Branded With Love

Now, it’s a fine line of striving for excellence and not worshiping excellence.
We all should desire to be the best we can be, but what happens when our best becomes the norm?
Do we strive to grow and be better? Is it an ever changing process?
God’s plan is to “continue to do a good work in/through us.” It’s constantly happening.

Read a great post on striving for our best. Here’s a snapshot below. Want to read the whole thing? Click here.

The reason is that “better” now will eventually become outdated and average later. When the first generation iPhone came out, it revolutionized the industry. But it was updated and replaced because it soon was no longer sufficient to meet the needs of those it was serving. Yesterday’s release of the iPhone 4 was just the latest update. A year or so from now, we will have the iPhone 5 because the needs of the consumer will constantly demand a better phone.

Your capacity as a leader, a spouse, a parent, or an employee might be adequate right now, but it will be inadequate momentarily. The needs of those around you will constantly demand you to produce at a higher level. For this reason, we must have a healthy obsession with improving everything we do every time we do it. Not for the sake of pride. But for the sake of those who need us to be at our best and continually improving on our best.  – S. Furtick

I always want to be moving towards the best version of me that God has in store. How are you making changes and allowing God to move in you, so you can grow and get better?

Jason *over and out*

Watched the Apple WWDC Keynote yesterday with Steve Jobs presenting the new iPhone 4, and he had some trouble. In the church production world, the guy running things behind the scenes would have been called out, asked why he let that happen, and then told when he messes up- there are souls at stake (I used to think this way, not so much anymore). Why is that? Jon Acuff wrote a funny post about how to get out of troubles like this when they happen at church. Check it out here.

I know we shoot for excellence on Sundays @ Forefront- But, what if something goes wrong? Is it really the end of the world? Some of the most impacting messages have been the ones I thought bombed. The times I talk about from things I thought were funny at church, are drum shields falling on drummers, feedback that sounded like a the space ship from Close Encounters landing, people tripping on cords on the stage and turning it into a silly dance, etc.

It’s those moments that many production teams and leaders cringe over, that I say we embrace. Things happen. We mess up. Things don’t always work out. 9 times out of 10, it’s an accident. From the stage I tell people “God’s got this.” The big stuff. The small stuff. The stuff you wreck. The stuff that’s a total accident.

I would contend that the church is simply an extension of our personal lives. We come together broken and wrecked, to worship a perfect God, and things will happen. Good or bad- God has the power over it in the end. For me it’s a trust issue. Do I trust that God can move in spite of a light failure or a botched transition? Can he break the hearts of people without smooth sermon slides or when someone messes up the words to a song? Yes. Yes He can, and He does.

I love the illustration Jon used in his post about the early followers of Jesus and if they held to this production debacle type of thinking:

“I can’t imagine Peter ever leaning over and telling one of the other disciples, ‘I’ve got to be honest with you, the acoustics of this particular hill Jesus is speaking from are lousy. And I don’t know how we’re going to feed everyone here. The production values of this event are horrible. Amateur hour.’”

I’m learning more and more to trust Jesus in the little things. I used to put a huge emphasis on the “production debacle.” Personally and professionally. I didn’t want to appear unprepared. I never wanted people to think excellence wasn’t important to me. But, in the process I started serving excellence instead of Jesus. I focused on being perfect instead of being His.

It’s a fine line, but I challenge you- don’t get so caught up in the details of life, having everything perfect and in line, that you miss the point of this…

We’re forgiven.
He loves us.
Let’s love others- even through our fumbles and screw ups.

Jason *over and out*

“Surround yourself with people who love God and love you, but love God more than you. That way they can speak truth into your life- even if it hurts.”
- P. Noble @ WiBo 2010.

Right now Dan (our Executive Pastor) and I are meeting with our elders at Forefront Church.
Talking about God’s church, holding each other accountable, and praying for you, your family, and our community.
These 6 guys help make me a better leader and man before God.
Please pray for us as we meet and seek after God & His plan for His church at Forefront.

Jason *over and out*

Speaking is tough.
I love it, but it is not easy to craft a fine tuned message every week.
It takes a great deal of study, research, prayer… and practice.
Yep, Practice.
So, when I went to speak at the church I first worked at, I knew I had to bring my “A” game.
Real Life was the place I learned to let my ego go.
During those 7+ years of ministry I became a better leader.
I released a lot of anger issues, made plenty of mistakes, and received a lot of grace.
I love Forefront, but it was nice to see some old friends and speak about “Temptation.”

Want to listen to how it all went down? Check out the message below or click here to download the mp3

From a conversation I had a couple days ago…

“So I noticed recently you haven’t been blogging. Aren’t you afraid your traffic will slow down? What about your readers, don’t they need to hear from you? How do you stay connected with them? Just curious. I thought a big blog rule was to post every day and keep people coming back.”

I laughed out loud as they asked this. I know that sounds pretty rude, but it just made me laugh and I’m not one to hide my emotions. I informed them I don’t blog entirely for readers, I blog because I need a release and love to write. I also blog to allow the people who come to Forefront a glimpse into my life, to get to know me better. If people read, super. If they don’t, that’s cool too. I love the interaction of social networking, but I had to stop worrying about that awhile back.

If my worth comes from readership, blog stats, people affirming my thoughts/opinions, and feeling a burden to constantly stay connected to a digital world- I’m screwed. Luckily, I find my worth in what matters. Or better yet, who matters.

Unplugging allows me…
to focus on the important things.
to lead my family.
to invest in my wife & daughter.
to pour into my relationship with God.
to give direction and encouragement to our staff.
to act a fool just because I need a release (just actin’ goofy with no reservations).
to sit and contemplate the future.
to listen to the voice of God.
to allow God to cleanse my spirit.

It felt good to unplug for the last couple of weeks, but now I’m back and ready to roll again.
If it doesn’t feel good to unplug or you just cannot bring yourself to do it… you’re addicted and need to tell someone. RIGHT NOW.

Jason *over and out*

[if your using a mobile device, click here]

Send your name, email, and story to: story@forefront.org
We cannot wait to hear what God is doing in your life.
Who knows, you might win an awesome chance to hear some great leaders and kick it with the staff and other Forefront peeps.

So… let’s hear your story.

Jason *over and out*

It’s true.
Clothing logos. Status updates. Bumper stickers. Sports team jerseys. Eye wear. Blogs. Auto Email Signatures. Billboards. TV Commercials.
Everybody’s communicating something.

Sometimes it’s things we agree with and love, other times it’s things we are against and disagree with. A few decals on vehicles I see everyday on my way to work as I drive through the neighborhood:
- Calvin urinating on a Redskins logo
- PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals)
- Terrorist Hunting License: Let’s Kill Their A**es!
- Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For BUSH
- Keep Honking, I’m Reloading…

It’s easy to be negative.
It feels good to let out frustration on another person.
When we don’t get what we desire, we throw fits. Get angry. Shout louder.
My daughter hasn’t liked a meal in almost two weeks. Every time she pushes her food away and screams “I want pizza!!!”
She’s not getting pizza. Period.
And… she’s acting foolishly. But she doesn’t know that yet.
Because she is only a child.

As the news of health care reform being voted through spread across the air waves…
Christians began to respond in ways that I prayed they wouldn’t.
It broke my heart.
I believe it broke the heart of God as well.
I have a plea.
A word of encouragement.
(following is an excerpt from a recent response, see full article here)

- Instead putting our “hope” in healthcare, let’s  put our HOPE in the power of Jesus to save, heal, and deliver. We must transition from fairy tale subscribers, to true witnesses of the life changing power of God. When a world is dying, a building is burning- the call is to the church. Let’s be like Jesus in this hour!

- Instead of labeling people liberal or conservative, why don’t we see them as people who are far from God in need of Jesus? Without forgetting, that aside from God’s grace & love we would ALL REMAIN dead in sins. Love mercy, do justice, walk humbly.

- Instead of lobbying for schools to teach creation, why don’t lead our children into encounters with the creator, settling all doubts.

- Instead of being divided within the church over as to what our role is in the political process, whether it be to be activist, or pacifist, how about we work together to advance God’s work here on the earth, following the example of Jesus. The message of Jesus transforms hearts, transformed hearts transform the culture.

So glad to be serving at Forefront.
Where we strive to Love God, Love People, and Turn The World Upside Down.

Jason *over and out*

What is Relevance really about anyway?

The message of Jesus is relevant.
Love. Hope. Fresh Start. New Life.
We saw this type of excitement with the most recent presidential campaign. People fell in love with the promise of “hope.” They believed “Yes we can.” And we watched as people came out in droves to support a man/campaign that stirred emotion.

It moved people because it was relevant to their lives. It struck a chord. They had less money, felt greater pains, and wanted direction and someone to lead them to answers. It’s a great example, but it pales in comparison to the message and hope that Jesus brings.

That’s why I love Forefront. Because we take God’s relevant message of the Bible and present it to the people He has led us to reach in a way they can understand. It’s making sure we weigh the message and the method in an appropriate manner. A Biblical manner. Out goal is to not get them confused and remember their pecking order.

1. Message: relevant and life changing
2. Method: breaks down walls and opens people’s hearts

For instance, Forefront has a worship gathering every week. The message is to Love God, Love People, and Turn The World Upside Down. That is relevant to every person’s life that comes through the door. The method we use to break down the walls and hear that is more of a laid back atmosphere, music you hear normally during the week, worship songs that stir emotion/point to Jesus, and emotive/humorous videos that “break down walls & open people’s hearts” so when they hear the relevant message, they can be open to God moving them to change their lives and live for Him. Getting the two reversed can be trouble, because the message carries a boat load more weight than the method.

Because this is the case, we (the staff) celebrate the way we plan for things to make God/message first, method second:

• What’s The Reason: “What are we trying to communicate about who God is, what He does, and how He loves?” We look to the Bible to make sure what we are doing is beneficial for the community and people who need to experience Jesus.
• Expect A Response: “What is God going to do in people’s lives when we present this?” We assume God is going to do something amazing when we follow Him. The great part is, He never lets us down.
• Prepare For Response: “Are we equipped to handle people responding like this?” We evaluate our systems, people, and current structure to make sure we are equipped to handle people’s needs from what we’re counting on God to do.
• Dream The Design: “What does this look, feel, smell, taste like?” Now that we have something God-led, let’s creatively paint this in a way to make people willing to listen and experience this.
• Execute The Plan: “Everyone has a job? Well, then… do your job.” We divide and conquer to make this come to completion. Everyone knows the reason, so it’s important to them to see it through.
• Evaluate The End: “Did it produce the things we hold as important?” At Forefront, we don’t measure the # of people coming on Sundays or money (those usually drive pastors/staffs crazy). We measure baptisms, life change, community service hours, % of people involved in small groups, and is everyone “known.” If we can look back and meet one or more of these, we’re presenting God as being relevant to people’s lives.

It takes the pressure off. It allows Forefront as a church to thrive. It also allows us to give God 100% of the credit. The things we measure are up to God. It’s a great place to be and it’s what makes Forefront a great church to be a part of. This process allows us to start with the relevant message and transition into the method that breaks down those walls people have as they encounter the church’s services, projects, and outreach events. If you go to Forefront or are thinking of checking out Forefront, be assured we put God as the focus of all we do. And…

This process is definitely universal. Not only do we use this as a staff– but Carrie and I use this in our family, parenting ideas, when we work with other people, and counsel families, etc. So how are you starting with the message and moving on to the “how to’s” of making it happen? At home? Work? School? Your church?

Jason *over and out*

What is relevance?

I had a handful of really good emails, a couple concerned emails, and a few “likes” on Facebook concerning the last post “The New Stereotype.” First, let me just say I love the church. By that, I mean the church universal, not just Forefront. I love the culture that’s been created over the last 12 years here at Forefront. People are open, honest, and real about their struggles, flaws, and journey with Jesus. They serve him with reckless abandon and I love it.

Second, this blog is read by both Christians, Non-Christians, other pastors, volunteers, leaders of non-profits, etc. It’s a great bunch and love that we all can get along here on the blog. But, this blog isn’t themed specifically for Forefront Church. It’s not just about my family, and the goal isn’t just to be for other church leaders. It’s all those things depending on the posts, thoughts, and feelings as I humbly serve Jesus.

I say all that because although I love the church, I sometimes can get caught up more in the music being perfect, setting the excellent environment, making hilarious videos that bring down the house, and making sure people leave feeling like that place is so cool. Now, people thinking Forefront is cool makes me very excited. If people just think Forefront is cool and it stops there, that breaks my heart- because that means we’ve lost our focus. The cool factor shouldn’t define us as a church, it should be our impact of aiming people to Jesus.

We create an environment on Sunday mornings to break down walls/misconceptions that people might have when they come to Forefront. We do that so the message can be received in the best possible conditions for God’s Spirit to do it’s work on the hearts of people. If next year there is a huge shift in the people coming through the door & we realize that making that environment work means we worship by candle light and sing from hymnals (I highly doubt it, and hope not- but God is God and can do crazy things), if that needed to happen- we would do it. But it wouldn’t be done because we think that is being “relevant” to our audience. We we do that to make it a safe place- what is relevant is the message, communion, worship… the story of Jesus.

I would hate for Forefront (or any other church for that matter), to get caught up in “keeping up with the Jones’” and measuring their impact on the community by the best projector, rockin’ band, or funny/clever videos they create. That doesn’t make anyone relevant, it just means you have the money to get equipment. Again, those things are great and we use them all the time at our church, but that’s not what makes Forefront “Forefront.” Maybe it’s better to look at what relevance is:

Relevance is…

• meeting people in the community
• loving the homeless
• taking care of orphans and widows
• community outreach projects
• sharing a meal with your next door neighbor
• volunteering at your kid’s school
• coaching little league
• being a part of your work’s social events
• setting an example at work, home, in the neighborhood
• working through missions to aid the needy
• finding out how the people respond best to the message of Jesus and keep it at the “forefront” of all you do (pardon the pun)
• giving to people in need
• sharing community with people far from God and Christians
• living like Jesus

In the next post I’ll talk about some ways we (the staff at Forefront) guard ourselves from getting off track and making sure our services, missions work, and ministry projects focused specifically on Jesus.

Jason *over and out*

The state of the church today? (ht: marc johns)

The house lights dim, colored gels are illuminated as smoke machines fill the room. The first chord rings out as the drummer lays down a heavy beat. As the rockin’ ends- a video explodes onto the large HD screen with welcoming images of the theme of the day. As it fades to black, the lights come up to a hipster, faded jeans wearing, MTV’esk guy in his mid to late 20′s talking about… love. community. come as you are. welcome to (insert cool name that we have to look up in the dictionary)… church.

This has become the new tradition. The church has traded hymnals and suits for pre-worn jeans and multimedia. Is it bad? Not entirely. The church body at Forefront has many of these same elements involved in our weekly worship gatherings.

Is it sinful? No, it’s not a sin to have these things as part of your corporate worship experience.

Is it relevant? No. Though many would say yes, I’ve been debating the idea of relevance in my head for a few years now. What is relevance? Relevant is defined by Dictionary.com as, “1. Bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent. 2. Tending logically to prove or disprove a fact of consequence or to make the fact more or less probable and thereby aiding the trier of fact in making a decision.”

As I see it, in light of this definition; the “church” should aim at being connected to teaching/educating/discipling people towards the truths about God & eternity. That is the matter at hand for mankind. That is what connects them to the message of Jesus. That is relevant.

Now lights, video, cameras, bands, multimedia, etc. are great. They help break down the stereotypes of a generation. A previous generation (not all but some) that focused on money, huge buildings, growing “their” church and not “God’s” church. But, for most of the country, the new stereotype is exactly like the opening paragraph. What is the reason we live and breathe as the local church? How are we relevant to the community and people who need Jesus? It’s not our band, videos, or hipster pastors the church planting organizations are pumping out. It’s connecting people to Jesus.

I think the church has a new image problem. It’s only going to get worse until we step in and make the changes necessary to show the world we’re done trying to “be cooler than your grandmas church” and strive to “be people who simply love like Jesus.” I have some ideas, well more just ramblings. We’ll hit it up next time.

But… what about you?
How do you look at relevance?
Does the local church in America measure up?
How do we change the current paradigm?
Let’s talk it out people…