Last Sunday I got to visit NewPointe’s Louisville campus. There’s an awesome team of people up there who are just flat-out gettin’ things done. Here are a couple pics I took with my cell phone:
Over 200 in attendance for the first three Sundays. Lots of energy and enthusiasm. Lots of new faces. Very cool.
For the second straight year, NewPointe Community Church was named one of America’s 100 fastest growing churches by Outreach Magazine.
Last year NewPointe ranked #89. This year, #67.
Just so we’re all clear on this one, this is not a “look what we did” thing. This is a “look what God can do thing.”
The truth is, none of us at NewPointe really know what we’re doing. That’s not to say we don’t have smart, capable people on staff. It’s just to say that we give God the credit.
We readily admit that the growth NewPointe has experienced is more like in spite of us rather than because of us.
In fact, Dwight was quoted in the magazine:
“We’re experiencing something that can only be explained by God…I believe the favor of God is key. It wasn’t wisdom or a formed strategy. I attribute it to the favor of God. That’s why it’s so humbling. I don’t have a story for you that says, ‘We’re just pushing the right buttons.’ Believe me, there have been enough buttons that weren’t pushed right to know that this is bigger than who we are or who I am.”
Sometimes people can get a bit out-of-sorts when it comes to ranking churches. “After all,” they argue, “it’s not a competition.” True. We are not competing against other churches. We view the top 100 list as merely a tool, a resource for us to be able to look at the churches who are doing a great job of reaching people and learn from them.
In fact, we’ve already visited two of the churches on the list (Southland Christian, and Crossroads Community) in order to glean insights and strategies.
We don’t believe that bigger equals better. We just want to reach people for Christ. There’s no other motive. We never set out trying to make a list. We are simply compelled by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus Christ in a creative and compelling way.
Sometimes people say, “You’re church is too big." To which I respond, “Our church isn’t too big—Hell’s too big.”
And that’s why we want to keep growing.
The Naked Truth has been a great series. Can’t believe it’s wrapping up this Sunday (part 4, the Naked Truth about God). With TNT series wrapping up, that means we’ll be saying hello to a new series: STUCK.
And really, I mean this, I CAN’T WAIT for this series. Here’s a sneak preview:
traffic. check-out lines. traditions. being stuck is really frustrating. when it comes to your own life, it’s even more complex than just cars and numbers. maybe it’s your past, maybe vicious relational cycles, or even life’s circumstances. no matter who you are, you’ve been there. but you don’t have to stay there. you don’t have to be stuck.
what if you could get unstuck by simply taking a small step? you’d probably ask – in what direction? that’s what this series is all about – the right directions, the steps, the getting unstuck in life. you don’t have to live in frustration. you can be unstuck. join us from October 11 – November 1.
This will be a great series to invite friends and family to. If you’ve ever been stuck in life, then you know what it’s like to look for answers. I want to encourage you to make it a point to invite someone to this series. Pray and ask God who you should invite. Ask His Holy Spirit to go before you. Invite friends and family with confidence knowing that they’re going to have a great experience at NPCC.
Series starts Oct. 11. Don’t get stuck not inviting someone!
This week we had our annual NewPointe staff retreat at Skyview Ranch. My favorite part of the retreat? The relationships—getting to know people better. As NewPointe has grown, the staff has grown—from about a dozen when I arrived six years ago to 35 or so now.
I had a great time playing games, doing the adventure course, and team building activities with everyone but I was especially grateful for the opportunity to hang with some of the NewPointe newbies.
And of course, I gained a lot of new information about NPCC staffers. So I thought it would be to conduct a little True or False session here on my blog to see how well YOU know the NPCC staffers. Are you ready? Here we go…
1. Mike Conn does a great John Wayne impersonation. T/F
2. Dave Mast has been known to enjoy beer for breakfast. T/F
3. Jane Miller takes the game “Apples To Apples” VERY seriously. T/F
4. Dan Knight and Jeff Conn like to cuddle—with each other! T/F
5. Scott Bell loves broccoli. T/F
6. Wes Feldner and JD Lowry have never lost a single game of cornhole as teammates. T/F
7. Susan Lowry is NOT a midget. T/F
8. Joe Schulz snores. T/F
9. Dave Mast has been known to make Wal-Mart runs at 3 a.m. T/F
10. Wilma Mast can Facebook, carry on a conversation, eat, and play a board game all at the same time. T/F
Seriously, the NPCC staff is awesome. You should get to know them. You’ll love ‘em.
Many of you may already know that Andy Stanley is one of my heroes. I tell people all the time, listen to anything you can from Andy, read everything you can from Andy.
He’s an un believable communicator (in my opinion, there’s no one better in the church today). And he’s a gifted writer.
Here’s an interview he did about his newest book, The Principle of the Path.
Get the book. Read it. Grow from it. Thank me later. :)
I talked to someone yesterday who had a friend attend a service at our Louisville campus Sunday. Afterwards she asked her friend, “So…what’d you think?”
The friend said that she had a great experience, loved the music, was impressed with the kids areas, and was greeted by cheerful, friendly people. “But,” she said, “I left church feeling guilty.”
Her friend asked, “What do you mean?”
She responded, “I felt guilty because I had fun in church. I’m not used to church being enjoyable. And so it feels wrong to me because church has never been fun.”
But she also said, “I’m definitely coming back!”
The launch was successful. Two new NewPointe campuses officially joined the NewPointe family on September 13, 2009. 409 people attended church at NewPointe Millersburg and an additional 275 attended NewPointe Louisville.
We have a bunch really smart, godly, dedicated, tenacious, driven volunteers and staff make it happen. To my knowledge no church anywhere has ever launched TWO multi-site campuses on their FIRST multi-site endeavor. I’m honored to be part of the NewPointe team that made it happen.
Even though we’re underway at both locations, we still get a lot of questions about multi-site. Questions like, “Why are we doing it?,” “How are we doing it,” and, “What in the world were y’all thinking?”
So…I thought I’d take some time here in my blog to answer some of the most common questions asked about NewPointe mulit-site:
1. Aren’t there plenty of other churches in Millersburg and Louisville? Why add one more to the mix? Yes, there are plenty of good churches in the area already who doing a great job. We’re trying to reach people who have given up on church. NewPointe seems to have a unique niche in presenting a relevant message in a culturally current way, and this enables people to invite friends in their neighborhood who aren’t willing to drive 30 minutes to check out NewPointe in Dover.
2. Why show the message on a video screen? Will that really work?
Yes, showing the message on screens may seem a little weird. But actually, it’s pretty cool. We’ve found that even at the Dover campus most people watch Dwight on the side screens—only occasionally glancing toward the stage. Plus, the technology we’re using ensures everyone hears the same message regardless of location. And…who knows one of our communicators may even show up to speak live from time to time so…be ready!
3. What if I live in closer to Millersburg or Louisville than I do Dover but I’d really just rather keep driving to Dover for church? Well, then knock yourself out. We’re cool with it. But consider this: having a NewPointe location closer to your home will make it easier for you to invite friends in your community. Plus, with the 30 minutes or more of drive time you’ll gain every weekend, you could start serving in a role at NewPointe.
4. Is NewPointe looking to open more multi-site campuses in the future?
Yes, we’re currently making plans for a NewPointe International Space Station, and possibly NewPointe Key West—someplace that has palm trees. Seriously, our goal is for everyone in our area to hear a consistent, relevant, helpful message, with consistent values, in an convenient location. So we ask God and people around NewPointe where the next sites should be. We’re on God’s time-table so while we’re not in a hurry to start the next one, we’re always open to God’s leading and his timing.
Matty B. put this one together with some of the pics that have been popping up on Facebook. Great job Matt!
The September 13 date has been circled on our calendars for a long time. It’s the day we planned to launch not one, but two brand new NewPointe campuses (Louisville and Millersburg).
Sunday was the day…and it was AWESOME! Shazaam!
I spent the morning in Millersburg, arriving at 7:30 to see most of the stuff already set up and ready to go. Volunteers and staff were making final preparations. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.
The morning went off without a hitch. Smooth. Strong. Wow-factor. A God-thing. 409 people showed up for our first-ever service in Holmes County. If God is for us, who can be against us. God showed up in Millersburg Sunday. His presence was almost tangible.
Paul Rothel showed up to take pics. He emailed me some a while ago and without further ado, here they are:
This week our communications department launched the new and improved NewPointe.org (as if we didn’t already have enough going on this week).
Great job guys! Y’all can check it out by clicking here: www.newpointe.org.
Came to work today and saw this:
Yep. Dave D. is a huge Steelers fan and Danny is a huge Titans fan. They play each other tonight. Huge game.
Both are confident their team will win. Any predictions?
Went and got wings with Dwight and a few of the guys tonight. On the way back to the church Dwight dropped this scud on me:
If servanthood is beneath you then leadership is above you.
Shazam!
This Sunday NewPointe Community Church becomes one church in three locations. If you’ve been around NewPointe much at all lately you know what a big deal it is. Many people have stepped up to the plate and said, “Here am I, send me!”—they’ve made themselves available to be used by God in either Millersburg or Louisville.
Perhaps you’ve asked yourself the question, “Should I stay (at the Dover campus) or should I go?”
Well, there’s no easy answer to this—no formula—the Bible doesn’t mention either Louisville OR Millersburg. So…how is one to know whether to stay or go?
Let me offer some help with that:
Ask yourself (and ask God): At which location will I have the greatest impact for God? In other words, where can I best be used by God?
If it’s in Louisville, that’s awesome! It’s not too late to jump on board. If it’s Millersburg—same thing—welcome to the party. If you’ve asked that question and your answer is Dover—great! Then Dover is where we want you (and where you’ll thrive).
If, on the other hand, the primary question you’ve asked is, “Where am I most comfortable?” then, quite frankly, you’ve asked the wrong question.
Let me summarize:
Good questions to ask:
Poor questions to ask:
I challenge you to pray this prayer: “God, I want you to place my hands where I can have the greatest impact for your kingdom. I know it’s not about me, it’s about you and the people you want to reach. God, I want to follow your agenda and not mine. I trust you, God. And I’ll go where you want me to go—I’ll do what you want me to do.”
“Dover's NewPointe Church planting second site in Louisville”
LOUISVILLE — NewPointe Community Church in Dover has been called “the church that takes anybody.”
It isn’t always meant as a compliment. Nonetheless, the Rev. Dwight Mason, lead pastor, wears the label as a badge of honor. (read the rest of the article by clicking here).
NewPointe Community Church in Dover, is expanding its reach by opening a second campus in Louisville on Sept. 13. Pictured are (left to right) David DeAngelo, director of campus ministry; the Rev. Kevin West, Louisville campus pastor and the Rev. Dwight Mason, lead pastor.
Great day. Lots going on. Here are some of the highlights:
Here are a couple pics I snapped with my camera phone:
Wes leads worship (gotta love sitting in the front row).
The 10:10 Kidstuf crowd.
And next Sunday is going to be even more amazing. Hope to see you there!
In between the CLICK! series and the soon-to-be-released THE NAKED TRUTH series, Dwight hit us with a “Dangerous Prayers” message.
Here are some of the scuds:
Here are the three dangerous prayers Dwight challenged us to pray:
Next week: THE NAKED TRUTH part one.
We celebrate baptisms at least once a month at NewPointe. 8 – 10 people get baptized every month. August was no exception. 10 people baptized (5 in each service)!
Every story of life-change that we get to experience is awesome. Here are a couple from last Sunday worth seeing again:
Yay God!
What’s always been true about NewPointe is that things are always changing. And that’s good. Multi-site is bringing even more change our way. Some of the things we’ve had to really evaluate are our current systems and deadlines. And it’s all fair game right now.
One thing we know for sure: deadlines move up due to having to have things ready to go for three sites each week.
Dave Mast(ermind), Cindy Colucy, and Dawn Lee collaborated on a deadline/systems revise for all things related to programming/production. They pulled me in at the tail end of the meeting to give me the run-down.
Here’s what they had on the whiteboard in the team meeting room:
It may not seem like a big deal…but it is. It represents major change to our production flow. A lot of thought and work went in to what you see on this board. The next step is to place what you see here into a flow chart. New deadlines and procedures will probably start being rolled out within two weeks.
Fun times at the ‘Pointe.
…video announcements. Tuesday the crew shot three “episodes” of NewPointe video announcements. They’ll debut on September 13 and will be shown at all three campuses.
Here’s a look a look at the shoot (through the lens of my camera phone)…
Carol Miller earned the distinction of being the first to ever record video announcements at NewPointe. She did a fantastic job!
Lee Ann Miller hosts round two. I learned that when she gets tongue-tied, she kicks (as evidenced in this photo):
The room in which these videos were shot is our new “green screen room.” Formerly this room was our video editing room (upstairs off of the control room). The video editing room has been moved (thanks to Dan, Wes, and Keith). Very cool.
Video became increasing important when we made the shift to multi-site. Video makes creative elements transferrable to multiple venues. The video announcements are cool because, unlike live announcements, we can script things out so stuff gets said exactly the way we’d like it said (hosts read from a tele-prompter), and we can control the length of then announcements. Plus it’s just cooler and more more exciting (we can incorporate other videos into the video announcements).
Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.
