Archive for the ‘Church Plant’ Category
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Outsider, Really?
I have a tendency to make what I don’t believe/trust/accept the opposite of right. I’m not saying it’s wrong, just not right. I guess we all do this on some level. We don’t agree so we make it less than…
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Harden Hearts?
For the New Year and reinforced for Lent, I’ve challenged myself to be a person who listens to the Spirit. That’s sounds corny, but since we began our lifestyle of living on mission as believers, leading a community of believers…
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Tremendous Potential
Last year Summer and I began a journey towards being the church, instead of starting churches. I don’t recommend this journey to the weak believer, but I’m so happy we are here (not to say we’ve arrived, but present where…
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Twinkle of His Eye
In October our little community will have its first wedding. A special couple will be getting married after preparing for over two years. Summer and I will have the privilege of being apart of this celebration of two lives coming…
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When Your Wife Sticks It to You
About two years ago Summer (my wife) and I decided to quit building churches (not literally, but figuratively). We simply looked and found Jesus was very clear: He builds churches, we make disciples. I know what you’re thinking, “Churches make…
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Have It Your Way
A few weeks ago our community spent time going over our values: Faith, Love, and Hope. We feel these are the three deepest values of being the church. Of course, while studying love we read from 1 Corinthians 13.
This…
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A Desk by the Window
I actually feel very blessed to have my “tent-making” job by a window. I complain but honestly God is in the details of my circumstances, BUT I really wish I had my way. To have the luxury of supporting my…
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A Biblical Approach to Weed
What is more annoying than weeds? Until last weekend I had a whole backyard full of them. But there is something staggering about them – their everywhere! They grow where there is little water (or shallow amounts), where the sun…
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We Must Change
Did you know the phrase “under god” in the pledge of allegiance has not always been in the pledge. It was put in during the Eisenhower administration (1953-61) to help distinguish the United States from the “godless” communists in the…
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I’m Not Catholic…
But I observe Lent. I keep Lent because I’m a follower of Jesus. I respect the journey, not so much the ritual. If you keep a daily planner or schedule your weeks around a purchased calendar you can’t escape the…
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What is Love?
Okay, so I’m on some love kick! But since I’m leading a missional community and many of the people involved are returning to Jesus or investigating faith the subject of love and relationships are all around us. I find myself…
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Stories
I’ve been thinking about “story” a lot recently; specifically our nation’s story. We have a first African-American president in Obama and his been compared to Abraham Lincoln, which is electrifying as we celebrate 100 years of the NAACP (Feb. 12.…
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Thoughts on Church
For months now I have been asking myself what it means to be the Church. For some reason the idea of a scheduled meeting time and structure recognition does not resonate. I recognize it is dangerous and unconventional to think…
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New Evangelism
Maybe I’m not clear, “I’m a pastor, I lead churches, people worship and I help!” This is the thought that feels my mind as kind, thoughtful people hand me their church invitation. I don’t understand why but I routinely get…
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New Evangelism, part two
Last, week Graceland People sent out a prayer request about Thanksgiving and our upcoming weekend Life Group. The Life Group discussion will be about evangelism. One line has caused some to question my meaning. I want to develop…
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Church Planting – ACL Model
I spent the weekend in the sun at the Austin City Limits Festival. It’s become an annual event for me, this year being the fourth. I was happy to rock with my suite mate from college, Matt Boudreaux, he now…
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Can you picture me without reducing me?
We are more than our parts. I’m more than a husband, I’m a father; more a lover of people; I’m a lover of God. As much as you can describe me as spiritual, I’m a follower of the way of…
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Recognize
Everyone likes to be recognized. We like the feeling of being seen, heard, known – remembered. It’s satisfying to be acknowledged as having merit. We want to be the hero of the story. Recognition is an expression of appreciation and…
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Fives Pieces of a Church
You really don’t understand a church until you know what it’s made of. Summer and I have visited a lot churches over the last year looking for what works and what doesn’t. What makes a church successful is sometimes murky…
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Right Direction, Wrong Street
Recently, I’ve been engrossed in Job (maybe God is preparing me for something). I’ve read the account of his lose, pain, and reconciliation with God over and over. I can relate. Today when I read Job 8 where his friend…
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WE’RE OFFICIAL
Okay, maybe we just feel legitimate but we officially have a website for Graceland.
The purpose of this website is for three types of people and a sub-group. Here the people this site is created for:
Prayer…