Love our newest series we kicked off this past weekend. This series will be focused on different kinds of relationships. Everything from singleness, married, mentors/friendships, kids, community. This weekend we will also be giving everyone that comes to National Community Church Take It Home Experience Kits. Love these things, it is a great way to remember the different lessons and to take it home as tangible reminders and to make personal applications. This is really going to be an amazing series no matter what life stage that you are currently in or hope to someday to be.
Dr. Dick Foth really knocked one out of the park this past weekend to kick us off! Should be online soon at www.theaterchurch.com.
One of the biggest takeaways from this weekend 10th Annual National Community Church's Leadership Retreat "ALL IN", wasn't merely one idea, one principle or a key phrase that Pastor Mark, Pastor Heather or Pastor Joel said. It was more a quickening in my heart and spirit---that there is nothing like being in the center God's plan.
Yes, before you can be in the center of God's plan and on a greater scale, His wonderful favor---you must be willing to go ALL IN! What a great challenge and theme for all of us as leaders---to go ALL IN with everything. Not to leave it on the field.
From the time we stepped into the opening service on Friday, National Community Church leaders were challenged and pushed to put it ALL IN! We were asked what are we holding back from God...what are we keeping our back pocket. Here is the thing, as a church, we will not rest on the past blessings (we will give God thanks and praise for those amazing things.) But we are going to step up our game and point our spear towards where God is going to take us next, we will also continue to lay ourselves down before God and confess those things that stand in our way.
I think to many people quit too soon, they give up on what God has called them to, I also there has become sense of laziness and apathy in the Church. I also think too people go back to the familiar, the comfortable, and the past..and they don't want to embrace the mess of life and community. I am not pointing any fingers to anyone, please trust me on this. I am looking at a mirror first.
The most amazing moment for me is when the amazing Kingstowne leadership team of Ministry and Small Group leaders gathered around me to pray for me. For me it was a very intense time. It was also a time where, I was supposed to pray over NCC leaders and commission them to step in and go ALL IN to their roles as leaders.
The prayers of the amazing leaders I get to serve with, the leader where we get to pour out our blood, sweat and spit with at the Kingstowne location reminded me that I am right smack dab in the center of God's plans for my life. Despite the fact, I gotten emails or people have communicate in other fashion that there were either leaving NCC, going to head to another location or moving out of the area, It seems like a mass exodus, that it would make the most secure pastor, insecure...it would make the pastor who is certain in his calling to question whether he wants to continue on or quit all together. But it was those poignant prayers from the amazing leaders at Kingstowne, that confirmed to me that there is NOTHING LIKE BEING IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S PLANS and GOING ALL IN!
This was the theme worship song from this weekend...This song is resonated within my heart even as I reflect on this past weekend.
Are you willing to GO ALL IN? Are you willing to give EVERYTHING? What are you holding back from God? Are you running back to the safe places, the familiar or the comfortable? Or are you allowing God to challenge you to be a part of a community that is messy, moving forward, and willing to push everything in the center and GO ALL IN?
National Community Church is not a perfect church, if you are looking for a perfect church---GOOD LUCK---there is NOT ONE! But National Community Church is a great church filled with gifted communicators, awesome leaders, people who give their all each and every weekend. A church that isn't lazy but always moving forward and pushing ourselves.
As I sit here at this moment looking at my awesome little boy, he is only 2 years old, but he growing so quickly. I wrestle with the thought of how I do portray who I am to this gift, this blessing that God has entrusted to me. I know God wants me steward the time I have with Torin, in a way that will bring God the glory and honor.
I also know that I want Torin to live out his destiny for his life according the plans and purposes that God has set out for him. I have no clue what that is right now! But as he grows older, I want to the father who will enable him to develop those gifts and talents for Kingdom purposes. I also want to give him opportunities to serve God and serve others in those capacities where he can grow in those gifts and ultimately use those things to live out that God given destiny.
I see Torin more than just being my son, I see him as a gift and blessing, I see him as child of God, I see him as a part of my spiritual legacy and heritage that will be passed on to future generations.
I never want to miss opportunities with him, I am looking forward to taking him on missions trip, to have serve with me in our community, to lead out in prayer at church, who know to play on the worship team at church, to step out and share his faith with others. I also never want to lose my voice in his life as the main person to disciple him, to help him grow in knowledge of his faith and to simply be present for him.
In my opinion, Lora and Torin are the greatest ministry I have...if I lose them, I lose my ministry to others. I am Christ follower first and foremost, but right behind that I am husband and a father...I am a priest to my home, I am reflection the Bidegroom and the Heavenly father to my wife and son, before I am a pastor to others.
Here is what I am getting at...PRIORITIES! DEDICATION! COMMITMENT! COVENANT! CALLING! The all go hand in hand, I can't separate these things out. I am called by God! I am not called by man! Yes I do believe man can affirm that calling...however I think you can disqualify yourself from the race, the calling! My focus and dedication is not being a pastor or a husband, or a father or son...my focus and dedication to Christ and HIS CALLING on my life! My commitment is to Him and the Covenant that He has made through blood. Everything circles around that...that is the ONE thing that center and foundation of my life and who I am as a person.
With that said, my dedication, commitment and calling is to my wife and son before anyone else...I made a vow to my wife in the sight of God and witnesses...that I would lead her as my priority to the foundation, to center of my life which is Christ. I need to be a reflection of Christ by imitating Him. Ephesians 5 is my theme more now than ever before!
To bring this full circle, Lora and I made a choice to allow God to bless with an amazing little boy...I can not take for granted what I have been entrusted with so this is why I renewed myself with deep conviction to be present for Torin, to invest in him, to imitate Christ for him...that I am called as a father to my son before I am called as a pastor.
The question I ask myself constantly, how will people I shepherd (I don't take that lightly I believe that is a High Calling to be a shepherd to men and women, it is a huge responsibility) view me if I don't shepherd my family well? Deep conviction and core value in my life, I will never sacrifice my family on the altar of ministry...because they are my first ministry. That may cost me, but it will not cost the most important thing...my family! It will not cost me my calling which I receive from God.
One final thought, I do hope and pray that as I lead my family well will be reflected in how I lead and shepherd my church "family", because God has giving me a deep capacity love those people He has called me to and those I am able to invest in.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS. WOULD ALSO LOVE TO GET PERSPECTIVE OTHER PASTORS.
(Okay, I figured I would try this as well---following the example and lead of my Lead Pastor Mark Batterson :-)
Anybody have two or three extra Super Bowl tickets?
Pastor Mark will preach for them. Pastor Mark will trade books for them. You name the terms! I will preach for them as well, but Pastor Mark is a better communicator. He also has four more books than I do, but I will buy and get his books autographed for you.
I have grown a die hard Steelers fan, my mom's side of the family are all from Pittsburgh, so I grew not only a Steelers fan, but a die hard Pirates and Penguins fan as well, the tri fecta of Pittsburgh sports teams. There is not a week that I am not wearing so kind of Pittsburgh article of clothing. I am passionate and loyal.
"Going to a Super Bowl is on my life goal list" - Pastor Mark Batterson, (it is definitely on my life goal list as well---I want to see my Steelers play in eighth Super Bowl!) So if I got the three tickets who would, I take? Pastor Mark Batterson and his son Josiah...if I got two, I would take the cheesehead on staff ---PM. :-)
You have not because you ask not.
(Pastor Mark, if you read this I hope you think this is funny. :-) )
Today, I had the honor and privilege to set and receive the best message that I have ever heard preached. It was out of Exodus 20---it was on the 10 Commandments---it was a part of the series Covenant! The Covenant of Boundaries and it was preached by Pastor Heather Zempel! Our Discipleship Pastor at National Community Church.
The message was packed full of Truth is was deep and it was brought in a way that it was fresh revelation and prophetic!
I can't believe I am a part of church that has some great communicators --- I think two of the best communicators in ministry. I also can't believe I get to serve alongside so many amazing men and women both on staff and on our ministry team at NCC Kingstowne.
When the podcast/webcast go up---you have to listen to it! I know I will listen to it again! Seriously, Heather rocked it out! To add on top of that, amazing worship from Will Wardlaw and the worship team at Kingstowne, the closing song was a great song to respond to the message to and it was the perfect song to drive home the message - Living For Your Glory by Tim Hughes
Thank you Pastor Heather for such a great and challenging message! Hopefully, it will be up soon here - http://theaterchurch.com/media check it out as soon as goes up.
National Community Church is a great church community and I am honored to be a part of it! What a huge blessing!
Because, I know personally how destructive pornography can be and how it does affect intimacy and the image guys have for women. I want to recommend three books. These three books will help in the rewiring process and are very practical.
Here is the thing, I know the same guys that complain about reading a book, something that can challenge them mentally will also spend hours looking on the internet for pornography. No benefit comes from spending time looking at pornography, but there are long term benefits to reading.
I want to encourage you and challenge you to read these three books: (Let me know if you want to do an online book discussion with any of these books.)
For discussion: What is about pornography that makes it so appealing to so many men? Why do you think pornography has such a destructive effect on people?
Many of us find we get stuck behind our own prison bars through addictions. Some of us are more prone to addictive behaviors than others. I, for one have to confess that I am one of those people. Both with very negative destructive addictions and very positive life transforming addiction.
We may one to separate the negative addictions from the positive habits and/or disciplines and that is fair. Whatever, the case might be we have to watch ourselves and not fall into those negative life altering patterns that have control over us.
What happens we get into these patterns that have control over us...we become imprisoned to those things. We are captive to these behaviors, patterns, addictions and habits. We no longer have control over them but they have control over us.
I have personally experienced this through many things on a negative level --- Pornography, drugs/alcohol, overspending and working. I have experienced this on a positive level, as well --- working out, reading, spiritual disciplines, and working. Yes I put working in both, because it is not necessarily a bad thing, until it takes precedent over other priorities.
To break free from the prison of those negative life controlling issues, those things that add no value in your life, things that can cause more shame and guilt instead of positive experiences you must program yourself. You need to rewire the hardware of your mind, heart, spirit and soul. You need to replace those negative habits and addictions with those things that are much more positive and things that can add value to your life.
I am the last person in the world to heap shame and guilt on you...I am also the last person to point the finger. I always point it at me first...I know my own weaknesses, I also know the destructive nature of these habits and addiction. And I also know how hard it is to break free from many of those things---many of these things are very controlling and they do affect other areas of your life.
In many ways, you are locked in to your prison cell wanting to break free and yet you find yourself back in the same place over and over again.
For many, many men...that PRISON is PORNOGRAPHY. This affect single and married men. It affects those who want to live out their faith with integrity and those who are far from the faith. It affects men who want to stop watching it and looking at it. Unfortunately, pornography is one of those things that want it gets its teeth into you it does not let go.
Men...seriously, if you are reading this, you MUST get HONEST about this with yourself. You must admit, that you have a problem. If you don't you are deceiving yourself and those around you...it is not like you can just stop. You have probably tried and it worked for a week, a few weeks, maybe a month...but then you find yourself in the same patterns...it is an addiction guys. Admit it!
Men...you need to drop the pride. Eventually, it will find you this will eventually come to light and be revealed. Get help! Get help now. Ask...talk to someone about, probably talk to another dude. Email me, I will keep everything confidential - chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com You can't do this alone! You can't! I will say it one more time...YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE! Guys admit you need help...get help! Drop the pride...you are already losing this fight and pornography has a grip on your life, your family and even you ministry. Think about your integrity and legacy beyond the right now. What is that worth to you? Is your integrity and legacy worth more than your foolish man-pride, is worth more than getting your daily fix?
Finally, you need to be rewired or rehabilitated to think differently. You need to do things differently. The MIND, the BODY, the SOUL, and the SPIRIT all works together! For those who are Christ followers who think that is so new age, is it? Seriously, think about it? Love the Lord your God with ALL of your heart, mind, strength and soul. God created us human beings with different as aspects. When one is out of balance, everything else is out of whack. You need to work on everything together.
I will continue my thoughts on the blog. But if you are a guy out there struggling...get help. Get help now. Email me...chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com
This year, we are following Joseph Kony to some of the most remote places in the world: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Sudan. Yeah, you heard right, for the first time Invisible Children is going into the battlefield to help protect and rehabilitate the most vulnerable of victims. It’s our most ambitious tour yet; the biggest we’ve ever done. We’re asking you to join us for every step of the way.
The Congo Tour—where we’ll be screening “Tony”—is coming to your town... or at least really close.
The NCC's A1:8 Congo Mission Team will be trying to set a screening of this movie at Ebenezers Coffeehouse, I will give you the details as soon as we get it booked.
This song is resonating within me, as I am sure it will many times before our team of 14 head to Eastern Congo, the South Kiva Region, a place called Uvira, Congo...
POINT OF DIFFERENCE
The tide is turning This is redemption's hour In the midst of the world lost for love You are all we have now
The lost returning Salvation is all around In the midst of the world broken down You are all we have now
For You are God and this hope is ours
So Father open the skies Flood the Earth with your light This is love, to break a world indifferent
Sing
Our hearts are burning The fire that won't burn out In the midst of a world that's grown cold You are all we have now
The earth resounding The anthem of your renown As we lift up our eyes And look to your glory
Call us out let the world see You are God and this hope is ours
So call us out, let the world see You are God as we sing
Open the skies Flood the Earth with your light This is love to break a world indifferent As we lift up our eyes Fill our hearts with your fire In a world the same we'll be the difference, the difference
So call us out let the world see You are God and this hope is ours
Our eyes are open Every chain now broken In this world we are different Let your love become us As we live to make you famous We're in this world but we are different
So call us out, let the world see You are God as we sing
Father open the skies Flood the Earth with your life This is love to break a world indifferent As we lift up our eyes Fill our hearts with your fire In a world the same we'll be the difference, the difference
So call us out let the world see You are God one and only In this world you are all we have now
Two initial thoughts came to my mind when I started praying, feeling sorry and pitying the Congolese people, especially all the victims of the tragedy.
My hope is that my and our team's prayers would go past feeling sorry and pitying, but we would look at those who have through it all as survivors and heroes. That through these horrific circumstances that they would be a voice for injustice and be an encouragement and an inspiration to future generations. Let us pray for peace to the nation. Let us also pray for the physical, mental and emotional healing for all those who have been victimized.
The victims in the middle of the worst war...the middle of country, where it is the worst place to be a woman, a dark place, a place full of hurt and pain, a place that takes away the innocence of children are SURVIVORS and HEROES! I am praying that God continues to give them strength!
Check out what my great friends Jason and Shelly Yost are up to...they are doing amazing work!
NEW RHYTHMPROJECT New Rhythm Project is a non-profit organization that works to educate, communicate, and facilitate local communities to care for orphaned and abused children across the globe.
They are a collaboration of professionals, specialists, & thinkers who are passionate about creating & shaping opportunities for individuals & families to care for orphaned and vulnerable children.
I am so grateful for an AWESOME GOD and an AMAZING SAVIOR in JESUS CHRIST who is the foundation to my life! My family...my amazing wife Lora and my terrific little boy Torin! My health, something I will not take for granted! Physical health is just as important as spiritual health...you cannot not tell me otherwise. The mind, body, soul and spirit all work together...when one is off balance they are all off balance.
Love our newest series we kicked off this past weekend. This series will be focused on different kinds of relationships. Everything from singleness, married, mentors/friendships, kids, community. This weekend we will also be giving everyone that comes to National Community Church Take It Home Experience Kits. Love these things, it is a great way to remember the different lessons and to take it home as tangible reminders and to make personal applications. This is really going to be an amazing series no matter what life stage that you are currently in or hope to someday to be.
