Multi-site

So, I have been in Charleston this weekend with the church staff from East Lake. We are focusing on restructuring our ministry plan and looking ahead to the next step for us as a church. One of the things we are discussing is wether or not to build up our existingt campus or start a new site that is video driven. After yesterdays discussion it seems we all believe there needs to be a bit of both. I think we have agreed that we will do a bit of work on improving our Irmo campus and at the same time we will take our first infant steps at being a "Columbia Church"... starting a video driven site. This morning we are starting our second session looking at becoming a simple church. I feel very good about what we have decided thus far and believe there will continue to be agreement as we go.

Barq's Root Beer

I love Barq's. I love it. Something about the spicy sweetness is so refreshing. I mean this company has been around since 1898. You know they are good if they have been around that long. The only drink I can think that I prefer is Ale 8 One. Thought... have you ever just let a mouth full of Barq's sit in your mouth. IT BURNS. It feels painful like I should not swallow whatever the chemical is into my insides. But I do. And I love it. The 45g of sugar in the drink is a bit concerning though. Oh well... at least it tastes good. This was a totally pointless blog. But thanks for reading.

Do You Love Me?

Last night at youth group we had a never before seen event. Our very own Barry Russell wrote and preformed a birthday song for his wonderful wife, Nikki. It was a classic moment full of mood lighting and talk/singing like Barry White. It was the most fun I have had on a wednesday night thus far here at East Lake. We started our new series called Do you Love me last night and it started off great. I pray students really hear the message that the way they do relationships can be governed by selfishness or selflessness. I pray for the second.

New Read.

So I picked up a new book recently and I have not been able to put it down. The book is called "The Forgotten Ways" by Alan Hirsch. It is absolutely fascinating. I can't put it down. I was recommended it by my mentor Hule. I am shocked at how much the words in the book are questions I have been asking about how we do youth ministry... really church period. Ministry has changed. In fact, the way change in ministry happens has changed. In the past you could predict ministry trends and tailor your ministry to fit the new, coolest, hippest and most relevant cultural trend. This is no longer the case. Now.... once you have predicted the trend the trend has changed. So what do you do??? I have been wrestling with this questions for a couple of years now. I believe the church is facing a massive movement.... one that if not seen and met could spell the end of much of what we know as church... period. I desperately don't want to miss the boat for fundamental change in my ministry. I think the places we are to venture in ministry are primal... deep... old... tribal. I believe right we are "rethinking" youth ministry and church-dom by putting catchy bandages on (you know the ones... testamints and doughnuts on sundays). This book is beginning to allow me to put some words and thoughts to my convictions and concerns. I am not writing and pretending that I have stumbled upon the age old ways of the church... but I am asking more questions than trusting answers.