January 12, 2011

I am not sure about you, but I thought this weekend’s service was really good.  The worship through music was great, the message was a challenge to me personally (hopefully to you too), and it was great to be able to let you all know about our upcoming move to V Sue Cleveland High School the end of February.  Also, I am not sure if you noticed, but we had the largest attendance in Paragon’s short history… 162.  That is exciting.

The only thing I felt bad about as I walked away from our gathering was the fact I didn’t mention anything about the shootings that took place the day before in Tucson, AZ.  It wasn’t that I forgot it’s that I honestly didn’t know what to say.

Now, 3 + days have passed and there has been plenty of news coverage and almost too much said about the whole incident. I do, however, want to add my two cents to the conversation after the message from Sunday.

On Sunday night, Christy and I were watching Dateline NBC to find out more about what had happened.  The news crew was bouncing from doctors to friends to political aides to whoever else had some insight to what had happened and how it all unfolded.  The one part of the show that had really caught my attention was when they did a piece on the 9 year old girl who was killed during this tragic event.  They had her parents on for an interview to talk about her.  I was blown away at how calm they were and how they were sitting there answering the questions in such a composed manner.  

As the interview progressed, I learned that her dad was a baseball scout for the LA Dodgers and her grandfather was a former manager for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980, when they won the World Series title.  To me, and maybe it’s just because I am a sports guy, those are pretty big accomplishments.

And then, because of the way my mind works, I started to think, what if that were me… what if I were sitting there doing and interview… would I be calm or would I be a mess? (most definitely the latter)  and then my mind went to… what if I had a big Scouting job with a Major League Baseball team and my dad was a World Series winning manager… would any of that really matter if I had just lost my nine year old?  The answer to that is NO… I would give up anything and everything on this earth to have my kid back… I would give anything to even just one more day with my kid.

THEN… the question became… then why do I put so many other things (small insignificant things) in front of each of them now?  Just a little more work… just a little more TV…a little more alone time…  why don’t you guys go outside and play and just leave me alone for a little while… etc.

That old saying is so often true… “You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.”  Why do we wait until they are gone to realize this?  Why do we put the meaningless things in life in front of the things that mean everything?

If you want to go back to Sunday’s message… why do we spend so much time worshipping our false gods (money, sex, stuff, sports teams, etc.) that give us nothing in return when instead we should be putting our focus on the one true God that has given us everything we could ever need?

Just my two cents...

Leap of Faith

Last night, Christy stopped by the Redbox and picked up Inception.  It was a movie that I wanted to see in the theater but wasn’t top priority on the list… so we waited.

If you have seen the movie, you may have had the same thoughts and questions I had… “What is going on here?” – “Is everyone else as confused as I am right now?” – “How is this going to end?” - “How much Nyquil did the writers drink during the planning stages of this movie?”

The movie intrigued me and as with most movies I watch I looked for moments of spiritual significance (and in this movie I found quite a few).  Most of them dealt with the past and how when we hang on to it… whether fabricated or realistic… it can hold us back.  But the one that stood out to me was the line that was asked a handful of times.

“Do you want to take a leap of faith?  Or become an old man filled with regrets…”

What a powerful line.  What a powerful question.

Think about it with me… how many of us have come to a place in our lives where we have to ask ourselves this question.  Do we push forward, not really knowing the outcome, or do we sit safe always aware of what the outcome should be?

When do we take that leap of faith… when do we not?

I was thinking about that while watching the movie… and thought the reason he (DiCaprio) did take that leap of faith was because of his passion for what he was leaping into.  Even though he knew it could cost him his life (or at least a life in “limbo”) he went all in.

That led me to these next questions… what are you passionate about?  What are you willing to risk it all for?

Do you have that passion for God and His Word and sharing it with others… so passionate that you are willing to risk everything for Him and His mission?

“Do you want to take a leap of faith?  Or become an old man filled with regrets…”

I will be 35 in a few weeks and according to the stats that say the average American male lives 70 years – my life is at its midpoint.  I am getting closer and closer to being an old man (and for my kids and their friends, I probably already am) – but even with that – one thing is for sure… I do not want to be an old man filled with regrets.

The Paragon Church plant was a big leap of faith for me and my family but I do not want to rest on that past accomplishment as my sole source of “look what I did” for my life.  I am passionate about leading this church to where God wants us to go.  Every day I am excited about what God is going to do next.  I am ready to take that next “leap”.  Are you?

New Year... New Post

It’s a new year and finally a new blog post.  I honestly cannot believe it is already 2011.  It was this time last year that I was meeting with some guys to figure out how we would transform a school gym into a church.  How time flies!

2010 wrapped up very well.  At the end of October we started a series going through Philippians.  It was a good challenge on finding JOY even in the worst situations.  Our average Sunday attendance was over 130 for the last few months (not bad for a church that is only eight months old).    For our Christmas Eve service we had over 150 friends and family members… it was awesome.  God is blessing Paragon with new families every week.

I am extremely excited about what 2011 has in store.  It started off this last Sunday (January 2) with a remembrance service.  What better way to focus on what we need to do in 2011 than to look back at what Christ did for us 2000 years ago.

Over the next three Sundays we will be looking at the life of Elijah and the man of God he was… how he got that way… and what he did to prove it.  It will be a great challenge for each of us to step up in 2011 to do something with our lives.

God has a lot in store for us as a church.  We are moving ahead and reaching out and we need you to be a part in whatever way you can.

Look forward to weekly updates to the blog… a little 2011 resolution on my part.   Happy New Year and God Bless!!!

BTW - we have a little announcement you will want to be a part of this Sunday... so make sure to be there.

Plans change. Vision remains the same.

On April 22, 2009, I prepared myself for the unknown.  I was heading to a leadership conference called Catalyst West.  This was pre Paragon Church.  As a matter of fact, it was actually where the idea for Paragon Church came to light.

The first speaker came and took the stage.  Andy Stanley.  His whole talk encouraged leaders to lead through uncertain times.  I didn’t think much of it at the time.  Honestly, I was a youth pastor and though uncertainty would show itself on occasion, it was nothing I worried about “getting through”. 

But in the last few days, uncertainty has come my way.  What I thought was, may still be, but not at this time.  What am I going to do?  How do I lead through the unexpected changes in our plans?

You may ask… “What are those changes?” … over the last months and weeks, we have been dreaming big about getting into Cleveland High School here in Rio Rancho.  It is in a prime location to reach all of northern Rio Rancho, a state of the art facility, and more than enough room to grow.  As of last Wednesday, we were just one step away from being locked in.  Meetings had taken place, budgets had been set, and we were moving forward.  Then the unexpected happened.  The last step didn’t go as planned.  So now our plans have to be changed.  At first I was disappointed.  I tried to figure out if this was (A) a speed bump trying to disrupt us or (B) God closing the door.

That was when I remembered back to that first talk on April 22 of 2009.  Leaders lead in uncertain times.  I went back to my notes that I took that day.

Here’s a recap of what Andy said… plus some quotes from that day’s teaching…

He pointed out… when leaders are uncertain they need to focus on two elements: clarity and flexibility.

Clarity means focusing on your original calling. What's the essence of your ministry? That can and should remain crystal clear even amid confusing circumstances. Andy's biblical reference was Joshua clearly telling the Israelites to pack their provisions and organize themselves to approach the Jordan River even though he was uncertain exactly what would happen when they got there.

Flexibility means knowing the difference between your vision and your plans. Don't mistake your plans for your vision. Your plans can and MUST change frequently but the vision remains the same.

Here are some of the quotes that resonated with me in the current situation I find myself…

·       “Plans change.  Vision remains the same.”

·       “I will always be uncertain. I’m certain of it.”

·       “A story without uncertainty isn’t a very interesting story.”

·       “You don’t learn anything when everything is going well.”

·       “As a leader, it is okay to be uncertain but it’s not okay to be unclear.”

·       “Pull back to that thing that God called you to do in the beginning.”

·       “Clarity will trump uncertainty.”

·       “We’re going to trust God to take care of the part we don’t know about.”

·       “You can be clear even when you’re uncertain.”

·       “Retreat to the vision.”

·       “What can you do proactively around what God called you to do?”

·       “Don’t confuse the plan with the vision.”

·       “In times of uncertainty, plans change a lot.”

·       “No decision is ever sacred, but the vision never changes.”

·       “Leadership is not about making decisions on your own. It’s about owning the decisions once they are made.”

·       “You have to pray like crazy for God’s wisdom and direction.”

The challenge that sat with me the most was this… "Be confident even in uncertainty.  Admit that you don't know the future, but you can confidently follow what God has told you to do."

And that is exactly what I plan to do.  I WILL follow what God and do what He has called me to do. He has called me to lead a church that will reach Rio Rancho and the rest of the world with the gospel of Christ as well as lead Paragon Church into the next phases of growth as a church. God has laid it on my heart to see 10,000 people come to know Christ through the ministries of Paragon Church in the next 10 years (a 2020 vision if you will).  If that is at Cleveland High School… GREAT!  If it is at Sandia Vista Elementary (our current location)… GREAT!  Anywhere will be fine.  The question is… Can we do it… No, not on our own… but by the grace of God flowing in us and through us that number will be easily attained and probably surpassed.  I love what Paul has to say in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 3:7-21 –

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This is God’s church, not mine.  I am just fortunate enough to be asked to lead it.  Pray like crazy for this church and that we never lose sight of the vision.

It's been SEVEN weeks...

October 11, 2010

It has been seven weeks since I last “blogged” about Paragon Church. A lot has happened in that span of time.

The last time in blogged every NFL team was undefeated… today there are no undefeated teams left. The last time I blogged my son Payton was three… now he is four. The last time I blogged school had just started… as of now, we have just completed Fall Break.

The last seven weeks have been filled with lots of great things that God has been doing.
September 5, Labor Day, we had our highest attendance ever @ 147.
September 12 was our Fall Kickoff Sunday as we started a series called “One Month to Live” (which focused on living life to its fullest – as if your days are numbered).
September 19th allowed me the opportunity to baptize SIX people (Jodi, Zavier, and Zane Ridgely – Vanessa Briggs – Ed and Jesse Rodriquez)

The 26th was a challenge for us to Love like Jesus Loved… Completely… even those that hate us (that is what He did – Romans 5:6)

When October hit, a new plan to reach our community started to really swirl in my brain. On October 3rd, I let the people know that people are always changing, either moving closer to God or further from Him. We cannot stay the same. We cannot be happy with what we are or assume that we have done “good enough”. We have to keep reaching, keep pressing on, and keep straining for what is ahead. That doesn’t only go for each individual, but for the church as well. I laid out a 2020 plan. I want to reach 10,000 people for Christ in the next ten years. It sounds crazy, I know. As a matter of fact, it sounds impossible. How can a church of 120 reach 10,000 people in the next ten years? With God’s help and direction. Steven Furtick has a new book out called “Sun Stand Still”. My favorite quote from that book says this… “If the vision for your life isn’t intimidating to you, it is probably insulting to God”. The same God that used 120 average people in the book of Acts to change the world is the same God we pray to every day. We might not be able to do it alone, but God can definitely do it through us.

October 10th was the last of the points for One Month to Live. It was titled, Leave Boldly (Leave a Legacy). The main question I asked (and I asked many), was if you were to die today, what kind of legacy would you leave? How would you be remembered or better yet, would you be remembered? It was a sobering thought for me and for many who were there that morning.

As I look back on this “One Month to Live” series, it has really got me thinking about church in general. Not just Paragon, but all churches (and the people that make up those churches). Are we living like people we know are dying? Do churches really care about people outside of their walls? A friend of mine posted on his facebook… “Are churches disconnected from real life?” Have the people of the church compartmentalized their lives so much that the church and God are not a part of their “real life”? The One Month to Live Series has really brought out what we should do with our WHOLE lives…

The first point was to Live Passionately – That Found People find people. There is a world out there with no hope, and we live right in the middle of it. You and I have friends and family and neighbors and co workers and classmates and… that need to know the cure for their disease called sin is Jesus Christ… yet we do nothing to help them. Would it be the same if we had a cure for cancer… could we walk into the cancer wing at the hospital and have the nerve not to share the cure that would save their lives… NO – then why do we do it with the spiritual cancer called sin?

The second point was to Love Completely – That saved people serve people. We talked about the good Samaritan and how he got off his “donkey” to help someone who needed help after the priest (someone who knew the Bible inside and out) and the Levite (someone who spent time in the church daily) walked on by. Who do we walk by every day that needs our help?

The third point was to Learn Humbly – that growing people change. Our pride gets in the way CONSTANTLY – we want to be in control. SO does God. Only one person can lead – who is it going to be? How do we let Him lead? We learn humbly and put our pride and ego aside.

The last point was to Leave Boldly – that we can change the world, now and after we are gone. How will people remember you? Will people remember you? Have you invested in the lives of those around you? Have you taken a look at your own life and where you are building your legacy? Is your legacy merely a sandcastle waiting for the next wave to wipe it away without a trace or are you building things that cant be taken away… your convictions, your character, your community.

I take no credit for these points that we need to APPLY (not just know) in our lives. I feel fortunate that God would allow me to bring his message to you. The challenge now is to DO SOMETHING with it. APPLY it. REACH OUT. LIVE, LOVE, LEARN and LEAVE as Jesus did.

DO you ever wonder what life would be like if Jesus had chickened out of his calling… what if he told God it was too hard, or he was too busy, or he was afraid of what others might think?

Stop making excuses, get off your donkey and go change the world!

Moving Forward...

It is August 24 and I am sitting here wondering where the summer went.  As you can see, the last blog post was July 25, right after Vacation Bible School (VBS).  A LOT has happened since then, and I am excited about it.

VBS has introduced us to a handful of new families with children and also got the word out that Paragon Church exists.  We have had over 120 each Sunday since VBS and each week we are seeing new faces.   The funny part is, neither Scott nor I really had anything to do with it.  We have been faithful to do what God has led us to do, but the rest has been up to Him.  I wish I could take credit, but I can’t.  As a matter of fact, a prayer I have weekly is “God, please help me so I don’t mess this up.”

Looking back, this time last year I was in the very beginning stages of planning to plant a church.  I was trying to figure out how to make it all happen by Easter of 2010.  I was visiting successful church plants to learn from their successes and their mistakes…. calling companies that specialize in “churches in a box” to see how much money I was going to need to raise… looking at schools to meet in… putting together proposal packets to answer the question “why?” (when in all honesty, at that time I wasn’t even 100% sure of “why” myself).

It amazes me to be able to look back and see God’s hand in all of this.  The people He brought together to support this.  The churches He has partnering with us.  None of this was me, it was all Him.

He is changing me every day and I hope the same for you too.  I hope you are excited about what is to come and that you WANT to be a part of it (not just HAVE TO be a part of it).

Over the next few weeks, I am going to talk about why church is for everyone and why I love this church… and that will carry into our One Month to Live church wide six week event.  As we head into these crucial weeks, I want to encourage you with a few words…

1.     God can and will use you if you are willing and open.  God did not call me alone on this journey to plant a church – you are here for a reason.

2.     There is a difference between following Jesus and merely attending church. 

3.     Followers of Jesus see change taking place in their lives.  Those who follow Jesus NEVER stay the same.

4.     While numbers in the gym where we meet are good, we are not just trying to build up an audience, but rather build up an army that is ready to do what God has called us to do – REACH PEOPLE!

5.     I can see the passion in each and every ordinary person (that is all of us) that sit in the seats.  God isn’t done with any of us yet and the best is yet to come at Paragon Church… so buckle up, hold on, and invite someone else for the ride…

Know that there are hurting people all around you – no matter where you are.  How are you reaching out to them?  At the very least… Invite them to a place where people will love on them with the love of God.  What is the worst thing they can say?

Sunday, July 25

One of the several objectives of doing a VBS so early in our history as a church was to reach families in the community through their children.  With all the excitement towards the end of VBS, I couldn’t wait to see what God was going to do on Sunday morning.  Sunday morning it seemed like new families just kept pouring in!  You could feel the excitement among the people in the sanctuary.  We had 126 (35 of those were kids) coming to worship with our Paragon family today.   That is the second largest Sunday we have had in our short history. 

I think many of us were actually surprised.  It was pretty funny because as I walked out to the parking lot to get something from my car and saw all the cars out there, all I could say to myself was “God, please help me not to mess things up this morning.”  Then I walked inside and was greeted by Scott saying, “I just don’t want to be bad this morning.”

It was a great morning and I think we (mostly “I”) should have learned from our July 11 experience that it is not about us, but instead it is all about Him.  He is what makes things great, not us.  I know God has A LOT in store for Paragon and I am glad that He is including me in it.