A few weeks back, I watched an 8-year-old in kids’ church as she started belly laughing at the So & So Show Bible Story video. She didn’t sing the songs perfectly, answer questions, or perform in any way, but Jesus was clearly her focus.

And in that moment, I was reminded of something important:

Before we ever expect anything from the next generation, we want everything for them!

We don’t start with performance. We start with presence.

Jesus made this clear in His own ministry:

“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14, NLT)

He didn’t say, “Let them come once they understand everything.”

He didn’t say, “Let them come once they behave.”

He simply said, let them come.

For KidMin Leaders

This should feel like a deep breath.

You are not called to build a ministry where kids perform for approval. You’re called to create space where kids can encounter Jesus.

That means success isn’t primarily measured by how well kids:

• answer questions

• sit still

• complete activities

It’s measured by whether they are seeing Jesus clearly through your teaching, your volunteers, and the environment you create.

Now let’s be clear; structure isn’t the enemy. Performance for approval is.

We plan. We prepare. We pursue excellence.

But all of that serves a greater goal: helping kids hear the truth about Jesus, trust Him, and begin to follow Him.

“Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.” (Psalm 34:11, NLT)

You’re not producing performers. You’re pointing to a Person.

Ask yourself:

• Are we rewarding right answers more than genuine curiosity?

• Do kids feel safer getting it wrong or staying quiet?

• Are our environments helping kids engage with Jesus or just comply with expectations?

For Parents

This changes the way we view our kids’ faith at home too.

Your child’s relationship with God isn’t about constant output; it’s about Who they are coming to know.

It’s not about having all the right answers.

It’s not about perfect behavior.

It’s about walking with Jesus over time.

“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them… at home and on the road, when you go to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, NLT)

Faith is formed in everyday moments:

• conversations

• prayers before bed

• car rides

• questions you don’t always know how to answer

Your role is to faithfully disciple…even in imperfect, ordinary life.

Ask yourself:

• Where can I invite spiritual conversation this week?

• When can I slow down enough to listen instead of correct?

• How can I model what it looks like to follow Jesus, not just talk about Him?

The Heart of It All

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to get something from the next generation before they’re ready.

The goal is that they would:

• know Jesus

• experience His love

• hear His truth

• understand they are known and called by Him

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1, NLT)

When kids truly encounter Jesus, everything else begins to follow:

Faith grows.

Character forms.

Obedience deepens.

Not because they were pressured to perform but because they’re learning to follow Someone they trust.

If kids leave our ministry knowing how to behave but not knowing Jesus, we’ve missed the point!

But if they meet Him, even imperfectly, we’re doing exactly what we were called to do.

So let’s not rush them.

Let’s not reduce faith to performance.

Let’s not ask for what should only come after they’ve experienced Him.

Let’s simply do what Jesus told us to do: Let the children come to Him. Don’t stop them.

Not that long ago, when kids had big questions, they usually walked into the kitchen.

Maybe a parent was cooking dinner.

Maybe dishes were in the sink.

Maybe the house was loud and messy.

But somewhere in that moment a child would ask:

“Why do people die?”

“Why are some people mean?”

“Does God hear my prayers?”

And a parent would pause.

Sometimes they had a great answer.

Sometimes they didn’t.

But those questions opened the door to something deeper.

Conversations about truth.

Conversations about faith.

Conversations about God.

Today, many of those questions never make it to the kitchen.

They never reach a parent.

They never reach a Bible.

Instead, they quietly disappear into a screen.

A child wonders something…

reaches for a phone…

and within seconds an algorithm begins answering.

The moment passes.

The question gets answered.

But the discipleship opportunity is gone!

No conversation.

No prayer.

No moment of seeking God together.

And slowly, without anyone planning it, a new habit forms.

When life raises a question…the first place we turn is the internet.

Which begs an important question for all of us:

Who is discipling our kids?

Discipleship Shapes Our Instincts

Discipleship isn’t just about what someone believes.

It’s about who they learn to turn to.

When life gets confusing…

when emotions get big…

when questions feel important…

Where do we go?

Jesus didn’t just give His followers information.

He invited them to walk with Him.

To ask questions.

To wrestle with truth.

To seek wisdom from their Father.

But today many kids are developing a different rhythm:

Question → Internet

Curiosity → Internet

Confusion → Internet

Boredom → Internet

The internet is fast.

It’s always available.

It always has an answer.

But information isn’t the same thing as wisdom.

And over time, the voice we turn to first becomes the voice we trust most.

The Internet Isn’t the Enemy

Technology itself isn’t the problem.

The internet can be incredibly useful. It helps us learn, discover, and connect.

But it was never meant to replace seeking God.

The danger isn’t that kids use the internet.

The danger is that they begin to trust it more than they trust the Lord!

Because the habit of discipleship isn’t just about knowing the right answers.

It’s about learning where to go for wisdom.

A Young Boy Who Learned to Listen

There’s a beautiful moment in Scripture where a child learns this lesson.

In 1 Samuel 3, a young boy named Samuel is lying down in the temple when he hears someone call his name.

“Samuel.”

He immediately runs to Eli the priest and says,

“Here I am. You called me.”

But Eli hadn’t called him.

This happens again.

And again.

Finally Eli realizes what’s happening. The Lord is speaking to the boy.

So Eli tells Samuel something simple but powerful:

“Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say,

‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

Samuel goes back and lies down again.

When God calls once more, the boy responds:

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

It’s a small moment, but it reveals something powerful.

Samuel had learned to listen for God.

Not search for answers somewhere else.

Not run to another voice first.

He was learning that the Lord speaks… and that His voice matters!

What if that became the instinct our children developed?

When life raises questions…

instead of immediately searching for answers…

they pause and say:

“Speak, Lord. I’m listening.”

Teaching Kids a Different First Response

Imagine if our children developed a different instinct.

Before searching… they paused.

Before scrolling… they prayed.

Before asking the internet… they asked God.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Stillness is becoming rare in a world filled with notifications.

But stillness is often where we begin to hear God again.

And one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is helping them learn that God is who they should go to first!

Three Simple Rhythms That Help Kids Seek God First

Parents don’t need complicated strategies. Small habits shape big behaviors.

Here are three simple practices that can help.

1. Ask One Powerful Question

When your child has a problem or question, try asking:

“Have you talked to God about that yet?”

It’s a small question, but it gently redirects their heart toward the Lord.

2. Normalize Pausing

When something stressful or confusing happens, pause together and pray.

It might only take thirty seconds.

But that moment teaches something powerful:

We go to God first.

3. Let Your Kids See You Seek God

One of the most powerful discipleship moments is when a child sees a parent say:

“I’m not sure what to do. Let’s pray and ask God for wisdom.”

That moment teaches far more than a lecture ever could.

It shows them that faith isn’t just something we talk about.

It’s something we live.

The Goal Isn’t Less Information

The goal isn’t raising kids who know less.

The goal is raising kids who trust God more!

Kids who know how to seek wisdom.

Kids who know where truth comes from.

Kids who believe God is present and ready to guide them.

One Final Invitation

Before YOU reach for your phone again today, try something different.

Pause.

Take a slow breath.

Be still for a moment and remember that God is near.

You don’t have to search for Him.

You don’t have to scroll to find Him.

He’s already here.

And maybe one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is helping them learn the simple prayer Samuel prayed:

“Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”

Before turning to the internet…turn to the Lord!

If you ask most kids in church what they know about God, the answer is usually quick and confident:

“God created me.” or

“God loves me.”

And that’s wonderful. It’s true. It’s central to the gospel.

But if we’re honest, that’s often where the conversation stops.

Many kids today grow up knowing that God loves them, but they’re missing two things that Scripture constantly ties to a healthy relationship with Him:

God’s presence  

and  

God’s holiness

Without those two realities, faith can quietly become something distant and casual.

God becomes someone who loves us somewhere far away instead of the holy, living God who is actually with us right now.

And when kids don’t grow up aware of God’s presence, they also tend to miss the weight of His holiness. Not a scary holiness, but a beautiful reverence that shapes how we live.

Scripture shows us this connection again and again.

When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, the first instruction was to take off his sandals because the ground was holy.

Why?

Because God was there.

The presence of God made the moment holy.

The same pattern shows up throughout the Bible. When people become aware of God’s presence, their hearts naturally respond with reverence, humility, and awe.

And the amazing thing is this: through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God’s presence isn’t limited to temples or mountains anymore.

God is with His people.

Which means our kids don’t just need to know that God loves them.

They need to learn that God is actually with them.

With them at school.  

With them on the playground or as they compete. 

With them when they make decisions.  

With them when they feel afraid or alone.

And when that awareness grows, something powerful happens.

Kids begin to live differently.

Not because they’re afraid of punishment.

But because they’re aware that the God who loves them is also right there with them.

So how do we help kids grow in that kind of awareness?

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

In fact, one of the simplest habits can make a huge difference.

Teach kids to start their day by turning their hearts toward God.

Before the phone.  

Before the noise of the day.  

Before the rush.

Before they even brush their teeth. 

Just something simple like this:

“Hey God.”

That’s it.

As soon as they wake up and become aware of the day beginning, they pause and acknowledge God.

“Hey God.”

It’s a small moment, but it does something important.

It reminds them:

God is here.  

God is near.  

God is part of my day.

Over time, that tiny habit helps kids learn to turn their hearts toward God not just in the morning, but all throughout the day.

Before a test.

Before responding to a friend.

When they feel frustrated.

When they feel grateful.

They learn that walking with God isn’t just something we talk about at church. It’s something we actually do in everyday life.

And this is where parents and the church work best together.

Children’s ministry can introduce the idea. We can model it, teach it, and talk about it.

But parents have the incredible opportunity to reinforce it in everyday moments.

Imagine what could happen if thousands of kids started their mornings the same way:

“Hey God. I know You’re with me today.”

A simple habit like that can quietly shape a lifetime of faith.

Because the goal isn’t just for kids to know information about God.

The goal is for them to walk with Him.

To grow up knowing that the God who created the universe loves them deeply, is with them always, and is worthy of their trust, their obedience, and their hearts.

That kind of awareness changes how a child lives.

And when kids learn to turn their hearts toward God early in life, it becomes something they carry with them long after childhood ends.

So parents and ministry leaders, here’s a simple challenge:

Teach the kids in your life to start the day by acknowledging God.

Not with a complicated prayer.

Just a simple turning of the heart.

“Hey God.”

Sometimes the smallest habits end up shaping the biggest faith.

In the 20th century, revival in America had a name: Billy Graham.

He preached to over 200 million people, stood on stadium stages around the world, and invited generations to come forward and give their lives to Christ. His message was simple, urgent, Spirit-filled — and it changed history.

But here we are in 2025, looking at a new generation, a new culture, a new digital world. And I can’t help but wonder:

Is God stirring revival again?
Not through preaching, but through worship.
Not in stadiums, but through Spotify.

And if so, could one of the unexpected voices of this movement be someone like Forrest Frank?

A New Kind of Altar Call

Billy Graham’s revival was built on proclamation.
He declared the gospel boldly and clearly, and people responded.
Tears. Salvation. Thousands walking forward to say yes to Jesus.

Today’s revival may be built on presence.

There’s something happening when Forrest Frank leads worship.
His voice isn’t booming — it’s gentle.
His lyrics aren’t complex — they’re vulnerable. They’re real.
They pierce through noise, distraction, and cynicism.

He’s not calling people to an altar; he’s inviting them back to the Father’s heart.
And people are responding.

Same Gospel. New Language.

Billy said:

“I can’t live the Christian life alone. I’m a failure. Billy Graham cannot live the Christian life. I’ve tried. I can’t do it. But with the help of the Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, I can live the Christian life. But He lives it through me.”

Forrest sings:

“Me, me, me, me. I need less of me.
Father, Son and Spirit — that’s who I call G-O-D.
I used to be a blind man until You let me see.
That who the Son sets free, You said, is truly free indeed.”

It’s the same message — grace — but wrapped in the sound of a generation that’s allergic to hype and hungry for honesty.

Forrest doesn’t perform at people; he invites people into something.
His songs feel more like prayers than performances.

This generation isn’t always moved by sermons.
But they are moved by presence.
They’re not always listening for a preacher’s voice.
But they are tuned in to the sound of authentic worship.

From Stadiums to Headphones

Graham filled arenas.
Forrest fills playlists.

But digital reach doesn’t make the message weaker — it makes it viral.

Just scroll social media:

• Videos of students weeping in their cars during spontaneous worship
• Dorm rooms turned into mini sanctuaries
• Youth groups gathering to sing Forrest’s songs because they feel like hope again

Could it be that the Spirit is stirring another awakening — one beat drop at a time?

Revival Through Return

Graham’s revival carried the call to repent.
This revival carries the call to return.

Return to the Father.
Return to joy.
Return to peace.
Return to Jesus — not religion, not performance — just Jesus.

That’s what Forrest Frank’s music whispers.
And in a loud world, a whisper can be more powerful than a shout.

Don’t Miss It

We shouldn’t dismiss this movement just because it doesn’t look like the last one.
In Billy’s day, revival looked like pews and pulpits and choirs.
In Forrest’s day, maybe it looked like streams and stages and synths.

Same God. Same Spirit. New sound.

We’re not waiting for revival.
We may be singing our way into it.

So, let’s keep our ears open.
Let’s keep our hearts soft.
And let’s not miss what the next generation is leading us into —

a fresh move of God, one worship song at a time.

(*Originally posted on the KidzMatter blog at https://www.kidzmatter.com/blog/billy-graham-forrest-frank-and-the-sound-of-revival)

Thank you Watermark Church for such an amazing conference! Here are some notes:

Session 1

Video: Church history of uniting in prayer. 

100 years of unbroken prayer. 

25 hour global cry for prayer 

We are united in mercy. 

Unity – pray for enemies. 

United in truth. 

Declaration of our shared faith – apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

“In the mighty name of Jesus and through the power of your spirit.”

Guided prayer. Start prayer. Now on your own pray over this. Now pray over that. Now pray for me. And wrap in prayer. 

TA – If you want to ask a girl out you need to be clear in your intentions. 

“I wonder if that’s been your experience in ministry when your dreams and reality went in two different directions?” What did you anticipate and what is your reality now? 

1 Chronicles 28 – David Commissions Solomon but the reality goes two different directions. 

Selah – A moment to pause and reflect in worship. Get out your journal and be ready. Not for what I am saying but what God wants to say to you, especially in the moment of Selah. Nothing forced here. No assumptions. 

1- What’s the state of your heart? 

Is it undivided? 

1 Chronicles 28 – a gathung of the who’s who. Basically a modern day conference. 

““And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Know deeply. Know interment. Know through experience. You can know the same God that I know. The same God who sustains me. Know and experience the same. 

Serve. A sense of worship to let your worship and labor be to the glory of God. 

Clarifying – know and serve Him with a whole heart. Am I divided heart. A willing and eager heart to accomplish His will. 

Why? The Lord cares about all of it. Your thoughts. Your plans. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. A promise. But if you forsake Him, He will cast you off, Solomon, forever. 

It takes intentionality to seek Him. 

What is the state of your heart right now? 

Open and willing to hear. Listening. Slowing down. In the midst of your spiritual glory days or looking at the past? Your best quiet times could be right now, today.

Beast Games – The game show with the largest prize in game show history. 5m that became 10m. To win you had to beat 999 other contestants. From the start, Mr. Beast was trying to get people to bail and settle. The people were convinced that in the end they wouldn’t win so they settled. Even church leaders need to be asked, “Have you started settling with God?” Do you expect God to be more satisfying today more than anything else? If you seek the Lord, He will be found by you. This is a promise. 

Have you stopped seeking? Have you stopped expecting to find God? 

Has the ministry of helping others seek and find God replaced YOUR seeking and finding of God? Your relationship with God shouldn’t exist for the sake of ministry. He wants so much more for us. He wants us. “I just want you.” 

David’s dream vs Solomon’s reality: 

“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬, ‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“A divided heart is when Jesus has competition for our affection, attention, and allegiance.”

Illustration: A phone sync’s to the wrong car. 

You might be in a moment when you don’t feel connected or hearing from God and that might be because your heart is synced to something or someone else. Seek and sync with Him. Go into the settings of your heart and forget the device. 

Popcorn on the couch. Am I relaxing or am I escaping? Forget the device.

Maybe your prayer should just be, “God, I want to want you again.” 

People who aren’t a drain but who just open your eyes to Jesus. 

Invitation: Not trying to manufacture something just slowing down enough to be available to whatever God wants in your life. Selah. 

2- What’s the status of your calling? Ask God. 

“So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And from among my sons—for the Lord has given me many—he chose Solomon to succeed me on the throne of Israel and to rule over the Lord’s kingdom. He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my Temple and its courtyards, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a bunch of kids but it’s Solomon who is called. 

Mark Twain two most important days are the day your born and the day your find out why. 

CHARLES SWINDOLE

“You have, like no other person on this planet, particular contributions that you are to make to this generation. They may not be as great as your dreams, or they might be far beyond your expectations; but whatever they are, you are to find them and carry them out.”

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.2.10.NLT

Union with Christ. A new identity in Christ. New power in Christ. New purpose. New hope. Created in Christ and for good works. Works God defines as good. Not our definition. 

What’s the status of your calling?

Have you put it on hold? Maybe you’ve made your calling about trying to keep people happy? It’s personal when people leave the church. Don’t make your calling about trying to keep people or keep them happy. Don’t put your calling on hold. 

Be a faithful voice not a generational voice. You may be called to influence locally and you are trying to be famous instead of faithful. 

Maybe you should let the dream die of who you are “supposed” to be? 

Steve Jobs, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

You aren’t called to crush every area of life. Maybe let the dream die on who you are supposed to be and instead live in what you are called to be. 

Or maybe you are playing it safe and trying to just keep your job. Get out of this prison. 

“Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The safest place to be is saying, “God these are battles worth giving my life for.” Where is God’s wind in your life. At your back or in your face. Sail boat or row boat. Are you striving and trying to get to where you are trying to get? Throw away the paddle, you don’t need it. Pitch the paddle and put up your sails. I’m going to go where you want me to go. The answer is yes. I’ll stay where you call me to stay because you are for me and with me. By the power of your Spirit. My sails are up and I’m just waiting for your movement. 

And if you are in your calling, praise God. He is praised in the valley and on the mountaintop. Selah. 

3- What’s the win?

Asked chat. Has Chuck Sinfol been involved in any scandals? No. Maintained a reputation for sound doctrine and integrity. This is an incredible win the THE win is not that you finish ministry well it’s getting to the end of the ministry without losing the wonder of the Gospel. 

“Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David declares these words because everything ascribed to him, he ascribed to God. Even this king has a king. I rule but am also ruled. David never gave up surrender. Greatness is living in Jesus. Power is Jesus voluntarily being crucified.  Jesus appeared to be conquered but defeated even death. He sat at the right hand of the Father because the work was finished. Glory because He is Lord. His reign will be realized by everyone in time. This is true victory. Don’t ever get over it. 

Track illustration. Terminology known as “the kick” when you begin to lift your legs higher. Don’t start your kick too early and burn out. Don’t wait and never start your kick. They don’t stop running but they never start raising. When is the best time to start your kick in ministry? You might have 30 years or a week. Start your kick now. Never lose the gospel. Press into Jesus. Remember your position in Him. Cling to Him. Finish well. Don’t lose the wonder of the Gospel. Get to the end of your ministry without losing the joy of your salvation. This is the win. 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is a lot of power in this one room. Stand and sing in this power. An anthem for the church. 

Rain: “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lord, water is this week. 

Breakout 1 – Watermark’s Way Forward: Our Priorities in 2025 – John Cox

Churches are encountering both new and old challenges while ministering to their congregations, and Watermark is no exception! Come hear about the issues Watermark is wrestling with and how we are addressing them. Topics for this breakout will include: strengthening our discipleship initiative, improving staff development, launching a church planting initiative, reaching the unreached, and harnessing artificial intelligence in our ministries.

Big opportunities and big problems. 

Discipleship: 

Abiding in Christ, we are making disciples, together. 

Used to say we can get people 2.5x a week. Sunday morning. Small group. Serving every other week. Today it’s less. Design a strategy to optimize the 2x a week to help them grow spiritually. Attend and be in community. 2 biggest reasons people leave watermark is it’s too big and they don’t like being in community. Community pieces serves the function of care as well as discipleship tool. Help people become like Jesus. God grows people. There is a sovereignty to God doing the work. 

Biggest surprises is how dramatic God changes people. Other surprises is who God changes. Other surprise is how little other people change. What are the common denominators of those who change and those who stay the same? Build a strategy around the outcome. Biggest indicator is how people think about God. If you really trust God then during hard times you lean in and grow. Focus on helping people see God clearly and truly. 

Another indicator is their spiritual growth strategy is doing it all themselves. In the “one another” passages we see God uses one another to help us be transformed. 

People + truth leads to life change. Left to ourselves we don’t grow how God designed us. 

Priorities need to be to help people come to church, and get into a group. Offensively inject discipleship. There are no perfect solutions but you get to choose your problems. Community structure means a small group of people to care for them but challenge comes because groups lock up. Best disciplers and established leaders are already assigned. More emphasis on curriculum to carry the load. Groups lead by great leaders do great but others are not thriving. Uneven groups with high highs and low lows. Now watermark is relying heavier on curriculum. The more mature people are is more about their growth in a relationship with Jesus. 

Discipleship

•   The target — full devotion
•   Relationship, not knowledge
•   Truth + coaching + community
•   Keep, stop, start
•   Challenges: time, “but” statements

Our best leaders produce our best groups. The best leaders are doing 3 things. 

They take initiative. Proactively reaching out. Removing conflict. Responsible for family. 

They make people feel cared for. 

Keep: What is this person doing that is honoring Jesus? I want them to keep doing these things so affirm them in that so it’s repeated. 

Stop: if they stopped doing something they will be more like Jesus. 

Start: what are they not doing that if they started doing it would make a difference in their discipleship. 

The answer is not behavior modification, it’s Jesus. 

How important is it to read your Bible? Both groups say extremely important BUT those who are actually growing and those who not just say it but do it. Those who sign up for “Join the Journey” are 3x more likely to be reading their Bible this year. 

Serving because so many people out there whose life is all about them. When we die to ourselves this looks a lot like serving. 

In community groups ask and talk about these things. Ask if you are serving. 

Watermark does a spiritual assessment to re-up for the year. Then talk about this in your community group. 

Watermark loses 10%-15% in their membership reup. They follow up with everyone. 7k members. 10k Sunday attendance. Some people would rather call watermark home but not sign membership because of the expectations of membership. 

Staff Care and Development. 

Watermark has a very young staff. Everyone wants to be developed. What does this mean to you? June 30th is their fiscal year. Ask everyone to develop a plan. Career advancement identification. What are the skills and experiences to get there? Those who thrive are self starters so how do you cultivate this. Pick 1-2 things to work on this next quarter. Yearly doesn’t produce urgency. 

Personal Development Plans

•   Career advancement
•   Skillset improvement

If someone wants to develop in speaking it’s not happening on Sunday morning. We can do this midweek and give feedback. Help your staff develop but put the onus on the employee and help keep them accountable. Their team leader is to help them grow. Watermark is not a culture that makes people do stuff so Leadr hasn’t been used much. Make people use the new software system. Be the bad guy at the beginning of this process. 

Performance improvement

•   Staff Training
•   Six working geniuses
•   Artificial intelligence

Learning Communities

•   Book studies, topical studies

Church Planting

•   Watermark has planted three churches (started as satellites)
•   Learning from other churches
•   Identifying church planting candidates for a residency program
•   Will tap into our Young Adult ministry

Watermark has viewed church planting differently through the years. It’s hard to be halfway committed to church planting. If everything is a priority then nothing is a priority. Watermark did satellite campuses. Core group from that area so take the church to them. Some satellites were reach satellites where they targets specific areas. Over time satellites wanted to be entrepreneurial and wanted to do things differently. Frustrating satellites because containing them. Elders felt responsible but didn’t know the people. 

Can be independent if: 

Have a leader/communicator. 

Have a goodly group of people to be elders

Can sustain yourself financially. 

A churches vision can evolve over time based on the leadership. Planting has evolved for watermark. Instead of sending 10-20 people they now send 50. Going to the Young adult ministry can asking for them to pray about being involved in a plant. Get critical mass to a new community. 

Submit church in NC planted 80 churches and 77-78 still going. Using college kids to be the critical mass. You can get a job anywhere, would you consider getting a job in this city? Be about the Gospel even working in the marketplace. 

Watermark will probably start a residency to launch church planting. Goal to get a cohort next year started. They aren’t trying to do satellites moving forward but to plant established or sister churches. 

If this is too big for you then I have 5 other suggestions. Confusion in the digital space when the church is named the same as the sending church. 

Salt church. Phoenix church. California church. 

Reaching The Unreached

• Historically, Watermark has partnered with indigenous partners internationally

• Beginning a partnership with Launch Global

• Tapping into our young adult population. 

Indigenous because it’s hard to be thrown out of the country. Unreached because it’s hard to reach them. Today the deaf community is 1% churches. It’s not just signing on Sunday mornings. This is the front door but it’s not the whole. Do you have signing for membership classes…for everything? Watermark is the opposite of “simple church” so partnering with send global to help. Sending young people to magnify the impact. You can’t do this with everything so choose what the Lord is calling you to do. 

You don’t have to figure out everything yourself. Figure out who is doing it well and learn from them. 

Artificial Intelligence – AI

• Message research and study tools

• Media and content creation

• Caring for young people 

• Church operations 

• Privacy concerns 

Content creation. Splicing a message to determine what will connect and go viral. Social media is the new word of mouth. Older people think about word of mouth and just want people to invite. Young people today use this tool. 

Going forward your content will not be what distinguishes you from others. Great content will be everywhere. AI means great content is everywhere. Now what will distinguish you is connection. How you make people feel? 

Software. Copilot – use internal data behind a firewall. Learn about them from the software without data and privacy concerns. 

Can we develop spiritual growth plans for individuals based on AI? Here is your spiritual growth plan for the next year based on YOUR data. It’s personalized, intentional, and smart. Make a plan so the fruit of the spirit is growing in my life. 

AI is a great tool but it’s only a tool. You need to be filed with God’s Spirit more than anything. 

Breakout 2 – How to Improve Your Physical Health – Luke Friesen

TODAY’S AGENDA

• Why improving physical health matters

• Pillars of physical health

• Taking your next step

• Disclaimer – this is not medical advice; talk to your doctor

WHY THIS MATTERS

• Physical training is of some value, though not ultimate (1 Timothy 4:8) “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• We are to honor God with our bodies, His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• The healthier we are, the more energy (and Lord-willing, time) we will have to devote to

loving God and loving others. We hope to add life to our years, and not just add years to

our lives.

• Physical issues can be symptoms of, and serve to highlight, spiritual and/or sin issues to

address: control, vanity, gluttony, sloth, etc.

Medicine 1.0 – surgery, antibiotics

Medicine 2.0 – focus on curing things after they happened. Medicine

Medicine 3.0 – focus on prevention. Avoid the 4 horseman. Also focus on empowering consumer to take control of their own health. 

PILLARS OF PHYSICAL HEALTH

• Sleep

• Exercise

• Nutrition

• “Prioritize sleep, move consistently, and eat right (most of the time)”

Moderation in all things…including moderation in its own sake. 

SLEEP

• The importance of sleep: it’s the bedrock of mental & physical health

• How much sleep to get: 7-9 hours a night

• How to get better sleep: light exposure (good kind and bad kind), food timing, consistency, environment, stress management, and supplementation. Good light is found in morning sunlight, even if just 5 minutes to keep circadian rhythm. Wavelength of sunlight: yellow from sun and blue from atmosphere is the exact light we need to program our bodies for circadian rhythm. 

Don’t allow bad light in your eyes at night. Screens. LED. Use Philips hue lights so amber dimmed lights. 

Bedtime routines. 

Mattress water cooled topper – 67 degrees. Get cold to help fall asleep. 

Temperature – colder is better. High 60’s. 

Food timing – don’t eat within a couple hours of sleep. 

Consistency – workday vs weekend. 45 minute window is okay. 

Stress management – thoughts in the middle of the night. Remember the truth: “The Lord gives sleep to those He loves.” Amplify stress. 

Disciplined breathing: Full inhale through mouth, top off, full exhale through mouth. 

Supplementation: as needed not a crutch. Magnesium is helpful. Less melatonin then you think so 1/2 gram. 

NUTRITION

It’s impossible to outwork a bad diet. Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. Pounding a donut: 10 seconds to eat vs half hour of hard running. Every bite is a choice in a direction of health. 

• Calories: “a calorie isn’t a calorie”; avoid consistent caloric imbalance; IFFM, “hand”

method. 100 calories of chips is different than 100 calories of almonds. Pay attention to the climate more than today’s weather. If it fits your macros. You can eat ice cream as long as it fits your macros. 

• Food choices: get enough protein; don’t eat too much sugar; eat your fruits & veggies. Know what you need. Dexa scan to know calorie needs. 

Plant protein is less effective for your body than animal protein. Probably half. Number of pounds you weigh is the amount of protein in grams. Reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet. Be careful with hyper palatable foods. There’s nothing wrong with dessert, just don’t eat it within breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Increase protein and decrease added sugar. 

• Supplements: protein, omega 3’s, creatine, vitamins, pre/probiotics. Morning shake with whey protein. Do a blood draw to see what vitamins your body needs to supplement. Gut is referred to as our second brain. The systems talk with each other. 

Consider a food journal or food log. Self assessment. Audit your normal. Filter at the grocery store because if it’s home it’s getting eaten. Focus on your home court advantage first. 

Adults should have less than 20 grams of added sugar each day. Coke is 39 grams. 

EXERCISE

• Cardio: “getting your steps in” / moving more; Zone 2; VO2 Max. Standing desk, walking treadmill. Fit things into life instead of adding things into your life. Walking and getting steps in. Walk for 10 minutes after you eat. Do “Exercise snacks” like taking the stairs. Zone 2 is a light jog where you can still talk in sentences. VO2 Max test shows longevity. 

• Strength: “the fountain of youth”; bone health; fall risk; not just for gym bros. General curve after 40s where your body stops growing new muscles and trying to maintain. Fall prevention is toe strength. 

• Stability: learning how to move; preventing injury. ChatGPT can critique your form. Upload a video of your squats. 

TAKING YOUR NEXT STEP

• The progression: Motivation -> Discipleship -> Habit -> Passion. Motivation is not enduring. Discipline is doing it even when you don’t feel like it. Eventually systems get built and a habit is formed because this is just what you do. Focus on the first two minutes to build a habit. It might stay a habit or it might move into who you are and become a passion.

• Starting & Building new habits: Obvious, attractive, easy, satisfying; consistency

through adaptability; “walk with the wise”. Atomic Habits – in theory consistency is about disciple. In practice consistency is about becoming adaptable. Find different ways to show up. Adaptability is the way to consistency. 

• The “mind game”: Identity; self-talk; prayer. Realize if you have an inner fat kid. 

Think about how you might respond if someone offered you a cigarette. There’s a difference between “no thanks I’m trying to quit” vs “no thanks, I’m not a smoker.” 

Don’t think, “I hate running” but instead think I wonder when I’m finally going to go all day. Self talk is so limited. What are you telling yourself? “All day baby” “I am a person who makes great food choices.” “Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels.” “I don’t have to eat it just because it’s there.” “Food is not the fix.”

HELPFUL RESOURCES

• Podcasts: Church Leaders Podcast episode 119 – “Physical Health and the Church

Leader”; Huberman Lab; Squat University; The Drive (Attia)

• Books: Every Body Matters (Thomas); Eat Move Sleep (Rath); Atomic Habits (Clear);

Back Mechanic (McGill); Outlive (Attia); Breath (Nestor) Protocols (not released yet). 

• Apps: HabitShare; MacroFactor; RP Diet Coach; My Fitness Pal; Athletic Truth Group

• Misc: Human Locomotion Fall Prevention Protocol, AI.hubermanlab.com

Ezekiel bread. 

Costco single serve guacamole. 

Costco Canned 50 grams of chicken. 

Session 2

“It’s just dinner with Shane and Shane.”

Consolation prize: it’s just chips and sals with Josh O’Neal. 

Human zoo where they will be in the lobby. 

Lord wake us up to your presence and goodness. 

The advocate. The helper. The indwelling presence of God. 

… No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

It is done it is finished

No more debt I owe

Paid in full

All sufficient merit now my own

It is done it is finished

No more debt I owe

Paid in full

All sufficient merit now my own

It’s now my own

Read the last two chapters of the book and remember how well it goes for you. Remember the end of the story and walk in that knowledge. Your future is so bright. Regardless of any darkness today know the future is so good. Jesus is our source and we must cling to the finished work of our King. 

Sing song. Tag a verse or chorus of a new song. Preach the truth about that song. Then start the new song again. 

I know how the story ends. We will be with you again. You’re my savior my defense. No more fear in life or death. 

Fear and anxiety rule this generation….

John McGee 

Many buildings, one cornerstone. 

Many sheep, one shepherd. 

Many voices, one song. 

Many ministries, one message. 

Everyone was prayed for by name. 

The heroes of this conference are not the staff. Not the speakers. You! Watermark displayed the names of all the churches because those are the heroes. We raise this banners. 

9th year of CLC. Themes: Not quitting. Integrity. Care for your own soul. Caring for your family. Today is a new time. There was a time to plead with you not to quit and today there is a waitlist. There is revival happening across college campuses. UK is seeing many people coming to Christ. They are praying for a 3rd great awakening. Muslims are seeing a man in white. Global 25 hour prayer meeting. 

It’s go time! 

We have been trying to hang on for a season but the page has turned and now God is on the move. Take your next bold step of faith. 

What would it look like to move from here to there? 

Listen to God

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.” John‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Not a vending machine prayer where you shake it hoping something falls out. Rather know that if you’re not hearing it’s because you aren’t listening. 

God speaks through His word, His Spirit, and His people. 

““There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What would it look like for you to just listen. Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. Hear from God as a regular habit. 

New York Dome of Central Station – talking crystal clear across the way. 

Our Father wants to speak to you right now, listen. Put yourself and your church in a place to listen. 

Trust God

3 seasons of a leader’s life. Young leaders are anxious. They think: this isn’t happening fast enough. I think somewhere along the way I made a wrong turn. And none of this makes sense. In the OT we see a gap from hearing from God and it happening. Joseph thought he made a mistake. Starting by dodging spears doesn’t make sense. 

Trust He is doing something in you before He does something through you. 

Don’t skip the pattern. Trust God now. 

Middle season – the lifespan of a church leader. 

Are you going to trust God now the way you did in the past. Now you have stuff and you don’t have to work as hard, do you trust God. Do you hold onto your stuff. Remember the day you were younger and trusted God if He took everything away. Don’t waste this season. 

Older season – God has a unique role for you. In the Bible there’s no retirement isn’t true. Priest hit 50 and took a step back. Basically butchers doing hard work. Assist the brothers in performing their duties. Are you going to be comfortable moving a sign and championing the next generation. Be a historian and strengthen the next generation with stories where God shows up. Tells us the story with decades in mind of God’s faithfulness. “Chronologically superior.” Finish well. Moses hit the rock instead of talking. The inditement is he didn’t trust God. America needs spiritual mothers and fathers. Finish well by strengthening the next generation. 

Being a sense of urgency. 

Churches who are nice and churches who are effective. Busy vs on mission. Those who feel the best days are behind them or before them. 

“But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Nehemiah‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here is terrible and there is bright and that’s where we are going. Pursue excellence instead of starting something new. 

Watermark is sending people because God said and there is a sense of urgency. 

Iceland Herring Fishing Museum – in the 40’s they discovered the fish. Oil boom but with fish. This saved the country. A way to make money. Last year they caught zero herring. The assumption is there will always be fish there. I was faithful in the moment and brought urgency to it. When the fish move off, I would hate for us to miss it. Find a way to listen. Trust Him. Translate the urgency for this moment. 

• Urgency of listen and obey? Communicate this. 

Global Prayer Gathering

Jenny Allen – Gather 25

Revival is here. Right now. 

Every denomination. 7 Continents. 

30-100m people in the underground church in china. In the 70’s we didn’t know of Christians in china. 

AI came along at the right moment. 

86 languages participated. 

225 countries and territories. 

None of this happened outside of God. We didn’t strategies we just obeyed. Even the day before wondering it it will happen. God wants His church to be unified in mission and purpose. 

We have a few years on earth and we have a purpose. It’s time for the church to mobilize around the purpose God called us to. 

What did you learn about bringing people together? Listen to God. Living in the mystery. Lucy on the back of Azlan riding in Narnia. Maybe I put God in a box. Maybe there’s more. This is a moment of awakening. What does this require of us? Surrender everything and do what He says. 

How do you ride a lion? It can be brutal to fully surrender to God and to obey. You may lose it all but that’s okay if we are obeying God. I don’t care if it’s an embarrassment because we are obeying. He needs people who will say, “Yes Sir.” Don’t be confused. If God is moving and the miracles are happening trust. 

To ride a lion live with the pride and be friends with the lions. Stay right there. Nothing on earth is worth missing what You are doing.

Do you ever want to quit? Almost everyday. Until it existed so many Red Sea moments where God has to show up tonight. Needing 2.5m that day and praying. God shows up that day. The risk is worth it. 

The gathering of the church every other year isn’t the story. Being on mission and remembering why we are doing it is what matters. 2.5b is the goal. 

Most encouraging is revival. Stories of revival. Every week seeing revival in every place. Thousands receiving Christ. Baptized 10k. 

In revival we see the same 3 things. 

Confession. 

Clear response to the Gospel. 

Baptism. 

When the harvest is ripe you labor and it comes easy. Sometimes there is no fruit and we labor on. Prepare for the jump to the church. Revival is coming. 7k were baptized this past weekend in California. Do you want revival in your church? We can’t make it rain but good farmers prepare for it. 

Be in the room where the alter is empty but we are giving it our best. So what. Do it again. What if the third time someone comes forward? We have to realize there are so many who are blind. What are we doing if Hell is real, this is it. It’s not a one year plan on each book of the Bible, it’s bringing the Good News to everyone and saving souls. Why are we doing it? To grow the church? To be fat and without a purpose? No, to share Jesus and save souls. 

Say yes to God together. There are no sacred cows. What if Jesus was coming back in our lifetime. The end of Schindler’s list movie – he thinks about how this could have saved 2 more. 

Hear from God. Action what they hear. Bring other people along. 

God I need you today! Not just eventually some day. Today! 

Use us Lord. Not eventually, today!

Session 3

Shane and Shane skit. 

We love to have fun. What we do is series but we still pause for fun. March Madness losers bottom 5 basketball team playing an 8 game season at the rec league. 

Guided prayer. Quiet your hearts. Bring this before the Lord. 

We know the end of the story, how about we live in that trust. 

Blake Holmes

Scrub brush: The source of marital conflict. 

Cleaning the scrub brush in the dishwasher. 

We can argue and we can divide over some of the dumbest things. 

Undivided theme of this year’s conference. 

“Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The discernment of a servant-leader (23)

On one hand we are called to do this and also we are called in verses 14-16 or 1 tim 4:7 to avoid some argument and also we wage the good warfare and to guard the good delistit entrusted for you. To contend for the faith. When are we to lean in and when to know we are arguing about things that are not important. We need a framework for the conversations. 

Essentials – what distinguishes us as Christian’s. Resurrection of Jesus. Saved by grace through faith. 

Convictions – what distinguishes us in our churches. Baptism. Believers baptism vs infant. A great friendship and unity where we follow and love Jesus. 

Opinions – what divides Indian believers even in the same church. School choice. Homeschool or Christian or public. No book, chapter, verse on these areas. Conversations about the merit of differences. 

Questions – unanswered with all sorts of opinions. Genesis and dinosaurs. 

As leaders we navigate a tension within these areas. Discern what we are really talking about. 

It’s a problem if we don’t contend for the faith and don’t care about the essentials. It’s also a mistake to drive the questions into the center and hold them as essentials. 

The demeanor of a servant-leader (24-25a)

Not quarrelsome but kind to everyone. Correcting with gentleness. How we argue is just as important. Be patient in my with difficult people. “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” 1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Growing up at family dinner. With a hammer everything looks like a nail. Learn the demeanor matters. Do kindness, patience, and gentleness mark your ministry and conversations. 

Are you better know for what you are against than what you are for?

Do you need to have the last word? 

Do you interrupt to make your point?

Do you ever refrain from sharing your opinion?

When was the last time you admitted to being wrong? 

Would others consider you a good listener? 

Do you talk the most in every conversation? 

How was the last election in your church? On your social media? 

There are a lot of people I agree with but still don’t want to have dinner with them and I don’t want that to be true of me. 

The dependence of a servant-leader (25b-26)

We are in a spiritual battle. Our dependence is not on our ability to argue but God’s Spirit who convicts and draws people. Our role is to be faithful and responsible and able to give a defense while being respectful. 

So many church hurts where Christianity is associated with a scrub brush. I’m sorry but let me tell your that you would really like Jesus. 

David Bruskas

We are united on mission. Matthew 28:19

As leaders in the church we should be leading in the area of making disciples who make disciples. You can not impart what you don’t possess 

Conviction – I’m not so sure our biggest thread is sinning against God while on mission but settling. How do we look at our family? Job satisfaction? And finances? 

“A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A pattern in the gospel. When large crowds gather He speaks His hardest words. Why are we so enamored with crowds in churches today? 

Love others the way He has loved us. 

Hyperbole – love Him and be loyal to Him so much that we hate in comparison. He is so worthy in comparison. 

Just as the Father has loved the Son, He loves you. To infinity and beyond. Once and for all. Now abide in this love. A gift to be recorded not a goal to be achieved. 

Profile of a Disciple:

A disciple is loyal to Jesus above all people. 

Sorry, I can’t do this, He is first. 

David grew up praying for a son who would change the world. His son was born with a serious heart defect. Am I going to choose to be loyal to Jesus or my son. Who is going to be most important to me. His son passed away. We need to tell Jesus we love Him most. 

Who do you love most? 

Do you need to reorder your relationships?

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This statement is offensive to the Roman’s. Like tying your own noose. 

2 deaths at the cross. Jesus died and we died. Gal 2:20. 

Following Jesus is not about you. 

We take our desires and ask Jesus to bless them. We take our goals and claim God called us to do it. 

“Instead of bringing our ambitions to Jesus as worship, we use Jesus to worship our own ambitions.”

Durango land purchase. Holy Spirit said no. When you retire you can be a really good volunteer. 

What are you pursuing today that isn’t on Jesus heart? 

What dreams need to die?

A disciple is loyal to Jesus above all people, all pursuits, and all possessions. 

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus doesn’t reduce the law. He brings it up a notch and fulfills it. Not 10% but everything. We manage the stuff for His mission. None belongs to you. Put Jesus on the title. We manage His stuff. 

How disconnected are you from your neighbors? Is your home a refuge for you to hide in? It’s not really your home. He wants you to be hospitable.  Neighbors change. Amazing properties where the church is dying while others are exploding and need space. The churches holding on to a dying church think this is how the mission. Everything belongs to Jesus. Every square inch. Help us steward your stuff on mission. 

What are you holding onto today that belongs to Jesus? Is there anything you need to give up or give away?

“Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What good is a cell phone without a charge? What does it mean to be in the crowd of Jesus but not willing to listen to Him? 

Are we drawing crowds or discipling Christ followers? Are we building a brand for our church or making disciples? 

—-

Session 4

What can we do to invest in young leaders? 

Grant Skeldon @grantskeldon

I wouldn’t be who I am today, or where we am today without ______. 

In the church today do you hear that young people are leaving the church? They are deconstructing? They are church hopping? They are crippled by debt? 

What’s working with the next generation? 

Why are some leading? What are the common factors? How do you normalize these practices? 

Identify and normalize. 

Pivotal guide. 

Book: Hero with a thousand faces. 

The heroes journey. 

You make fun of the millennial participation trophies YET you gave it to us. 

LINCHPIN LEADER

Someone who radically impacts the heros journey. 

We don’t have a next gen problem. We have a discipleship problem.

Mentorship is adding something to your calendar. Discipleship is including someone in your calendar

Here’s what you can join me for. 

“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The next generation is saturated with content, yet starved for connection. 

You can’t say it to everyone but you can someone. Who is that someone for you? 

The next generation is leaving not because we asked them to do too much but too little. 

What was the sermon about 6 weeks ago? How has your life changed? What have you applied?

It’s not because they don’t care. It’s how retention works. 5% with hearing a lecture. 10% reading. 20% audio visual. 30% demonstrating. Passive learning runs the risk of consumerism. 

How did Jesus operate the most? How does the church today operate the most?

Prophetic affirmation. A person who notices and verbalized a gift in you. The mentor and the talisman. Speak identity and confidence into the next generation. I see in you. ICNU. 

We can’t remember a sermon from 6 weeks ago but we can remember the ICNU moment 20 years ago. Don’t fight with one hand tied behind your back. Both the sermon and the conversation are both important. 

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Silent gratitude is worthless.” John Maxwell

What can you say to a young person that will impact their life?

Contagious Culture. An organization or community with a great culture or high standard. 

It’s like a pebble in your shoe that you carry with you. 

Imagine you are the manager of a restaurant. One recruit has worked at long John silvers. One recruit has worked at Arby’s. One recruit has worked at CFA. Who are you hiring? CFA because of their culture. 

What you count, and what you celebrate, creates your culture. 

Did you ever have a season where you joined an environment or culture that significantly raised your standards and level of excellence?

Ridiculous Responsibility

“Maturity doesn’t come with age; it comes with acceptance of responsibility” Ed Cole

Can you remember being thrust into a situation and just asked to figure it out? This makes you learn, grow, seek the Lord. 

“What in the world were you thinking?” 

There’s a difference between crushing someone and stretching someone. 

Crucial Feedback

Someone who gives you hard but helpful feedback that actually changes you.

Timely insight. 

Compass questions. A question posed to us when we were younger that still serves as a guide and filter for discerning major decisons today. Do you want to impress Christian’s or live like Jesus? Jesus didn’t care about crowds. 

Timely Connections

Someone who introduced you to monumental figures in your career. 

Slingshot Moment

Someone who encourages you to take your vision to the next level and then puts their neck on the line for your lack of experience or resources so you can accomplish the major initiative.

They Cover Your Weaknesses

FINANCES

EXPERIENCE

CONNECTIONS

Slingshot Moment

Did anyone ever encourage you to take your vision to the next level and put their neck on the line for your lack of experience or resources?

Grateful: 

What person helped impact who you are today?

Next Step: 

Who is someone you get who you could be intentional with? 

—

Don’t let your ambition outpace your submission. 

Seek First the kingdom. It’s crazy that you would trust Jesus with your eternity but you wouldn’t trust Him tomorrow. 

If you find yourself behind bars, polish them. 

David’s own dad didn’t believe in him. His brothers didn’t. He was picked to be king yet willing to deliver food to his brothers. I sing songs for the king yet is willing to battle the giant. 

If you’re young and want to get discipled, pursue it. Find out what they like to do for fun and get into that. Sneak your way into their busy schedule. 

What 1% do you have in common? Start there. 

Don’t forget about us. Us meaning young women. 50% of the congregation should not be sitting on the bench. 

The churches who are crushing it are focused on the next generation. Don’t forget young adults. Prioritize them. 

“Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s hard but worth it. Continue even when it’s hard. 

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

End by Prayer for those 30 and below. 

—

Breakout – Sabbaticals: Understanding the Value & Logistics of Productive Rest – Wes Butler

Rhythms of rest and sabbath are woven into the fabric of creation and of our faith as a means of restoration, healing, and continued fruitfulness. This breakout considers the value of sabbaticals for vocational ministers as a means of respecting these God-given rhythms of rest and discusses best practices for employing them for those who serve your church.

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear to tell the truth will praise him, while liars will be silenced.” Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Wes had a season of a weariness issue where a break was needed. A “survivical”. 

How to institutionalize this for the sake of our staff? Retroactive? 

A beautiful gift as well as a stripping away. Those who find their identity and joy in what you get to do see this. 

“God made me fast and when I run I feel His pleasure.” But if this is the source of our greatest joy it’s an issue. 

Defining Sabbatical

Sabbatical and Sabbath come from the same Hebrew root, which means to stop, cease, desist, pause, or rest.

The dust bowl. Cultivating soil in a way that was not intended to be used and all the soil became depleted. Worn out soil incapable of producing what the land was intended to produce. 

““Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you have entered the land I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath rest before the Lord every seventh year. For six years you may plant your fields and prune your vineyards and harvest your crops, but during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. Do not plant your fields or prune your vineyards during that year. And don’t store away the crops that grow on their own or gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. The land must have a year of complete rest.” Leviticus‬ ‭25‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Genesis 1 – work and rest. 

“The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon, and they became servants to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said.” ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭36‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Why of Sabbatical

• The practice of devotion (Mary vs Martha)
•   The practice of releasing control (release the weight)
•   The practice of trusting in God’s provision 
•   The practice of replenishing your soul (You can have self care without soul care but it’s difficult to have soul care without self care. Put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Stay connected to the vine.)

Me leaving gives others empowerment to lead. Give others the opportunity to step up and lead. 

Book: David Murray – Reset

Just because we are pastors doesn’t mean we are not Christian’s. Also just because I’m a Christian doesn’t mean I’m not a person. 

The Biblical Command of Sabbath

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I

give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath to the LORD. For six years you shall sow your

field, and for six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, but in

the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to

the LORD. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap

what grows of itself in your harvest, or gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It

shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.”

Leviticus 25:2–5 (ESV)

The Biblical Command of Sabbath

“He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they

became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of

Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had

enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill

seventy years.”

2 Chronicles 36:20–21 (ESV)

WHY SHOULD YOU??

• The practice of devotion

• The practice of releasing control

• The practice of trusting in God’s provision

• The practice of replenishing your soul

HOW TO PLAN FOR SABBATICAL

1. PLAN FOR DEPARTURE

Who will be responsible? Do the people know the plan? Do you need to get a burner phone for a time? 

2. PLAN FOR IMPERFECTION

Set expectations to know your plan and expectations might not line up. James reminds us, “If the Lord wills.” 

3. PLAN FOR PEACE

Time away can be very sweet. 

4. PLAN FOR ADVERSITY

Pruning and rebuilding can be hard. Bring these to your community. 

5. PLAN FOR REENTRY

Jet lag is real. Plan for reentry. Tap out at 3:00 and don’t dive right back into the deep end. Take it slow. 

SABBATICAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

• Length of Service? (7 year mark? 10 years and every 7 after?) Staff level, lead pastor role vs assistants?

• Length of the Break? (8 weeks? 3 months? Extended time? Withdrawal season. Impact on PTO? Impact on staff and timing issues?)

• Focus of the Time? (Producing something? Working sabbatical? Restful time?)

• Accountability for the Time? (Present how you intend to use the time? Who did you spend time with? Expectation to check in?)

• Provision for the Time? (Change in pay or extra to spend for the time? Watermark gives 3k for specific use.)

• Resources for the Time? (Sabbatical coach? Mapping the time out? 

Help process the pruning moments? 

Gospel Care Collective – sabbatical coaching. 

Eden Project – sabbatical coaching. 

Andy Crouch – praxes. Quitting job every 7 years and prayer on what’s next. 

Book – The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene H. Peterson

Don’t bail on being a Christ follower during your sabbath. You need community. You need to be poured into. It just might look different in this season. 

Different tiers for the nature of different positions, stresses, and responsibilities. BUT don’t let your policy be the driver of all these decisions. Stay sensitive to the Spirits leading beyond any policy. 

Main Stage 5

Before we begin singing think about praising God. What are 3 things you want to praise God for?

Reading psalm 23 during worship. 

Sometimes He has to force you to rest. 

In this moment, ask the Lord…what do you still have for me?

So, what could be better

Than walking with Him when I believe?

He has good plans

He has good plans for me

So, I will take heart in deserts and gardens

He has good plans

He has good plans for me

If I know my Father

I know my Father has

400 people on the waitlist that didn’t get in. We want to united the church of God. Unsure what to do with the waitlist other than 2 conferences. Apt 27-28 and 29-30. 

JD Greear

Planting 1000 churches! 

Young people means a lot of potential church planters and missionaries. 

Goal is striving to become the most multiplying church in America and we want to help you become better than us. 

Strive for multiplication. The metric for success shouldn’t be seating capacity but sending capacity. 

Rodney Stark says when the last apostle died by the best estimates there was a grand total of 7530 believers. The movement wasn’t that big. 

The century of the mega church. Audiences sizes the apostles would never be able to fathom. Bigger churches yet the percentage of Americans attending church has gone down and not up. 

““I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said, “Greater works.” Has anyone ever preached better than Jesus? Counseled better than Jesus and the woman at the well? 

The impact would be greater because God’s Spirit would be with everyone. 

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To our advantage that Jesus went away. The Holy Spirit coming on ordinary believers was even better than Jesus staying. 

Where we celebrate success is in those who gather the most people. Jesus said the greater works is manifested when more leaders are raised up in the believers. 

We are the only movement in the world that morns decline while villainizing growth. 

Continue striving to grow big, just don’t stop there. 

Take a stick of dynamite and shoot it in the air did it do what it’s designed to do? Loud bang but just smoke. Put it in the mountain and the bang is quiet but impactful. Growing leaders is not as loud as growing crowds. It might not feel like revival but it is. 

Lack of an intentional plan. Discipleship doesn’t just happen. Your church will never rise to the level of your sermons, you fall to the level of your systems. 

Winston Churchill’s biggest liability was his speaking ability. The hard work was not the speech but the hard work to bring change. 

Growth Track – 5 identities 

Worshipper show up and do a quiet time. 

Family member. Groups. 

Serving – on a team

Steward – time and treasure

Witness – at least one you are sharing Christ with.  

This is the heart of the great commission. 

Book: Born to reproduce. (One verb in the great commission is to make disciples. The others are participles and extensions of the verb.) 

If we got good at discipling multiplication would take care of itself. 

Chan. Long gone are the days where we should be content with those who sing out loud, don’t divorce, and…

Have a plan to fall out men and women’s for ministry. 

Best predictor of a good Christian movement is how many young people you are raising up for ministry. 

Invitation when growing up you get saved, redecorate, or surrender to ministry. Call out the called. Not just a witness with your life but go into Christian ministry. 

Idolatry. 

As the pastor you might be the biggest barrier to multiplication in your church. Sending out your very best people. Those who volunteer to go on mission or church plant are not those who sit the sideline. Your leaders. Your friends. This is not good for your church. 

Church plants are like teenagers. They want your money, your encouragement, and to be left alone. 

Give a headhunting license to those who you are sending. 

Get your hands off my church. God doesn’t give churches to pastors he gives pastors to churches. 

Cloak self ambition in doing this all for Jesus. 

Hearing God’s voice. Not audible but louder and more real than had it been audible. 

Thy kingdom come not my kingdom come. Are you asking God to grow your church for selfish ambition? Are you thinking what’s best for me or for His kingdom. 

John compares himself to the best man at a wedding. Everyone is looking at the groom and the bride. We don’t get together to direct attention on ourselves. Do things God’s way. 

Come and die

Fear – 

God only multiples what we sow. Unless a grain of wheat goes into the ground and dies nothing grows. 

Irony is we know how to teach people this in regard to money. Give the first and the best. Give and honor God and watch how He multiplies it. In our churches give our first and our best. God multiplies. You can not out give God. 

In sending people for church plans they see that for every 1 person sent there are 30 worshipping. 

What if just a fraction of this embraced this? 

Maybe the problem isn’t that God’s power is in short supply but that we deviated from His plan. 

What if God was bringing us back to our roots of disciples making disciples? We might be beginning the greatest chapter of the history of the church. 

Andy Bernard: “I wish there was a way to know you were living in the good old days before you actually left them.”

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.” Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

His work done in His way! 

Thank you for listening to the D6 podcast or attending the D6 breakout!

Here are 280+ examples for you to look through! LINK

Remember the 3 Keys:

1. Purpose – why this role exists. Who do I report to?

2. Responsibilities – 5–7 clear action areas. What am I responsible for? 

3. Wins – how we know it’s working. What does success look like?

Live Updates: Insights and notes from the D6 Family Ministry Conference

Note: I’ll be updating this post over the next 3 days with all my breakout and session notes. Check back in for live updates and follow along on social media with #D62025

Tech’s Big Three – Nathan Sutherland

Breakout 1

Address smartphones, video games, and pornography with grace, hope, and confidence.

Use tech to support the purpose, not distract from it. 

Average age of a gamer in US – 36

Candy crush players are considered gamers. 

God doesn’t help you manage sin, He kills it. 

“I wasn’t gaming for fun, I was medicating with video games.“

Jesus and his disciples:Do you love me more than these?” These things you are coping with.

Love God. Use Tech.

Tech’s Big Three

Intro: It all started with a little Mario Brothers…

1. Smartphones (app delivery) 

Tool tech vs drool tech. 

Keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay. 

Duolingo – tech keeps you longer than you intended. App designed to take your attention. We see young people struggling to keep the boundaries because there is behavioral design baked into it. 

Social media stimulates brains and isn’t appropriate for undeveloped brains who have not learned to be faithful with the little things. 

a. Should my child have a smartphone? 

5 Cautions:

1.   app delivery system
2.   social media
3.   predators / bullies
4.   pornography
5.   video games

b. Smartphone solutions: Gabb, Bark software, Bark phone

Many young people are getting rid of social media. Why? Spending so much time living in other peoples stories and haven’t lived his own. 

If they can’t be kind to their siblings, how do you expect them to magically deal with online strangers? 

Predators and bullies enter your child through smart phones. 

If you haven’t talked with them about Pedifile and Pornography then why give them access? 

Wait – delay is the way. We delay because we are hopeful not fearful. 

Give kids the trust they earned but also a dog to help them build digital independence. 

Reset Resource: 5 ways to think about your tech. Don’t argue with the young person, argue for them. 

30 days to recalibrate with tech overstimulation. Cold turkey. They will be angry but you won’t damage them. 

2. Video Games

a. Should my child play this game?

1.   Would I have this character over for dinner?
2.   Is violence part of it or the point?
3.   Is the language helpful or hurtful?
4.   Does the content meet our family expectations?
5.   Are themes age appropriate?
6.   Can it be beaten?

b. Game review resource: Entertainment Software Review Board (ESRB.org)

Prov 22:6 – train them. 

You become fond of the characters you spend the most time with. They form norms around the characters so make sure they are positive. 

Mario cart has violence but it’s not the point whereas mortal combat where violence IS the point. The line where it’s hard is Fortnite. For some people it’s violent and others it’s laser tag. 

Phil 4:8 the content. Does it celebrate good stuff? Does the game experience include micro transactions? Unfair game design with prestige classes. Get to level 50 and prestige to 10 levels. There is also a 11th category…sunk cost fallacy. Unsafe game design. Roblox fan content. Ruben Sims YouTube. He now posts content about predators and profiles. There is no way to ensure safety and play environment test. Can it be beaten? Minecraft type games where it goes forever. Ask, “Does this game align with my family?”

Ask kids about the game. Will you show me your favorites? What are you most proud of? Teach me how to play. Just participating to communicate it’s a family thing. Ask can we do it together? Be present some but don’t be overbearing. Invest in them. 

3. Pornography

a. How do I protect my child from pornography?

•   Be informed: Pornography changes the brain, causes depression, hurts relationships
•   Talk it out: Pornography is a specific type of content that addresses a specific heart problem. We want to address both, and the heart first and foremost (Matthew 5:28-30)
•   Make a plan: Family, Network, Devices

b. Pornography protection: Covenant Eyes, Gryphon Router, Good Pictures, Bad Pictures by Kristen A Jenson

3/4 of teenagers have seen pornography. Of those 3/4 more than half saw it on accident. 52%. Don’t be worried that you will drive your kids to it because they are already seeing it. Jesus brings freedom to hard conversations. 

Study in UK came out 5 weeks ago when they say it’s terrible for human trafficking and porn doesn’t adopt to us we adopt to it. We adapt our appetites.  

Supernormal stimuli study – butterfly experiment. We can adapt our behaviors and appetites to un natural. We can alter healthy norms to become unhealthy. Norman Doiche. Pornography causes your bring to adapt to what is being served. 

Teach kids you will not be mad at them when they share what makes them uncomfortable. Guilt is a thing that brings us back to repentance. Shame is condemning. Eph 2:1-10 while we were sinners. The church sucks at sin. We pretend it doesn’t exist. 

Book Recommendation: Good pictures bad pictures – Kristen jenson. 

Book Recommendation: Wise advise from loving moms by Greta Eskridge. 

Make a plan. Talk it out. Share what happened. It’s beautiful when kids mess up and ask for help. Celebrate like they got straight A’s because darkness has been exposed to light and restoration is available. 

Love God and use tech…not the other way around. Don’t use God and love tech.

The Gospel

The Gospel is the good news that God saves sinners (Ephesians 2:1-10)

1.   We are sinners (V.1)
2.   Saved by grace (v.4-5)
3.   For the world, not from it (v.10)

You are a sinner BUT GOD. Direct your kids to Jesus. Scratch by MIT brings joy. 

We are saved “For the world, not from it.” Freedom in Christ including freedom from your cell phone. Digital freedom.  

Resources Referenced in This Talk:

Question #1: When Should My Child Get a Smartphone?

Great dumb phones:

•   The Gabb Phone and watch (gabb.com)
•   The Bark Phone (bark.us/bark-phone/)

Trust, and verify. Software to go with your child online:

•   Bark software (iPhone & Android. Works best on Android – bark.us/bark-premium)
•   Covenant Eyes (Image accountability. Works best on Android – covenanteyes.com)
•   Want help installing Covenant Eyes? https://www.youtube.com/@loveGodusetech

Question #2: Which Games Should My Child Play?

Before you play a game:

•   Ask the six questions – Gospel Tech Game Review Tool (gospeltech.net/resources)
•   Assess game content with the Entertainment Software Review Board (ESRB.org)
•   Check out how long a game takes to beat (howlongtobeat.com)
  Note: Any game with completion times over 200 hours is effectively endless. This high play time is reflecting the fact that players never really quit (World of Warcraft, Fortnite, Minecraft).
•   Remember: We have a biblical standard for our game content:
  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Question #3: How Do I Protect My Child from Pornography?

Start the conversation early:

•   Good Pictures Bad Pictures, by Kristen A. Jenson
•   Wise advice from loving moms: Greta Eskridge (@maandpamodern), Mary Flo and Megan (@birds
•   Research on the impacts of pornography: Fight the New Drug (ftnd.org); The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge, Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke; Surfing for God by Michael John Cusick

Pornography changes the brain:

•   Barrett, Deirdre. (2010). Supernormal stimulus.
•   Voon, V., et al. (2014). Neural Correlates of Sexual Cue Reactivity in Individuals with and without
• Compulsive Sexual Behaviors
•   Banca, P., Morris, L. S., Mitchell, S., Harrison, N. A., Potenza, M. N., & Voon, V. (2016). Novelty, conditioning and attentional bias to sexual rewards
•   Kühn, S., & Gallinat, J. (2014). Brain structure and functional connectivity associated with pornography
•   Albery, I. P., Lowry, J., Frings, D., Johnson, H. L., Hogan, C., & Moss, A. C. (2017). Exploring the Relationship between Sexual Compulsivity and Attentional Bias to Sex-Related Words in a Cohort of Sexually Active Individuals
•   anxiety, depression, and reduced well-being: Wordecha, Wilk et al, 2018; Harper, Hodgins, 2016
•   dangerous sexual behaviors: Wright, Tokunaga et al, 2016; Zhou, Liu, et all, 2021
•   Interpersonal and relational problems: Rhoads, Markman, 2011; Write, Tokunaga, 2017; Perry, 2018

There is great hope: In Christ we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17) who have everything in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3-5)

Podcast episodes

•   Ep. 211: How Do We Talk About Pornography? (START HERE, #5)
•   Ep. 191 & 182: Pornography and our children, a conversation with Sam Black of Covenant Eyes

In Church as It Is in Heaven: Multiplying Diversity in Your Church No Matter Where You Are

Diversity wasn’t a buzzword for the earliest Christians; it was a way of life. Yet today Sunday mornings are some of the week’s most segregated hours. Churches are separated along generational, socioeconomic, and ethnic lines. If you long to highlight the power of the gospel by cultivating a multigenerational, multi-soci-economic, multiethnic congregation in your community, this session will show you where to start.

There was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number” (Rev. 7:9-10).

Matthew 6:9-10

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

THE GAP – 86% of American evangelical pastors say churches should be more diverse yet fewer than 1/4 of churches in America are diverse. 

Diversity for its own sake leads to disaster. Diversity based on the Gospel by a desire to model God’s kingdom on earth is beautiful. 

2015-2016, started moving this direction. Never anticipated Koreans being a part of their church, and so excited God is moving the church this direction. 

•   People tend to cluster according to ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic background.
•   The world’s solutions to these separations are not working.
•   When the church unites people that the world can’t, that provides a powerful apologetic for the truth of the gospel.

THE GOAL: To provide a biblically-faithful resource to remove the barriers that stand in the way of healthy ethnic, socioeconomic, and generational diversity.

Buy the book: In Church as it is in Heaven

The Right Goals: 

To Recognize And Remove Unrecognized Barriers That Prevent Individuals From Any Ethnicity, Age Group, Or Socioeconomic Background From Feeling Welcomed

The Wrong Goals: 

To Grow A Diverse Church

To Attract Percentages Of A Particular Ethnicity, Age Group, Or Socioeconomic Strata

To Expect Every Church To Be Diverse In The Same Way

Many people want diversity but the secular strategies have failed. 

God delights in the diversity of His church. Acts 13:1 and Acts 6:1-6

1 Cor 1:26

James 2:1-13

Titus 2:1-8 shows generational diversity. 

THE GUIDE

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?	IS YOUR CHURCH PRACTICING THIS TRUTH? IF SO, HOW?
Early Christians valued ethnic and cultural diversity (Acts 6:1-6; 13:1)
Early Christians valued socioeconomic diversity (James 2:1-13; see also 1 Cor 1:26)
Paul commanded intergenerational relationships (Titus 2:1-8)
God’s eternal kingdom is multiethnic (Rev 5:9; 7:9; 21:16), and Christians pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:9-10)

•   MULTIETHNIC/MULTIGENERATIONAL/MULTISOCIOECONOMIC:
•   KINGDOM:
•   CULTURE:

PRACTICES TO CULTIVATE KINGDOM CULTURE IN YOUR CHURCH

Don’t copy the speaker or the speakers church. Use his insight to spark ideas. Don’t even try everything, just try something. 

THE PURPOSE	THE PRACTICE	EXTRA DETAILS
1. PLANT A DESIRE FOR DIVERSE WORSHIP THAT IS YET TO COME	A mission trip that never leaves home	Partner With A Church That Is Ethnically, Generationally, Or Socioeconomically Different From Your Own Plan A Mission Trip That Spends Part Of The Time Near Their Church And Part Of The Time Near Your Church, Sharing Sleeping And Eating Times Together WORSHIP Together Each Evening, Celebrating Present And Future Fellowship
2. LEARN THE STORY OF YOUR PLACE	A resource that tells the story of what has separated people in your place	Create A Resource That Tells The Story Of What Has Separated People In Your Place Draw From Church Records And Local Histories To Prepare A Brief Resource That Describes How Divisions Between Different Groups Emerged In Your Context. Present Your Findings In A Worship Service And Make Space To LAMENT These Divisions.
3. RECOGNIZE WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF WELCOME	Friendships that examine honestly what prevents people from being welcomed	Diversity itself is never the goal and percentages are not the standard for success. The goal is to celebrate what is good in each culture and to remove any cultural barriers so that the only cause for offense is the gospel and God’s Word. • Pray For God To Guide You Into Authentic Friendships With Persons From A Group That Is PRESENT IN YOUR CONTEXT But NOT IN YOUR CHURCH. Learn What Might Keep Them From Feeling WELCOME In Your Church.
4. GROW IN YOUR GIVING	Identification of cultural preferences	Rejoice In Your Preferences, And Be Willing To Let Them Go Visit A Faithful Nearby Church That Differs From Your Church Ethnically, Generationally, Or Socioeconomically. Begin To Identify Your Church’s Cultural Preferences. Be Thankful For These Preferences And Pray That You Would Be Willing To GIVE Them Up, If Necessary.
5. EXPAND YOUR FELLOWSHIP	Equal partnership with a church whose demographics are different from yours	Form An Equal PARTNERSHIP Between Your Church And A Faithful Local Church With Demographics That Are Different From Your Church. Bring Church Staffs Together Regularly For Prayer. Gather Together On An Equal And Regular Basis For Worship, Fellowship, And Sharing A Meal.

Multiethnic, Multigenerational, Multisocioeconomic Church Requires Multiethnic, Multigenerational, Multisocioeconomic Hospitality

Pray For God To Guide You Into Authentic Friendships With Persons From A Group That Is PRESENT IN YOUR CONTEXT But NOT IN YOUR CHURCH.

Learn What Might Keep Them From Feeling WELCOME In Your Church.

Ask, what would it be that would make you feel unwelcome in our community or church? 

For example, does the cost of camp make people feel unwelcome? 

Our music is an equal opportunity offender. Different music styles so we don’t get locked into “our way” of doing worship. 

Revelation 21:23-27 “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.”

Recognize you have a culture and that’s good, but we willing to give it up for the sake of reaching someone else. 

Rank these 5 practices from easiest to hardest.

Just do the next right thing! 

Incorporate food into multi ethic worship services! 

Kingdom diversity is not a goal you achieve through your power; it’s a gift you practice by God’s power.

Common challenges: Those in the majority culture don’t realize we have a culture. We think it’s neutral or default and we just don’t see that it’s actually a culture. It’s difficult to see this without spending time with people who are different than yourself. They are not bad people just insulated. 

Ask, “What would it look like if you succeeded?” Is there answer about more people or loving people? Often with good intentions but intentions that have gone astray.  

—

General Session 1

Russ Ramsey  – Creating in Community

Storytelling is one of your primary ways of communicating. 

How a painter you’ve probably never heard of used friendship to give us paintings everyone has seen. 

“A proper community is a commonwealth: a place, a resource, an economy. It answers the needs, practical as well as social and spiritual, of its members— among them the need to need one another.” —Wendell Berry

Jean Frederic Bazille is who helped make all this possible. 

Jean declared he would be an artist. His father let him pursue it…as long as Jean agreed to also study medicine. Jean enrolled in both medicine and art and became friends with Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, and Claude Monet. When finances grew tight, Jean would purchase paintings and supplies to help the other artists stay afloat. This was an investment in an artist he deeply respected. Jean shared studio space. 9 Rue de la Condamine grew a fellowship of other great artists. 

Friends who created art in the context of community. 

They formed the anonymous society of painters sculptors and engravers.

“They found themselves forming a homogeneous group, with all of them having a more or less similar view of nature; and so they picked up the description that had been made of them, ‘Impressionists,’ and used it as a banner. They were called Impressionists in a spirit of mockery; Impressionists they remained out of pluck.” — Emile Zola

“We play a role in blowing on the embers of whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…”

Dannah Gresh – Freedom how Jesus and His word Heals Emotional Dysregulation

Genesis 1 :1-2 – God has always been at work in the darkness. 

Psalm 30 He has lifted me out of the pit. 

“Today’s average young person between ages 9 and 17 scores as high on anxiety scales as children admitted to psychiatric clinics in 1957.

Juliet Schor,Sociology Professor at Boston College

Emotions are a good tool of God. He created them and deemed them good. 

When our emotions are dysregulation it’s because we have believed lies. We aren’t good enough. We can’t overcome. We are stupid. We are ugly. These lies are from the enemy. 

‘Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

We ourselves can fall into bondage. 

Abide – stay, dwell, remain in, return to. Stay in His words. Not one hour a week. Live in it. Stay in it. 

Lifeway released a study and saw that those who read the Bible weekly or even 3x a week there wasn’t much of a difference but at 4x a week loneliness was down 30%, anger down 32%, bitterness down 40%, alcoholism down 57%, and pornography down 61%. 

Know (ginosko)- to know intimately. Know Jesus. The knowing changes everything. 

“What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” – Matthew 10:27

Free (eleutheroso) – to liberate. Freedom in the world’s definition leads to bondage but the Lord’s definition is different. Liberation from the thoughts that haunt you. 

Freedom is not the absence of darkness but the presence of the light of Christ in it. 

“Freedom is not the absence of darkness, but the presence of the light of Christ in it.”

Truth – the ultimate remedy. 

1. Recognize the evidence of lies. 

2. Identify the lie and stop feeding it. 

3. Replace the lie with Truth. 

Tim Goodyear – Passing the Baton 

Olympics Rio 2016 – The fumbled baton.

As any track coach will testify, relay races are won or lost at the transfer of the baton. If failure is to occur it will likely happen during the exchange. 

Pass the baton of faith to the next generation. Why, what, and how to do it. 

The Why…

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-9

“And when the Lord your God brings you into the land..with great and good cities…houses full of all good things…and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt…It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you.” – Deuteronomy 6:10-14

And Joshua… died at the age of 110 years… And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the people who were around them and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger.” – Judges 2:8-12

God’s plan is that faith is transferred from one generation to the next within the context of the home and family. Parents have these commands on their heart first and then press or mold them into their children. It only takes one fumble and a whole generation will not know the Lord. 

The What…

Create a culture of family discipleship within our churches. 

Culture: Ideas, attitudes, behaviors, and customs of a people group. 

The thinking and the doing of our people. Not that activities but the thinking and doing. 

Equipping 

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12

Preparing mentally (teaching/training)

Supply with necessary items (tools/equipment)

The How…

The 10 Keys…

Empower a Champion

”Two-Degree” Strategies

Establish New Measures

Use Existing Time Slots

Support Existing Vision

”Home Lens” for All

Culture of Intentionality

Customization is Key

Invest in Tools for Families

Give Vision for the Home

General Session 2 – Austin Fruits – Finding Freedom From Pornography

Average age of exposure is around 8 years old now-a-days. 

You know what happens when you confess over and over again and continue to struggle the doubts begin to creep in. Does God even care? Can He even use me? 

Pornography removed me emotionally from my family. 

How can someone love me so much when I care so little for myself. 

“When we live 99% known, but 1% unknown, we live as if we are fully unknown.”

Name the problem. Reach out to those who love you no matter what. 

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

There is no wasted time…

Give other people the gift of being seen. 

‘With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.” Ephesians 4:17-19

Hardening to their hearts. 

Loss all sensitivity

Sensuality

Every kind of impurity 

Biblical Model of Addiction:
Futility of thinking —> Separated from the life of God —> Hearts Hardened  —> Loss all feeling  —> Sensuality  —>  Continual Lust for More

When you lose the ability to self-medicate you feel loneliness, worthless, and unlovable. 

Stages of Change

1. Pre-Contemplation

2. Contemplation

3. Preparation

4. Action

5. Maintenance

6. Relapse

El Roi – the God who sees. Hagar

Is 9:6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Allow yourself to be seen. Give someone else the gift of being seen. This is the foundation to helping someone fight pornography and wrestle with addition. 

When we confess our sins to God, He offers forgiveness. When we confess our sins to others, He offers healing. 

Russ Ramsey

By the time Palm Sunday arrives the enemy is looking for ways to throw you off your game. 

The enemy works by making you frustrated and irritated to people on your team. 

We bring gifts and limitations to the team to become strong in places where others are weak and to be repairing one another. 

The Lord takes care of our people, and He takes care of you!

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee – Rembrandt depicts those who never stop and are doing the work. The other group are those who are pleeding with the one who is in the boat with them to do something. 

Jesus is in the boat as well Rembrandt himself. He painted himself into the art. They are asking if Jesus cares that they are perishing without remembering that He is there BECAUSE they are perishing. He’s in the boat with you because He loves you. 

Give yourself time to just breathe and remember the Lord goes before you, He loves those you are serving, and you are dear to the heart of God. He goes before you. He cares for you. 

Linc Taylor – Appreciating the Wants and Needs in Your Child

Sharpen the chainsaw. 

Ah ha moments. Paul on the road to Damascus. 

Parents are the primary disciplers of their children. There’s a perplexity and opportunity in this phrase. 

A white lights explodes with colors when it runs through a prism. In the ordinary days of family life you are always discipling. Sometimes you see it and sometimes you don’t. The prism shows us its about relationship and so much more. 

Influence is more complex than just teaching a devotion.

Wants vs Needs

Wants: Desires that are closer to the surface of an individual. Visible. 

Needs: Below the water but more real in a kids life. Like the iceberg. 

Wants focused parting vs needs focused parenting:

Close to the Surface vs below the surface longings. 

Simply provide things vs build a healthy relationship. 

Efficiency vs Experience

Swayed by the immediate vs guided by purpose. 

Focus: Good moral behavior only vs Focus: Stand and battle ready. 

I have my child’s life figured out vs sensitive to God’s plan for my child. 

Look at us! Beautiful family vs Look at Him! On mission!

Busy and Hurried vs Sabbath

Golden bars built up in the memory bank that only grow in value over time. 

Ephesians 6 armor of God. 

Barriers

Immediate Requirements – Place of Importance

It’s awkward when I attempt to lead

Take the easy route/ Comfort and Convenience

Sense of Inadequacy

We use the world’s definition of success

My life is too much of a mess

It’s too late to start, my children are too old 

God’s Word is simply repeated

The world’s definition of success is always shiny and always before us. 

General Session 3 – Corey Jones: We Get to Do This: Finding Joy in Every Season

What if the greatest difference between burnout and joy in ministry isn’t your workload-but your mindset?

Think of your average Sunday this year. Not Easter, not the rainy day when no one seems to want to show up for church. Just an average Sunday. The alarm goes off, you get ready, you jump in the car and head to the church…As you pull up to the building, is you heart posture, “I have to be here?” “I have to go find more goldfish crackers.” “I have to do another band rehearsal.” “I have to put another smile on my face.”  Or is your heart saying, “I get to be here?” “I get to teach another lesson and speak on behalf of the King of Kings” “I get to greet someone at the door and be the first person who’s looked them in the eye with kindness all week.”   I know. I know. It’s Sunday, it’s early, and you may not have had coffee yet, but still: “Have to?” Or “Get to?”

Is anyone out there serving in a mobile campus? I feel ya! We had a campus, but outgrew our space. When it came time to build, we hated the thought of building a massive building that would only be used a few hours each week, so we got weird. We asked our community what they wanted us to build, we built it, and then we figure out how to do church inside of it. Thus, while we own our building, we still operate as a mobile campus within our building…which means…chairs, chairs, and more chairs. Every day we are setting up and taking down chairs.

And I’ve got to tell you, this talk became real for me when thinking about stacking and unstacking chairs. 

Same scenario with two perspectives.

“Have to” says, “How can so many people just get up and walk out without helping?” “We talk about it every week, if they would just grab one!”

“Have to” says, “Here we go again… same thing, different Sunday.”

“Have to” says,“Things would fall apart if I wasn’t here.” 

“Have to” says, “I shouldn’t have to do this—this isn’t even my job.”

“Get to” says, “While this is a small act of service, today it’s an act of worship.” 

“Get to” says, “Lord, may this chair hold someone whose life will be forever changed by Your love.” 

“Get to” says, “Thank You, Lord, for the strength and health to lift this 10th chair onto the stack.”

“Get to” says, “This chair might hold a struggling parent or a new believer—thank You, Lord, for allowing me to be part of their journey.”

Is ministry an obligation for you? Or is it worship? Do you Have to? Or do you Get to? 

“Kingdom work isn’t a burden—it’s a blessing. Have you traded ‘I get to’ for ‘I have to’?”

Colossians 3:23 NLT, “Work willingly at whatever you do (unstacking chairs, cutting out crafts, stacking chairs again), as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” 

So yeah, stacking chairs, that’s real. It’s a small thing, but for me, it was a real indicator of something wrong in my heart. Ministry is hard. Burnout is real. Discouragement creeps in. Compassion fatigue can keep you from seeing people the way Jesus does. 

For me, when the “HAVE to” mindset hits hardest is when someone who I’ve loved for years, decades, someone I’ve poured into, someone I’ve discipled, walk away…from the church…from their family…or from their faith. I shift into “Have to” mode. The wind in my sails is gone, …IF I allow it. 

In Acts 16 we see Paul and Silas going to pray and a was woman shouting at them because she was demon possessed. They heal her…they do ministry…and as a result they are stripped, severely beaten, and thrown in prison. Yet, Verse 25 says, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake…”

Paul and Silas, stripped, severely beaten, and jailed, for doing ministry…and their response, “Get to!” Praying and singing.

Joseph – Sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned – but still able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” Genesis 50:20

Stephen – As the first Christian martyr, even as he was being stoned to death, he was filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, praying for his attackers. Acts 7:55-60

James – In his letter, James encourages believers to “consider it an opportunity for great joy” when facing troubles, knowing that the testing of faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-4.

Paul, Joseph, Stephen. These guys understood, “Get to!” There’s also Mrs. Dawn. Now you won’t find her name in the Bible. The reality is, you probably won’t find her name anywhere.

Mrs. Dawn understood “get to.” She got to teach a Sunday school class in Greenford Ohio. 

Yes, she got to be a Sunday school teacher in a town with a population less than 1000 people. 

And in this small church, surrounded by corn fields, she had a student who often challenge her. 

He would ask, you know, simple questions like, “How do we know God is real?”

Why does God allow suffering?

If God already knows what we need, why do we need to pray? 

You know, the easy questions…

And Mrs. Dawn would pull open the Bible, and patiently attempt to answer the students questions. 

But this student didn’t just ask challenging questions. He would also, find passages in the Bible like 1 Peter 5:14, and he would attempt to get the whole Sunday school class to participate in “greeting each other with a holy kiss.”

Mrs. Dawn stayed persistent in her role, despite having a difficult kid in her class.
Mrs. Dawn kept her “get to” attitude and continued to love in hard times. 

And I’m so thankful that Mrs. Dawn, loved me, when I was growing in the faith. 

Mrs. Dawn had no idea that I would dedicate my life to building God’s Kingdom. She didn’t see the fruit. 

She just loved the unlovable. She remained faithful to the calling God placed on her life. 

So I’ve got to ask, “Who or what in your life is currently difficult? Who or what is pushing your heart towards “Have to.” 

Will you do me a favor and pull out your phone?

Did God reveal something to you? If so, text someone for prayer or accountability. Don’t hide it, don’t shove it deeper.  

Your message: “Hey, I’m at the D6 conference. When I get back, I’d love to talk with you about _______.” 

This one small step in accountability may shed light where darkness was growing.

This one small step could be the direction changing step that gets you back on course to the right mindset. The mindset of, “We don’t have to do this. We get to do this!”

So D6, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

Let’s not get tired of… stacking chairs after every service.

Let’s not get tired of… answering difficult Sunday School questions.

Let’s not get tired of… stepping in when someone else falls short.

Let’s not get tired of… serving behind the scenes when no one notices.

Let’s not get tired of… giving even when we don’t see the fruit.

Let’s not get tired of… comforting those who are grieving or struggling.

Let’s not get tired of… loving people who are hard to love.

“At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” 

—

Russ Ramsey

How do we portray ourselves? Do we come across perfect? In the act of doing that we conceal the gospel by presenting ourselves as those who don’t actually need Christ. 

Vincent Van Gogh – Self portrait with bandaged ear.
Great painting because it depicts a moment of pain for the artist himself. 

A painting of Vincent Van Gogh, by Vincent Van Gogh, capturing this moment of his greatest vulnerability. 

The Lord doesn’t need us to be perfect and composed. What gives us worth in ministry is conveying the great need we have for healing and hope. Not just those who read about it in a book but those who have wounds. The Lord will use these wounds to further His kingdom. 

Rich Griffith – Discipleship Is Leadership

DECADES OF “SYSTEMIC ABANDONMENT”

Every institution that is supposed to be about nurturing our young have been hijacked by adult-driven agendas.

Family structures have changed.

Our kids are growing up in a toxic environment. Our children are struggling. Family support systems are shrinking. 

ALL THIS HAS LED TO…

Gen Z being the loneliest and most anxious generation.

Generation of “Nones” – (No religious affiliation)

Losing 25% (or more) of youth church attenders drop out of church

ALL THIS HAS LED TO…

* Increased “epheblphobia” and “gerontophobla”

• Criminalization of our young

The United States has the highest rate of Incarcerated

Juveniles than any other Industrialized nation in the world – to Include Russia and China.

WHY ARE WE MORE COMFORTABLE LEADING IN BUSINESS AND OTHER AREAS, BUT WE CAN’T SEEM TO DISCIPLE OUR CHILDREN? MAYBE…

We are trained to lead outside the home.

We fear we have passed our coaching limits.

We have not been spiritual nurtured / discipled. 

•FOR ALL THESE REASONS AND MORE,

“DISCIPLESHIP IS LEADERSHIP”

• Biblical reclaiming or parent, church & Community responsibilities toward our children, youth and “Church AS Family” (Deut. 6:4-9, Matt, 28120, Acts 16:3, Matt. 12:46-50, etc.

As you “Go” not as they “Come”

BIG QUESTION # 1:

“WHO IS SERVING WHO?”

• THE REALITIES OF “SYSTEMIC” AND “SYSTEMATIC” ABANDONMENT.

HOW THE CHURCH “TREATS” YOUTH MINISTRY

• VBS & Other Ministries

Develop the next generation of the church. They don’t just magically become leaders at 16. 

BIG QUESTION # 2:

WHO IS DISCIPLING WHO?”

• PROFESSIONALIZED MINISTRY CANNOT BE THE ONLY APPROACH!

Hierarchies must be minimized and delegation is essential.

BIG QUESTION # 3:

THOW ARE WE DISCIPLING?”

ARE THERE APPROACHES THAT GO BEYOND SYSTEMIC ABANDONMENT THAT TRULY MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL? (CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS)

“HOW ARE WE DISCIPLING?” EXAMPLES:

• °PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGE 1 – TRUST VS. MISTRUST

‘Leadership model: Servant Leader

—

Johnathan Denton – Discipling the Disciplers

We need to pour into our disciplers. 

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Yestermorrow

Anchor to the Past – Vision for the Future

Multiply Disciple Makers

Is it a process issue? Is a person issue? What do you need to do to reach the next generation for Christ? 

Give them a vision. Give them a playbook. And let them do the hard work day in and day out and you’ll be amazed at the fruit that God grows. 

Get in the same room and dream together. 

Breakout 3 – Rich Griffith – How Voices Counters Anxiety, Depression, and Isolation

Systemic abandonment, ephebiphobia, gerontophobia, church and society. What do all these things have in common? Generation Z is considered the “loneliest and most anxious generation” in American history. Ironically, these are common traits shared among our elder generation. Discover how Western culture got here, why “church kids” are not immune to these influences and what you and your church can do to make a difference in every generation.

Urie Bronfenbrenner The Ecology of Human Development

Youth are not formed in a vacuum, there are many things that impact people in their development. Covid had an emotional, spiritual, and psychological impact on the generation. Circumstances impact lives. 

Book: Voices – Helping our children and youth listen to wise counsel. 

Digital Immigrant and Digital Natives

The class “Youth Culture” changes content every other year. 

Digital immigrants had a limited number of voices in their life. Limited news. 

Young people today have too much information coming at them every day. TMI in the news. Parents are the primary influencer of faith development. This is true, unless they are not doing it. 

9-11 – impacted everyone alive. 

90’s culture – the first school shooting. 

We are developing a generation of super predators. 

Film series Adolescence on Netflix. Sparks conversations in culture. 

Systemic abandonment. We have to make sure we are not allowing our boys to become misogynistic. We are blaming the kids and not giving them what they need to make healthy decisions. Identity formation is the primary task of adolescence. Generational trauma because our kids today are still scared to go to school. These issues aren’t going away they are piling on top. They go to their friends and the internet to figure out life. 

Merchants of Cool – pbs – they are over marketed to and can’t figure out the difference between wants and needs. 

Generation Like – pbs – use kids to market for them. 

Kids don’t know their identity. They don’t know where they are. Part of the problem is the church doesn’t understand their identity so how can they pass that on to their young people? Equip parents to lead. Parents aren’t discipling their children because they weren’t discipled. 

What is the overall meaning of Jonah? Listen and obey. 

The deeper meeting is Jonah didn’t want to forgive his enemies. 

Even deeper: Everything in Jonah points to Jesus. Everything Jonah couldn’t do, Jesus does. 

What voices are you putting in your children’s life? Make sure your kids have mentors. 

Students in the church are asking questions and need the wisdom of the older generation. We need their energy and their new ideas. 

Parents if you worry that you blew it remember that Adam and Eve had God as their parent and they failed. Kids can still blow it, even if you did everything perfectly. 

We are too covered about losing people from the church yet we don’t operate as if we care about losing them to hell. 

The most noise comes from the shallow end of the pool. God’s voice is heard in the deep. Walk your kids through the valleys and point them to the depth they need. 

Systems have abandoned the next generation. 

Brianna Edwards – Grace and Repair in Relationship

We all experience brokenness and interruptions in relationships. We need to become aware of our rapture patterns. 

What do ruptures look like in your home? 

How do you respond when there is a repute? Do you? 

Get angry? Feel anxious? Try to fix it? Cry? Hold a grudge? Yell? Blame? Withdraw? Feel helpless? Push it “under the rug?” Seek re-connection?

What was modeled for you? We default to familiar patterns if we are not intentional to build new relational templates. This is not our kid’s job or those we lead job, it’s ours. As disciple-makers, it’s our job to lead repair in our homes and ministries. 

The Proactive Approach: internally schedule 10 minutes of playtime or connection time with our child. Child-centered play. Let them lead without our devices. Be present. 333 rule or 9 most important minutes of the day. The first 3 minutes when they wake up, the 3 minutes after getting back at home after school, and the 3 minutes before bed. Put drops in the bucket so that there is a solid foundation. 

The Reactive Approach: A template of how to repair:

Pause & regulate yourself

Initiate a conversation & LISTEN

Own your role – actions & feelings

Apologize and Forgive

Create an action plan

Playfully connect

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

Repair often and repeatedly. 

Name it to tame it & Feel it to heal it. 

Will we lean into healing or revert to old, comfortable patterns? We always have a choice. 

Be consistent and predictable over time. 

Remember how God models this. He repairs relationships. 

What action do you need to take today? 

Ron Hunter – Discipleship: More Than a Solo Sport

There are many solo sports. How do the best in the world find people to coach them and critique or evaluate their form? 

Cultivate the talent in the next generation. 

1 Discipleship embodies the process and person. 

Abide in Christ John 15:4-5

Discipleship happens in community, in a family, with a powerful mentor. Everyday, not just Sunday. Discipleship is real life meeting real faith. A long walk in the same direction. 

Be Transformed – Romans 12:2

We can not shape our own discipleship, we must let Christ do it. The goal is not to find ourselves in scripture but to let scripture be found in us. We must not let culture re-write scripture. 

Press towards the mark – Phil 3:14

Continual and not a badge you earn or box you check. An artist who takes a chisel to stone leaving behind the image he/she had in mind of the outcome.

Impress them on your children – Duet 6:7

We are not called to be believers…satan is a believer. We are called to be disciples. 

Parenting Goal: We want you to make wise spiritual decisions. 

2 Discipleship looks vertical and horizontal 

Discipling while being discipled.

Look vertical to Jesus as the primary relationship. 

Horizontal with non-believers or young believers.

If you’re ministering to others, who is discipling you? 

If the number one in the world can get coached and listen to others, we need to do the same. We need to be someone’s project. Who will I place my own discipleship in the hands of? 

Discipleship is the opportunity to learn and lead simultaneously. Invite someone to walk alongside of us. We aren’t walking with perfect people but they must be willing. 

3 Discipleship changes how we view people. 

Find people who look like Saul but can become Paul. 

When correction comes your way, what does it reveal about the posture of your heart? 

John Maxwell says, “Experience is not the best teacher, evaluated experience is.”

After Action Report. Do this 7-10 times a day to get sharp. Where is your heart when someone looks at you and gives you feedback? 

Maybe you think your ministry is too small and you think in terms of comparison…David Brainerd missionary

Johnathan Edwards preacher

William Carey – father of modern Missions

Adoniram Judson – All from David Brainerd 

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More content coming soon! Check back for live notes throughout the whole conference!

Recently, I had the incredible privilege of visiting Israel, a land rich with biblical history, profound teachings, and a deep sense of connection to the roots of our faith. As I walked in the footsteps of Jesus, each step brought fresh insights, powerful moments of reflection, and an overwhelming sense of awe. I want to share a few highlights from the trip, along with the profound lessons I’ve carried home with me. If you’re considering making this pilgrimage, I encourage you to go. It’s truly a transformative experience.

Where We Went: A Sacred Journey

Our journey took us through some of the most iconic places in the Holy Land:

• The Jordan River: One of the most personal and unforgettable moments of the trip was visiting the Jordan River. As I stood at the riverbank, I remembered and affirmed my own baptism. It was a deeply moving experience to reflect on the significance of that moment, standing in the very place where Jesus was baptized by John, and reaffirming my own commitment to follow Christ.

• The Mount of Olives: This hill is not only breathtaking in its view of Jerusalem but also spiritually significant, as it marks the place where Jesus often prayed. Standing there, you can almost feel the weight of His moments of solitude and surrender.

• Gethsemane: The garden where Jesus prayed before His crucifixion became a space of deep personal reflection. The ancient olive trees still stand there, reminding us of Jesus’ final moments of prayer before His sacrifice.

• The Garden Tomb: A place of serene beauty and deep significance, the Garden Tomb was a reminder of the victory of the resurrection. Jesus isn’t in the tomb; He’s alive!

• The Walled Off Hotel: In contrast to the spiritual pilgrimage, we also had the chance to visit the Walled Off Hotel, an art hotel created by the street artist Banksy. Located in Bethlehem, the hotel sits near the controversial Israeli West Bank barrier, which divides the city. The hotel serves as a reminder of the complexities of life in this region. Through its art and the starkness of its surroundings, it opens up a conversation about peace, division, and hope in the midst of conflict.

Big Takeaways & Moments of Reflection

One of the most profound moments of the trip was standing in the Garden of Gethsemane, surrounded by ancient olive trees. These trees, some a thousand years old, reminded me of the immense suffering Jesus endured here. In this very garden, He faced the weight of His impending crucifixion, praying, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus’ willingness to endure such agony for our salvation struck me deeply. It reminded me of the power of surrendering to God’s plan, even in our most difficult moments.

One of the most profound takeaways from this trip was realizing that God hears our prayers, whether we’re on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee or back home in Carrollton, GA. The same God who listened to the cries of His people thousands of years ago is still present and attentive to our needs today. His presence isn’t confined to a specific place or time; He is always near.

Safety: The Big City Near You

If you’re concerned about safety, let me put your mind at ease. Israel, like any major city, has areas that are busier or more active than others, but it’s not the “dangerous” place some might think. In fact, I found it quite comparable to visiting any major city — think New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Just like any place, you need to stay aware, but overall, the safety measures are strong, and the people are welcoming and kind. Our group felt secure and cared for throughout the entire journey.

The tours were well-organized, and we always had knowledgeable, trusted guides who provided excellent insights into the historical and spiritual significance of each site. The locals take great pride in sharing their heritage and the story of their land, and they’re eager to show visitors the beauty of Israel.

Encouragement to Make the Trip

If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Israel, I wholeheartedly encourage you to make the trip. The experience of being in the places where Jesus lived, taught, and sacrificed is beyond words. It deepens your understanding of the Bible in ways that a textbook or sermon cannot. Walking where Jesus walked brings the Scriptures alive in a new and profound way.

Whether you’re a lifelong believer or just beginning to explore your faith, Israel offers an opportunity to connect with God in a personal and tangible way. There’s something about being in that land that shifts your perspective — it’s not just history, it’s a living, breathing testament to God’s faithfulness throughout the ages.

If you’ve been on the fence about it, I encourage you to take that step and attend a trip. It might just change your life.

Remember, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV). Israel is a place where God reveals His wonders in ways you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.