34

34.

34 PEOPLE.

34 people that we know of stepped over the line of faith and walked into a relationship with Jesus yesterday. And they did that almost exclusively because someone invited them to come, prayed for them, and followed through to bring them to an introduction to Jesus.

Thank you to LHC for being the kind of people who care about people and introducing them to the unconditional, uncompromised love of God.

That is who we are, and so that is what we do.

Fire & Water (2 Posts in 1)

Tomorrow's my day off, and I'm really working on Sabbath as a spiritual discipline, so here's two posts in one. It's funny that it takes discipline to take time off. And that God commands it!

FIRE ~ I just got home from an incredible opportunity with my son Joseph. A generous friend invited us to a dinner for Still Water Sports Camps. And the speaker was Mike Swider, Head Football Coach at Wheaton College.

I wouldn't say he's "on fire". He is fire. He is a capital-L Leader. His message was so right on the money on so many fronts, but the fact that Joseph got to hear from someone so passionate about Christ, enthusiastic about life, and challenging was an even greater benefit.

One of the things he said, among many, that resonated is this: Rules and demands without relationship result in rebellion. Rules and demands with relationship result in response. For a second, I thought I heard spurs jingling somewhere...

WATER ~ This weekend's message is designed for two groups of people (in this order):
1. People who are not Christ-followers. We are going to address some of the most prevalent challenges to the Christian faith.
2. People who are Christians. We're asking everyone who goes by the name of Christ to engage and invite someone you know this weekend who doesn't yet know how extravagantly God loves them. Pick them up, buy them some Starbucks, take them to lunch...do whatever works to introduce them to Christ.

My message is entitled "Water" and will kindof wrap up the series Overflow that we've been in. I'm praying for 5 people right now that I know are coming who don't know Christ that have been invited. God is going to use our faithfulness to Him in a powerful way this weekend and beyond.

Just a reminder: There is nothing more spiritually mature than pointing someone toward the love of God in Christ. Nothing. And we get to do that. Thank you in advance for being the kind of church that cares about people like you do.

Also, be praying for our Women's Retreat "Destination Retreat". Over 170 women are gathering at Horseshoe Bend this weekend for an incredible time of rest, fun, food, and challenge. Teri Brown and her team have done an incredible job of preparing for God to move in a big way out there.

And, now, Sabbath. Take care.

Loyalty

Recently, I've had a front row seat to see and experience the blessing and joy of loyalty lived out, as well as the chance to see and experience the curse and hurt of disloyalty. A few quick thoughts that I think resonate in every arena, whether in the marketplace or ministry, the family or the church:

1. LOYALTY IS TIMELESS. Real, down in the trenches loyalty never goes out of style. I do think it's less prevalent in our culture than it was even a couple of generations ago. But, that fact makes the presence and practice of loyalty stand out all the more when we do see it.

2. LOYALTY BENEFITS THE ONE WHO GIVES IT. Every time someone gives loyalty to a friend, boss, coworker, church, pastor, or family member, they are better for it.

3. LOYALTY BENEFITS THE ONES WHO SEE IT. Loyalty strengthens community and deepens relationship resolve.

4. LOYALTY DEMANDS SACRIFICE. Loyalty always costs something. Disloyalty costs more.

I just happened to stumble across this writing of Bobbie Houston's on this subject. Bobbie and her husband Brian lead Hillsong Church.

Where have you seen loyalty lived out and benefit others or yourself?

LHC Downtown Open House

LHC Downtown Open House was HUGE! Over 230 people came to check out the Austin Music Hall, meet others who are going to be a part of LHC Downtown, pray, and dream big dreams. Thanks to all of you who chose to make last night a priority. I think we all got just a small but sweet taste of what God is doing and letting us be a part of.

If you couldn't be there but want more information about LHC Downtown, email Chad Zunker, Downtown Campus Pastor. As we said last night, we'll open doors for worship in the fall, but the church starts NOW.

Berming

So the Richard women are out of town. Gone on a girls' weekend with Julie's mom, her sisters and their daughters.

Joseph and I are back home batching in the ATX. Driving to school and listening to a morning sports show, the guest is Reid Ryan, CEO of the Round Rock Express. They're the AAA affiliate of the Astros. When he says their home opener is Friday night, Joseph & I look at each other and we had our plan.

I dropped him at school, came home and bought two tickets to sit on the outfield berm ($6 per!) to watch the game. It was an absolutely perfect night...Not a lot of cash and a lifetime of memories and male bonding. Joseph created a new verb, berming, to describe sitting on the berm watching baseball.

I hate it when Julie's out of town. But Friday Night Berming definitely took the edge off missing her.

OVERFLOW

Just a quick hit on a couple of things:

In last weekend's message, FILLED, we talked about how God fills us throughout the week in our personal time with him. By way of reminder, how are you doing on
Finding a time to meet with God 1-on-1?
Investing yourself in growing your faith?
Loving God by expressing worship to him?
Laying out your sins in confession?
Expressing gratitude and then requests?
Devoting yourself to him each day?

Also, don't forget this Sunday at 5pm we're hosting our first LHC Downtown Open House at the Austin Music Hall. It's going to be a great night of vision, excitement, community, prayer, and meeting new friends who are going to be sharing in this adventure. For more info, email Chad Zunker LHC Downtown Campus Pastor.

If you don't know about LHC Downtown, check out this intro video.

Health-o-meter

Since before Day One of LHC, we have always known our mission was not to be a big church, but to be a healthy one. Of course, because we are located in a metropolitan area of >1.3 million people, if we are healthy, we will grow in size.

But, there are other metrics for the health of a church. The challenge is to identify the right ones and measure accordingly. Some of these objective measurables are readily apparent:
The # of people stepping into faith in Christ for the first time.
The # of people getting baptized as a statement of faith.
The # of people regularly tithing
The growth of existing ministries and/or birth of new ministries (or eliminating of ineffective ministries)
Some of the subjective measurables are equally important. They're just much tougher to evaluate accurately because they transcend quantifying:
The worship climate of a congregation
The working environment of the staff
Spiritual Development of the congreation
This last one is the one that I think is the stickiest to evaluate. How do you determine "spiritual development" when it is personal and universal, individual and communal, as well as mysterious and obvious?

What criteria would you suggest in evaluating the spiritual development of a particular church?