Launch Conference in Atlanta – Sign up and Save

Bob Franquiz, who is co-teaching with me the Launch Conference in Atlanta, just posted this on his blog and I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I’ll just quote him:

“Just an FYI to those thinking of coming to the Launch Conference in Atlanta on September 30th from 9AM-4PM. The price for the conference goes up on Sunday, so register today if you want to get the get the discounted rate. The link is here.

This is going to be a great conference that has already helped 1,000’s of Pastors. A church planter should get every bit of info he can before he launches. If you don’t, you’ll be kicking yourself later.”

I hope to see you in Atlanta!

Nelson

Activate Winds Down – Sunday @ The Journey

Today we wrap up our Activate series @ The Journey as Adam Bishop, our Pastor of Groups, teaches on “The Habit of Friendship.” This has been a great series as we’ve discussed the five classic spiritual habits:

The Habit of Bible Study
The Habit of Prayer
The Habit of Generosity
The Habit of Solitude
and The Habit of Friendship (Fellowship)

We will most likely make this series available at CLI…I’ll let you know in a few weeks.

We have cancelled our Sunday evening services tonight and replaced it with a servant evangelism outreach to students at New York University…should be a fun day!

Personally, I’m off today and will be catching the services at some of the newer churches in the city.

Have a great Sunday!

Nelson

Fusion Seminar is Coming to LA Area!

I’m excited to announce that The Fusion Seminar is coming to the greater Los Angeles area.

OK, so actually its Orange County – which is even better…near Los Angeles but closer for my friends in San Diego.

If you are anywhere within driving distance (or Southwest Flight), then consider this your invitation to join me on Thursday, September 18 at The Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, CA for The Fusion Seminar from 9:00am – Noon.  Early bird registration is only $39 per person.

Click here for all the details on this proven seminar for turning first time guests into fully engaged members of your church.

Group rates are available, just email cristina (at) churchleaderinsights.com for all the details.

Nelson

P.S. I would appreciate any help you can offer in getting the word out about this seminar! Like everything we do here at CLI, we rely on word of mouth marketing.

Monday Proflections, August 18, 2008

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you.

Monday - I’m taking a day of vacation today and a few days early next week…a few last minute days off before the rush of the fall.  We have a great team at The Journey and sometimes I think they do better with me out of the way!

Tuesday – I’ll be making some final decisions on my new Tele-Coaching Network for Senior Pastors…last call for applications!  Click here to apply.

Wednesday – I’ll be in Tampa for my Senior Pastors Coaching Network…pray that Hurricane Fay stays away!

Thursday – An early travel day and then a full day in the office.  Tonight we have a meeting with key leaders in our church about Financial Peace University this fall.

Friday – An early day in the office to catch up from travels and then my New York Coaching Network will gather for meeting #4.  Tonight Kelley and I have tickets to a Toby Keith concert in Jersey…we are looking forward to Toby but are bigger fans of Montgomery Gentry, the middle act.

Saturday – Alexander is away with grandparents so Kelley and I are doing some rearranging in our apartment…time for the big boy to get his own room and furniture.

Watch your email for some cool stuff from Church Leader Insights too.

Hope you have a great week!

Nelson

P.S.  You might also want to check out my latest podcast, entitled “The 10% Principle.”  Download or listen online for free by clicking here.

Sunday Friend – Greg Rohlinger

One of the highlights of my trip to Phoenix last week was hanging with Greg Rohlinger.  I’ve known Greg since 2002 and every time we are together he stretches me and encourages me.  He’s the real deal.

I was also impressed that he sent 20 people to my Fusion seminar last Thursday but I was even more impressed that he attended himself.  Here’s a guy that pastors a church more than twice the size of Journey yet he was in the audience learning, interacting and taking notes (and forgiving me that I called him Gary…twice!  Some friend I am!).

Here’s his notes from the conference…click here.

Here’s a link to his fantastic church….Palm Valley Church.

And I highly recommend his blog to you….click here.

Have a great Sunday!  And follow Greg’s lead and learn from everyone you can.

Nelson

P.S. Greg recently lead his church to read thru the bible in one year, the spiritual growth was off the charts.  He chronciled it here at Route 66.

Coming to Phoenix – Fusion Seminar on August 14, 2008

In just over a week I’ll be in Phoenix for my Fusion Seminar. Can you help me get the word out?

We’ve done no outside promotion for this seminar, yet its is shaping up to be a great event!

Maybe it’s because Bob Franquiz is going to be with me. Or maybe Phoenix pastors are just committed to the ‘learn and return’ principles I teach. Or maybe it’s because even pastors outside of Phoenix have helped get the word out (that’s the power of word of mouth marketing!).

So, if you are near Phoenix or can get there by Thursday, why don’t you come and hang out with me and Bob at The Fusion Seminar on Thursday, August 14 from 9:00am – Noon.

Click here for all of the details.

The Fusion Seminar will include:

- Principles to help you create an inviting environment for first-time guests
- How to ”wow” first-time guests into wanting to come back
- The Journey’s complete ‘‘Assimilation System,” used to follow up with the 50+ first-time guests who attend the service each week
- Plus much more!

Oh, and group rates are available. Just call Cristina at 212.730.8300 x212.

Hope to see you in Phoenix next Thursday.

Nelson

P.S. Be sure to regsiter by tomorrow (August 6) for the best early bird rate.

The Church Planters Greatest Enemy – Saturday Quote

“The enemy of the church planter is distraction”
– Nelson Searcy

Monday Proflections July 7, 2008

I’m looking forward to the upcoming week. Here’s what’s happening with me and Church Leader Insights plus a free resource that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’ll be in the office all day for the usual round of meetings. One of the highlights for me is the Sunday debrief. Here’s a free podcast that Jason and I did on how to conduct a Worship Debrief.

Tuesday – Watch your email for the new Church Leader Insights newsletter – should arrive in your in box between 10am and 11am. I share 7 great articles on evangelism and church leadership plus my latest book recommendations. If you aren’t getting the newsletter, sign-up today right here.

Wednesday – This is my ‘normal’ day off. I’m highly committed to working hard six days a week and taking one full day as a Sabbath. Not sure all that I will do but I know it will include major time with God, Kelley and Alexander. Is your day off scheduled yet?

Thursday – I’ll be interviewing a potential multi-site pastor today. I’m spending more and more of my time these days recruiting A-players to join our team. How about you? Are you interested in being a multi-site pastor with us?

Friday – Lots of little things today, including the final message run thru for Sunday and general paperwork (I always put paperwork at my least productive times). Tonight I have a date night with Kelley. Is your date night scheduled yet?

In addition, watch the blog this week for some thoughts on Mid-year Giving Letters, My IRS audit and a secret I just discovered about Craig Croeschel.

It’s going to be a great week – aren’t you glad we get to do what we do?

Nelson

How close are you to Hartford, CT?

On Friday, Bob Franquiz will be teaching my seminar on Assimilation in Hartford, CT. If you are within driving distance (i.e., within an 10 hour drive!) then I highly recommend you make it to this seminar. Someone told me recently that Bob actually teaches the seminar better than I do – but I’m in denial for now.

Bob is a three time Coaching Alumni and one of a handful of guys I’ve certified to teach my seminars. He is also the founding Pastor of Calvary Fellowship in Miami Lakes, FL, where he lives the Assimilation principles he teaches.

Here are all the details on the event:

The Fusion Seminar: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church
Friday, June 20, 2008, 9:00 a.m. – Noon, Hartford, CT

The Fusion Seminar will include:
- Principles to help you create an inviting environment for first-time guests
- How to ”wow” first-time guests into wanting to come back
- The Journey’s complete ”Assimilation System,” used to follow up with the 30+ first-time guests who attend the service each week
- Plus much more!

Only $39 per person if you register by June 18.

Click Here to RSVP for The Fusion Seminar in Hartford, CT

And, as always if you can’t afford the investment, call the Church Leader Insights office at 1-800-264-5129 and tell them you need a scholarship – they are limited but they are available.

I hope you can make it – it will be well worth your time!

Nelson

A Miraculous Story – New Podcast

Most of you know Roy Mansfield as a Teaching Pastor at The Journey or the Director of Church Leader Insights or my colleague on several resources or the monthly podcasts but how much do you really know about him?

Well, in this month’s new podcast the truth comes out!  No, I’m not talking about his difficulties with the cops or his past stunts as a traveling ‘houdini’ (more about this in a future podcast perhaps) but rather I’m talking about how God worked in his life and church a few years ago when he suffered SEVEN major strokes in a row!

It’s a true miracle story and I hope you’ll listen by clicking here. Go ahead, click here its free (you can also download the file and listen later).

This podcast deviates from our usual focus on church leadership issues but it is a strong reminder that God can and will use EVERYTHING in our life for his glory!

If you want to send a comment to Roy after you listen to it, just post your comments below.  I have it on good authority that he reads this blog every day!

Nelson

P.S. Is there a topic you’d like to see me address in a future podcast?  If so, use the Ask Nelson button on the right to send me your thoughts.

P.P.S. If you haven’t already done so, why not subscribe to our podcast via iTunes . . . its free and you will insure that you never miss an episode.  Click here to learn how to subscribe.

Saturday Roundup – June 6 2008

Here’s a few resources, audios, videos and articles I found helpful this past week.  Enjoy!

Leading Your Church Through Tough Financial Times by Injoy Stewardship Services (MP3)
Note: You have to opt in to get the 30min MP3

Answer to Multi-Site Criticisms by Greg Surratt

Bill Hybels Responds to Misinformation Regarding Willow Creek (Video)
Tony Morgan gives a great analysis of the Hybels video here
Tim Stevens has the transcript of the video if you’d rather read it here.

Perry Noble on What You Should Or Shoudn’t Do In Your Pastor Blog

Have a great weekend…I’m off to a Servant Evangelism Outreach on the Upper West and can’t wait to kick off God on Film tomorrow.

Nelson

Lessons Learned From Rick Warren – Lesson #2

Lesson #2: Evangelism Must Always Be Our Priority

When I was working at Saddleback Church with Rick Warren, I heard him say time and time again, “As long as there is one unchurched person in the Saddleback Valley, we must keep reaching out as a church.”

Rick understands the importance of making evangelism a priority, or as I like to say, the importance of “staying outwardly focused.” It’s all too easy for us to get busy with the demands that direct our days and let the unchurched people who fill our communities slip to the backburner. But those people are the very reason our churches exist! If we don’t intentionally make it a priority to reach them, we are doing them a disservice and falling short of our responsibility to God.

As you think about how you can make evangelism a priority in your church, remember that evangelism is never an expense – It’s always an investment. Every dime you spend to reach a new person is an investment in God’s kingdom. Every bottle of water or pack of gum you hand out as part of a servant evangelism project is an investment. Every postcard you mail to promote a new series is an investment. God has commissioned us to take His truth to the corners of the earth, and that commission starts in our own neighborhoods and communities.

I challenge you to insert the name of your community into Rick’s quote. Write it out and put it on your desk, so that your focus comes back to local evangelism every day…

“As long as there is one unchurched person in _________________________, we must keep reaching out as a church.”

- Nelson

P.S. – Reaching out to ’serve others’ is always a sure way to make an impact. Click here see how one church made a big statement in their community by helping people offset outrageous gas prices. Remember, it’s an investment.  BTW, Mike McGown, the pastor of the church featured in the article, is a coaching alumni who is doing a great job in Houston, TX!

Lessons Learned From Rick Warren

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend some time with my friend and former boss, Rick Warren. Being back in the zone with Rick made me start reflecting on some of the key things that he has taught me over the years– both when I was at Saddleback and since starting The Journey. This week, I’m going to pass some of those great lessons along to you, in a new blog series called, “Lessons Learned From Rick Warren.”

Lesson #1: Pastors change the world.

As pastors, you and I have much more influence than we may realize. When we stand up to teach, we have the opportunity to speak into people’s lives in a way that no other community leaders can. Just think about it – Government leaders may have influence over laws and political issues, but not over individual hearts. Business leaders may have power in their area of expertise, but they don’t have the opportunity to speak truth to many people. And if they did, who knows what that “truth” would be? You and I, on the other hand, are uniquely positioned to stand on God’s Word and instill His truths into the people in our churches, in a way that can change them completely.

So, you and I are God’s catalyst for changing the world. It works like this – Change a few individuals and you can change a group. Change a group (an entire local church) and you can change a community. Change a community and you can change a city. Change a city and you can change a nation. Change a nation and you can change the world!

As you go through your daily routines and rigors of ministry, work with purpose! You have a big calling… The calling to change the world one person at a time!

- Nelson

P.S. – Check back tomorrow for the second “Lesson Learned From Rick Warren.” Here’s a teaser: It will help you reach more people!

Charles Arn – Church Growth Hero (If I Dare Say ‘Church Growth’)

Last Saturday, while Kelley and I were in Los Angeles, I was able to meet one of my Church Growth Heroes – Charles (Chip) Arn of Church Growth, Inc.  He and his wife Ann were gracious enough to share dinner with me and Kelley at Kate Mantinlini’s in Beverly Hills (yep, we were living it up!).

Win Arn, Charles’ father, was one of the founders of the Church Growth Movement in America and he has greatly influenced my thinking about church.  I’ve read everything from Win and Charles that I can find and I always discover something helpful.

Here’s some of my favorite books:

• The Masters Plan for Making Disciple by Win and Charles Arn
• How to Start a New Service by Charles Arn
• How to Grow a Church by Donald A. McGavran and Win Arn
  (you’ll have to find it used, its out of print)

Part of our conversation was how ‘church growth’ is a watered down phrase and is often derided term in many circles today.

Chip responded that one of the reasons Donald McGavran (the founder of the Church Growth Movement) and his father, Win, went with the term ‘church growth’ in their initial writings (over 40 years ago) was that ‘evangelism’ had become such a watered down term in many circles.

I always suspected that Rick Warren chose the term ‘church health’ in his book The Purpose Driven Church, because ‘church growth’ had become such a watered down term.

So what term should we use? I still prefer to use ‘church growth’ and ‘evangelism’ but I’m always open to the term that best communicates to today’s leaders (as long as it retains the heart of reaching and disciplining people in the most biblical and effective way possible).

Chip, thanks for the time over dinner!

Nelson Searcy

P.S. For today only, in honor of Chip Arn, I’m going to give away a copy of my “Starting A Second Service” resource – use the Ask Nelson button on the right to request your free copy (I’ll send you the details by reply email).  This offer is only good on April 29, 2008.  After that, you can pick it up here