UFC

Dude, I am so loving this new series that we started at C3 called UFC – Ultimate Family Challenge. It is a totally different look at the family. This past Sunday I shared about the relationship between me and my brother. It was absolutely amazing to me at how many folks come up to me afterwards or have emailed me during the week to let me know they are going through something similar. The truth is we all have those whacked-out family relationships, but what do you do with them. This past Sunday and throughout this series we are taking a very real and practical look at God’s Word to hopefully help with those crazy relationships. If you missed Sunday you can catch up with the audio archive on w.c3orlando.com. Then we’ll see ya Sunday for the next round of UFC.

Happy Birthday Sandi!!!

Bubble Gum Can Hurt

Ever wonder why your parents would always tell you to never swallow your bubble gum?!?

Go Break Something

So, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the phrase, “if it’s not broke, break it” and since I’m falling behind in the bloging world again, I figured I better get some thoughts down. I heard the phrase, “if it’s not broke, break it” over and over again in the business school at UCF. They hammered in us the idea that if businesses are to survive they must be innovative and adaptable to the cultural changes around them. As we listened to companies talk about how they used innovation and creativity to stay on top, that phrase seems to make a lot of since. We heard from companies like McDonalds, who added a whole new product line because people became more health conscious, and AT&T, who puts a ton of time and money into developing new technology. It just makes sense. The funny thing is that when I got out of UCF and hit the business world, I quickly found out that not all business like the idea of change. In fact, I had many managers who felt very threatened by new ideas and innovative thinking. Their overlying thought was; this is what has worked for us in the past, we aren’t going to try to start changing things now. What I find very interesting is that 2 companies that I worked for, who definitely did not embrace change, went out of business. Now these weren’t small companies. Both were nationwide firms whose sales were in the multi-millions. However, with both firms you could see the market shifting and the climate changing, but the company did not. Consequently, sales started dropping and in the end both firms went under. What’s strange is that companies know that if they do not adapt they will go down the road of the companies I worked for. Yes, there are exceptions, but usually those exceptions experience no real new growth.

I say all that because the more I read and the more I look at statistics, I think the majority of our churches here in America are going down the same path as those companies I worked for. Churches seem to be just set in their ways and instead of engaging culture to reach people, they run from it and call it evil. I think for far too long our churches have embraced their traditions and haven’t truly loved their neighbors. For far too long churches have worried about how everyone else in the church community views them, instead of wondering why 80% of our city doesn’t go to church. That’s why I love what’s happening at C3. At C3 we have made “change” part of our culture. While our message of Christ’s love hasn’t changed, the way we deliver that message has. We’ve engaged culture instead of running away from it and use creativity to communicate God’s love. And as we head into our 6th week here in the theaters, what I’ve personally seen and heard is that we are beginning to impact that 80%. I’m so thankful for a church and a staff that’s willing to break a few things so that people can meet a loving God.

Week # 3

Dude, I love the C3 Community!!! To me it’s a little glimpse into what the early church in Acts 2 experienced. We’re becoming a community where people honestly in their hearts say; if I have a truck or a home or a talent or time that can be used, then please use it. There’s just this overall sense of excitement about what God is doing. It was our 3rd Sunday in the theaters and it seems like folks are just happy to serve and be a part of everything that’s going on. Even the awesome folks on The Crew are always positive and pumped after getting up before dawn and working their tails off setting up and tearing down everything in the theaters each Sunday. It may be a ton of work, but I think we’re all just having a blast doing what we can to serve God. It’s funny after the day is over and I’m totally exhausted, as I’m getting ready for bed I start to think; dude I can’t wait until next Sunday. What’s really cool is that excitement and passion is effecting the unchurched. We had some friends come this weekend who are completely unchurched and they loved it. They loved the up beat worship, the genuine excitement they felt from everyone and a pastor who was real and connected with them. Well all this rambling to say I love what God is doing through C3. Thank you for being a part of it and being such a blessing to me. If you haven’t checked out C3 yet, check us out on the web and why not just give us a shot this weekend. I promise it will be a sweet experience.

Sunday

Oh my gosh, what can I say about yesterday; it was awesome!!! Our first Sunday doing church in the theaters was so much more than I could ever imagine. God was all over the place and brought so many of the small details together and the atmosphere was absolutely contagious. It really did feel like this is where our church belongs, it’s where we fit. Josh and the band rocked it out and Pastor Byron really connected with everyone and challenged us to really take the responsibility of our spiritual future. I can’t wait for next Sunday.

I also want to say a huge thank you for all our volunteers who are giving of their time and talents Sunday after Sunday to make C3 a reality. You guys are awesome!!!

Theaters

Dude, I’m getting so jacked about moving church into the theaters!!! Yesterday morning we were in the theaters taking care of some little details and we were standing at the front of where our main services will be and man, the atmosphere is just going to be through the roof. Regal Cinema is going to supply an outrageously sweet environment for doing church the way we do it. Even with all the craziness of this last week, trying to get everything together and moved out of the old buildings, I fell like my kids do looking forward to Christmas. I just can’t wait for the 6th!!!

Sunday after Sunday

Man, I love Sundays!!! It is always awesome to come worship God together and there is always something exciting going on at church. But I got to tell you the last 2 Sundays have been off the chain. 2 Sundays ago we rolled out our C3 Christmas Project. We gave everyone at church cash to go use to help folks in their communities this holiday season. Since then folks have been telling me about what their doing or plan on doing with the cash. The one I really love was I had one of our Crave students call me on the Monday after she had received the cash and was all excited. She told me that she knew a family that was really having a hard time financially so, she and a couple of the other youth put the money they received from the church together and went and bought this family clothes, blankets and some other things. That just awesome!!!

Then yesterday was just one of those Sundays where you stand back and say; dude, God is so awesome. We baptized 21 folks during the service yesterday. I had never seen anything like it. What made it really cool for me is that I got to talk with each individual during the weeks before they were baptized. I got to know them and their stories about coming to Christ. It is so cool, we have so many folks here at C3 who don’t have much of a church background but have now come to Christ and are just so passionate about serving Him. You guys are awesome!!! Congratulations on your decision to follow Christ.

Then that brings us to next Sunday, Dec. 2nd. I don’t want to sound like a broken record or anything but it is going to be another Sunday you don’t want to miss!!! Next Sunday is going to be one of those critical Sundays as we lay out the keys to our future success here at C3. See you then!!!