CreativePastors Blog & Podcast

Great space discussion in latest Leadership Uncensored

If you look forward to each new issue of Leadership Uncensored, you're not alone! Our staff enjoys hearing the latest too. Right now, I'm listening this month's LU about Launching a Satellite Campus and it is fantastic! This is a very meaty discussion about not only satellite campuses, but planning and managing church facilities. It's chock full of numbers and percentages as well as things to think about when you're evaluating real estate. There's a lot to learn - check it out here.

Holiday Schedule

We're on a break! The CreativePastors offices will be closed from December 26-27 and from December 30 through January 2.  This means that any orders requiring shipping will be processed on the next available business day, including express orders. In the meantime, be sure to check out the thousands of downloads available throughout the site!

Podcast > Christmas 2005 > Light

Welcome to this week's CreativePastors Podcast with Ed Young.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 30:37

Light - Christmas 2005
Light is everywhere. But it’s typically only in the dark that we acknowledge the true power and meaning of light in and for our lives. In this special Christmas message, as we remember the birth of Jesus, Ed Young shows us the significance of the light that God has shone into all of our lives—a Light that will never fade into the dark.

CreativePastors

Light message

If you have iTunes 5.0, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog

Christmas Wishes

By now, I'm sure you are all gearing up and doing your last minute preparations for your various upcoming services. When that moment finally arrives and you gaze out into your congregation, take a breath and remember that all of this is to share the Truth and Love of our Father in the giving of His Son. We pray many of your visitors feel so welcome and have such a great experience that they become new, active members of your church community. We hope you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas.

From all of us at CreativePastors... Merry Christmas!

Get a sneak preview of FC's 2005 Christmas Service!

Ed is excited to release a draft manuscript of this year's Christmas message on CreativePastors. Here's a quick note from him:

Christmas week is one of the most strategic and significant times on the church calendar. Because of that, I know you are pouring every ounce of energy into preparing this pivotal message. I, too, have been spending many hours of study scrutinizing the outline and manuscript.  There is a lot of attention given to these services due to the high stakes involved. If you're like me, the pressure seems greater than ever. I am always looking for help with ideas, content and illustrations. For this reason, I'm making this year's Christmas message, Lights, available to you.

This package includes an unedited manuscript, a marked manuscript with my hand written changes, and three variations of the outline with different wording for the major points. I've made three variations of the message which can easily be delivered in a linear fashion or a postmodern, go-with-the-flow format. Either way, it's the same content. The option you choose simply depends on your personal teaching style.

However you deliver it, this message lends itself to the use of some simple, yet profound visuals—matches, candles, flashlights, spotlights, chandeliers, etc. The list is limited only by your creativity and imagination. At Fellowship, we'll be using a variety of light sources throughout the worship center to help people see and feel the importance of the message, not just hear it.

Remember, the Christmas message should leave people wanting more. It should show them how Christ is relevant in their lives here and now, but also week in and week out.

I pray we will all reach our communities with the life-changing message of God's love this Christmas weekend.  It will be exciting to hear how God uses your creative teaching in these very important services!  I hope these resources are helpful.

God's Best,

Podcast > On Location > Sam I Am

Welcome to this week's CreativePastors Podcast with Ed Young.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 22:21

On Location - Journey to the Center of Your Worth: The Series
Throughout this exciting series on self-esteem, Senior Pastor Ed Young takes you on a journey -- a Journey to the Center of Your Worth. As he teaches from a different location each week, Ed answers a question that rings in the heart of every individual: Do I matter to anyone? Take this journey and discover who you are in God’s eyes. Learn biblical principles for dealing with pain and scars from the past and rebuilding a damaged self-esteem.

Sam I Am
Who am I? The answer to this fundamental question is not always appealing, because each one of us is a product of the past -- past hurts, past mistakes, and past failures. The scars from the past have damaged our self-image. The question that begs to be asked is: How can I rebuild a scarred self-image? In this message, Ed Young presents ten dynamic principles from God’s word that can redeem your damaged self-image and help you discover who you really are in Christ.

CreativePastors

On Location series

If you have iTunes 5.0, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog

Podcast > On Location > Island Fever

Welcome to this week's CreativePastors Podcast with Ed Young.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 17:22

On Location - Journey to the Center of Your Worth: The Series
Throughout this exciting series on self-esteem, Senior Pastor Ed Young takes you on a journey -- a Journey to the Center of Your Worth. As he teaches from a different location each week, Ed answers a question that rings in the heart of every individual: Do I matter to anyone? Take this journey and discover who you are in God’s eyes. Learn biblical principles for dealing with pain and scars from the past and rebuilding a damaged self-esteem.

Island Fever
The first leg of the journey to the center of your worth begins at a marina where two ships are docked and ready to set sail. You must choose which vessel to board. One vessel, run by a seemingly swank and sophisticated captain, looks inviting on the outside and promises island destinations of style, status and success. The other vessel, run by a humble captain of strength and dignity, promises a destination that is altogether different-and a course that will change your life forever.

CreativePastors

On Location series

If you have iTunes 5.0, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog

Services on Christmas Day?

We're looking for your feedback! As many of you know, there are a lot of differing views on whether or not churches should hold services on Christmas Day.  At Fellowship, we are doing 21 services throughout our 4 campuses prior to Christmas Day.  On Christmas Day we chose not to hold services.  What are you doing at your church? Post a quick comment below and let us know!

CP Offices Closed Today

Well, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in Texas! With ice-covered roads and temperatures well below freezing, our offices will be closed today. However, we will be checking our email and voicemails throughout the day and will do our best to serve your needs. Please allow an extra day for your shipping calculations. We expect to be thawed out and fully functional tomorrow!

Ideas for your Christmas service

Are you feeling it? Preparations for Christmas are hitting a fever pitch in churches across the country! We've been getting lots of calls and emails as you work on putting together your services, so we thought we'd feature some tips to help you out. Stop by our site for criteria to keep in mind as you plan for Christmas at your church. And while you're there, be sure to check out our Christmas specials - all holiday resources are 15% off!