CreativePastors Blog & Podcast

Church Pirates Discussion Continues

I recently posted a video blog post about “Church Pirates”, or people who will join the movement of a certain church, and then decide to start up their own church right up the street, essentially siphoning the staff, money and congregation from the church where they honed their skills. Well, the post has been making waves and is still getting strong responses and stirring up discussion. In fact, Christianity Today has picked up the conversation! Check it out here. If you haven’t seen the post already, check it out and get in on the discussion.

Media Kit Preview - New!

One of the features we've been looking forward to offering on our new CreativePastors site is the ability to preview media products. Why? Because you asked for it! You told us that you'd like to be able to get an idea of what's on our Media Kits before you purchase them. And now you can continue to help with the solution by checking out our first preview and letting us know what you think. Within the Media Kit description for our Good n' Angry series, you'll find a Media Preview button. Click to watch and then leave a comment below or shoot us an email with your feedback. Based on the responses we receive, we'll finalize our approach and continue adding previews to most of the media resources on our site.

Are you a Creative Leader reader?

Ed likes to joke about his latest book, The Creative Leader, "If you can get past the cover, it really is a good book."

We're starting to hear from some of you who have done just that and dived into the book headfirst. Check out what Michael Davila from Gracepoint Fellowship in Grand Prairie, Texas had to say:

I have to admit, I bought The Creative Leader Wednesday, and now, Friday evening I am already finished. I could not put it down. It is filled to the brim and overflowing with Ed's amazing insight into the world of creative communication! Anyone, staff members, lay members, students, I repeat anyone who wants to serve God in the most cutting-edge and creative ways needs to read this book. I can't stress enough how much I have learned in the past few days, and I can not wait to begin applying the principles and suggestions Ed outlines to begin reaching people creatively and compassionately. I read it, and now I am going back through reading again, studying and taking notes. BUY THIS BOOK! It will change the way you do church.

How about you? Have you had a chance to start The Creative Leader yet? What have you learned so far? Any favorite parts? We'd love to have you share your thoughts!

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!

How do I use CP content in my messages?

We had such a great question in the comments on a recent post that we wanted to pull it out and get your response. The question, from James Gleason, at isonrise.com is this:

I'm new to CP since C3 in January and wonder how to use Ed's (and his team's) ideas in my sermons. What do you guys/gals usually do when you use a sermon point, an outline, or even download a transcript? Do you give Ed credit? How much of it becomes "yours" as you modify it and present it to your church setting?

We'd love to have you church leaders chime in on that one, but in the meantime we'll share our thoughts. Ed always says that if you are going to use someone else's idea, make sure you take it to the next level. In other words, improve upon it! Some of the best examples we've heard of lately have been coming from pastors using our In the Zone series at their churches. Check out what Brian Moon from Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Tarpon Springs, Fla. did:

I am a student pastor / church starter in the Tampa area and I recently spoke for both our Sunday morning services. I picked up the "In the Zone (Skittles)" talk and called it "The Sweet Spot" and tied it into the sweet spot on a golf club. I changed the skittles to M & M's (Money & Material Possesions). The response from the service was outstanding and the following week I came into my office on Monday and found a bank envelope that said, "For student ministry use." Inside was $1,000 cash!!! A real "Yeah God" moment followed!!

As Brian shows us in this example, the key is to make it your own. Ed uses many personal illustrations, which not only help our church members get to know him, but also show that he is a fellow struggler, just like us. Where Ed tells a story from his life, it's the perfect opportunity to add your own twist. What experience do you have with the situation? Is there a particular aspect of the subject that your membership needs to hear about? That's what will make your message truly authentic and effective for your church.

Our messages can also be used as idea generators. Many times pastors will use our media or transcripts as catalysts for brainstorming. The ideas start flowing and next thing you know you end up with a message that is completely different—and even better!

Interested in Small Groups?

We've received a lot of calls and emails asking how Fellowship Church does small groups, so I'm excited to tell you we are creating a resource that will address that very question.  We're planning on sharing foundational basics, details on lessons learned, and tried-and-true tips for building a thriving small groups ministry.

In a recent product development meeting, Jimmy York, our Married Home Teams Pastor, spoke about one of the major challenges of encouraging others to attend small groups. "Attending a small group requires people to go against so many factors of society.  We box ourselves in with our fenced-in yards, driving alone in our cars with tinted windows, going to work in our office cubicles and out to eat in private booths.  Our challenge comes with encouraging others to step out of their box and into someone else's." 

Small groups have been crucial in helping Fellowship Church maintain a "small town" feeling as we grow larger. They not only provide a place for people to truly belong, but are a great venue for members to carry out The Great Commission.  There is a true passion for small groups at Fellowship that I can't wait to share with you in this resource.

Please post a comment or send us your ideas (Info@CreativePastors.com) about what you would like to see in this resource. We'd love to hear your feedback!