Thanks For Praying

I appreciate so many of you praying as I went in to have my wisdom teeth removed today. I didn’t sleep a wink last night, anxiety really messed with me.

I was supposed to have all 4 removed, but it took nearly 2 hours to remove my lower left tooth, so they only removed the wisdom teeth on my left side. Seems my lower teeth are pretty well adhered to my jaw bone, so it didn’t want to come out.

Fun news is that I get to go back in about a month and have the right teeth removed. Dentist said that the lower right one looks like it “will take some work”.

Thanks again for praying, I’m in some pain tonight but feeling pretty good overall.

This is Funny – Part 4

Here’s the last installment of the Jon & John videos the youth did for their American Idol series…

Weekend Reflections

• I felt like I couldn’t preach my way out of a brown paper bag this weekend.
• Didn’t like my delivery at all.
• Ton of people said the message inspired them, reminding me that it’s all about Him!
• I’m glad results aren’t up to me, It’s all His work for His glory.
• Derrick did a great job with worship this week, very meaningful.
• The youth Jeep is almost done, it’s going to be awesome; 4,000 watt stereo
• Ton of hurting people right now (losing jobs, illness, marriage). It’s a privilege to be able to pray with and care for people struggling.
• Pastor Daniel’s supposed to go home from the hospital tonight, thanks for your prayers!
• Major improvements coming to KidZone, it’s going to be awesome!
• Pumped about the number of guys telling me they are bringing their friends to the next series, “Ultimate Fighter”!
• It’s always uncomfortable to reach people for Jesus, but it’s always worth it.
• We need people to move to Saturday night, all 3 Sunday services are full.
• Pray for me tomorrow, I’m getting all 4 wisdom teeth pulled, and i’m freaking out!

Weekend Reflections

• I’m whipped, what a long weekend!
• I was overwhelmed by the response to the message. So cool to see people see their weaknesses as God’s potential!
• Adam did a great job leading worship.
• Bob Franquiz was in service this weekend. I really enjoyed getting to know Bob, he’s a great guy.
• 8:30 service is nearly full, 10 & 11:30 are maxed out, we need people to move to Saturday night.
• If you attend PVC, may I suggest (ask, beg) that you switch to Saturday nights, making more room for people who don’t know Jesus to attend Sunday mornings.
• Membership class was fun. After about a 2 year experiment with other formats, we’ve gone back to our original Class 101 format and it felt good.
• Ryan is doing an awesome job as Executive Pastor. He’s really taking our systems to a whole ‘nutha level.
• I’m getting pumped about our next series, “Ultimate Fighter – Training For A Man’s Life”.
• Gave our staff the morning off, they looked dead tired at the end of class last night.
• My favorite line from my message this weekend: “Being used by God is not about my capability, it’s about my availibility“.
• We’re getting close to having permits for our building, keep praying!

Sharpening The Ax

I believe strongly in my need to be continually growing; it’s the only way to lead a health, growing church forward. Today was a day where I felt like I was sharpening my ax for the task ahead. We took 15 staff and volunteer leaders from Palm Valley to Nelson Searcy’s seminar on assimilation. Nelson, who’s been a good friend, and Bob Franquiz did a great job teaching through the assimilation (connecting) process they use in their churches. Here’s some thoughts from the day…

• I believe Nelson is one of the top “systems” guys in the church today. He flat out gets how to develop systems for growth.
• We’re already doing most of what was taught today, but there were a few ideas that peaked my interest, and will lead to some great discussions for our team.
• “People say ‘no’ to what confuses them”. Great statement from Nelson about clarity in next steps.
• “Your building is speaking: what is it saying?”
• “Don’t put the skinny guy at the refreshment table: people will assume the snacks aren’t that good” cracked me up.
• “If you don’t hold members accountable for what you asked them to sign, God will hold you accountable”

Had dinner tonight with Nelson and Bob, and I told them that I thought “they underpromised and overdelivered“! Seriously, if you’re a church leader not learning from Nelson, you’re missing out on a gold-mine of information. I’m thankful for opportunities to learn from other guys who are getting it done, and I feel like I learned a ton today.

This Is Funny – Part 3

If you’ve been following the ongoing saga of Jon & John Johnson, here’s week 3 (with special guest appearance)…

Weekend Reflections

I have to admit, for years we talked about doing a “At The Movies” series, and I always rejected the idea. I thought it was over-used and just a goofy idea. This year as I prayed through teaching series God really implanted the passion in my heart to do this series…and WOW, am I glad. The last two weeks have been awesome at PVC, tons of fun, attention grabbing, and has launched us into some extremely tense talks about our faith. Here’s some thoughts from this weekend…

• Loved singing “Yahweh”, that songs flat out rocks. Our students introduced me to the song; thanks guys!
• Greeters and ushers are really hitting their purpose. I see them going the extra step to welcome visitors and it’s awesome.
• Our medical and safety team has dealt with a number of medical situations the past few weeks. Thanks guys/gals for being there.
• So many new believers running around PVC, can’t wait until the next baptism!
• Preaching 5 services and greeting in the sun wiped me out this weekend.
• I love greeting, it’s fun to connect and pray with people, reminds me I’m a pastor, not just a speaker.
• I never get tired of life change. PVC’ers, let’s keep bringing people back to Jesus!
• Over 1,000 kids coming to PVC each week, blows me away. I never dreamed we’d reach 1,000 people, let alone young people.
• If you attend PVC, I highly encourage you to volunteer in our children’s/students ministries, great opportunities to invest in the next generation.
• Next week is Hancock. Think about your greatest character flaws this week. I believe God has placed a word on my heart that will be huge for a lot of people!

Stylin’ The Ride

Earlier this year we had a ‘04 Jeep Grand Cherokee donated to the church. We came up with the idea of trickin’ it out and creating a car that would be a driving attraction for our Student Ministries. The dream is a car that our students team can drive to schools, games, anywhere students hang out, and create a buzz.

So we’re loading this thing up with a 4000 watt bumpin’ system, 32″ plasma tv in back with a PlayStation 3, all connected to an Alpine Digital Media Center with a Video Ipod to generate content for the tv. We got the hook up on some sweet 22″ inch rims and undermount lighting.  To top it off, we’re wrapping it with the Palm Valley logo and web info.

Here’s the 1st of 3 “episodes” of Style My Ride, which we showed in church two weeks ago…

Great Conference For Church Leaders

Pastors, I’ve got a great opportunity for you. Nelson Searcy, a good friend of mine, is coming to town August 14th to lead the “Fusion Seminar” based on his just released book. I don’t often recommend stuff on my blog, but if you’re a church leader in the Phoenix area you need to clear your morning and come to this seminar.  More information here.

Nelson will be talking about the assimilation process, helping first time members become committed partners in your church. This is one of the most important systems in a church, and I promise you that this seminar will be helpful.

I believe Nelson is one of the sharpest “system guys” in the church today. He’s flat out getting the job done in New York City, a very tough place to grow a healthy church, and his thoughts/processes on assimilation will benefit any church. I encourage you to go here and sign-up. I’m taking a team from Palm Valley, I’ll look forward to seeing you there!

This Is Funny – Part 2

You’ve got to follow the ongoing saga of “Jon & John Johnson”, PVC’s entrants into American Idol. This will make you LOL…