When I got home from work tonight, Emilee and Jacob wanted me to guess what they had for lunch today at school. So I guessed...

Cod Fish (from Peter Pan)

They said... NOPE

Chicken Rings!!

Then I thought to myself...

What part of the chicken does chicken rings come from?

Any thoughts???

You have no idea what Monday and Tuesday meant to me at Evolve. On this blog, and in person, I have always tried to be real and very transparent. So... here is my story.

I know with out a doubt that God has called me to plant a church to make a difference for Jesus in Florence, SC.

Over the past month... the devil has had a hay-day (southern for field day) in my brain. He has told me often that I am not good enough to lead a church. I have had a hard time dealing with this. Upon examining myself, my weaknesses showed up in an awful way. It is hard stuff to hear and realize!!! Since that time... I have been really defeated.

This week, I have realized (little slow sometimes) that I am not good enough to plant a church!

BUT GOD IS!!!

I met so many great people this week that truly ministered to me and probably have no idea how much! I want to take just a few minutes to share how...

On Monday morning, before the Evolve Conference even started, Susanne and I went to the Waffle House to get some good quality breakfast. Our waitress was a hoot. She was so happy to be alive. Her coworker received a phone call... evidently she had man issues. Our waitress looked at her in a stern voice after a little bit of chatting with her... "Girl, you need to put your faith in God up in Heaven, not some man". It hit home... I cannot put my faith in some man (me), Susanne, or a core team... My faith belongs in God alone! Through Him I can do all things!

When we arrived, we were greeted by a great bunch of volunteers. Thanks everyone for making us feel so welcome! While walking around, Shawn Lovejoy and wife Tricia stopped us to chat a little. What great people! I see a lot of myself in him. He is even an Alabama Fan! Thanks so much Shawn for allowing us to come and get ministered to!

Later Monday, I spoke to to Steven Furtick and shared a little about how the devil was messing with me and that I did not feel good enough to plant a church. He shared from his heart with this comment: "Florence needs you!" Please note what he did NOT say... He did not say God needs me. God does not need me but He wants me! Florence needs people to show LOVE and GRACE and live the The Gospel in front of them.

After speaking with Steven, we ran into Mark Batterson. I had to share with him how much his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day changed my life. (He is probably one of the most humble men I have ever met.) He shared with us how much he needed to hear that. He mentioned to us that he was struggling a bit with his new book. God told me pray for him right there. I reasoned with it... my mind kept saying, "That is Mark Batterson, he has places to go, people to talk to"... so I was disobedient and did not pray. God cleaned my clock about it while heading to the hotel. Needless to say... it was a little late, but he did get prayed for. God spoke to me that I was to always pray for others! Always... even when I don't feel like it, or question the timing!

Yesterday evening, I spoke with Bil Cornelius after his sermon in the final session. I shared how discouraged I have been, and how I did not feel like I had what it takes. He told me a quick little story about Saul. Saul had all the great markings of a leader (in man's eyes)... There was one problem. He was not the man God wanted and called. God called the young, unqualified, clueless shepherd-boy, David. That is so me! Susanne has been telling me that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called! Man... That has never resonated so strongly.

So, here I am a day later... conference is over... I have finally accepted what the devil told me... I cannot do this nor am I good enough...

But my God is! I am trusting in His calling!

 

I will share my notes from Day 2 of the conference over the next couple of days... If you missed day 1, check it out here.

I did want to send a shot out to some other great people I met: Paul Peterson and his wife (he called me astute... had to look that one up...), J.R. Lee, Rindy Walton, Chris Elrod, Tadd Grandstaff, Boyd Bettis and his wife, Jamie Limato, Gary Lamb, Casey Graham (BAMA FAN... he even knew where Opp, AL was located!), David Putman, Dave Anderson, Adam Walker (check out the video he posted here... WOW).

 

I know I am missing some and I am very sorry... I want to thank you all for spending time to encourage me and lift me up!

You all were matches that helped ignite the fire! Now I am ready to burn for Jesus, and give him all I've got!

Today was such an awesome day in my life. It was a time that enabled the fire in me to be turned up just a little more...

I want to start out by thanking Shawn & Tricia Lovejoy and the the Mountain Lake Church staff for allowing us to be a part of such a great conference.

Shawn, thank for cleaning my clock!!! (did I just thank him for that???) Seriously, we are just starting our church planting adventure and I already see so many areas in which I need discipline (the worst word in the dictionary). "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) Thanks for loving us me enough to share those hard word to hear.

"Great leaders are healthy."
"Christ has to work in me before He can work through me."
"If the only time I open my Bible is to study for a message, I've got a problem."
"Balance building great churches with building a great family."
"Self control is about getting under God's Control."
"People won't respect us as spiritual leaders if they don't see us as disciplined people."
"Discipline gives us authority."

Thanks Shawn, I have already started journaling my daily Bible reading, but after your message, I am going to start journaling my prayers too! Roll Tide!!!

 

Devin Hudson, thank you for reminding me to trust in The Gospel. Devin has left the religious south to go to SIN CITY. He has seen more "stuff" in a little over two years than we will ever encounter in Florence, SC. Already in ministry, we I have gotten caught up in all the "business" of church planting... Devin reminded us to trust in The Gospel. Music, methodologies, dress code, and meeting locations do not change people...THE GOSPEL changes people! It is not about us and what we can do... it is about what God can do.

"To make it about us, empties the Cross of it's power"

Do I trust the Gospel?
Do I trust the Gospel for my people?
Do I trust the Gospel in my culture?

"Am I keeping my bar as low as Jesus."
"Only the Gospel changes lives."
"I am careful what I criticize, the Gospel is larger than my preferences."

He left us with this question concerning guests of our churches... "What do people think they must DO to be a follower of Jesus?"

 

Steven Furtick, Man... I really wish you would learn how to preach... (JUST KIDDING!!) Today was the first time I ever heard him in person. WOW sums it up! He challenged us me to become an audacious (marked by originality) leader.

"Courageous leadership is not a product of cut and paste. It must be born from inside out."

Steven shared from Joshua 10 where Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still. It is funny to think about what he said next "what if Joshua would have said... I will pray for a miracle like Moses did and maybe God will part the land like He did the sea." Joshua prayed for a new miracle. His own... Joshua was not to copy Moses... He was to be the leader God called him to be!

"Don't mix and match miracles, let God do His own in you."
"Don't build a Mr. Potato Head ministry." (in reference to taking different pieces from different churches)

Thanks Steven for inspiring me to dream big!

I met so many people today. It was truly an awesome experience I will never forget.

Congrats to Paul Peterson for advancing to the next round of the Guitar Hero contest! Now if I can just get Jay Hardwick past the first round tomorrow... Sorry Chris, I gotta root for Jay!

I can hardly wait to see how God will bless tomorrow!

Watch out Cumming, GA! The Reeders have landed!

The rain, darkness, and my eyes did not make a great combination, but through God's grace we made it...

Now... time for some grub. Longhorn is calling our names...

Man what a week... the next 4 will be like drinking water from a fire hose... so, please forgive me if my blogging declines... I will try and share what God is doing as much as I can...

Without further a' do,

• Evolve: That is the conference Susanne and I get to attend Monday & Tuesday! I get to hopefully meet Shawn, Paul, J.R., & Mark. If you are reading this blog and planning on being there, please leave me a comment and then memorize the pretty face to the right so you can say hey in Cumming, GA.
• Inadequate: Jeff Kapusta shared a little challenge with his comments about Moses. Moses wonders who will go with him... God says... "I'll go with you" Isn't that awesome. Then Moses states "For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” So to steal Jeff's words... What sets you apart? Thanks Jeff!
• SEX: Pastor Paul Wirth of The Relevant Church put a challenge to his congregation... (here are a few quotes about the challenge)
  "Single men and women can't have sex for 30 days, and married couples are urged to have it every day."
  "If you look at studies, studies say in 30 days you can develop a habit"
  "Our married people are far more fearful than our single people"
• MEN: Men really make a difference. So many guys fall short when it comes to being the MAN God intended them to be. Am I perfect?... NO, but I strive to be the best I can. As Rindy & Paul point out, men can truly impact others, especially children, if they will simply step up to the plate. Don't be afraid to spend time with the children in your life... whether they are yours, or not... Children are our now!!!
• WOMAN: I would have to agree with Steven's thoughts... Susanne (my wife) is my Chief Advisor. She is my best friend, guidance councilor, sounding board, reality check, grammar teacher, and has agreed to the 30 day challenge (ok... I made that one up). She truly is my #2 (Jesus is my #1) and the best thing to ever happen to me! I could not imagine doing life with anyone else! I love you, Susanne!!!

I just found out that the greatest show on TV will not be back till Fall 2008.

No, not The Best of America's Funniest Videos (though my kids would like that)...

Heroes!

According to Entertainment Weekly:

HEROES (NBC)
RETURNS: Fall 2008
EPISODES TO AIR: 22+
INSIDE SCOOP: Heroes plans to resume production in April; extra episodes could air next season.
STORY FOCUS: super villains on the loose!

Guess I will keep watching my Heroes - Season One DVDs...

Some weird Internet searches that brought people to my site:

• boobies (man... I love my son!)
• drop it like its hot church vision (ha)
• chris reeder (duh...)
• andy stanley republican (is he?)
• church norris approved (sure am glad!)
• teens in pink tutus (sick people!!!)
• susanne reeder (man, I love that woman!)
• check e cheese ride (someone must have been looking for sermon material on Hell)
• No Sacrifice, No victory quote (what a great movie)
• churches with singles groups in Florence, SC (wow... ministry opportunity)
• Youth Aren't Sticking with the Church (hum...)
• guitar hero florence, sc (now that is what I am talking about!)

It is neat to take a look at how people end up at your site... And these are just since January 1st, 2008!

• Mike Thompson challenged me with this:
  "Ask yourself some questions, "Who created you?" "Who offers you salvation?" "What did it cost God to provide you with freedom?" "Who has the right to run your life?"
  As you moved through those questions did you get the idea that God created you, redeemed you, and knows what is best for you? If that is the case then why do we have such a hard time trusting in His plan for our lives? "
• Rindy Walton and Habakkuk encouraged me with this:
  In the NLT: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (Hab 3:19)
  "Faith in God is the rock on which we stand. God will give us strength and an underlying sense of peace regardless of circumstances. "
• Chris Elrod provided guidance with this:
  (Marks of Success)
• Was I a Godly husband?
• Was the Word of God preached without compromise every time I stepped into the pulpit?
• Did I get to experience someone come to Christ for the first time?
• Did I get to baptize someone?
• Did I see total life change in someone?
• Did I help someone start the discipleship process?
• Did I watch someone develop into a Christian leader?
• Did I see more people commit to the calling of Compass Point Revolution Church than the year before?
• Jonathan Everette shows how to have true success with this:
  "I just had a thought... If we plant a church and it grows big and is the envy of every church planter around, but it's not what God had in mind then I have not been successful. The same could be said of whatever you do with your life. I want to be successful because I was obedient to what God has called me to do. "
• Perry Noble shared what it would be like to take the church backwards (way backwards) with this:
  “What is it about the first three hundred years of the church that made it so powerful?”
• Passion for Jesus
• They were non-religious
• Strong Community
• Urgency
• Anticipation
• A Recognition and respect of leadership
• Involvement
• Willingness to be persecuted
• They saw things happen
• They taught truth
• Todd Miller hit a home run with this:
  "One cannot be a leader for Christ unless you are actively, regularly, and consistently learning and engaging yourself with God. Unless you are seeking the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide your every word and action, you cannot be a leader for Christ. Because, unless you are doing those things, you are working and trying to lead from your own personal agenda, and not from God's agenda. You can't be a Christ-centered leader unless you have totally surrendered your own agenda in favor of His."

I know... I know... I can count! I know that was six...

I started reading unChristian the other day... It really is a great book and has done an excellent job to keep my attention and is full of enlightening  information...

But, sometimes we have to change.

Thanks to Vince Antonucci, I have re-prioritized my reading list:

I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion has now moved into the top spot.

Vince was gracious enough to send me a copy of his book which arrived in the mail today. (Thanks Vince!!!) I am putting the kids to bed in just a few minutes and then plan to get started reading it.

I am sure I will be sharing more on it soon...

 

Please keep me and Susanne in your prayers tomorrow (Feb 7th) around 2:00 PM. We have a very important meeting in Columbia. Thanks for those that have already emailed us to let us know they have and will be praying for us.

 

FYI: If you read my blog, live close to Florence SC, and would like to borrow any book I have mentioned on my blog, just let me know. You are more than welcome to borrow any of them. To see a list of the books we own, you can visit our online store. Once you are there, you can click on the link for 5Reeder's Book Collection. That will show you books we own. I am still trying to get them all entered.

Do you hear the old George Michael's song... "Ya gotta have faith.. faith.. faith..."

Some of you are to young to remember that... so never mind...

When God called me to plant Revolution Church, I was scared out of my mind! Really...

I know what you are thinking right now:

"You gotta have faith Chris, God is always faithful."

For the record, I agree. For all of you that have been in my shoes and are currently traveling down a similar path of planting a church... You can feel me when I say this...

I am sure you have probably heard this before...

The analogy goes... You have a chair, and you tell people it will hold you if you stand on it. But until YOU actually stand on it, they are not going to believe you because you are not putting feet to your faith.

As a church planter, sometimes our chair that we are standing in is much like the chair in the picture to the right. God himself has called us to stand in the chair telling us all the time to trust Him. We look at it and think... "God, there are so many missing pieces, are you sure it will hold? ...God, part of the foundation is missing, and the backing is not too strong either".

God assures us that His Vision will not fall nor fail. We, like Peter, sometimes get distracted by the natural. Peter was WALKING ON WATER!!! (Matt. 14:29) He was totally focused on Jesus! It never dawned on him that he was doing something supernatural. It wasn't until he began to realize that what he was doing was not humanly possible that he started to sink. 

We may not have all the answers, pieces may be missing, but we have to trust in the Carpenter that constructed the vision. We have to have the faith to step on the chair and focus on The One that planted that Vision for Florence, SC.  In His way, and in His time, the pieces will come together.  He is calling us to step out on FAITH!

As I am typing this... I am trying come to grips with the fact that I may, indeed be a blasphemer. I have really been struggling for quite some time now...

It all started when Susanne and I went to Greenville for our get away to work on our church planter's application. I had an experience like I had never had before. Since then, I have had similar experiences... each time... there was a wow factor!

This can not be so... I realize that I am breaking ranks with the majority of church planters and other pastors out there! I might need to talk with someone about it... I am seriously getting worried about this!

Dunkin' Donuts Coffee is better than Starbucks!!!

There!!! ...I said it!!!

I love their coffee. I am a plain-jane, "give it to me black", coffee drinker (get it honest from my dad!). I don't typically get fru-fru drinks nor do I spend much time in a Starbucks to get the full atmospheric experience... So...

Coffee vs Coffee...

Dunkin' Donuts is da' bomb!!!

 

Go ahead, call me a blasphemer if you must... Be sure to take a sip of your fru-fru before and after!!!

• Not that I need another book, but I really want I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion by Vince Antonucci. What an awesome book title! It's not like I don't already have tons of books that are just waiting to be read... Let's see... 332 Days till my birthday...
• Found a great quote over at Pudge Huckaby's blog:
  “The product of ONE person’s talent, ideas & ability will NEVER be as great as the product of one person who rallies & pools together the talents, ideas & abilities of MANY.”
• Did you know that only 21% of church goers actually read the church bulletin. That means almost 4 in 5 people will not!!! (thanks to ChurchMarketingSucks.com for the tid-bit) Here are a few other thoughts for church printing needs.
• I sure do love my wife! She took care of her baby (me) on Monday while sick! Being sick was most definitely not the highlight of my week. That was for the BIRDS!!!
• You would not believe the peace that has come over me about us naming Revolution Church. J. D. Greear had a great blog title that spoke volumes to me this week (adapted for us):

Is Hell afraid of what Revolution Church is going to do in Florence, SC?

 

BTW: Can you actually believe that picture? Reserved Parking for Church Members? Appears they are a little inward focused!!! (Thanks Shawn for the pic.)

We have been praying for months now for God to bless us with a name for our church plant. He has answered our prayers!

Revolution Church
Changing Hearts, Changing Lives, Changing the World

Revolution literally means: A total or radical change; as, a revolution in one's circumstances or way of living.

God has called us to plant a church; that is, to be missionaries to our culture. (video link)

We are called to reach the pre-Christians (to steal Jay's term). This is not going to be a church for the already churched to attend because they are not happy where they currently attend. We are on mission to impact the culture to show Christ to those that do not know Him.

Please add Revolution Church to your prayer list. We will share more in the weeks to come! ...Hang with us!!!

With all the buzz about our big announcement (and for the last time, Susanne IS NOT PREGNANT)... Susanne and I realized that we had never had a sit down with the two oldest kids to tell them about the church plant.

We feel at age 8 and 6, they are old enough to understand what is going on. It was truly an awesome family time where we explained that God has called our family to be missionaries to Florence, SC... Just like the ones that they learn about in R.A. and G.A. class. They were both so excited about it. (and a hint... they both were SOOOOOO excited about the big announcement...)

Emilee blessed me so much! She said "Dad, does that mean you are going to be a preacher?" I told her yes. She then told me with a gleam in her eyes and smile on her face... "Dad, you are going to be the best preacher in the world!"

Talk about melt your heart!!!

This morning was church (Men's Day). I enjoy hearing the testimony of men where Jesus Christ has ROCKED THEIR WORLD!!! Then Mike Blackmon shared a message on how the Holy Spirit is always there for us... to carry our baggage, just like a Porter does when boarding a train. Wow... Did I need to hear that!

We went to get Sam from Columbia and while there, decided to stop in a check out Dustin over at MidTown. We even participated in the Lord's Supper! Thanks Dustin for such a wonderful message... Even if it was the NyQuil talking! BTW: They have such a cool kid's area!!! My three young'uns did not want to leave! The amazing thing was, the teachers did not want them to leave either. Emilee had to hug several girls she met tonight before leaving!

It is 10:42 and fast approaching bed time... so to wrap up a wonderful weekend, I want to leave you with this...

I PROMISE!!! PROMISE!!! Tomorrow you can find out the big announcement right here at ChrisReeder.com.

I am reading another great book by Andy Stanley called Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication. I am getting close to completing it and wanted to share a few WOW statements!!!

• You can learn a lot from a truck driver named Will.
• ME, WE, GOD, YOU, WE (Read the book to learn what in the world that means...)
• "An audience has to buy into the messenger before they buy into the message. You know from your own experience that if there is something that bugs you about the communicator it's difficult to engage with their content. This is especially true if they don't seem genuine. A lack of genuineness makes it difficult to trust a speaker."
• "Before we stand to deliver a message we must OWN it."
• "I find something very disingenuous about the speaker who says, "This is very, very important," and then reads something from his notes."

I really enjoy reading Andy's books. Trying to decide between one of these books to read next... Any thoughts?

• Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits
• unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
• The Purpose-Driven Church by Rick Warren
• Making Vision Stick (Leadership Library) by Andy Stanley
• Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller

Which book should be my next book for a very early in planning Church Planter? If you have a great list or recommendation, please share. I want to learn and get the most BANG for my time reading!

I really wish there were more good books on CD/Tape!!!