Rotten Mice

Woke up early to hear Archie yelling out from his cot...
"Mouse, Mouse!!!"
I jumped up and ran into his room expecting to see a grey rodent somewhere. Instead I found Archie looking out the window of his room pointing and still shouting, "Mouse, Dad, Mouse!!" I hurried over to the window, peered out to where Arch was pointing only to see a cat sitting in our driveway!
I guess you had to be there, but I'm still laughing. And Archie still calls cats... "Mouse, Mouse" when he sees one.
I'm sure the cats are insulted when they hear him shouting these things at them...

Starting Right

I've been getting into Guy Kawasaki's "Art of the Start" and I've been real encouraged by what he has to say to leaders about the importance of constantly refocusing on your vision and keeping it simple, memorable and sharp.
One of the more impactful insights is Guy's thought that if your organisation or church (for want of a better word) is to make an impact it has to be focused on MAKING MEANING. If you can't clearly communicate to anyone in the street why you 'make meaning' then there can be no success and your efforts will never impact or change the world.
The Three Motivations for MAKING MEANING according to Guy are:
1. Increasing the quality of life for people, changing peoples lives for better.
2. Righting a wrong, seeing justice.
3. Preventing the end of something good.
Now that's some food for thought for any church leader.
1. Jesus and His gospel changes peoples lives both now and forever - that's meaningful!
2. Jesus commands us to put our love for others into action... and justice for the poor and defenceless is real important to God!
3. The family of God is the BEST thing ever created by God! So let's see the revolution go to the ends of the earth - there is no stopping Jesus and His Mission!
Seems like Jesus has 'MAKING MEANING' nailed down! I'm with Him!

Sunday WAS huge!

Sunday was fantastic! It was a great time together as both congregations came together at our Springfield Campus. The crew from the international congregation did an awesome job with the music and it was so encouraging to hear Un-sook and Seong give their testimonies and for all of us to be there for their baptisms. All I can say is, 'Thanks God you are awesome!'
Yesterday will be a memory Nerida and I will cherished forever.

Sunday is gonna be HUGE!

Well as think, pray and work towards tomorrow I just can't help but get excited!
God's been so gracious to us at Newlife over the past year and a half since we relaunched in the Springfield Uni. And one of the obvious signs of His work amongst us is the privilege we have to witness the baptism of two dearly loved ‘Newlifers’ tomorrow. YEAH it’s gonna be awesome. I’ll post some piccies later on next week. If you read this before Sunday, make sure you set the alarm extra early so you don’t miss out, and bring a friend!

Now that's there's some HOT Invite Chips

Church planter Tadd Grandstaff and his team at Pine Ridge Church USA have officially turned up the heat when it comes to inviting people to come along to church. I reckon the series sounds HOT and I love the way they're going about inviting their friends, family and contacts along. Check it here, the title of the post is 'All In Poker Chips' and it's listed under 'Teaching Series.' Go for it Tadd!

Speaking of coaching...

I've just been thinking about coaching and it's importance. If you're a church planter then you need all the help you can get... trust me. One of the great things about the internet is that you can get 'input' from Pastors and Church Leaders who are far removed both geographically and positionally. The worlds for the taking, but why not try Rick Warrens Podcasts for a starter, he's got a planters heart.

Everyone needs a coach

Today I spent over 2 hours driving to spend a little over an hour being coached by three Pastors who are way beyond where I am.
Sure it took some time but I know it was time well spent. The three men gave me real guidance, encouragement and direction. And we prayed.
Again I'm reminded that the time spent seeking input like this will return huge returns in my ability to minister to our church and our community.
The question I have is this... who are you allowing to coach you?
Everyone needs a coach... even premiership winning teams, so why the heck do we think we can get by without a coach in the positions we play in?

The Broncos... what really counts

With all the hype about the Bronco V Raiders game (Round 24) set for this coming Sunday arvo, I reckon it’s worth noting who’s out injured –
Darren Lockyer (Knee) - Season
Brent Tate (Knee) - Season
Shaun Berrigan (Cheekbone) - Season
David Stagg (Shoulder) - Season
Karmichael Hunt (Hamstring) - Round 25
Greg Eastwood (Knee) - Round 25
Michael Ennis (Shoulder) - Round 25
Ban Hannant (Shoulder) - Round 25
When I read that list and realize how well the Bronco’s have gone over the last few weeks, I reckon win loose or draw Wayne Bennett just further sets himself apart as a coaching legend. Wayne not only attracts the best talent, but he has a way of picking blokes with character. Now that’s just my opinion, but think about it. Think about the men who’ve made up the Bronco’s teams over the years. Can’t really think when the last player was caught up in a serious character scandal… can you?
Take current Bronco Brad Thorn, represented Australia in rugby league, represented New Zealand in rugby union player. In 2000 Thorn was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league. Here’s what Brad had to say to the Courier Mail about leaving the Bronco’s at the end of the year, "Grand finals and that are great, but it's the mateships, playing for each other, that's what it's all about. That's the special thing about football," Thorn said. "The key thing is people, I've got some great mates, a lot of good friends and great experiences. This is my 10th year at the club, to have been away and come back, I feel really privileged to be a part of it."
That sort of attitude wins more than just premierships.

Will Jr makes me laugh

Today I picked Will Jr up from school. As we were driving home through Redbank plains we were shocked to see a traffic jam along the opposite side of Redbank Plains Road as everyone picked their kids up from another school. Little Will smiled as we drove past and commented, "Dad, look at that jam... I'm glad I'm not one of them schoolers."
I know I probably should have kindly corrected his grammar, but I couldn't help it I just laughed and said, "Me too Will, me too. I'm glad I'm not one of them schoolers."
AHHH, I needed that.

Failing Forward

We've all failed right?
Here's some thoughts I keep handy for when I fail...
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." (Robert Kennedy)
"To fail trying is never as bad as the regret that comes from failing to try."
I suppose it also gets down to who we think God is. Do we think God expects perfection and success at everything we try in life? Or do we know the God of the Bible who loves us unconditionally in Jesus and is there cheering us on when we recklessly attempt great things for His glory?
Hmmmm, I wonder...

Don't Miss This Sunday!

Hey I just want everyone to know that this Sunday is going to be OFF THE HOOK! Both Newlife congregations are joining together at our Springfield Campus for our first Combined Celebration Service! With the Internationals bringing the music it would be great BUT more than that... we're ALSO having two adult baptism's at this stage! Anyway if you have a heartbeat and a car be there and join with us as we celebrate everything Jesus has done in and through us over the past six months at Newlife.

"Is is Church Day yet?"

I just love the innocent enthusiasm of my boys. One of the recent things to catch me "off guard" is little Will's excitement about going to church. Just about every night he asks us, "Is it Church day tomorrow?" He really loves going to church. Sure the boys have their moments "at church" but on the whole they love the music, they love going to Sunday School and "learning more and more about God." Even the drive to church is exciting with Fergus actually busting to be the first to spot the University building where we meet. He shouts, "there's church Daddy, it's church!"
I pray that they never loose that excitement.
By the way, I love Sunday's too!!!!

Countdown 2 Innovate 07

When I'm driving somewhere for work I find it real helpful to listen to stuff that stretches and grows me. So I subscribe to a number of different podcasts, some sermon stuff (Mark Driscoll etc), some church planting stuff, some leadership/pastoral stuff and I always make some space for innovative church practices. And the best stuff that I have come across is Tim Stevens & Kem Meyer and the Countdown 2 Innovate Podcast. Get into it, Kem is a blast! She ALWAYS makes me laugh!

Time out, time relaxing with my beautiful wife...

Hey huge shout out to Johnno who shouted Nerida and I free tickets to see the John Butler Trio rock the Brissie River Stage last night. The concert was awesome. I really appreciate JB's heart for 'love, peace and unity.' I trust and pray that he meets Jesus. I kinda think JB'd be the sort of bloke Jesus would hand pick if he was calling disciples in Brisbane...
Great night out with my beautiful wife, enjoying her company and nice tunes under the stars. Cool.

Church - What do you see? Part 1.

It's funny isn't it how everyone has an 'idea' about what church should be. People outside the church have views... sometimes negative ones, sometimes sympathetic. People in the church have different views on the church too. And though there's alot of stuff, like structure and cultural appearance that I frankly think God gives us freedom on, here are a few things I reckon are core about how God wants His church to run...
1. God calls people to restored community with Him and others through the gospel - there is no such thing as a lone Christian.
2. The purpose of the church is to serve Christ as He continues His mission of seeking and saving the lost (Matthew 28:18-20) - the church is here for the lost, the disconnected.
3. As the church engages the lost with the gospel, God in His grace saves some - there is no other way to be saved into the church than through Jesus Christ.

Springfield Hendersons

I don't know how many times I've had people take the micky out of me when I've told them I'm a pastor from Springfield. Thankfully it's only usually people under 35.
You know the conversation... it goes like this...
"So Will, what do you do for a living?" I reply, "I'm a Pastor, you know a Minister for the Presbyterian Church."
"Oh..." they reply. "What's a Presbyterian?"
I then explain to them that Presbyterians are actually Christians not a cult and then they usually ask, "So where's your Church?"
And I say, "Springfield."
Yeah, I know. I'm the Minister from Springfield, and no I'm nothing like Rev Lovejoy, he's actually the local Anglican...
SO I've decided to embrace myself...
Meet the Henderson's we live in Springfield - REALLY! HA HA.

Fergus' Prayer Tip

The other night I was spending some time with the boys before bedtime. After a good time wrestling, in which I was totally beat up, we read God's word together and started praying. I was struck by Fergus' prayer : "Dear God, thank you for this one day. Amen." Now Fergus is 3, but his prayer said alot. Thanks God for THIS ONE DAY. Not full of worried petitions for tomorrow or the future. Just "thanks God for today... that's it. I needed that.