120 years No Growth

I was reading the other day in Genesis and this thought hit me as I was reading about Noah. Noah preached righteousness according to 2 Peter 2:5. The thought that hit me was this. Noah preached righteousness for 120 years but yet didn't have a single person place their faith in God. All of the "church that isn't growing isn't a success mentality" that is prevalent today would probably condemn Noah as being an irrelevant epic failure. So that begs the question do numbers always equal success or is it our obedience to what God has called us to do as the thing that matters most. Something to think about.

Sidenote- I am not bashing any church that is growing with their numbers that have increased. Heck, we started with 6 people and have increased many times over. I'm just wondering what is our measure of success. Is it that our numbers have increased or that we have faithfully fulfilled the part that God has called us to. 

Amazing Day

Today was awesome. All the way around today was great. Today was the culmination of our 3 week challenge based on the Parable of the Talents. Our folks did an awesome job. So far we're almost at doubling up on what was given out to invest. It was pretty cool watching people drop in their "talents" during the welcome this morning.

The service got a little tense when I told everyone we were gonna let everyone race to the front playing red light/ green light and the first person there got to keep the cash. I was just kidding of course but it was funny watching everyone put their stuff to the side getting ready to race to the front. It would have been the biggest fight in church since some committee went with the green carpet instead of the blue.

Attendance was above average with one of our highest number of first time guests that we've ever had. Today was our highest attendance we have ever had in our kids area. It was slammed. More kids means more families and that is awesome to see. Our kids workers do an awesome job. If you can help out once a month, be sure to check in with Erin and she'd be happy to get you plugged in.

Wiped Out but Encouraged

I'm about to crash. It's been a long day. I didn't sleep last night. Gastritis. I am wiped out.

I was encouraged a ton today. There are some folks that just lift you up a notch after talking with them a bit. I've been fortunate to have had several of these type conversations in the last 24 hours.

Yesterday evening, Eddie from Marathon stopped by and we had some great conversations. There are some things that only another pastor can understand. He offered up some good encouragement.

Then today Art from over at Connection Fellowship stopped by and we had some good conversation. Then as Art was leaving, Mike from over at Oak Pointe church came up for a meeting we had scheduled. We talked a ton about church and I was really encouraged by what all we talked and prayed about.

I like being around people like this and it was really cool to see other pastors coming together and praying for each other. Especially considering our churches are all within 15 minutes of each other. A lot of times churches get territorial and rather than encouraging and praying for each other's success they will pray for their failure so that they can enlarge their personal kingdom rather than enlarging God's kingdom.

Tonight I hung around while our Student Ministry was going on. I was encouraged by the energy and effort our guys were putting forth. (Putting forth sounds so Olde Englishe but it was the only words I could think of) The students were jacked up like they had all drank energy drinks. They finished up their series Fear Factor. All of their Bible studies have been based on fears we have. They have been doing some games with it too. Tonight one of the students puked in the main auditorium floor right at the front of the stage. My conclusion was that it must have been an awesome game.

After church I headed to Best Buy at about 8:30 p.m. to pick up Melissa's computer from the Geek Squad. They were formatting it or something.

Have you got skills?

Have you got skills? We're going to be holding audtions for our music areas coming up soon. Evan and his team will be audtioning folks for different areas in our worship. We're looking for drummers, guitarist, keyboarders, cowbell, female vocals, and more. Let me know what you've got. I will post the date and time for audtions coming up soon. We are looking for engaging people to help in worship in the main service, youth service and our children's services as well.

Cautiously Optimistic

The painting is finished at the house after a couple of fast paced evenings of getting the house ready to show. Everything is in good shape. The house officially went on the market yesterday and tomorrow we have a showing. We are cautiously optimistic because our house is in the price range and location of this prospective buyer. We are praying that the house will sell quickly considering the economy we are in right now. I'll update you tomorrow night.

Our Student Ministry went well tonight with another record number of students. Each week students are bringing their friends which is awesome to see. Robbie, Chris and Ryan are doing a great job working with the students. This Sunday should be fun as we are talking about debt. Big props to Drewby, Tyler, Mona, and Cole(lending the Corvette) for a video on Sunday. Sunday will be real practical and really challenging as well.

What's in Your Hand?

How are you doing with what you've got? The three week challenge at StoneBridge is on. How is it coming along? How are you doing with what God has placed in your life?

To one he gave 5 talents, to one he gave 2 talents, to one he gave one talent. You are responsible for what he has given you. How are you doing with it?

One quick prayer request. My gastritis is back. My chest is hurting me something bad.

Happy Birthday Times Duex

Today was a special day. My wife celebrated her 35th birthday today. Isaac and I surprised her with her birthday present yesterday. We didn't build her a cake or anything but we did hook her up with her very own Macbook. She deserved it. The past three years she didn't really get to celebrate her birthday because of Isaac being in the hospital and all. She was suprised and we made her some movies from Isaac and I wishing her happy birthday.

The birthday part deux was that of StoneBridge Church. One year ago this week we launched the church and today we celebrated one year. Today's service was awesome. The place was packed. Our kids area had our highest attendance ever and as a church we had our third highest attendance ever. Today we had our most first timers since our launch day last year. Lots of new faces and several new people getting plugged into our home groups.

Tyler and the guys did a great job with the music. We did pull one audible. We were going to launch t-shirts into the audience and then decided that with the audtiorium dark that we would probably end up hitting someone in the eye. So we passed on that one.

This week is exciting and crazy busy as well. Meetings most of the day tomorrow. Message Prep Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we'll be in Charlotte for a banquet with Jeff Gordon and the folks at the Hendrick Marrow Foundation.

That's all I've got for now.

A Tornado

A tornado would best describe my week. Not all bad, but in many ways fast and furious. I haven't felt this much pressure in quite sometime. The good part is usually when the pressure is turned up like this that God is about to do something amazing.

I'm excited about Sunday. I've already heard of several people who are coming to StoneBridge for the first time Sunday on the one year anniversary of our church. I'm jacked up about that.

I can't wait until Wednesday either. Wednesday we are heading up to Charlotte where Isaac is going to meet Jeff Gordon and we are going to be a part of the Jeff Gordon Foundation and Hendrick Marrow Foundation dinner to raise money for the National Marrow Foundation.

Then the next Sunday we are going to do something pretty challenging and very exciting during the service. You must be there to find out.

Keep praying and inviting. Tomorrow is normally my day off but not much of a chance of that happening this week. I am going to sleep late but I still have a couple of more things to get done before Sunday.

Productive Day

Today was the most productive I've had in a few days. I got a lot accomplished and was able to think through a ton of stuff.

Remember to keep inviting people to StoneBridge for our one year anniversary. I have personally spoken with 10 people who will be attending StoneBridge for the first time this Sunday. There are people who will come if we are committed to invite. Sure some will say no but there are tons of people who would if they were simply asked.

I sat in on youth tonight and tonight was messy game night. The games were messy. The kids had a blast. We had parents gagging when their kids were getting in their cars.(If we can make parents gag because of how bad the kids stunk then we know we have done a good thing). Again, tonight we had several more new faces. It's been really cool seeing our kids inviting their friends. Beleieve it or not, our largest group of students is starting to be from Berea area. Who'd of thunk it? The cool thing is we're loking to launch a campus in TR and we are slowly adding kids from the Berea area which is only a couple of miles from TR.

Thanks for your prayers this past week. It has been greatly appreciated.

Prayer Request

I have a ton on the plate right now. I have one prayer request. That God would raise up leaders to take the lead in different areas of the church to take and run with it. I have figured out what I can run with and now I am praying for leaders who will run with the rest.

The next two weeks

-I need about an extra 10 hours to get finished all of the stuff I need to do this week.

- I figured it out I need to work smarter this week rather than harder so there might be some things that aren't as important that won't get done.

- This week is huge in the life of our church. This week marks the one year anniversary. This is huge because a large percentage of new church starts fail within the first year. So this is the first milestone at StoneBridge. This week's message should be challenging for us all to move ahead rather than to put it in cruise.

- Next week is slam packed. We start a new series " Breaking the Bank". We have some cool stuff taking place during that series. You'll have to be there to find out about it.

- Isaac, Melissa and I will be in Charlotte on Wednesday and Thursday of next week for a banquet hosted by Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick. It is a fund raiser for the National Marrow Foundation and they have asked Isaac to take part in it. Isaac will be wearing a button up shirt and brown shoes for the first time.(He'll wear pants too.) I have to wear a suit. That is ok though because there is a rumor that I will be wearing a suit on October 12th. I'm not confirming or denying it. You'll have to be there to find out.

Sunday Recap

-Tons of new faces in Powdersville today. Always good seeing new faces. Not that it is not good seeing old faces. I generally like old people with old faces.

- It still blows my mind to think that next Sunday is the one year anniversary of our church. I can't wait for October and the new series we'll be kicking off. You don't want to miss the next two weeks. October 12th is going to be challenging and something we have never done before.

- Services today were smooth. We laughed(alright I laughed during the first video when we scared the mess out of everyone. I forgot to watch the audience in Anderson but I remembered to in Powdersville and people jumped. I am laughing right now as I type), we cried and hopefully were challenged and stretched in what our view of greatness is.

- We had a couple of folks from Spartanburg who are a part of a new launch there. They are in the formation stages. I went to lunch with these folks after service and they gave some very valuable feedback.

- Remember, next Sunday we are taking a special offering with 50% going towards missions and 50% going toward paying off our debt. Be praying about what God would have you to give.

- Big props to all of our volunteers who step up each week as servants.

Day Off

- Tomorrrow is my day off and I'm excited about hanging out with Melissa and Isaac all day.

- This week has been crazy. Meetings and stuff at church every night this week.

- Tonight is relaxing just chillin watching our all time favorite show Survivor.

- This week at StoneBridge will be powerful. I'm doing something I've never done before. It has involved a lot of prayer this week. I'm not jumping from nothing, drinking nothing, or doing nothing crazy just something challenging. Be there early and bring friends.(I know this is bad English but I am not in English class)

- I would appreciate your prayers in regards to some decisions that need to be made. Pray for wisdom.

- Next week is our one year anniversary of the church. It started with 6 people in a living room and it's amazing to think how far we've come. Next week's message is going to be a challenge for all of us. It will be both campuses at one location.

- Our student ministry team continues to impress me. These guys get the big picture that it is not about the lights, stage, or the music but it is relational. It's about connecting with students in order to connect them with Christ. They get that.

Servants

Man, we have some servant minded people that a part of StoneBridge and this continues to excite me and amaze me especially over the last couple of weeks. This week has been exceedingly encouraging to see several people just this past week volunteering of their time to do whatever it takes to take the church to the next level. From Teena with Volunteers to Danny and Ray with picking up stuff to Drew and Mona painting like the wind and all of our youth staff, a ton has gotten done this week.

Speaking of youth, the guys did an awesome job tonight and we had a record number at youth. Students you don't want to miss out on Messy games next week. Tonight they continued in their series Roots. They focused on accountability. Be there next week at 7:00 p.m. and wear clothes you can throw away.

Sunday should be challenging and unlike anything we've ever done. I believe the services Sunday will be powerful and you don't want to miss. Be there early and bring a friend. 9:15 a.m. in Anderson and 10:55 a.m. in Powdersville.

Busy Day

Today was busy. I just walked in the door after we met with a new home group that is starting up for 20 somethings. We met at Outback tonight which is always a good thing. If you are a 20 something at StoneBridge, I encourage you to get plugged in to this group. If you would like more info just drop me an email at sammy@stonebridgechruch.tv .

This morning was full of logistical stuff that always takes place on Mondays.

This afternoon I met up with Danny and we headed to Anderson for lunch at Mama Penns. I hadn't eaten there in years. It was good as always. We picked up one of our trailers that De Wayne was letting us store at Golf USA (for all your golfing needs) and then headed up to NewSpring. The folks at NewSpring were kind enough to hook us up with some much needed chairs that they weren't going to use anymore. Big thanks to them for being kingdom minded and helping other churches. Thanks to Van for helping us out and the SMT at NewSpring for letting us have them.

In your first year as a new church start, you make do with what you can and anything like this helps. We have been really blessed as far as furniture wise. All of our office furniture, children and youth furniture has been donated. That is huge right there.

Speaking of first year, let me encourage you to continue to invite folks to StoneBridge. We are less than two weeks away from our one year anniversary. This has been exciting and I am still amazed from where we have come at that first core group meeting with 6 people present.

Next month we are going to be having a church work day. We have several painting and little building type projects we will be doing that day. I will post the details later this week.

Sunday Recap

- Uncensoredpastor.com has been having some technical difficulties due to my internet connection issues at the house. We are working to resolve these. We will be broadcasting from the office live during the week but for the time being we won't bradcast from the house unless we our internet issues are corrected. Thanks for hanging in there and understanding.

- I am truly blessed. I was thinking about that this evening as I sat listening to Isaac sing in the shower. That was just priceless to see how far he has come in the last 3 years.

- Services today were very smooth all around. The flow of everything went awesome. Touched on a subject that I definately need improvement in. I spoke on taming the tongue and the power of our spoken words.

- I performed an illusion in my message and it went off with without a hitch. I had been practicing my Harry Houdini skills for the last week and it worked. It fit perfect with the point I was making and even some of the folks that I knew would figure it out were left wondering how I put the paper back together. I will perform the trick tomorrow on uncensoredpastor.com at around 11:00 a.m. if you would like to see it again.

- Atmosphere was awesome today. Today we had our highest attendance for a non holiday. The only other time we had an attendance higher than today was back on Mother's Day when a ton of our folks brought their parents to church. Awesome job inviting people. Keep it up. The original message I was speaking on this coming week has changed and the new message I am speaking on Sunday should challenge us all.

- Two weeks from today we celebrate our 1 year anniversary. This is an exciting time in the life of StoneBridge. What is keeping you from being a part.

- Invite invite invite.

Two Requests

Ok, I'm asking you to do two quick things today.

1. Send out an email with a link to uncensoredpastor inviting your friends to tune in. This has been a crazy experiment but I believe we will see the rewards of this in the coming days. I've already had some great conversations with people who are going to come check out StoneBridge but I need your help. So send it out today.

2. Invite people. Seriously ask yourself, who is it that I know needs to get plugged into church. Invite that person. Maybe it takes buying their breakfast or lunch to get them there but whatever the case get them there. God is going to do some amazing things. Will you be a part?

You folks are awesome, thanks in advance.

1000's of web hits

Just on our third day with uncensoredpastor and so far we have had 1000's of web hits and over 35,000 minutes watched so far. Very insane and awesome. Be sure to tell your friends. Send an invite to join us at StoneBridge Church as we continue in our uncensoredpastor series.

You guys are awesome. Sammy

Sunday Recap

-Kicked off uncensoredpastor. Be sure t check it out and tell some friends.

- Crashing Jericho did and awesome job leading worship yesterday. They are decent at riding go karts. Stick to music and you guys will do fine. I will have some video from the go karts on the uncensoredpastor.com website. You can click on the video on demand button.

- Robbie, Chris, and Ryan are blowing it up. These guys are awesome. They have recently come on board from North Greenville University. Robbie is heading up our Student Ministry, Chris is doing some music and some media and Ryan is our resident actor extraordinaire. His weather report video was too funny. Seriously, if you have a student in the 6th -12th grade, you need to get them there this Wednesday night and tell them to bring some friends. Again, these guys are better at the ministry thing than at riding go karts as well. So stick to what you're good at.

- And finally, I was amazed to learn last night that DeWayne can operate a computer and get on the internet. As Michelle put it, "I didn't realize old people could run a computer" or something to that effect. Ya'll pray for DeWayne, he hasn't had breakfast the last couple of days.

Uncensoredpastor.com

Great night at youth tonight. The guys did an awesome job and are really building relationships with our students. Cool to see. I painted my office tonight. It is Cincinnati Bengal Orange. They are my pro team. It looks better than the black that Evan painted his office.

Just a a few days away to uncensoredpastor . This ought to be interesting. Be sure to tune in. We have been testing the system the last couple of days check in and you may just catch us testing it out more. Be sure to continue to tell your friends.