Breakfast In Anderson

There's not a lot of people who can cause me to get up early on my day off and make the drive to Anderson, SC, but this morning I had the privilege of having breakfast with the one and only, Gary Lamb. I was feeling pretty honored that Gary would drive all the way to Anderson from Canton, GA to meet with me, but then he informed me that he was having lunch with another pastor of some tiny church in Anderson. :) I have to say though, what a cool guy! I totally vibed with Gary from the moment we started talking. They are dreaming up some awesome stuff at the Stone, and I can't wait to see what happens over the next few months. God is blessing the socks off of those guys right now - and I can see why. Gary is a passionate leader who will do almost anything to reach people for Christ. And he bought my breakfast...which is always cool! :)

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.

Just Breathe

Wow, I can't believe it's the Monday after Easter! It's always amazing to me that we spend months getting ready for this week - and it seems to just fly by. The most amazing thing is...there's another Sunday coming this weekend!

We had 3 amazing services yesterday. We had the most people we've ever had (320!), the most services in one week, and I thought hard about wearing a suit! (it didn't happen). I want to give a major, major shout out to all of our people that volunteered way above and beyond throughout the weekend. You guys are AWESOME! Everywhere you turned on Sunday, there was someone with a lanyard - smiling and doing something! Thank you so much for serving in God's Kingdom for His purpose every week!!! I can't wait to do it again this Sunday. :)

Good Friday Update

We had our first Good Friday Service tonight - unbelievable! I was blown away by how moving and powerful the entire night was. Everything looked awesome (about a trillion candles!), and God's presence was definitely in the room. I have to say thanks to Bob Hyatt for sharing a lot of your recourses online. The Tenebre video was great! This is something we will absolutely do every year!

Good Friday Service

We are getting ready for our first ever Good Friday service this week. I am very excited about it because it will be different from anything else we have ever done. The only problem is: I was not raised in a very traditional church. I am having to take a crash course on how you do a traditional service. I have to say - it's pretty cool! I think we probably threw out a lot of things in the thought of being modern that should have been kept. Anyways, it should be a lot of fun!

Service Review

We have a local paper in Greenville, The Metro Beat, that runs a feature called "Houses Of The Holy". What happens is: a reporter from the paper pops in anonymously to local churches (mostly the large ones) and writes a very candid review of his experience. It's a great perspective from a total outsider's eyes. A few of the reviews that I have read have been interesting, but a little brutal. Well, a few weeks ago, he popped into one of ours. We actually found out after the service, because he enjoyed it so much he felt like he could tell us the article was coming. We even provided the photo for the headline. I was really nervous about it and it finally came out this week (right in time for Easter - yeah!!!). I do give this disclaimer: if you decide to check out their website, you are on your own. Let's just say - they don't come at things from a "Christian" perspective. :) Here is the article:

APRIL 4, 2006
Houses Of The Holy
Candid First Impressions of Upstate Church-Shoppers

There are thousands of houses of worship in the Upstate and our Prophets are sampling them. From time to time one of our reviewers (or Prophets) will visit one of these Houses of the Holy and share ten standard observations (The 10 Pronouncements) with our readers. Prophets are anonymous visitors, usually on a first-time visit. They are to be respectful at all times, as any visitor should, but we ask them to be candid in print. Our Prophets’ 10 Pronouncements are not set in stone. They’re just first impressions. But first impressions are usually the eternal, er, lasting ones. Feel free to take what follows with a pillar of salt…

THIS WEEK’S HOLY LAND
Seacoast Church (Greenville)
212 Roper Mountain Road Ext.
Greenville, SC 29615
864-284-0781
www.seacoastchurch.org/greenville

Setting/Environs: Located at the former home of New Life Christian Fellowship, at 18 months old, Seacoast (Greenville) is the newest of nine locations for a Charleston-based church with videotaped sermons from the main campus being replayed at the 8 satellite locations. I didn’t know this going in, but if you think it’s weird, read on.

Name of Head Spiritual Guru: Pastor Chris Surratt (in residence)

Denomination/Affiliation: Independent; preaching an unerring Bible and salvation only for baptized believers

Date and Time: Sunday, February 26 at 11 am with a post-service baptism Top Billed Clergy For Today: Pastor Chris with the video sermon by his older brother, Greg.

“I chose this specific House because….” the name seemed so out of place. Literally. Seacoast? In Greenville? What’s up with that?

Have you visited here before? If so, how often? No.

THE TEN PRONOUNCEMENTS

“Once inside the doors, the first thing I noticed was…” I was in a first-rate music venue with seating spaced generously for the 80 or so at this service. Think Handlebar with a baptismal pool backstage.

“As I sat down, the people around me were…” mingling mostly near the coffee (free) and the soundboard, mindful of the video countdown clock for the start of the service.

”The service opened up with…” two rockin’ songs. Lyric-wise they were Christian songs but musically you’d never know that except that the vocalists were, well, heaven-sent (and American Idol-worthy).

“The one thing that struck me as being positively profound was…” the baptism by immersion at the end of the service; something I’d previously only seen on TV. If not that, then having free coffee and doughnuts in the sanctuary where you can walk up and refill at any point without missing a beat.

“The sermon was exactly 38 minutes long and it was basically about…” the Beatitudes and how we all need to accept God’s help, including a gripping testimonial from a Charleston Seacoast member.

“After the service ended…” most people lingered in the sanctuary, which is not surprising considering the service was comprised of a video sermon sandwiched between two rockin’ songs on either side of it.

“Newcomers and visitors are…” clearly instructed on what to do and they are welcomed by all, without being singled out to the crowd. A newcomer service with meal and childcare (call ahead if possible) follows the 11 am service on first Sundays.

“The most painful part was…” once again being dressed improperly. This time a suit and tie for a decidedly blue jeans crowd.

“I was pleasantly surprised when…” the final song sounded like U2 performing in a small club.

“My most lasting impression will be…” the video feed starting up, to my complete surprise, and then later realizing that it wasn’t all that odd or gimmicky as I had first thought.

THE JUDGMENT (IN 25 WORDS OR LESS):
Seacoast slams its predominantly young (25-40) crowd with top-quality rock and heavy doses of “DirecJC.” Not for anyone nursing a hangover.

THIS WEEK’S PROPHET: D’yer Maker
D’yer Maker is a 40-something male. A former Catholic, He’s currently “blowin’ in the wind.”

Just Weird

I saw on my stats that someone found my blog with the search term "chris in the shower room". OK, that really freaks me out. That's weird on so many different levels...

Stickiness

I was in Palm Beach, Florida last week for a Leadership Network Community on multi-site churches. There were 8 churches there from around the nation and Canada that are doing multi-site in different and creative ways. It was great to finally meet Mark Batterson and the guys from National Community. You guys rock!

One of the exercises for the week was to read a popular business/church book and relate it to doing ministry. One of the books was Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. If you have read the book, you know that one of the main points is you have to make your product sticky. Does it stick to your "customer" after the initial presentation?

I thought that the group that did the report made an interesting observation: are our churches making Jesus the sticky part of our services? In fact, I have thought about that all week. What part does Jesus really play in cutting-edge church services today? Beyond the moving lights, the gigantic video screens, the smoke, the latest secular song that proves we're cool too; what is really sticking to our "customers" when they leave the building? What impresses them the most - how cool we think we are, or how awesome our Lord Jesus is? Don't get me wrong, I am all for using technology to reach more people for Christ. After all, I pastor a campus of Seacoast Church - 200 miles away! I just think that we may be losing the only important stickiness we should have. Ultimately, it all comes down to the name of Jesus. Without that, we have nothing. Is that what they remember on Monday? Or does it get lost in the fog...

T.H.S.

Our COO at Seacoast, Byron Davis, has a favorite saying when he feels like someone is not setting God-sized goals for their area of ministry. It has become known around Seacoast as simply - T.H.S. - which stands for: Tiny Heart Syndrome.

I hate setting attendance goals. After doing this thing for 18 months, I have discovered that sometimes you just don't know what God is going to do in different seasons. We have gone through stretches where growth in attendance was just not happening. I can sometimes look back and know why - you have to be prepared for growth before it happens. Sometimes, I have no clue.

For the past few months we have been growing quickly. I looked at our 2006 goals today and realized that we passed our attendance goal for the year - last month! I had a sudden attack of T.H.S. God-sized dreams deserve God-sized goals. Why is that so hard to do?

Scary

We gave our oldest daughter Brianna, who is 7, her first real email address yesterday afternoon. She has already sent us 3 emails and started a weekly email trivia contest. I am a little afraid to let her start her own blog. When I was 7, I was starting to figure out how an Etch-a-Sketch works. The times they have a-changed.

Church Sale

I attended a sale today where a church that started 2 weeks after we did, five miles from our current location, was selling all of their equipment after shutting down a few weeks ago. It was a really tough thing to be a part of. As I looked at their children's stuff, I thought about all of the exciting dreams that we had when we were purchasing and making some of the same exact things for our launch. I am sure that they had the same dreams. The people that had put in the time and sweat were now watching it all drive away in trucks and cars. I don't know...my heart hurts for the Kingdom when a net is taken out of the water. That's why we have to keep casting, keep dreaming, keep planting.