*Disclaimer! This definitely falls under the category of church planting. If you read my blog for pithy comments, insightful devotions, or my family’s journey – well, this may bore you completely. You’ve been warned.

The Call

Church planting is hard. I read a post from a fellow church planter recently who said church planting was easy – pastoring was hard. I understand the sentiment, but the issue is that the two are inseparable.

Unlike the difference between the wedding and the marriage, church planting has no definitive end in sight. I’m not sure when you are done “planting”.

The Challenge

The primary reason for this is that the most common challenge church planters face is the need for additional leaders. In the majority of cases, every leader involved in a new work is responsible for 3 or 4 areas – and none of them may be their area of gifting! There always seems to be more work to be done than there are people to do it.

Many church planters (myself included at times) often cry out, ‘if I only had more leaders, I could _________!’

Wake Up Call

The truth is, you probably couldn’t _________. That’s because leaders aren’t born. They’re grown!

I was reminded today that Jesus had a peculiar way of doing ministry and equipping leaders. There’s an old saying: God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Repeatedly in Scripture we see examples of God taking the most unlikely candidates and using them for His glory and purpose.

True Discipleship

I sat in a meeting this morning where I heard David Putman from PlantingTheGospel.com share this: ‘When Jesus sees the least, the lost, and the lonely, he sees people beaming with potential.’

In other words, rather than focusing on your situation and the lack of resources, why not take the approach of Jesus and focus on the people God has placed in your care and the potential that lies within?

Discipleship isn’t about taking a full grown plant from one garden and transplanting it to yours. It’s more about taking a freshly planted seed, planted in new & fertile soil, and making sure it grows into the healthy plant it should be.

Healthy things grow.

As leaders, we don’t have to manufacture something that doesn’t exist. We don’t have that power. We are only to harness the God-given power already at work within the disciple and steer that in the direction God intends for it to go.

It’s slower than your plug and play leadership team idea.

It’s messier than the neatness of titles and job descriptions.

It hurts more because you fail more and learn as you go.

It’s harder to help people move from where they are to where God wants them to be.

But that’s the job.

That’s discipleship.

And it’s our sole mission.

*Question: I have not arrived in this area and am still learning this principle. How about you? What has your experience been with developing leaders from within?

We started a new 12 week series at Revolution Church called ‘James: Faith That Works‘.

The book of James is often misunderstood and many see James’ strong call to discipleship as standing in stark contrast to Paul’s writings and emphasis on grace. That is a common distortion of what’s going on.

Just like my wife and I have one dynamic of our relationship as best friends and lovers, we also have a facet of our relationship as parents. One looks one way and the second looks another. Yet it is the same relationship.

So it is with the contrast with Paul and James. Paul focuses on the relationship between sinner and Savior. James focuses on the relationship between servant and Lord. Perhaps more than any New Testament writing, this is a message to followers of Christ.

Just like with my wife and me, Paul and James describe different aspects of the same relationship – both rooted in grace. One is our desperate need for grace alone and the other is the effect grace has as it manifests itself in the life of the believer.

I invite you to walk through this journey with us and follow along.

Here is the opening message to the series – James: An Introduction.

It’s official! Revolution Church is moving to Camelot Cinemas on September 25, 2011!

This is our 4th move in 2 years! I remember Rick Warren writing about the number of times Saddleback moved in their first 10 years and saying something like ‘The joke was, if you could find us, you could come!’

We don’t want to be confusing, but we do want to be clear: the Church is the people of God meeting for the purpose of God to worship the person of God. It’s not a building.

This is a great move for Revolution! It gives us the space to grow and top notch facilities to do it in. I am more excited about this location than any other venue we have utilized for Revolution!

Here are the details:

Revolution Church (at Camelot Cinemas)
48 East Antrim Drive – Greenville, SC
Service time: 10:30 am
Full adult and children’s worship

We would love to have you join us for a service where our guests are made to feel like family and the atmosphere is casual and engaging. Please visit the website for more details: www.revolutiononline.cc

Filed under: Church Plant, Church Stuff, Revolution Church ]]> http://chrislewisblog.com/2011/08/29/revolution-church-is-moving-woohoo/feed/ 0 Chris Camelotfront http://chrislewisblog.com/2011/05/30/message-highlights-the-return-of-christ-a-biblical-perspective/ http://chrislewisblog.com/2011/05/30/message-highlights-the-return-of-christ-a-biblical-perspective/#comments Mon, 30 May 2011 12:15:15 +0000 Chris Lewis http://chrislewisblog.com/?p=1227 ]]> The following is a 4 minute highlight video from a message I preached at Revolution Church in part due to questions and conversations I’ve had as a result of Harold Camping and the media attention from his May 21 prediction about the rapture or end of the world.

The full message is available on the website.

The last several messages from Revolution Church’s series Acts: The Church Unleashed are now online here.

Also, all messages are now available for free as a podcast subscription in the iTunes store. Try this link to open in iTunes or paste this in your browser:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/revolution-church-podcast/id405501782

I wrote a post in May about experiencing community and I wanted to do a follow up. Several weeks ago, we began our LIFEGroup ministry at Revolution Church, which is an extension of the local church meeting in homes for the purposes of fellowship, accountability, Bible study, and prayer.

I am simply blown away.

In our corporate gathering, we are going through the book of Acts and you can’t help but notice the amazing sense of community experienced by the early church. There were amazing displays of God’s power, huge gestures of generosity, and harsh consequences for anything or anyone who threatened that community.

So Revolution Church is experiencing a paradigm shift in the way we think about discipleship. Most people are familiar with a church model (whether you know it or not) that has a church who meets and offers small groups as a discipleship option.

We like this. It makes us feel normal. It makes us feel comfortable. We know others to do this and consequently, we don’t mind falling right in line. To say you’re a church who offers small groups, really doesn’t distinguish you from any other church in any other town or any other city.

It is an entirely different thing to be a church OF small groups. Where what happens in the corporate gathering is an extension and celebration of what is happening in the context of many smaller gatherings.

This is unfamiliar territory for many of us. This forces us to change the way we look at church. When we experience community, accountability, and are challenged in the small group setting of our LIFEGroup families, it alters our approach to corporate worship. We are no longer putting our best foot forward and trying to show people only what we want them to see. We are more likely to express our needs through transparency because we are already walking in relationships that require that in a smaller context. And that can make us uncomfortable.

So either we run from that or we lean into the tension created by authentic and transparent relationships.

I am blown away by the difference this has made in our people in the few short weeks we’ve been meeting in small groups. We don’t have it all figured out – not nearly all figured out! We will continue to tweak, adjust, and realign our approach as the Holy Spirit leads. For now, I am eager to see where this takes us as a church.

What about you? Who are you in community with? Who has access into the areas of your life that you don’t like to talk about? If you don’t have that, I would invite you to plug into a church that facilitates this in smaller group settings.

Here are the last several messages in the series. Click here if you have trouble viewing.

Come Holy Spirit

The Power of the Gospel

Biblical Community

We Can’t Help It

A Special Prayer

Keeping Up Appearances

We are approaching the 1 year mark since Revolution Church began having weekly services. If you and I sat down last August to discuss what I thought we would look like a year from then, I would have given you some fairly predictable answers. In some naive sincere ways, I think I halfway expected to put a sign out and have to beat people away! Just kidding. Sort of.

This only serves to further reveal the fractured nature of my soul, a soul which craves the praise and approval of man in often unhealthy ways.

Thankfully, we’re not building off of my blueprints! (Matt 16:18)

What has happened has been nothing short of amazing! God has called and assembled a remarkable community of people together who are completely sold out to the vision God has given Revolution.

Most of these people didn’t know each other a year ago. Now they do.

Quite a few weren’t in church. Now they are.

Some were lost and in darkness. Now they are found and walking in the light!

Bottom line…His ways are higher (and better) than our ways. Best advice…we need to lean into (and trust) Him with it ALL! You just might find that it’s a good thing when God doesn’t give you what you want. You might even be relieved when he doesn’t give you something better. He gives us what is best. Every time.

Here is last week’s message “Deep Bench”. Click here if you have trouble viewing.

Here is this week’s message “Marching Orders”. Click here if you have trouble viewing.

Here is week 5 dealing with the Church:

If you have trouble viewing the video you can view the source here.

Here is week 4 dealing with the Gospel:

If you have trouble viewing the video you can view the source here.

Here is week 3 dealing with the Trinity:

If you have trouble viewing the video you can view the source here.

Here is week 2 dealing with the authority of the Bible:

If you have trouble viewing the video you can view the source here.

I tweeted this the other day: “I’m excited about the future. But I’m excited about today too. Don’t miss the journey!”

I began thinking about Abraham and this encounter he had with God when the world was only 11 chapters old:

Genesis 12:1-2

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Here’s two quick thoughts.

#1 - God absolutely kept his promise to Abraham. He delivered on his end in a BIG way! Ultimately, we have Jesus coming through this lineage God promised Abraham.

#2 – Abraham never arrived at the destination God promised…for him, it was all about the journey. He caught glimpses like birthing a child in his old age, but his was a walk of faith planting seeds that would not germinate for years – and some for centuries – to come.

It is so easy to focus on where we are going that we miss the beautiful nuances contained within the journey. Conversely, we can be so bogged down in the temporary pain or difficulty of the moment that we forget God always keeps his promises. He has promised to ultimately work all things out for good for his children.

This is one of those posts that has many applications. I hope it gives you some encouragement today!

To Revolution Church, I just want to remind us all that while there is always more to come…I am honored to serve with you and to make the most of every moment we have on this journey together.

Everyone these days seems to have an idea on how to build community. While I certainly think there are ways to encourage and facilitate this, I am leaning more and more toward the view that community is not something you build so much as you experience.

We began to hold weekly services at Revolution Church in September of last year. At that time the several families that made up the core of the church were from all over the spectrum geographically speaking! Seriously, some of them had to stop for gas on the way in! My great fear was that this distance would hinder us from being able to build community among fellow believers.

What surprises me today is the community I felt so compelled to “build” is actually being “experienced” as a natural extension of the commonality we share as believers. Relationships are growing regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic factors.

One primary reason for this seems to be the ability to share the deeper and more private things that are going on in the course of life. Galatians 6:2 says we are to bear each others burdens. Today, we are able to do that as an entire church. As we grow, this function will necessarily become a function of smaller units (probably community groups) since it becomes impractical when the size of the church increases.

What we are experiencing at Revolution is a beautiful boiler plate for the future since we began as a small group.

Community has not been created. Community exists among believers. We just need to get out of the way and allow relationships room to grow.

I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Here is week 1 dealing with the Sovereignty of God:

If you have trouble viewing the video you can view the source here.

This message (The Man) explores what it meant for God to come to us as a man.

[Vimeo 11035783]

If you have any trouble with the video you can view it directly here.

This message (The Warrior) explores how Jesus dealt with religion.

If you have any trouble with the video you can view it directly here.

We are starting a new series this Sunday at Revolution Church called Which way?

Do you ever struggle with decisions?  Ever wonder if you are making the right choice?

• Do I take this new job?
• Should I buy this car?
• Do I really love this person?
• Am I ready to take this relationship to the next level?
• What school should my kids go to?
• Is this the right college for me?

We all make thousands of decisions every day!  Some are simple – but others…not so much.  For the next three weeks, we will look at a decision making filter to run our choices through.  Be sure you are prepared the next time you have to decide Which way?

Join us Sundays at 10:30am 220 Howe Street / Downtown Greenville (nursery and children’s ministry provided).

From Matt’s own comments, you can see the grace with which he is facing this. In one of his Twitters yesterday he said “Path report is 2ndary at best…good report doesn’t mean much, bad report doesn’t mean anything…my days r numbered and n0t by ths report”. The video he posted prior to surgery is amazing! You can view it on the church’s blog here.

I do not know Matt personally, but I consider him to be a hero of my faith. I have only heard him live twice, yet because of technology, he serves in a pastoral role to me. As a 36 year old husband, father of three, and pastor of a church plant, I feel connected as many of you who read this will feel connected to Matt and his family.

With everything within me, my heart’s desire is that God would heal Matt of this horrid malady called cancer and that the world will have the treasure of trustworthy dispensation of the Word Matt so faithfully offers.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health,
as it goes well with your soul.” – 3 John 2

My comfort and joy comes in knowing that whatever course this journey takes, God will be glorified and the gospel will be declared. That is already happening!

I was sick yesterday as I learned the results from the doctors and deeply saddened by the news. Today I reflect on the goodness of God and the beauty of His ways. Ways I do not understand. Ways I cannot understand. Yet ways I know to be best – even and especially when they don’t seem so.

“This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” – Psalm 18:30

Special Prayer

On Sunday, December 27, Revolution Church will devote a segment of time to pray specifically for Matt’s healing. We confess that Jesus is eternally the same (Heb 13:8) and with only a word he still heals today (Matt 8:8). I am inviting other pastors, church leaders, teachers, and volunteers to join us in prayer that morning at your places of worship. We have seen remarkable displays of God’s power when the Church agrees and comes together in unity and we expect nothing less here.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him” – James 5:14a

• We concluded our series The Vow (LifeChurch) with The Vow of Purity:
  • We hide the things we are ashamed of.
  • The only way to deal with darkness is to bring it into the light.
  • Where secrets live, intimacy dies.
  • Where intimacy lives, secrets die.
• The new building is working out great!
• Still have a few things to do, but we are fully functional.
• Excited about starting “The Story” this Sunday. Click here to send an e-vite.
• All the messages are online from this series and you can watch them here.

Here are some thoughts from Sunday’s service at Revolution Church:

• Continued our series The Vow (from LifeChurch) dealing with relationships.
  • Dealt with the Vow of Partnership: I promise our marriage will be about “WE” and not “ME”.
  • Marriage is a covenant, not a contract.
  • Contracts are based on mutual distrust.
  • Covenants are based on mutual commitment.
  • We have to take leaving off the table.
  • Covenant partnership includes godly leadership and mutual submission.
• We held our first morning service and our first service in our new facility. I will post some pictures soon.
• The service had a completely different feel – in a good way!
• It was awesome to be able to hang out and engage in conversations without worrying about the set up and equipment.
• There were approximately 25 different people who spent roughly 300-350 man hours to make the facility ready for Sunday.
• We have our services online now. You can view them at www.revolutiononline.cc.
• The final week of the series is this Sunday! You don’t want to miss it as we make The Vow of Purity together.

Several weeks ago, I was preaching through a series at Revolution titled Concealed Weapons dealing with spiritual warfare and our tools to fight against the enemy. One of the weeks was on the topic of fasting and my good friend, accountability partner, and elder at Revolution Church Zach Slagel tackled the topic.

At the conclusion of the service, I challenged our people to join in a 10 or 21 day corporate fast asking God for direction on location and facilities. I was blown away!

I was blown away by the response of the people. It’s easy to get people excited about some things. If you have a building to build or a specific project that results in hungry people getting fed or lost people getting found, you can rally support for that kind of thing with relative ease.

But that was not the case here. We were simply seeking God’s purpose and direction. We wanted to know more fully what His plan for us was. We weren’t asking Him to bless our plan, but rather to reveal His plan so we could jump in with both feet.

The response was somewhat overwhelming. An amazing number of people joined in the fast with the leadership! This is an underutilized spiritual discipline that many fellow Revolutionaries took the opportunity to step into an area of faith development. I am excited to hear the stories of what God showed people during their time of fasting.

I was blown away by the response of God. We asked him to give us a greater glimpse of His plan. We longed to know more fully His purpose for Revolution Church. And He answered.

We are now leasing an amazing space from the Greenville Baptist Association located in the downtown Greenville area. We are now situated in a location that is central to many areas and this is definitely a community we can pour our hearts into and physically display the love of Christ!

There are a handful of times in my walk with God where I have clearly and distinctly heard from Him about a specific situation. There are fewer still where I could see the tangible effects of His handiwork in bringing the situation to bear. This was one of those moments. I can’t recount all the specific details, but this is one that has God’s fingerprints all over it!

I would like to thank so many of you for praying with us in this matter.

This Sunday morning, we will have our first service at the new location and our first morning service ever! If you are reading this and in the area, I would like to personally invite you to come. The details are above and if you click the card you can get directions. I don’t want to pull anyone away from being plugged in at their own church. Sometimes, it’s just encouraging to see what God is up to in other branch locations of The Church!

Great time at Revolution last night. Here are some thoughts:

• Week 2 of The Vow series (from LifeChurch) as we looked at the Vow of Pursuit.
• We tend to pursue things we don’t have.
• It’s slightly uncomfortable talking about sex with your 13 year old daughter listening.
• I’d rather be a little uncomfortable and have her appreciate a healthy respect and proper view of sex within marriage than fail to man up and ignore the tough talk.
• If you don’t like what you are getting from a relationship, look at what you’re giving!
• More often than not, we’re the ones that need to change something rather than focusing on what our spouse needs to change.

This was our last week at the Hilton. We have our own space at 220 Howe St and we are moving our services to Sunday mornings at 10:30!

I am SO EXCITED about this move! I am planning on another post with the details on the new space if time allows this week. We will be working on getting the new space ready every night this week, so if you’re not already signed up to volunteer, come join us!