Archive for the 'Church Planting' Category

A Week in the Life of a Church Planter - Preview

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 15 September 2008
in Church Planting, InDependence Church and My Life
. 0 Comments

So my time management skills aren’t the best and my priorities are somewhat screwed up, so I am going to document my schedule this week. This may be boring to some of you but hey this is my blog.  

I don’t do journaling beyond this very well, even though I am doing some as a part of the New Testament Challenge. So I am going to use this format to document my time this week and see how effective I am at aligning my priorities with my actions. 

We learned in the NTC (The Challenge of Radical Love – audio here) that love is a choice that you make through the actions you take. So I want to figure out if I really am showing love in the areas that I know I should. If not I will need to evaluate and come up with a new strategy. 

I have established some goals with my family and some parameters to work inside of as it relates to church. I want, and need, to make these work for my spiritual, physical, emotional and relational health. I’m not going to do that whole 6 minute or even 15 minute thing but I am going to document as much as possible (within reason) and commentate on a few. 

For you future church planters this may give some insight into what you have to look forward to. For existing ones, or experienced ones, you may find that you are not alone or be able to offer insight on how to do it better. 

So starting tomorrow I will be listing the time spent in different tasks. I will start the clock at 12:01am, Monday morning. I multi-task fairly well so at certain points you may find things happening at the same time.

So if this doesn’t intrigue you, just come back and visit this site after 09.22.08. Being that I have recently learned how to imbed YouTube videos I will never be short of content again.

Purpose Driven has a Price

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 26 August 2008
in Church Planting, InDependence Church, My Life, My Wife, Parenting and Random Ramblings
. 1 Comment

At breakfast this morning with my buddy Carl we were discussing some of our challenges. This time could easily turn into a one up or simply a complain session. (you thought I was going to say something else but I am working out my salvation) To this point we have been successful in making it an opportunity to encourage one another and offer feedback. 

This morning I was telling him about my desire to establish some priorities and boundaries between ministry and life. I know some really “holy” people just said there is no difference; God has called you to be a pastor, so it is your life. No, it is only a piece… God has called me to be a man, a husband, a father, a friend, a witness, an employee, and a pastor so it is up to me to establish the priorities of these things and establish boundaries.

I have always been aware of the time vacuum that is ministry. I grew up with it and have vowed hundreds of times not to loose site of my priorities. Well, seemingly no matter how conscious I am or how hard I have tried I am missing the mark. God has a way of reminding us of where we are falling short. Sometimes they are subtle redirections and other times they hurt like a dull knife cutting out your heart.

So, I used the word Purpose Driven because that is one of the church planting models that includes the “launching large” concept. Obviously there are others, but I want to share today a price to “launching large” (especially if you don’t make it). The Bible talks about counting your costs and this was one that I didn’t consider and maybe you haven’t either so let me help you learn this so you might not have to pay the same price. Continue reading ‘Purpose Driven has a Price’

Survey says (1 of many)

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 15 August 2008
in Church Planting and InDependence Church
. 0 Comments

I am getting some great feed back from the survey we put out. There are a lot of encouraging things, some surprises, and confirmation that some of the changes that we are working on are needed.  

I am keeping a close eye on a few of them and one specifically is the ranking of factors for deciding to attend InDependence. “Worship style” and “casual atmosphere” were on quite a few peoples top three. Location was an important part as well. I am hoping for a few more “sounded like a cool place” people because my mom always said I was cool and I want to plant a cool church. But I guess core values and beliefs are important too and many of you agreed.

If you haven’t taken our little survey yet please take a look in your e-mail inbox because even though it is anonymous I would like to track how many people from our e-mail list took the 10 minutes to take it.   

I will post our findings in the next couple of weeks and once we have exhausted our efforts to get information from the people who have a personal relationship with InDependence, I will open it up to public view via this blog and our website.

6 months In review

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 12 August 2008
in Church Planting and InDependence Church
. 3 Comments

I am getting ready to celebrate 6 official months at InDependence. We launched on January 20th of this year. God has enabled us to do some incredible things and we have learned some valuable lessons along the way. So today I heard the audible voice of the Lord and it sounded a lot like a church planter friend of mine that suggested I do an e-mail survey.

I had heard of people doing church surveys and being blown away by the information that they received. I found some good examples to work from here and I plan to put an InDependence twist on it. We are in the people business… more specifically people’s soul business so the thought of asking the people that your ministry has reached their opinion, seemed like a no-brainer.

To be quite honest I needed some reminders that we are being effective.  I was looking here and was encouraged because God really has kept us on a faster learning curve. But I don’t want to be just average, or even above average, I want to our ministry to be exceptionable.

I have been somewhat disappointed by the numbers of new life commitments that we have seen at InDependence because that is really what it is about. I know that we have helped to facilitate renewals and recommitments but I am praying for some flat out radical life changes. The ones where people say I can’t believe that so and so just gave their lives to Christ. We didn’t advertise here and with this on Y100 because we wanted somebody’s disgruntled church members.

So we are going to figure out what we are doing right, and we will take it as a pat on the back. We are also going to figure out how we can improve inside of the vision that God has given us and fix what is wrong. I want to reach our community and introduce them to Jesus Christ and if that causes a blow to my ego, so be it. So if you are on our e-mail list be looking for the survey and please take it. If you want to be on our list go here.

www.___________________.org

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 11 July 2008
in Church Planting, InDependence Church and My Life
. 0 Comments

I purchased a new domain name today for a little project my family is taking on. We got a little sidetracked this last week but we are back on course and moving forward. This project ties right into the series we are in at InDependence. 

We are getting ready for week two of the “I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” series. This series is basically about us as Christians no longer reading or hearing about somebody else’s exciting journey and settling for a souvenir t-shirt. For more information on the book it is based on click here. 

This project is certainly going to be an exciting journey for us. It is going to involve faith, risk, and even a little danger. (Written with my best Australian accent) I am sure there will be moments were it seems impossible. I am sure there will be moments of joy. I am sure that this little project will probably feel a little like the emotional roller coaster ride that accompanies planting a church. 

Can’t wait to share more but for the next month or so you will just have to anticipate hearing about the ridiculous thing God is asking us to do.

A monkey on a tricycle…

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 1 July 2008
in Church Planting, City of Weston Florida and InDependence Church
. 2 Comments

I’m a little disappointed because the skate team I had lined up to escort us in the 4th of July parade backed out today (3 days before the event). I hate that I had talked it up and had people excited about it and now I have to let them down. The good news is that I only told the people at InDependence who hopefully love me enough to forgive me. 

So if anybody has any connections to anything like that please let me know. A monkey on a tricycle would be good or even a clown (maybe not since my wife is freaked out by them). We even had a little money set aside to bless this ministry so we can buy lots of bananas if needed.

Would the Real Pastor Please Stand Up

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 3 June 2008
in Church Planting and My Life
. 5 Comments

I didn’t get accepted into Nelson Searcy’s Coaching Network which started last week. Why bring it up now? Well because I am bitter and angry and have been too upset to write about it up to this point. I am just kidding. I had a conversation this morning with breakfast buddy Carl and he asked me this question which made me think about it. “Who is my Pastor?” 

I was glad that he didn’t have a very good answer either but it did get me to thinking. Obviously I think having a Pastor is petty important or I wouldn’t be one but doesn’t every Pastor need a Pastor too?

There are some people who could fill that role in my life. My dad has been my Pastor in the past and filled the role of priest of his house but I really want my dad to be dad first and pastor second. His prayers, support and encouragement mean more to me coming from him as dad than they would coming from him as Pastor.

There have been other guys throughout my life that I have considered to be my Pastor but who would be the individual I would call if I was in some real personal trouble today. Professionally I have some accountability people to go to at the denominational level but if I get one “Pastor Call”, who is that man or women? 

I have individuals that if I called I believe would respond but this question has really clouded my mind as to what a Pastor is to me. I decided that somebody to call to “bail me out” of issues isn’t really what I look for in a Pastor. Even if they came to the rescue I don’t know if they would make them my Pastor.

At this point in my young ministerial career I need a Pastor to affirm me. To offer up encouragement, not only when I am in the valley but when I am on the mountain. Somebody that would give me advice and wise council if asked but would also take the initiative to offer it even if not asked. I need a Pastor who cares enough to tell me the truth even when it hurts.  

So I find myself defining the role of a Pastor for me. I know a pretty selfish move… I wonder what a Pastor looks like to you. Being that I am one, I think, I would love to hear what you look for and expect.

My Mistress

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 22 April 2008
in Church Planting, City of Weston Florida, InDependence Church and My Life
. 2 Comments

Well it is midnight on a Monday night and you may be wondering why in the world I would be blogging… especially considering that I am desperately missing my mistress… sleep. I haven’t seen much of her lately but tonight I need to push off her tempting warm comforter and soft fluffy pillow for just a few more minutes.

I almost titled this blog Winds of Change because they are blowing here at InDependence, again. Just one of many rapidly occurring events that seem to be happening so quickly, yet so slowly all at the same time, that are shaping our ministry before our eyes. The vision is unfolding and just saying “are you on board?”

I am blogging tonight for me. No I am not playing hard to get (with my mistress), but I just needed to put some of thoughts down for my own therapeutic gain. I am doing some soul searching tonight on a few decisions and I was discussing them with my wife but she fell asleep on me mid sentence. I couldn’t believe it either, but rest assured I now have ammunition for our next lack of communication discussion.

Don’t worry I will be merciful because of what I did to her on Sunday morning. God continues to blow me away and provide us with some new opportunities. I just can’t believe it how His plan works in spite of me. The opportunities seem to come at moments when you don’t seem to have the means available to accept them. In my childish mind I just visualize God saying “I dare you, no I double dog dare you to trust me.” I dare you to stay one step in front of the reality check that says, “How can we do this?”

God’s great sense of humor at play… I linked to the recorded sermon I preached a year ago at Life Pointe and in the message I said “If we will come up with the WHAT God always provides the HOW”. Well Pastor Nathan Griffis, 31 year old church planter, founder of InDependence Church are you going to practice what you preach? Will you live in your current reality or will you leap out of the proverbial plane you referred to in the above referenced message?

Well God… for a decision this big I am asking for conformation in my spirit because I know where my head is at on this. If You will provide that to me, because You love me and wired me with this analytical brain that evaluates everything way too much and is up at 12:30am now still thinking about it, I will continue to run just as hard and fast as I can toward complete Dependence. (Yes honey I know that is a run-on and on sentence but it is late or early or something) I will do my best to remember that You are God and that You have made promises to me. You have not only placed your word in my heart but You have placed a drive to grow Your Kingdom here in Weston.

So I thank You in advance for Your confirmation and I am looking forward to seeing provision and direction in this situation. Great, so now I blogged about it and have a new found peace in the situation, now I am all excited and won’t be able to spend time with my mistress. Sorry I can’t tell you about the potential ministry altering decision yet but I would appreciate your prayers and if you lose some sleep over it with me I would appreciate that. Okay, so that was a selfish request but I can’t lie to you given our next series, “The Moment of Truth”.

Best Sunday Ever…

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 21 April 2008
in Church Planting, InDependence Church and My Life
. 0 Comments

So I am going on record as saying that yesterday was the best service that we have had so far. It wasn’t our biggest crowd and included some challenges like figuring out that I need to buy a battery charger for our trailer because after just three weeks of using the electric brakes the battery is done, but still the best so far. 

I hate when Pastor’s say this every week (so I try not to) but I had a great time delivering what has commonly been considered the most challenging of messages. We closed out our Elephant in the Church Series with The Greedy Elephant – Stewardship. As you read this I am sure that you think we just talked about money. Well we did talk about possessions but we also talked about stewardship of self, time, talent and family.  

Being that we are a church plant who invested much of its outside support in some great equipment form Church on Wheels and marketing, we have been doing our best to make ends meet week to week on our own. Some (certainly not all or even enough) church plants that I have read about continue to receive outside support for a period of 2-3 years after they are launched. Even though we do continue to receive some outside support (and are continuing to try to raise more) we are fighting to survive on our own.  

So in order to raise the comfort level of people who give to our ministry or are debating about giving to our ministry (time, talent and resources) we opened up the books for the congregation to see. Instead of making it feel like a business meeting we allowed people to text message questions (ala Mark Driscoll) regarding our finances and vision.  

We went a little longer than I had anticipated and I thought our Children’s Pastor (my wife) was going to kill me for having a 2hr service when we are normally 1.25hrs. So thank you to the guy selling flowers at the corner of Flamingo & Griffin for helping me out. But we got through about 15 questions of varying difficulty and only missed a couple like, “Does InDependence have a world vision?” and “Are considering sponsoring missions trips in the future?” The answers to both of those are yes.  If you weren’t able to make it this weekend we may actually make this the first message we post online. We have the recording end down but we have a little work on the web end. So it may take us while to get the messages we are recording online but we hope to accomplish that very soon. I was impressed by the questions that came flowing in and the energy in the room was great. My intention was not to guilt anybody into giving. First of all I am not that good at it and I really don’t want to be. I don’t believe that guilt should be people’s motivations. Maybe if InDependence falls on its financial face I will think differently, but I doubt it.  I wanted people to be motivated to be Biblical stewards in all the above listed areas because they love Jesus and the word of God lays it out for them. Imagine that trying to promote people being “cheerful givers” not “guilty givers.” 

Any time you throw out the “G” word – give and the “T” word – tithe you can expect some level of discomfort, especially if you are not putting it in a “prosperity” package. (Which I didn’t) Even though we had quite a few first time guests the Holy Spirit made it easy to tell the truth about giving ourselves and the stuff God has let us borrow.

6 Days till Sunday

Published
by
Nathan Griffis
on 7 April 2008
in Church Planting
. 0 Comments

So I don’t write a whole lot of blogs directed just too church planters, but here is one. I recently had a friend of mine (a fellow church planter) tell me that the day after he preaches he has to stay busy or he gets into a funk. We discussed how rock starts have this post performance thing also but often times they just mask it with drugs, alcohol and women. I am excited to say that he isn’t going that route. Even though I go through something, I don’t feel depressed like he does. If anything I am relieved that it is over because we made it through another week. So far we have done that without any serious meltdowns. I think the week before last was actually the first time (other than my mouth getting in the way of my thoughts) that we had much of a glitch at all. Considering all of the potential issues we could have… a power bar kicking off and needing to be reset which caused the loss of stage lighting and one projector wasn’t that bad. I know that a lot of people struggle to get in gear on Monday mornings but it seems like the last few weeks it has been getting harder and harder. Maybe it has to do with us being portable and participating in a full body aerobic workout before and after service; but today I am just mentally and physically exhausted. For the past 13 weeks I have worked 7 days a week and I don’t even know how many hours. Don’t feel sorry for me because I am guilty of taking this on. But I just wanted to share what I am learning. There is always 6 days or less till Sunday. I have read a lot of books talking about the value of monthly preview services to get you into the swing of things. I am a huge advocate of those but transitioning from 30 days between services down to 6 is a big transition. I don’t know the answer maybe it is reducing the time between previews as you go along but regardless get ready Sundays come quick.  

I heard a story about a kid’s basketball team recently where one of the kids was bigger and in basketball in the early years size plays a big factor as kids develop their skill. The children’s parents told their son to hold on to the ball and don’t pass it if you want to win. I am almost sad to say that the team did win and there are certain times when holding onto the rock can bring success. What I have found over 13 weeks of holding too many rocks is that they get heavy. I have done my best to give people the assist but here is my challenge. I am not afraid that people can’t handle the rock. God has given us some incredibly talented people who in many cases are more talented than I am. My fear has been that they will get tired of carrying the mail, tired of taking it to the hole, and any other basketball analogy you can think of regarding the effort of it takes to get the ball through the goal. Being portable and being a new church we use a lot of people for set-up and tear down in addition to normal church duties like hospitality. So we multi-task plain and simple… For a month or so I have been tracking our volunteer percentage and it has been over 40% of total attendance (including kids) every week so that is pretty good. Still we have a lot of people doing multiple jobs and even though I have had people say “we’ll do whatever” I have tried to utilize their gifts, talents and passions to get the most effectiveness. I learned that managing in the business world but I am not sure it is the best governing tool in a young church plant. So…This past week I have started dishing more rocks. I am trying to utilize talents and passions where I can and then everywhere else I am trying to find levels of commitment. I don’t want to burn people out and that is not my intention. I am challenging people to get more involved and at the same time I am challenging them to work their way out of a job by looking for additional volunteers. I don’t know if it is going to work but when we started going week to week I gave myself 6 months till complete exhaustion. I knew that God either had to provide us help or would have to increase my AQ (adversity quotient). The jury is still out on the 6 months, but I know there is only 6 days to Sunday.