Our staff is reading Deep & Wide, the amazing book by Andy Stanley. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE! It is an important read for anyone who cares about the future of the church.

It's hard to choose quotes from this book because I soon realized I was underlining about 90% of everything in it. But, today, this part stuck out to me.

I grew up around people who believed the church was for saved people who ACTED like saved people. I'm all too familiar with that church brand. The catch was that they were the ones who decided what act like a saved person meant. They got to determine which sins saved people could commit and which ones were evidence of being UNsaved. Oddly enough, the lists changed every few years. Worse, the lists never coincided with any of the sin lists in the New Testament. ..... SO, those who were actually "tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt fightings and fears within, without" didn't feel free to talk about their fightings and fears in those churches. Instead, they covered everything up. Which, of course, made everything worse. Covering up may keep the person in the good graces of the church, but it only fuels the power of whatever sin one is covering up. Churches designed for SAVED people are full of hypocrites.You pretty much have to be a hypocrite to aprticipate. Transparency and honesty are dangerous in a church created for church people. Consequently, the casualty in a church for church people is grace. It's hard to extend grace to people who don't seem to need it. And it's hard to admit you need it when you aren't sure you'll receive it.

Go to Amazon and order this book! Do it!!

Highland at Grace

Last night marked the kick-off to our new Highland Sunday service at our Grace Fellowship campus. We've been working and planning for weeks and were so pleased with the opening night. Earlier this semester, the leadership at Highland gave the green light to move to one service at our main campus and add a service at the Grace campus. The Grace campus would include instrumental worship, the same sermon that Jonathan preached on Sunday morning and communion.

It was a special and holy moment for me. The Grace Fellowship campus was formerly the Central Church of Christ where my great grandmother and great aunt went to church many years ago. As I sat listening to Jonathan speak last night, it occurred to me that I was sitting on the same row I sat in for my great grandmother's funeral when I was just a little boy. I wonder what she would have thought last night. Would she have marveled at the amount of people there? Would she have stroked out to see the instruments on stage? Would she have loved the singing, so loud it could have lifted the rafters?

Last night was just incredible. The energy and excitement in the room were palpable. It almost felt like a herd of wild horses waiting behind a gate and then being released. Once the music kicked in and the first song began, the singing was almost deafening. There were beautiful expressions of worship happening all over that room through the evening as people sang and prayed and went to communion stations to partake with their friends and families...and others they'd never met.

I'm so grateful to an amazing team of people who helped us pull off this beginning. Alex Howard is a beast! What a heart! He leads with such courage and boldness before the Lord. Thank you, Alex! Thank you to Amy Sheasby (who also played keys), Trey Wrape and Christine Pinson for the incredible vocals. Thank you to the band--Amy, Nathan Sheasby, Matt Roberson, and Claire Warlick. You all lead us with grace, skill and heart!

Thank you to Matt Pinson and Jim Etheridge who put in countless hours of time. Thanks to Dickie Porche, Virgil (our homeless friend who helps regularly at Grace), and Ben Strizu for getting us to this day.

Here are some pics and video of set up, rehearsal and then of our first service.

Communion Stations were set up all over the room

Jack Pinson and Virgil played cards to pass the time while the band rehearsed

Matt Pinson and Mike Wiggins did an awesome job on the chalk sign in the lobby!

Into the Glorious

I am officially obsessed with Christy Nockels's newest record called "Into The Glorious". Christy was one of our worship leaders at Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville. She now lives in Atlanta and serves on staff at Passion City Church with Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Matt Redman, and others. Ridiculous. :)

Run, don't walk, to iTunes or your local bookstore and buy this record. Christy is completely anointed. And I do NOT throw that term around lightly. Something happens in my heart when she sings and leads worship. Some of my most significant worship experiences have been under her leadership.

If you wanted a couple of suggestions for downloads today, go to iTunes and download "Healing Is In Your Hands". Be sure to get the version that is on "Into the Glorious". Oh my goodness. Thank me later.

If you want one more...download "Wonderful" off that same album. Another one of my favorites. I've led both of these in worship times with the piano lately and they just naturally lead into a powerful time of ministry. I'm jonesing for a good a cappella arrangement of both of them! :) Maybe ZOE needs to do one?

Scarred Faith by Josh Ross

Many of you will remember a few years ago when my friends Joshua Louis Ross, Jonathan Ross, Beverly Ross lost their sister/daughter Jenny. What a gut wrenching experience that was. But just like the Ross family...they have taken their hurts and disappointments and used them to go deeper into Jesus and to help us to as well. My brother, Josh, has a book coming out this May that tells part of that story. There aren't many people I love more in the world. I encourage you to pre-order this. It will bless you deeply.

Go HERE for more information

In The Beginning....

I believe one of the ways we get closest to God and to understanding God is by imitating Him. In the beginning, God breathed life into existence. When we speak life and encouragement into hearts, we're imitating Him. Some people are dark clouds and life suckers. They see life through a critical and negative lens. Others are life-givers. The Spirit in them speaks life and peace and encouragement into people. I can't imagine a better quality to have. That’s what I want to do.

Who will you be today?

Finally! Something That Makes Sense!

I read this article today after a friend from Highland posted it on Facebook. As I read it, I felt my heart just about to burst with excitement. This right here is gospel. There was a lot of fighting over whether or not to eat a chicken sandwich a few months ago. It was polarizing. Finally....something that seemed so impossible begins to find the Light. I love Dan for this...and I appreciate Shane for opening his heart to Dan. We have a lot to learn from these men. What if churches responded more like this?
read here

I pray that God will break down walls and that the Spirit would fill us up with His perspective as we all try hard to love each other. Be encouraged, blog family!

Save the Date! ZOE Worship Conference 2013

We are pleased to announce that the 2013 ZOE Worship Conference will be October 25-27 in Nashville, TN at the Otter Creek Church! This year we will be focusing on the season of Advent.

Christmas--the happiest time of the year? Often we feel pressure to feel that way based on the way the media and movies portray the holidays. However, Advent teaches us what "God with us" really means. Advent is about waiting...waiting on the Lord, watching for Him, believing in Him...even when He is silent. Advent celebrates the absolute truth that God is faithful and that His steadfast love is present, even in difficult times, to bring a deep peace unlike anything we've ever experienced. Come join us as we celebrate Emanuel, God with us.

More information on the conference will be released in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email Kim at kim@zoegroup.org.