Shannon O’Dell is the pastor at Brand New Church, he was pretty cool. He was actually pretty funny too, but from looking at him I didn’t really expect it.

Rural America is the greatest mission field.

“If you want to grow a congregation before growing congregants you have missed God’s heart for the church!”

It is not glamorous, but it is contagious.

Galatians 2:1-6

“We have the God of the universe inside us and we don’t believe it!”

Six most difficult decisions for a Lead Pastor
1. Church Structure – you can only grow as much as your current structure will let you
2. Fire your staff that’s not cutting it.
3. Protect your family.
4. Make sure you are called.
5. Dedicate yourself to a red hot marriage.
6. Are you willing to be hated?

“We are BELIEVERS! We believe in salvation. We believe in the Bible. We even believe in the Virgin Birth. But we DON’T believe that God can change our church!”

Matthew 19:26, Matthew 17:20, John 16:24, John 14:12

Tim Stevens is an executive pastor at Granger Community Church, a blogger and an author of a few books, Simply Strategic Stuff, Simply Strategic Growth, Simply Strategic Volunteers and Pop Goes the Church (which I am about half way through and would recommend). I was looking forward to hearing from Tim and was not disappointed.

Keep changing stuff up. – consider the Pony Express vs. Text Messaging (check out this video they did).

Change is Good – Early Text Messaging

- change attracts people/attention
- change creates buzz
- change communicates “we’re not done growing.”
- change focuses people outward toward community
- creates momentum and excitement

Tackle alignment issues. – consider when a car is misaligned, it creates tension.

Make it easy to serve.
serving → relationships → life transformation
- can someone who is not a Christian serve?
- why don’t lost people come to church?
•there’s nothing for them (preaching)
•no way to be involved (small groups)
•no way to serve (volunteering is trendy right now)