passion play

When I went down to Orlando this week, I had to rent a car. I used Hotwire to get a deal, and it was through Enterprise. I will no longer rent a car from anyone else. Here’s a simple list of what they did for me:

• Shuttle to and from the airport (pretty standard: but the shuttle was quick, the driver extremely friendly on both trips, and they carried my luggage for me as well - the drop-off guy even remembered the airline that everyone on the packed shuttle was flying).
• The gentlemen who checked me in (Kevin) was extremely cordial, I got an instant free upgrade just because, and he walked over the car with me, explaining how everything worked and what to do if either an accident occurred or the car broke down.
• Kevin printed off a map to my next destination, describing in good detail how to get there. I was time-pressed, and arrived early because of his helpfulness.
• When I dropped off the car, they made me feel like I was a hero. The customer service was excellent, second to none, and everyone was extremely friendly.

Congrats, Enterprise: you now have a life-long customer.

At the National New Church Conference Thursday, a leader I greatly respect for what he’s done in the area he’s in, stepped onto his platform and made a misinformed, prejudiced remark concerning a video that had just played. I didn’t appreciate it whatsoever, and immediately lost all respect I had for him. I walked out on his session. Maybe that was overreacting, I don’t know. But all I could think about was what Stetzer had said not even a day earlier: we express our loss of confidence in the gospel when we demean others that preach the gospel. That being said, I still forgive you, even though you’ll never read this.

Track: Pre-Launch
Speaker: Vince Antonucci
Topic: Evangelistic DNA

He had a handout.

• There have been thousands of churches started and hundreds are becoming mega-churches.
• However, only about 40% of people say they go to church. Down 9% from 1991.
• Research states that about 1/2 as many people who say they go actually go.
• Most of the people coming to our churches are from other churches!
• “In the past 15 years the church in America has spent 500 billion dollars on domestic ministry and for it has shown no appreciable growth.“
• Jesus came for the lost, not for the righteous.
• Who cares if you start a church? It has to be reaching lost people.

How do we create evangelistic DNA in a new church?

• Has to start with having evangelistic DNA in the planter. If it’s not in the planter, it won’t be in the church.
• It’s powerful to have evangelistic metaphors and stories.
• You need to be willing to make the sacrifice it takes.

Practical principles to make Sunday mornings truly evangelistic:

• Unfold people’s arms. They are saying: “prove that you’re different as a church”. So? Prove it.
• Wear their shoes. Put yourself in their shoes: What are they feeling? Thinking? Saying? Looking for? What do they smell? What do they hear?
• Treat your visitors at church like you would treat visitors at your home for dinner. There are things you don’t do when you have guests over. There are things that you do when you have guests over. There are also things that you will still do, but you would explain to guests. Use the same principles in your church.
• Check your influences.
  • 1) God and Scripture should be the primary influence.
  • 2) Check your theological issues.
  • 3) Your influences can be: Starbucks, Disney, MTV, etc.
  • 4) Don’t limit your influences to churches.
• Use their culture. Connect it in branding, connect it within your sermon, connect it in order of service.
• Don’t use Christian/church culture. Your assumptions will create your crowd.
• Authenticity is priceless.
• The Joe Dimaggio principle: run and play hard for the kid in the stands at his first baseball game.

The Final Question:

• Are you willing to sacrifice to be part of a church that reaches lost people?

Good, practical stuff from Vince.

Track: Pre-Launch
Speaker: Matt Chandler
Topic: Transparent Leadership

Wow. If you’ve never heard Chandler, I’m sorry. You need to get his podcast yesterday. He basically challenged us to be men, strong leaders, and to talk to Jesus more than we talk about Jesus. Download his session. Awesome.

Hanging out with some Acts 29 pastors in Universal Studios ’till midnight. More later.