Blog

by Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor

“Discipleship” is the new rage. Every church conference seems to be focused on discipleship. Every leader is trying to figure it out. Every church member is asking, “What does this church offer for discipleship?” And every pastor is leaning in to figure out what it is, how to measure it, and what they are responsible for. And I’m included in that list. I’m joining more than 5,000 leaders in a few weeks at the Exponential Conference called “DiscipleShift.” The topic is so popular that the conference sold out weeks ago (you can still tune in to the free webcast).

I wonder if sometimes we over-complicate the issue. Have you seen the new AT&T ad campaign where a bunch of little kids sit in a circle and answer questions? They say something crazy or off-the-wall, and the narrator follows up, “It’s not complicated.” I think we need a little dose of childlike thinking regarding discipleship.

Sometimes we get so mired in the nuances of our argument that it paralyzes us from getting anything done. We sit around arguing the when, where, how and what–and we fail to inspire people to get on the path and start moving.

I’ll admit that sometimes I’m pretty simple, but this is how I look at it:

• A disciple has his feet pointed toward Jesus and is moving.
• A disciple-maker is intentionally taking someone else along for the journey.
• A mature disciple doesn’t require anyone else to continue taking steps with and toward Jesus.

Continue reading on Tim's Blog...

• a fresh perspective and some new ideas about how to craft communications so you can release the right response? (Less clutter. Less Noise. with Kem Meyer)
• hands-on training that will empower paid and unpaid wow-makers to make great first impressions? (First Impressions with Mark Waltz)
• insight into developing a kids' program that impacts the future of children and families in your community? (Kids' Ministry: From Leading to Legos with Ted Bryant)

Invest in this one-day learning retreat. You deserve some specific and practical encouragement. As a matter of fact, grab one or two teammates and bring them along to make the day even better. Kem, Mark and Ted will be here. And so will many others who have signed up to be here, too. Hope you can join us.

Get all the specifics and register now—it's not too late!

It's baptism weekend at GCC. Hundreds of people have come forward, publicly declaring their choice to follow Jesus. It's a beautiful display of boldness and surrender all in one moment; dying to sin, rising in Christ.

Thousands have accepted baptism over the past 25 years at GCC. That is a massive testimony to the movement of God, and the people who have answered the call and chosen to walk on the Jesus way. Each time one more person comes forward, the whole church rejoices.

Baptism weekend is a big deal at GCC. Dozens of photographers take thousands of photos to collectively capture every person, every expression, every moment of rejoicing.  It's a big celebration!

Here a look at some of the celebration so far this weekend:

by Mark Waltz, Pastor of Connections and MultiSite

This is an ink pen. Its base is wrapped with a hair tie. Can you see what's bound in the hair tie? Yes. That's human hair. Hair that was held by the tie before it was wound around this pen. 

Convenient, I suppose. Finished with it in your hair, just wrap it around the pen you're using until you need it in your hair again. To each his – or her – own. 

Unless the person using the hair tie is a restaurant server and she hands her pen to her customer to sign their bill. 

That customer was me. Convenient for her. Disgusting for me. I dropped - maybe I threw - the pen on the table and asked my wife, Laura, for hand sanitizer and a pen. Gross.

It's easy to live in Convenience World. We don't intend to impede on anyone else. We just don't think. 

This was just a pen. But, think about the conveniences we hang on to, maybe insist on, without thinking how it impacts someone else. Say...your church guest or your neighbor.

• It's convenient to park in the main lot closest to the door. You're serving after all! And you must be on time (It would have been inconvenient to leave earlier.). However that convenient parking spot could have been a guest's easy to find spot.
• It's convenient to find my friends and catch up. But if that's all I do, I miss the opportunity to welcome and engage someone new to our church.
• It's convenient to rush out of my neighborhood and just wave to my neighbors. But I may be missing relationship and a chance to communicate care with my time.
• It's convenient to ignore the turn signal on the car next to me and not slow down to let the driver in front of me. But, it might be a small way to defer, to care, to be second.

by Heather Stevens, daughter of Executive Pastor Tim Stevens

We've talked a lot about Tim Stevens' newest book, Vision: Lost and Found, so we're not going to remind you again how amazing it is. But we thought you'd want to know that Tim's publisher, Exponential, is giving away a free six-chapter excerpt of the book! So in case you haven't gotten your copy yet, this is your chance. Get a free sample of the book that was recently chosen as part of Leadership Journal's 2012 Leadership Book Awards and we're sure you'll want to buy the whole thing.

Check out Exponential's description:

In this excerpt, Stevens focuses on the evolution in thinking that he and other Granger Community Church leaders went through as they evaluated both missional and attractional approaches to doing and being the church. Stevens shares that in February 2010, Granger leaders looked at each other and asked a hard question: Is the sheer number of “unchurched” people in our area any less than it was 25 years ago before Granger existed? That question–and this excerpt–set the stage for what would eventually define the church’s well-known transition to “both/and,” choosing to be both attractional and missional. Stevens’ story-telling compels readers to download the full book to discover the rest of Granger’s unstuck story still being written today. Stevens offers an in-depth look at both missional and attractional approaches and gives us an insider look at why and how he and Granger leaders wrestled with both. He also includes a mini glossary of terms central to the missional movement. Download the free eBook (excerpt) here.

by Mark Beeson, Founding Pastor

When you feel like you're done and the buzzards are circling overhead, don't quit. God is still working, and when the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe reveals to you where He is working, you're invited to join Him in His activity.

The ignominious end of a wasted life, that offers little more than food for the vultures, is tragic – and unnecessary. Instead of sitting down and waiting for the finale, accept God's invitation and take action.

You're not dead and you're not done.

Respond to God.

Reset your life.

Live.

2 Peter 1:3-4a  -  Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God.