I just got back from Expo ’05.  Let’s just say that mentally I’m wiped out.  But I was totally challenged by everything that was shared.  Let me give you a basic breakdown of what stuck out in each main session: 

Session 1 – Andy Stanley: Even though I’m the president of the Andy Stanley Fan Club, let me say that he was amazing!  The guy just rocks my world every time I hear him.  He hammered the point home that people give to vision.  But people want to see the vision, but just hear words.  So the key is, how am I (we) going to show what our vision is so God’s people can continue to see what they are giving the resources they have been entrusted with?  Andy showed baptism videos and talked about how they are constantly sharing their vision on a weekly basis. 

Session 2 – Michael Easley:  I didn’t know who Michael was, but he is the president of Moody Bible Institute.  He shared from Nehemiah 5, but what really got me was how Nehemiah didn’t take advantage of the privileges he could have.  He challenged Pastors to consider the "Widow’s mite" before we approve church expenditures.  Good stuff! 

Session 3 – Bob Coy:  Bob is my Pastor.  I served on staff at Calvary Fort Lauderdale for just over 4 years and they were some of the best years of my life.  He was amazing.  I know it sounds funny, but I was so proud of him.  I was so proud that God is using him as much as he is and that I had the honor of serving under him as long as I did.  His message was about celebrating stewardship.  He talked about how most Pastors teach on giving, but we need to be teaching on stewardship. We tend to focus on 10% as opposed to training people that all 100% belong to God.  It was awesome! 

Session 4 – Charles Stanley:  Dr. Stanley was amazing!  He spoke like the elder statesman that he is.  He shared stories like a grandfather talking to his grandkids about trusting God no matter what.  I was really blessed by this message and was challenged in our own building program to recognize that God is the one that provides, not people.  It was very liberating. 

What is the conclusion of the matter?  Order the DVD’s or CD’s.  You won’t be disappointed.  We’ve been raising money for our building all year and it has been really challenging at times, but I know it will all be worth it.  These sessions gave me so much to think and pray about.  Anyway, that’s my 2 cents (sorry, bad money joke)…

Tomorrow I’m heading to Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale (My old stomping grounds) for the day to attend the Exponential ’05 conference that Generous Giving puts on.  The speakers are: Bob Coy, Michael Easley, Charles Stanley, and Andy Stanley.  It’s going to be great.  I’m looking forward to learning a great deal and I’m excited because this is so close.  I usually have to fly someone somewhere to go to a good conference, but this is only an hour away.      

This Sunday (9/18) is our 5-year anniversary as a church. It’s amazing how fast the time goes. We’re going to 2 services (9:30 & 11:00) and we’re looking forward to what’s in store. I don’t know if I still qualify as a church planter, but I still feel like one.

I’ve learned so much over the last 5 years and I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Some days I can’t tell if everything is coming together or coming apart. Sometimes I feel that at the same time…

I don’t know if you’ve been following the latest new trend in the blogging world, the "Pirate Blog."  But Andy Stanley’s comments about church world have been amazing.  I’ve copied (without permission, but I hope it’s OK) his thoughts on what a church’s optimal size should be & what church planters should focus on…

On a church’s optimal size:

"As to the optimal church size… I pretty much agree with what everyone has written. In fact, our answer to that question may seem a bit…simplistic… compared to previous entries.

That’s it. Reaction welcomed. We’re still learning."

On church planting: 

"Small churches should always play to their strengths. Small churches should only do what they can do well. What you can’t do well, don’t do at all. Sounds extreme, but remember, mediocre never triggers momentum. Ever. Mediocre just uses up resources.

One of my church planting heroes is Tommy Politz. He and his team planted a church about six miles from NP in an area of new growth. In the early days people would come to him and ask what Stone Creek was planning to do for single adults. Tommy is a smart guy. He knew better than to try and have something for everbody. So he was honest. "Nothing." He made it clear that in the early days they were focusing on families. Primarily young families. Then he would suggest they visit North Point. You gotta love that. That’s why I love Tommy." 

After 9 months of writing and hard work, next week my book, Elements will be released.  Bob Coy, Senior Pastor of Calvay Chapel of Fort Lauderdale was kind enough to write the foreword.  The book is a look at the life of John the Baptist and…well, I’ll let you read it for yourself.  Check out my other site, www.fuelmg.com and you can read the introduction to the book.