WOW...my only regret for the week was that I didn't get there until Wednesday morning. The tandem of speakers were great. Dr. Mike Chapman of City Church of Chattanooga did a lights out job in the morning sessions. Please, if you are a church leader, get the series from his website. I will continue to pimp this series until I am confident that everyone has heard it, or that I am a clanging cymbal. It was life and ministry changing for me. I put into words many things that I have desired, but had no way of contextualizing. Dr. Chapman put the legs to what my heart desires. At one point Thursday morning I leaned in to my wife and said, "this is why I want to pastor."
Then in the evenings we were blessed with Chris Moody, pastor of South Cleveland COG. He gets a wrap as a "company man", but his heart is certainly in the right place. He is trying to reach the lost, and when push comes to shove, what else matters?? Man, can he preach!! It was hard to believe that he is only 35 years old. I had better start working on my shouting and spontaneous bursts into singing - I've only got 6 years to be there - hahaha!! Really, though, he was a great speaker, and wonderful man of God. I was able to not only enjoy his preaching, but had the chance to speak with him briefly several times, and he truly is a genuinely nice guy.
As far as music, like I said, I showed up late, so my view is a little small. I was able to play bass and help lead worship on Wednesday night with several other younger people. I think that at 29 I was the oldest person on the platform, but there may have been one or two older than me. It was a blast working and playing with people that were so young and energetic.
I was also able to sing harmony and play bass both Wednesday and Thursday morning. Thursday night we had a church lead worship that only recently joined the denomination. They were tremendous. They had one guy who could absolutely sing higher than any guy I have ever heard...he was ridiculously talented - as was their entire group.
So, Bishop Dority has left himself quite a standard for the years to come with this line-up, but it was a great week, and I look forward to the future.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
PNW Men's Meeting...
Saturday, June 7th was a good day. On the afternoon of the 6th, 11 men from Father's House made most of the trip to Tumwater, WA before staying the night in a hotel in Portland. We had a great trip fellowshiping and getting to know each other. We ate together, laughed together, and prayed together that day. We took three guys that are right in the middle of turning their lives around tremendously, and by the grace of God, I believe they can do it.
Then, Saturday morning, we got up and made the remainder of the trip to Tumwater - another 2 hour drive from Portland.
Upon arriving, we got to see and meet several people, some that we knew, and many that we didn't. Pastors from around the Pacific Northwest brought their men to this one day event.
The Father's House in Vancouver lead worship, and Nathan did a great job, as I'm sure he always does. The whole team did a terrific job, and was really sensitive in leading the group of men into the presence of God.
First up was Keith Jenkins, who pastors a large church in Eugene, OR. He was very dynamic in his delivery, and completely right on with his content. He talked about leadership, and having a leadership structure. He talked a lot about having men around the pastor to support and assist him...it was great.
Next up, Reuben Reina took the mic. He talked about dominion, and the power that we have through God. He talked about the power of the mouth, the power of finances, and the power of praise...also great.
Then came the food. We had sandwiches and cookies for lunch. It was a great spread that Pastor Ray Kirkland had got, and the women of Northstar had prepared. Again, we got a chance to fellowship and meet some new people - which really is the highlight of an event like that.
After lunch we had another short time of worship, and then we got into a Q & A time. Both of the morning speakers joined our Administrative bishop Wayne Dority on a panel and fielded questions previously prepared by the men.
I think the Q & A went very well, and it gave everyone a chance to get involved on some level.
the drive back was quite a bit quieter than the ride up. Unfortunately, I had to drive, and at one point, I think I may have been the only one awake in the car of 5 guys...yeah, they left me hanging.
I am looking forward to the next one of these trip in a few months. I think God is going to do some really great things to unite the men and pastors of our region through them.
Then, Saturday morning, we got up and made the remainder of the trip to Tumwater - another 2 hour drive from Portland.
Upon arriving, we got to see and meet several people, some that we knew, and many that we didn't. Pastors from around the Pacific Northwest brought their men to this one day event.
The Father's House in Vancouver lead worship, and Nathan did a great job, as I'm sure he always does. The whole team did a terrific job, and was really sensitive in leading the group of men into the presence of God.
First up was Keith Jenkins, who pastors a large church in Eugene, OR. He was very dynamic in his delivery, and completely right on with his content. He talked about leadership, and having a leadership structure. He talked a lot about having men around the pastor to support and assist him...it was great.
Next up, Reuben Reina took the mic. He talked about dominion, and the power that we have through God. He talked about the power of the mouth, the power of finances, and the power of praise...also great.
Then came the food. We had sandwiches and cookies for lunch. It was a great spread that Pastor Ray Kirkland had got, and the women of Northstar had prepared. Again, we got a chance to fellowship and meet some new people - which really is the highlight of an event like that.
After lunch we had another short time of worship, and then we got into a Q & A time. Both of the morning speakers joined our Administrative bishop Wayne Dority on a panel and fielded questions previously prepared by the men.
I think the Q & A went very well, and it gave everyone a chance to get involved on some level.
the drive back was quite a bit quieter than the ride up. Unfortunately, I had to drive, and at one point, I think I may have been the only one awake in the car of 5 guys...yeah, they left me hanging.
I am looking forward to the next one of these trip in a few months. I think God is going to do some really great things to unite the men and pastors of our region through them.
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