jimmybritt's blog

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!

Enough Said!?!?!


This was too good not to share. I'm still laughing! I don't know who these guys are but the video is funny.

I LOVE ROCKY RIVER CHURCH!


Man. I can't believe I get to pastor this church - Rocky River Church - the coolest dang church in the world. I can't tell you how great our people are - and how generous they are. We've had people volunteering in our office and working on camp for next week and it just blows my mind. It also blows my mind how generous our people are with their resources - money :) - and talents.

Anyway, I just want to say I love you guys! You make me proud!
J

OUR BAND


I'm up at the office working late tonight. Usually I don't do that on Wednesday nights because I have a Bible study I teach and the band uses the offices for rehearsal. MAN, SOMETIMES I FORGET JUST HOW AWESOME AND TALENTED OUT BAND IS. Right now they are working on a 3 Doors Down song for Sunday and Brandon is filling in on the drums (the drummer is a little late). He has the drums set up for the drummer (who is left-handed) and Brandon is playing the drums left-handed and singing too. MAN! We are blessed with an awesome group of rockers!

Blogs [something to think about]


If you read pastor's blogs [and I do] and you know more about what's going on in those churches than your own, something is wrong. For example - I go to Gary Lamb's blog regularly to see what he's up to (and Revolution Church). But if I know more about his church and his vision for reaching his community than I do about the vision and activities of my church then something is wrong.

Point: You could grow your church [ministry position] larger if you would spend more time working and less time reading blogs and twittering.

Just something to think about... That came to while listening to Nelson Searcy's Time Management resource at www.churchleaderinsights.com.

We need something good to happen...


We need something good to happen at Rocky River this weekend. I don't know what it might be - but we need something big to happen.

I'm praying for a big attendance and a big offering. We need both - BIG TIME.

Back Home...


Back in town. Had a great time. I left the kids with mom and dad. Actually, they begged to stay. I'll head out to pick them up sometime next week. Anyway, it is good to be home. Can't wait until Sunday. Also looking forward to this Sunday.

Every Other Weekend - Reba and Kenny


Man. I love this song. It rips my heart out though...

This Week @ Rocky River


I'm really excited about this Sunday @ Rocky River. We are continuing our ONE Decision series with a message called "Make the Decision to FOCUS." For the last week I've learned how to focus my life a little better. This Sunday I'm going to challenge our congregation to focus their life in order find significance. Most people are going in so many different directions that their life is just a blur - and not very effective. This Sunday I'll ask folks to focus on 4 things. That's right - 4!

Don't miss being at Rocky River this week. And bring someone with you!
J

My Summer Strategy


My summer strategy is simple. I'm going to spend the rest of July relaxing (with my awesome family), reading and re-vision-ing my life. Then, I'm going to spend the first two weeks of August re-vision-ing Rocky River Community Church and charting a course for the next five years.