I just posted over on the Trinity New Life Church blog how you can get one of our hot, dead-sexy church shirts.
Hop on over and get yours…
Archive for category Church
How to get a TNLC Shirt
Sep 29
Because Trinity New Life Church will be at the James P. Gills YMCA!
November 8th is the first preview service for Trinity New Life Church, and it’s official that it will be held at the YMCA. We’ve been in talks for a while now to rent the facility, but today was the day I signed on the dotted line.
We couldn’t be happier about partnering with the YMCA. Perfect people, perfect location. They’re a first-rate organization, a key fixture in the community, and their facility is wonderfully situated to host the entire family on a Sunday morning. Plus, the potential to partner with their community activities helps us to fulfill the “Serve the City” element of our mission.
So consider this your first (but not last) official invitation to the first service of Trinity New Life Church, November 8th, at 11:15 a.m., at the James P. Gills YMCA.
See you there!
As a church planter, I’ll meet with just about anyone. I joke that I’ll shake every baby and kiss every hand I come in contact with. Don’t worry, I know I’m not that funny.
One of the great parts of my job is the opportunity to connect with local pastors and church planters, and it’s been incredibly refreshing to do so.
You see, I’ve met with pastor, after pastor, after pastor and none of them has been territorial. In fact, they’ve all been quite the opposite. Each one of them is encouraging, supportive and kingdom-minded. Each has offered their support and help. One even asked me to come share about our church plant so they could take up an offering for us. How cool is that!?
I’m excited to be planting a church around so many others who aren’t building picket fences to separate churches, but are reaching out to offer a helping hand. It’s almost like God intended things to work this way or something…
“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” – John 17:23
It seems the only place ancient enough to force you to write a check is the church. While many are making the transition to online giving, there seems to be no shortage of avenues to do so. So which one does a church planter choose?
I’m turning to the experience of the internet masses on this on. So…
- Does your church do online giving?
- Do you know what service they use?
- Do you use the online giving, or stick with the ol’ check writing?
- Have you found online giving to help you be more reliable and consistent in your giving?
Would you know it when you saw it? Would you know it while it was happening, or only be able to look back and recognize it with perspective?
Last night, you didn’t need to look far or hard to see history being made. Last night, Trinity New Life Church met for the very first time. Last night 13 adults and 6 kids gathered together to launch a move of God in the Tampa bay area. Here are a few photos:
God is building His church, and we are simply blessed to be partnering with him. Thank you, Jesus.
It’s not too late to be a part of history. Why not join us and be part of something amazing?
The time has come- August 2nd will be the first meeting for those interested in being a part of Trinity New Life Church!
On August 2nd we’ll have our first informational meeting/dinner about TNLC. We’ll spend the first part of the evening eating together and getting to know each other. After the food and fun, we’ll spend some time talking about what it will look like to launch TNLC, and what it will look like to be a part of the launch team.
We’ll provide the main course (hamburgers and hot dogs) and would just like everyone to chip in on a side, drink or dessert. We’ll provide directions and parking instructions once you RSVP. Also, please let us know if you’re bringing kids (who are welcome) who will be eating.
Not in the area? You can still play a part!
- Tell a friend in the Tampa area about the church plant and interest meeting- Just fill out this form and we’ll contact them about the meeting. You know you know someone in the area!
- Pray for the meeting- We can never have enough prayers on our behalf!
- Repost this on your blog- Even if you don’t know someone to invite, perhaps one of your blog readers does. Let’s use our social networks for the glory of God!
God is going to do something incredible, and I hope you’ll join us in being a part of this amazing adventure!
Note: I was provided a free copy of Religion Saves + Nine Other Misconceptions to review on this blog.
If you don’t know who Mark Driscoll, this is probably your first time reading my blog or paying attention to Christian culture in the last three years. Popular and polarizing, Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Here’s the official summary of the book:
After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers.
In his distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style, Pastor Mark Driscoll addresses the nine most controversial questions posed by visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. This book is part of the Re:Lit series.
Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and 343,203 votes were cast. The top nine questions are now each answered in a chapter of Religion Saves.
After an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material, written in Driscoll’s distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.
Here’s my take: This is a very helpful book. I know that may seem like a tame endorsement, so let me explain. The book is loosely tied together with the overall misconception that religion (our attempt to get to God through our good works) can save our souls. Other than that, the chapters are more like a collection of short books.
However, each topic is a hot one, either in culture, Christendom, or both, and Driscoll excellent treatment is to be admired and appreciated. If this is your first Driscoll book, you’ll pick up on one thing very quickly- he loves his Bible. These are not the random musings of an opinionated pastor; these are carefully researched and footnoted answers. Not only will you have a coherent and in-depth understanding of each issue after reading, but you’ll know what your Bible says about it.
While I would recommend Vintage Jesus or Death by Love as a first Driscoll book, this is a GREAT book for all of those “What does the Bible say about…” moments you’ve either had personally, at a small group, or in reaching out to those who don’t know Jesus. This one needs to be on your bookshelf so you’ll be able to provide thoughtful, intelligent answers to the the questions you’ll hear the most.
Click here to buy Religion Saves.
My final ENT Sermon
Jul 13
As I mentioned last week, yesterday was my final Sunday on staff at Every Nation, Tallahassee, and I had the chance to preach. If you’re interested in hearing what I had to say about 2 Timothy 2:1-13, click here to either stream the message or download it for later.
Enjoy!
My last Sunday…
Jul 9
This Sunday will be my last Sunday on staff at Every Nation, Tallahassee. After first attending as a student in March of 1999, I’ll be moving on to be a part of only my second church ever. And I’ve got lead it!
I have the privileged of preaching on my final Sunday as we continue our CHARGE series, and I’ll be tackling 2 Timothy 2:1-13. It will be fun, exciting, nerve-wracking and intimidating for Paul’s final words to Timothy to also be my final words to my first spiritual family.
I hope to see you there, 10 a.m., 2555 North Monroe Street. Holla.
Oh, and here’s Chris Tavalare’s trailer for the series. He’s so talented, isn’t he?
I hate Michael Jackson?
Jul 8
“Amazing how quickly this man’s sins are forgotten upon his death. God will not treat us the same. You can now hate me”
Do I hate Michael Jackson? Do I want to see him burn in hell?
Of course not.
Yesterday this tweet touched off a firestorm of controversy on Twitter, Facebook, IM and email. Reaction was split, but more than not came down on the side of support. After 10 or so hours of reflection, here’s some clarification I’d like to add to the statement, clarification generally not allowed in 140 characters or encouraged by the speed and constant attentiveness of Twitter.
- This tweet was ill-timed. I sent this during his funeral celebration, not the most appropriate time to discuss it, nor the time anyone on either side of a discussion was going to be the most rational.
- The tweet came off as a condemnation of Michael Jackson. While it might be hard to believe, my intended subject was those who believe that good works and societal contributions are all that is required for sainthood, holiness and righteousness before God. While a funeral is not the appropriate venue to rehash horrific accusations against the deceased (see point above), the deification taking place over the last week and the idolatry that took place yesterday (far surpassing remembrance and honor in my opinion) lit my soul on fire. More below.
- It came off saying he wasn’t a Christian (forgiven of his sins by Jesus). While the public evidence of his life seemed to indicate he didn’t have a transformative relationship with Jesus, there was a report circling the Internet that he repented and accepted Jesus shortly before his death. Let this be so. My desire is for no soul to spend eternity away from its Creator.
Here’s the bottom line- I apologize I was not able to get across my original intent with the tweet. Here’s what I really meant:
- Only Jesus Christ can make us righteous before God when we face our final judgment after our earthly death. God will not look to only the good things we’ve done, but how we responded to Jesus Christ as lord and savior.
- The creating of cultural saints based upon good works continues to affirm to me that morality is the greatest enemy facing the Gospel of Jesus in today’s culture. We must be aware of what it is and vigilantly guard against it. Preaching and proclaiming a gospel of morality will only serve as a conveyor belt to hell.
As for my lack of love- in the way it came across, yes. In my intention, no. My motivation was in love, because to not convey the judgment facing us would be the most unloving thing to do. This statement will always be true, and I will work to fine-tune my proclaiming of it.
I’d also like to comment on the “like” factor in all of this. Not one person voiced concern in my, or anyone else’s, judgments upon the Gosslin family, particularly Kate. Yet a lesser comment on MJ brings a firestorm. Why? Because no one likes Kate, and most loved MJ.
One makes for much better public fodder, but no such favor will be shown by God on judgment day. Liked and unliked makes no different to Him, even if it changes public opinion. We must look to what was done for us by Jesus, that which we are incapable of accomplishing ourselves (forgiveness of sin and reconciliation of our broken relationship with God), and not to our deeds, however great. They pale in comparison to the Greatest Deed ever- a truly innocent man dying for a completely guilty people.
I wish that truth, and not an argument as to MJ’s salvation, would have been clearer in my tweet. I hope that we can now move on to the most important debate: our response to His Greatest Deed.
