Maintenance mode can be a lethal cancer in the church. This could be the demise of a local church. I see it all to often. A church reaches a certain level numerically and financially and then gets comfortable. The bills are getting paid and the payroll checks are getting signed and as a result a false sense of security settles in. Usually unknowingly. As a leader you must identify and diagnose this cancer before it kills your church or stunts its growth. As the Pastor I have to have the guts to call it out in my team when I see it and so do you as a leader. If we don't it can mark the beginning of a slow agonizing death for your church. The church was called to take ground until Jesus returns! When maintenance is on purpose and planned or in other words part of the strategy thats ok. I'll talk about that in the next post. If maintenance is the result of laziness that is SIN and horrible stewardship! Below I will throw down a few thoughts on the subject!

MAINTENANCE MODE =

• It's the absence of innovation. The church should be the most innovative force on the planet! Lack of innovation in the church means the web site has been the same for years and is rarely updated. MTV Updates their site daily and changes the sites look regularly. Ministries are not growing. There is no sense of life in the house. New ministries are not being launched, we keep beating the same dead horse, ride the horse until it dies, then get a new one!
• It's the lack of execution. Some of the greatest ideas will remain on the page of someone's journal, because of the lack of execution! The church creates a false sense of advancement by talking about all it's going to do. Unfortunately this becomes an everlasting cycle.
• There is no advancement taking place. We were created to grow and to reproduce. The church was created to grow and to take ground until Jesus comes back. 
• Growth is minimal at best and accidental if there is any. There is no strategy for growth. Churches actually think if they just open the doors people are going to come. If it were only that easy. I heard someone once say if the Lord wants us to grow He will bring them in. WOW!
• Usually the result of a church getting comfortable and lazy

 

Distractions are nothing more than bait in a trap. They accomplish their mission only when we take the bait. The moment we do, the teeth of this ruthless trap latch on and force us to give it more attention than it deserves. This in the end will cost us valuable time and energy. Some break free from the trap and recoup all that was lost. There are some though that cant break free and as a result they watch thier dream die right before their eyes,usually living with huge regrets wondering what if. So, the moral here is don't take the bait as tempting as it may be. It may cost you more than you will ever know. So, keep your eyes on the prize and choose your battles wisely!

The enemy of my soul does not wage war over my salvation anymore. He lost that war years ago. The new war is over my focus. The enemies weapon of choice is distractions. They come in all shapes and sizes and at all times of the day and night. Distractions will cause me to retreat from the front lines of my destiny to fight battles that mean nothing in the end. Some of the distractions the enemy has tossed my way lately are....fear, doubt, finances, and an undesirable health report. My destiny must dictate my next and every step not the emotions derived from these distractions.The enemy fears a man who lives in the center of Gods perfect will for his life! So he'll do anything he can in his limited power to pull him away from this sacred place. So, with that said  we must stay alert and keep our eyes on the prize while fighting only the battles God has ordained!

I"m going to throw down a few thoughts regarding TLC and life in general........

• Yesterday was another amazing day @ The Life Church!
• Our numbers were low, much lower than I expected. We were down 70 from Easter weekend and 40 from the weekend before Easter. I can account for most of the 40, but it did cause me to lose a little sleep. We did have quite a few new folks so that was awesome. Always love seeing new faces. We did'nt even have 70 people in the church last year at this time so in keeping things in perspective were doing ok.
• The word was simple but heavy yesterday. At the end of the day I know this.......  despite how I felt about the message I preached the word that God placed in my heart. If just a small handful of folks can get a hold of what was shared yesterday, Stockton will never be the same! Seriously!!
• Church is an unusual creature. Big crowds usually equal record low offerings and small crowds equal record high offerings. Can't figure that one out. So I won't even try! I do know this, were doing everything that God has called us to do as a church in our city, so no worries.
• Systems work when you work the systems. Do not create a system to accommodate your current numbers. Create a system that will get you to the next level and beyond! Example...... A church of 50 people on a good day has 100 guest show up. Would they be able to accomodate that exponential and instant growth? Probably not. Just a thought here, If Jesus builds the church do you think He is going to cause people to go to a church that is ready for the growth because they're expecting it, or send them to a church that isn't expecting  growth so they're not ready for it? I have a hunch that He is going to send families to the churches that are expecting growth therefore are ready for guest. Just a thought.
• Systems are a simple matter of being proactive rather than reactive.
• Systems are not of the devil despite what the hyper spiritual critics may say. No one in mind with that statement so dont read anything into it. There are just some folks that think an organized church is legalistic and quenches the Spirit. No wonder the average church size is 60 - 70 people.
• God is really messing me up in my prayer time.
• I got a glimpse of where TLC is going. It's big. Scary big! Make you pray more kind of big! And we will be ready for what God wants to do through our young healthy church!
• Can't wait to launch our satellite services at our north side campus. That is a great harvest field over there. So many souls that need to know Jesus. I don't talk much about this, but trust me its alive! A couple of more I's to dot and t's to cross and we'll be ready for a launch!!
• Christians need to smile more!
• I need to live like I'm dying!
• The church needs to live like Jesus is coming back!...........Because He is!!!!!

    

• It was another good day at The Life Church today. Bob Kilpatrick was with us today and I think he did a great job! I think our folks enjoyed his ministry. Man that guy can play the guitar! Bob has a great heart and loves God, no doubt about it.
• I hate small thinking!!! I think it insults God!!
• I hate politics in the church, they suck. Worse yet, they usually hurt people. Thank God we dont have that issue at TLC. If that monster shows his face we'll crush it!!!!!
• We can never forget that the devil is defeated!!! We need to serve God like we believe that.
• We need to put more faith in God than we do our enemy!
• One thing Bob said this morning rocked my world, he wants to die running full speed. Me too!!!!!!
• The church needs to raise the bar in every area.
•  Small thinking = small church. A small church because of small thinking is never ok! NEVER!
• God deserves our best, but does He get it? He didnt give us His leftovers, He gave us His best, Jesus! We should follow His lead.
• Leadership can be a lonely road. If you're a leader you just said amen. I heard you!! Are you willing to stand alone on the things you know are right or best for those you lead? Don't  compromise your conviction for anyone or anything!
• I'm standing at a major crossroad and I need that  wisdom that God gives liberally to those that ask. God....I'm asking!!
• There are a couple pieces to the TLC puzzle that I need to get into my hands asap!
• This is going to be a huge week. Please keep me in your prayers. I need them big time.
• It's time to go and fire up the grill! That's right BBQ!!!

Came across this great quote from the man "Walt Disney." Chew on this one slowly and enjoy.........
“A leader’s job is to do what has to be done, when it has to be done, in the way it should be done, whether you like it or not and whether they like it or not.”

This is a great quote from Perry Noble. Perry is the Sr. Pastor of New Spring Church located in Anderson South Carolina. Enjoy........
"Lazy leadership = a lethargic church! Leaders have tough conversations, make tough calls and do unpopular things!"

• I can't remember the last time I felt this drained. Seriously I am a whooooooped pup. It might have something to do with preaching against prejudice in the church on Wednesday and the spirit of offense today.
• Great crowd today. We have some great momentum!!!!
• Our roof is just about done, YES!!!!!!!
• I have to make a few big decisions this week. I need a bunch of that wisdom we get when we ask for it, cuz I'm asking for it big time!
• Man I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck.
• Next week should be a great week.
• I love having my wife in the front row each week. It gives me the strength to be the man of God I am supposed to be. She's awesome. I love her sooooooooo much!
• Leaving in a few to have dinner in Elk Grove with some Pastor friends. Looking forward to it. It's always fun hanging out in my old stomping grounds!
• I just bought a pair of boots. Hope I don't back slide LOL
• We have so many incredible people @ TLC. There are so many gifted people! Better yet........They're starting to use their gifts for the Kingdom!
• Thick skin is a must for a leader!
• I need to wrap my brain around all God is doing! I need to keep up with Him!!
• Have a meeting first thing in the morning with the crew from  Franklin High!! Should be a blast!!
• There is a lot my generation can learn from the older generation........A LOT!
• If I'm going to run with the horses i need to get my tail back in the gym! Can someone say amen!
• It amazes me how the Word of God reduces our options to just two........obey or disobey.
• My wife told me she was proud of me! That make me want to go and kick the devil in his teeth!!!!! Wait a minute, maybe she wants something lol.
• I'm out. Got to get on the road!!!!

We had another great day @ Life! That is something I find myself saying a lot these days!!! Nothing great comes without a great price. As great  as the price may be it is definitely  worth every penny. Spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially speaking that is. The fruit is priceless. What we have is precious and rare. I'm about ready to pass out but before I do I want to throw down a few thoughts..........

• Brennen continues to bring heaven down each week! Seriously God has His hand on this young man. Just when I think it can't get any better........It does! Brennen is my guitar hero LOL
• Jeremy dropped it like it was hot today. I love the way he thinks and brings order to my chaos! Were like nitro and glycerin, watch out devil LOL Seriously though, he brought a great word! It was nice to sit and get fed.
• Kid's church is blowing up! Ron and Robin are tearing it up. Their creativity is out of this world. Can't keep the adults out, including myself!! At this rate were going to outgrow the building soon. We'll cross that bridge when we get there next month!!
• The youth are tearing it up on the Franklin campus. Got to love that!!!!!!
• We raised $400 to buy Babies R Us gift cards for the teen moms at Franklin!!!!!!! If we can just show them Jesus! TLC always steps up and meets the needs!!
• Getting our new roof on the almost condemned fellowship hall this week. Thats going to be an incredible space once we get it dialed in!
• I'm pumped up about the basketball court. That is going to be a lethal weapon in our arsenal to win the lost.
• Grace Park is going to be a great place for families to come and enjoy. The possibilities of what this can become keep me up more than I would like!!
• Easter Fest 09! We're going to pack out the house! What a great way to introduce ourselves to our community.
• I'm very excited about a meeting that I have tomorrow morning!!
• I wish it was next Sunday!!!!! Counting down the days.
• I'm out. Sweet dreams..........

Wow!!! Yesterday @ The Life Church was incredible! God moved, people got saved, worship was at another level, A new ministry was launched, and we ran out of food because the crowd was much larger than I anticipated!!!! All that makes for a GREAT DAY!!!! I cannot wait for next Sunday, but until then we have a ton of work to get done. Below I'll throw out a few high lights from yesterday......

• Souls were saved!!!!
• Worship was the best ever, hands down!
• The new faces!
• Launching our new ministry "Life Support"! So glad I thought of that LOL Just kidding Jeremy!
• The look on Scotts face when I told the newly saved to flollow him to the lobby! PRICELESS.......
• The kids room! Ron and Robin you guys ROCK. Seriously, our kids room could go toe to toe with the best of them!!!!!!
• The kid's faces after seeing their new room!
• The kid that said this ROCKS YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• The youth room was off the hooooook!
• The buzzz in the air!
• The crowd!
• PF Changs gift card that the church got us! Thank you! The lettuce wraps, kung pao chicken, sesame chicken, Chung something beef that Laurie ordered, PF ribs, honey chicken were phenominal!!!!!! I was another level of full. I need to repent.
• The fried chicken sandwich I got because I sacrificed my hotdog and burger for a hungry guest lol Patience is truly a virtue. Denise You way ROCK!!!!!!!
• The roses that TLC got my wife. It blesses me more than anything when I see people bless her! She loves the people at our church sooo much. She has sacrificed a ton, so thanks again for blessing her.
• Souls were saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!