Change, Change, Change...

Exciting, Spirit-led changes are happening at Fellowship Church! Sunday is one of those changes as we begin meeting in the MPC during the summer while we renovate the Worship Center. This past week I came across a blog written by Ed Young that greatly encouraged me. I think you will be encouraged as well by the following adapted parts of his blog about change…

Change. Change. Change.

We all want to be creative. But to do that, in any venue of life, we have to be willing to change. Something. Anything. And we have to do it before we need to do it. 



One of the biggest pitfalls we find ourselves in is the inability, or unwillingness, to change. We lock ourselves into a style, a look, a time zone.

When you drill it down, the lack of change is all about fear. Many people and leaders resist the need to change because of the resistance of change. But there's a spin cycle of success when it comes to change.



Change. Conflict. Growth.



If you want your life and your leadership to reach the level God wants it to, you have to change. 



We've discovered over the past 18 years that when we change, yes, we face conflict. Yes, people do the push back. Yes, some people even leave the church! But as we stick through the changes, we also discover tremendous growth on the other side. 



So what does change really look like here?


Change Your Preparation

I vary the books I read, the articles I research and the people who help me craft the weekend messages. If I stick to doing things the same way, I fall into a rut. And there's no less effective place to be than in a rut.



Change Your Worship

This is one of those areas that, when it's "working," people are afraid to change. But it's one of the greatest ways to keep the church on its feet with its arms raised in worship rather than folded in familiarity.



Change Your Style

I'm not talking about just your clothes (though, yes, please change those as the years go by). I'm talking about the style of your leadership. In other words, change the people you have in leadership positions.



Don't be afraid of change. Instead, be afraid of what could happen if you don't change. Be willing to face the conflict change will bring. And get ready to experience the growth on the other side!

Great and true words. To read the full blog, simply go to http://www.edyoungblog.com/2009/05/change-change-change.html.

Leading for change,

Jeff Powell

Father's Day...

As I have been pondering on Father’s Day, I have spent some time reflecting on some of the positive things my dad has imparted to me – things that have made a lasting positive impact on my life. Here are some of them…

1. You live and you learn. My dad always impressed this on me. When I would fail at something, he encouraged me to learn from it. I am so thankful for this positive faith he imparted to me.

2. Pace yourself. I have always been a very passionate and focused individual. When I tackle a project, it is usually with all my heart and energy. My dad taught me the value of pacing yourself so that burnout would not occur.

3. Relax. I can still hear this word. When the going got tough, uncertainty was present, and tension was on the rise, dad would say “just relax son.” What great wisdom to keep our emotions and perspectives in check!

4. You can do anything the Lord leads you to do. Thankfully, both my mom and dad never put limits on what God could do through a yielded vessel. They always stressed the importance of putting Jesus first in all of life.

5. I am so proud of you! May dad is a well-spring of enthusiasm. His affirmation of me continues to this day in words and actions.

Regardless of what type of relationship you had with your earthly father, you have a Heavenly Father that loves you and has great and good plans for your life. May we all allow Him to transform us. And may we all seek to live that transforming work out loud!

Happy Father’s Day,

Jeff Powell

Dennis Watson and Celebration Church...

Wow, I am still in awe of the awesomeness of God’s creation and the awesomeness of women who give birth! Jane and Ashlynn are doing well. We have actually begun to get some rest – Praise the Lord!

Jane and I are in South Carolina and look forward to being back with you for Father’s Day! This Sunday, you will be blessed to hear from my mentor and pastor, Dennis Watson. I served on Pastor Dennis’ staff for over three years and then planted a church under his leadership for over three years before coming here to Fellowship Church. Pastor Dennis has a heart for people. His love is genuine. His vision large. And his walk with Jesus is contagious!

Pastor Dennis is from this area and you will be glad to know that he is a passionate Gator Fan! He is the pastor of Celebration Church in the New Orleans area. They were greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina, but the Lord has allowed them to come back stronger than ever with a vision of total city transformation. You will be blessed by what this man of God has to share with you today! Please welcome him with open arms and open hearts.

Jane and I look forward to being back with you next Sunday for a special Father’s Day Celebration. The Holy Spirit has given me a message called “Transformed Fathers.” The need of the hour is for all fathers to be transformed by the love, grace, and power of Jesus – we’ll discover together next Sunday how this can be so in all of our lives!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

Thoughts on Labor and Delivery...

Jane and I appreciate the love and support that you have shown to our family during the birth of Ashlynn. Your calls, cards, visits, food, and offers to help have been incredible. THANK YOU! We are blessed by you.

Last week I was reminded of how far a human can go to “birth” something that is in them. For Jane it was the pain of birthing our fourth child. For you it may be an idea or a passion within. Do you have to labor? Yep! But it is worth it!

As a church, God has placed some things in us that He desires to “birth” out of us. One of those things is the renovation of our Worship Center. For well over a year now, we have diligently prayed and planned.

And God has now begun the labor pains for delivery! You financially gave over the goal that was set for this great project. Now is the time for all of us to give our time, energy and abilities to help with some of the physical components of this project.

As you are able, I am asking you to give your effort and energy on our June 27th workday, the days leading up to the workday, and in the days following the workday. Please click here or visit the bulletin board located near the main Welcome Center to see where you could plug in at a time that fits your schedule!

Thank you for loving my family and me. Thank you for giving above and beyond financially. And thank you in advance for giving your best energy and effort to the Worship Center renovation project!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell