the    sides

This awesomeness was designed by Little Mountain Productions. Ahhhh, the bittersweet taste of envy…

If you fail to plan, you’ve planned to fail.

…plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. Dwight D. Eisenhower

I’ve been asked quite a bit about our Creative Team at the church and how it functions. Thought I’d give a ‘behind the scenes’ tour this morning.

First, there are about 7 of us and we meet every week (Monday afternoons). Our mission is to create worship environments and experiences that help connect people to God. We spend a little time each week reviewing and evaluating the last service, then start dreaming 2 to 3 weeks ahead.

When we start a series we start thinking physical space – what should the stage look like? What should the room feel like? What elements and props can we use to further push the theme and topic home? What other creative elements should we explore? Drama, dance, lighting, video clips, audience participation — all are a part of this discussion.

We want the worship experience to start before any note or any word is ever spoken. It’s why our worship auditorium has been a coffee shop, a living room, a carpenters workshop, a battleship, a jail cell, and a kitchen just to name a few. I want all the senses (as much as we can) to be involved in worship. We even baked bread one morning when we taught on Jesus saying He was the bread of life.

Almost everyone hears this concept and loves it. And there is much to love. However, it isn’t for everyone. I’ve had a couple of experiences over the years that illustrate this point. If creative, out of the box thinkers who will say whatever comes into their head intimidates you — this isn’t for you. If you are married to an idea and can’t handle someone else ripping it to shreds or changing it to make it better — this isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you don’t mind throwing 12 ideas up at one time just to see which 1 will work — this is perfect for you.

This includes the sermon. It’s open for every one to comment on, change, or critique. I’m the key deliverer but the thoughts and points get prayed on and discussed over in this room first. There have been times where the team has said – “Grant, I don’t think that’s the main point.” Or “Is that the best way to communicate this? How does that tie back into the epic story we think God is trying to tell in this series?”

The root of all of this is the desire to worship Jesus and to provide an environment where others can do the same. We ask that question of every single element and every single service — does this help connect people to God? Furthermore, we don’t stop with that question but push further. Why are we doing this element? How does it fit the rest of the service? How is a lost person or a new in Christ person going to respond to this? Are we doing this just because it is cool or does it have impact and meaning?

The results are nothing sort of stunning. I’ve been amazed at the insight and creativity of our people. They see their artistry with words, canvas, and drywall as a gift of God to be used. It’s a messy, crazy, vulnerable way to “do worship” and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just thought you’d like to know…

The number 1 question I’m asked is how can I hear God speak. (The second most asked question is if Tim Tebow will be the starting quarterback at the end of the season for the Broncos. No, it doesn’t even relate to the first one but just thought you’d like to know.)

This Sunday at Western Hills I’m going to attempt to speak to this issue. And it’s appropriate to talk about in the middle of our Life Group series seeing how our Life Groups are supposed to help connect people to God so that they can be changed by God to look more like Jesus. And if you can’t hear God, you’re not going to be able to obey Him which is key in the whole life change/spiritual transformation cycle.

I love a good sermon and worship experience as the next person but there is nothing that compares to hearing from the Lord, knowing it’s the Lord and then obeying Him. Nothing. What is baffling is how few followers of Jesus actually claim to have this kind of experience. In fact, most folks say not only do not they hear from God but they are starting to question if He even speaks anymore.

Sunday morning, we’ll start the conversation exploring if and how God speaks, what can we know for sure, what are some good habits to hear Him, what are some bad ones to avoid.

See ya’ Sunday.

On September 9th our church will be hosting a global leaders experience known as The Nines sponsored by
Leadership Network and Catalyst. The day will feature more than 100 great speakers.

The Concept
These 100 great speakers get 6 minutes each to speak on the topic of “Gamechangers.” Then we get to interact about what they said.

After watching the speaker (with our sweet, totally awesome brand new, bright monster of a projector), you can sit with your team or other Christian leaders to discuss what you heard and how to work it in your place of ministry or work. The room is going to be set up so that your team or group can huddle together to have this experience.

If you are a leader at your business – take a day with your team and experience this together. If you are a life group leader, children’s working, youth volunteer, deacon, minister, pastor – come spend some time at this experience.

Why should you come?
1. We will have some snacks and some drinks.
2. We’ll even provide some lunch (nominal cost – send me an email to set this up.)
3. Opportunity to build stronger relationships among Christian leaders in our city.
4. It’s free.
5. You’ll be challenged.

Did I mention it was free and we’ll have snacks?

The whole thing starts at 10.30 am. So show up around 10 so we can get set up and give you a shout out.

How do I sign up?
1. Please email me (genglish AT whillschurch DOT com) so I’ll know how many chairs to set up. And if you want some lunch.
2. Go to Thenines2010.eventbrite.com and check out how cool this is going to be.
3. Start inviting others.
4. Rinse and Repeat.

It is going to be a GAMECHANGING day, a GAMECHANGING opportunity to get inspired and challenged.

See ya’ there.

The progression seems simple enough –

We are spiritual beings first therefore real meaning of life is going to found in the spiritual.

The best way to develop and deepen these spiritual relationships is in the context of a smaller group.

The purpose of a Life Group is to connect with God and others for the purpose of life change – to look more like Jesus.

2 Incomplete Small Group Experiences that get confused for a Life Group.

#1 – Ministry Teams – groups that are organized and function around a task.

#2 – Bible Studies – groups that are focused on knowledge.

It’s possible to be active in both of these of groups and never connect with God or experience life change.

The key to it all is authenticity. When we take off our mask and reveal who we really are – our hurts, fears, failures.

The mask we wear is a double-edged sword. We wear it because it does offer some form of protection. One of the greatest fears we have as people is if they knew who I really was, they wouldn’t want anything to do with me.

The same mask that offers a little protection is also the exact thing that prevents true healing. Jesus will always demand that the mask come off first.

Mark 5 is a tragic tale of an entire community that didn’t want to be authentic.

Authenticity will cost you something. It’s expensive. It’s worth it – but it does cost something.

How cool would it be to get an uninterrupted 6 minutes with Seth Godin? What about Rick Warren? Perry Noble? Miles McPherson?

What if I told you I could get them to Western Hills Baptist Church for one day only? Would you show up?

You are going to get a chance.

Seriously, truth is — I can’t get them to physically be there but Leadership Network has made it possible for them to be there via the Web. On September 9th starting at 10.30 in the morning, Leadership Network will be webcasting a unique leader conference called The Nines. It’s a 100 Christian leaders who each get 6 minutes to share with us the biggest GAMECHANGER they have ever experienced.

We’ll be showing it all day long on the BIG SCREEN here at the church and you’re invited. Bring your whole ministry team or use it as a leadership development day for your job or team. Plan on being with us the whole day or just stop in for lunch or a session or two.

In fact – if you are coming for lunch, let me know and I’ll make sure we have some sub sandwiches for you. Drop me an email at genglish AT whillschurch DOT org.

Here is a list of all the speakers.

Here’s a list of FAQs.

Now go put this on your calendar and I’ll see you then.

Our new series LIFE got a HUGE start with the help of the Creative Team turning our entire set into a kitchen and then our fine actors knocking the drama right out of the park.

As our actors so wonderfully asked — is this all there is to LIFE? I have a nagging feeling there is more to it than what I know and am experiencing.

Some of the nuggets said on Sunday morning…

Humanity’s search for happiness and meaning is hindered by two fatal blind spots.

First, we are spiritual beings with a body, not a physical being with a soul. Therefore, first priority should be given to our souls. More often, the physical/temporal gets priority over the spiritual/eternal.

Second, we were designed by God for intimacy. Relationships that are vertical and horizontal. It’s why the Greatest Commandment were about intimacy vertical (love God) and and horizontal (love others).

How Jesus established His ministry and His Church addresses these two blind spots. His focus on the Word of God and the use of a small group of disciples.

The decision to use a small group as basis for His Church and discipleship model was purposeful and still useful for the church today. And it’s why we do Life Groups at WHBC.

It is impossible to be mature in Christ without a small group experience. The large communal worship time is the appetizer to the main course. Live, Love, and Serve can best be incarnated in Life Groups.

Good start to what I think is going to be a fantastic series.

Had a friend confide in me this:

People keep talking about how our prayers aren’t answered because we don’t pray correctly. I get exasperated at that notion. Are there set rules for how you approach a deity? I understand that “oh Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz” is probably not what prayer is all about. AND I know James speaks about not being double minded when we pray. But I find it hard to believe that when I pray about something that appears to go unanswered (or not answered in the way I would like it to be) that this is due to my not speaking the right words in the right way. I think that unanswered prayer has more to due with the differences in our perspective as opposed to God’s perspective.

My first thought is this – all prayer is answered. All. It’s either a yes, no, or wait. Having said that, it doesn’t make the silence of God any easier to understand. I remember as a kid asking for something and the worse possible answer you could get was “wait” or “not now.” The. Absolute. Worst. Answer. Ever.

Wait is ambiguity at its best. Wait tests to the core the true character of who I am…and the failure rate is at times alarming. Wait is that sick feeling at the top of the roller coaster in between the climb and when the bottom falls out from underneath you. Looking back — it’s a split second. In that moment — it’s an eternity. Wait. Not now.

What would happen in that split second at the top of the coaster if I decided I was tired of waiting and did something about it? Like — get out of the coaster. Unhooked the safety harness? Unpacked a sandwiched and a drink to stay for a while? It’s ridiculous to think like that, isn’t it? The impatience would get you killed. The complacency would get you messy. The only response that makes sense in that moment is readiness…just be ready. Do what you know to do — which on a coaster is raise up your hands and scream like a little girl.

Real life is that coaster – our life is but a vapor – about the length of a coaster ride. And I’m not trying to diminish the moment between the climb and drop. There is real hurt, frustration, confusion, and anguish in those moments. But that just further amplifies what God says to us — BE STILL and KNOW. Don’t get ahead, don’t lag behind. Be ready. Wait. Be still. It’s not a ‘unpack the lunch, pitch the tent’ kind of wait. It’s not a run ahead of God kind of wait. It’s a wait kind of wait. Active, ready, stillness wait.

Stillness is different than complacency. But that might just be another post.

Had this conversation this week with our staff and team. It’s something God is really taking me to the wood-shed about.

And let me start by saying that we are not sure exactly WHAT we are in the middle of. We’ve had 16 professions of faith this year – that we know of. We baptized 10 people last Sunday night. Our student ministry is busting at the seams. Our children’s ministry is revamping Sunday morning and AWANA this year. We have new adult Life Groups forming. Upward is larger than it’s ever been. It’s easy to see why I am so amped about the future.

However, no amount of success will overcome a lack of a meaningful relationship. And these relationships hinge on our follow-up and follow-through.

With all of the positives we’re seeing, the truth is we’ve dropped the ball a couple of times this year as well. Folks not getting connected with a ministry or a person that they’ve asked about, a forgotten email, text, or phone call. Is it really a big deal in the grand scheme of things?

Yes.

Let me make it personal – I’ve dropped the ball. I’ve made promises to call or email someone, to catch up for breakfast or lunch and then a couple of days turns into a week which turns into a month which turns into one awkward conversation when we have it.

And the missed opportunity is huge. If a man who up to this point has had no spiritual interest at all makes an effort to ask about a life group or a bible study, that’s a spiritual marker for him. For us to miss that marker by not following through — we’ve stunted his growth. We’ve missed the chance to advance his walk when he WANTED to advance his walk.

Now, the good news is people are seeing what Jesus is doing and want to be a part of it. But if we, as leaders, can’t figure out how to move them off the bench into the action, we are in deep weeds. No, that’s understating it – we are sinking the ship as she sails. We CAN NOT afford to fail in this area because follow-through is the foundation of developing and deepening other meaningful relationships.

Personally, I’ve been convicted lately of saying the words “I’ve been busy.” I am not going to use those words anymore. The truth is we are all busy and we all make time to do what we really want to do. When I say those words to someone what I’m really saying is this – “I am to busy for you.”

And that’s something I just can’t imagine Jesus would say. And if you are a spiritual leader, you don’t have the right to say it either.

Every missed follow-through opportunity – an email, a call, a text, a missed connection with the right person – is a church saying “We’re to busy for you.”

If you are a spiritual leader, here are some practical, simple steps that we can do to make sure we don’t drop the ball on follow-through…

1. Get stuff in WRITING. Don’t trust your mind to remember a conversation in the middle of a busy Sunday morning. Write it all down – contact info, the question, the need. Then do the next thing…

2. Do the legwork. Immediately if possible. If the issue isn’t your area of expertise or knowledge, GREAT!!! Tell them that then connect them to the right person. Face to face is best. Voice to voice is good. Email to email is fine but FOLLOW UP to make sure it happens.

3. The 24 hour rule. Nobody should have to wait longer than 24 hours for a response. Even if that response is — “Great question, I don’t know the answer. Can I do some research and get back to you in a day or two?”

4. Demand the same accountability of your leaders. If you are a leader of other leaders, make sure they understand the importance of follow through. Then hold each other accountable.

I’m a risk-taker. So if we try an idea and it doesn’t work – I can live with it. We’ll change it the next time. In fact, sometimes failure on an event can often be the seedbed for an awesome event later.

But not with follow-through. We can NOT fail at this.

Be careful of ‘common’ passages in scripture. They will bite you.

Case in point – Mark 14. Yesterday morning a group of us started to tackle it and it seemed pretty straight forward. It’s one of the most famous scenes of the Gospel – a woman with a past shatters a jar of perfume worth 9 months of salary over Jesus’ feet. She lets her hair down to dry Him off, the disciples grumble, Judas actually says something out loud. Jesus rebukes them and tells them her story will be told where ever the gospel is told.

Straight forward, right? Except that it isn’t. It is one of those — “ohmygosh,ohmygosh,ohmygosh,she’sdoingwhat?” awkward moments of complete extravagance and intimacy.

The act was invasive. Intimate. Bold. Audacious. Awkward. It was — so out there. And Jesus praised her for it. Which in and of itself gives me pause because Jesus saw her act as worship. To think that at times I feel funny about raising my hands in worship. Oh, how far I have to go in understanding worship. Unbridled, unrestrained worship – how many of those experiences do I have in my life?

And Judas…Judas is an easy villain. He betrayed Jesus. But why does this story seem to be the one that sends him over the edge? Why is this the last straw for Judas? Is it solely because Jesus rebuked him for being a tightwad?

Judas was the kind of guy we all would have loved. Correction – a guy I would have loved. He spoke his mind. He was smart. He was driven. He was trustworthy – the rest of the crew trusted him with their money. Think about all the finance people you know in the church. By and large, all of them are principled people. I’m guessing Judas was the same way.

I think Judas is the first of the disciples to finally get what Jesus has been saying – the Son of God will die.

There was no way Judas could see that being in God’s plan.

The sinking feeling of unmet expectations collided with his huge sense of pride and intelligence. There was no humility in Judas to think that God could do something other than come in as conquering hero. Then to make matters worse – there was no humility in Judas to think God could even save him. Both instances of betrayal and suicide are acts of a man taking matters into his own hands – which seems to be the tool Satan loves to use most.

Be careful of these familiar passages…they’ll work you over.