Just Think...About Unleash '09

Regardless how you feel about the "cool" up and coming church who invites you into their mega-building in order to show you how you are 1 step away from replicating their ministry in yours, there are always things we can learn ministerially because we are all students on the journey shepherding a world that is thirsty for spiritual leadership. I'm not against church growth models because methods aren't theological, but merely cultural. Choir robes, Roberts Rules of Order, steeples, and church bells (which should be illegal) aren't any more theological than church Marquis, intelligent lights, and having a building that looks like 6 flags.  Jesus used parables which were methods used to teach the theological. If lights, smoke, and a PM5D Yamaha digital board create a conducive environment for orthodox theological life change..then...sobeit.

I watched Unleash this morning on our projector and sound system with some of our leaders at the BSU.  We had to watch it online b/c I missed the 99.99 early bird special rate 6 months in advance...j/k...Unleash is a church leadership conference led by the edgy new upcoming church in Anderson, South Carolina. Senior Pastor Perry Noble led the main groups that were fed live via internet. These events essentially reignite a new inspiration for ministry. Most of my twitter friends were at the event...

one imparticular....Jason Young tweeted 72 one-liners from Perry Noble during the event... I will include these for our enjoyment.

1. God do your part and I'll do the part you want me to do
2. Question-are we willing to work
3. pastors-get out of the way of ministries...let it happen
4. Disciples didn't do everything
5. Preach on money-the one's who leave are the one's not giving anyways.
6. We often use prayer to camouflage inactivity.
7. Some churches needed to go ahead and die
8. Baptists critize beer but not buffets.
9. Church planters-let God drive your church not money
10. Every church is 1-2 decisions away from doubling in size
11. Pastors-you are responsible for getting funds to fund ministries

1. In the first 10 minutes people decide if they like your church.
2. Create a hospitality team to make others fee like rockstars!
3. Perry plans 2-3 series out. He brings men and women into the prep stage. I like
4. Perry Noble says he's not a good reader. He works with a team to do sermon prep.
5. Balance your attention between who you want to reach and who already comes.
6. The church is on cruise-we have power under the hood-stomp it.
7. Don't forget how Christ changed your life.
8. Christ followers often repel others from following Christ.
9. God has called our churches to redeem our cities!
10. Half the stuff in church I'm sick of doing...it wastes time and usually life-change isn't happening.
11. Are you manufacturing energy in your church?

1. Always treat your assistant well!
2. What gets rewarded gets repeated.
3. Most decisions can be quickly made; some decisions require a process.
4. Vision is contagious. If some staff don't get it, they won't make it
5. We are not as good as we think we are.
6. I refuse to let the church to rob my nights away from my family. I'm sick of that expectation.
7. Perry sets his family boundaries-not the church. Protect your family
8. God is speaking to me...not sure how to explain it to you.
9. Church is way into fads and not Jesus.
10. Perry just said he feels weird saying, 'I saw your twitter.
11. Perry does an invitation every week-it looks different every wee
12. Perry says there is an urgency for a harvest...and proof Jesus just might come back real soon.
13. The church shooting in Illinois will happen more
14. I keep hearing Perry and Tony say, "Listen to God and do what He says.
15. You don't need the trimmings to reach people-people want Jesus...it's just they don't always know it. The trimmings will come.
16. Perry-A lot of churches aren't growing because Pastors don't have the balls to preach all the Bible

1. Pastors-your staff depends on you to love Jesus, love family, and lead with vision
2. Satan wants to split your staff.
3. Your Pastor has a huge weight on him.
4. Pastors-do your people know you really care about them
5. Pastors-don't expect people to buy into you until you buy into them.
6. Leaders ask: who is with me
7. Leaders who say I'm playing devil's advocate...he doesn't need an advocate.
8. The ugly side of ministry usually comes from within
9. They never tell you church or ministry work is this hard
10. As a pastor, you ever want to quit
11. Got to have leadership on fire or your church won't be on fire.
12. Put one of the following words on your ministries & see what happens: new, improved, improving.
13. Hire slowly; fire quickly.
14. There is a difference between casting vision and casting need.
15. Often, people stop tithing before they stop serving

1. I want the ball...I'm in the game, God! I'm willing to take the hits
2. What if there were ministry leaders to get hold of God and Him get hold of us?
3. Do people around us see how awesome God is?
4. Be passionate about what God is about to do
5. Asking: what next, God?
6. Ministry is received not achieved!
7. You cannot explain away God's presence
8. Its okay for people to leave your church-sometimes it's the best thing for everyone.
9. Do we want attendance or repentance? You can have the first without the second.
10. I don't want to do ministry anymore if I don't desperately have Jesus show up.
11. Am I placing limits on me that God hasn't placed on me?
12. Pastors-be a prophet and say His words.
13. Some pastors are prostitutes-getting paid by the church for services to make her feel good
14. Preach every sermon like it's your last!!
15. Is it right to expect God to lead us publicly if we are not alone with Him privately  
16. Question-am I pleasing you, God?
17. Sheep don't lead the shepherd...the pastor will stand before God as a leader.

Thanks Jason...