by Clarence E. Stowers | Oct 3, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Money and Finance, Preaching, Worship
I was inspired to preach this series after hearing Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor of Northpoint Church in Alpharetta, GA. I got permission to modify, contextualize, & share it with my Mars Hill family.
In this day and age, most people are striving for more…a better job, a larger house, a flashier car, and the list goes on. However, the recent economic downturn has temporarily placed the chase on hold.
There is more to life than chasing that elusive carrot
that dangles so temptingly in front of you.
Even in the midst of an economic downturn you will discover how to be truly rich, with what you already have. Join us this Sunday @ 8AM or 10:30AM to learn "How To Be Rich." This series IS NOT about how to "GET" rich…It's all about how to "BE" rich.
As the series unfolds, I will post a link to my teaching notes online along w/discussion questions for all who want to engage in dialog. If you're interested, shoot me an email so I'll know who's participating. It's sorta like a "cyber small group" discussion. I firmly believe we grow stronger together.
Have a great weekend!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Oct 2, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Empowerment, Leadership
THROUGH IT ALL…LEADERSHIP IS REWARDING!
As I shared over the past few weeks, at Mars Hill, we have been trying to get our minds and hearts around some of the data that points to unmet expectations. What do you do when not as many people are inviting their friends…not as many are growing in Christ…not as many are tithing…not as many are reading their Bible…not as many are attending…and not as many are being baptized?
These questions are very real for us right now, and over the next few days I will share some of the stages of unmet expectations I have recently experienced…
WHEN WE EXPERIENCE UNMET EXPECTATIONS, WE REASSESS, REGROUP, & START LEADING AGAIN
At some point, we MUST decide to lead. We stop blaming, questioning, justifying or redefining–and we hunker down and lead through the crisis. We figure out what is wrong and we get on our faces before God, and we begin to fix it. We face the really tough data and talk about the facts of our situation which might be embarrasing or self-condemning. We acknowledge where we are wrong and we get risky and determine to try some stuff to get back on track. We stick our necks out and cancel some stuff that has perceived success, and add some stuff that has no historical track record. We work through the feeling of failure, the muddy conversations and awkward staff meetings. We don't jump ship because the waters are suddenly rocky. No, instead we rally the troops, and we do what leaders do in times of crisis…we lead.
Anyone else identify with any of these stages of unmet expectations?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Oct 1, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Events, Music, Worship
On Monday, our church participated in Verizon Wireless' "How Sweet The Sound" gospel choir competition.
Guess what? I shot this video using
my Flip camcorder…yea, I can do more than preach!
Although we didn't win, THEY'RE WINNERS IN MY BOOK. Mars Hill, way to go – you are one professional and classy church…A TRUE CLASS ACT.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 30, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Church Issues, Empowerment, Leadership
LEADERSHIP REQUIRES HONESTY!
As
I shared last week, at Mars Hill, we have been trying to get our minds
and hearts around some of the data that points to unmet expectations.
What do you do when not as many people are inviting their
friends…not as many are growing in Christ…not as many are
tithing…not as many are reading their Bible…not as many are
attending…and not as many are being baptized?
These
questions are very real for us right now, and over the next few days I
will share some of the stages of unmet expectations I have recently
experienced…
WHEN WE EXPERIENCE UNMET EXPECTATIONS, WE TEND TO REDEFINE SUCCESS
We say things like: "Well, it's not attendance that really matters anyway. We'd rather have 100 mature believers than 1,000 in a crowd. It doesn't matter how many are coming in our doors–what really matters is how many we are sending out our doors."
MY RESPONSE: Instead of figuring out why we keep missing the target, we just move the target to the location where our arrows are landing. Rather than adopting a "both/and" mentality — we say that it is "either/or." We are tempted to say, "Either we are growing in numbers or we are growing in our faith. It can't be both. Either we are having an impact on the community or we are helping believers mature. It can't be both. Either we are attractional or we are missional. It can't be both." Really? Why not? I think it is dangerous to redefine success just because we are missing the mark.
What do you think?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 29, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Events, Music, Worship
Oh my God – the choir just finished singing "The Presence Of The Lord" and had 25,000 people standing to their feet! God is awesome!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Sep 29, 2008 | Christian, Christianity, Events, Music, Worship
Wow, what an incredible day!
Mars Hill is about to compete against 3 other choirs in Verizon Wireless’ “How Sweet The Sound” Gospel Choir competition. If we win, we will represent Chicago in Atlanta, GA.
We’re already claiming victory in Jesus’ name!
Mars Hill, I’m proud of you!
