Redneck T-Shirts & Other Things

I have not posted very frequently lately, mainly because my life has been INSANE for the past few months. Our church has been growing pretty rapidly, and I have been in Dallas for Leadership Network almost every month. I have LOVED almost every minute of it, but it has kept me pretty busy. Finally, things are settling down a bit for the summer. In a lot of ways that's great - we need to work on some organization and leadership areas going into the fall - but I have kind of gotten used to the frenetic pace. I am probably going to drive our staff nuts this summer! Here are a few things happening lately:

1. The fam and I made a visit today to the redneck capital of the south - Anderson, SC - for Freedom Aloft Weekend. That is not at all a slight on Anderson. They are very proud of and own that distinction - just ask Perry! I will have to say that - only at events like that do you learn how some people should not express themselves with their t-shirts. I saw a new one today that I cannot reprint here, but it did make me laugh. Not so much at the saying, but the fact that someone would wake up and decide that it is good idea to wear that shirt in public!

2. I tend to be a very streaky reader. I LOVE to read, but I hit times when I don't get to as much as I would like. Then there are times where I devour everything I can get my hands on. I am in one of those right now (probably because 24 is over!). I am in the middle of Breaking The Missional Code by Ed Stetzer & David Putnam right now. So far, I am really digging it. I will post a full review soon.

3. I am very excited about some of the things that Seacoast is going to start doing this summer. We have been experimenting with some of it in Greenville lately, and I think it's going to be a very big shift for our entire church. The cool thing about Seacoast is we don't stand still. As I heard Dave Ferguson say in a message: "God moves and we step." You have to do that to keep up with what God is dreaming, and He has some huge dreams right now for Seacoast Church!

4. If you live in the Greenville, DO NOT MISS THIS SUNDAY!!! I promise that you will not regret it. In fact, this would be a great weekend to invite someone with you. And that's all I am going to say about that!

Driscoll Book Review

I just finished my pre-release copy of Mark Driscoll's new book: Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church.
The first thought that I have: WOW! I finished it in 2 days because I could not put it down. I have been a fan of Mars Hill Church for quite awhile from afar. I love their approach to doing church missionaly. Driscoll is one of one of my favorite communicators out there, and I believe a prophetic voice for this generation.

I have to say that the book did not disappoint. He is VERY honest and does not sugar coat anything about their experience of starting a church in one of the most un-churched areas in America. I love his sarcasm and saying what most pastors only think. I know they think it, because I do! I believe that every pastor who is considering planting a church should read this book. Church planting is hard, especially when you do it in Seattle, but the fruit is eternal.

Multi-Site Revolution

My brother, Geoff Surratt, and two of the guys that I work with at Leadership Network: Greg Ligon and Warren Bird, just came out with the book The Multi-Site Revolution - a very timely breakdown on how the method for spreading the Gospel is being changed dramatically all over the nation. By taking a close look at several churches that are the pioneers in going multi-site, they are able to show the mistakes and successes that have happened along the way. In fact, Seacoast Greenville is featured for how not to do something. You have to read the book to find out what that was! :) I HIGHLY recommend picking up a copy if you are thinking about going multi-site, want to find out more about the concept, or if you like the color red.

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Computer

I love computers. I spend all day working on one at my desk, and then I go home and crack open my laptop for the evening. I have a Treo 650 for my phone that I have been known to occasionally glance at emails with in the car (don't tell anyone!). My job with Leadership Network is to build real-time websites during their Leadership Communities. I cannot imagine my life without some sort of a computer within at least 5 feet of me at all times. Yet, when I sit down to work on a message or craft a set-list, I use a good 'ole pen & paper. I have used notebooks lying all over my desk! It's something about the freedom of a pen and paper that allows me to be the most creative. I don't know if it's because I grew up basically without a computer, or if there is something more to it - but does anyone else work this way?

Seacoast All Access

Seacoast (my church) has just made everything that we do creatively - roll-ins, countdowns, graphics, videos - available free online. Check it out at www.seacoast.org/allaccess. It's just getting started, so there's not much up yet, but will be soon.