win a cruise at married life live

One of my favorite things that we do at NewPointe is a little something we call Married Life Live. The next MLL is Nov. 15.

I heard a rumor the other day that one very fortunate couple could be walking away from the next MLL having won a cruise. But...shhh....don't tell anyone it's just a rumor. :)

Sometimes I try to use blog space to convince people why they should come to MLL. I don't really need to do that anymore...for a couple reasons:

1. It's really not hard to sell tickets to MLL. The event's reputation is such that tickets always sell well. We'll have another big crowd at this one.

2. All you really need to know is what people who have been to MLL are saying about. Here are a few comments we received on post-event surveys:

"We loved the whole thing! Dinner was great, we enjoyed the laughs and the wonderful message."

"I enjoyed the whole evening -, it is a great nite to spend with my spouse
and our close friends - we always have a great time."

"We enjoy MLL so much! It's one night we make sure there we don’t miss!! We both agree that we always came away with good points to ponder from the messages."

"Overall, MLL is an awesome date night for a married couple. We always enjoy each MLL and look forward to the next one. Thank you all for bringing us an opportunity to grow in our marriage, and to have some "us" time."

You can get tickets at the NewPointe bookstore or you can order online by clicking here. See you there!

headed to chicago

Friday I head to Chicago with a group of 14 Aqua-lites for about five days. Aqua is NewPointe's college/singles gathering that meets on Tuesday nights. We're going to Aquafy the inner-city, working with the homeless, local churches, and Grip Outreach for Youth.

Looking forward to some Giordano's Pizza, Garrett's Popcorn, and rockin' Chicago with the love of Jesus with the crew. Please pray for us. We'll be gone till Nov. 4.

cinderella now online

I've had multiple requests from folks who want to be able to watch or share the closing song from Sunday. Here it is...


Cinderella - 2008-10-26 from NewPointe Community Church on Vimeo.

more catalyst quotables

I know I've been slow in getting these posted...but they're totally worth posting. So here are some more thoughts and insights from the speakers I heard at Catalyst earlier this month...

Seth Godin (about his new book, Tribes)

• People talk to each other and they ask two questions: 1. Who's going to be there? 2. Who's going to lead us?
• We like doing things that other people are doing.
• People like being with people they like being with.
• A crowd is not the same as a tribe...unless they share a mission.
• Tribes matter--more than word of mouth.
• It's hard to be tight and be big at the same time.
• The idea that everyone wants to join your tribe is naive.
• Do something people can criticize. Nobody wants to follow a safe leader. Nobody wants to do something everybody else is doing.
• No one's going to recruit people to do something radical if all they're going to get is average results.
• Leadership = marketing. Marketing = leadership.

According to Seth, this is what leaders do:

1. challenge
2. intentionally create culture
3. curiosity
4. charisma
5. communicate
6. connect tribe members to each other
7. commit to the well-being of the tribe

What the tribe wants:

1. to connect
2. to create meaning
3. to make a difference
4. to be noticed
5. to matter
6. to be missed

Craig Groeschel (on Finding IT when you've lost IT).

• What is it? It's the something special of God that he does in people and through people.
• Some places have IT. Others don't.
• God makes IT happen. We can't create IT. IT is not a model.
• IT has an upside: lives are changed.
• IT has a downside: attracts critics (people misunderstand IT).
• Bad news: there's no guarantee that you can keep IT.
• Good news: you can get IT.
• Your spiritual enemy is plotting to steal IT.
• The most important ingredient is for ME to have IT.
• What do you do when you've lost IT? You must do something drastic. Pray this way: God STRETCH me. God HEAL me. God RUIN me.

cinderella

If you were in on one of NewPointe's services Sunday, I don't need to tell you how amazing it was. We wrapped up the One Month To Live series in grand fashion. During the welcome & announcement time Dave D and his crew gave away some amazing prizes including Cavs tickets, Browns tickets, an airplane ride, gift certificates, weekend Harley rentals and more. It was fun. Who'da thunk you could come to church and go home with two great seats to go see LeBron play...for free!

The services were jam packed. Here's a shot I took during the second service:

Jamey Broaddus was our guest artist. He opened with Jason's Aldean's Not Every Man Lives. Strong. The worship set included Sing To the King and Let Me Sing--two amazing songs. Dwight's message was powerful, practical, passionate, and emotional. If you didn't get to hear it, you HAVE to get the CD (or go to http://www.newpointe.org/ and listen online).

But for me (and many others), the highlight of the morning was the closing song, Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella and the dance silhouette that accompanied it. Flat-out tear-jerking amazing. Our team did a PHENOMENAL job with that song. Here's a pic Paul Rothel put together for us:

Unbelievable. I had so many people approach me to tell me how they felt profoundly impacted by that presentation. One guy said, "I think that's the most impactful thing NewPointe's ever done." Another older gentleman approached me, nearly in tears, telling me that it blew him away. He wanted to know how we did it but mainly he wanted to tell me about what he called his life's biggest regret. Are you ready for it? He said, "My biggest regret in life is that I didn't intentionally carve out special alone-time for me and my kids." Here's a guy who's an empty-nester, got three great kids, and says, "I wish I'd have focused more on relationships." Wow.

What an amazing morning at NewPointe. I hope you got to be a part of it.

wearin' my ipod out with this music lately...

Family Force 5, Dance or Die. LOVE the family. They've got a rockin' 80's vibe to them with killer modern twists. I mainly enjoy FF5 because they're just plain FUN! I've become aquaintances with the FF5's manager. He tells me he really wants to bring the Family to NewPointe sometime. I'd love to make it happen.




33 Miles, One Life. Love me some 33 Miles. A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll (actually more country than rock and roll). If you like Rascal Flatts, you'll probably appreciate 33 Miles. Their single One Life To Love (recently done by the NewPointe band) is just plain awesome.





Carmen D'Arcy, A Place Called Grace. Recently I was browsing the music department at Berean and saw this CD. Bought it right away. Jenny and I have been friends with Carmen and her husband Bill for almost seven years (although, admittedly, we've not done a good job of staying in touch...BUT we do have plans to see them over Thanksgiving). Anyway, Carmen is an amazingly talented singer and worship leader. If you want a fresh, spirit-filled worship CD, you won't be disappointed with this one.

sunday sneak preview

I sat in on some of the band's rehearsal last night. Had my camera phone with me. Took a couple of unauthorized shots. Here's a sneak peek...

That's all I can show you. Trust me, you won't want to miss it.

P.S. ... Don't tell anyone.

you asked for it...

I've had several people request video of the dirt bikes on stage at NewPointe. I don't know if they just want to see it again or if they need proof for their friends that there were actually motorcycles jumping in church...anyway, happy to oblige...


Thanks Danny!

catalyst quotables (part one)

This post is long overdue (seeing as how the Catalyst conference ended 11 days ago). But the stuff I'm about to share is still relevant and worth posting. So here we go...my favorite quotes from the 2008 Catalyst conference in Atlanta Oct. 9-10...

Andy Stanley

• Moral authority happens when there's alignment between your creed and your deeds (in other words what you say and what you do).
• Once I see a discrepancy between what you say and what you do, you lose influence with me.
• Why is moral authority so important? Influence is all we have. Very few people have to do what I tell them to do.
• Perhaps the boldest move you can make as a leader is to get on your knees and let go of the crap you've been holding on to.
• If your wife feels like the church is your mistress then you are part of the problem you're trying to solve.
• Why would I sacrifice what's permanent for what's temporary?
• If you want to lead generous people, you must be generous!

Jim Collins

• Good is the enemy of great.
• Greatness is not a function of the cards you were dealt. Greatness is a function of choice...and discipline.
• You'll find a culture of discipline in any great enterprise.
• How do leaders/organizations fall? Over-reaching (seduced by your own success).
• What's the number one indicator of over-reaching? Growing beyond your ability to have all your key seats filled with the right people.
• The first question to ask is WHO? If you get the right WHOs you'll get the right WHATs.
• Those who do well in turbulent circumstances are the ones who prepare for the unpredictable.
• How do you prepare well? Get the right people around you.
• The signature characteristic of good to great leaders: HUMILITY.
• Humility is defined by a burning passion for the cause--not themselves.
• If it is about you, you will not build something great.
• The critical question is not what to do--it's what to stop doing.
• Success does not define greatness. Your invisible choices do.

more tomorrow...

sunday's scuds (october 19, 2008)

Part five in the One Month To Live series. Dwight talked about Leaving Boldly. Here are the scuds:

• Most People don't finish strong. Stats tell us that only 1 out of 10 people actually finish strong in life.
• To leave boldly is not impossible, but it's improbable.
• It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
• It's not the fear of death that haunts us, it's the fear that we've never really lived that haunts us.
• If I'm not intentional about living a life of integrity it won't happen.
• Having integrity doesn't mean being perfect. It means you do what it takes to set things right.
• Integrity means there's consistency between what a person says and what he does.
• Success is not impressing those who don't know you. Success is gaining the respect of those who know you best.
• The hardest place to have integrity is in your own home.
• Serve a cause that can't repay you...and you'll leave boldly.
• You are the most like God when you give.
• Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less.
• Anybody you see as successful, God has saved their butt a million times.
• I'm not as good as what you think I am.
• The most loving thing you can do for someone is to share Christ with them.
• If you aren't intentionally praying for, investing in, and building relationships with, then you don't have a sense of urgency when it comes to sharing Christ.
• If you're going to leave boldly, then you need to share Christ with urgency.

darn that brett favre

Andrew: Daddy, after college, why didn't you play football for the Packers?

Me: I don't know...maybe I should have.

Andrew: I know why you didn't...because Brett Favre STOLE YOUR SPOT!

Darn that Brett Favre.

the new stars of high school musical 3

There's a lot of hype about HSM 3 (in theaters Oct. 24). What you may not know is that the cast for HSM 3 is not the same as the first two movies. But the good news is, the cast is EVEN BETTER. And...you may even know a couple of the "stars." Check it out...

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

the bunn fam

Tonight was Bunn family photo night. Here's one of the pics.

i wordled vern

We started something new in the NewPointe staff meetings this week...a team member spotlight. The idea is that we learn more about one of our team members through pictures, stories, and reminiscing.

This week we highlighted Vern Yoder. Vern's been a part of NewPointe forever...no, really, I think it's been forever.

Those of you who know Vern know that he's one incredible dude. And I'm so thankful he's on our team. Vern, in case you didn't know, works with our grade-level kids in Velocity.

One of the things the "spotlight" asks is that each staff member send Vern an email with a few words of encouragement.

So I just decided to blog about Vern (because that's what I do). And I also thought I'd go ahead and wordle him. Wordle is cool. You should check it out. Anyway, here's the word cloud I came up with for one Vernon Yoder:


(click to enlarge)

Vern, you're one awesome dude. And we all love ya!

eating outside the bunn

Last week Kevin, Matt, and myself headed south to the ATL for the Catalyst conference. I'll post some Catalyst quotables soon, but first things first...

You have to know...when Kevin does a road trip, dude intends to eat. He had the whole eating itinerary planned out before we even got in the car.

Man, I was just along for the ride. Kevin led the way to the restaurants. He led the way when ordering. And I just followed his lead.

Here's some photo documentation of our eating extravaganza last week...

First stop on the way to the ATL for dinner: Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Outstanding. And healthy, too!

Catalyst day one (lunch): We rush out of the arena and hoof it to Moe's Southwest Grill. Love it. It's like Chipotle...only better.

Day one (dinner): That's right...Famous Dave's. I hope you've had the privilege of eating one of Dave's famous cornbread muffins. There ain't nothin' like it.

Day two (lunch): Kevin parked strategically in the arena parking lot in order to make a a quick lunchtime exit, hop on to the interstate and hit one of his faves: The Varsity. (two chili dogs, onion rings, fries, AND a peach pie). Healthy, too.

Dinner in NC on the way home. Red Robin. Hard to beat the Banzai Burger.

God bless America. God bless Atlanta. And God bless Kevin West.

impressive...

In response to my "who's the most famous person you've ever met?" post, Randy Brinkman (one of our producers for Sunday services at NewPointe) emailed me this picture:

From right to left, his daughter Brooke, Matthew Perry, Randy, and his wife Julie. Randy scores points for the "freshness" of his encounter AND for providing photo evidence.

Nice job Randy!

who's the most famous person you've ever met?

Last week Kevin, Matt, and me hopped in a rental car and drove 11+ hours to Atlanta for the Catalyst conference (more on that later). When you have that much time in that tight of a space you end up inventing goofy things to keep you occupied. For instance, we spent HOURS playing with the XM radio, flipping to different stations and seeing who could the first to name the song AND the artist. By the way, Kevin is the KING of 80's music trivia. He dusted us.

We also took some time to see who in the car has actually EXCHANGED WORDS with the most famous person. It was more than just seeing or being near a very famous person. The distinguishing factor is that you must have spoken to the person and they also spoke to you. Here's who each of us came up with:

Me: Pete Rose

Kevin: Madonna (VERY impressive)

Matt: Darlene Zschech (really Matt? That's all you got? THAT'S funny!)

Other notables on my list: Deion Sanders, Norman Schwarzkopf, Amy Grant, Jack Nicklaus, and Walter Payton

So how 'bout you? Who's the most famous person you've ever spoken with?

who said you can't ride dirt bikes in church?

It was an unreal moment at NewPointe Sunday when shortly into Dwight's message he said, "Let me give you a good visual of power."

The band kicked in to Born to Be Wild, the doors busted open, and out came two stunt riders doing wheelies across the floor in front of the stage. They weaved their way through the aisles before using a ramp to get big air, jumping onto the stage.

And they just kept right on going, jumping off of the stage back onto the floor for another big ramp jump back onto the stage before parking and allowing Dwight to finish making his point about power.

Thought you might want to see a few pics...

The analogy Dwight used was this: Too often we go through life, trying to get by on our own power. It's like trying to pedal a 10-speed up a hill. We can only make it so far. We can't do amazing jumps and stunts. We don't have the power within us to do it. We need the supernatural power available to us through our Heavenly Father. Trying to do life without it is like trying to pedal around on our own. But when we have God's power in our lives, we can do amazing things--things we never knew we were capable of.

sunday's scuds (october 12, 2008)

The One Month To Live series has been huge. Sunday Dwight talked about learning humbly. The highlight of the message, obviously, was the motorcycle stunt riders riding their bikes IN CHURCH and doing jumps on stage.

Unbelievable message filled with tremendous scuds. Here are a few of them:

• We don't change when we see the light. We change when we feel the heat.
• You don't have the power to break that addiction. If you did, you would have already done it.
• When I take responsibility for my actions, scripture says that God forgives you and gives you another chance.
• We think that admitting weaknesses and shortcomings and faults disqualifies us. God says that humbly admitting those things gives us a second chance.
• We go to marriage counseling trying to fix blame rather than fixing the problem.
• We'd rather fix blame than we would take responsibility.
• What does ego mean? Edging God Out.
• Guilt holds us back from God's best.
• Some of us are afraid that if we surrender to God, he won't give us what's best.
• Most of us don't have the character to sustain the success that God wants to give us.
• The more success you have, the more temptations come your way.
• God says that when you character is in order, THEN he'll lift you. You have to surrender to God's strength.
• Your willpower will never be able to accomplish the dreams that God has put in your heart.
• If willpower could change you, you would have already been changed. The only thing that can change you is God's power.
• We think God's commands restrain us. But the truth is God's Word does just the opposite...it frees you!

bubba joe goes for the gold

If you missed KidStuf Sunday, you missed Bubba Joe's big announcement...
He's training for an Iron Man competition.

He told Kevin that it should be a "piece of cake" because he's already won Olympic gold medals in each of the Iron Man sports (with the exception of bicycling, he's hasn't won gold but he has won the Tour De France...multiple times).

Kevin was skeptical of Bubba (as usual). But Bubba said he brought photo evidence to verify his claims of Olympic glory.

Bubba says a picture is worth a thousand words...Here are a few of the photos he shared...

Bubba leading the pack at the Tour de France.

Celebrating his tour victory.

Winning the Boston Marathon.

On the winner's stand.

Going for gold in the pool.

Celebrating the victory....

Going for another gold.

Celebrating another outstanding Olympic win in the pool.

Showing off one of his gold medals with Michael Phelps and other US Olympic teammates.

Bubba also announced that Kevin has also been training hard for a big event...

sunday's scuds (october 5, 2008)

We continued this One Month To Live series this week. Powerful. Both services packed. This series is definitely connecting with people. My small group has been having incredible, deep, meaningful discussions about life and how we want to live thanks to this series.

This week Dwight talked about the importance of loving completely. Here are a few of the scuds:

• The reason you're here on earth is not so you can gain wealth...or even attain happiness. The primary reason you're here on earth is to build relationships.
• If it's not difficult, it's not love.
• If love was a feeling, it would not be a choice.
• If love was a feeling, God could not command us to do it.

A new command I give to you: Love one another. --Jesus

• Feelings come and go...so you need to choose to love.
• Love is a matter of conduct. Too often we say it with our words but we don't reinforce it with our actions.
• Human love wears out. I don't have what it takes to love my wife. But scripture tells me that God loves me with an everlasting love. Experiencing God's love enables me to love other people.
• Unloved people tend to be unloving people.
• When you're with people, you're going to get hurt. That's why the practice of forgiveness is critical to loving.
• You can't love anyone in your completely if you have resentment or unforgiveness in your heart.

newpointe in the middle east video

Here's a great video featuring several NewPointers talking about the church's involvement with missions in the Middle East. Check it out:



Thanks ReelFM!

naomi dances on main stage at the swiss festival

Naomi and two of her friends entered the Swiss Festival's talent contest last weekend. They spend several weeks practicing a hip-hop dance from KidStuf before performing their act on main stage during the competition. Here a few pics:



And.........they took first place!


Being interviewed by the local newspaper...

Way to go, Nomie! Man, that girl can dance!

biker breakfast (free!)

There's a free biker breakfast this Sunday at Adventure Harley-Davidson. Here's the skinny:

• 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m
• then we'll ride from Adventure HD to NewPointe for the 11 a.m. service.
• Pancakes, Sausage, and more!
• All bikes welcome (doesn't matter what you ride...just come!)
• Bring a biker friend!

See you Sunday!

newpointe named one of america's fastest growing churches

Each year Outreach Magazine publishes a list of the fastest growing churches in America. This year, NewPointe Community Church made the top 100, checking in at #89 of the top 100 fastest-growing. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's a link to a web version of the list: The Outreach 100

Sometimes NewPointe gets bad-mouthed by people who say things like, "All you guys care about are numbers."

First of all, that's just not true. We care about a lot more than simply attracting a large crowd on Sundays. In fact, what matters the most to us is seeing Christ formed in people.

Secondly, we DO care about numbers because numbers represent people—and we care deeply about people. People matter to God and they matter to us.

We believe that it's God's will for churches to grow. We're convinced God wants NewPointe to grow. In fact, if the church isn't growing, it's dying.

So thank you to all of the excellent volunteers and staff who work so hard to make NewPointe a place where people want to come to church. Isn't it great to be a part of something that's growing and thriving?