The Gap

Tags

Churchpunk, Crosspoint Church

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending another local church in my community, Crosspoint.

Even better yet, was that I got to worship with a new friend, Churchpunk (Aka Chris Walker) who was in from Cincinnati with his family.

What I found amazing is how the message was aimed right at me.  I know many people say this is the case all the time or much of the time if you really listen, but this weekend in particular it was even more so.

Over the past few months, I have been struggling with The Gap.  Not the clothing store or the band, but “The Gap” in my life.

Pete referred to this as “the space between” during service.  The space, or gap, that is our lives from the point we become Christians until we die and move onto eternity.  The message looked at what we do with that gap.  Do we just play church through our lives and hope it racks up some points or do we “live” the church and take those steps to do what is needed to better our lives and the communities around us.  (this is the cliff notes version big time).

But here is where I struggle right now.

I hate my Gap.

I do not feel I am doing the right things within my life be it with my family, my friends or my church.  My career is taking precedent which in turn emotionally takes me away from the truly important things in life.  Not that my career is not super important, but it is not my family, friends or church.

In turn, I feel that the Gap of my life is empty and that the enjoyment I should be getting out of life is just a 2 on a scale of 1-10.

I consciously want to change that and make the Gap in my life meaningful.

But where do you start?  How do you go about making the changes that make your life more meaningful and take that Gap in your life and fill it with a great life?

I am not sure where I will start but maybe I already have.  I have recognized I do not like the place I am right now.

How about you?  Are you just filling space right now in The Gap of your life or are you really “living” your life?

Church Success = SALES

Tags

Bellevue Community Church, church, community church, Crosspoint Church, David Perez, Joe Case, pastors, Pete Wilson, sales, salespeople, Uprising Church

disclaimer:  before you read please note that in no way am I criticising the operation of a church or the way a pastor runs a church…this is a positive outlook on the success of churches and at no time was a pastor harmed while writing this piece.

A good friend of mine, Ernie,  and I often talk about churches and why some succeed and some, well, fail.

It always baffles us why certain concepts of churches bring in the masses while the traditional churches are starting to stumble a little.

We also often talk about how the Community Church is thriving.

I think it has finally dawned on me why this is.  Simply put: SOLD.

The new pastors of today know how to “sell” their church. 

From the time you step in the entrance of a church like Bellevue Community Church, Crosspoint Church, Uprising Church or a church of this nature there is something different.  A church designed for YOU.  A customized product that reaches those of us who did not feel comfortable in a traditional environment.  Kids areas that reach out and invite kids, letting them know church is a cool place to be.  In a probably crude example, but the church is becoming a product we want to buy, or, buy into.

Pastors like Pete Wilson, David Perez and Joe Case leading the sales charge (in a good way).  These are salespeople at their finest.  Putting a product out there that is not only what we want but being able to tell us why we will love it.

The reason this all finally dawned on me is because I am a salesperson.  A neighbor was asking me to visit their church (traditional) but with little enthusiasm.  Not a good salesperson.  A few hours later, I was at a trade show and someone invited me to Crosspoint.  This person was completely enthusiastic about what was happening and telling me over and over about all the cool stuff Pete and his staff was doing.  What a difference.  I thought back to all of the conversations I have had about my church, Bellevue Community.  Always sold with enthusiasm.

So, my question for you:  Are the successful churches you attend or see a direct result of a Pastor that can sell?  How do you think they would fare selling goods in a marketplace and not church?

Cool Churches- No…Really!

Tags

Bellevue Community Church, church, Crosspoint Church, David Perez, Pete Wilson, Religion

I heard something distrurbing today that just, well, drives me crazy.

A local church had a teen member who decided to attend a concert at another church and invited some friends.  The pastor of the church (non concert) confronted the teen and told her she had to choose and that if she went to church B for the concert to not come back.

I vaildated this story and I think the reason it drives me crazy is because for non believers it provides fuel that churches are exclusionary.  Exclusionary?  In this case it might appear so.  But people who think this is the norm have never stepped into a “Cool Church”. 

 

What is a Cool Church?  A Cool Church is a place of worship that all ages come and celebrate with rockin music, lively worship, coffee bars and community festivities.  They don’t exclude and are inviting to everyone even non believers.  Non believers are not treated as outcasts, but guests, that are allowed to explore faith on their terms and come to their own decisions without pressure.  Freinds from other churches are always welcome, in fact invited.  The community is the focus and improving the community is the goal.  Real People and Real World are the underscore of the church.

If, like me, you live in the West Nashville Area, these Cool Churches are Bellevue Community Church and Crosspoint Church.  I am sure there are others but these are the two I have visited and find “Cool”.  Both Pastors Pete Wilson from Crosspoint and David Perez from Bellevue, GET IT.  They understand what community and church is all about.  You want to see what a welcoming environment and safe place to worship is all about….well here you go.

Check out a Cool Church and see for yourself……you might be surprised.

Pete has a cool blog as well….it is under Blogs I Read.

Thanks for David and Pete….you got Cool Churches.