EdYoungBlog

Riding the Waves of the Retreats

Words can't describe how much I enjoyed being a part of our dual marriage retreats last week! It was so inspirational to rub shoulders with so many people and to see the great things that God is doing in their lives and marriages.

We had one retreat called the "Creative Marriage Retreat" for pastors and their spouses. I went into the retreat not knowing what to expect. But I've got to say that it was one of the most powerful times we've had with pastors...just to sit down and talk so openly about the joys and challenges of marriage and ministry.

I want to thank, once again, Craig and Amy Groeschel, Dr. Jonathan Cude (who I highly recommend as a Christian counselor), and Dr. Randy Perkins, who works so closely with so many in the ministry. And lastly, to my wife, Lisa...you did an amazing job at the retreat!

While this retreat was going on, we also had another one for our people at Fellowship Church called the "Wholly Holy Marriage Retreat". We would talk for an hour in one session and then walk across the hotel to teach for another hour to another group entirely. What an amazing time for growth!

And the response was so overwhelmingly great during this time that people are already asking about the next one. So we're working on that right now.

On the heels of those retreats, I would love to hear from some of you pastors. Maybe share one or two of the greatest things you find in ministry and marriage. And also some of the greatest challenges you face. Let me hear from you!

Again, I'm still riding the waves of excitement, and I'm looking forward to doing this all again...

Espresso Done Right

Now this is a friend of mine who knows about espresso! Thanks, Luca...

Craig Groeschel On A 'Hole 'Nutha Level

It was awesome to have Craig and Amy Groeschel at our Marriage Retreat the past few days.

And I can't wait to see all that happens as a result of this summer's One Prayer series. Check back here for more details!

The Numbers Don't Lie...Do You?

This has got to be one of the most hilarious times of the year, because it's the time of year when different magazines and websites come out with their reported "Fastest Growing" or "Top 100 Most Attended" churches in America.

When I see these lists I have to laugh, because there are only a handful of churches that count accurately. Only in the church world do we get away with this. I don't know why we lie about our numbers so much, but we do. We tend to exaggerate, elongate, double count and guesstimate. And we end up with numbers that aren't reflective of who is really there.

So I'm going to start an "Accurate Counting List." That's right...an accurate list of church attendance. The criteria are very simple. All you do is report:

          * Your annual giving (excluding building funds or other special projects)
          * Children, birth through fifth grade
          * Your attendance in worship services that present the same content

So many churches will add their midweek, Sunday night or special event services that don't share the same content as the weekend.

Just the other day we went to a well-known church (one that pretty much everyone would know) and we asked them what their attendance was in that particular service. Then our staff counted and there were 1,500 less that what they said!

From the get-go we have tried to be ruthlessly and brutally honest about our numbers at Fellowship Church. Why? Because numbers matter to God. They represent lives. They help us in planning buildings and programs. And they let us know if we are being effective in reaching people.

There is a balance, though, between OD-ing on numbers vs. not counting at all. So it's time that we all step up to the plate and be honest about our numbers, because the numbers don't lie.

Happy counting!

From Countdown to Recovery

If you want to see my message from this weekend, check it out now...

Back to the Basics

EJ - The next "Young" driver in training

C3 On the Road - Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach has always held a special place in my heart. It's where Lisa and I used to go with our friends during high school. I remember the big time was "First Week at the Beach."  We always spent the first week of summer break there, and we have some special memories from those years.

Well, we're heading back to Myrtle Beach on April 28! And this time I think it's going to be even better, because we're going for C3 On the Road.

In a way, I like these On the Road deals better than our international conference because of the personal interaction and the opportunity to talk with so many people who couldn't make it to our conference in February. And this year C3 On the Road has a whole new feel with a new set up and new information.

So whatever leadership role you're in, join us this Monday at Barefoot Community Church, an awesome church pastored by Clay NeSmith that is just blowing up! You don't want to miss it.

I know I'm excited and I can't wait to see you in Myrtle Beach!

'Go To' Phrases

Have you ever noticed how certain people are remembered for their 'go to' phrases? Take Dick Vitale, the college basketball guru. He always says, "Yeah, baby!" Well one of the things I love to do is observe different speakers and leaders in the church. And it's fascinating to me to see how often these guys go to their 'go to' phrases.

     Rob Bell - "Um...um...um..." and "Are we trackin'?
     Andy Stanley says, "Isn't it true...?"
     Charles Stanley always says, "Watch this...watch this...watch this...."
     My dad - "Let me tell you...let me tell you...."
     Bill Hybels - "Sort of...sort of...sort of..." and "Friends...."
     Tommy Barnett - "Amen...amen...amen...."
     Perry Noble - "Dude!"
     Brian Houston - "Ah, church! Ah, church! The best is yet to come...."
     Bishop T.D. Jakes - Nah. He's too good. He doesn't even need a 'go to' phrase!

But it's even more humorous to look at my own. Lisa and the kids sat down one day and listed my 'go to' phrases (during one of my messages!) So here are a few of those phrases I may have overused a time or two:

"Bling-bling, ca-ching, ca-ching."
"Off the chain!"
"Over and over on the rotisserie grill of your mind."
"Don't tell me what you're doing; tell me what you're not doing."
And of course...

"'Hole 'Nutha Level!"

Wave After Wave

Our leadership team is still recovering from the loss of Vanessa Whitwell, who served our staff for nearly a decade. Wherever you turn at Fellowship you see her thumbprint on something.

During her funeral last week I shared a story about a time her and her husband Andy travelled with Lisa and me to Hawaii. One afternoon we were swimming on this beach. And the waves crashing in were tsunami size. Only in Hawaii can you get waves the size that we saw. Most of us were standing about waist deep in the water. But all of a sudden, I looked out to my right and I saw Vanessa swimming out toward these giant waves. And to my amazement, she began to body surf on these towering, powerful, Hawaii 5-0 type waves.

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly."

The word "abundantly" in the original language is a picture of waves crashing upon the seashore. That picture of Vanessa riding those waves is a microcosm of her life.

Amazingly, Buddy Cremeans, a dear friend of mine, called a few days ago and left a message and a prayer for Vanessa's husband Andy and our staff. And during his prayer he said, "God, I pray that your waves of grace would surround all of the friends, family and staff who loved Vanessa dearly."

Just coincidence? I'm not buying that.

You know, when you ride the waves with people in ministry; when you're being tossed around on the rough seas or even when it's smooth sailing, you don't realize how close you get to someone until their snatched from you.

This tragedy has brought our team closer. It's made us realize the camaraderie and the loyalty and the love that we have for each other. I hear people talk about missing the camaraderie that they experienced with a certain battalion or in boot camp. And they talk about the closeness that they felt.

Well, as we are involved in this faith fight; as we're involved in rowing this craft, this ship, to where God wants us to go, let's take time to appreciate others, to love one another and to rise above our petty differences. Let's look at the bigger picture. Because we're a team. We're a fellowship. We're a bunch of men and women rowing a ship to take turf and to conquer new lands for the kingdom of God.

Vanessa, we'll miss you. We thank you for the legacy that you left. And for the unbridled, offensive energy that you put into riding wave and wave for the kingdom of God.