Today I’m teaching live in Manhattan and its NOT being used as a video message in Brooklyn or Jersey City so it gives me a chance to break out of the screen box for something a bit more creative.

We call it a Salsa Service because of the way the sermon is split into multiple parts by music, testimony, video, etc.  You can read more about a Salsa Worship Order in my post from Thursday by clicking here.

In preparation for this message based on Jeremiah 18 (Jeremiah and the Potter’s House) I was able to visit a local pottery shop, teach part of the message on site and actually handle some clay/pottery.  The shop also gave us some pottery to be used as props on Sunday.

It should be a fun service!

After our third morning service, we have Worship Arts orientation from 2:30 – 4:30pm where we will welcome almost 100 new artists to our team (BTW, most of our artists are not professional artists – the professionals are too busy with Broadway shows on Sundays.  Instead they are business professionals or teachers or regular folks who have a skill or talent they want to use for God).  Jason and his team did a great job with the fall auditions and I’m excited about the future of our worship arts team.  Jason told me on Friday that he is planning a tele-seminar in the future to talk about how you can use an audition process to raise up new artists.  Keep an eye on www.WorshipLeaderInsights.com for all the details.

I hope you have a great day at your church!  I’m off to the first service,

Nelson

P.S. A big thanks to everyone who prayed for our baptism service last Sunday.  We baptized 22 people!  That brings our total baptisms to 130+ for the year and we still have our big November Friday Night baptism to go!

Photo Courtesy of Flikr

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 enemy of the church planter is distraction”
– Nelson Searcy

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

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