"If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must expect to employ methods never before attempted."
By: Sir Francis Bacon
7.16.2009
7.15.2009
Broken Bone and Trash Talk
I played ball last night and had some fun talking trash. There's just something about street ball that requires you to school the other team when they want to talk. It's a part of the fun. When the other team starts talking I like to talk back. Phrases that came out of my mouth after I scored were things like: "Get off of me." , "You can't guard me." , "I couldn't hear you, the net was too loud." All in fun.
I had fun but somewhere in the first game I may have broken a finger on my right hand. Whatever I did, it doesn't look right. I'm thinking it's not broken b/c it doesn't really hurt but I may have strained a ligament or something. The tip of my middle finger isn't straight. It's like it is supposed to naturally be straight but it isn't.
We had a good time playing ball but my hand looks gross and it makes it fun trying to type quickly. I've done some damage to myself over the years but I've never broken a bone. Have you ever broken a bone?
I had fun but somewhere in the first game I may have broken a finger on my right hand. Whatever I did, it doesn't look right. I'm thinking it's not broken b/c it doesn't really hurt but I may have strained a ligament or something. The tip of my middle finger isn't straight. It's like it is supposed to naturally be straight but it isn't.
We had a good time playing ball but my hand looks gross and it makes it fun trying to type quickly. I've done some damage to myself over the years but I've never broken a bone. Have you ever broken a bone?
7.10.2009
7.06.2009
Captivate Online Live
Today we added a Live Stream feature to CaptivateChurch.com!
Check out the feature below. Also check us out tomorrow night at 7pm when we'll be streaming live from our "Cook Out & Dig In"... tomorrow it's our first Baptism service! I can't wait! See you there!
Check out the feature below. Also check us out tomorrow night at 7pm when we'll be streaming live from our "Cook Out & Dig In"... tomorrow it's our first Baptism service! I can't wait! See you there!
7.03.2009
Cook Out & Dig In
We've been blessed to make a great connection among the college community here in the Towson area. God provided an opportunity to connect with a group of students last semester and they've championed a college bible study we call Cook Out & Dig In.
Check out a few pics below to get a feel for how God is using us to impact this community. If you're not friends with us on Facebook just search for Captivate Church and add us. You can keep up with what's going on there almost daily.
Cook Out & Dig In kicks off each week with a cookout. Pictured above is our grill master for this week- Drew.
People hangin'
Andrew testing out the backyard games.
Once we've finished up outside we come together in my den for bible study. We're studying through the book of Acts verse by verse.
Ashley is picture above as students fill out a contact card we provide each week. On the back the students are able to share praises/requests or just communicate with us privately. As a team we pray for the students each week.
Our format encourages interaction so we've seen people open up and add value to the conversation. Sometimes it's someone who has just come to the faith while another answer may be someone who long ago knew Christ but doesn't have a church home.
Every week the students are able to hang out after the study for an hour or so (9:45 p.m. is exit).
Most weeks conversations and hanging out carries to apartments or activities the students initiate themselves. Each week we've literally had 5-6 new students. The facebook group approaches 60 members.
Friendships are forged and solidified through opening God's word. We're pumped to provide a place for students to grow in their faith.
Check out a few pics below to get a feel for how God is using us to impact this community. If you're not friends with us on Facebook just search for Captivate Church and add us. You can keep up with what's going on there almost daily.
Cook Out & Dig In kicks off each week with a cookout. Pictured above is our grill master for this week- Drew. 
People hangin'
Andrew testing out the backyard games.
Once we've finished up outside we come together in my den for bible study. We're studying through the book of Acts verse by verse. 
Ashley is picture above as students fill out a contact card we provide each week. On the back the students are able to share praises/requests or just communicate with us privately. As a team we pray for the students each week. 
Our format encourages interaction so we've seen people open up and add value to the conversation. Sometimes it's someone who has just come to the faith while another answer may be someone who long ago knew Christ but doesn't have a church home.
Every week the students are able to hang out after the study for an hour or so (9:45 p.m. is exit). Most weeks conversations and hanging out carries to apartments or activities the students initiate themselves. Each week we've literally had 5-6 new students. The facebook group approaches 60 members.
Friendships are forged and solidified through opening God's word. We're pumped to provide a place for students to grow in their faith.
7.02.2009
Captivate Update
A ton has been going on here in Baltimore as we work to Captivate the city. These updates will not do our efforts justice but will give you an idea of how God is at work.
1. We held a block party for the first time in our inner-city location. The block party was complete with games and food as well as three Moon Bounces. Well over 200 people came out with next to no marketing. I personally had a dozen people ask us when we'd be starting the church in their neighborhood. There is a thirst for something real.
2. We also held an Upward Basketball camp in the city for the same neighborhood. We had over 70 boys and girls come out to participate in the basketball and cheer camp. We shared the gospel many times during the week and two children responded with professions of faith. Additionally we were able to show Jesus' love in very practical ways as nearly 30 adults were able to invest in these kids and give them a model of the church that is far different from what they may see in their neighborhood day to day.
3. Our block party truck is out and about in the Towson/Timonium areas. We're holding events around town where we can make contacts and cast vision for this new church coming to the area.
4. We're gearing up for our first baptism next Tuesday night. We have two guys from our College bible study being baptized after their profession of faith. We're looking forward to throwing a party!
5. We're praying for a few more partners. God has given us favor with churches and individuals who are supporting our effort and we heard of a few groups actively interested in getting on board. For this to happen would be amazing. We're in a position where a few partners could make a huge difference. Please join us in praying for favor with the people God has brought our way.
6. Ben Arment came in for an on-site consultation over the last two days. Ben was able to provide some solid observations that will help us down the stretch as we prep for our first year. I hope to get to a post about the visit but I will encoruage you to give Ben a call if you're doing any type of endeavour where you could use some outside 'eyes'. He has the ability to encourage and nudge in a way that others have buy-in. Ben is certified in Myers-Briggs personality types and was a huge help to various team members and communications among our team. A final note is that your team and community will feel comfortable telling an outside guest something that they wish they could tell you directly. A consultant like Ben is able to respond to them and/or pass the information along to me. Ben isn't the first 'outsider' I've had in and he will not be the last.
7. We're praying like crazy about our facility situation. Please join us.
1. We held a block party for the first time in our inner-city location. The block party was complete with games and food as well as three Moon Bounces. Well over 200 people came out with next to no marketing. I personally had a dozen people ask us when we'd be starting the church in their neighborhood. There is a thirst for something real.
2. We also held an Upward Basketball camp in the city for the same neighborhood. We had over 70 boys and girls come out to participate in the basketball and cheer camp. We shared the gospel many times during the week and two children responded with professions of faith. Additionally we were able to show Jesus' love in very practical ways as nearly 30 adults were able to invest in these kids and give them a model of the church that is far different from what they may see in their neighborhood day to day.
3. Our block party truck is out and about in the Towson/Timonium areas. We're holding events around town where we can make contacts and cast vision for this new church coming to the area.
4. We're gearing up for our first baptism next Tuesday night. We have two guys from our College bible study being baptized after their profession of faith. We're looking forward to throwing a party!
5. We're praying for a few more partners. God has given us favor with churches and individuals who are supporting our effort and we heard of a few groups actively interested in getting on board. For this to happen would be amazing. We're in a position where a few partners could make a huge difference. Please join us in praying for favor with the people God has brought our way.
6. Ben Arment came in for an on-site consultation over the last two days. Ben was able to provide some solid observations that will help us down the stretch as we prep for our first year. I hope to get to a post about the visit but I will encoruage you to give Ben a call if you're doing any type of endeavour where you could use some outside 'eyes'. He has the ability to encourage and nudge in a way that others have buy-in. Ben is certified in Myers-Briggs personality types and was a huge help to various team members and communications among our team. A final note is that your team and community will feel comfortable telling an outside guest something that they wish they could tell you directly. A consultant like Ben is able to respond to them and/or pass the information along to me. Ben isn't the first 'outsider' I've had in and he will not be the last.
7. We're praying like crazy about our facility situation. Please join us.
6.18.2009
Out Takes
We did some more filming this week for our site- CaptivateChurch.com and along the way I realized we were piling up on out takes. Hopefully this will let you feel more human today. Have a fun Friday! Check out the video below. For my friends in the feed readers... come to the site for the fun.
6.02.2009
Strategy For Hire
First Ben... then Tony... now Carlos...
In the church world I'm spotting a trend. I think it could become a good one.
Recently several key voices in Christianity have started the transition out of staff roles at one church to make themselves available to the church at large. These transitions are coming from some of the best minds I know in ministry.
In the church world I'm spotting a trend. I think it could become a good one.
Recently several key voices in Christianity have started the transition out of staff roles at one church to make themselves available to the church at large. These transitions are coming from some of the best minds I know in ministry.
Ben Arment recently left his role with Catalyst Conferences to run with his dream of "History Tellers". The first major product of this new venture is called Story Chicago. The concept is terrific. I've had the honor to know Ben for a number of years and to say that he's now in his sweet spot would be an understatement beyond all understatements. Ben has had this dream of History Tellers in his mind for over a decade. Check out his blog for more of that story. Ben is also available for coaching/consulting type of work and its rumored that he knows a thing or two about web and print presence a la the Revolution. Our church plant is utilizing his services later this month to provide some outside assessment.
Tony Morgan recently came off of staff at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC and is going to pursue his next adventure. From what I understand he will continue to focus on his writing as well as some coaching and consulting. Ohh yeah, he's also doing a "Killing Cockroaches Summer Tour". I'm not sure if he's using a Winnebego but it sounds like a pretty cool tour. I wouldn't be shocked to see him out with more news in weeks to come but for now at least the consulting, book tour and coaching networks will keep him busy.
Carlos Whittaker announced yesterday that he too is moving from the comforts of church payroll to play a unique role in the church-at-large. Now instead of his talents being utilized exclusively by North Point Ministries he can now spread the love to your church if you so wish. Carlos as you know is one of the most transparent and authentic dudes in Christianity today. His online presence at RaggamuffinSoul.com has become more than a static blog (cough:: like mine ::cough) and actually taken on elements of a community. Carlos will be using these strengths he's harnessed in that arena to assist North Point Ministries as they launch "North Point Online". Additionally he's recently been signed as an artist with Integrity
I share all of their stories just to illustrate a few things:
- Pray for them. These guys are all amazing and talented in their own right but they'll be the first to tell you that they need the prayers of the body more than ever. Honor them by putting them on your prayer list. They have taught so many of us so much so lets be faithful to lift them up.
- Be challenged by them. Each one of us has a calling of God on our life. I'm so encouraged to see men of God step out on faith. If you're reading this and there is a call of God that you're ignoring... be challenged and be encouraged by their faith.
- Support them by hiring them. Each of these guys has to now feed their families as entrepreneurs. If you are in a position to hire a consultant to wrestle with some issues you've got going on... or you just want someone to give you a new perspective... contact them and throw out a proposal. If that doesn't work out go purchase Tony's book, attend Ben's conference or purchase Carlos' album. Support these guys as they work to build up the church.
Finally again I encourage you to ask yourself, what dreams do you need to chase?
Thanks guys for leading the rest of us.
Tony Morgan recently came off of staff at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC and is going to pursue his next adventure. From what I understand he will continue to focus on his writing as well as some coaching and consulting. Ohh yeah, he's also doing a "Killing Cockroaches Summer Tour". I'm not sure if he's using a Winnebego but it sounds like a pretty cool tour. I wouldn't be shocked to see him out with more news in weeks to come but for now at least the consulting, book tour and coaching networks will keep him busy.
Carlos Whittaker announced yesterday that he too is moving from the comforts of church payroll to play a unique role in the church-at-large. Now instead of his talents being utilized exclusively by North Point Ministries he can now spread the love to your church if you so wish. Carlos as you know is one of the most transparent and authentic dudes in Christianity today. His online presence at RaggamuffinSoul.com has become more than a static blog (cough:: like mine ::cough) and actually taken on elements of a community. Carlos will be using these strengths he's harnessed in that arena to assist North Point Ministries as they launch "North Point Online". Additionally he's recently been signed as an artist with Integrity
I share all of their stories just to illustrate a few things:
- Pray for them. These guys are all amazing and talented in their own right but they'll be the first to tell you that they need the prayers of the body more than ever. Honor them by putting them on your prayer list. They have taught so many of us so much so lets be faithful to lift them up.
- Be challenged by them. Each one of us has a calling of God on our life. I'm so encouraged to see men of God step out on faith. If you're reading this and there is a call of God that you're ignoring... be challenged and be encouraged by their faith.
- Support them by hiring them. Each of these guys has to now feed their families as entrepreneurs. If you are in a position to hire a consultant to wrestle with some issues you've got going on... or you just want someone to give you a new perspective... contact them and throw out a proposal. If that doesn't work out go purchase Tony's book, attend Ben's conference or purchase Carlos' album. Support these guys as they work to build up the church.
Finally again I encourage you to ask yourself, what dreams do you need to chase?
Thanks guys for leading the rest of us.
6.01.2009
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