Workday
Posted by Michael | Filed under Oak Leaf Church
The painting workday scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed. We have to get some things straightened out with our official drawings and permits, so we don’t want to do anything that could hinder that process. Hopefully, we’ll be back on track soon and I’ll update you as to the next opportunities to help at the House of Rock.
First things First
Posted by Michael | Filed under Christianity, Uncategorized
In The Little Red Book of Wisdom, (GREAT BOOK) by Mark DeMoss, I read about the principle of the firsts. It was a great reminder to put first things first.
- The first hour of the day. What if we prayed and read the Bible first thing, before all the other stuff comes up. Before TV. Before the Internet. Before working out. 1/24th of the day. 4.1% of the day.
- The first day of the week. Sunday is the first day of the week, not the last day of the week, and it’s a good idea to start it off right. No paying bills. No catching up on work. Just a day to honor God, and rest.
- The first dime of every dollar. Solomon challenged us to give God our first fruits, not our leftovers. Statistically, Americans give less to charity today than they did during the Great Depression. For all the talk of economic security, we really aren’t that well off, so maybe it’s time to do it the way God says.
Politics and Preachers
Posted by Michael | Filed under Culture
I do not think it’s cool when prominent pastors choose political sides like in the video below. Though it is protected by the Constitution, I don’t like to see preachers supporting political candidates and using their influence to advance a political cause. I think it’s selling out. As an American, I will vote. If you ask me, I’ll tell you who I am voting for and why I’m voting for them. But I will not take stage time at church or make videos to promote a candidate. I’m not putting any signs in my yard. I don’t want the 50% of the people who don’t vote like me to think our church or their pastor is against them. I’m called to advance the Gospel, not a social or political agenda.
And here’s another one. Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz was asked to pray at the Democratic National Convention. Some criticized him for accepting the invitation, but Miller responded, “when asked to pray, I pray.” Though it comes across like a public, governmental prayer, he prayed in the name of Jesus. I find it kind of interesting that politicians scream separation of church and state and then put a prayer like this on national TV (in order to attract voters?).
So what do you think about the video of the pastors suporting Obama? What do you think about Donald Miller praying at the DNC?
I’m Optimistic about the Church
Posted by Michael | Filed under Christianity, Church
From time to time, I will read a blog or an article about how the church is losing it’s influence and is about to disappear. Usually, this warning is accompanied by a new strategy that the church must adopt if it wants to survive. According to many experts, we need to be more missional, incarnational, small group oriented, solve the AIDS crisis, become more Calvinistic, become less Calvinistic, learn from secular leaders, stop learning from secular leaders, and so on.
The prognosis for the church from these experts is dire. We don’t have enough churches, they say, and the church needs to reorganize. If we don’t, we will die.
I think those people are idiots and have a slightly different take on the situation. I tend to believe that when Jesus said that He would build His church that He wasn’t joking. I tend to think that when He said the gates of Hell wouldn’t prevail against the church, that He was serious. I don’t think the church is going to fold…I think we’re just getting started.
I’m all for strategy and I read books. I’m all for conferences and resources. But we must remember that this is the Bride of CHRIST…not some human scheme. Jesus isn’t going out of business or taking a vacation, and His church isn’t either. We have incredible reasons to be optimistic, because if Jesus can conquer the grave, I’m pretty sure He can handle postmodernism.
I’m incredibly optimistic about Oak Leaf Church too. We’re just two years old, but the greatest things are yet to come. There is still much to do and many to reach. We’re filling up three services with people, but we’re not stopping there. We’re renovating a bar and turning it into a campus, but that’s not the end of the line. I’m going to keep talking about Jesus, and we’re going to keep seeing people decide to follow Jesus.
Smile…this is His Church…and we get to be a part of it.
Personality and Purpose
Posted by Michael | Filed under Christianity
When the terrorist Saul became missionary Paul, his personality didn’t change. Instead of traveling to hunt Christians, he traveled to plant churchs. He used his education under Gamaliel to explain the faith and went on to write 14 epistles in the New Testament.
This might be freeing, but when you become a Christian, you don’t have to lay aside your personality. You don’t have to become just like me. You don’t have to like all the things that I like. You’re free to be yourself.
If you are a plumber, you don’t have to quit your job and become a pastor to follow Christ. If you’re a teacher, you don’t have to move to Nashville and write Christian books to follow Jesus. You can follow God using your unique gifts, talents and passions. In fact, that’s why He gave them to you.
Sunday Recap
Posted by Michael | Filed under sunday recap
It was the third week of God at the Movies, and another strong Sunday at Oak Leaf Church. Here are some highlights.
- Used Iron Man to set up a talk about Saul. Iron Man was a good movie.
- In case you’re wondering about the connection, Saul had a life-changing experience that gave him a new purpose in life.
- Several people made the decision to follow Christ today. That’s cause for balloons and streamers.
- God can turn a terrorist into a missionary.
- The band kicked of the service with Iron Man. They played Healer, despite all the controversy. And Will managed to mess up the words to Amazing Grace.
- I’m not sure how you can be a worship leader and forget the words to an Amazing Grace. This causes me to doubt that Will is even a Christian. Oh well, it wouldn’t be an Oak Leaf service if Will actually remembered all the words.
- By the way, here are some House of Rock pictures. Work continues this week, so if you have any experience with light construction, let us know. We’re painting a bunch next Saturday from 9-3, so come if you can.
- A huge THANK YOU to everyone that has been working on the House of Rock for the past couple of weeks. And thanks to everyone who gives to make the renovations possible. God is going to use this facility to reach hundreds of students and to provide extra space for more services.
- I’m not sure of the exact attendance numbers, but it was a little down. There were actually seats available at the 11:15 service, so bring a friend next week. We’re talking about Wall*E.
- In two weeks, we are kicking off a three part series called TXT. We’ll talk about the Bible - is it really inspired - how did we get it - how to make sense of it - and much more. It’s going to be a great series.
- Jody had a small army of Journey Group leaders all wearing matching t-shirts in the lobby today. I think they are trying to take over. I’m very excited about hundreds of people connecting in groups.
- There were a couple more church planters with us today. I love meeting church planters and hearing about what God is doing in their areas. If you’re a church planter and would like to come visit, let Tracy know [tracy at oakleafchurch dot com] and we’ll make sure you get the grand tour and make sure we answer all your questions.
- In between the first and second services, I went to check out 10 minutes of the service at Tapestry. Nathan was playing and I wanted to see his shiny new guitar.
- When I wear dress pants and tuck in my shirt, Anthony calls me professor. And also because he has so much to learn.
Work on the House of Rock
Posted by Michael | Filed under Uncategorized
I spent the day with some amazing volunteers (and a few contractors). Today, the AC (actually 4 separate AC units) got fixed and cleaned out, some offices were framed, the sound and light platform was built, and some electrical work got done for the Coffee Bar. Tomorrow is a huge day…stage construction and a ton of painting. If you can help - basically anytime between 9-5…come on. We’ll have plenty of work to do.
We’re working hard to get The House of Rock ready for Fuel on September 3!
Sometimes the Bible is Descriptive
Posted by Michael | Filed under Christianity
Getting back to first century Christianity is often the rallying cry for small groups or the house church movement or some other ministry that involves the word missional. We try real hard to replicate the conditions of the early church, but I wonder if we don’t sometimes miss the obvious.
This isn’t the first century.
I find it interesting that those that advocate a return to first century church only want to bring back the positive aspects. But you can’t separate the positive from the negative. I don’t hear too many people clamoring for Roman persecution under Emperors. There’s much we can learn from the early church, but we shouldn’t use it to bash the state of the current church.
I am glad that God chose me to advance the modern church. I’m thankful for technology and intelligent lighting. I’m glad we have video screens and blogs. I’m glad someone invented the printing press so we don’t have to run Bible study scrolls around to our small groups.
When we read the Bible, we must remember the context. The early church met in homes partly because they didn’t have any other choice. Paul wrote to Christians in Thesolonica to address specific problems they were having. We have to keep the context in mind. And in some cases, the Bible’s description of the events that transpired is not a command to emulate the circumstances.
Student Ministry Update
Posted by Michael | Filed under Uncategorized
Tons of things excite me about Oak Leaf Church, but none of them more than student ministry. I wanted to give you an update on what’s coming in just a few weeks.
- Fuel is the new name. No more Wired…No more Limelight. Just one united service on Wednesday night.
- It kicks off on September 3 at the House or Rock. (Yes, we have lots of work to do to get ready…come help us.)
- The doors will open at 6pm (The Coffee Bar will be open, and they will have cokes, Italian Sodas, pizza, coffee and other junk food). The service will begin at 7pm.
- Matt Moody and his band will lead worship.
- Jake Dudley is going to host. Jake is also heading up volunteers, so if you are interested, shoot him an e-mail. Jake at oakleafchurch dot com.
- I am teaching. I haven’t taught students on a regular basis in about 3 years, but I am jacked up. I’m going to be trying some new things and going back to my roots. On one hand, I really don’t have time for this, but on the other hand, I believe student ministry is one of the most important things we can do. This is one reason that I hired Tracy to take off some of the load.
- The first series is called “Red Letters” and we’re going to talk about four famous statements that Jesus made. The second series is called “Schooled” and we’re going to talk about how to be an influence during the school years.
- I am jacked that the House of Rock will be the home to Fuel. I can’t think of a better venue for students to gather in Cartersville. Huge thanks to everyone that gives $$ to make things like this happen.
- We’ll be talking about Fuel the next two Sundays and I’m asking every middle and high school student to invite everyone on September 3.
Help!
Posted by Michael | Filed under Oak Leaf Church
This Thursday, from 6-10 PM, and again on Saturday from 9-3, we are doing some framing and building in the House of Rock. We’re building the actual stage and framing a couple of rooms. In order to stay on schedule, we must be done with this by Saturday, so if you can help, we’d really appreciate it. If you are a handy man, know how to work a saw, or have any experience in construction, please come help us on these two important dates.
