WholeHeartedLife

Will We Fight It or Fund It?

On Sunday evening, Josh Shelley (our iServe Coordinator) and myself took 11 of hyde park's finest on a vision-building / encouragement trip to Elevation Church, Charlotte. After having an amazing morning at hyde park we all met back at hp for a 2:30 departure time... we were ready; Elevation didn't disappoint.

We were aware of the excellence Elevation Church is known for. I've been following them since their inception thanks to one of my favorite preachers, Clayton King (WHOOOOOOOOOOOOH!). Although I've checked them out very frequently online and through the podcasts and blogs this was my 1st trip to Elevation due to the fact that for a long time all of their services were on Sunday morning. Due to their explosive growth they added a 6pm service at Butler High School (can you say, roadtrip?)

For those who don't know here are the facts:

• Elevation is 3 years old.
• They have 3 campuses (all of which are portable - they set up and tear down weekly) 
• Their regular attendance is now around 5,000 per weekend (across the 3 campuses and multiple services)
• They have seen over 4,700 professions of faith. 
• They have baptized over 1,200 people during this 3rd year of ministry. 

With that in mind I wanted to share my experiences: 

• The moment that we arrived we saw the portable "A-frame" directional signage pointing us into Elevations parking area. The parking team were easily identifiable (parking vests) with Elevation Church tshirts underneath.
• The Greet team was amazing - they handled getting us everything we needed prior to the service and told us all we needed to know. They also told us if we would fill out the Guest Card and turned it in at the end that we would receive a free tshirt (you might not care but I'm a sucker for a cool tshirt!) 
• The lobby looked amazing - it didn't look like a school, it looked like a happening church! They utilized pipe and drape and banners excellently.  
• The lobby staff were friendly and knowledgable. They walked around asking our team question and wondering if they could help us in anyway.  
• Campus Pastor John Bishop saw our team and quickly engaged, showing them around (and even threatened to break the usher's rules ). 
• I was amazed that the greet team and lobby team were not all young people. I noticed that many of those serving at this rockin' church were my age and older. 
• We waited in the lobby until 10 mins before the service - they keep the doors shut until that time and people are escorted in to their seats. 
• We sat where they told us to. They fill the room up from the front to the back. Don't wanna sit at the front? Don't get there early - hang in the lobby or something. Most church-people would die if you told them where to sit. (I loved this: Elevation understands that too much empty space in a room kills momentum. Kudos to them for sticking to their guns on such an important issue). 
• The worship team was excellent! One of the best I've heard (and definitely one of the youngest). The music was rockin' and it was ALL ABOUT Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for us. The words were centered on the cross, the blood, life-change, surrender, obedience... you might not like the sound but if you don't like the content you have a problem with God. (I loved the sound).  
• They offer people earplugs just in case it's too loud for you. It really wasn't that loud - but I thought that the earplugs were great. It was saying, "we respect your hearing, please respect our culture", meaning, the people they're trying to reach like it a little louder than some... let's accomodate them. 
• The message was in-your-face. Pastor Steven preached from 1Corinthians 5 (the whole chapter) and confronted a lot of issues that most churches won't touch because it makes people uncomfortable.   
• There were a bunch of 1st time visitors (I'm saying more than 20, maybe in the 30-40 range). Remember, this was a 6pm service. And no, it's not a "Sunday Nite service", it's the Sunday morning service on Sunday nite. The people who attend that service don't go to church on Sunday morning - they attend on Sunday evening.  

Our people loved it! They were excited and pumped by the "Elevators" enthusiasm, they were challenged by the message (many of them said to me, "I really needed to hear THAT message tonite"). I was so proud of what I witnessed there - to see my brothers and sisters in Christ exalting Him so greatly in that city. To me, Elevation does portable church better than 99.9% of churches who have amazing buildings. Why? Because this church is sold-out to the vision of who they are: Elevation exists "so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ". 

Just thinking out loud: every town in America needs a church like this, a church that dares to be truly different, a church that embraces people who aren't "church-people", a church that understands that they will do anything short of sin to help people far from God be filled with life in Jesus Christ. A church that embraces discomfort for the sake of others comfort, a church.. (LARGE SIGH) 

You know, I understand that everybody doesn't wanna go to a church that has loud, rockin' music; a church that offers earplugs to its attenders and tells them where they have to sit; a church that puts the comfort of those they are trying to reach above the comfort of those that they are trying to keep; I understand that might not be appealing to most WholeHearted readers, but you know, we have ALL KINDS OF CHURCHES that are the opposite of the above... where can someone in our region go to that kind of church?

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" 
      And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8, NIV)

I feel with every ounce of my being that THIS IS the future of the church. Not replicas of Elevation, mind you, but the Spirit of what was happening there. The way that I see it, hyde park can be that church or we can make it happen with someone else but you can MARK MY WORDS, it will happen.

Question is, will we fight it or will we fund it?

Sunday Nite...

I thought that today was just amazing! Our God is amazing so why should our worship of Him be any less? As we entered a new series AND a new era in the life of hyde park I found myself rejoicing at the greatness of God and the privilege that I have been given to serve Him. Where you there this morning? In Jesus' Name I pray that the answer was yes, if not, here's what today looked like to me...

• We began our day with our first 9am worship experience ever! I totally enjoyed the way that I prepared for that service by standing at the road and saying "Good Morning" to all who passed by. I love sharing the love of Christ anyway that I can - being a part of the iServe team is so important to me personally.
• Speaking of iServe... DANG!!! I thought that the iServe team was amazing this morning. So proud of all of you serving and the unbelievably fine work that you are doing. We want to do everything possible to make Sunday the best day of everyone's week! Keep it up iServe team because you are well on your way!
• About the 9am worship experience: it was a mixed bag in the atmosphere of the room. I would say that the extra 40 mins of sleep paid off for some and was not enough for others . For those who wonder what I'm talking about I would challenge you to check out the last service sometime.  
• About "the G.A.P." (the Guest Area Point): the G.A.P. is that "gap" between the main building and the Kidz Place. The iServe team did an amazing job making sure that it was unbelievable. When I drove up and saw the new Gazebo in place along with the tables and umbrellas... it made me think, "that's a place that I wanna be!". I look forward to spending much time there meeting people and hangin' out! 
• Music today was great: And Now My Lifesong Sings (Casting Crowns), Awesome is the Lord (Chris Tomlin), Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone (Tomlin) and From the Inside Out (Hillsong). I was beyond proud of our singers, musicians and tech team!!! 
• Pastor's message, the 1st in our 4week "30 Days to Live" Series is a must hear! Please make sure that you check out the podcast if you missed it! You brought it today, dude!
• Lastly, I just gotta say that the 10:30 service was off the chain! Unbelievable... great crowd and they actually seemed to be thrilled to be at church - you GOTTA love that service!  
• I think that the added fact that many of them just came from a great class was a plus as well. 

Here the video we used this morning - to me it really drove the point home: what if you could no longer do what you think you're made to do?  

iServe - WhoServe - UServe

I shared with you yesterday everthing that you needed to know about the Sunday and why it's a weekend full of "Firsts" but I had one more thing I just had to share with you that I didn't yesterday:

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUNDAY!!! Why?

We have been working hard over the past month on evaluating and revamping the Sunday hyde park experience, mainly our volunteer ministry - iServe. My man, Josh Shelley (iServe Coordinator) has really been working to ensure that Sunday is the best day of everyone who drives on our campus.

With that in mind, I believe that you will notice some great changes / improvements this Sunday as you drive into hyde park - I don't think that you'll find it hard to see all of the hard work that's gone into the planning for this weekend (and every weekend after).

You know what makes iServe so important? You. We believe that every hyde park attender needs a place where they connect, a place where they serve.  iServe is all about "WhoServes" - there is no iServe if there's no uServe. Without you iServe is one volunteer down - it's you that fills a much needed position. If you are interested in being part of making Sunday the best day and want to be an important part of the iServe team, contact Josh.

(and just in case you forgot - new schedule begins Sunday (9 and 10:30am), new classes begin Sunday and our life-changing series, "30 Days to Live" begins Sunday.)

Everything You Need to Know About THIS SUNDAY

This weekend is gonna be a great weekend at hyde park as we see a bunch of firsts...

The First "first": This Sunday will be the first week of our new series, "30 Days to Live"

if you found out that you only had 30 days to live how would it change your life? What would you do differently? Would you make major changes to the way that your living? Family? Work? Your relationship with God?

Join us for 4 life-changing weeks as we learn to live life the way that God intends. 

The Second "first": This Sunday will be the first week of our new schedule:

The Third "first": This Sunday will be the first week of our new Bible Fellowship Group times:

9am classes will meet at 9am and worship at 10:30 service - 9am classes are:

All Kidz 252 Classes meet at 9am

Crossover C-Groups (Middle School) meet 9am in the gym

Adult Groups meeting at 9am:

Doing Life Together One - Room KP 101 
Chris Smith (Couples / Singles 30+) 

Life Together Two - Rm 110 
Joey Bell / Larry Sawyer / Nicky Herring (Couples / Singles 40+)

Fellowship Bible Class Two - Rm 108 
Paul Brooks/Robert Lawson (Couples / Singles)

Young Married - Rm 109 
Don Bullard (Couples)

All 10:30 BFG's will worship at 9am and meet with their groups at 10:30 - they are:

Believing God - Room 113 
Lisa Byrd (Women’s Class)

Golden Rule - Rm 114 
Frances Thorndyke (Women 45 and up)

Willing Workers - Rm 109 
Mary Marshburn (Women 60+)

Good Neighbors - Rm 107 
Wayne Marshburn (Men’s Class)

Being the Church - KP101 
Charles Babson (Couples / Singles)

Pairs & Spares - Rm 111 
Steve Gaskins / Terry Jackson (Couples / Singles 40 +)

40’s & up - Rm 110 
Jerry & Lisa Byrd (Couples)

Senior High Students will meet in the OASIS ROOM at 10:30am

Our Young Singles (Ages 18-30) meet directly after the 10:30 service in the upper room of "2 Guys Grill" (2725 Roberts Avenue) for study and fellowship.

For those of you who have just been attending worship with us I hope that you will use our weekend of "first" to be a first weekend for you and your family. If I can help you in any way please let me know.

14 Thoughts

Someday I'm gonna be a part of a church plant - I don't know if it will be me as the planter or me as the supporter of a planter(s) but I'm fairly confident that church planting is in my future. Why? Because I have no confidence that we have any chance of reaching America with our current churches. It will take nothing short of revival to change the spiritual landscape of our nation and I believe that will happen with churches whose hearts burn with the heart of Jesus towards the lost.

I don't forsee that kind of sweeping change on the horizon for most of our churches. The status quo will not receive the spirit of revival - revival will only come to the heart which is open to the Spirit.

With that in mind (and a few other thoughts that have been circling) and the fact that I will have an exciting conversation this morning with someone who knows a little about church planting movements, I wanted to share with you 14 thoughts that Dr. Bob Roberts shared at the end of his book, "The Multiplying Church" - these are called, "Things I Never Want you to Forget":

1. Until you can stand up in front of a group of people and say, "imitate me", you have no business starting or leading a church.
2. If you go out and plant Northwood, you've failed. 
3. May we have such an impact that it will merit the attention of the historians. Upon research, the conclusion of the historians should be, "it wasn't because of any single one of them, but because of every single one of them." 
4. You've been called to the kingdom, not called to preach. 
5. Steal from every model, yet make sure you don't copy any one. 
6. Start a church for the world, not some little spot on the map somewhere. 
7. Finish it. Anyone can start a church; it takes much more to complete the task. What we need more of are not church starters but church finishers. 
8. You have enough time in the day to get every single thing done that needs to be done. 
9. You're not going to win the world for Christ 9am to 5pm, Monday through Thursday. 
10. Any vision that doesn't require your entire life isn't a vision; it's just a thought. 
11. If you make your family hate you for starting a church or winning the world, you did it wrong. If they hate you, what difference does starting a church make? 
12. Journaling is creating a catalog of reflections. 
13. It's all about the kingdom - kingdom in, kingdom out. 
14. Converts may grow a church, but disciples change the world. 

I want to change the world - I will never be satisfied just existing in the Sunday to Sunday routine because it's just not the way He made me. I am greatly challenged by all but rocked by #1 and #11 - which one's got your attention?

Sunday Nite (on a Monday Morning)

Well, yesterday was a "ONE" Service and a transitional one at that. As we gathered to celebrate Jesus and the independence we possess in Him, we enjoyed the gathering of our family together as "ONE". Many of you were out of town (which is why we can even pull off putting us all in the building one time) - here's what you missed and whatever other random thoughts hit me on this Monday morning: 

• Pastor was back with us after his vacation to Orlando. He assured us that he "fed the mouse plenty of the cheese he desired" 
• Pastor reminded us of the vision of hyde park - i'm curious as to how well it stuck: those of you who were there, in the comments, hit me up and tell me what the vision of hyde park is, "We _____ ____, _____ _____ and ______ ______ _______". 
• We'll talk more about that vision tomorrow  
• The Lord's Supper was (as always) great.... Since becoming a believer I have always felt that the Lord's Supper almost came off as a "oh yeah, we gotta do this today too before we leave" instead of representing the depth of what it's about (just my opinion). I love the way that we put a family emphasis on the Lord's Supper - not hurried and seeming as an after thought. 
• Because of the "ONE" Service we had the opportunity to extend our music a bit yesterday (so if you like hyde park worship and were out, you missed it!). Yesterday's set: Counting on God (Desperation Band), Glory to His Name (hymn arrangement spiced up a bit), To God Be the Glory (Praise Charts arrangement), Amazed (Desperation Band / New Life Church arrangement), You are Near (Hillsong), Revelation Song (Gateway Worship / extended version). During the Lord's Supper Justin played/led the song "Give Us Clean Hands" (Tomlin) and "Overcome" (New Life) which we all joined in on the chorus to end our service. 
• When we went into "Amazed", Rhonda testified to the goodness of God. Last week was a tough week for her, Shane and the their family as they had been caring for a baby who was returned to his family. Very tough circumstance - please pray for their family. I myself am always "Amazed" when I see people open their homes and their lives to share the love of Christ with those in need. Rhonda's testimony before "Amazed" was open and real - thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to serve in a family that appreciates and understands the twists and turns life throws at us. 
• May our honesty before men lead people to the goodness of God and into repentance that turns their hearts and lives to Jesus. 
• By the way... this morning's post is brought to you by Starbucks Cafe' Verona. Henry's Blend was replaced when Seattle's Best is approximately the same price as Starbucks. Seattle's Best should take note: I will drink your coffee EVERY TIME when your price point is considerably less than SB. When you're in the same price range (for me) you lose everytime. I've been drinking Seattle's Best for over a year. Just sayin'... 
• The iServe team was in full-effect yesterday morning... I loved serving with them (especially the post that I had the opportunity to work!). It looked like we had a good crowd to sign up to be a part of the weekly experience. We want to make Sunday's the best day of people's week - that doesn't just happen in the auditorium, it happens all around the campus. Let me know if you are interested in serving but didn't sign up.
• Next weekend's Guest Experience is going to be OFF THE CHARTS - that's all I'm gonna say about that!  
• ...and speaking of next week, don't forget, we begin the new series, "30 Days to Live". Do you have people you care about who are wasting their lives on the wrong things? Do everything you can to get them to be part of this series!  
• Been digging into some new music from some churches this morning: Elevation Church new worship CD, "God With Us" and Revolution Church "This is Revolution". I'm kinda diggin' Revolutions' single, "Turn this Town Around" - love the heart behind that song. The Elevation CD seems to be one i'll be personally worshiping with for a while.
• Yesterday was the last week before we begin our new schedule next Sunday. It's bitter-sweet because, although the new schedule will be easier personally on me I didn't mind the old one. I had the privilege of leading worship hundreds of more times because of the schedule... who can fault that? 
• That being said, those of you who are just attending hyde park with other connection: time to step it up - get involved in your church: join iServe and find a Bible Fellowship Group. And don't put it off; there is no better time than this Sunday. 
• Closed my day yesterday having fellowship with friends sitting in the patio area of "Friendly's"... I wonder, how are you investing in the lives of others outside the walls of church? 

Enjoy your Monday - see ya online or tomorrow right here.  

"ONE" Service This Sunday!

Next weekend, July 12th, we will begin our new worship schedule - 2Services, 9am and 10:30am but before we do we are going to have a BLOWOUT SERVICE this Sunday:

I love it when we do our "ONE" services on travel certain holiday weekends when we have large numbers of attenders out of town. We noticed last year that there were a few days per year where we had a large number of people out of town (The Sunday after Christmas, 4th of July, Labor Day). We looked at the numbers and decided that rather than stretch a thin crowd across 3 services we would just have "ONE" huge service. It isn't often that we get to have the majority of the church together at "ONE" time. This Sunday is one of those times...

People who go to 9:51 service will worship with people from 8:21 who will worship with people from 11.11 service. There are people in the 8:21 service DON'T EVEN KNOW PEOPLE who attend the 11:11 service (8:21 person: want a shock? Attend an 11:11 service and count how many people you actually know in there ). Here's what you'll experience this Sunday:

• we will worship with people who attend different times.
• we will have an extended service (which means a little more music )

• we will celebrate the Lord's Supper. 

• we will notice the presence of our revamped volunteer ministry, "iServe" 
• we will enjoy the tight presence of other believers  
• we will be disappointed if you miss this amazing day! 

This Sunday is "ONE" of those days - be here early and come with your heart prepared to meet with JESUS! And make sure you tell your friends (they may not know...).

Michael Jackson, Death and Friends

This has seemed to be the "week of death".

It began with Farrah Fawcett, the iconic female that many of my male readers had that famous poster on their walls (you remember, the one with the short-shorts, right?) passing last week. I wasn't shocked as I had heard that she was fighting cancer.

It then moved on to the death of Michael Jackson (of which I WAS surprised) on Thursday. For me, Michael had been out of sight, out of mind for a long while - I fully expected to see him again in the news, if not for a "comeback tour" or another wierd happening. I didn't expect that my next thoughts of him would be driven by a 24 news cycle capitalizing on his death.

On Sunday we heard about Billy Mays, the guy who sells cool, quirky things on TV. He is always pushing products that aren't quite needed enough to make me buy BUT ARE cool and intriguing enough to make me watch the commercial (or maybe it was the man filming the commercials - either way, I watched).

Finally, on Monday I get the news that a guy that I grew up with, went to school with and have basically known all my life had passed. The first thought was, "wow... he's my age" - you know, although I know this isn't a truth it sure does feel like "we're" too young to die. My second thought was about all of you who read me - that thought was, "are you prepared to die"?

The bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27 and 28, 

²⁷Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

You know, we're all sinners (Romans 3:23), those of us who don't believe it are only fooling ourselves. We all need forgiveness for that sin therefore God has paid the price through the death of Christ on the cross. You receive that forgiveness by opening your heart to Him and, well, receiving His forgiveness:

⁹That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ¹¹As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."^[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Friends, just because Jesus died for all sins does not mean that all is well with Him - don't believe it, check out Jesus' words to a very religious man in John 3. Do you understand that you can be religiously "lost"? With that in mind I ask, have you received His forgiveness?  Have you humbled your heart to Him? Have you admitted your prideful heart and the fact that you have lived for yourself? I would plead with you that you would call on His Name while it is still today for none of us are promised tomorrow.

With the fact in mind that none of us are promised tomorrow, we must LIVE TODAY! Beginning next weekend, July 12th, we will start a new series, titled, "30 Days to Live". Not only should this series be an eye-opener but hopefully an encouragement that there are many reasons that God has placed us here - may we not demean those reasons by living beneath their calling.

(By the way, if and when you pray to receive Christ how about letting me know - I would love to celebrate with you as well as send you some free info that deals with the next step in your spiritual life)

Song Story

This song has become "my song". I love it's words, it's melodies and most of all IT'S HOPE. The following is the story BEHIND the song - you gotta take 4 minutes and check this out:

 

 Now... here's the song:

Sunday Nite (on a Monday Morning)

What a beautiful beginning to our week! I never got around to posting yesterday's thoughts last night as I found myself catching up on some movies with my favorite lady. Here's what happened yesterday at hyde park:

• Good day yesterday as we tackled the subject of "The Wall". We covered a lot of scripture (Acts 10) and as we did we saw angels, miracles, a vision from God, people following what God says and the explosive opening of the door of the church that would eventually lead to our (yours and mine) salvation. Powerful, powerful passage of scripture!
• How open are we to God doing something that makes us uncomfortable if it will bring people to Him? I think that as we search our heart we will find that WE THINK that we are much more open than we actually are (that "We" includes me).  
• So we join our hearts together and pray: "God, help me to see Your plans regardless of my plans". If we would answer all of our doubts, questions and fears by actually believing and praying this... WOW! I believe there would be many miracles in this region. 
• Rhonda did an amazing job leading yesterday's services. As usual, I am so often reminded of how far God has allowed us to come in the area of our music. I thank JESUS for the leaders that He has given me the privilege of working and serving with. 
• Music yesterday was almost all off of our last CD, "Free" (with a few minor tweaks to arrangements): In Christ Alone, Sing to the King and Amazed. We haven't done amazed in quite a while - I was definitely loving that moment. 
• Moment of the morning for me: As we were singing "Amazed" in the 11.11 I was worshiping with my son, Matt; He was standing in front of me, his head leaning back on my stomach as we were singing together. I was singing the song: "You dance over me while I am unaware, You sing all around but I never hear the sound, Lord I'm amazed by You - how You love me"; As I was singing the words of the song and was "singing over" Matt I began to think that the love that I had for this little boy was SO huge - yet scripture says, it doesn't even begin to compare to the love that JESUS has for us... it was definitely an amazing moment in my life and another reminder of the great love of God.
• We began organizing yesterday for our new volunteer initiative, "iServe". Josh Shelley is going to be overseeing day-to-day operations of the Guest Experience at hyde park and met with a few of our great servers yesterday morning. If you are interested in getting involved in helping make Sunday's the best day of our people's weeks, contact Josh: iserve@lovinglumberton.com 
• Met some new people yesterday at hyde park and as usual, they fired me up! I love meeting people who are excited about becoming part of hyde park.
• Remember, next Sunday will be our "ONE" service @ 10am. I love it when we try to get everybody in the building at the same time! We are expecting to have an amazing day - I know that Pastor is preparing to "bring it" as we look towards our future at hyde park. We will also celebrate the Lord's Supper together. 
• On the week after that we will begin our new schedule: 9am and 10:30am. I hope that the new schedule encourages all of you to connect in a deeper way. To those not currently in a group, to a bfg... to those not currently serving to becoming a part of "iServe"... to those not currently reaching out to your friends, family, loved ones and work associates - we pray that God would remind you that THEY NEED Him and that YOU are the way they will find Him. Hyde Park teams with you in that effort. Let's turn this community upside down for His glory!