Category Archives: Blog

Exponential 2011

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Exponential 2011

We can’t verify Exponential’s claim to be the largest gathering of church planters on the planet. If you want to learn more about church planting and meet other people who are church planting, we can say you won’t be disappointed. We’ll be there. Register today and you will be too!
Last Chance for Lowest Rate of $129!

* Over 3,500 National Church Planting Leaders

* Over 90 National Speakers including Francis Chan, Alan Hirsch and Matt Chandler

* 15 Pre-Conference Intensives

* Over 100 workshops designed to equip and train leaders

* Tracks in Pre-launch, Post-launch, Personal Leadership, Missional, Spouses, Small Town Planting / Bi-vocational, Multi-ethnic, Social Justice, Multi-site, Technology / Web, and Nuts & Bolts

* New After Hours Programming

* 50+ Leading Sponsors & Service Providers

* Sunny Orlando, Florida

Use Discount Code expovip for $129 rate. Don’t throw away 50bucks! Visit exponential.org/2011 to register today. Rates rise after December 3.

Christian Inferiority Complex

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I had a Christian inferiority complex in the sense that I knew what people thought of Christians and I was a little bit embarrassed to be one because of that association. And so as a result I think I wasn’t myself – comfortable with myself and with the life I was starting to experience since following Jesus and I hadn’t fully realized that what God does inside of you when you really live for him is what everyone is longing for. Maybe that is part of the problem. Maybe part of the problem is that many Christians don’t know how to truly follow Jesus in a moment-by-moment way where he is doing something in us that is so exciting that you want to give it away. It’s like, I love soccer and if you talk with me for very long I’m going to end up telling you about a soccer game or coaching my team or something – you know why? Because I love it and I think you ought to too. You might not, but I just so excited about it that in time I just can’t help talking about it. And you know honestly it is the same way with Jesus when you’re fully yielded to him and learning to do what he said in John 15, stay connected moment by moment and this fruit starts to grow and that is something that when you’re experiencing it, you want everyone to experience. I think that is what we need to get to – am I living the kind of life where I’m seeing the fruit of God’s Spirit produced in me, if so then I’m going to want others to experience it and I’m going to be less worried about what they think about me because I’m going to be more wanting them to have something good. That’s a shift that we as followers of Christ have to come to and help others live out – that’s contagious.

A Church for People who Don’t Like Church

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I’m spending a couple days at Vault, a church planting lab hosted by Verve in Las Vegas.  If you don’t know who Vince Antonucci is, check out his blog.  He’s been a partner with ELI in starting churches and we’re excited to be a part of starting Verve  - a church for people who don’t like church.  Which raises a couple of questions. Is that possible? What does it look like?  The answer is yes it’s possible and what it looks like is a place where Paul, Mary and Amanda found faith in Jesus and are experiencing a whole new life.  Each of them shared their stories – how they had given up on church, hated Christians and never imagined they could or would change their minds.   And, how they were loved into community and ultimately faith at Verve.  How can you see that happen with your friends? Here are my takeaways from today

  • Start with a broken heart.
  • Don’t take yourself to seriously.
  • Love unconditionally.

John Burke Coming to California in November

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If you’re a west coaster, check this out. John Burke will be speaking at the Group Life Conference in Vacaville, CA on November 5-6. Visit their website for more details and registration.

Pastor’s Lunch:

The Father’s House is also hosting a Pastors Lunch on Friday, November 5, from 12:30 – 3:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to interact with other pastors and have some Q&A time with John. If you’d like to come, email craig@elichurchplanting.com for more details.