EdYoungBlog

Summer - Blockbuster or Flop?

 (Guest post by Buddy Cremeans)

In the heat of the summer, visit any church in America and you would probably describe your encounter as a "lackluster experience" more than a "blockbuster experience." Not at Fellowship Church! Even the biggest critic couldn't argue their runaway smash summer success... At the Movies.

I had a suspicion the reviews were going to be good when we pulled into the parking lot of Fellowship's Miami campus to discover it was jam packed. Seriously, not a single space! The attendants kindly redirected us to a make shift grass parking lot and I immediately thought, "This is every pastor's dream! How can this be happening in the middle of the summer? Everybody is on vacation, right?"

Apparently not.

"And how can this be the same campus I visited two years ago when there was plenty of parking?"

Not any more.

You could instantly feel the movie buzz as my family and I walked onto the Miami campus. Blockbuster soundtrack anthems were amped outside, followed by the unmistakable aroma of popcorn popping that captured our senses. We were having a multisensory experience of creativity before we ever entered the church.

And what happened next? I burst out in laughter when I saw the entrance of the church. Everyone had to walk across the Red Carpet, which included a high-speed flash photographer, paparazzi style! Unbelievable!

Next, we were ushered off to find seats (none of those left either) to experience passionate worship and an unforgettable message woven seamlessly into the movie, "Gladiator." Now every time I see or hear about that movie I will think about Ed's message on betrayal.

"God's purposes are bigger than our perpetrators."

Thank you, Ed. I now understand why the parking lot was full. FC Miami's ingenuity and hospitality made everyone feel like a VIP. Thank you, Fellowship Church, for reminding us all of the privilege we have in playing a role in sharing the Gospel story!

A story of surrender

This is an amazing story of surrender to our God, who is greater than anything we will ever face.

Ted Blair is the Senior Pastor of Livingway Church in Garland, TX. Please join Lisa and I in prayer for Ted, his wife and daughters, and their entire church. Check it out...

Guest Post - Ben Young - Gloves, Gifts and C3

There was a man who had traveled to a developing country on business matters during a frigid winter storm. But he was well prepared for the cold in his long tailored coat and warm wool gloves. Walking down the dirty streets, he saw a little boy who didn't have any proper winter clothes. The business man looked at him with compassion, simply took off his gloves, and placed them in the hands of this little boy.

The boy took the gloves in wonder and put them over his small, shaking hands. A big smile crept on his tiny face until he was absolutely beaming.

As the little boy went on his way down the cold streets, a friend joined him. The friend looked curiously at the new large gloves from the stranger. The little boy turned to his friend, took off one of the two gloves and gave it to him. The friend smiled. Then the boy smiled. And then the business man smiled.

Giving does that. It bestows great joy on both the giver and the receiver. That's one of the things I love most about the Christmas holidays. And although Christmas is over, we can still look forward to some post-holiday giving and receiving.

For the last four years I have attended the Creative Church Conference as a receiver. Over these years I have received the gifts of encouragement, motivation, inspiration and an abundance of new ideas (not to mention fashion updates like the most current, weird hairstyles and ripped jeans). And while I have been asked to be a giver this year (as a speaker), I expect I will come home once again as a very satisfied receiver.

This year, as you journey to C3, come prepared to both give and receive. I look forward to the great exchange!

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 NASB

Ben Young
Associate Pastor, 2nd Baptist Church (Houston)
Author, Why Mike's Not a Christian

Guest Post - Craig Groeschel (LifeChurch.tv)

Guest Post - Jentezen Franklin (Free Chapel)

I hope you are as excited as I am about this year's C3 Conference! I am really looking forward to this great opportunity to receive from some of the most creative leaders in ministry today.

This year's theme of Beautiful Feet makes me think of the variety of gifts that make up the Church. No one has my feet; they are only mine. I don't have your feet; they are only yours. Your feet serve a specific purpose in God's plan, as do mine.

C3 will help us discover the path that our feet are destined to walk. Along the path, we will discover a change in terrain requiring a different pair of shoes. Perhaps, we will need running shoes when the path is smooth but the calling urgent. At times, climbing boots for when we are faced with mountains of challenge.

How we walk is also important. Jesus taught his disciples about having clean feet (John 13:10) or guarding the steps you take so that you do not veer from the path God has laid out for you.

I am sure that C3 will equip you and cause you to consider where your feet are going and what shoes you will need to get there. I can't wait to see you in February!



Jentezen Franklin
Senior Pastor, Free Chapel
Author, Fasting

Take a step with C3 and TOMS shoes

Guest Post - Steven Furtick (Elevation Church)

Three years ago I attended the Creative Church Conference (C3) for the first time, and it absolutely changed my life! And the thought that I'll be speaking at the very same conference God used to inspire me in such a deep way three years ago is pretty surreal.

There's something about the ministry of Ed Young and Fellowship Church that is uniquely inspirational. It's like when you take your team to the Fellowship campus, God automatically begins to expand the horizons of your mind. Vision is lifted to a place where you honestly believe nothing is impossible with God.

Then comes the fun part of taking your inspiration back home to your specific context and watching God translate that inspiration into kingdom impact.

I feel like God has given me a special message to share with you at this year's C3. It's exciting to think about all the churches in all the cities all over the world that will be different because of your short time in Dallas together.

I can't wait to see you at C3. Get ready for God to blow your mind!

  

- Steven Furtick, Lead Pastor Elevation Church

Guest Post - Pastor John Cross (YJC) - When God's Kingdom Doesn't Grow

There's a lot of discussion these days regarding explosively growing churches, and growing churches in general. When I hear these stories, though, I like to ask two questions. The first one is easy: "Who are these churches trying to reach?" The second question stings a little: "Who are they actually reaching?"

I don't think I've met a pastor yet who would not say they want to reach those who are without Christ. Yet, when you start looking at the hard data, you often discover that the vast majority of numerical growth is transfer growth. But really, that's not even growth. When people leave one  church to join another church, God's Kingdom does not grow.

And this kind of "sheep shuffling" takes place in new paradigm churches as much, if not more, than in traditional churches. It's frightening to see how many of the new paradigm churches are simply "cool church" for people who grew up in church!

Again, I've never met anyone who says this is their goal. Yet, when you study the names and stories behind the numbers, you discover that this is far too often true.

To find out if your church is sheep shuffling, look at the baptism numbers. If the baptism numbers aren't climbing significantly higher and faster than the numerical growth, most likely the "growth" is transfer rather than conversion growth.

In order for a church to truly grow, not just swap sheep, she must continually transition toward a missional church culture. And to be truly missional, we've got to ask these hard questions and deal with these difficult topics. Otherwise it's like we are rearranging the furniture and changing the music on the Titanic as it sinks. We've changed things around and a few are being rescued. But the vast majority is still dying lost.

What are your thoughts?

Guest Post - Lisa Young - Beside Every Great Man...

Many years ago I read First Lady Serita Jakes' book, Beside Every Great Man. It was a wonderful look inside her life and journey as the wife of Bishop T.D. Jakes. Perhaps it is just semantics, but I love that title because it replaces well the old saying "behind every great man there is a great woman."

I have just wrapped up two days with 12 of the most amazing women you would ever want to know. We have many things in common. But the one that caused us to gather for these two days was the fact that each of us stands beside a lead pastor of a growing church.

It was a wonderful time of sharing and encouragement. We talked about topics like the responsiblity we feel to be all things to all people. We shared the pressures we face like guarding our hearts against hurt, balancing the responsibilities of being a wife and a mother in ministry, dealing with criticism and ministering to the needs of our husbands.

The mantle these girls have taken on is overwhelming to say the least. I can't begin to capture it with words, but many of you know what I'm talking about.

I was so inspired by these women and their strength. I suppose I was the "old lady" of the bunch, but it didn't matter because these girls were so wise beyond their years. And I saw firsthand how deep their love for God and husband runs. It made me proud to sit among them and honored to call them friends.

Since I don't have my own blog (yet), I am piggy-backing on Ed's to give a shout out to these terrific ladies. I want to say a giant "THANK YOU" for sharing some great stories, giving fresh ideas, challenging us to all think deeply about what we do, and for applauding our differences and celebrating those precious things we share.

There is so much more to say, but I think I'll save it for a future gathering ... call it an excuse to reunite. But most of all, I want to say "thank you" to each of you for standing beside God's great man! 

Guest Post - Lisa Young - Fish Stories

Just a few days ago I watched something unfold which I know to be true, but found great to see played out so close to home.

Our family loaded up and headed out of town for the beginning of our summer vacation. Only this trip didn't just include our family. Several of Ed's fishing buddies were in tow for a getaway of their own.

As the five of them headed out for an adventurous fishing expedition, it was fun to see that even at the ripe old age of 47, a grown man can get pumped about hanging out with some good friends.

As our daughter Landra watched these guys interact and act like kids, she commented on how her dad was laughing more than she had seen in a long time. She even said, "What's up with Dad?!"

I had to laugh at her response, but quickly said a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for giving Ed this time of refreshment and relaxation that comes from time away with replenishing friends.

Anyone in the ministry knows the value of having close friends to share with and to laugh with. As these guys cast out for "the big one," they are pouring into each other. And when they get back, they'll have stories to tell and laugh over for years. (Fish stories are always the biggest and the best!)

No matter where your ministry is--in the home, at the office or in a church--I pray that you find and develop those relationships that energize and recharge you so that you can do everything God wants you to do with excitement and enthusiasm. And I pray that through this summer you will have some fish stories of your own!