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
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?
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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!