ScottyNeal.com

Afraid

I read this a little bit ago " it's easy to be against something you are afraid of, and it's easy to be afraid of something you don't understand".

Is there something that lack of understanding is causing you to fear which is causing you to oppose?

Sunday Night Notables

•  I didn't sleep very good last night at all so today I felt pretty exhausted and I never felt like I got my footing completely.
• The whole service today I felt like we were a minor league team playing in the majors with me getting in the theater late, me not having my table, me tripping up the stairs, overall energy level, and the projector and overhead lights going out.
• The teens hid my stool on me before our elective started so all you parents should ground them from their cell phones for the week :)
• I have been loving the time I've got with them during this elective, they are sharp teens.
• Bobby cleaned the cob webs off his bass guitar and joined the band today in Wes, the bass dogs', absence and while I could tell he was nervous, he did great.
• The Steigers seemed to have a family reunion today at Church and it was awesome to see them all there.
• I heard Tina got her haircut, but I didn't get to see her, so I will keep you posted.
• Brock went with me after Church to pick up a sweet couch that Clay and Lauren gave me and Stacy.  We drove a huge truck as you can see above.
• Community Groups are kicking off and I am super excited about the groups this year.
• Hunting season started and as far as I know there haven't been any Origins kills yet; I think I'm gonna get my first one this year.
• Joel did a superb job on the new look for the OC Newsletter.
• If you didn't bring $20 Payless gift cards or socks for homeless children then please bring them next week and drop them off at the Missional Living table.
• One of the men who accepted Christ two weeks ago is jumping in with both feet with his family and it's awesome.
• Life at the OC started this morning and it looks like we have a good crew up for membership again.  If you missed it, you can jump in next week and just make up the first week next time around.
• We started ELECTABLE today and I must say that I am very excited to see what God is going to do through this series.
• The Bengals are terrible; I think we are going to have a Bengal Fan Recovery group if any of you are interested.
• Brayden's birthday was on Saturday and we had a great birthday party for him.
• Joel and Holly bought their first house and it is sweet and I'm super excited for them.
• The weather has been amazing this week and I have been taking the bike out often.
• Jason stayed after Church today and hung out with me for a while, and Ralph called me while I was at lunch to tell me how great he thought the message was.  Both are Elders at Origins and didn't know that I was a bit disappointed and completely exhausted after today's service which tells me they both are in tune with God and Origins.  I am so grateful to have them.
• Shaye was completly crazy today; her energy is quite unmatched I think.
• Stacy is getting more and more uncomfortable as Baylor's arrival gets closer.
• If you aren't in a community group yet I hope that you will get in one for at least the next six weeks, during this series ,and then make a final decision after that.
• If you want to get in one (which you do hopefully) email me at scotty@originschurch.tv and I will plug you this week for the next 6 weeks at least.
• I love Origins and I am so grateful that God allows me to Pastor such a great Church.

OC Blogging

I have recently stumbled onto a few of our amazing ladies at Origins who are blogging and wanted to encourage you to head over there and drink up all the amazingness that these girls are bringing.

http://aplacetodwell.wordpress.com
http://mywingsaremadeoffaith.typepad.com

If there are more of you out there that are stroking the keys with your thoughts I'd love to know about it.  I know many of you probably blog on your Facebook and Myspace pages but I can't read those because I don't have a account and every time I get on either of those sights I end up getting locked out for not having an account.

Success

Romans 12:2

 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I read this verse this morning and something hit me.  Being conformed to this world would include adopting this worlds interpretation of success.  I know it's kind of a cliche statement, but it does seem like the popular opinion of success from the world would be the one who dies with the most fame or toys wins.

Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want, not necessarily what you need? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?

May I tell you what this verse is telling us and what I know success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That’s what it is. It’s not how much money you have. It’s not how famous you are. It’s not how healthy you are. It’s not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.

The older I get the more real this becomes.  How about you, have you realized this yet?

First to Third

Recently something that I have been praying about and we as a leadership have been working hard to remedy is what seems to be a weakness in getting people from first to third gear.  Since day one we have had a high retention rate, it seems like no one ever comes just one time, people always seem to come back multiple times.  The problem lies with them transitioning from first gear to to the other gears.  From coming to Church to being the Church.  I must say we have been quite spoiled from day 1 as far as competence goes, with the limited amount of resource we have had, God has managed to do as he often does which is give a huge return on what seems to be a minimal investment like the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14.

We are fortunate to have high capacity leaders at Origins that have a "why not" mindset, and "whatever it takes" work ethic, rather than a "why" mindset, and "someone else can do it" work ethic.  Each week amazing faithful OCers are leading groups, running cameras, hauling trailers, carrying stage, programming lights & media equipment, answering questions for children, caring and praying for babies, playing instruments, welcoming & directing guests, praying for Gods favor on Origins, giving financially, keeping records & making deposits, organizing and participating in missional community service, writing copy for publications, and bringing every single person they can possibly compel to come hear about Jesus' love and direction. 

Now I am wondering if our competency has maybe hindered the participation of others that aren't doing these things yet.  Maybe each week everyone just assumes that everything that needs to be done is done and no one else is needed, so if they are there or not is no big deal.  Well, there is nothing further from the truth.  You see, we believe Gods plans for Origins includes thousands and thousands of people and so the mission would include whatever it takes to care for and love that many people is what we will need, which means there are many spots available to serve and many people to be invited.  In a short time God has moved us from being dozens to hundreds and it has happened as he has moved us personally from being part of Origins to Origins actually being a part of us.  I believe this is a shift that happens as we transition out of second gear and into the missional waters of third and beyond.  We are working hard right now at Origins on helping you see what gear you are in and how to transition to the next one.

What gear would you say you are in currently?  What can you do to up shift?

Sunday Night Notables

• We had another person accept Jesus this morning.
• Stacy and I got in late last night so I thought I would be tired this morning but actually I felt great.
• We concluded our series GLAMOROUS today and while it normally to me has seemed like a sensitive subject, I didn't feel that way at all, I believe Jesus had his way, and the Scripture took precedence.
• Aaron and the Band did another incredible job leading us in worship this morning.
• God has been showing me that Origins is great from 3rd gear and beyond, but 1st to 3rd we struggle with a bit, Ill explain what I mean later on the blog this week.
• Brock tried to throw a surprise birthday party for Casey but Beth, Kami, and Kirk ruined it.
• Stacy and I flew in last night late from my buddy Drew's wedding which was great.
• Stacy and I got the opportunity to meet and hang out with Rich Franklin (that's who is with me in the pic above) who is a former UFC champion.
• Rich said that he and his wife would be coming to check Origins out.
• My buddy George told me today that he has learned so much since coming to Origins from his previous Church experience, and that he wished everyone could come to Origins to hear the Bible.
• Scott sent the entire team a message this morning telling us he was praying for us.
• Life at the OC starts next week at 9:15 so everyone who has been attending for a while needs to be there.
• After I preached tonight my Dad ate some Chinese food for the first time.
• I am going to be doing some leadership development for Pennyroyal Baptist starting in a couple weeks.
• My mic is jacked up and I hope we get it fixed this week cause I don't like the backup as much.
• I am super excited about ELECTABLE starting next week, I am praying we fill up the theater so make sure to bring everyone you can.
• I talked to a Pastor yesterday who was having a rough time at his Church with some leadership and I felt so blessed for our Leadership.
• I love Origins, and am so grateful that God allows me to Pastor here.

Short time Away

Stacy and I flew down to South Florida for my good friend Drews wedding. Drew and I have alot of great memories there was no way I wanted to miss this one, so when we were able to make it work and get back in time for Church we went for it. It is a quick trip but alot of awesome alone time for Stacy and I (the place we are staying in is sweet, it was part of one of those flight, room, and car deals). I think every married couple should try and spend at least a day away from everything it is so rewarding and healthy. I wouldn't recommend combining the trip with a friends wedding or anything else for that matter if you can help it, but it's better than not doing one at all.

Launch

  When you are planting a Church you can't get enough resources to help you grow in your leadership and remind you that you aren't crazy for taking on such a difficult endeavor.  One of the resources that I found quite beneficial was Nelson Searcy's book Launch, it was extremely insightful and quite practical.  I have recently had the opportunity to correspond with Nelson and he told me he liked my hair and asked me if I would help get the word out about this conference he has coming up.  So it's obvious that Nelson not only has a good handle on Church Leadership but also on good looking hair.  So, if you are planting a Church or are sensing that God is calling you to, and are in a close proximity to Miami Lakes, FL then I would highly recommend you doing your best to get to this conference.

Tuesday, September 30th - 9:00am - 4:00pm
Led by Bob Franquiz, Lead Pastor, Calvary Fellowship, Miami Lakes, FL
And Nelson Searcy, Lead Pastor, The Journey, New York City

Hosted at:
Avalon Church, 1467 HWY 20 West
Mcdonough, GA 30253
(Greater Atlanta Area)

During this full day event, Bob Franquiz and Nelson Searcy will walk you from scratch to success in launching a new church. Ideal for church planters, pastors and church leaders planning to start a new church or anyone looking for the latest insight into church planting success.

Here's what you can expect to learn:

- What the best launch dates are (and the worst!)
- The most critical factor to the success of your church (and it's not what you think!)
- The most effective ways to raise funds for your church plant
- The biggest mistakes on staffing and how to avoid them
- How your preview services can have the greatest impact in your community
- How to pick the best location for your launch (it's not as easy as it looks)
- How to maintain momentum between preview services
- How to launch large!
- Plus much, much more!

Questions? Call @ (800) 264-5129 or info@churchleaderinsights.com.

Sunday Night Notables

• We had a gentleman accept Jesus today and what he wrote on his communication card was amazing.
• I will say that my frisbee throwing was quite good - if I do say so myself.
• I love our teenagers.  It was awesome to get to spend time with them after the service today teaching an elective.
• If you know any teens that were not there get them there next week.  It is going to be after the service for the next three weeks.
• I am consistently overwhelmed by the amount of people that have come to Origins with an unchurched background and have come to know Jesus regardless of whatever topic we are discussing.  This proves how powerful the Gospel is.
• I was sitting in the theater this morning and began to feel so grateful for what God has allowed Origins to do in our short history.
• My mic was really annoying today so I spoke without it and we were not able to get the audio so there will be no video this week.
• Aaron did a great job again today; we are really blessed to have him and the band moving forward as though nothing has changed.
• I am really excited about all of our upcoming series.  God has really been teaching me a great deal and I can't wait to share it all.
• You need to make sure to invite someone now to our new series 'Electable' starting in two weeks.  Invite someone now by clicking here.
• Our Life at the OC membership class begins in two weeks at 9:15 so if you have been considering joining then that is the place to be.
• I'm excited about Community Groups starting up.
• Stacy and I are going to a wedding this weekend of one of my best friends and I am really stoked to see him.
• This afternoon I got to cuddle with Shaye for about an hour and it was awesome until the wind started to blow the house down.
• I felt like I was in 'The Wizard of Oz' as strong as the wind was.
• Today I was very glad that Stacy and I don't have any trees in our yard because everyone else's trees seem to be laying in their yards right now.
• I wonder if everyone else was thinking during the intro "Is that really Fergie singing?"
• Church was cancelled tonight in Franklin so I got to hang all night on the couch and it has been great.
• My sister's birthday was today and I didn't even get to see her.  I love you sis.  Happy birthday!
• Stacy's birthday is tomorrow.
• It was a great day; I feel like God gives me a deeper love for Jesus, the Bible, and Origins each week.
• I am so grateful that I get to pastor such an amazing church!

Life at the OC

Our next Membership Class starts September 28 at 9:15; you can email brock@originschurch.tv to secure your spot.