a bit mysterious. It invites questions. It's not super-religious, even though you could find something religious in it (even though I don't see it).

Our logo is a Hub. It's a Hub with four environments moving out from the center. We want Jesus and our mission to make disciples of Jesus that is at the center of all we do. The four sections could stand for the four environments we do as a church (Worship gathering, Hub Groups, Mission and Personal Spiritual Disciplines) and/or it could stand for the four phases of discipleship (Infant, Child, Young Adult, Parent).

I guess it could be a movie reel, even though I've never thought that was what it was. Others see that all the time because of Movies in the Park and the fact that we meet in a movie theater.

But there you have it, the "why" behind our logo. Any other questions?

My favorite part of yesterday

I thought yesterday's worship gathering was incredible. We began our series called Why? We talked about why we do a worship gathering. The sermon will be live on our website later this week or you can read the transcript here.

But my favorite part of yesterday was something that happened afterwards. We had finished tearing down and I walked outside the theater and there were a bunch of Hub City folks standing around chatting and laughing. I LOVED that! It made me smile.

Movies in the Park - Tonight @ Barnet Park

The Leader

This is so true and so good:

I wanna be the leader

I wanna be the leader

Can I be the leader?

Can I? I can?

Promise? Promise?

Yippee, I'm the leader

I'm the leader.

Ok, what shall we do?

- Roger McGough

3 Things The Church Is & 3 Things The Church Is Not

3 Things The Church Is & 3 Things The Church Is Not: "We know that 'The Church' isn't a building... Pastor Shawn Lovejoy answers the question, 'What Is The Church?'"

This is a great article by Shawn.

Reading Minds

I am 100% confident that if I could read minds my job would be way, way easier.

But I can't. I've tried. But clairvoyance isn't in my blood.

Since that's the case, I need you to tell me what's going on in your head. I'd love to know what you're thinking about Hub City. I so much appreciate the Hub City folks who share with me what they are really thinking and feeling.

But I also know that this is a two-way street. You can't read my mind.

That's why we're beginning a new series this Sunday called: Why? It's going to be a glimpse into why we do what we do as a church and why you should care. You don't want to miss it. It'll be a small glimpse into my mind as it come to all-things, or at least some-things, Hub City.

It begins this Sunday.

Movies in the Park: | Your-Carolina | Local Entertainment for Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson S.C. and Asheville N.C.

Movies in the Park: | Your-Carolina | Local Entertainment for Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson S.C. and Asheville N.C.

Partial to the Bible

I've talked to a number of folks lately about different books and curriculum that they are using for small groups at their churches. There are some great books and curriculum out there.

But I'm not a fan of using books or curriculum in a small group. I actually think that those things may just hinder our spiritual growth at times, especially in a small group.

There's so much I could say about this. The Word of God is living and active. The Bible is the primary means used by God to speak to his people. Why do we substitute something for the Bible. I know those books have great content. I've read many of them. But something supernatural takes place when we study the Bible. The Holy Spirit shows up and teaches us. God speaks to each person where they are.

That's why I'm partial to the Bible. I think small groups should study the Bible. BTW: That's why we do "storying" in our Hub Groups. We're going to talk about that and much more during our upcoming Sunday morning series called Why? It begins July 17th.

Working on it

This has been a fun week so far. Instead of getting ready for a sermon on Sunday I've been able to do some work "on" the church, some planning, some praying, so future thinking. I've been needing to do this for a while.

I am really excited about what we're going to be teaching come Fall.

I'm looking for ideas for future teaching series that might be helpful. I have about 136 in my "possible" folder, but am always open to more suggestions/ideas.

Some life-altering questions I'm thinking about

I love the book of Acts. The story of the first church is incredible. Josh and I were talking about it last week. Specifically we were talking about when the Holy Spirit came that there was a supernatural and rapid spread of the Gospel that resulted in exponential growth for the first century church.

If you know the story, there was a group of 120 disciples praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit. They were doing what Jesus told them to do. Then the Holy Spirit came and they started speaking in all kinds of different languages and people from all over the world heard the Gospel in their own language and 3000 people ended up becoming Christians in one day.

When we think of the Holy Spirit coming we selfishly think of it coming for our benefit, but the Holy Spirit didn't come for the benefit of those 120 who were praying. It came to supernaturally enable and equip them to rapidly spread the Gospel to those who needed to hear it.

Which leaves me with some questions that I posed to Josh and to our Leadership Community last night:

What would it look like in our day for the Holy Spirit to come so that there is a rapid spread of the Gospel and an exponential growth in the church (new disciples)?

Do we even want that?

Are we willing to pay the price?

A lesson from my 95 year old grandfather

We went to see my grandparents on Father's day. My grandpa is 95. He's doing good for someone who's less than 5 years from the century mark.

But yesterday he unintentionally taught me something that's a lesson for all of us.

Because of some health problems he hasn't been able to attend his church's Sunday worship. But flippantly he said, "I continue to send in my tithes and offerings."

That statement stood out to me.

Here's the deal: My grandfather isn't getting anything in return for his giving. He can't physically worship with his church family. He can't participate in their ministries for senior citizens. But he is faithful with tithing. I think God will bless him for that. I believe there will be a reward for him in heaven for that faithfulness.

So here's the question: Are we being faithful in our giving? It's so freaking easy. You can give online. You can mail it in. You can give during worship.

I think we can learn a lot from grandpa Henry's example of obedience.

How to waste time

I'm convinced more and more that we're wasting our lives away. I'm just as guilty of wasting time as anyone else. I have to guard against it. I have to discipline myself to make the most of my time.

Take an inventory. How much time do you spend on meaningless activities (Facebook, video games, TV, playing with your smart phone, etc.)? I dare you to add it up.

It's depressing isn't it?

How much more meaningful and effective could our lives be for God if we cut out the waste?

We only got one life to live. We need to make the most of it.

I think the Devil is thrilled with how much time we waste. I think he loves it when we spend countless hours doing meaningless crap.

Put down the smart phone. Turn off the TV. Cut the Facebook leash.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.

Memory Verses

One of the best habits you can develop is the habit of memorizing Scripture. Jaimee Holmes found this site that can help with that. Check it out and start memorizing today.

Confessions of a Pastor

A lot of times leaders act like they have it all together, like they have all the answers, like everything is a-ok (picture someone giving two thumbs up with a big, cheesy smile, and a photoshopped sparkle coming off one of their teeth).

That's not me.

That's why we're doing this Confessions of a Pastor series.

And this Sunday I'm going to be confessing something that I'm pretty sure most breathing adults struggle with as well.

I know it's Father's Day, which for some reason or another means, "Sit out of church day." Don't do that. I think that God has something he wants to say to you. Don't miss it. See you Sunday.

No love = Heresy

I read this article today and had to pass it along because it resonates so deeply within me. I firmly believe we have a serious love deficiency in the Church. This quote below is so good:

The thing is there’s absolutely nothing fluffy, post-modern, or sentimental about placing love above doctrinal correctness, for this conviction permeates the NT! Truth be told, we shouldn’t even contrast “love” and “doctrinal correctness” in the first place. We should rather regard the command to love as the most foundational doctrine of the church and thus the most important doctrine to be correct on! Peter says, “Above all, love each other deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins” (and alleged “heresies”? I Pet. 4:8, cf., Col 3:14). If love is to be placed “above all,” then there simply can’t be any other command or doctrine or agenda that competes with it for the top position. It must stand on top alone. Paul makes the same point, but even more emphatically, when he tells us it doesn’t matter how right we are, how spiritually gifted we are, how intelligent or wise we are, or even how much faith and service we display; if these aren’t accompanied by love, they are a noisy gong or clanging cymbal (I Cor 13:1-3). In other words:

Correct doctrine - love = worthless noise!

If we take this teaching seriously, it means that nothing – absolutely nothing! — matters if love isn’t present…which means that love is the most important doctrine we can ever embrace…which means that our willingness to love is the most important criteria of orthodoxy…which means that, if ever it is appropriate to label anything “heresy,” it is the failure to love.

Washington - a review

I read all kinds of stuff, but surprisingly have never read anything about George Washington. We all know, or at least I hope we all know, that he was our first president, but beyond that and the weird story about a cherry tree, most of us are in the dark.

Washington, by Paul Vickery, has changed how I look at the man we find on our quarter. He was a man who experienced both victory and defeat. He was a man who wanted to quit and who wanted to serve. All of that comes out in this book.

I think what I really enjoyed is the humanity of Washington put front and center. That is not something we usually hear in Elementary Social Studies.

I will say, the book reads a lot like a research paper at times with a lot of quotes and old English, but if you can push through that you'll not only gain a clearer and more healthy picture of our first president, but also a shot of courage and character, two things that are seriously lacking in the leadership of our day.

The rapid growth of the Chinese church

This is an absolutely fascinating article on the rapid growth of the Chinese church. It blows me away, shames me and causes me to think. Read it and let me know your thoughts.

My questions are: In our American context, is this possible? Can we see this sort of explosion? Are we willing to pay the price for this sort of explosive growth?

Distracted

The past two days I had the honor of helping facilitate an Immersion. If you're wondering what an Immersion is, well, it's a two day experienced where you learn and experience how to make disciples.

I love Immersion. We'll be doing one for Hub City in late July/early August.

But what always amazes me is that I alway seem to get more out of the experience than the people I'm facilitating.

What hit me like a 2x4 is that I've been distracted lately away from doing what it is we're supposed to be doing.

Our mission is to make disciples who make disciples. How could I get distracted from that? Immersion was a reminder for me. It was re-aligning for me. I needed it.

Spiritual Maturity is for Ministry

This is something that we need to be reminded of often.

Spiritual Maturity is for Ministry by Rick Warren

Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life. Matthew 20:28 (LB) We are commanded to serve God. Jesus was very clear: “Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life” (Matthew 20:28 LB). For Christians, service is not something to be tacked onto our schedules if we can spare the time. It is the heart of the Christian life. Jesus came “to serve” and “to give”—and those two verbs should define your life on earth, too. Jesus taught that spiritual maturity is never an end in itself. Maturity is for ministry! We grow up in order to give out. It is not enough to keep learning more and more. We must act on what we know and practice what we claim to believe. Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation. The last thing many believers need is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice. They need to exercise their spiritual muscles by serving others. Serving is the opposite of our natural inclination. Most of the time we’re more interested in “serve us” than service. But, as we mature in Christ, the focus of our lives should increasingly shift to living a life of service. The mature follower of Jesus stops asking, “Who’s going to meet my needs?” and starts asking, “Whose needs can I meet?

Hub City Weekly Update

Hey everybody,

I want to begin by saying a huge THANK YOU to all of you who worked so hard to make our first Movies in the Park of 2011 such a success. It went great because of you! Thank you for giving your time. Thank you for serving. Thank you for reaching out to people. Thank you for making Spartanburg a better place to live, work and play. Don't forget, the next movie is June 18. We're showing Despicable Me.

I know summer is a time of travel and relaxation. I do hope that you can make the most of this summer by stepping out of some of your usual routines to relax and refresh. At the same time I there are a couple of things that I want to encourage you to not take a break from. More than anything, I want for you to grow as a disciple of Jesus this summer. I want you to hear from God and do what he says. In order for that to happen here are a few things to not take a break from this summer.

• If you're in town, don't take a break from worship. I think God is going to do some incredible stuff in your lives this summer if you'll make yourself available to him.
• Don't take a break from giving. Traditionally the summer is a time when people take a break from giving. But as we've talked about, giving is a direct reflection of your heart. It's been my experience that there is a direct correlation between giving tithes and offerings and spiritual growth. You can give online at www.hubcitychurch.com. You can mail your tithes and offerings to PO Box 55, Moore, SC 29369. I think the summer is a great time to "test" God in this area (This is the only area in the Bible where God says, "test me.").
• Don't take a break from serving. The summer is a great time to try out a new ministry. Volunteer in the kids area. Be a greeter for the day. Learn how to do the presentation software. Show up early to setup. We have a place for you to get involved.
• Don't take a break from inviting. Your unchurched friends just might be willing to take a chance on church this summer. Don't miss the opportunity to invite them.
• Finally, don't take a break from Hub Groups. We have Hub Groups meeting at various times over the summer. Some will continue to meet every week. Others, like mine, will meet every other week. If you're not in a Hub Group now is a great time to get connected.

I believe God wants to do some great things in and through us this summer.

Your friend and pastor,

Jonathan

The first hour of your day

Anyone who knows me or who has heard me speak more than three times knows that I am a strong believer in taking time every day to read your Bible. It's the most important habit that you could ever develop.

I came across a great quote today from Charles Spurgeon, a great nineteenth-century British preacher.

It should be our rule never to see the face of men before first seeing the face of God. The morning watch anchors the soul so that it will not very readily drift far away from God during the day.... He who rushes from his bed to his business without first spending time with God is as foolish as though he had not washed or dressed, and as unwise as one dashing to battle without arms or armor.

And Mark DeMoss says, If you're thinking that a person could just as easily get apart with God over the noon hour, you're right, you could--unless something else comes up. You could also do it in the evening before going to be, assuming you can muster the energy and focus. Or you could hope to steal a few moments here and there during the course of the day. But nothing sets the day like matching our best hour (the first of the day) with our deepest and dearest Resource (the Bible).

Do whatever it takes to spend time with God on a daily basis through Bible reading and prayer.

Movies in the Park recap

This past Saturday we had the first Movies in the Park of the summer. I didn't know what to expect since it was Memorial Day weekend. Well, it was incredible.

First off, the Hub City team and the All Saint's team did such a great job working together. We got setup faster than we ever have. I saw people jumping in to do whatever it takes to get ready. (I'm a HUGE fan of a "whatever-it-takes" attitude).

Second, we had a great crowd. I'm thinking somewhere between 1200-1500 people.

Third, our team worked hard to fix the one problem we had for the evening. We came up with an OK temporary solution, but know what to do so that we won't have the same problem come June 18.

A big thanks to everyone who served and worked hard to make Movies in the Park a success.

Why we do what we do

I posted yesterday about this coaching network that I'm in. Yesterday we talked about vision/mission, staying focused on the vision/mission, and doing the unique thing that God has called me and our church to be and do.

I know it sounds strange, but I need to be reminded of our vision/mission. I need to be reminded on a regular basis. And so do you.

Hub City Church is all about making disciples who make disciples. A disciple is someone who hears from God and does what he says. And disciples are made through intentional relationships.

The above paragraph is why we do what we do. It's the filter that we run everything through. It's why we only do a few things: Worship, Hub Groups, and serve in the community.

I figured if I needed to be reminded of why we do what we do, then maybe the rest of you Hub City Slickers needed to be reminded as well.

Coaching

Today I had the privilege of being a part of something that I've wanted to be a part of for a long time. I began a pastor's coaching network hosted by churchplanters.com and Mountain Lake Church.

Myself, along with eight other pastors got to share life, struggles, successes, challenges and encouragement.

My only question is why I waited so long to be a part of something like this.

Now, why in the world would I be a part of a pastor's coaching network? It boils down to my greatest leadership challenge: Me. I know that I need to grow as a leader. I know that for Hub City Church to be all that God wants it to be that I need to grow.

I'm looking forward to growing over the next 6 months of this network. If you're a part of Hub City, and even if you're not, I'd ask that you'd pray for me over the next six months. Pray that God will grow me as a leader and pastor. Thanks.

Confessions of a pastor

A new series beginning this Sunday, May 29.

It should be fun... at least for you. Might be a bit uncomfortable to me.

Here are the confessions:

• Following Jesus hasn't gotten me where I thought it would.
• I have to work hard to resist temptations.
• I'm often scared to death.
• Sometimes I want a new life.

Invite a friend. See you there.

I memorized it

I am challenged what Francis Chan says here. May we alway be about Making Disciples. May we be hearing from God and doing what he says. May we be helping others to hear from God and do what he says.

In light of the end of the world

Showing May 28

Great reminder

Just had to pass along this post from Mark Batterson:

START PASTORING

I have a friend who used to be a pastor and now he’s a banker, but the truth is that he’s still a pastor. Instead of pastoring in a church he’s pastoring in a bank. And the truth is,he’s having far more influence pastoring a bank than he ever did pastoring a church.

I don’t care if you’re a doctor, an actor, or teacher. You are called to pastor the people around you. What if you viewed your colleagues as your congregation? What if you played the role of pastor? What if you started looking for opportunities to pray or preach or counsel? God has called has to be salt and light where we work. After all, that is where we spend the vast majority of our waking hours! But too few of us view ourselves as pastors because we haven’t been to seminary or we don’t pastor a church. We need a paradigm shift.

I happen to pastor a church, but I think that some of the greatest pastors aren’t even viewed as pastors. They are entrepreneurs and entertainers and athletes and professionals who love Jesus Christ with all of their heart and understand that God has called them topastor the people around them. They have turned a business, a film crew, a classroom or locker room into a church.

Start pastoring!

This is a problem

I came across the following today on this guy's blog. This is very disturbing to me. I think it should bother you as well. Would love to know your thoughts.

The Problem That Currently Exists In American Churches

1. Christians are giving at a 2.5% per capita or tithe. During the Great Depression, they gave at a 3.3% rate.
2. Today, 33-50% of church members, those who claim they have bought in at a deep level to your ministry, give nothing.
3. If we were able to have our people increase their giving from 2.5% to 10% of their annual income, an additional $165 billion would flow into the Kingdom. To show the global impact those resources could make, consider the following:
4. $25 billion would relieve global hunger, starvation, and deaths from preventable diseases in 5 years.
5. $12 billion would eliminate illiteracy in 5 years.
6. $15 billion would solve the world’s water and sanitation issues, specifically at places in the world where 1 billion people live on less than $1 per day.
7. $1 billion would fully fund the Great Commission.
8. $100 – $110 billion would still be left over for additional ministry expansion.

These statistics were provided by www.generouschurch.com.

Spring Fling

Spring Fling is this weekend.

Hub City Church gets to help.

We're partnering with Upstate Parent for the Mommy Makeover Scavenger Hunt.

We'll be escorting Mickey Mouse around promoting Movies in the Park.

See you downtown.

What I'm learning - part 1

I feel like the past month God has been teaching me so much. I'm going to try and write out a bit of it on this blog over the next few days/weeks as a way of processing. And if you're a Hub City Slicker then you're probably going to hear a lot about this come June.

There's this story in Matthew 11 where John the Baptist is in prison. While there, he sends his disciples to find out if Jesus was really the one.

Now, if you think about it, that really doesn't make any sense. John knew who Jesus was before he even came out of his momma's tummy. John was there at the baptism of Jesus (he actually did the baptism) and he saw the spirit descend on Jesus and heard the voice from the father. If anybody should know who Jesus was it should have been John.

But John's life didn't quite turn out like he'd hoped or planned. I'm pretty sure he never planned on being arrested and thrown in jail. He was a man with connections to the Son of God for crying out loud, yet he ended up in prison.

So John did what any of us would do in that situation: He doubted. And he sends his followers to find out the truth about Jesus. Maybe he'd got it wrong. He needed to know for sure.

Look at how Jesus responds: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

Now, these miracles weren't a big surprise to John. He knew what Jesus had been doing. Everybody knew what Jesus was doing. But it's verse 6 that jumps out: Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

What the heck does Jesus mean here?

I think what Jesus is getting at is this: John, I know things haven't quite turned out how you hoped they'd turn out. Prison wasn't in your five-year plan. But blessed are you if you don't fall away when things don't turn out the way you think they should turn out. When following me doesn't get you where you thought it would... when following me doesn't get you an easier or better life... when following me leads to suffering... when following me is more difficult than throwing in the towel... when following me costs more than you thought it would....

Honestly, following Jesus has cost me more than I thought it would. Planting a church has been way harder than I thought it would. Things haven't turned out like I thought they would. Maybe they never will. I'm not who I thought I would be. Maybe I never will.

But I don't want to fall away on account of following Jesus.

I take comfort and get motivation from Hebrews 12:1-3

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

That's all for today.

Something special...

I love this quote:

"It’s a very specific type of Hero’s Journey. It’s told over and over again, and it works, over and over again. Dorothy Gale, Buffy Summers, Harry Potter, Charlie Bucket, Luke Skywalker, even Peter Parker, they all fit a very specific pattern. They’re living a life, sometimes a fine one, often a troubled one, but certainly one governed by ordinary rules, when suddenly the curtain is pulled back and a whole new world, or a new set of rules of this world, is revealed. And what’s more—and this is the important part—in that new world, they are something special. They are The Chosen One." ~ Jane Espenson

Tornado Relief

"I love it when a plan comes together." - Hannibal Smith, A-Team.

"I love it when a plan comes together, the church makes a difference, the church gets good press, and it was led by non-staff, followers of Jesus, who are passionate to put their faith to work." - Me

That's exactly what's happened with Hub City's tornado relief effort. Our church stepped up! And we made the front page of the Herald-Journal! You can read the article here. (That's the second time our 2 and a half year-old church has made the front page!)

Really proud of the Hub City family. Frankie did a great job. Shaun stepped up. Many contributed. Way to go guys!