Change is defined as “to make or become different.” Easy? No way! Fun? Sometimes! Needed? You bet!
Change is needed in our lives daily, not just periodically. We are the called out ones the Bible tells us. We are to be different the Bible tells us. We are to be renewed day by day the Bible tells us. We are to be changed into the very image of Jesus the Bible tells us!
King David cried out to God, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12) Restore = change. Salvation = change. Willing spirit = change. King David cried out, “Change me!” He knew that only God could do it.
I need God to change me. I need Him to change all the junk within me into the sweet aroma of His presence and power. He said in His word that this is our destiny, our calling – to be changed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
Change – “to make or become different.” God is ready. God is willing. God is able. He is making us different (distinct) even now in Jesus name!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Reflections, Retractions, and Refreshing...
Fellowship Family, as your pastor there are times when I say things that I sure wish I could take back – things that don’t come out quite right – things that come form wrong motives – things that at times are more flesh than spirit. James 3:2 says, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Last Sunday, I said some things in the message that I really wish I could take back. I want to acknowledge some of the areas that God has dealt with my heart on and seek your forgiveness for any negative hurt caused…
I told those of you that were struggling with moving Sunday morning Bible study to Wednesday nights to “just get over it!” Although there are certainly many things that all of us need to “get over,” my tone was not fully loving and my motive was out of frustration – which was wrong. Please forgive me for this wrong.
I also said “I never speak against other preachers and pastors – never.” Although I don’t demean other preachers / pastors, there are times when some of you have approached me with questions about what others have said either on radio, TV, or in print and I have given you my opinion, which at times has been against what those preachers / pastors have said.
Probably the most hurtful rather than helpful thing that I said last Sunday was something to the effect of “The same people that were upset with your former pastor are now upset with me – identical across the board.” This was a generalized statement that mischaracterized nearly our entire church. And this statement caused negative hurt among some – for that I am very sorry!
I am your pastor and yet I am still on a journey of healing and wholeness with Jesus in my own life! It is always good when the Holy Spirit deals with our hearts and leads us to the waters of truth and cleansing – such has been the reality in my life this week and for that I joyfully praise Him!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Last Sunday, I said some things in the message that I really wish I could take back. I want to acknowledge some of the areas that God has dealt with my heart on and seek your forgiveness for any negative hurt caused…
I told those of you that were struggling with moving Sunday morning Bible study to Wednesday nights to “just get over it!” Although there are certainly many things that all of us need to “get over,” my tone was not fully loving and my motive was out of frustration – which was wrong. Please forgive me for this wrong.
I also said “I never speak against other preachers and pastors – never.” Although I don’t demean other preachers / pastors, there are times when some of you have approached me with questions about what others have said either on radio, TV, or in print and I have given you my opinion, which at times has been against what those preachers / pastors have said.
Probably the most hurtful rather than helpful thing that I said last Sunday was something to the effect of “The same people that were upset with your former pastor are now upset with me – identical across the board.” This was a generalized statement that mischaracterized nearly our entire church. And this statement caused negative hurt among some – for that I am very sorry!
I am your pastor and yet I am still on a journey of healing and wholeness with Jesus in my own life! It is always good when the Holy Spirit deals with our hearts and leads us to the waters of truth and cleansing – such has been the reality in my life this week and for that I joyfully praise Him!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Vision Shifts - Part 5 of 5...
Our focus is to lead people to become followers of Jesus! We seek to do this through APPROPRIATE large group gatherings, AUTHENTIC small groups, and APPLIED training - we are here to build people!
In this fifth of five, I share vision transitions happening…
Bethlehem – After months of prayer and discussion, our core leadership has decided to forego this year’s Bethlehem so that we can re-focus our energies on our purpose. We exist to lead people to become followers of Jesus! Foregoing Bethlehem will allow us to put our full energies towards large groups, small groups, and training – all to fulfill our purpose (see Matthew 28:18-20)!
January / February, 2009 – The 20+ Christmas parties to be hosted December 8-17 (see last week’s Pastor’s Thoughts) will prayerfully lead to small groups that continue to meet in January and beyond as the first stage of a new network of small groups. Then on February 6-8 we will host ReNew 2009 with special guests Joel Comiskey and Terry and Arlene Dupont. This will be a powerful time of RENEWAL and RECOMMITMENT!
God has given us a clear mandate in His word to lead people to become followers of Jesus (see Matthew 28:18-20)! By His grace and favor the vision shifts that I have shared during the last 5 weeks will allow us to effectively live this mandate out.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
In this fifth of five, I share vision transitions happening…
Bethlehem – After months of prayer and discussion, our core leadership has decided to forego this year’s Bethlehem so that we can re-focus our energies on our purpose. We exist to lead people to become followers of Jesus! Foregoing Bethlehem will allow us to put our full energies towards large groups, small groups, and training – all to fulfill our purpose (see Matthew 28:18-20)!
January / February, 2009 – The 20+ Christmas parties to be hosted December 8-17 (see last week’s Pastor’s Thoughts) will prayerfully lead to small groups that continue to meet in January and beyond as the first stage of a new network of small groups. Then on February 6-8 we will host ReNew 2009 with special guests Joel Comiskey and Terry and Arlene Dupont. This will be a powerful time of RENEWAL and RECOMMITMENT!
God has given us a clear mandate in His word to lead people to become followers of Jesus (see Matthew 28:18-20)! By His grace and favor the vision shifts that I have shared during the last 5 weeks will allow us to effectively live this mandate out.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Vision Shifts - Part 4 of 5...
Our focus is to lead people to become followers of Jesus! The direction of our church is how we seek to do this through APPROPRIATE large group gatherings, AUTHENTIC small groups, and APPLIED training. How?
We are not here to build programs - we are here to build people! This requires changes in our thinking and approach to ministry itself. This fourth of five I continue sharing vision transitions that are happening…
Small Group Training – As we grow larger, we must grow smaller through vibrant and healthy small groups! On September 10 we will begin training potential small group leaders. This will form the base of a strong, exciting, and growing network of small groups!
Christmas Parties – We have blocked off December 8-17 as a time to host 20+ home Christmas Parties. These parties will serve as an avenue to give a gift to all the visitors that attend – what a way to serve our community and build people in the process all while having fun!
In the next Pastor’s Thoughts I will share vision shifts concerning Bethlehem and January / February, 09.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
We are not here to build programs - we are here to build people! This requires changes in our thinking and approach to ministry itself. This fourth of five I continue sharing vision transitions that are happening…
Small Group Training – As we grow larger, we must grow smaller through vibrant and healthy small groups! On September 10 we will begin training potential small group leaders. This will form the base of a strong, exciting, and growing network of small groups!
Christmas Parties – We have blocked off December 8-17 as a time to host 20+ home Christmas Parties. These parties will serve as an avenue to give a gift to all the visitors that attend – what a way to serve our community and build people in the process all while having fun!
In the next Pastor’s Thoughts I will share vision shifts concerning Bethlehem and January / February, 09.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Vision Shifts - Part 3 of 5...
God has given us a vision that is larger than North Central Florida! We have a vision to do our part to reach the world with the love of Jesus. This is the third in a series of five about vision transitions happening…
Our focus is to lead people to become followers of Jesus! How do we move toward this internationally?
Direct Support – 10% of every non-designated contribution given to Fellowship Church supports mission’s endeavors. We have partnered with missionaries in Pakistan, India, Africa, and all of Central America to feed children, educate pastors, and tell people about Jesus! Our goal is to see our global partnerships strategically increase in the coming years.
Short-term Trips – In conjunction with financial support of missionaries, we also physically GO to help these missionaries. We have sent teams all over the world to help missionaries reach people with the love of Jesus! Our goal is to see short-term trips increase in the coming years, especially to places such as North Africa and Southern Asia where the Gospel is available the least!
In the next Pastor’s Thoughts I will share vision shifts about small groups and Christmas Parties in December.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Our focus is to lead people to become followers of Jesus! How do we move toward this internationally?
Direct Support – 10% of every non-designated contribution given to Fellowship Church supports mission’s endeavors. We have partnered with missionaries in Pakistan, India, Africa, and all of Central America to feed children, educate pastors, and tell people about Jesus! Our goal is to see our global partnerships strategically increase in the coming years.
Short-term Trips – In conjunction with financial support of missionaries, we also physically GO to help these missionaries. We have sent teams all over the world to help missionaries reach people with the love of Jesus! Our goal is to see short-term trips increase in the coming years, especially to places such as North Africa and Southern Asia where the Gospel is available the least!
In the next Pastor’s Thoughts I will share vision shifts about small groups and Christmas Parties in December.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)