Chris Pinion Live

Generation99

2010-07-28T14:08:00.005-05:00

Over the past year and a half, God has been working on my heart regarding the way we do youth ministry in America. As I have surveyed what is being done and what's not being done. I have decided that I need to be part of the solution. SO here's what I personally am doing.

Generation99 is a super-intense student group. It’s like the navy seals of student groups. Everything about the group is over-the-top. The students who will be selected will go through a rigorous interview process. The goal is not necessarily to pick the students who were already on track but to find the students who had the most potential. We will pick 12 who we feel have potential to be great leaders. NOTE: Applications are due this Sunday August 1st at midnight :) email the church office for an application at office@lifequest.tv

For 99 days we will take this generation of students through 3 books (Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis, Next Generation Leader – Andy Stanley, and DO Hard Things – Alex Y Brett Harris), they will also read the New Testament , participate in a 7-day fast together, recorded an audio blog, and serve over 200 hours of community service.

We starting the group as an experiment and we aren't sure where it will end up. I can't wait to meet the first group of Generation99 students on August 23th.

Paid Staff Can Hamper Spiritual Growth

2010-07-02T12:13:00.002-05:00

Paid Staff Can Hamper Spiritual Growth

Here's a blog post that I could not improve upon, so I wanted to repost it from Tony Morgan. Church leaders pay attention. Incredible insight for pastor especially.

There are certain common refrains I hear as I’m talking with growing churches across the country. This is one of them. I’ve heard many leaders in recent months acknowledge that they’re trying to shift the ministry to volunteers rather than continuing to hire more staff. Likely, the economic challenges have precipitated that shift in strategy. Whatever the case, I think it’s a good thing.

Today, over on MinistryStrategies.com, Eric Geiger offered this thought as is relates engaging volunteers in ministry. He explains how pastors and other paid staff may actually be hampering spiritual growth by holding on to ministry:

“People who are gifted by God and called to serve Him are put on the bench as they watch the professional ministers make the ministry happen. Instead of fostering a serving posture among believers, this kind of “ministry” develops consumers. By keeping ministry from the majority of the people, they are taught to be moochers and consumers of the faith rather than participators and contributors. As their spiritual gifts go underutilized, they miss the joy of experiencing Christ by serving others.”

Wondering where your church stands on this topic? Do a little math. Take the number of people who volunteer somewhere in ministry at any given time each month. Divide that by the total number of students and adults at your church. That’ll give you a percentage. Here’s my suggestion:

If the percentage of students and adults serving is over 45%, you are in a healthy range for engaging volunteers in ministry.
If you are in the 30% to 45% range, you’re doing okay but there’s room for improvement.
If you are under 30%, you need a volunteer strategy adjustment.

Now, I can hear the critics and skeptics already. You’re probably thinking, “The larger a church gets, the more likely they are to have a big staff team handling the ministry of the church.” It might surprise you to learn I see the direct opposite. For whatever reason, smaller churches I work with have a tendency to rely on the pastors and paid staff to carry the ministry load. In fact, the highest percentage I’ve ever seen (close to 60%), comes fromGranger Community Church — a church of several thousand people.

Check out the rest of Eric’s article on this topic. If you’re interested in coaching on how to improve your volunteer strategy, contact our team at MinistryStrategy.com. We’d love to help.

ONE Prayer

2010-06-04T22:29:00.002-05:00

This coming Sunday we are starting a new series which is very unique, when it comes to the way we do sermon series.

During One Prayer, we share teaching, training, resources, and, most importantly, God’s love with the world. As a global body of believers, we're growing together as we learn about a Church that's...

Unstoppable!

SHARE
When the Church unites, it's unstoppable, and gifted teachers and pastors are exploring that theme in this year's One Prayer messages.

SERVE

Imagine what could be accomplished by thousands of churches working together to serve our communities. We can make it happen.

Take part in the outreach and service projects your church has initiated, or get your family and friends together and make a difference where you live.

GENEROSITY
Generosity that flows beyond the four walls of our church buildings... it’s the heart of One Prayer’s giving initiative. For this year’s offering, each church participating in One Prayer is encouraged to support an organization or cause they are passionate about. If your church is receiving an offering this June, please prayerfully consider how God is leading you to give. Think about the difference we can make by demonstrating generosity at a global level!

I can't wait to see what God is going to do through this series. Don't miss it!

Explosion of sorts

2010-05-28T10:31:00.003-05:00

Recently my son Caden and I were preparing to grill. He loves grill in with his daddy. We prepared the chicken and went out on the deck to start the grill. He's got this down, you turn on the gas and then click the start button. I've told him over and over to not stand close to the grill when starting it, because it could explode. Time after time it never has though. Well, he went to push the start button with his face right there by the grill and BOOM! a flash of fire came out. It caught both of us by surprise. I rushed him into the shower and discovered that both of us were really lucky. It just cinched his hair and mine but no major burns.

Early the next day, I was drinking a cup of coffee reflecting on what happened. The first question I asked, was this, "Why did this happen?" You see a few days before this incident some friends of mine helped me build a deck and what happened was all the saw dust from the treated wood had built up in the grill. Then when Caden went to start it, the saw dust accumulation caused the explosion.

Then it HIT me. Many of us get close to sin but it never explodes. Time after time people warn us that if we are not careful that particular sin could destroy us. We get comfortable and start doing what my son Caden did, not even give it a thought. Then one day we get too close to that particular sin and ALL of a Sudden it Explodes in our faces.

Check out what James 1:13-16 says, "13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full‑grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."

Look at the steps to explosion with SIN -
Step 1 Enticed - it won't hurt you. It will be good for you.

Step 2Desire is concieved.

Step 3 It give birth to SIN.

Step 4 Sin begins to grow.

Step 5 Sin EXPLODES and Kills YOU

What in your life are you dabbling with? What in your life are you getting comfortable with and starting to think, "I Got this", I can handle this. If that's where you are, Check out the steps again from scripture.

"Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay."

I hope you will begin to run toward Jesus and away from your sins!!!

Preaching with a holy robe

2010-05-27T16:10:00.001-05:00

Joy week 3 from Lifequest Church on Vimeo.

JOY Series Part 1

2010-05-12T11:15:00.004-05:00

The response to this sermon has been unbelievable. I hope it speaks LIFE into you.

Sunday Night Mind Dump on Monday

2010-04-19T09:35:00.002-05:00

WOW! The past few weeks have been unbelievable to say the least. Here's a quick run down of Easter and beyond.

Good Friday we launched our Internet Campus - amazing results with something we were just testing out. Way to go Dave Daut (Technical Director) and Marci.
Easter 2010 we saw over 19 people receive Jesus Christ! That should never get old.
Also on Easter 2010 we broke all kinds of records, with over 504 people attending between both campuses.
Then the week after Easter we launched a new series Canvas and saw 9 more people crossed the line of Faith.
Then yesterday I had planned on preaching a sermon on Josiah from 2 Kings 22 but during the week God changed my mind.
I preached a timely message on depression and we saw several get set free from living a life of feelings.
Then last night (Sunday Night) we hosted NEXT - Next is a one hour experience where you can find out more about who LifeQuest is and what our vision & values are. Had a great crowd and saw many new faces.
April is staff appreciation month - I am asking everyone to show some love and appreciation toward our staff. They work so hard behind the scenes and I want them to know how much we love them.
I can't believe I get to be a part of such a awesome movement of God!

I count it an honor to be your Pastor LifeQuest and can't wait for what God has for us as we head into our 7th year.

LifeQuest Launches Internet Campus

2010-04-02T09:38:00.002-05:00

Tonight Good Friday we will launch our Internet Campus. This is a BIG step for such a new church. We are always praying for ways to reach more people that are far from God. There is no better way to reach more people than the internet.

When: Tonight starting at 7:30pm CST

Where: Click HERE

Who: Everyone around the world!

The chat room will open at 7pm CST

Invite your friends and family! There is no better way to kick off the Easter weekend than focusing on what Jesus did for us on the cross. See you online tonight!

Pastor Chris

Incredible Youth Dance Team

2010-03-30T14:08:00.003-05:00

Here's dance that the Youth Dance Team did on Sunday at LifeQuest Church.

BLACK LIGHT EASTER EGG HUNT

2010-03-27T13:31:00.003-05:00

Saturday March 27th at 5pm LifeQuest Church Northland Campus is hosting our first ever BLACK LIGHT EASTER EGG HUNT! No matter where you live in the city, bring your kiddo's for a great night of fun, candy and a very creative way to hunt eggs. Everything is in doors and best of all it's FREE!!!

For directions and more info CLICK HERE!

Hope to see you there!

The Future of Publishing - How do you see it

2010-03-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

God's Healthcare Reform

2010-03-25T09:40:00.003-05:00

God’s Healthcare Reform

The other day when the President was signing into law the Healthcare Reform, I was with some of my staff eatting lunch and talking about the issue at hand. Our waiter kept coming by to make sure our drinks, chips and salsa were filled. I stopped him and asked, "Hey, how many tables are talking about the healthcare reform and he said almost all of them with a laugh.

I have seen an amazing amount of animosity and ill-will towards our nation’s leaders and government. Everyone is up in arms about the new Healthcare plan. Do I agree with the plan? Which side of the political spectrum am I on? The quick answer is, IT DOESN’T MATTER. What matters is that I obey the commands that God has laid out for me as a Christ Follower.

1 Timothy 2:2-3 (MSG) – Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

As a people of God, we are called to pray for our nation, its government and its leaders. Here’s the trick…we’re called to pray for them WHETHER WE AGREE WITH THEM OR NOT. When we speak curses over our leaders we do nothing but hurt our nation. What if we were to bless our President? What if we were to bless those that represent us in Congress? Imagine if the people of God truly began to demonstrate the love of God, the power of prayer, and the strength of the spoken word. Now THAT would be a national healthcare reform because God would heal our land.

I believe that we as Christ Followers NEED TO start following God's WORD, ALL OF IT, not just the lines that are easy.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Play it Safe

2010-03-16T22:46:00.002-05:00

As we get older, most of us have a tendency to play it safe. We have more to lose, so consequently we don't want to rock the boat. As I think about the church, it's obvious that the older a church gets we start playing it safe. The propensity to maintain becomes our first default. The sad part of this, is as we walk with Jesus, it's everything except safe.

If you are a church leader and you are playing it safe you are missing out on SO much more that God wants to do through you. You have to get out on the edge where if God doesn't show up, you are in BIG trouble. This situation has been repeated as we have grown as a church. As I grow as a leader, I am finding myself with the same struggle and when I step out and do BIG things that require BIG Faith produces opportunities for God to show up and help.

Spring Forward Tonight

2010-03-13T11:23:00.003-06:00

First let me say that I am back from a blogging fast. There are times where you have to take a break from things and get refreshed.

OK…so this Saturday night we “spring forward!” That means you set your clock forward 1 hour before you go to bed.

I love it because there is more daylight…that means more time outside with the family. I love spending time outside and just enjoying the spring like weather, well maybe not this week.

BUT…I am bitter because we lose an hour of sleep! :-)
Anyway, just wanted to remind everyone…SPRING FORWARD SATURDAY NIGHT…that means wind your clock FORWARD an hour! See you Sunday at one of our two campuses.

Northland Campus 11am

Belton Campus 9:15, 11, & 1pm

For directions click HERE!

The message after the message Metamorphosis Week 2

2010-01-18T20:31:00.001-06:00

Is it still Winter in your Life?

2010-01-13T10:40:00.001-06:00

Is it winter in your life? from Lifequest Church on Vimeo.

Why is LifeQuest Church focused on social media?

2010-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Why is LifeQuest focused on social media to get the Gospel of Jesus out to the world? Watch this and see if it answers some of your questions.

The message behind the message

2010-01-12T08:37:00.003-06:00

Metamorphosis & Fasting

2010-01-08T10:00:00.003-06:00

Starting this Sunday we as a church are starting a NEW series entitled, Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is typically marked by an abrupt developmental change. The result? A striking alteraton in appearance, character or circumstances. When God gets ahold of someone’s heart the result if a METAMORPHOSIS. Does He have your heart? If He does, get ready to be changed!

You will not want to miss it. In fact if you are still making New Years Resolutions, make one that will change your life for eternity. Make a resolution to start coming to church and learning more about how Jesus wants a relationship with YOU!

Also starting this Sunday we will be uniting together as a church on a 21 day Fast. If you want to read details about the fast go HERE!

Hope to see you at LifeQuest Church this Sunday!

New Intentionality

2009-12-31T17:13:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year! Welcome to a new decade! I know what most of you are thinking today and no I'm not a mind reader or physic. You are thinking this year is going to be different. I am going to lose weight. I am going to be a better parent. I am going to be a better spouse. I am going to grow in my relationship with Jesus like never before. And let me stop you and say, I believe that you WANT to do those things. Here's where the rubber meets the road: How is this year and decade going to be different than the last??? Don't breeze pasted that question, answer it in your journal or your mind. You need to wrestle with why you haven't done those things in the past.

Now before you think that I am coming off as someone who has it all together let me tell you that I DON'T. I am just telling you what I am learning about myself and really human nature. If you and I want to CHANGE! It is going to take Intentionality. Or you will stop as quickly as you start. My advice is pick one thing and work at it Intentionally. If you succeed then pick another.

"If the pain of the same is great than the pain of change, then you will change."

Christmas Eve @ LifeQuest Church

2009-12-16T09:46:00.002-06:00

I wanted to give you the details of our Christmas Eve Worship Experiences. (I will be taking a blogging break til January 1st 2010)

Christmas Eve @ LifeQuest Church

December 24th 5:30, 7PM, & 8:30PM

I hope you can make it. Can't wait to see how many are going to meet Jesus on Christmas Eve. Pray, Invite and get your friends, family and enemies there on Christmas Eve!

See you there!!!!!

For more info go to our website HERE!!!

Preview of Christmas series

2009-11-30T09:49:00.003-06:00

I just couldn't wait! Here's a preview of our new Christmas series. We are asking the question, how do you make Christmas echo all year long? Another words, how do you make Christmas last all year long.

Still Thankful after Thanksgiving?

2009-11-27T11:43:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving this year was really good. I always enjoy my mother-in-laws cooking and got a chance to hang out with our worship pastor and his wife--J.R. and Lacey Brown.

I have so much to be Thankful for. As I look over my life it is an absolute miracle that God has blessed me so much.

I am first and foremost Thankful for my Heavenly Father.
My beautiful ever forgiving and gracious wife.
My awesome boys! They are growing and it really is exciting to see how God is going to use them.
My grandmother who is still living after 92 years. She is the most influential person in my life growing up.
Very Thankful for some really good friends who are with me through the good time and bad.
And yes I'm Very Very Thankful for the church I pastor LifeQuest Church you guys Rock! @ both Campuses Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor.
Thankful for my health!
Thankful for how God stretches and grows me even when I don't want to be stretched.
Thanful for such an awesome staff team who serves selflessly week in and week out.
I could go on and on but gotta put up the Christmas Tree with my family! Happy Thanksgiving all year long!!

A preview of a song that will start Echoes of Christmas December 6th

2009-11-25T15:32:00.000-06:00

A lesson of Friendship

2009-11-25T10:33:00.002-06:00

The past 2 years of ministry have taught be SO much about what friends really are. Who are your friends when you are in ministry. I heard a mentor say recently, "when you are pastoring a growing church you are loved by EVERYONE and known be no one." My aim use to be to make friends and build deep friendship with everyone. I now realize that is the wrong approach.

Today I pastor the congregation through our staff and key leaders. Then I have deep friendships with a few staff members and pastors from the K.C. area and abroad. We get together and laugh, cry, challenge each other and go deep. I can trust them. I love them. I learn from them.

WHO are you building friendships with today? You need a friend! You need someone that can be there for you.

This is just another lesson that I learned while in the mountains of North Carolina.

Listening to God

2009-11-24T15:01:00.004-06:00

Recently I went to North Carolina with a few pastor friends. While there, I had some time to reflect on God and read His word (the Bible) more than normal. It was really refreshing and relaxing to put away the cares of this world and focus on Jesus and Him only. One of the take a ways that I have come home with is this: Take time to listen to God.

When you and I get caught up in the pace of life that this world offers, we lose sight of everything that really matters. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read His Word and know in a clear way what God wants me to do.

Take time to listen to God today and stop talking and just LISTEN!!!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-11-21T00:56:00.000-06:00

Normally on Sunday Night I do a blog post entitled "Sunday Night Mind Dump" well tonight I am going to give you a review of my week since I have been traveling all week.

Wednesday I left for Charlotte N.C. with two pastor friends to attend a Crown Financial Conference. It was an amazing week:

I was born in Raliegh N.C. and it is still very Beautiful. The mountains are Amazing!!!
Went hiking through the mountains and that was an adventure. Actually I could be hooked. Great relationship building and exercise.
To tell you in one blog what God did in my heart would be nearly impossible. So watch this blog through out this next week for an update.
I love the friendships I have with two area pastors and Bart Nill on our Advisory Board.
Had the opportunity to visit the 4th fastest growing church in America: Elevation Church with Pastor Steven Furtick.
BOY, did I relearn and learn so many good things that can be applied to my life and our church.
I am SO Thankful for SO many things. This week I will list those in a blog and tell you more of what I learned in N.C.
Also I met a couple who paid off 124,000 dollars worth of debt in four years. You had better bet I will report sometime on that story.
I also met a couple of people at Elevation Church that will be coming to LifeQuest and teaching us and our volunteers.
Gotta a ton to catch up so See you Sunday! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

How do I grow in my faith

2009-11-19T09:28:00.003-06:00

How do I grow in my faith? What happens when there are seasons of life that I don't see much growth? Recently I have been in the middle of a series called, "Faith Pirates". The first week I said this, "Your faith is not in your faith. Your Faith is in the Faithfulness of Jesus Christ!" My faith grows as I see God's hand of faithfulness through out my life. Even in the little things. In fact our faith grows through the little things, the little steps of seeing God's hand of Faithfulness.

Since my kids all started walking I would put them in high places and have them jump to me. I would start of with little jumps and then move to higher jumps. Then recently my six year wanted to jump from the top of our house to me on the ground. I thought, what would make him want to jump from such a high distance. He was really willing to jump from the point of the roof of our house to me on the ground (for the record, I'm scared of heights). Then it hit me like a brick: The reason Caden at 6 years old was willing to jump to me from such an extreme height is because I had been faithfully catching him for 5 years from the small places.

Think about God's Faithfulness in your life. In fact here's a challenge I gave to our church recently. Go to Bible.org and type in God's Promises and you will find over 45 pages of promises from Genesis to Revelation single spaced. Read through those promises and see what God's Word says about how God has promised and has ALWAYS been Faithful with His promises.

So, if you want to grow in your faith, claim God's promises and look at His Faithfulness in the small areas of life not just the big areas.

How to survive the Holidays

2009-11-13T06:00:00.001-06:00

Guest Blogger Holly Furtick - Holly wrote a blog recently about surviving the holidays. This is something my wife and I have had to do to make it through. Because as a pastor the holidays are CRAZY! This year I will preach 6 times the week before Christmas. SO we talk about our expectations up front.

Surviving the holidays (Holly Furtick Guest Blogger)

Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it and I want to share a bit of advice. Of course, I, in no way, consider myself a marriage expert but this is one area my husband and I do well in (not perfectly, but well)... expressing expectations.

Expressing expectations could prevent a huge blowout not just with your husband, but your children and extended family. So taking the scenario of Thanksgiving, here are a few examples of how this works with all relationships...

Yourself. Before you express your expectations to anyone, you must know what your expectations are. Take time to think through a situation. Taking into consideration everyone's schedule...
What day should you leave or invite guests?
What time should you leave or invite guests to come?
How long should you stay?
What problems or obstacles could be avoided (traffic, naptimes, etc)?

You Husband. What do you expect your husband to do over the Thanksgiving holiday? Expressing your expectations before hand can possibly avoid the disaster of you being angry because he sat on the couch watching football all weekend at his parents house and you were inwardly angry with him the whole time.
Do you want him to watch the kids so you can shop the day after Thanksgiving?
Do you want him to help with baths and bedtime while away?

Your Extended Family. Remember that they do not necessarily know the rules/schedule/routines of your family. Be upfront.
We are coming on Wednesday before dinner and leaving on Sunday after church.
Our kids take naps at 2 so can we eat around noon or after 4?
Would you be willing to put the kids to bed Friday night so we can catch a movie together?

Your Children. So often we just whisk our kids away without really telling them where we are going, how long we will stay, and what they will be doing.
Kids, we are going to Grandmas on Wednesday and Aunt Beth on Saturday.
The same rules we have at our house apply at Grandma's
Remember, Grandma has a piano and we don't bang on the piano. We only play with our fingers.

Sometimes its good to remind yourself that its ok to break the rules a little while you're gone. Is it really going to kill your kids to watch a ton of TV for one weekend? Or to eat a ton of junk. Make sure you choose your battles. Express only the expectations that matter the most to you and will make your holiday fun and relaxing.

I will leave you with a few verses

Philippians 2:3-5a...Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit but with humility of mind, let each of you regard one another as more important than yourself. Do not merely look out for you own interest but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus...

An Amazing Video

2009-11-11T14:14:00.006-06:00

This is just simply beautiful. It's a sand animation by Kseniya Simonova from the Ukraine. This is a clip of her portraying life during USSR's Great Patriotic War against the Third Reich in World War II. Worth watching the entire thing.

Who do you have Faith in?

2009-11-10T06:15:00.000-06:00

This past weekend we start a new series called, "Faith Pirates". The basic idea is this, what in your life is stealing your faith? What is faith? We talked about what faith is and what it isn't. One of the points I made this past weekend is this, Most of us have our faith in our faith and not our faith in Jesus. Reread that statement.

When someone has faith the question to ask is this, "Is your faith in your faith or is your faith in Jesus Christ?" The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:7 that our faith should be in the Faithfulness of God.

As I study this topic through scripture I am discovering that most of us lose our "faith" but our "faith" wasn't based on the faithfulness of God. If you Faith is based on the faithfulness of God, how can a person, place or thing take that away?????

Which one do people need today?

2009-11-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

As I lead and learn more about becoming the best leader God has designed me to be. I am constantly learning. Recently I sat down with a mentor and here's what I learned. He said, "Chris, there are times people need to be lead and there are times people need to be loved."

Interesting because I catch myself being in the leadership mode most of the time. My mentor encouraged me saying, "leading all the time will kill people. There are times you have to love them." Then he says the most profound statement, "Chris, everyone that comes to your church or mine needs to be either loved or lead."

Practical Application: As I am interfacing with people these days, I am asking does this person need to be loved or lead today. What a great way to start off a meeting?

Who in your life needs to be loved? Who in your life needs to be lead?

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-11-09T09:15:00.002-06:00

Kicked off Faith Pirates today. God really showed up and here's some of what happened:

Several accepted Christ!
The band killed it on a Carolina Liar song - it brought so much energy to the room.
The message was very practical and had lots of practical application for us to apply it to our lives.
Many people have more faith in their faith than they have in the Faithfulness of God. We can have faith because of what God has done. If you and I have faith in any other thing then your faith will die because it's not built on Jesus!
Announced that we are partnering with 3 nails ministries to buy coats for the homeless in K.C. My challenge is 250 coats. Come on LifeQuest you have been blessed so let's be a blessing.
We are also partnering with the Community Blood Bank of K.C. December 13th from 10am to 2:30pm here at the Belton Campus. Tell your friends and let's blow their expectations out of the water.
Last but not least we are partnering with Heart and Hand ministries to fill their food bank. Can't wait to show up with a 53 ft trailer and fill their food bank and maybe a couple of others in the area.
The Church of Jesus Christ should be partnering with others to carry out Kingdom work.
This next Sunday I am preaching a message on Faith and Logic - Bring a friend and get them here it's going to be a gripping, yet practical message on Faith!

Risk Management

2009-11-06T10:46:00.003-06:00

As a young leader I have taken many risks. The older I get I catch myself being more cautious. I think that this is a common road most leaders go down. The older we get and the more an organization grows the more there is to lose. When you first start out, you have nothing so taking risks is no big deal because there is nothing to lose. Then something happens. The church or organization starts to grow and now you have staff, budget, people, buildings etc. There is SOMETHING to lose.

It's at this moment you have a choice to make. Will you stop taking risks for God and become comfortable in your income, leadership position or season of life that you are in? This is very dangerous---in my opinion when a leader starts playing it safe you begin to slip into irrelevance.

If you want a Biblical example on this area, look no further than Moses leading the children of Israel. It was a BIG risk that Moses took and the children of Israel were some comfortable that they didn't want to risk it all.

What risk are you needing to take today that you are hesitating to take because you might lose something? I have some and God is working me over big time on this area.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-11-02T09:19:00.002-06:00

Today marked the last part of the series Revelation Effect. It was 3 weeks of intense teaching on the book of Revelation. Here's some high lights of the day.

Many read through the book of Revelation.
12 people gave their lives to Christ today in four worship experiences at 2 campuses.
The 1pm worship experience is going great. Becoming my favorite one.
Kicked off the day with a Johnny Cash song - When the man comes around.
Thanks to Dave Patmore for leading worship while Pastor J.R. was at the Northland Campus.
Can't wait til next Sunday as we start a brand new series called "Faith Pirates". It's going to be off the chain. Don't miss it.

Always Learning

2009-10-22T15:20:00.006-05:00

One of the qualities that I've learned to develop is to Always be learning. I receive coaching/mentoring in almost every area of my life. I have realized that I don't know Everything and so what the proverbs say is true: There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. I'm learning to seek wisdom from God and lean on people that have gone on before me and learn from them.

Who are you learning from today? Do you seek advice and coaching from anyone at all? As a parent I have a guy in my life that helps me be all I can be as a dad. As a husband, pastor, leader: I have learned so much from people that are my coach and mentors.

Find a coach/mentor today! If you do, you will GROW! If you don't well, you will only lean on your own understanding.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-10-19T11:27:00.002-05:00

Amazing kick off of the Revelation Effect a new series on the book of Revelation. Here's some of what made it Amazing.

7 People gave their lives to Christ - that makes 121 for the year so far.
Thanks to Jake for singing Consuming Fire: He rocked it out!
Also Jake spit real fire it was a huge hit.
Had another record attendance for the Belton Campus.
Had a blast preaching on the book of Revelation.
Preached on the Rapture and NO I didn't try to scare people. I do think it's important to face reality and not ignore it. Ignoring reality won't make it go away.
Tonight Monday Night October 19th we are doing our first VIP Night for our Volunteers @ 6:30pm bring some snacks and let's party. Childcare provided.
Can't wait til next week. Bring a friend or family member that is far from God. I'm preaching 0n the 2 judgments after the Rapture.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-10-12T16:12:00.003-05:00

Today was the end of the Custom Made series on the book of Ephesians. Here's a quick run down of what happened.

I preach on spiritual warfare today and it was very tough to prepare. Every time I preach on spiritual warfare it seems satan is all up in my face. I guess he feels threatened.
3 people accepted Christ - one guy was the ex-husband of a gal I invited the week before Easter. God is changing lives and I am SO thankful we get to be a small part of that change.
The second worship experience was full. We ran out of chairs which is a good problem to have. That is exactly the reason we started the NEW 1pm worship experience. If you normally attend the 11am service, I would like for you to consider switching to the 9:15 or the 1pm worship experience.
Yes the rumor is true, I started a custom made motorcycle on stage with full Harley gear on.
A BIG Thank you to Gail's Harley Davidson for loaning us the gear.
I'm really pumped about our special VIP Night on Monday Night October 19th at 6:30pm at the Belton Campus. This is for ALL LifeQuest Church volunteers at both campuses. I really hope that you will make plans to attend the VIP Night on October 19th.
God is doing SO many great things at LifeQuest. We are in a season of Harvest and I am pumped about all the new lifegroups that are starting and all the lives that are being Changed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!
This Next Sunday we KICK off a new series called the Revelation Effect. I am going to be talking about the rapture and what the book of Revelation says about the end times.

I need your help

2009-10-07T10:18:00.001-05:00

In the next few months I will be doing a series on what steals people's faith. I believe that there are SO many things that steal our faith and that's where you come in. What steals your faith? Please give me your input, it might help shape this new series called, well I can't tell you or you know :)

PastorServe

2009-10-06T15:08:00.004-05:00

Last night I was honored to spend the evening with PastorServe an organization headed up by some of the finest people I know. PastorServe exists to serve pastors and church leaders. They help encourage, revitalize and empower pastors and ministry leaders through resourcing, coaching and crisis counseling. Who pastors a pastor when he/she is down? Who do you go to for counseling and insight?

For the last several years Jimmy Dodd the founder/executive director of PastorServe has been a great friend, coach & mentor to me and our church. Honestly it's been stretching, and I'm still stretching and growing.

I wanted to say thank you to Jimmy Dodd for ALL that he does for me and other pastors around the U.S. In addition here are some of the notes from last night that I know will encourage EVERY Pastor and Church leader out there.

Dr. Gary Kinnaman was the keynote speaker and here is a brief outline of what he said:

1. Ministry which is giving life to others is seldom painless - you need to read that and let it sink in. I wish someone would have taught me this. I could have saved my self from a lot of frustration.

2 Timothy 4:7-9

"Children spend 20 years taking from their parents." Many times we don't ever reverse that cycle. That's why in my opinion and I do have an OPinion :) why we have such a consumerist mentality in the church today.

Paul used two metaphors: A Fight and a Race and neither of them are fun. Ephesians 6:11-13 (The Message) "1 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.13 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet."

2. EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY

Pastors are some of the loneliest people around. Why? Because they don't feel like they can talk to anyone.

2 Timothy 4:9

"We need each other as much as we need Jesus."

Philippians 4:13-14 "13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles."

James 5:14-16

3. The Lord stands with ME!

2 Timothy 4:17-18

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-10-05T11:14:00.004-05:00

Today was another encouraging day @ LifeQuest. Here's a bullet list of what happened.

I preached from Ephesians 3:14-21 & Ephesians 4:1-23 that in its self is a huge task.
All of the worship experiences had really good crowds.
I preached so hard in the 9:15 service that I thought I was going to have a heart attack or pass out. BUT it was a blast.
The 1pm worship experience is really picking up steam, great crowd, really they were the most energetic service of the day.
I love the book of Ephesians - lots of great response of people reading through Ephesians.
The band did Desperato as a cover song and Pastor J.R. did a GREAT job as well as the LQ Band.
I really love the spirit that is at LifeQuest Church. A Spirit of UNITY!
I'm hearing great things about the children's ministry KidzQuest. Make sure you get by and tell Nick Cook our Children's Ministry Director how much you appreciate all that he does with the kids.
The children's facility is coming along really good. I walked through it today and it is taking really shape.
VIP Night is coming October 19th 6:30PM This is for our Volunteers. Please make plans to be here.

This Sunday

2009-10-01T23:06:00.003-05:00

I am so pumped about this coming Sunday. As I travel back from Dallas Texas, I have been working on the message that has been brewing in my heart and life for over 20 years. I wish I could preach it right here in my hotel room but my pastor friend has already heard it several times on this trip. He would not be happy to hear it again. SO get your friends there this Sunday and watch God do the incredible.

By the way, read Ephesians 3 & 4 in preparation for what God is going to do at LifeQuest Church this Sunday.

Notes from Sunday that I didn't get to

2009-09-29T12:19:00.000-05:00

Ephesians 2:1-10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands--12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:15-18 “15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”
How do I walk in the spirit daily?
The Holy Spirit provides us spiritual access that cannot be gained by any other means. Without this access, we cannot know Jesus!
The Holy Spirit Provides:
1. Access to God Himself____. Ephesians 2:15-18; Romans 5:5 (Love of God), Romans 15:30; 1 John 5:12-13

2. Access to God’s Power____. Acts 1:8 (only for specific purpose); Romans 15:13; Ephesians 3:14-16

3. Access to God’s Insight____- Spiritual Truth 2 Peter 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

4. Access to God’s Freedom___to say, “Jesus is Lord.” 1 John 4:2; John 15:26; 1 John 5:12-13

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-09-27T18:49:00.004-05:00

Today was off the charts, 6 people gave their lives to Christ! Here's a quick run down.

The day started off kind a ruff, campus director at the hospital with her daughter, worship pastor out of town three people in three different hospitals. BUT
The sermon was well received, 6 people gave their lives to Christ.
One person accepted Christ at the Northland Campus, I was there via video. I know a lot of people that wonder if video really works. WELL, it DOES, people are accepting Christ via the sermon on video. Praise Jesus!
Great crowd at both campuses. Love the energy that is present at LifeQuest.
I think from response today that some began to understand the purpose of the Holy Spirit for the first time today. If you missed it, make sure you check out the video online Next Sunday Night www.lifequestchurch.tv
After preaching three times I headed over to Center Point Hospital to visit Chad and Kelly and see their new baby girl Madison Grace.
Wonderful day, exhausted from a long week, mainly emotionally draining but looking forward to a great week!

Who Are YOU in Christ

2009-09-23T10:38:00.004-05:00

I Hope this encourages some of you this week - copy and paste it into excel and you will be able to change the name. My Identity in Christ, shared this over the last few weeks in the Custom Made series on Ephesians. It's long but really good. Claim the promises of Christ today!

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST,
THEN JUST INSERT YOUR NAME INTO THE BLOCK BELOW.

Chris

1 Chris is able - Philippians 4:13
2 Chris is abounding in grace - 2 Corinthians 9:8
3 Chris is abounding in hope - Romans 15:4, 13
4 Chris is Abraham's offspring - Galatians 3:29
5 Chris is abundant - John 10:10
6 Chris is accepted - Ephesians 1:6
7 Chris has access - Ephesians 2:18
8 Chris is adequate - 2 Corinthians 3:5
9 Chris is adopted - Ephesians 1:5
10 Chris is alive - Ephesians 2:4-5
11 Chris is an ambassador for Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:20
12 Chris is anointed - 1 John 2:20
13 Chris is anxious for nothing - Philippians 4:6
14 Chris is the apple of His eye - Zechariah 2:8
15 Chris is appointed by God - John 15:16
16 Chris is the aroma of Christ - 2 Corinthians 2:15
17 Chris is not ashamed - 2 Timothy 1:12
18 Chris is assured of reward - 1 Corinthians 15:58
19 Chris is assured of success - Proverbs 16:3
20 Chris has authority over the devil - Luke 9:1
21 Chris is baptized into Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:15
22 Chris is beautiful - Psalm 149:4
23 Chris is becoming a mature person - Ephesians 4:13
24 Chris is becoming conformed to Christ - Romans 8:29
25 Chris is a believer - Romans 10:9
26 Chris belongs to God - John 17:9
27 Chris is betrothed - Hosea 2:19-20
28 Chris is blameless - 1 Corinthians 1:8
29 Chris is blessed - Ephesians 1:3
30 Chris is blood bought - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
31 Chris is bold - Proverbs 28:1
32 Chris is a bondservant - Psalm 116:16
33 Chris is born of God - 1 John 5:18
34 Chris is born again - 1 Peter 1:23
35 Chris is bought with a price - 1 Corinthians 6:20
36 Chris is a branch of the True Vine - John 15:5
37 Chris is His bride - Isaiah 54:5
38 Chris is His brother - Hebrews 2:11
39 Chris is brought near - Ephesians 2:13
40 Chris is built up - 1 Peter 2:5
41 Chris is buried with Christ - Romans 6:4
42 Chris is called - 1 Peter 5:10
43 Chris is calm - Philippians 4:6
44 Chris is cared for - 1 Peter 5:7
45 Chris is carried - Exodus 19:4
46 Chris is changed - 1 Samuel 10:6
47 Chris is a child of God - John 1:12
48 Chris is cherished - Ephesians 5:29
49 Chris is chosen - 1 Peter 2:9
50 Chris is circumcised spiritually - Colossians 2:11
51 Chris is a citizen of heaven - Philippians 3:20
52 Chris is clay in the potter's hand - Jeremiah 18:6
53 Chris is clean - Ezekiel 36:25; John 15:3
54 Chris is cleansed - 1 John 1:7,9
55 Chris is clothed with Christ - Galatians 3:27
56 Chris is a co-heir with Christ - Romans 8:17
57 Chris is comforted - Jeremiah 31:13
58 Chris is complete in Christ - Colossians 2:10
59 Chris is confident - 1 John 4:17
60 Chris is confident of answers to prayer - 1 John 5:14-15
61 Chris is confident He will finish me - Philippians 1:6
62 Chris is confident He will never leave me - Hebrews 13:5- 6
63 Chris is a conqueror - Romans 8:37
64 Chris is content - Philippians 4:11
65 Chris is content with weakness - 2 Corinthians 12:10
66 Chris is continually with God - Psalm 73:23
67 Chris is controlled by the love of Christ - 2 Corinthians 12:10
68 Chris is courageous - 1 Chronicles 28:20
69 Chris is created in Christ for good works - Ephesians 2:10
70 Chris is created in His image - Genesis 1:27
71 Chris is crucified with Him - Galatians 2:20
72 Chris is dead in Christ - Romans 6:4
73 Chris is dead to sin - Romans 6:11
74 Chris is a delight - Psalm 147:11
75 Chris is delighted in - Isaiah 42:1
76 Chris is delivered - Psalm 107:6
77 Chris is desired - Psalm 45:11
78 Chris is determined - Philippians 4:13
79 Chris is a disciple - John 8:31-32
80 Chris is disciplined - Hebrews 12:5-11
81 Chris is drawing near with confidence - Hebrews 4:16
82 Chris is empowered to obey - Philippians 2:13
83 Chris is encouraged - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
84 Chris is enlightened - Ephesians 1:18
85 Chris is enriched in everything - 1 Corinthians 1:5
86 Chris is equipped - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
87 Chris is established Deuteronomy 28:9
88 Chris has eternal life - John 3:36
89 Chris has every good thing - Philemon 6
90 Chris is exalted at His right hand - Acts 2:34-35
91 Chris is faithful - Revelation 17:14
92 Chris is family - Psalm 68:5
93 Chris is far from oppression - Isaiah 54:14
94 Chris is favoured - Job 10:12
95 Chris is a fellow citizen with the saints - Ephesians 2:19
96 Chris is a fellow worker - Colossians 4:11
97 Chris is filled - Acts 2:4
98 Chris is filled to the fullness of God - Colossians 2:9- 10
99 Chris is filled with the fruit of righteousness - Philippians 1:11
100 Chris is filled with the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
101 Chris is filled with the knowledge of His will - Colossians 1:9
102 Chris is filled with joy - John 17:13
103 Chris is a finished product -in progress - Philippians 1:6
104 Chris is a first fruit - Romans 8:23
105 Chris is forgiven - Ephesians 1:7
106 Chris is formed in the womb by God - Jeremiah 1:5
107 Chris was lost, but now is found - Luke 19:10
108 Chris is a fragrance - 1 Corinthians 1:15-16
109 Chris is free - John 8:36
110 Chris is freely given all things - Romans 8:32
111 Chris is gifted - Romans 12:6
112 Chris is given His magnificent promises - 2 Peter 1:3-4
113 Chris is given His Holy Spirit - 2 Corinthians 1:22
114 Chris is glorified with Him - 2 Thessalonians 2:14
115 Chris is God's child - John 1:12
116 Chris is God's gift to Christ - John 17:24
117 Chris knows God is for me - Romans 8:31
118 Chris is gracious - Proverbs 22:11
119 Chris is granted grace in Christ Jesus - Romans 5:17,20
120 Chris is guarded by God - 2 Timothy 1:12
121 Chris is guarded by God's peace - Philippians 4:7
122 Chris is guaranteed - Ephesians 1:13-14
123 Chris is guided - Psalm 48:14
124 Chris is guiltless - Romans 8:1
125 Chris is the head - Deuteronomy 28:13
126 Chris is healed - 1 Peter 2:24
127 Chris is healthy - Deuteronomy 7:15
128 Chris is an heir of God - Titus 3:7
129 Chris is helped by Him - Isaiah 44:2
130 Chris is hidden with Christ in God - Colossians 3:3
131 Chris is His - Isaiah 43:1
132 Chris is His handiwork - Ephesians 2:10
133 Chris is holy - Ephesians 1:4
134 Chris is honoured - 2 Timothy 2:21
135 Chris is humble -Philippians 2:24
136 Chris is the image of God - Genesis 1:27
137 Chris is the image and glory of God - 1 Corinthians 11:7
138 Chris is an imitator of God - Ephesians 5:1
139 Chris is in Christ Jesus - 1 Corinthians 1:30
140 Chris is included - Ephesians 1:13
141 Chris is indestructible - John 6:51
142 Chris is indwelt by Christ Jesus - John 14:20
143 Chris is indwelt by His Spirit - Romans 8:11
144 Chris is inscribed on His palms - Isaiah 49:16
145 Chris is inseparable from His love - Romans 8:35
146 Chris is an instrument of righteousness - Romans 6:13
147 Chris is joyful - Philippians 4:4
148 Chris is justified - Acts 13:39
149 Chris is kept - Isaiah 38:17
150 Chris is in a Kingdom of priests - Revelation 1:6
151 Chris is a king's kid - Psalm 44:4
152 Chris knows all things work together for good - Romans 8:28
153 Chris knows in Whom he believes - 2 Timothy 1:12
154 Chris is known - 2 Timothy 2:19
155 Chris lacks no wisdom - James 1:5
156 Chris is lavished with riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7-8
157 Chris is led in Christ's triumph - 2 Corinthians 2:14
158 Chris is liberated - Romans 6:23
159 Chris has life abundant - 1 John 4:9; John 10:10
160 Chris has life and peace in the Spirit - Romans 8:6
161 Chris has light - John 8:12
162 Chris is a light in a dark place - Acts 13:47
163 Chris has life flowing through me - John 7:38
164 Chris is like a watered garden - Isaiah 58:11
165 Chris is a living stone in a spiritual house - 1 Peter 2:5
166 Chris is the Lord's - Isaiah 44:5
167 Chris is loved - John 3:16
168 Chris is loved constantly, unconditionally - Isaiah 43:4
169 Chris is loyal - Psalm 86:2
170 Chris is made by Him - Psalm 100:3
171 Chris is a magnifier of God - Psalm 69:30
172 Chris is marked - Ephesians 1:13
173 Chris is a member of His body - Ephesians 5:30
174 Chris is might in God - Luke 10:19
175 Chris has the mind of Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:16
176 Chris is a minister - 2 Corinthians 3:6
177 Chris is a minister of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
178 Chris is a mountain mover - Mark 11:22-23
179 Chris is named - Isaiah 43:1
180 Chris is near to God - Ephesians 2:13
181 Chris is never forsaken - Hebrews 13:5
182 Chris is new - Ephesians 4:24
183 Chris is new born - 1 Peter 2:2
184 Chris is a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17
185 Chris has new life - Romans 6:4
186 Chris is part of a new race - 1 Peter 2:9
187 Chris is not condemned - Romans 8:1
188 Chris is no longer a slave to sin - Romans 6:6
189 Chris has not been given a spirit of fear - 1 Timothy 1:7
190 Chris is obedient - Isaiah 1:19
191 Chris is an object of mercy - Romans 9:23
192 Chris is obtained an inheritance - Ephesians 1:11
193 Chris is of God's household - Ephesians 2:19
194 Chris is on the winning side - Colossians 2:15
195 Chris is one with Him - John 17:23-24
196 Chris is an overcomer - 1 John 5:4-5
197 Chris is pardoned - Jeremiah 33:8
198 Chris is a partaker of Christ - Hebrews 3:14
199 Chris is a partaker of the Holy Spirit - Hebrews 6:4
200 Chris is a partaker of grace - Philippians 1:7
201 Chris is a partaker of the promise in Christ - Ephesians 3:6
202 Chris has passed from death to life - John 5:24
203 Chris is patient - James 5:8
204 Chris has peace - Philippians 4:7
205 Chris is one of the people of God - 1 Peter 2:9
206 Chris is being perfected - 1 Peter 5:10
207 Chris is pleasing to God - Psalm 149:4
208 Chris is God's own possession - Titus 2:14
209 Chris is possessor of all things - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23
210 Chris has the power of God behind me - Philippians 3:21
211 Chris has power - Acts 1:8
212 Chris has power over the devil - Luke 9:1
213 Chris is predestined - Ephesians 1:11
214 Chris is prepared beforehand for glory - Romans 9:23
215 Chris is prosperous - Psalm 1:3
216 Chris is protected - Psalm 91:14
217 Chris is provided for - Matthew 6:33
218 Chris is purchased - Revelation 5:9
219 Chris is purposeful - Psalm 138:8
220 Chris is qualified - Colossians 1:12
221 Chris is raised up with Christ - Ephesians 2:6
222 Chris is ransomed with Him - Isaiah 35:10
223 Chris is rare - Proverbs 20:15
224 Chris has received mercy - 1 Peter 2:10
225 Chris has received an unshakable Kingdom - Hebrews 12:28
226 Chris is reconciled to God - Romans 5:10
227 Chris is redeemed - Galatians 3:13
228 Chris is refined - Isaiah 48:10
229 Chris is reigning with Him - Romans 5:17
230 Chris is rejoicing - Romans 5:2-3
231 Chris is renewed - 2 Corinthians 4:16
232 Chris is His representative - Matthew 5:16
233 Chris is rescued - Colossians 1:13
234 Chris has rest provided - Matthew 11:28-30
235 Chris is rewarded by God - Isaiah 49:4
236 Chris is rich - 2 Corinthians 8:9
237 Chris is righteous - Ephesians 4:22
238 Chris is rooted and built up in Him - Colossians 2:7
239 Chris is royalty - Romans 5:17; 8:16-17
240 Chris is a royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9
241 Chris is safe - Psalm 4:8
242 Chris is a saint of God - Psalm 34:9
243 Chris is the salt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
244 Chris is sanctified - 1 Corinthians 6:11
245 Chris is satisfied - Jeremiah 31:14
246 Chris is saved - Ephesians 2:8
247 Chris is sealed by God with His Holy Spirit - Ephesians 1:13
248 Chris is seated with Him - Ephesians 2:6
249 Chris is secure - Deuteronomy 33:12
250 Chris is sent - John 20:21
251 Chris is set free - John 8:31-32,36
252 Chris is sharing Christ's inheritance - Romans 8:17
253 Chris is sharing His glory - John 17:22,24
254 Chris is His sheep - Psalm 23:1
255 Chris is sheltered - Psalm 91:1
256 Chris is shielded - Psalm 91:4
257 Chris is a slave to righteousness - Romans 6:18
258 Chris is His soldier - 2 Timothy 2:3-4
259 Chris is a son of God - Romans 8:14
260 Chris is stable - Isaiah 33:6
261 Chris is standing in His grace - Romans 5:2
262 Chris is standing firm in Christ - 2 Corinthians 1:21
263 Chris has my steps established by the Lord - Psalm 37:23
264 Chris is strengthened in Him - Ephesians 3:16
265 Chris is strong in the Lord - 1 Corinthians 1:8
266 Chris is amply supplied - Philippians 4:18
267 Chris is sustained from birth - Psalm 71:6
268 Chris is a temple - 1 Corinthians 3:16
269 Chris is thought about - Psalm 139:17-18
270 Chris is transferred into His Kingdom - Colossians 1:13
271 Chris is transformed - 2 Corinthians 3:18
272 Chris is treasured - Psalm 83:3
273 Chris is triumphant - 2 Corinthians 2:14
274 Chris is unafraid - Isaiah 44:2; 51:12
275 Chris is understood - Ephesians 1:8
276 Chris is united with Christ - Romans 6:5
277 Chris is upheld - Psalm 37:17
278 Chris is upright - Psalm 7:10
279 Chris is unblemished - Colossians 1:22
280 Chris has understanding - 2 Timothy 2:7
281 Chris is useful for His glory - Isaiah 43:7
282 Chris is valuable - Luke 12:24
283 Chris lives in victory - 1 Corinthians 15:57
284 Chris is walking in His light - 1 John 1:7
285 Chris is a warrior - 2 Corinthians 10:4
286 Chris is washed - Titus 3:5
287 Chris is watching for His return - Luke 12:37
288 Chris is weak, then is strong - 2 Corinthians 12:10
289 Chris is in a wealthy place - Psalm 66:12
290 Chris is welcome - Luke 11:9
291 Chris is being made whole - Mark 5:34
292 Chris puts on the whole armour of God - Ephesians 6:11
293 Chris is wise - Proverbs 2:6
294 Chris is His witness - Acts 1:8
295 Chris is His workmanship - Ephesians 2:10
296 Chris is not of this world - John 17:14
297 Chris is His worshipper - Psalm 95:6
298 Chris is worthy - Revelation 3:4
299 Chris is yielded to God - Romans 6:13
300 Chris is yoked with Jesus - Matthew 11:29
301 Chris is heaven bound, guaranteed. - I Peter 1: 4

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant.
You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for.
You are a blessing to the world.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-09-21T09:03:00.002-05:00

An Incredible day at LifeQuest Church. Here's a run down of what God did.

We launched our Northland Campus at their new location. I''ve heard reports that it was really good, unique and some really good relationships are being formed. I am excited to see lives changed at that campus as they move forward at the new location.
Pastor Dan B. the campus pastor and his team did an excellent job at renovating that location. I have seen pictures but haven't had a chance to go in person. Hoping to sneek up this week.
At the Belton Campus the band kicked off all 3 worship experiences with that old time Rock n Roll. Great energy!
All three worship experiences were energetic and ready to learn God's Word!
Kudos to Dave Patmore for doing an awesome job leading the band.
Also Laura B rocked in out on the Revelation song.
Then I couldn't forget Dave D who did a great job with the lights and fog for that song. Incredible the team God has brought around me.
Preach on Ephesians 2:1-10 and talked about how many Christians are still dead in their sins instead of to their sins.
Gave an old fashion altar call for people to come forward and surrender. The question that I asked was this, "What one thing in your life do you need to FULLY Surrender to Jesus" some real surrender was being done and that is how we closed out the day.
This next week we continue our Custom Made series and we are going to build off of week 1 & 2.

I love being your pastor and can't wait to see what God is going to do this week through all of your lives as you live as missionaries in your work place, family, neighborhoods etc.

Live in His Grace this week, it's FREEING!

Why Twitter

2009-09-02T10:16:00.003-05:00

I saw this blog post from a campus pastor @ LifeChurch.TV and have had people poke fun of twitter so I thought I would share some of my thoughts.

Here are the 6 Reasons Pastors Should Twitter:

Relational Community With Other Pastors- Twittering allows pastors to be a tweet away from what their pastor brethren from around the globe are thinking and doing. In other-words pastors can actively communicate with, gain wisdom from and glean morsels of insight from pastors around the world; without going to a conference, making a phone call or spending money in the friendly skies.
Relational Community With Their Congregation- Pastors have the opportunity to share random daily tidbits of their life with their brick and mortar congregants; in addition to a potentially new realm of digital congregants. I just made up the term digital congregants, if for some reason that becomes popular, remember you heard it first at BigIsTheNewSmall.com. Often times congregations only get a glimpse into their pastor’s lives on Sunday morning when they are bringing their preacher A-Game. Twitter allows congregants to know when and what their pastor is thinking, what they’re reading, what God is showing them and what his or her family is doing at all times. It allows opportunity for an authentic relational closeness that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Novel Concept: The communication can actually be two-way.
To Fulfill The Great Commission: When Jesus said: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel… “All The World” applies to the Internet-World, as well as the Twitter-World. A pastor can go into all the world physically and digitally one tweet at a time.
To Unleash The Power Of Prayer: A pastor can unleash prayer warriors from around the world at the drop of a tweet. This is real, it’s viral and it works!
To Reach Those Who Are Lost: I personally connect with many people on Twitter daily who are really far from God. I’m always receiving questions, words of encouragement, and Thank You’s for reaching out to people in a lost and broken world. For example, I posted this tweet earlier this morning: Jesus loves you, He knows you by name… Do you know Him? One of the responses was: @PlanetStark @ScottWilliams Who the F%$# is Jesus? And why does he love me? (His tweet was more explicit than my %$# signs) I had the opportunity to be a witness and I responded with: RT @PlanetStark: @ScottWilliams Who the @#$% is Jesus? And why does he love me? The Son of God, It’s His nature to luv us! Pastors can do what they are called to do… Reach The Lost!
WWJD: Jesus Would Twitter; the message doesn’t change, but the methods must change!

Should pastors Twitter? Why or Why Not? Does your pastor Twitter? Share any stories about the impacts of a Twittering pastor. To Twitter or Not To Twitter… That is The Question!

Connecting Sunday to Monday

2009-09-01T15:35:00.003-05:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about how do I as a Pastor help our local body of believers to connect Sunday to Monday. It seems that we all are really good about going to church getting excited but then when Monday comes Life starts all over again and we forget what we learned on Sunday. What would happen if we connected Sunday to Monday and then Tuesday and then well you get the idea.

My first stab at this idea is this, we need to lead people to a deeper relationship with Jesus beyond Sunday. Another words, if someone doesn't pick up their Bible except for church on the weekend, then that person will never connect Sunday to Monday.

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on how to make this happen in the lives of believers! Comments??????

Video Blog Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-09-01T14:45:00.002-05:00

I'm experimenting with a video blog every once in a while, let me know what you think.

Video Blog Sunday Night Mind Dump August 30, 2009 from Chris Pinion on Vimeo.

10 Things I am Excited about right now

2009-08-26T12:35:00.002-05:00

1. I am excited about a new structure in my personal life that allows me to be as healthy as I can be. As a husband, father, Christ follower and Pastor/church planter I NEED to be healthy in order to lead others to health.

2. Pumped out of my mind about this Sunday. God has given me a message to share that will apply to EVERYONE at both of our campuses and yes, even on the internet.

3. The VISION God has given me is becoming more clear and that keeps me up at night praying for His Wisdom and Direction.

4. I am excited about our new Community Transformation Strategy that we will be unveiling soon. Can't wait to share it with you at LifeQuest Church then my faithful blog readers.

5. Excited about my boys and how I am seeing growth in some areas that we have been working on for years. Parenting will keep you humble! Can I get an AMEN!

6. The New Location for the Northland Campus. I stopped by there recently and peaked through the windows and it is going to be off the chain. Grand Opening September 20th at 11AM for info go HERE

7. The South Campus is launching a 3rd Worship Experience on Sundays at 1PM, yes, you heard me right, at 1PM. So the times for the South Campus will be 9:15am, 11am & 1PM

8. The 200 plus volunteers we have at LifeQuest Church and the 72 NEW Volunteers that signed up last Sunday. Can't wait to see the day we have 1,000 volunteers because they are the LIFE BLOOD of our Church!

9. Really blown away with an invitation to go to Africa and preach and teach with some 500 pastors who have no leadership training opportunities. I am still praying about the timing on this. Please pray because it will be an expensive trip.

10. Last but NOT Least is our Children's Ministry building. Soon we will have triple the space to minister to kids.

LifeQuest the future is brighter than ever and the BEST IS YET TO COME!

See you Sunday, bring a friend, in fact fill up a row.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-08-23T18:30:00.001-05:00

Another Amazing Day at LifeQuest Church. Very Different but with a purpose.

Today was NO SHOW Sunday at LifeQuest. We asked all the volunteers to not serve today. ONLY Security and KidzQuest.
Why you ask, because I wanted to show everyone that LifeQuest is NOT a one man show. It is a team effort of 240 volunteers.
The faces of everyone was priceless when they walked in a and there was no one to greet them, no cafe (coffee & donuts), no ushers help you get seated, no parking lot attendants, no book store, no 411 booth.
No light person, sound, you get the point.
It was Different but with a purpose as we showed everyone that LifeQuest is a collection of the Body of Christ locally to reach people far from God! 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 & Ephesians 4:11-13
I preach passionately about who the church and who we are suppose to be and how we are suppose to operate.
At one point I got so passionate I thought I was going to come out of my skin. That was when I was talking about how churches expect pastors to do EVERYTHING. That is un-biblical. Pastor's are to Equip the saints to do ministry.
I taught everyone there and on video that EVERYONE is a minister!
At the end we had a lot of new volunteers sign up to serve.
Talked about the NEW Sunday 1PM Worship Experience starting SEPTEMBER 13th
At the end we collected change - for over a month now people have been saving their change and we filled two wheel barrows with change. What an amazing sight to see the generosity of everyone that calls LifeQuest Church their home. The change will go toward the Next Generation Project - renovating the new Children's Building for KidzQuest!
Next week is going to be a week you will want to have your friends and family at. Powerful presentation of the Gospel! The band and everyone volunteer will be back.
As I close out, let me just say that I love every Volunteer @ LifeQuest Church you guys are the Life Blood of our church community.

Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 4

2009-08-20T11:19:00.003-05:00

I feel like I am in a huge season of change right now. God is working me over on the inside and it's starting to come out. I have heard it said before, that as the church grows the leader must go to the next level of growth in his/her leadership. Well, I am really being pushed into the uncomfortable, into areas that I'm not used to.

Recently I met with Bishop James from Africa. He said to me, "Pastor Chris, the main barrier to a church growing is the leader." WOW! What a statement. If LifeQuest is going to reach more people and see more lives changed, I have to grow.

SO, lesson 4 of what I am learning from my sabbatical is this, drum roll please...I need to get out of the way and let others lead. I'm only gifted at a few areas and I'm certainly NOT gifted at everything that the church needs. I'm finding my sweet spot in this season of life and church life.

Honestly, it feels awkward at best. Realizing that if I will grow in this area, it will release unbelievable potential in the life of our church and my own personal life.

What things in your life need to change as you go to the next level? New levels bring new devils. We'll save that for another blog post.

Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 3

2009-08-19T10:26:00.004-05:00

The other day I almost ran out of gas. Now before I left my house I knew that the gas gauge was getting really low and I thought to myself, "I will stop and fuel up at the next gas station." Well like all of us, I got busy thinking about other things and started taking phone calls and txt's (not while I was driving of course:) Then all of a sudden my car started to sputter and luckily I was by a QT.

One of the lessons God has been teaching over the past 9 years is "Chris, pay attention to your emotional gauge." When it comes to burn out in ministry this is the one gauge that gets ignored the most, yet it is also the one gauge that causes ministers (and really all of us) to go off the deep end in life.

Your emotional gauge is different than your physical, spiritual & relational gauges. It's the one gauge that can only be filled up by what makes you unique. In other words, what do I do that helps relax and enjoy life? The answer is different for everyone. For some it might be golfing (I tried that and it's not for me YET), exercising, reading, hanging with friends or family what ever it is in your life that you need to make sure you are doing it on a regular basis so that your emotional tank doesn't get depleted.

For me many times I have let the work of ministry RUN my life and I was depleted emotionally. Hey if you and I aren't healthy emotionally, how in the heck can we lead others into emotional health? These days I am building things into my life that fills my emotional tank. It's a lot of fun and I am enjoying life and handling stress better than ever before. I am a NEW MAN! You can be too.

I highly recommend you read Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro. It's one of the best reads on this subject matter. If you are a member of a church but not a pastor, honor your pastor and buy them a copy. It will change your life and theirs IF APPLIED :)

LifeQuest Church T.V. Commercial

2009-08-18T22:40:00.002-05:00

LifeQuest Church Television Commercial.

Lessons I am learning from my Sabbattical Part 2

2009-08-18T12:59:00.002-05:00

During the first week I literally slept more than I have in my whole entire life. I have never been one to sleep a lot but the first week I was sleeping in every day and loving it. No responsibilities, no meetings, no leaders to encourage and motivate, no sermons to prepare, no problems to solve (at least at the church :) , no marriages to fix, absolutely Nothing. I rested and didn't feel guilty or anxious. Then it hit me, "I didn't know I was this tired."

Really, I had no idea that I was as tired as I was. Then I began thinking about the fact that if we are running our lives and our ministries on fumes and we are tired, then God is not going to be able to use us to our FULL potential.

When you and I are well rested we are a powerful force in the hands of the Almighty God! I am healthier today than I was six weeks ago. I am eatting better, trying to spend more time with my family and God! Taking time to enjoy life is what I'm about during this season in life.

Now, that doesn't mean that I'm not intense and that I sit around all day and do nothing. Really quite the opposite. I'm getting more done now than ever before with a Focus on what I can do and what I need to delegate. It's freeing.

My goals these days, is to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Also I'm paying attention to the my emotional gage which I will talk about tomorrow.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-08-16T21:19:00.003-05:00

Today was one of the most Incredible days @ LifeQuest Church. It just keeps getting better. Here's a run down of what happened.

Worship was loud and people were really engaged with it.
It really rained hard but that didn't stop people from showing up.
It felt great to be back on week two after a 6 week sabbatical. I feel rested and ready to lead LifeQuest Church into a new era.
I preached my heart out about Change.
The main thought of the message was this, When the pain of the same becomes greater than the pain of change then you will change! Read that and let it soak in.
We talked about how we could change personally and then how we as a church need to change.
I said that God want's us to get off our butt's and really reach our community and transform the communities we are in.
We had a special guest with us from the Division of Family Services (DFS) Misty was kind enough to come and share the need they have. The current need is 48 uniforms for school aged foster/at risk kids.
I challenged LifeQuester's to step up and meet that need.
We didn't raise money for 48 uniforms.
We raised enough money between both campuses for 81 uniforms. Misty was literally in tears. I am so excited that you gave 81 kids the opportunity to start school on time with a quality uniform.
We will be going to Sears this week to purchase them and deliver them to the families.
We as Christ Followers ARE THE CHANGE the World NEEDS!
Next Sunday is going to be well you will have to see for yourselves. All I can say is bring a friend and be in your seat before the worship experience starts.

LifeQuest the BEST is yet to come. You are the most GENEROUS CHURCH!

Lessons I am learning since Sabbatical Part 1 BE INTENTIONAL

2009-08-13T09:09:00.005-05:00

I just came off of my first ever sabbatical. During my time away I learned a ton of stuff. During the next couple of weeks I am going to share with you a little of what I am learning.

For the first part of my ministry I have gone FULL steam ahead. If you know me or know someone who knows me, they will say "Amen". What I learned though is that I need to be more intentional now than ever before in every area of my life. I have made a conscious decision to live intentionally. To not let every Tom, Dick and Harry tell me how to live but to live the way Jesus wants me to live that fits ME!

I am beginning to be more intentional about my health, spiritual growth, leadership, parenting, marriage. What this means to me is that I am no longer going to just let the day happen to me. I am going to tell every minute how I am going to spend it. I am developing a reasonable plan and following it so that I can be whole as a leader.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I have just floated all these years. I have an excellent executive assistant who keeps me on track and plans out my schedule weeks in advance. BUT I've realized that if I don't attack each day INTENTIONALLY I will not get much done for the Kingdom.

How are you living your life Intentionally these days? I would love to hear your story. You can share you comments on my blog or you can facebook or twitter me. By the way if you aren't on twitter well, you are missing out. :)

I'm BACK

2009-08-05T18:37:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I have been on a sabbatical for the last 6 weeks. BUT I'm BACK! Back with a ton of stuff that is on my heart that I have learned. I can't wait to preach this Sunday! In fact, I am so excited that I have been dreaming that I missed it! Dreaming that I didn't have my sermon done. Kinda of funny because I don't dream very often. Needless to say I am way pumped about this Sunday! Please come and celebrate with us. We are bringing both campuses together for one BIG Worship Experience. Sunday 11am at Belton High School.

I Love you LifeQuest Church and can't wait to see you this Sunday! Let's ROCK this City!!!!

LifeQuest Weekend Wrap Up

2009-08-02T21:48:00.002-05:00

Great Weekend at LifeQuest! Here are some highlights:

-Concluded Dave Ramsey series and many choices were made to "Live Like No One Else' so they can "Live Like No One Else"
-Several jars were brought in filled with change which had been collected all week for The Next Generation Project
-New A/C made it a VERY comfortable auditorium
-Volunteers have been working on demolition in the North Building - more demo this week
-Everyone is excited about next week's service: Pastor Chris will be back from his Sabbatical - Going to be an awesome service!
-North Campus had a great weekend - Neighborhood BBQ was a great success!
-North Campus is excited about some upcoming possibilities that will change everything up north! Stay tuned for more details.

Baptism Bash Coming August 9

2009-07-27T22:59:00.003-05:00

Guest Blog: Karen Blankenship, Campus Director

Sunday, August 9, is going to be an AWESOME event at LifeQuest. One Huge Celebration (both campuses will be in one location). One Huge Celebration Experience (Pastor Chris will be back from his sabbatical). One Huge Tailgate Party (Bring your own food. We provide the grills. Fun and Games for the kids).

To top it all off, we will be having a Baptism Service in the parking lot! A special gift will be given to everyone who gets baptized - another 'first' for LifeQuest! Not your typical baptism, but then we aren't your typical church!

Join us at 11 am at the Belton High School Forum for a Sunday you will long remember!

Children's Ministry Building Underway

2009-07-25T16:42:00.002-05:00

Guest Blog: Karen Blankenship

It has been an exciting week at LifeQuest as the demolition began on the North Building. Dave Daut and his team have worked long hours to begin the process...filling up the dumpster in no time at all! Thanks to all the volunteers who have served Jesus by donating their time!

We are excited about the financial pledges and contributions that have been made so far in our Next Generation Project. The Next Generation Project is just another example of the way LifeQuest volunteers step up to the plate to do whatever it takes. It takes countless hours of time, energy and money to keep reaching people and to make a difference for God’s Kingdom. When you are watch people walk onto a stage holding up signs as a testimony to how God has changed lives, you realize that it really is ‘All About Relationships.’ It’s about the marriages that have been saved. It’s about the drug addict who finally surrendered his life to Christ. It’s about the woman who was finally freed from the guilt of her past through the power of God’s forgiveness. And it’s about the thousands of others who need to hear the message of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for your support, LifeQuest! Can't wait to see what the next chapter holds as we continue on mission of 'leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.'

16 Years Today!

2009-07-24T21:52:00.005-05:00

It was 16 years ago today that my wife and I made a commitment to each other for better or for worse. I remember it like it was yesterday. Especially what my close friends did to me the night before after the rehearsal dinner (more on that later). Today I wanted to Honor my wife and let her know publicly that I LOVE her more today than I did 16 years ago. We have been through a lot together. She has stuck by me in ministry when it was good and when it was really bad.

As I have reflected on the 16 years I can't believe that I have the wife that I have. I come from a family that was used to divorce. To celebrate 16 years seems surreal. The reality is that it is ALL JESUS! Don't get me wrong, things haven't always been great. There was a season that I didn't know if we could make it through.

I have an Amazing wife who is very discerning and wise. I Love you Linda Pinion!

Happy 16 Years!

Boomerang Express & Sports Camp!

2009-07-16T16:59:00.003-05:00

Guest Blogger: Nick Cook, Children's Director

Can I just say that I am just in awe of the Goodness of Christ. How about the fact that this week at Sports Camp and VBS God has just messed me up as a man running passionately after God's heart. These kids, this is where it's at. Building up a generation of young people sold out for Christ just consumes me, overwhelms me.
I am just brought to tears as I write this post reflecting on the fact that so many kids came out these past couple of days. 16 kids for the bball camp, and 38 kids came to the evening VBS.

Not only is there a team of committed believers here all the way from TEXAS, but the curriculum is excellent. BOOMERANG EXPRESS.

I have had a chance to meet these kids, and build a closer relationship with them. These kids are bright, and they are full of life and child-like faith. Yes, I think these songs are silly, and they are stuck in your head the whole week, but you know what, they are awesome! They work, and they communicate the Gospel in a pretty awesome way that is so simple. I like that. Sometimes we as Christians get so caught up in the deep doctrine of religiosity that we often stray from the child-like faith in which Jesus talks about in the Gospel. This camp makes me feel more alive. The simple way that the Gospel is shown is so pure, so easy to understand. We serve a great God who loves us and who wants us to follow Him with child-like faith.

I am just reminded of the Goodness of God, and the fact that He can use little Children to ruin me for His Glory. Our God is a God of Love. He loves these Children, they are His. We are His Children, and being able to serve these kids and serve God just blows me away.

These Children declare the beauty of the Lord.

I am just so blessed to be able to spend time with these Children and be reminded what Child Like Faith is! I love you Jesus!!

A child gave her life to Christ tonight. I don't know about you, but all of the video stuff, the music, the props, the games, the skits, the stories...the money... was worth it. She came to know CHRIST!! I mean that is freakin awesome!!

I Miss you LifeQuest

2009-07-15T14:28:00.003-05:00

I am really enjoying my sabbatical. This is the first time in my life that I have unplugged and have really done nothing except spend time with my family and tend to my heart a little more closely. I can't wait to get back though. This past Sunday I visited two churches in K.C. where the pastor is a good friend of mine. Learning a ton. BUT I know that you are in good hands with the leaders that are @ LifeQuest Church.

Here's just some of what I've learned so far during the sabbatical: ( I am only going to list them. You know me, when I get back I will go into detail)

1. I didn't realize how tired I really was. I have slept in more than in other time in my life. I don't feel guilty either.

2. My time with Jesus has suffered with the busyness of life. I am having to reprioritize my life.

3. Writing a book takes a lot of time and is more difficult than I had thought.

4. My family has really enjoyed a low key life. Most of the time we are on the go.

5. My creative juices have to be recharged by changing scenery or even my daily routine. Other wise you get stale.

6. I've realized just how fast a day can go by without taking advantage of it. And when it's gone it's gone.

Just some thoughts in my heart and mind right now. I can't wait to all of you on August 9th.

Awesome Sunday at LifeQuest

2009-07-13T04:47:00.004-05:00

Guest Blog: Karen Blankenship, Campus Director

God blessed in amazing ways yesterday at LQ!

*The worship team ROCKED on 'Overcome' and 'The Revelation Song'
*Cover Song 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' was awesome!
*Pastor Dan Erickson hit a home run teaching us how to live out God's peace
in our lives.
*Everyone wished Pastor Chris a 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!'
*Mission Team arrived from Texas for Kidz Camps this week.
*Great outdoor service at the North complete with Dave Patmore's music, burgers
grilled by Pastor JR, and a message about 'seeking the lost' from Pastor Dan.

Meet Nick Cook!

2009-07-11T09:41:00.005-05:00

Guest Blog: Karen Blankenship, Campus Director

Who is Nick? Well, in his own words, "Just a Crazy 23 year old guy who is running hard after Jesus, and passionately sharing His love with others."

Nick comes to us from North Carolina and we are soooo excited God brought him here as our new Children's Director. He has been working like crazy all week planning some awesome and cool events for the kids at LifeQuest this summer.

This coming week begins our week of camp for the kids ages K-5th grade! Your kids won't want miss out on the fun! LifeQuest is conducting 2 camps. Sports Camp will be from 9 am-noon July 13-16 at the Levo Gym in Riverside and Camp KidzQuest will be from 6-8:30 pm at the Belton Campus. Invite all the kids you know and bring them. For more details you can check it out on our website at www.lifequestchurch.tv.

It's going to be a great week! You don't want to miss it!

Crazy for God

2009-07-07T15:05:00.004-05:00

Guest Blogger: Karen Blankenship, Campus Director

Going Multi-Site! It seems like only yesterday we were imagining the possibilities. Should we do it? Do we have enough people? And the big question was whether or not we could even afford it. As a young church, most would consider us crazy to plant a multi-site campus. I guess if you put it like that, that’s exactly what we are – a little on the crazy side!

Let me explain. It was definitely crazy for a small launch team of about 12 people to host a citywide Easter egg hunt. And when all the other egg hunts around town got rained out, bringing in 4,500 people, it definitely looked a little crazy. It was probably also a little crazy to lease space in a strip mall, instead of continuing to meet in the community center. It was another risky step, because how could a small group (many of them were new Christ followers) without a lot of money take on a financial obligation like that?

Crazy became the ‘norm’ for us as we continued to impact our community (most of the time not having a clue as to how we would pull it off). Hosting community events, distributing thousands of mailers, and even having our children’s ministry meet in a small warehouse space because we ran out of room in our main meeting area are just some of the things LifeQuesters have begun to count as ‘normal.’

It was pretty outrageous to think that a small group of people could work 24/7 for six weeks to transform an old Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership into a place where people would come and hear the life changing Word of Jesus Christ. Who would have guessed so many dedicated volunteers would work all day at their jobs, grab a sandwich through the drive thru on their way to the church and then work late into the evening ripping up tile floors, building new walls, installing handicapped restrooms, hanging sheetrock and laying carpet?

How does a church of 350 people function when things are so crazy? Where do the volunteers come from who spend anywhere from 20-40 hours per week to keep the mission of leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ alive? If it seems a little extreme, that’s because it is. LifeQuesters are passionate about reaching people for Christ and they are willing to do whatever it takes to stay on mission!
Wild about impacting the world, launching a multi-site campus is another crazy LifeQuest experiment. Some may say it’s extreme to go to such lengths to reach friends, neighbors and co-workers. After all, America is filled with churches that sit on every corner. It may seem fanatical to give so much time, energy, and resources especially when our lives are already so busy. But I am reminded of a King who was born in a stable over 2,000 years ago. Leaving comforts we cannot even imagine, enduring pain and suffering that no one else in the world has ever known, that same King gave up everything to come and die for the sins of the world. Even when He knew He would be crucified and rejected, He still came. I would call that a little crazy, wouldn’t you?

We have promised Him our availability and our hearts. As He has done in the past, I believe He will surprise us with things beyond what we ever could have imagined. I believe lives will be forever changed because a group of His followers have committed themselves to spreading the Good News at any cost. I am so excited that I can’t wait until we have campuses all over Kansas City and around the world! And yes, I know, it sounds a little crazy!

Encounter Part 1 on video

2009-06-20T23:56:00.004-05:00

Here's Part 1 of our Encounter series in case you missed it.

Crazy schedule lately

2009-06-16T10:14:00.003-05:00

Wanted to throw out the reason I have been absent from my blog lately. LifeQuest is moving and shaking. We are adding new staff and just hired our first full time staff member who will arrive in K.C. next Tuesday. Can't wait. I am also preparing for our staff advance and then going on sabbatical for six weeks. SO what can you expect from ChrisPinionLive.com over the next 7 weeks. One word: Speratic. I will be back in August and ready to go strong.

I am more excited than ever to see where God is taking me personally and the greatest church in the World I get to Pastor. The Best is YET TO COME!

Last Week's Sermon with Vidy Metsker

2009-06-13T21:39:00.003-05:00

Here's the sermon on video with special guest Vidy Metsker

Next Generation Project

2009-05-15T10:25:00.004-05:00

What Is The Next Generation Project?

The NEXT GENERATION PROJECT is a new initiative that will fund several projects needed to lead more people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Did you know the most opportune time for someone to give their life to Jesus is between the ages of 4 through 14? This means we must do whatever it takes to make sure our children's ministry is not only relevant and life changing, but we must have adquate facilities for this ministry to grow.

What Can We Accomplish With This Project?

The NEXT GENERATION PROJECT is specifically designed to engage our church in something that will expand our impact for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It will take us to our next step to fulfilling our God given purpose in our desire to see our community transformed for Christ.

How Does The Project Work?

All the funds given to the NEXT GENERATION PROJECT will be applied to several ministry projects, The more we give together, the more we will be able to accomplish together.

What Are The Projects?

The NEXT GENERATION PROJECT will include renovating the front part of the North Building to provide room for our Children's Ministry to grow, refinishing the floors in the south building, resurfacing the parking lot, and signage. Our existing children's facilities are already maxed out during our prime-time services. This effort will focus on optimizing space we already own and continue to prepare plans for future expansion.

How Can I Participate?

1. Please Pray about how God will have you participate.
2. Determine your contribution to this project. Please give to the Next Generation Project above and beyond your normal regular giving over the next 4 months.

What If?
If 10 families would give $125 per week over the next 4 months
If 20 families would give $60 per week over the next 4 months
If 10 families would give $50 per week over the next 4 months
If 20 families would give $30 per week over the next 4 months
If 5 families would give $5 per week over the next 4 months

The Next Generation Project would
reach its goal of $57,000.

3. Fill out your commitment card, then listen for stories of lives you have heped to transform.

Thank you for your prayerful and generous participation to the NEXT GENERATION PROJECT. If every family does their part, we will have everything we need to accomplish these focused efforts to share the love of Jesus in our community and our world.

When we celebrate 4 months from now, you will be able to say, "I was a part of the amazing and awesome miracles that God accomplished."

This past year has been one in which we have seen God do some amazing things. We have grown together as we have witnessed lives transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. We have helped to transform our community as we have ministered to those less fortunate than us. We have stayed focused on creating a worship experience on Sunday morning that allows those far from God to find out who He really is. We have been intentional about making disciples and then reproducing them. And we have focused on creating relationships with each other, as well as those who don't know Jesus yet.

With God's help, LifeQuest's impact as a church will be even greater through the Next Generation Project . I believe God has a purpose for each and every one of us and that He has placed us at this point in history for a specific reason. Just as it is recorded in the book of Esther, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
I am so grateful for your faithful support to your church family and am fully committed as your Pastor. I encourage you to join me and the leadership of LifeQuest in supporting the Next Generation Project! Please prayerfully consider how God can use your time, talent and treasure to support this exciting opportunity to change lives for Jesus!

Next Generation

2009-05-14T08:36:00.003-05:00

This Sunday I am preaching a message specifically to the teens and the ones who love them. As I have prepared, the main idea that has hit me is this, "Teenagers NEED adults who will believe in them." We have set the bar so low for way too long. Teens are living down to our expectations instead of living up to our expectations.

What would happen if we reversed that? What would happen if we started believing in teens to make a difference in their generation? What would happen if we started resourcing ministries that would train and develop teenagers to take this world for Christ?

What's interesting is this, most teens will be able to reach more effectively their generation than I could. They have influence over those who think like they think, live like they live, hear what they hear. Andy Stanley said "Acceptance leads the way to influence." Chew on that today!

How's your influence? Better yet, how's your acceptance???

Un-DO

2009-05-12T13:45:00.004-05:00

I was having a conversation with a pastor friend of mine recently. As we were talking he said, "I don't know how to un-do the mistakes I have made." As he made that statement my mind started to think, I'll bet there are tons of people wishing they could un-do the things they have done wrong.

Then the thought occurred to me. We serve a God who loves to Un-Do the wrong that we've done. He anticipated that we would have things in our lives that we would need to Un-Do. SO, don't be afraid to tackle things in your life and or ministry that needs to be Un-Done so you can have a Do-Over!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-05-10T23:24:00.000-05:00

We had a solid Sunday Worship Experience today.

Celebrated mother's and gave each of them a chocolate covered strawberry.
Jauqline Daut a 12 year old daughter to one of our staff members, did a bang up job on the feature song.
I started a new series entitled, "My Generation" it is based off the book of Esther and God really spoke to some people about reaching their generation.
Had the opportunity to dedicate some kids. Very moving hearing the letters the parents wrote.
We made the BIG Announcement about phase one of our children's facility. Really excited about that. If you missed it, I will talk more about it this coming week on my blog.
Had several accept Christ! That never gets old.
LifeQuest the best is yet to come so hold on to your fork!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-05-03T22:46:00.000-05:00

To say that LifeQuest is Awesome is an understatement. God really showed up during our No Perfect People Allowed series with 34 salvations and 2 rededications. In addition to that, a ton of adults and teens a like were set free from their addictions.

Today was no different. Everyone recieved the message I preached on Hosea and Gomer really well. I made the statement that I want us to be a Hosea church and love the Gomers. We were all Gomer's at once. If you are wondering what I am talking about, check out the message for yourself later this week here.

Then tonight we celebrated our 6 year anniversary as a church. Both campuses came together and it was incredible. I can't believe that I get to do this. We have THE BEST VOLUNTEERS EVER. I mean it. My assistant told me on Saturday that we now have over 240 volunteers. WOW! That is over 65% of our church that serves. With the can do spirit you guys have, we will be able to accomplish so much for God's Kingdom.

Words can't express how I felt last night to be celebrating 6 years. Later this week I will try to post some more thoughts about 6 years as a church. As far as the BIG Announcements, well if you weren't there, then you will have to wait til Sunday :).

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-04-26T21:42:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness, I am SO pumped! God did the unimaginable today, here's the low down.

14 people gave their lives to Jesus!
I preached really, really hard on addictions.
The time of prayer at the end was Powerful, words can't explain.
I would say atleast 200 adults were set free from their addictions today through Jesus!
I love what I do and even though I am so stinkin' tired I love what I do, Thank you Jesus for calling me even though I don't deserve it.
Had over 20 adults stay for the New Comer's luncheon, great time meeting new families.
Heard A.J. and his launch team were with us today from CrossRoads Church downtown K.C.
J.R. rocked the song "Hide" I believe every word of that song.
The music was off the chain today - great job guys and gal :)
My wife is home so it's time for a movie.
Next week we celebrate 6 years as a church, BIG things are in store for LifeQuest Church hold on to your hat!

Easter 09 Video No Perfect People Allowed Part 1

2009-04-19T23:00:00.002-05:00

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-04-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

Today was Part 2 of the No Perfect People Allowed series and boy did it hit home with people. Here's some highlights of what happened.

Preached on John 5:1-8 Asked the same question Jesus asked, "Do you want to be healed?".
I hit taking personal responsibility for your life spirituality and in EVERY way - received really well.
Dave Patmore did a great job leading worship today. BUT we missed you J.R.
The video on Resurrection Injection brought home the point and was well done. Thank you Elevation Church in N.C. for letting us use it.
Eric tore it up on Only Grace - not a dry eye in the place.
I challenged everyone to write down the lies that satan has been telling down on a card. Then asked them to bring it forward and drop them in a suit case.
This next week we are going to create an incredible video with those lies that you won't soon forget. Showing it next Sunday!.
This Next Sunday I am preaching on addictions and have asked a friend of mine to give his testimony.
All I can say is bring all your friends and family it is going to be a Powerful Sunday!
Lots of lives were changed today.
Still celebrating 18 salvations and 2 rededications on Easter 09'
Tomorrow LifeQuest turns 6 years old - we are celebrating May 3rd at the LIVE Event at the Northland Campus.

Well that's it for tonight. Blessings to all of you.

Satisfied

2009-04-17T11:46:00.002-05:00

Recently I was having a conversation with a guy and realized he is satisfied. I believe when you and I become satisfied, it becomes a very dangerous place spiritually. Satan loves it.

Satisfied that your marriage is just ok.
Satisfied that you are making your quota at work.
Satisfied that you are hearing good sermons.
Satisfied that your relationship with Jesus is better than the next guys.
Satisfied that it has been a long time since you've seen someone come to Jesus and receive Him.

Are you satisfied today? I believe Jesus never wants us to be happy and satisfied but Jesus calls us to Follow Him and Make Disciple then Reproduce.

Easter Video I want to know what Love is

2009-04-15T19:43:00.001-05:00

Here's the powerful video we used for Part 1 of NO Perfect People Allowed

I want to know what Love is from Chris Pinion on Vimeo.

Sunday Night Mind Dump EASTER Edition

2009-04-13T12:56:00.004-05:00

This was the best Easter ever, so many lives were changed and LifeQuest volunteers really stepped up to the plate.

Jesus didn't just die for you, HE LIVES for you. I preached hard on this today.
We saw record attendance, without over count between both campuses we had 585. That is a record in case you are wondering.
15 people gave their lives to Jesus! I was praying for 100 and I am not giving up, during this series, I am asking God for 100 salvations.
It was intense, I decided to preach on the prodigal son and talk about the difference between a Loving Father and an older brother. I will list some of those differences tomorrow.
I made it clear that I want LifeQuest to be a Loving Father church not a Older Brother church.
A BIG thank you to ALL the LifeQuest Volunteers that made it happen yesterday. I didn't have much time to walk around but I heard you guys did a Great Job!
The point I made about None of US are Perfect was taken really well. I mean it, all of us are screwed without Jesus!
I was broken when I saw all of those people come up with life change stories during the No Perfect People song. My wife rocked this song!!
The video put to the Foreigner song "I want to know what Love is" ROCKED the world of every person there. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.
Yesterday was a first because I preached at 9:15 then drove really fast to the Northland campus and preached then drove back toward Belton really fast to preach at the 11am and 12:30pm worship experiences. Didn't know if it would work but it did. Thank you Jesus!
I am really stoked about this new series, "No Perfect People Allowed".

Easter - Everything Changes

2009-04-09T09:55:00.003-05:00

If you think about it, Easter Changes EVERYTHING!

The fact that we serve a risen Savior is really foundational to our Faith. If it weren't for the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Bible says, our faith would be worthless. As you prepare for this weekend, whether you're a pastor or you attend a church, let me challenge you to not just make this another Easter. What would happen if this were our last Easter? In light of that reality, what would you do? Who would you invite to church this Sunday??? Who would you share your faith with?

LifeQuest Church Easter Service Times!

Leave a comment and fill in the blank:

I am inviting ______________________. I am bringing _______________________.

Something You Can't Do In Heaven

2009-04-08T09:04:00.002-05:00

This Easter Weekend you will have an opportunity to do something you can’t do in heaven. Invite people to Jesus! Too often the longer we claim to know Jesus the farther we drift from what He was all about!

Jesus was about PEOPLE.

Jesus was about people that everyone else overlooked. Jesus was about irreligious people, not religious. Jesus was about outsiders, not insiders. Jesus prioritized His life around people far from God and then died for them!

No matter who you are… That’s YOU!

Ironically, what once captured our heart to be a part of something bigger than us….tragically becomes just about us. Let me encourage you…you know what? Let me do more than that…let me admonish YOU. This Easter could be our last before Jesus returns. Don’t think so? Remember no one believed Jesus would rise from the dead…He DID! Most don’t live like He will return.

HE will!

What if this is your last opportunity? How would you live different this week? Who are you praying for this week? Are you praying for our services? Who are you sharing your faith with? Who are you inviting to LifeQuest Church?

Don’t come to LifeQuest Church alone. Bring your friends to one of our 5 services in 2 locations! For the Easter Service Times click HERE. Every person you meet this week is a divine appointment from God to invite someone to Jesus!

You can’t do this in heaven!

Jesus and His Final Week

2009-04-06T14:08:00.002-05:00

I was doing some reflecting this morning on the cross and how it changes everything. This week is what is referred to as the Final Week. As I read about Jesus and His Final week, I began to wonder what it would be like to know that this is your last week. What would I do? Who would I meet with? What would I say? Then I realized that Jesus had come for a mission and His mission had been completed.

I am asking all of my blog readers to please take some time and read about Jesus and His final week and reflect on it. Let it sink in and don't just race past what He came to do for you and I.

Dave Ramsey and LifeQuest Church

2009-04-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

Looks like LifeQuest Church is going to host a cool event on April 23 called town hall for hope. I heard Dave Ramsey speak at the Catalyst Conference last fall and I love his common sense. He's straight-up. I Really believe this event will be helpful and hopeful. I also think its an opportunity for churches to step up. We desperately need to get a godly perspective on the state of our economy.

I hope you will start making plans to be here for this awesome event!

Check it out .

6 Things I want to hear at LifeQuest Church

2009-04-02T06:38:00.000-05:00

"This place is PACKED!"
"I'm reading through the Bible, and it is revolutionizing my life."
" (fill-in-the-blank) is making disciples in (fill-in-the-blank).
"How can I get involved?"
"I gave my life to Christ today!"
My life has been transformed over the last (fill in the blank)

Things I am Excited about

2009-04-01T08:48:00.003-05:00

There are a ton of things I am excited about and thought I would share it with all of you.

Easter - We are having five worship experiences between both of our campuses. Belton Campus - 9:15; 11AM; 12:30PM Northland Campus 10:30AM & 6PM
My personal growth, I am having some break throughs and I talked about it HERE!
Bringing Karen and J.R. on in a full time capacity, can't wait to see what God is going to do with this.
I am really excited about May 3rd the LIVE Event which is a celebration of our 6 years as a church. The LIVE Event will be held May 3rd @6PM. It will be held at our Northland Campus and you will NOT want to MISS it.
The Future of LifeQuest Church - all I can say is the BEST is yet to come.
Really, really excited about the new series we are kicking off on Easter "No Perfect People Allowed."
This summer with my family is going to be off the chain!
Excited about some developing relationships with people that are far from God!
What Jesus is doing in my life and leadership!!!

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-03-30T10:18:00.005-05:00

This is come to you on Monday morning because I was totally zapped of energy after getting home last night at 8:30pm. So here's what happened at LifeQuest Church this Sunday!

Yes, it snowed and it's the end of March. But we had CHURCH!
The worship was OFF THE CHAIN! Great job to J.R., Dave and the LQ Band. You guys rocked the house.
We are rescheduling the Biker's Blessing - more details later.
I love the stained glass that the stage design team put up for Vintage Jesus!
I preached on how Jesus was FULLY Human and FULLY GOD! The response to the message was awesome.
We announced that we are bringing on Karen Blankenship and J.R. Brown as full time staff members. Really excited about this huge step of faith and how God has blessed LQ over the past few months.
Yes, I announced that I am praying for 100 salvations between both campuses on Easter Sunday!
Getting ready for Easter! Make sure you get your tickets and check out the service times - go to www.lifequestchurch.tv for the 411.
Could use your prayers as I carve extra time out to prepare for Easter and the message God wants me to preach.

Great Leadership Video

2009-03-28T22:23:00.003-05:00

Check out some leadership insights from Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel

Catalyst TV: Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Don't Force Winter

2009-03-26T10:49:00.002-05:00

I read this on Swerve and wanted to share it with you. Five years ago I did a sermon series on the seasons of Life and I think with all that is going on these days, this is a great blog post for EVERYONE!

Every planet on the solar system has seasons. On Venus, seasons are very short. On Uranus, a season can last for 20 years. (No Uranus jokes, please… haha! )

You might feel like you are in a prolonged winter. And you might be correct.

* You are praying with few answered prayers.
* You’re witnessing and seeing few conversions.
* You’re laboring tirelessly and seeing minimal results.

If you’re in winter and waiting for spring, remember God is working in winter too. During the cold months, the tree and plant roots grow deeper and stronger. In this season, God is often doing an unseen work preparing His creation for spring. He does more internally than externally.

It is helpful to remember, you can’t have spring without winter.

How has God worked during the winter seasons in your life?

Easter 2009 Thoughts

2009-03-25T08:52:00.003-05:00

Easter is quickly approaching. I am really pumped about what God has laid on my heart to preach this Easter and beyond. The ramifications of what will be preached could literally change hearts and lives. I am kicking off a brand spank-in NEW series entitled, "NO PERFECT PEOPLE ALLOWED".

I am praying for 100 people to accepted Christ on Easter Sunday! Go ahead and read that again, because it's not a magical number but a ask by Faith from God! How can this happen? The ONLY way it will begin to happen is if you will partner with God by inviting as many people that are far from God to LifeQuest Church on Easter Sunday.

Here's the service time information:

Belton Campus

Easter Sunday
9:15AM; 11AM; 12:30PM

Northland Campus

Easter Sunday
10:30AM & 6PM

What can you do?

#1. Start Inviting people that are far from God!
#2. Pick up as many tickets as you can invite people to Easter at LifeQuest this Sunday.
That's right, tickets. It's FREE we are just trying to make sure as many people have seats for this Awesome Day to celebrate our Risen Christ!
#3. If you don't currently serve, sign up this Sunday to serve on Easter Sunday! We have opportunities for you to serve in the following: Parking, Ushering, Greeters, LQ Cafe, Clean up (in between services), KidzQuest (must fill out a background check this Sunday). It's a great way to see what it's like to serve at LifeQuest.

A Breakthrough

2009-03-24T10:13:00.005-05:00

I hesitated to write about this, because I am still early in the process. But I wanted to share real life with you and how even a Pastor's life works. Yesterday, I went to see my counselor, and Yes, I said counselor. Before you get too many thoughts in your head, let me explain that I am not in a crisis etc. I have learned that in doing ministry and life EVERYONE should have a counselor that they meet with on a regular basis. My counselor knows everything about me. He is a Godly man who has been in ministry over 25 years.

In dealing with life issues, I had a Breakthrough during our prayer time yesterday. I don't feel like going into much detail yet, but let me just say that if you will get with Jesus and practice 1 John 1:9 He will set you free. My whole life I have given things to Jesus and taken them back. NOT yesterday, I am Free and it is the best feeling and circumstance in the world.

My thoughts for now on this journey called life.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-03-22T22:48:00.000-05:00

I am totally exhausted. If you have preached for any length of time, you know the thrill of preaching and then the let down after. I kind of relate it to the mountain top experience and the valley. When you are coming off the mountain top, satan loves to mess with you. With all that said, it was a great day. Here are the high lights!

We had several salvations at both of our campuses.
I kicked off the Vintage Jesus series with a message on Jesus is GOD!
The response to the message was great.
We got to honor everyone that went through basic training. Over 80 people were recognized for attending our discipleship training.
I am so excited about this new direction, I believe it will allow us to turn people into FULLY devoted Followers of Jesus and not just church going folks.
We announced that tickets for Easters Worship Experiences will be available next week. Yes they are free, we are just trying to get an idea of how to spread everyone out acrossed 3 services so there is room for others.
Dave Patmore led worship for J.R. Brown (he and Lacey took the weekend off, we missed them but they needed it.) Great Job Dave, the band rocked this morning and at the Northland Campus.
Excited about Easter! Pray about who you can invite that NEEDS Jesus!

Warrior Part 1 on Discipleship

2009-03-21T00:42:00.000-05:00

Sunday Night Mind Dump

2009-03-15T23:39:00.004-05:00

I am totally exhausted and blown away with all that happened today. Here's a quick run down of all the exciting things that happened.

Amazing worship, love how the band leads us into the presence of God!
Today was the last of the Warrior series and honestly, I am bummed. I never knew the impact that this series would have on everyone. The impact was so great that...
Over 80 folks showed up for Basic Training.
The Giving has been really good over the last 10 weeks, all I can say is all Glory goes to God!!! Keep it up so we can reach more and more people who are far from Jesus!
A HUGE Thank You to Pastor Phil Hopper with Abundant Life Baptist Church and all his team that came out to lead the Basic Training!
If you weren't able to attend yesterday we will be meeting from 6:30pm - 8:30pm Monday-Wednesday Night at the Belton Campus. Dinner and childcare is provided. Hope to see you there.
I can't believe the response to the Discipleship Initiative we are having, I am totally blown away as your pastor. Thank you!!!
If you haven't heard me say it in a while, I love being your pastor and there is no other place I would rather be than Pastoring LifeQuest Church.
After the basic training I had the opportunity to preach Chris & Heather Nicolosi's wedding. It was the most creative wedding I have ever been part of. Congrats to Chris & Heather, I am very proud of you.
Our tech guys, Darrin and Dave are some of the most amazing dudes on the planet. I love their commitment to the church and to making sure things are running at 100%.
Had one person accept Jesus, Yeah God!!!

That's about it, have a good night.

Funny video for your Friday

2009-03-13T09:11:00.001-05:00

This is hilarious. I am rolling and wanted to share it with all of my friends.

Enjoy!

Unleash 09 Session 2

2009-03-12T15:50:00.002-05:00

3:36 PM: chrispinion Unleash 2009 just kicked off their last session - New Spring band is doing Love Enough by Hill Song United

4:01 PM: chrispinion Anytime you lift up the name of Jesus, He just shows up!

4:30 PM: chrispinion #unleash "If God told you that you have one more Sunday to preach what would you say?" @perrynoble

4:32 PM: chrispinion Do you understand that ministry is not achieved but Received.

4:37 PM: chrispinion Do you want attendance or Repentance? When there is repentance your attendance will go up. Some people will leave, of course they will.

4:39 PM: chrispinion The Church is a body...if you close the backdoor to a body, sometimes an Enema is the best thing that can happen to a church. #unleash

4:42 PM: chrispinion Question #3 from @PerryNoble "Is God's Presence what you desire or is church attendance your desire" #Unleash

Discipleship Are really doing it or just running your mouth

2009-03-12T08:15:00.003-05:00

I posted part 1 here yesterday. Here's what's going through my mind on this particular subject. First let me say I Agree with the phrase "Discipleship is a process not a program." The frustration I have is this, are we using that phrase as a crutch so we can be lazy and not build into anyone? I'm not pointing blame I'm just simply asking a question. It seems that we as a church across America are failing when it comes to making disciples and reproducing. Would you agree or disagree?

We talk a really good talk. I believe that most of it is just talk. Why? Because most church growth is by swapping sheep from church to church. We aren't spreading our faith and seeing freshly redeemed people come to Christ and then teaching them to go out and reach someone. We use all kinds of excuses. I have heard a ton of them, ie. "I don't have the gift of evangelism." "I believe in relational evangelism." "I let the Holy Spirit do the work." There are so many I can't begin to list them all, what's yours?

Now, here's where the rubber meets the road, who was the last person you shared your faith with and you poured into them by sharing your life and what God has done in you? What's their name? Folks, Jesus left us with a mission and it's simple: Make Disciples and Reproduce.

A few years ago on vacation I read a book entitled, "Forgotten Ways." In this powerful book, Alan explains that the church grew more from the time Christ died and for 200 years after the Gospel grew and it went from 25,000 to 200 million. Think about that for a minute, no radio, internet, pagers, cell phones, cable, planes, trains you get the picture. The Gospel spread through people telling their stories making disciples and reproducing.

How are you doing at that??? If there is no name then you are failing!

Awesome post by Seth Godin

2009-03-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist this is so good and so true, I had to share it with you.

In search of dolphin leather

There's a story in the bible with very specific instructions for building an ark. Included in the instructions is a call for using tanned dolphin leather. Regardless of your feelings about the historical accuracy of the story, it's an interesting question: why create an impossible mission like that? Why encourage people who might travel 100 miles over their entire lifetime to undertake a quest to find, capture, kill, skin and eventually tan a dolphin?

My friend Adam had an interesting take on this. He told me that the acquisition of the leather is irrelevant. It was the quest that mattered. Having a community-based quest means that there's less room for whining, for infighting and for dissolution. Having a mission not only points everyone in the same direction, it also creates motion. And motion in any direction is often better than no motion at all.

All around you, people are telling you two things:
1. whatever you want, forget it, it's impossible, and
2. sit still, preserve resources, lay low.

And yet, the people who are succeeding, creating change and (not coincidentally) are happier aren't listening to either of these pieces of advice. Instead, they're on the search for dolphin leather.

Frank Sinatra had it wrong. Your dream shouldn't be impossible, but it sure helps if it's improbable. Don't choose your dreams based on what is certain to happen, choose them based on what's likely to cause the change you want to occur around you.

Check out more of Seth Godin HERE!

Discipleship a Program or a Process?

2009-03-11T09:18:00.002-05:00

LifeQuest Church has decided to take on an initiative if you will, I call it a way of life that I believe is not real common with churches like ours. Let me explain, over the last two years I have been burdened by the fact that we as "Christians" I prefer Christ Followers, are not advancing God's Kingdom. Think about it for a minute before you jump to any conclusions. Jesus came with one mission and that was to seek and save that which was lost - Luke 19:10. When He ascended into Heaven Jesus left us with this command, GO and Make Disciples. That's the business if you will of the church. NOW, ask yourself how are we doing at making disciples? According to the polls as late as this week Christianity is failing in America, don't believe me check it out HERE!

Now, I have had a ton of conversations lately about discipleship and what it looks like. I have heard every response from discipleship isn't a program it is a process, to discipleship is a journey. I agree that discipleship is a journey and not a program BUT let me ask you a pointed question. If you believe that, how's it going for you? Another words, who are YOU discipling along the journey of life that has begin to reproduced themselves???

I don't care if you are using a program or you are doing it along the journey of life, the real question is, who are you discipling now and how's it going? We have got to start Making Disciples and Reproducing or Christianity will die in America.

I believe that question will give you enough to think about until tomorrow.

To prepare your heart for the discussion for tomorrow, read Matthew 28:16-20