Pastor Mark

Who are we attracting?

"The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, button-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did."

Tim Keller

Posted on September 26, 2009 at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

My new favorite way to spend a Monday!

Mondays are my day off and I spend a good portion of them alone. My kids are in school and my wife is at school as well (she's a teacher at a local i-high). One of the things that I love to do the most is read. Anything really - but especially things about church and leadership. I love books, blogs, podcasts - anything that helps me be a better me. I tend to enjoy these things more when out and about as opposed to at home - places like a restaurant, park, etc.

This morning a great idea hit me: "Why don't you go to the zoo?"
It's perfect! We have a family pass so it doesn't cost me anything. Mohawk Park is right there. There's nobody there on Mondays. I LOVE zoos. It's quiet. Tons of places to sit and relax. And I LOVE taking pictures at the zoo.

So I grabbed my camera, my Kindle, and my netbook and headed out to the zoo. It was a great day! I got to walk for a few hours, listen to some podcasts, take some pictures - this will DEFINITELY be my new routine for Mondays!

Posted on September 21, 2009 at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

16 Signs That a Leader Has Lost His Mind

Perry Noble posted an incredible list this morning entitled, "16 Signs That a Leader Has Lost His Mind". Leaders, I HIGHLY encourage you to go to his blog to read the entire list.

As you read them, think about yourself and the areas in which you lead. Are you guilty of any of these? Even if you're not guilty, are you prone to lean in these directions? Do you have anyone in your life that can point them out to you -- that you will listen to? If someone thinks you are any of these things, there is likely a reason they think it - are you man (or woman) enough to look within to find out why they think that?

Here are the ones that really got my attention. Make sure you go to Perry's blog to read the whole list.

1. He refuses to admit his mistakes.

3. He refuses to listen to the team assembled around him.

6. He is unwilling to make the necessary changes because it would be highly unpopular.

12. He becomes obsessed with the way things are rather than how they should be.

16. He stops taking risks and becomes obsessed with playing it safe.

Posted on September 08, 2009 at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Journey Class: Reading the Bible for All Its Worth

We just started our first semester of Journey Classes on Sunday nights @destinychurch! Pastor Nick is teaching S.H.A.P.E., Dr Bob Mongrain is teaching "Jump Start" and I am teaching a class called "Reading the Bible for All Its Worth".

Many of you in the class have asked me to post my teaching notes, so here they are, unedited. Yeah, I have crazy-long notes. Welcome to my OCD world!

If you have any questions you would like to ask about things we talked about, feel free to leave them hear as comments or email them to associatepastor@destinychurch.com.

Thank you so much for giving of your time each Sunday night - I am having a blast with all of you!

Journey Class week 2 notes Journey Class week 2 powerpoint

If you would like to see the weekly notes or other items from this class in the future, just click the "Journey Class" link above.

Posted on September 06, 2009 at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

I'm still alive!

I've just been REALLY busy! Those of you that follow me on FB or Twitter still hear from me nearly every day, but things like blogs take a bit more time, so I don't come here as often right now.

One of the main things I have been spending my time with is preparing for our Journey Classes that are launching at Destiny Church this Sunday night. A few months ago before we publicized them, our private hope was that we had at least 100 people in the 3 classes combined. You guys FAR exceeded that! As of Thursday we had 149 registered - and we fully expect a ton more to sign up at our Saturday and Sunday services! We have room for everyone who wants to attend, so no excuses!

So if you have not registered yet, it's not too late! Here are your choices:

Jump Start - Essentials for Christian Living
Leaders: Dr. Bob and Dee Mongrain
No cost to attend - sign up at bookstore

How to Read the Bible For All It's Worth
Leader: Pastor Mark Collier
$10 for the class (book included) - sign up at bookstore

S.H.A.P.E. - Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life
Leaders: Pastor Nick and Amy Agimudie
$10 for the class (book included) - sign up at bookstore

If you need childcare, we had a few spots left, but I don't know the latest - so check at the bookstore to find out if we have any more room.

Posted on August 29, 2009 at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Want to be a leader? LEARN TO COMMUNICATE!

"If you're a leader, or wanting more influence in your job, ministry, organization, whatever, try to out-communicate (not over-communicate) everyone else. Most people aren't shining examples of follow-through and responsiveness. Yet, most people like people they can depend on, because it's such a rare trait. If you can discipline yourself in such a practice (trust me, it's a discipline), you'll be the exception to the rule of the flaky majority."

Jeff Goins

I have nothing to add to this except, "AMEN! PREACH IT!"

Posted on August 15, 2009 at 04:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Baby Dedication @ Destiny Church

I don't know what's in the air @DestinyChurch, but we have a TON of babies around here! Tonight we dedicated 18 babies and their families to the Lord. Here are some of the pictures of these beautiful families...