Baptism @ the Creek

I love love love baptism night at the Creek. It's the time when we hear awesome stories of how Christ has redirected people's lives. It's a time for the church to come and celebrate those stories and boy did you come ready to celebrate last night. I've never heard so many noise makers in my life. As a church leader and as a church it's a way to measure if we are being effective sharing the gospel. I'm happy to report that over the past few months we have seen 125 people baptized. That is CRAZY! I am so honored to be a part of such a life giving church. I believe this is just the beginning of what God is going to do in us and through us.

For God or To God?

This is a blog I thought you might find interesting. It challenged me.

I read a verse that stopped me in my tracks this morning. The Holy Spirit arrested me. If I were completely honest, I'd have to admit that most of "my ministry" has been for God not to God. I don't think that is just semantics. It's a whole different paradigm. So many of us are so busy ministering for God that we rarely minister to God.

Ezekiel 44:16 wrecked me today: "They shall enter my sanctuary, and they shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge." Makes me think of the original commission in Matthew 10. Before Jesus "sent them out" he called them "to him." I think one of the greatest dangers leaders face is this: we get focused on what God wants to do THROUGH us instead of what God wants to do IN us.

Are you ministering for God or to God?

I think it's both/and, but you better prioritize ministry to God.

First Impressions

Starting this year the Creative Worship Dept. is taking over the First Impression's ministry at Stevens Creek. We have been blessed with incredible people on that team working very hard week in and week out. We have done a ton of things right and will continue to build on the success we have had. With that said, we can always be better.

Stevens Creek has a mission to reach out to those who are lost and hurting. People may come through our doors feeling scared, broken or apprehensive. Even if they aren’t new to the church it is possible that they could be going through a difficult season in their lives. It is our responsibility to welcome everyone in and to reflect God’s love in the midst of their troubles. We want people to feel like they belong at Stevens Creek.

As we start this new season of ministry I am wanting some feedback on how to make the experience people have at the Creek even better. So, here is your chance to help.

The Gift

The last three Christmas seasons we have presented sermon series that were accompanied with drama sketches throughout the series. During that span, two of them we used from Northpoint Church in Atlanta, "Christmas With Grace" and "Velma's Diner". Last year we took Scrooge, (A full length Broadway production that we did for many years) and divided it up into a four part series. It was pretty awesome!

Well, this year we decided to write our own. After several brainstorming meetings our very own Dave Willis started writing the script and after a few re-writes and tweaks "The Gift" was complete. We are so blessed to have someone as talented as Dave writing for us. I also want to give a shout out to Tony Cooper and the entire cast for bringing the characters to life. You don't want to miss the last two episodes Sunday the 20th and Christmas Eve. It will be a Christmas to remember, I promise!

Third-Person Christian

This a blog I read this morning from Mark Batterson and thought you might get something from it.......enjoy!

I think some people are what I would call third-person christians. I'm not a grammarian, and I don't know if this metaphor holds up literally, but third-person christians read the Bible in the third-person. They think in terms of "they" instead of "me." They don't personalize it by reading it in first-person terms. And so Scripture is de-personalized.

Here's another example. Third-person christians attend church in the third-person thinking about the people in their life that "need to hear this message" rather than processing it personally! They talk about church in "they" terms instead of "we" terms.

Here's a thought. Simply insert the first-person "I" or "me" or "we" when reading the Bible. It helps you own Scripture. And more importantly, it helps Scripture own you.

Answers to a college students questions about ministry

I had a college student ask me to answer some questions for her about what my week and my ministry looks like. I thought others might be interested as well. So here you go!

1.) What is your weekly schedule like? Do you have creative team meetings? How do you run your music ministry on a weekly basis?

My week is filled with a lot of meetings. I work Sunday-Thursday and take Friday and Saturday off.

Sunday:

Sunday starts early at the Creek. Call time for my team is 7 a.m. We rehearse the performance songs until 730. From 730-8 we rehearse the worship set for the day. from 8-815 we try to have a tech run and run the drama sketch if there is one. We do drama maybe once a month or so. from 815-830 we take a breath and have a prayer time and get ready to dive into our services. We do three at our Augusta campus at 830|10|1130. I usually leave the church around 1. Very fast paced day!

Mondays:

Mondays are meetings pretty much all day that's why we call it Meeting Monday! I have seven staff members in several different areas so my first meeting goes from 10-1030. At 1030 I start my second meeting with my production staff (Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Video Producer, and my assistant and we talk through projects coming up. At 11-1230 I have a creative team meeting where I take the people who were in my production meeting and add my worship leader from our Grovetown campus and our teaching pastor who is a great writer to help with video and drama scripts. From 1230 -200 I have Executive team lunch meeting which consists of the Lead Pastor and the associate pastors which consists of me Kevin,and Dave. After lunch we usually come back and meet for another hour or so about upcoming events staffing issues etc...

After Mondays I am fried!

Tuesday:

I use Tuesday to get ready for Wednesday Worship and to put into action the ideas we came up with in creative team meeting for Sunday. I have a lunch meeting on Tuesday's from 12-130 these days because we are writing drama sketches for our Christmas season. After that I try to catch up on e-mail and phone calls and deal with some staff issues.

Wednesday:

Is preparing Musically and spiritually for Wednesday Worship and making sure things are coming together for Sunday. I have rehearsal at 6 and service at 7. Usually leave church around 9 P.M.

Thursday:

Thursday is what we call Thriday because it represents our Friday. This is a faced pace day to finish up and get everything ready for Sunday. Several meetings in the afternoon to make sure everyone is on the same page. Sometimes things aren't done and I have to finish stuff up on Friday.

2.) How do you deal with not burning out?

You have to take time off. I am very blessed to have a pastor who believes it's important to be away and take time off. I also think it's important to be somewhere you love. Not liking the people and the place you work will cause burn out QUICK!

3.) How would you handle a situation within your choir (or praise team) such as if two of your members are fighting or just don't get along?

Unity is one of the most important things for your team. If you don't have unity trouble is right around the corner. I would teach unity and make it a part of the culture so when times like this come up you can remind them of this.

4.) Do you have a mentor? How important is it to you to have someone in your life that you can call to be your mentor?

I have a lot of mentors. A mentor helps shape who you are. Mentors that I talk to on a regular basis are my dad and my friend and pastor of Stevens Creek Church Marty Baker. I also have mentors that I have never met like Bill Hybels and Louie Giglio who influence me through the books they write. Read and watch others as much as possible.

5.) What services to you provide to the community you currently serve in and what should you contribute as a ministering musician?

Our whole church is for our community. We do everything we can to create a place where people can come and hear the life changing message of Christ.

Calming The Storm Notes

I've had several people ask if I could post my notes from when I spoke on Calming The Storm. Here they are.

Incredible

CALMING THE STORM

That day when evening came, (Jesus) said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side (of the lake)." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Mark 4:35-38

YOU ARE IN THE STORM

1) BY HIS DESIGN.

Possible storm sources:

· Storms from bad decisions.

· Storms from the enemy.

· Storms from a broken world.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

2) WITH HIS PRESENCE.

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

3) FOR HIS PURPOSES.

The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Mark 4:38b

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

· In storms, we want God to do a removing job. He wants to do an improving job.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:39-40