Blogs

UNLEASHED, SESSION 2


Unleash, Session 1
Perry Noble

My notes and thoughts…
-The myth behind growing churches is style. Growing churches happen because of leadership. And it is Godly leadership that makes the difference.

Four Leadership Principles from the Life of Moses
1) Moses simply listened to God and obeyed Him. That’s what Godly leadership is: Listening to God and then acting on what He says to do.

-Time with God is the most important thing a pastor does. The pastor has to be listening to God! [Hebrews 13:17, Haggai 1:7-8, Haggai 2:9]

-In Scripture, God never gave a vision to a committee. He always gave it to a man.

My thoughts…
Thank God for The Purpose Driven Church. God changed my life and many others through Rick Warren and that book. It brought the church from being program driven to purpose driven. I believe that the church God is building now is the “Spirit Driven Church.” [And don’t send me emails saying that the PDC is spirit inspired. I already said it changed my life.] What I’m saying is that the churches I see out there that are really growing are the ones with leaders who are asking God to speak and when He does; they listen – and then act.

2) Moses did not compromise the vision God gave to him. Powerful people in your church will always try to altar your vision for your church. [Exodus 2:5-27]

A lot of church leaders today talk about closing the “backdoor.” Perry says it’s okay to have backdoor. He reminded us that the church is a body…so it needs a backdoor ☺.

Perry challenged pastors and church leaders to be prophets with the vision and carry it out through the people. Not a prostitute with the vision who sells it to the highest bidder.

*If you are a church planter, that statement is GOLD!

3) Moses didn’t try to do it all. [Numbers 11:14-17]

Surround yourself with Godly people. Learn to delegate. Give away ministry. Give away responsibility.

Also, pastors have to learn to rest. Perry says that a preacher should only be up on Sundays about 40 to 42 times a year. I LIKE THIS!

Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas of The Journey (www.nyjourney.com) do a great job of team teaching. I think they have about three guys on staff who are all good communicators. That gives Nelson time to rest and unwind. I think over the years it has helped him become an even better communicator.

4) Moses was willing to attempt the impossible. [Deuteronomy 6:10-12]

Perry said to spend time with God, get His vision, dream big and never compromise it.

I think one of the reasons we compromise is because of fear. One of the big fears that tempts us to compromise is the fear of money. Money should never be an excuse for dreaming big and staying with the vision. Perry: “If it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill!”

My thoughts…
A lot of church leaders (finance committees) look at money like a pie. And they cut it up into little slices and under fund God’s vision. What we fail to realize is that God is the BAKER. When one pie is gone He just bakes another – or many more – whatever His vision requires.

Don’t make money your excuse for compromising God’s dream for your life and church!

EXCITED!!!!!!


I'm so excited for Thirst Camp 2010! It's finally here! Our students are going to be doing service projects and ministering the love of Jesus Christ all over the community all week long. AND, each night we will be having worship services at Covenant Church of Harrisburg beginning at 7PM. These services are open to anyone in the community. So come join us beginning TONIGHT! The messages and worship are going to be AWESOME!

Countdown To Thirst Camp


I can hardly wait until Thirst Camp 2010! It begins next week. There will be Middle School and High School students all over the community next week doing mission projects. Who knows, we might just be serving you.

Thank you for your prayers!

Baptism In The Park 2010 Video


THIS NEVER GETS OLD!!!!

Read The Bible


BIG NEWS!


The BIG NEWS at Rocky River Church today is that we have received the permit we needed to begin construction on our new building!!!! GOD IS AWESOME! The graders will hit the site sometime toward the middle or end of this week (probably Wednesday or Thursday). Anyway, just wanted you guys to know.

Thank you for praying for Rocky River Church! Thank you for your faithfulness to His mission and vision!

BTW, today was SIMPLY AWESOME @ ROCKY RIVER CHURCH! Man, we're having tons of new folks. The Spirit was in the house today for sure! Lives were changed! That never gets old.

GO GOD! Go Rocky River Church!

Sports is a Business....HUH!


Sports may be a business to those making the money, but not to fans like me SPENDING the money to support their teams! Honestly, I'm tired of hearing that crap from guys like LeBron (an easy target right now). All day on sports radio in Charlotte I've heard guys say, "Hey, it was just good business for LeBron." Or, "He had the chance to go to a 'ready made' championship team. It's not personal, it's business."

If team owners and players want sports to be a "business," then maybe us fans should turn the tables and say to them something like this. "Mr. Richardson and Coach Fox, since the Panthers are going young and lean this year and it will take a miracle to get to the playoffs, I think I'll pull for the Colts because they have the best opportunity the win the Super Bowl THIS year. When you guys spend some REAL money and get the players to help us win some games and maybe a Super Bowl, I'll pull for the Panthers again. Nothing personal, it's just business. See, I'm just an average 'Jimmy' putting my heart on the line for the team (not business) I love. I'M A FAN, not a business man!"

Or, "Mr. Hendrick, For the rest of the 2010 NASCAR season, I'm going to stop pulling for Dale Jr. and pull for Kevin Harvick because he's leading in the Sprint Cup point standings. I'll buy his over priced hats and other cheap crap made in China for a while until Jr. starts winning. It's nothing personal, it's just business. I want to win a championship this year."

How's that?!

Now, I'm not stupid or naive. I know there is big business in sports. I get that. But you owners and players (of every sport) are creating a sporting culture that is destroying the reasons we love and follow and support our teams.

I'm just saying, "It's not just about business." And if it is, I'll take my son fishing instead watching a ball game. If it's just business, I won't let the Panthers losing a ball game mess me up until the next Sunday. If it's just business LeBron (or you fill in the blank), I'll do something better with my time and money.

BTW, I use the Panthers for illustration purposes. I really do think we're going to win the Super Bowl this year. You know why I believe that? It's not because I listen to the experts or look through the rosters or anything like that. It's because I'm letting my heart lead me - because I LOVE THE PANTHERS! I'm a fan....it's personal.

I also think Dale Jr. is going to get in the Sprint Cup Chase and somehow win a championship. I'm a fan...!

Exciting News To Share on Sunday


I have some exciting news to share on Sunday at Rocky River Church. Don't ask me before Sunday though because I'm not saying a word!

Folks, God is on the move at Rocky River Church!

See ya'll Sunday!
Jimmy

Send Me Your Prayer Request


I love reading through and praying for the prayer requests that come in to Rocky River Church. I'd love to pray for you too. You can send your prayer request directly to me at jimmy@rockyriverchurch.com.

A thought for today....


If you allow the devil to drive your thoughts, he will also steer your life.