Have you ever had one of those days where you came into the office and things were great then about 3 minutes into the day the wheels started coming off of your train? Well that has been my day today. Now I know that the spiritual answer would be to say "God is in Control" but I never really liked that song and it sounds really cliche anyway. So for me today just sucks. We are negotiating with the people in charge of this huge community event that we are partnering with for the end of the month and just yesterday everything looked like it was rolling perfectly but today we got a call from someone else that said one of the local TV stations is sharing the stage with us and our schedule was going to need to be changed. I know maybe I just hate it when things do not go according to my plans but as everyone know the WIRTH plans are the best plans. You know the verse. "For Wirth know the plans he has for you" ok that was pretty bad but I know things will work out I just feel a little stressed right now.
Also, just FYI we are extending our "Confessions" series one more week. Check out the video podcast from last week for a laugh. Then we will be launching our "Marked" series so all of you cool peeps out there with TATOOS get ready to show them off at www.showyourmarks.com this site will go live some time next week I will let you know. Have a great weekend.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Weekend Reflections
Well, after returning from Granger at 10am Saturday Morning. Yes that meant we had to get up at 4am. My team was not to thrilled about that but I did become a hero to my son because I made it to his football game, which they won. (GO LIONS) So then after the game it was back home to crash. You see Saturday was my birthday yeas I turned 39 on Saturday which really sucks because I really do feel like I am 29 and my wife would say that sometimes I act 9 so if I average that out my average age is a little over 25 and that feels pretty good to me. If any one else would like to use my formula please send $19.95 to the address listed below for you copy of "Age Paul's Way" HA HA
Well after my power nap it was time for a little football and yes my Gators ave one away to the Auburn Tigers Saturday Night. I am just glad that I did not suffer through the game in Gainsville I actually went to bed long before the final kick sealed the deal.
So Sunday morning came with very little issues other than we are still in our confessions series which has been quite difficult for me as a pastor but very healing for many people in our church so that is awesome. Well the first service went well except for one of my illustrations but you will have to check out the video podcast to see that. It was pretty funny. Then we launched into the second service and a demon got into our sound board. There was snap, crackling and popping going on throughout the whole system finally we had to shut it down half way through our worship set. So I went out and just started my talk which was a little weird because my segue went the song that the band did not sing. We made it through and it was great but then the real greatness started. At the end of my message Carl was back stage and said don't worry we are ready to go. He and the band had during my talk put together an acostic set that was amazing. Really that is what I love about Carl he is a pro and pros do not leave things hanging they make things happen. We had more comments about the worship during the second service than we have had in quite some time. The worship was awesome. Also, we had 304 in our two morning services which is a record then we had another 98 during the night service for a grand total of 402 for the day. WOW God you are amazing. A year ago we were averaging 250 and now we had 402 I cannot believe this. I cannot wait till this weekend. See you then.
Well after my power nap it was time for a little football and yes my Gators ave one away to the Auburn Tigers Saturday Night. I am just glad that I did not suffer through the game in Gainsville I actually went to bed long before the final kick sealed the deal.
So Sunday morning came with very little issues other than we are still in our confessions series which has been quite difficult for me as a pastor but very healing for many people in our church so that is awesome. Well the first service went well except for one of my illustrations but you will have to check out the video podcast to see that. It was pretty funny. Then we launched into the second service and a demon got into our sound board. There was snap, crackling and popping going on throughout the whole system finally we had to shut it down half way through our worship set. So I went out and just started my talk which was a little weird because my segue went the song that the band did not sing. We made it through and it was great but then the real greatness started. At the end of my message Carl was back stage and said don't worry we are ready to go. He and the band had during my talk put together an acostic set that was amazing. Really that is what I love about Carl he is a pro and pros do not leave things hanging they make things happen. We had more comments about the worship during the second service than we have had in quite some time. The worship was awesome. Also, we had 304 in our two morning services which is a record then we had another 98 during the night service for a grand total of 402 for the day. WOW God you are amazing. A year ago we were averaging 250 and now we had 402 I cannot believe this. I cannot wait till this weekend. See you then.
WOW what a week!!
Well we just returned from Granger Indiana this past Saturday from the Innovate conference. All I can say about that is AMAZING!! Guy Kawasaki was on fire and now I understand that as a church planter it is ok to be crappy. HA HA I guess you would have to be there to get all of that but our team left with so much energy and excitement about what God is doing here in Tampa it was awesome. BTW the peeps at Granger are amazing!! special shout out the Jason Powell and Lindsay Wasik you guys made our stay fabulous. Can't wait to hang out with you guys next year.
So about our time in Granger, well we entered a few of our shorts for the film festival and what do you know we won two out of three categories from the people choice and won best of show for our Real Men of Genius. We were blown away. Special thanks to all of you who voted for us. We now feel like the little church that did not could. One of the things we learned at the Innovate conference is that if you are going to do a conference is that you need to go over the top with care and hospitality and Granger did that better than any other conference I have ever been to in my life. Also, their staff was available before and after the session to talk with whoever wanted to talk. I have never sen that before at any conference. Never stop doing that Granger that is what sets you apart you seem like real people. Well I want to blog about what went on this past Sunday so I will sign off on Innovate.
So about our time in Granger, well we entered a few of our shorts for the film festival and what do you know we won two out of three categories from the people choice and won best of show for our Real Men of Genius. We were blown away. Special thanks to all of you who voted for us. We now feel like the little church that did not could. One of the things we learned at the Innovate conference is that if you are going to do a conference is that you need to go over the top with care and hospitality and Granger did that better than any other conference I have ever been to in my life. Also, their staff was available before and after the session to talk with whoever wanted to talk. I have never sen that before at any conference. Never stop doing that Granger that is what sets you apart you seem like real people. Well I want to blog about what went on this past Sunday so I will sign off on Innovate.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I am back
I know all three of you who read this blog are so happy. HA HA Well I am sorry it has been a while since my last blog actually 3 months and I know in blog world that is a huge no non because no one ill continue to read your stuff if you do not keep posting. However, I thought this whole blog thing was for me not for everyone else. This is my place to mind dumb now I know some of you are saying so Paul you have not had anything to mind dump in 3 months. Well no but you need to understand that I am the worst typer in the universe. I think i am the only quite computer literate person who cannot type in the whole world. However, I will try to jot down at least a few things each week to keep everyone posted on the progress of me and our awesome church Relevant.
So about me. Well Susie and I had an awesome summer we spent 2 weeks at the beach with our kids one in Daytona and one on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast. WOW that was awesome except for me trying to surf again which I had not done in 8 years. Let's just say I suck at surfing now. Not that I was good before, however my son Anthony is a natural he did awesome. Speaking of Anthony he is now playing football. Although I a not sure if his ADD distracts him in his quest to play. Sometimes at practice when he is playing linebacker is see him staring at the grass. Go figure like father like son. He is doing awesome in my eyes. Ashlyn is amazing she seems to be learning more each day and 80% of the time she is a real treasure. However, the other 20% she is still a treasure but the joy in the treasure seem to be buried in here stuburnness. Maybe you know what I mean. Susie and I are dong great working on our 18 year of marriage WOW it does not seem possible. Susie is really amazing. I do not know how she takes care of our home and kids and also does all of the stuff I ask her to do for the church. She is the best wife ever.
So about relevant. Well it has been one of the greatest summers we have ever had of course it is only the third but it has been great for a couple of reasons. i will bullet point them and briefly explain.
Have an awesome week.
Paul
So about me. Well Susie and I had an awesome summer we spent 2 weeks at the beach with our kids one in Daytona and one on Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast. WOW that was awesome except for me trying to surf again which I had not done in 8 years. Let's just say I suck at surfing now. Not that I was good before, however my son Anthony is a natural he did awesome. Speaking of Anthony he is now playing football. Although I a not sure if his ADD distracts him in his quest to play. Sometimes at practice when he is playing linebacker is see him staring at the grass. Go figure like father like son. He is doing awesome in my eyes. Ashlyn is amazing she seems to be learning more each day and 80% of the time she is a real treasure. However, the other 20% she is still a treasure but the joy in the treasure seem to be buried in here stuburnness. Maybe you know what I mean. Susie and I are dong great working on our 18 year of marriage WOW it does not seem possible. Susie is really amazing. I do not know how she takes care of our home and kids and also does all of the stuff I ask her to do for the church. She is the best wife ever.
So about relevant. Well it has been one of the greatest summers we have ever had of course it is only the third but it has been great for a couple of reasons. i will bullet point them and briefly explain.
- We did not take a vacation from church this summer- Here is what I mean many churches feel like summer is a low time of the year so they coast through without programming anything creative therefore no one feels like they will miss anything if they are gone. Why should they come. We did two of the best series we have ever done this summer as far as I am concerned and the results are in and they are awesome.
- we had 115 first time guest this summer
- we had 12 people receive Christ
- we baptized 20 people in July
- we averaged over 250 people each week
- we launched preview Sunday night services that were well attended
- we launched 14 new growth groups in August
- We have a staff that knocks it out of the park every week. I can honestly say that in all of my years of ministry I am working now with the hardest working team that I have ever worked with. Carl (worship dude extrodinare check out his new CD on i-tunes) yes he is amazing, Jamie, Jason you guys are truly amazing and I am blessed to work with all of you. You rock. BTW i did give them vacation over the summer. I am not that cruel.
- Satan was working me over. I know some of you are saying how does that make the summer great. Well when Satan is working me over then God must have some great things in store and He did. I feel more excitement about the future of Relevant then ever before. Yeah God.
Have an awesome week.
Paul
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