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Generational Impact

We had a chance to get away for a couple days and spend some time with my Grandma in Vandalia, MO.  She is a remarkable woman who raised five children, including my dad. She was just 17 years old when she gave birth to my dad, her first child.  And she was 42 when she had her youngest child, Anita.  Actually, my mom and her were pregnant at the same time.  My mom with me, and she with my aunt.  Here she is with Mom and Dad, along with my son, Graham and my daughter, Chloe.  My grandma has been faithful in her love for Jesus for many, many years and it continues to have a tremendous impact on lots of people including my kids - Graham and Chloe.  I love the fact that Graham and Chloe can experience first-hand what it means to leave an eternal legacy.  Thanks Grandma!!

Christmas Break Reading

I'm enjoying a couple of books over the past week while things have slowed down a little.  You might want to check them out.

Jim and Casper Go to Church - it's a review of about 20 very different and mostly well-known churches from across the country by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper.  Jim is a Christian and Casper is an atheist.  While sometimes their take on these churches seem a little predictable, it's at the very least a great reminder of how non- believers hear our words very different from how we often intend them to be heard.

A Community Called Atonement - Thanks goes to my friend Glen  Wagner for recommending this book to me.  Scott McKnight, professor at North Park University in Chicago has written a brief, but very helpful overview of various views, ideas, and metaphors of atonement theology.  While he doesn't really land anywhere particularly surprising (at least I don't think so), he does a great job of integrating a number of schools of thought and challenging status quo thinking and some too-easily-held assumptions.

A Montgomery Christmas Eve

It's become a tradition for me to teach at CCC's Montgomery Campus for Christmas Eve Services.  They do an incredible job of decorating and creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere.  I can't think of any place I'd rather be.  Charissa Holland and her fiance Lucas Motley led the worship experience, and Montgomery's Campus Pastor, Carter Moss made everyone feel welcome.  It was especially cool to have my family - Lisa, Graham, and Chloe as well as my mom and dad there for the 11 PM candle light service.  Good times!  It's been a full, but incredibly blessed week.  God's blessings to you this Christmas!

A Great Team

Our Champion Team went out for a Christmas Lunch today.  These are the people we call "Champions" at CCC.  They are the point leaders for key areas of ministry (children's, student's, adult groups, creative arts) across all eight, soon to be nine CCC Campuses.  In addition, they provide coaching to our NewThing Affiliate Churches.  Oh yea, and they all have significant campus-specific responsibilities as well.  Can you say "multiple-hats."  I can't imagine a better group to work with than this team right here. It really is an honor to lead this team.  They are nothing short of phenomenal! 

Gift Mart 2007

A huge thanks to CCC's Community 4:12 and the 850+ volunteers from several area churches, Home Depot, Starbuck's, and more who all contributed to another over-the-top successful Christmas Gift Mart at Bardwell Elementary School in East Aurora.  5500 gifts were donated and purchased for pennies on the dollar by close to 3000 families, and over $9500 was donated to Bardwell and Bradyn Schools.  It put a lump in my throat when I arrived to see the incredibly long line of families waiting for their chance to purchase Christmas gifts for their children.  Let's pray that there will indeed be many blessed families as a result of the generosity of all the people who made this effort possible!

Leadership Community

I just saw this post from Scott Hodge, Lead Pastor at Orchard Valley, about their monthly leadership gathering called "Fuel."  He offers some great insight as to why this gathering is so crucial to any reproducing church.  CCC has held a monthly Leadership Community for as long as I can remember.  When I read Scott's blog I was reminded once again why we do what we do.  You gotta read this.  Thanks Scott.

Reproducing Church -- January 7 & 8

One of my favorite NewThing events is right around the corner.  Monday and Tuesday, January 7-8 is NewThing's Reproducing Church Experience.  This two day experience is for anyone who dreams of not only being part of a life-changing church, but has a vision for a church that reproduces over and over again.

• What does it take to be a leader that reproduces other leaders?
• How do you develop small groups and teams that reproduce?
• What are the key qualities of a reproducing church culture?
• How can you contribute to a growing movement of reproducing churches?
• What does it look like for a church to establish reproducing practices from day one?

Some of the best practitioners I know anywhere will share their insights and struggles: CCC's very own Dave Ferguson, Eric Metcalf, Brian Zehr, Perry Martin, and Carter Moss, along with Dave Dummitt from NewThing's 242 Community Church in Detroit.  You won't miss this great opportunity.  For more information, go to www.newthing.org.

Audible II

This weekend we wrapped up our Audible series with Dave giving the "talk" via videocast at all CCC locations.  I was at the Yellow Box last night for our Saturday 5PM service and had some friends join me for their very first time.  Dave's talk was spot-on.  I couldn't be more excited about the future of CCC and the vision we believe God is giving us.  For a quick clinic on casting vision and a great challenge that will speak to your head and your heart, click here.

NewThing at Mike's

Since we are in Boston for our NewThing Lead Pastor Gathering we couldn't resist the opportunity to do a little sightseeing which included a trip to Mike's Pastry Shop.  It's right of the Freedom Trail and a must-stop if you love anything sweet with a cup of coffee.  I had a terrific Boston Creme Puff, and was dumb enough to ask, "What's in the cream puff?"  The lady behind the counter was amazingly gracious and said with a smile, "Creme."  Here's a pic of our NewThing Lead Pastors at Mike's.

NewThing Gathering

Last night the Lead Pastors of our NewThing Affiliate Churches arrived in Boston for our twice-a-year lead pastor gathering. Twice each year the lead pastors get together re-connect, challenge each other in a variety of areas, and to talk vision and strategy for NewThing and our churches. This past May we gathered in Chicago at Community Christian Church, and today we are in Boston at Reunion Church.  This morning we'll be looking to the future of NewThing and how we can reproduce more and more networks to catalyze a movement of reproducing churches.