Church Planting and being "called"
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Do I believe people are called to certain areas or cities? Yes. As a pastor in a small community when I think of church planting I think of how our church was planted 75 years ago. That is a long time ago. There is not a church in our community that isn't over 10 years old. It is said that 80% of converts come to Christ in a church that is 2 years old or less. Are there bigger cities that need churches? Yes. Are there smaller cities that need churches? Yes. In a bigger city there is more ground (souls) to be covered. In a smaller community you might be stepping on even someone in your denominations toes. I have observed over the past several years most church plants (generally speaking) are in bigger cities. Which leads me to the questions, does God still call people to small communities? Don't we need to have better church options in smaller cities as well? What happens if we plant 60 churches in the 3 biggest cities in Iowa and none in cities of less than 5,000? Does God "call" people to smaller communities to churches of 15 people still? To a salary that you are not even sure will be there? Should we just do away with churches that have 15 or less and have them go to the closest bigger church? A church in a smaller community doesn't typically grow as fast as a church in a bigger community. There is a church blowing up called Brand New Church that is the exception to the rule. There has recently been a conference with smaller churches in mind (Sticks) There are so many overlooked places in Iowa alone. We must be diligently seeking people who will go to places no one else will. I love our district that wants to plant 100 churches in the next 20 years. Let me say this. Most people when they get out of college are not thinking "I want to go to a church of 20 people in no mans land". "I want to go to a small established church that is going to be hard work". That just isn't the mindset from most people if I am being honest with you. Here is what I think. We need to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Jerusalem isn't always a city of over 100,000. Our district believes that "every community deserves a healthy expression of the church".
I should say that this post isn't only for church planting. It goes across the board. What pastor doesn't want a bigger church, bigger city, bigger area of influence? If I am being honest I would say that sometimes I do. (So I have to honestly check my motives behind it) Here is what I know, God honors faithfulness wherever you are. Lord, please help me to be faithful to what you have called ME to do. It is easy to think that because you only have so many people in your church that your ministry isn't significant. It's a lie. Just because you may be called to 30 people on the back side of who knows where, doesn't mean that you are insignificant. We need pastors who will do the work in smaller communities and they need to be resourced just like every other church. Lord help us to reach this state.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 4:27 PM,
, links to this post
What's your plan?
Last night at men's group we discussed having a plan. Too many people walk in this world with no direction and they live only for the temporary. We asked ourselves some hard questions like : is life turning out how I hoped it would? Am I where I planned to be in my career, family, finances, faith walk compared to where I actually am? Have some of our plans been interrupted? We had a really great discussion. We read Acts 9:1-19 about Saul who had a drastic change in plans, he was on his way to persecute Christians and 15 verses later God is saying this is the man I am going to use to go to the Gentiles. What an amazing change of plans. Most of us have had a change of plans in our lives, maybe an unwanted pregnancy, loss of a loved one, car accident, financial loss or whatever. We have all experienced things that made us go to plan b. Here is what we know. When we are faithful with right where God has us, He will be faithful to us. He will honor those who honor him, and those that despise Him will be lightly esteemed. Life can change quickly. Since my last license I have been married, become a pastor for the first time and we are expecting a child now. That's a lot of change, but I am going to be faithful right where I am. God knows the plans. See Proverbs 16:3,9
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:17 AM,
, links to this post
sorry
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I tried very hard to get a short video on here yesterday. I posted it to my Facebook page for those of you who have access to Facebook. Let me tell you breifly what it was. It was a short 30 minute video asking people to pray with us as we show people the God of this City. We are going to invest into businesses or organizations that invest into people. We are asking our congregation to write thank you notes or letters of appreciation to these places and then giving each place a check for $500. We want to thank them for all they do and we want to be a blessing to them. We believe that when we give generously we will show people who God is. He is a generous God. In this economy God will supply for us and it will be a testimony to His name that we are able to do this. I can't wait to see what God does. I apologize for not blogging yesterday, and if I get the video, I will post it as soon as I can.
On a side note I have been reading through Matthew and seeing the compassion of Jesus in a whole new light. All I can say is WOW! It seems so unreal, but it is so available. Thank you Lord.
Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 2:03 PM,
, links to this post
Annual Business Meeting
Monday, January 26, 2009
YAY! That is what I think when we do our annual business meeting. Just kidding. Every year we get together and go over what happened last year. We go over the finances, the wins and testimonies. It really is a great time to reflect, but as a pastor, it is a lot of work to put together. Since I am a pastor in a small community I have to do most of the work when it comes to putting this whole thing together. It is not a lot of fun to be honest. I am not a big fan of crunching numbers for a budget, but it has to be done. All in all our meeting went well. I read over the information I was giving out then I gave a time for questions or testimonies. We had a lot of great testimonies. God has been so good to our church this year. We are really looking forward to what God is going to do here at New Life this year. It is good to go back and celebrate what He has done as well. Tonight we have our monthly prayer meeting. I am so pumped for it. I can't explain to you how amazing it is when people get together with right motives to pray to God. I CAN'T WAIT.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 1:33 PM,
, links to this post
Where are we?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Today we did our "State of the Church" series. Every year before out annual business meeting we talk about where we have been, where we are and where we are going. Over the past month we have gone over where we have been and where we are going, so today we put our attention on where we are. I shared my heart with where I am at as the leader and I encouraged our people to continue in working hard to reach people. Galatians 6:9 talks about not growing weary in well doing because at the right time we will reap a harvest. We will reap a harvest down here. We cannot grow weary. Listen to the message here.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 7:09 PM,
, links to this post
ruined
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I just want to encourage everyone this morning. I had the fresh encounter with God this morning. I needed it too. I have been up since about 3 a.m. I came up to the church at around 5:30. I put on a song "The Lord Reigns". I praised God this morning and then I opened the Word. Read Isaiah 6:5 and you will know about how I am feeling. Completely ruined and undone before a Holy God who I have yet to grasp. As I read the word this morning and read about this God that we serve it left me feeling "who are you Lord"? I cannot grasp His ways, His love and I completely don't get how so much compassion can come from one person? I feel like a kid learning about this great man and left thinking "how can this possibly be true"? He is too great for words. I cannot describe to you how uplifted my spirit feels at this moment. I feel like I can take on the world. There is nothing like a fresh word from heaven. I feel like God has leaned down out of heaven right into my ear this morning and said, "Yes, It's Me, the creator of the universe". I sit here out of breath, I have shed tears this morning, but most importantly I have met with I AM!
posted by Pastor Potter @ 7:26 AM,
, links to this post
Just Say It!!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I did a short audioblog today that is only 3 minutes long. Click here to listen to it. I think you will be able to relate.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:42 AM,
, links to this post
man
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Today as we swear in a new president we must understand that no one person can change our lives like Jesus can. I have been watching some coverage of this election and now the swearing in and it is utter madness. A lot of people are pinning their hopes and dreams on a man. Does the president have a lot of power? yes. No matter what political party is in office that does not mean life will be perfect. Even if we have the most liberal or conservative justices in the supreme court that will not make life perfect. No government will make life perfect. I believe that God has given America the leader that they have chosen. It is not a surprise to God that Barack Obama is our president. Will he do his best? I believe he will. I believe he will do what is right in his eyes, just as President George Bush has done. Because he is going to do right in his eyes, there will be people who disagree with him. Not everyone holds the same values and convictions.
Here is what I know. I am called to pray for him. I pray for our country on a regular basis. I will pray for our new president. He will govern the way he knows best. We should pray for wisdom and insight from God to come to him. Above all else we need to remember he is a man, he is not God. He doesn't have all the answers. He cannot save a soul. Jesus Christ is still the reason I wake up everyday with joy in my heart.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:29 AM,
, links to this post
The Jerusalem Project
Monday, January 19, 2009
I couldn't be more excited about what we are going to do this year. From what I know and have heard a lot of churches are playing defense. They are surviving. They are cutting their budgets because of the economy. Now either I am too naive, or I have just enough faith to believe that God's economy and plans are bigger than the global economy, especially the American economy. Why shrink back? Why stop? That is the question I asked myself and here is what God led us to do.
The Jerusalem Project is a new thing we are doing here at New Life in which we will show people who the God of this city is. Every month we are going to invest into businesses or organizations that are investing into people. So each month we are asking our church to write thank you letters to each place (hoping for a minimum of 15) and then we will be giving each place $500. For those of you who are not quick with math we are giving away $6000 to our community. We believe God has led us to do this. I believe people will see God through our church this year. I believe they will see God through our generosity this year. I love what it says in Matthew 5:16. My prayer for this year is that by the things we do, people of this city will praise our Father in heaven.
You can listen to me unpack how it will work in this message.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 1:16 PM,
, links to this post
playing dress up
Friday, January 16, 2009
I remember when I was a kid and I used to play dress up. (don't get any crazy ideas people). Whether it was for school or for high school homecoming week or whatever the occasion, it was always fun to dress up as someone other than myself. I will never forget my the day when my friend and I dressed up as Kris Kross for homecoming and wore our clothes backwards. It was hard being DaddyMac or MacDaddy (whichever I was) or when my brother and I used play football in the backyard I would put on my Walter Payton jersey, pads and helmet courtesy of Hutch sports (they still make them). My point is this. It is always easy to pretend we are something that we are not. I gotta be honest, it is easy to show up on Sundays and put on the face. You know, the everything is going great and I don't need a thing face. Unfortunately when we do this for a period of time, we start to actually live in that place and become numb to the fact we have real issues we need to deal with. Most people I know can show up at church and pretend everything is ok when it really isn't. The other problem becomes our lack of need or reliance upon God. If we can handle it all ourselves, where does God fit in? He doesn't! So, here's to keeping it real and living our lives with complete dependance upon God.
Labels: encouragement, goofy, joy
posted by Pastor Potter @ 5:17 PM,
, links to this post
humble
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Talk about being humbled. My wife and I are expecting our first baby in August and I just keep thinking to myself: "Really God"? You trust me with a baby? I know that people have babies all the time, but this baby is going to be completely different. God somehow in his infinite wisdom says: "you know what Melissa and Josh, I trust you to raise this baby". Wow! I am truly excited and blessed. I have so much anticipation and we are only 11 weeks into this adventure. I cannot express to people enough that God is good. This is one of those things you think about from the time you are a child, that one day you will grow up and get married and one day have a child. We are so grateful. We realize this will change so much. Our priorities will have to change. I have got to be honest, we are both 31, even though my wife tells people she is 24, (just kidding) and we get more sleep than the average person our age. I am honestly ok with that change. I cannot wait. Please pray for us. We realize we can only do this with God's grace and wisdom.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 8:00 PM,
, links to this post
you know what's funny?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Remember how this last weekend I preached about hope? Remember how I blogged the other day about how we need to rely on God more? I am living out those things in my own life. Sometimes we are put in a situation or circumstance out of our control. That is what tonight at church was going to be all about. (we cancelled due to weather, so it will be next week). We are all dealt a hand and it may not be fair or right or easy, but we have to play that hand. Too many times we fold right away. I don't know a lot about playing cards because I really never got into playing cards, but I do know that when you fold, you give up. You are willing to concede. Sometimes you call and stay in the game longer and see if others will fold, or if they are bluffing or whatever. Sometimes you just ride it out with your cards even if they are not the best and you hope for the best. I said it Sunday, don't give up, don't give in, don't stop believing. No matter what your hand is, it's all about how you play it. God give us grace to play the hand we have been dealt, and to do it in a way that is pleasing to you. That is our heart. That is our motives. We want to please our Father. Thank you for being our Father. You are good. We trust in you. I know people who have been put in horrible circumstances, but they still lived a full, joy-filled life. That is how I want to live. Don't you?
Labels: encouragement, joy, life, personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 1:56 PM,
, links to this post
challenges
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
If there is one thing I am up for it is a great challenge. I have always been a competetive person. It doesn't matter what I am playing I want to win. I am not the "let's just play for fun" kinda guy. With that in mind, I believe we are going to be taking on a huge challenge this year as a church. I am up for it. I cannot wait to see what God does. I don't think we can do what I believe we are going to be able to do without God. I think that is how it should be. God gives us abilities and talents, but our talents are not good enough without God. There are too many people trying to live on their own talent or their ability. We must rely on God for everything. I am learning this more and more. I have realized every time I rely on my speaking abilites (which are pretty lame) and don't rely on Him to speak through me, I fall flat on my face every time. Honestly I am not as dependant on God as I should be. That is not saying that I am not working on it. It is saying, God is showing me this. The good news is he has not given up on me, and is still willing to work in me. I am still amazed at his grace. I am overwhelmed by his great love.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:06 AM,
, links to this post
I don't deserve this
Monday, January 12, 2009
Do you ever feel like that? Like you don't deserve something? So many times in my life I have been blessed by someone or something and I find myself thinking: "Man, I really don't deserve this". Yet when we know that we are God's children He delights in blessing us. That of course is not what it is about at all or why we do the things we do. Usually when you are going to bless someone you are intentional about it. I mean just giving someone a nice compliment or encouragement takes time and effort. Sometimes we are blessed by others and we don't respond in the best way. Sometimes we don't even say thank you. (I am guilty of that). Sometimes we feel like we have to do something nice for them. (this is the reason some people don't give compliments because the other person feels obligated to say something nice back). Sometimes we just plain miss the whole point of what is going on at that particular time. When I think of God's grace I think I don't deserve it, yet if there is one thing He would give me it would be His amazing grace. So I realize that without His grace life means nothing, but with His grace life means everything. If God didn't think you deserved it, He wouldn't have given it to you. But he does, and my heart is forever grateful and changed.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:45 PM,
, links to this post
Big News
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Well in case you missed service today, I gave some pretty big news. I am posting my sermon so that you can hear what it is. The message is right here. It is about ten minutes in. I really felt like God wanted me to say some things today. I felt like it connected with people.
This is my 400th post. I cannot believe I have posted 400 blogs. I have really enjoyed writing my thoughts and sharing them with each person who is willing to read them. I hope you have been encouraged by what you have read. God bless you.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 4:54 PM,
, links to this post
a bit behind
Friday, January 09, 2009
Don't you just hate when you fall behind on a project? Maybe you are a lot better at handling your schedule than I am, but I am a bit behind. I underestimated the travel time and all the hours we would be gone from the church in the past several weeks for the holidays so I am feeling behind to the point of having to rush through my sermon prep. The past 4 weeks I have had only 1 or 2 days at the most to really focus my attention on my message for that Sunday. I hate that because I like to be prepared. Since I am an organized person (for the most part) I like to have a schedule and know what I will be working on during certain days. All that has been out the window. Like any organization we have year end paperwork and all that to do, so it has made my last few weeks very stressful. I am not complaining I am just sharing where I am at. This week has been so busy it is Friday and I am just now sitting down to do my sermon. I know some people might be thinking why aren't you doing it now instead of blogging? That is a great question. I needed an outlet so I could vent. My blog helps clear my mind. It helps me get things off my chest. So thanks for listening to me and my current status. I know most people have been there before and this is not something new. I said everything today to say this "thank you God for your grace". It is never ending.
Labels: church, encouragement, life, personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:45 AM,
, links to this post
training day
Thursday, January 08, 2009
I am sitting here in the Iowa Ministry Network office. We have a great building here in Des Moines. I am in here for training for next generation leaders. I have really enjoyed this class. I have learned a lot about leadership so far and look forward to continued learning. I have blogged about this class before. I really do enjoy coming here and hanging out with other next generation leaders. For the most part all of us are under 40. If you are over 40 that does not mean that you are old by any means. Anyhow, the leadership here in Iowa has really changed over the past 2 years. We really are headed in a completely new direction. That is not always a bad thing. I am really looking forward to what we look like as a network 10 years from now. Anyhow, I just bought 5 copies of Crazy Love. In February we will be starting a new dvd series about this book and I cannot tell you how excited I am for this. This book has really changed a lot of the ways I think about God and His love for us. I cannot do the book justice by trying to explain it to you, so I would recommend you buy it, of if you are a part of New Life you will have an opportunity to borrow one from the church. This is a life changing book. There is no way you can read this book and not be changed by it. Here is the link if you would like to buy it. Crazy Love
Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:12 AM,
, links to this post
leader/follower
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Tonights discussion at bible study was the difference between a leader and a follower. We had a great discussion about the descriptions of each. We talked about why each one gets lumped into either category. We talked about pros and cons of both. We had a great discussion. It is funny to hear both sides as a pastor. I joked around and told them I was going to hold them to everything they said as to the responsibilities of followers. The truth is we need both leaders and followers in every church. Both are responsible. The leader gets a lot of the heat if things collapse. Everyone has heard that everything rises and falls on leadership. Leaders do have to make tough choices. They have to be held responsible for them. Followers have to be responsible for their actions as well. We came up with a general consensus of the roles they play in the church. The church needs both. We are all in this together. We all want to see the kingdom of God extended to every sinner. We cannot do this without each other. God will use us. Let's Go!!!!
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:03 PM,
, links to this post
different
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
You know that feeling when you start a new job? A little bit of anxiousness, nervousness and anticipation? I felt everyone of those yesterday as I am back full-time at the church. It just felt so much different. It felt good. I found myself sitting there thinking, I hope I don't blow this. What a great thought huh? Very positive. :) I actually am quite positive that God has allowed me to go full-time and I do believe that He has great things in store for the church. Working part-time at a church is pretty stressful if you are bi-vocational. You always worry about your other job. I did anyway. It was nice to go in and not have to worry about sending a letter, doing taxes or printing documents for my old job. I will do some of that stuff obviously at the church, but not on the same scale as my other job. I feel like a huge burden has been lifted, but now I expect myself and our church to grow to new levels. I think when we are put in situations like this, we tend to ask this question: What happens if God doesn't __________ ? (you fill in the blank) I said it this past Sunday, do we really think God is going to leave us hanging? Do we think God is going to be angry at us for having too much faith? I think not. I am relying on God, not my abilities. He has given me the exact talents I need to lead the church He has me leading right now. I am pumped because He knows right where I am. He knows my heart and motives. He knows everything there is to know about me. He still loves me. It is amazing that He could know all of that stuff and He still loves me. Wow. I can't get enough. Joy has overtaken my sadness and grief.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:44 AM,
, links to this post
I am blessed
Monday, January 05, 2009
I wish more Christians felt and lived that way. We really are so blessed by God to be adopted into His family. I am feeling so blessed as I write this blog from the Garrison House this morning. Over the past 2 years (almost) I have been doing most of my blogging from my part time job at Iowa Land Service. This morning is the first morning I am blogging as a full-time pastor. It is one of the most humbling things. I not only get to be a pastor, but I get to do it full-time. I am truly grateful. There is nothing in the world I would rather be doing. I believe God has a lot in store for New Life this year. We kicked off the year yesterday and I believe in my heart that as a church we will show people the God of this City. We are going to do things that can only be done if God shows up. That is how I believe we should live. No more talk of "well, if God chooses to" or "if God wants to". Why wouldn't God resource us to reach a dying world around us? Why wouldn't he send people to our church who are capable of doing just that? I hardly doubt that one day I will stand before God and he will say "son, you had too much faith". What a crazy thought. So as a blessed person, I am going to spread the blessing God has bestowed on me. This past week I was reminded of a little song I used to sing in children's church. It was called "this little light of mine". In that song it says "hide it under a bush, oh no, i'm gonna let it shine". That is my prayer for New Life this year. That we would be a light in this city. That we would show Clarinda the God of this City. God has paved a way for us to do that this year. Once again, I am so thankful and commited to seeing people meet with God this year.
Labels: church, encouragement, joy, life, personal
posted by Pastor Potter @ 8:04 AM,
, links to this post
New Theme
Sunday, January 04, 2009
We launched our new theme for 2009. The theme is God of this City. If you have not heard the song by Chris Tomlin, you need to listen to it. Yesterday I started off the year talking about what drives me everyday. I believe that God, who created everything and sent His son to die for our sins, is the God of this City. You can listen to my message here.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 6:27 PM,
, links to this post
quick update
Thursday, January 01, 2009
I have not been able to blog since we left for Waterloo on Tuesday. We got here and had to leave almost immediately for the wedding rehearsal. It went smoothly considering it was my first. It helped that Melissa became the impromptu wedding coordinator. She is so talented at so many things that it still amazes me that she married me. Anyhow, I then went over to my brothers house where I proceeded to destroy him in a game of college football. I got up yesterday and I wasn't really nervous about officiating my first wedding. I was surprised. We did a little bit of shopping and got some great deals on some things we needed (or wanted:). We headed up for the wedding and I didn't really get nervous until they starting playing the music to seat the parents. All in all the wedding went fine. I did what I was there to do. It is such an amazing thing when people get married. This wedding was special because it was my cousin.
On a side note My Uncle whom we call Grub and Nancy his wife had their lives completely changed a few years ago when she had a brain aneurysm. My uncle has been an amazing example of a husband and father for his three girls. The truth is most guys would have bailed if their wives were put in a similar situation (Nancy is in bad shape and has to have daily help with everyday things including eating, but he has shown his girls and son in laws what being a real man is all about. He is loving and caring and compassionate to Nancy. I am so proud of his character and integrity. We need more men like him in this world.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 8:23 AM,
, links to this post
