nice surprise
You never know what a day will bring :) Had a nice surprise this morning waiting for me in my emailbox.
Got some emails telling me that Terry Storch, one of the executive pastors at Fellowship Church in Texas, had come out with a top 10 innovative churches in America list along with Tony Morgan (http://tonymorgan.typepad.com/). Somehow NCC was on it. I had no idea! It's another one of those "are you kidding me" moments.
Here is the great irony. Just this week I pulled out a book I read more than a decade ago by Elmer Towns titled 10 of Today's Most Innovative Churches. It was one of the most influential books I've ever read. It had been packed away for the better part of the last decade, but seeing it this week brough back all kinds of memories. I remember reading about some of the churches in that book and dreaming about doing church in creative and innovative ways. It's sort of surreal. Even though we're very intentional about creativity and innovation, we aren't seeking recognition and we're always trying to learn from others. "Making the list" certainly doesn't mean we've arrived :) And I'm not sure we deserve to be on it. But I guess what I'm trying to say that it's humbling and honoring and encouraging.
Here's a link to the blog:
http://www.terrystorch.com/2005/07/385000_down_to_.html
By the way, I think these kinds of things can have one of two effects on you. They can "feed your ego" and puff you up. But the pride it produces will undermine everything you do. Or it can humble you and inspire you to become even more creative and innovative. I hope we fall into the second category. I do think, however, that it's a testament to an unbelievable team! Our staff oozes with creativity! I love doing church with them. I love doing life with them.
NCC has it's fair share of defects and deficiencies, but there is rarely a shortage of creative ideas :) Nothing excites me more than doing church in ways. I just think there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet. That is part of my passion. That is what gets me up early and keeps me up late!
Got some emails telling me that Terry Storch, one of the executive pastors at Fellowship Church in Texas, had come out with a top 10 innovative churches in America list along with Tony Morgan (http://tonymorgan.typepad.com/). Somehow NCC was on it. I had no idea! It's another one of those "are you kidding me" moments.
Here is the great irony. Just this week I pulled out a book I read more than a decade ago by Elmer Towns titled 10 of Today's Most Innovative Churches. It was one of the most influential books I've ever read. It had been packed away for the better part of the last decade, but seeing it this week brough back all kinds of memories. I remember reading about some of the churches in that book and dreaming about doing church in creative and innovative ways. It's sort of surreal. Even though we're very intentional about creativity and innovation, we aren't seeking recognition and we're always trying to learn from others. "Making the list" certainly doesn't mean we've arrived :) And I'm not sure we deserve to be on it. But I guess what I'm trying to say that it's humbling and honoring and encouraging.
Here's a link to the blog:
http://www.terrystorch.com/2005/07/385000_down_to_.html
By the way, I think these kinds of things can have one of two effects on you. They can "feed your ego" and puff you up. But the pride it produces will undermine everything you do. Or it can humble you and inspire you to become even more creative and innovative. I hope we fall into the second category. I do think, however, that it's a testament to an unbelievable team! Our staff oozes with creativity! I love doing church with them. I love doing life with them.
NCC has it's fair share of defects and deficiencies, but there is rarely a shortage of creative ideas :) Nothing excites me more than doing church in ways. I just think there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet. That is part of my passion. That is what gets me up early and keeps me up late!
2 Comments:
Mark,
I was pleased to see your comment on Terry's Blog and find your blog in the process! I am Terry's Assistant here at FC, and I visited your church while vacationing in DC last Christmas. It was an awesome service, and you impressed me and my family with your creativity and your passion in teaching. Theater Church will be the church we attend while in DC from now on. (we also picked up your "ID" CD series...greatness!)
Congrats Pastor Mark, I am so excited for you and the NCC community, I celebrate with you on this honor and also on the honor of receiving the Vision of Transformation award. You deserve it...God bless you.
A fan of yours,
Chris Jarrell :-)
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