Freedom Church Set-List 10-16-11

This weekend we will be in week 2 of our series Amazing Grace.  Our topic this weekend will be Graceful Confrontation. Be assured that Pastor Shawn’s message  will be powerful and life changing! Freedom people who are you bringing this weekend?

We are the Free-Matt Redman

Your Grace is Enough- Chris Tomlin

All We Need – Charlie Hall

Grace Greater Than Our Sin- Remixed Hymn

You Alone Can Rescue- Matt Redman

Forever- Chris Tomlin

Book Review: IR-REV-REND

Pastor Greg Surratt (Pastor of Seacoast Church) is one of the most humble men that you will ever meet.  I am a little biased because Pastor Greg serves as an overseer for our church. With that aside, he is very humble and transparent.  Its his humility and transparency that made his book IR-REV-REND an incredible read. Pastor Greg gives great insight to topics such as worship, family, doubt, money, and many others. His book is a must read for everyone! I promise you will laugh and will be hooked on his every word! You can purchased a copy of his book by clicking here. Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book!

“It doesn’t matter how many chariots the other guy has when God is on your side.” Pg. 3

“We will not believe in God most fully until we despair of ourselves more completely.” Pg. 44

“When things don’t go well, after the tears we usually look for someone to blame. Leaders make a handy, accessible target.” Pg. 56

“God has two things going for him that you don’t: Time and Perspective. He is never in a hurry and he knows the future.” Pg. 93

“Blessing always follows obedience” Pg. 124

“You need some separation to throw rocks. You need proximity to have influence.”  Pg. 164

Critics, you gotta love them

Critics…When you hear that word does it make your stomach churn? Its important to note here that not all criticism is a bad thing.  Some criticism can very helpful. An example of this is when my boss (Pastor Shawn Wood) tells me things that I as a leader need to work on.  I appreciate that criticism because he has a concerned interest for me.  He cares about who I am, so I don’t mind him speaking into my life.

Unfortunately  not all criticism is wanted. Negative critics can bring pain and hurt with the words that they use.  Our church from time to time takes shots from people in and out of the community (BTW this seems to be normal in church planting).  Does it hurt? yep! Does it hinder our mission of reaching those far from God? Nope! Heres why…Critics DO NOT dictate our calling as a church.  Critics DO NOT define who we are as a church. Critics DO NOT define me as a leader.  Pastor Perry Noble once said, “If Jesus and Paul could not please everybody then you can’t either”.  When critics attack you or your church you have to walk away with your character intact. You goal is for God to look at you and say, “thats how I would have handled it.”  You have to have tough skin and a soft heart. Be prepared when negative criticism comes your way!

My Current Reading List

Torn by Pastor Jud Wilhite

You may be experiencing a time of such darkness that you wonder if you will ever find “normal” again or look toward the future with hope. In Torn, Jud explores your questions as well as God’s answers—and God’s mysteries. With a pastor’s heart, he looks with you at practical ways to fight for joy, deal with anger and depression, and make the million tiny decisions that add up to a life committed to God, even when your heart is broken.

The Art of Curating Worship by Mark Pierson

The Art of Curating Worship promotes a new vocabulary to help worship curators work out how and why and where worship can best engage their community, inside and outside the church, in transformative encounters with God.

Ir-revend by Pastor Greg Surratt

Whatever you may think about the “typical” pastor, throw it out. Do they make bad decisions? Yes. Commit sin and experience severed relationships? Yes and yes. Pastor Greg Surratt is not perfect, and he unashamedly tells the stories that have strengthened his faith. He writes that the choice to follow Christ is never clean, is often scary, is usually clothed in mystery, and is always an adventure.

Whats Been Rockin my Ear-Drums