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Monday Morning Reflections

This past weekend was one of the best LowCountry has experienced in a long, long time!

- It was a Sunday when we encouraged LCCers to bring friends. And bring friends they did! I met so many people who were visiting us for the first time.

- It was my privilege once again to preach the beautiful gospel of God's love, grace and salvation through Jesus Christ alone ... and over 30 people said "yes" to Jesus for the very first time!

- Our Cafe' was in use as a worship venue for only the second Sunday in its existence and people prayed to receive Christ in it during both services! (Someone told me we had a "Cafe' save." I like that! And to top it off, the coffee is delicious.)

- Which caused me to recall that one of the main reasons we built out The Cafe' was to provide a space for our people to bring their friends...friends who are reticient to attend a worship service in "big church' but are comfortable enough to come into The Cafe', have a cup of coffee, and participate in the service from there, being broadcast live on one large screen and two 55" video monitors.

- If you'd like to see what The Cafe' looks like, you can check it out here.

 - On Saturday, our Clothing Connection helped to clothe thousands of people. Thanks to everyone who donated, sorted, folded or carried clothing, said hello to attenders, spread the word or prayed for the Clothing Connection. You ALL are awesome and we can't say Thank You enough! I believe it is safe to say that our King is smiling about the work that YOU did in his name!

 - Our people also baked thousands of cookies for Kairos prison minsitry over the weekend. Kairos is a very effective ministry to some of our nation's most hardened criminals. And like me and you, everyone should have at least one opportunity to hear the gospel. And Kairos provides that - and much more. LCCers, THANK YOU for baking. Even one cookie given in Jesus' name ...

- And if all that wasn't enough, our Tigers beat UNC, are 8-0, number five in the BCS poll, ticking off The Chickens, and doing us proud! We enjoyed a wonderful six-family weekend in the upstate. Each year we all rent one humungous house on Lake Keowee, have all of our kids and their friends up, and enjoy our time together. And it always helps when the Tigers win. (Thanks, Emmy, for the pic!)


- This weekend I begin a new series on the Holy Spirit called, "The Forgotten God." I totally ripped that title off from Frances Chan, but titles are not copyright-able and I think it's a great one. I find that too many Christians know and understand too little about the Third Person of the Trinity. We'll seek to rectify some of that in the coming weeks.

- Have a great week, everyone!

Monday Morning Reflections

It was a great day at LowCountry yesterday!

- I informed our people that I will be making a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT this coming Sunday regarding LCC-Bluffton's future. It is God-sized and exciting!

- We had a tremendous time of worship, and I always like it when our Worship Community (choir) leads us. Their love of singing, joy, and desire to lead others in worship is contagious. Thanks, everyone!

- I gave the third message in a five-part series called Automate the Important. We are examining the five habits which are necessary if we are to grow in our spiritual walk with Jesus. Yesterday was on spending time in God's Word.

- In doing my research, I found quite a few  statistics - some troubling and some encouraging. Here are a few:
     - when asked to name the four gospels, only 45% of American adults could do so (Gallup);
     - when asked if the Golden Rule is part of the Ten Commandments, 45% said it was (Gallup);
     - The Gideons distribute in excess of 45 million New Testaments annually. That works out to 86 per minute!
     - 92% of Americans say they own a Bible, yet there is an appalling lack of Biblical literacy among Americans.
     - In an USA Today report on America's religious illiteracy, 50% of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married.
     - Gallup said it well: "We revere the Bible but we don't read the Bible."

- And speaking of religious knowledge - or lack of it -  here is an on-line 15-question quiz . Go ahead! Take this short quiz, and see how you do in comparison with 3,412 randomly sampled adults who were asked these and other questions in the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey. It will provide you with an accurate glimpse of your religious (not just Christian) knowledge. I'd love to know how you did!

- This year's first Baptism at the Beach was attended by approximately 250 persons yesterday; we baptized 30 adults, teens and children. The surf was a little rough, (to say the least), but we didn't lose anyone. It was awesome to hear stories and testimonies of God's work and grace in people's lives!

- Finally, there's a LOT going on at LCC's two campuses right now. Here's a snapshot:

GIRLS NIGHT OUT - Friday, May 20 at 6 pm - Bluffton Campus - Discover the Princess in you and join us May 20, to watch the romantic and humorous film, The Princess Bride.  We’ll enjoy an array of sweets, treats and gourmet popcorn, and a lot of fun.  The cost is only $10.00, with a portion of the proceeds going to our Women of Faith Conference Scholarship Fund.  CLICK HERE for more information. 

Miracle Offering Sunday - Sunday, May 22  - Hilton Head Island Campus  - Our island campus will be receiving an "above and beyond" offerings toward the down payment on our new (to us) 13,000 square foot facility on the Island. CLICK HERE to watch a tour of our future facility. 

Do the Five - Sunday, May 22 @ 4 pm -  Joint Campus Event at the Bluffton Campus.  Here at LCC, this is THE CORE of our discipleship process for Christ followers. By exploring in depth each of the five purposes of LCC, you have the opportunity to gain knowledge, understanding, and spiritual truths that will ultimately develop you into a more passionate follower of Christ. Dinner and childcare is provided. We encourage you to take the classes in order, but only the CONNECT Class is required to be taken first. REGISTRATION ENDS ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 @ NOON! CLICK HERE to register.

BUMPER CROP (Food Drive) - Sunday, May 22 

Local food pantries are running very low on supplies. Please help by taking home a grocery bag, filling it, and leaving it behind your car’s bumper on May 22. We will pick it up during the services next week. Every little bit helps someone in need. For more information, or to help please contact Pastor Joe at 843.836.1101 or by email.

Financial Peace University - Monday, May 23 @ 6:30 pm - Bluffton Campus  - The next 13-week session of Financial Peace University (FPU) begins Monday, May 23, 2011. Financial Peace University is a life-changing program that teaches you how to make the right decisions with your money. You’ll be empowered with the practical skills and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals and experience true financial peace! The cost is $110.00 per family and includes many resources. Child care is available. CLICK HERE to register.

INTRODUCING-->SILENT AUCTION, May 29 at 6 p.m.

Join us for at the LCC Bluffton Campus for free desserts & coffee and to bid on great items like local dining, golf, entertainment, vacation packages and much more. All proceeds go to this summer’s LCC’s High School/College mission trip to Jamaica.  Online bidding starts May 15 at: thewaylcc.com.

LOWCOUNTRY BUILD TEAM - Join us for a mission trip to…Beaufort County! This will be a full mission trip experience, except you sleep in your own bed. We will be helping struggling people right here in our own community.   Building experience is helpful, but not necessary. Just be willing to work hard and help us change a family's future.    CLICK HERE for more information.

Have a great day!

Monday Morning Reflections

- It really was a great day at LowCountry Community Church yesterday!

- Our friends from England, Des Wadsworth and Ron Farrington are with us this week. Des brought an incredible message on "super-sized" faith and challenged us to believe God for incredible, impossible things.

- Ron and Des serve at Longton Community Church just outside of Preston, England. Surf over and check out their church here. They are meeting with many of our leaders this week, challenging, teaching, and mentoring. We are better because of them (that's what leaders do)!

- The message really resonated with me ... and I know (because I spoke with many). that it resonated with lots and lots of LCCers who have already started believing God for renewed relationships, salvaged marriages, returned prodigal children, miracles in their jobs and businesses, and the like.

- It's a message you should really take some time to listen to. It will be posted tomorrow at www.lowcountrycc.org. And, of course, all our messages from both campuses are freely posted as Podcasts on iTunes.

- Cynthia and team did a wonderful job leading us in worship - as always.

- Following Des' message, I called LCC to 40 Days of Fasting and Prayer beginning on March 16th. It will end on Easter Sunday. I am asking us to primarily pray for two things: (1) That I, and our leadership community, will receive very clear directives from God regarding the next steps we are to take as a church, and (2) that HUNDREDS of men, women, boys, and girls will place their faith in Jesus Christ alone on Easter weekend.

- Our Hilton Head campus saw a record, non-holiday attendance yesterday: 218! We are getting to a point of desperately needing larger space for that campus. We're working on some options and would appreciate any prayer you'd like to send up on our behalf!

- It was also the first official Sunday for our brand new worship leader, Eric Abney. From all I hear Eric did wonderfully well leading worship at our HHI campus. Welcome, Eric! He'll be leading at our Bluffton campus this coming Sunday.

- We are also definitely sensing that God is calling us to our next step with our Bluffton campus; we just don't know exactly what it is yet. There are many options available to us: additional parking, another campus, another facility, a church plant, etc. This is why we're going to take 40 days and cry out to the Lord that His will might be known and then accomplished by His power and in His time.

- What a exciting time to be alive and serving Jesus today!

Monday Morning Reflections

- It was another great day at LowCountry yesterday!

- We continued our series, 'Encounter', which is all about worship. I preached from Psalm 145. What a phenomenal psalm. ..so rich with the attributes and characteristics of God.

- Brandon and Kim Smith led our worship again. We love it when they are with us.

- Our 80+ senior high students all returned safe and sound from their Fall retreat at Awanita Valley. It's a great conference and retreat center in the Upstate of South Carolina. Darlene and I took our first youth group retreat there in 1986 (man, does that seem like another lifetime ago!). 

- How do people like to be treated? How do YOU like to be treated? Here is an excellent post by Dr. John Maxwell well worth a read. You'll be a better leader, parent, boss, employee, PERSON, etc., if you put these principles into practice.

- I loved this post from Steven Furtick on 'But People." I'm keeping it handy so I can read and re--read it.

- My book, 'Happily Ever After: Studies in the Beatitudes,' is to be printed this Thursday. Fingers crossed!

- Well, radio and TV stations are reminding us that Christmas is right around the corner. At LCC, we are getting all geared up and ready to go. Here are a few unique Christmas opportunties for you...whether you are a LowCountry local or not...

Evening in December Concert and Dessert - Friday, December 3 @ 7:00 p.m. (Bluffton campus) and Sunday, December 5 @ 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. (HHI campus)
Join us for an evening of great Christmas music presented by your LCC musicians and singers along with some special guests. Enjoy great desserts and coffee as we bring in the Christmas season. Tickets are $15 per person. A portion of the proceeds will go towards meeting needs in our local community at Christmas this year. You can purchase your tickets online (credit card only) or purchase them at the information points on Sundays.

Evening in December Christmas CD
Enjoy the timeless songs of the season as recorded live at our Evening in December Concerts ('09)for $5 per CD. You can purchase your CD online (credit card only) or purchase them at the info points on Sundays.

Monday Morning Reflections

- What a weekend at LowCountry!

- This has been our REACH month. Basically, we sought to be the hands and feet of Jesus through dozens of different service projects all over our neighborhoods, towns, and region.

- Our folks have been re-roofing homes, replacing floors, cleaning fire departments, cleaning up homes, providing clothing to thousands of people, feeding prisoners, cleaning up our area roadways, painting, and other projects too numerous to mention.

- Yesterday was our Clothing Connection. (This photo will give you an idea.) What an incredible day! We were able to provide clothing to thousands of people. Our folks gave (literally) tons of clothing. We not only distributed clothing at both of our campuses but we also gave away at least two truckloads of free clothing to other area ministries and to two families we learned about, who have both lost their homes due to recent fires.

- We were blessed to have very encouraging participation from folks at both campuses. Todd Cullen, our Hilton Head Island campus pastor, says that campus saw 100% participation. Wow!

- And check this out: a young woman came to the Clothing Connection yesterday at our HHI campus, attended the first service, and trusted Christ as her Saviour!

- Why do all this? Simple. Jesus says to! (See Matthew 25: 35-40).

- We also kicked off our first-ever, bona-fide prison ministry partnering alongside of an organization called Kairos.  We are ministering at the Ridgeland Correctional Institution.

- LowCountry, it's a privilege to be your pastor. I love what you are doing to advance Jesus' kingdom "here, there, and over there."

Monday Morning Reflections

- I know you're receiving this on Tuesday but I really am writing it on Monday!

- Sunday was an incredible day at both campuses. We had an almost record "normal" Sunday attendance at Hilton Head, and at our Bluffton campus...

- Twenty-four people received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It absolutely cannot ever get any better than that!

- We are in the middle of our Reach month. I spoke on John 3:16 and just broke the verse down bit-by-bit. If you'd like to hear/view it, click here.

- We also gave a video update from our latest New Orleans/Katrina Relief team. If you'd like an update on what God is doing through LCC there, click here.

- We also offered another "Do the Five" yesterday. This is our core discipleship process covering the areas of Connect, Grow, Serve, Reach, and Worship. Approximately 150 attended last night from 4-7 p.m. Amazing! (And the free pizza wasn't half bad either...)

- Our annual Clothing Connection is this Saturday. We have collected thousands of pounds of clothing - all to be distributed freely to anyone in need. We anticipate that about 3000 people will come to receive this clothing for any and all sizes.

- We'll also have a number of Spanish translators on hand and we'll be distributing free Bibles (in English and Spanish), as well as providing free health screening. And a few other local churches join us. It's always a fantastic day. We are pumped!

- Senior pastors, I have told you before about how I benefitted from being a part of Perry Noble's coaching network over two years ago. They are currently receiving applications for the next coaching network. Do yourself a favor and apply! It was an awesome experience and I learned a lot.  Click here to register.

- I was reminded of the value of a life well-lived today. We held a service of celebration for Mike Fuhrman. Mike and Sandy have become an integral part of our LCC life. Mike peacefully entered the presence of Christ on Friday morning. To hear the stories, testimonies, and words of appreciation from friends and family brought the words of Proverbs 22:1 to mind: " A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

- It makes me think: Am I living my life so that I will leave a good name and that those who follow me will know Jesus? After all, if I'm not pointing folks to Jesus, what in the world am I here for?

On an ending note...
- All is right with the world again: Clemson won and the chickens lost.

- I can't get over what absolutely brilliant Fall weather we are enjoying.

- Do you tweet? I'm @jsc61. Let's follow one another!

- Have a great day!

Monday Morning Reflections

- It was a big day at LowCountry yesterday!

- It all started out with an amazingly beautiful day. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and yesterday didn't let us down.

- At the Bluffton campus, we had our first Worship Community participate/lead in our services. Thanks to Cynthia for her leadership in making this happen. This choir brought energy, life and worship to us yesterday. It was terrific to see so many LCCers involved. And a choir brings "something" to a worship service. (And thankfully there were no robes!)

- If you would like to be a part of the Worship Community, shoot Cynthia an email. You don't have to try out ... it's pretty simple: show up to a couple of energetic rehearsals and sing your heart out (the ability to carry a tune in a bucket is helpful...).

- We wrapped up our seven-week series, Happily Ever After, on the Beatitudes. We ended with the beatitude blessing no one really wants: persecution.

- Author Ray Pritchard tells us that it's the only beatitude that is repeated twice, the only one which comes with a command ("rejoice and be glad"), the longest beatitude, the only one with an explanation, and the one which is the ultimate test of our discipleship.

- Following our worship services we had a Ministry Fair outside. About a dozen ministries were represented and hundreds stopped by the ministry booths. The bouncy house and cotton candy, (candy floss to my UK friends), were used very effectively by our children's ministry!

- This coming weekend kicks off an intense month of REACH. We'll share stories of changed lives, stories of our 2010 mission teams (with one team leaving later this month for South Africa), and challenge ourselves to take the gospel here, there, and over there.

On a few other notes...

- According to FunnyOrFact, this month we have 10:10:10, 10/10/10, and five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays. This only happens once in 823 years. Just so you know...

- Here is a great quote on leadership from Jack Welch: "There are times when a leader "cannot be this thoughtful, in-the-corner guru. You cannot be a moderate, balanced, thoughtful careful articulator of policy. You've got to be on the lunatic fringe."

- Darlene and I are looking forward to attending Catalyst later this week in Atlanta. I've heard so much about this incredible leadership conference over the years, but have never attended before. That changes this Thursday!

- I returned safe and sound from my annual trek to England. It was a very good week. Todd Cullen and I had the privilege of ministering with the good people of Longton Community church. They surprised us by treating us to our very first Premiereship football (soccer) match. It was at Liverpool's Anfield stadium and we had an absolute blast. I didn't learn any new words there, but heard some that have not burned my ears in quite some time!

- Making our way to Heathrow, we stopped at Oxford. I was desperate to finally see all the places C.S. Lewis wrote about and where he lived and taught. I also wanted to visit Winston Churchill's birthplace, Blenheim Palace. All I can say is, "wow." Despite the rain, it was a blast.

- On Wednesday night, we attended the Evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral. This magnificent edifice was constructed from 1560-1620. People have been worshipping God on that site since the 9th century. To worship where kings have worshipped and where John and Charles Wesley were ordained was a singular and incredible experience. 

- Blenheim Palace is an incredible and magnificent private home. The 11th Duke of Marlborough still resides there. Most of it is open to the public. It has so much historical significance that the mind boggles. It is in pristine condition due in part to the fact that the Germans intentionally never bombed it during WW II. Had Germany occupied England, Blenheim would have served as the German seat of government.

- We also survived my driving. Steering from the right side of the car, driving on the left side of the road, navigating hundreds of round-abouts, all while managing a six-speed manual transmission, certainly gave our guardian angels reason to work over-time!

- In closing, as I mentioned in my message yesterday, last Sunday I attended two baptismal services at Longton Community Church. Those being baptized gave their testimonies. Rita shared about her new-found faith. I was touched by her words and wanted to share them with you. She writes:

I’ve Discovered ….
Love that never holds grudges.   
Love that causes no pain.
Love that shows no malice.
Love that only brings gain.
Love that will never reject me.
Love that causes no fear.
Love that bears no resentment.
Love that is constantly near.
Love that is never controlling.
Love given freely to all.
Love that is always uplifting.
Love that can conquer all.
Love that is everlasting.
Love that is always wise.
This is the love I’ve discovered.
The love of my Lord -
Jesus Christ.
(Rita Jackson: 26^th September 2010)

 

Monday Morning Reflections

- It was a beautiful day in the lowcountry and a great day at LowCountry yesterday.

- Strong attendance, parking problems again during the 10.00 service, (thanks for being kind to one another, LCCers!), and a wonderful communion and prayer worship service.

- We continued on our series through the Beatitudes called, 'Happily Ever After." We covered two beatitudes yesterday: 'Blessed are the merciful' and 'blessed are the pure in heart.'

- Mercy is an emotion, attitude, or action that allows us to feel the pain of another so deeply that we're compelled to do something to help someone who needs mercy.

- Jesus modeled this best and illustrated it in the parable of the merciful master in Matthew 18...

-And as we exhibit mercy, mercy will come our way...it comes back to us!

- To be pure in heart is pretty interesting terminology... it's a person with a passion for purity who has been cleansed in character and the person we see on the outside is the same person who is on the inside.

- King David modeled it well, but it was only after Nathan confronted him regarding David's sin against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah...he had committed adultery and murder. See Psalm 51 for an incredible example of David's confession and authenticity.

- Our elders were available for those who desired to be prayed over during our communion time and dozens came for that. It's so encouraging to see our pastors and elders ministering to our LCC folk; it's even more encouraging to see God meet people significantly at their point of need.

- We ended a wonderful day enjoying the beautiful weather as we ate on a friend's dock, watching the day come to an end.
 
- I needed that after my Tiger's gut-wrenching loss to Auburn on Saturday. To top it off, my Ravens lost yesterday. All of which is a reminder that either I get too caught up in this stuff, or I need new teams (never!).

- Thank you, USC fans, for all of the "mercy" you extended toward me yesterday...

- Busy week ahead: Bible Institute tonight, Leadership Training tomorrow night, sermon preparation for our next series, and a few other major things coming up.

- But our lives need purpose, right? And I'm glad mine is the proclamation of the Greatest Story ever told! 

 -Have a great day!

Monday Morning Reflections

- This was a pretty sweet weekend for me.

- Saw the Tigers beat up on a very inferior opponent (but it was still fun). We might get some payback as we travel to Auburn this weekend...

- And it was a great day at LCC yesterday...

- We returned to three services at the Bluffton campus. In all honesty, three services in a row sort of kicks my tail. But I had more than enough energy and got through it with flying colors.

- We spent some time thinking through the implications of what it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). I illustrated it in such a way that I think people ran out of church to eat a good lunch...I was making myself hungry!

- But obviously Jesus wasn't talking about satisfying our physical hunger and thirst. Rather, He desires than we pursue Him with desperation.

- Here's another reason to "hunger" and thirst after righteousness! Who can afford that?!

- As Augustine said, "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee."

- Our worship was led by three of our staff guys: Rob, Jason, and Joe. They did a great job and I felt like I was at a PromiseKeepers event again!

- MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) begins again this week and they are pumped!

- We had another great baptism at the beach, (approximately 300 attended), complete with a cookout and some great music. Anytime you have vocalists singing from the back of a pickup truck, it's gotta be good!

- We also celebrated the third anniversary of our Hilton Head campus. Our Worship Director, Cynthia Cullen, has posted a video of yesterday's baptism here ... there are some pictures posted here.

- We baptized 33 people, most of whom were teens and adults. The ocean was warm and fairly calm, and it was another highlight for us as we saw changed lives right in front of our eyes.

- What an awesome day!

- And speaking of Cynthia, she was recently asked by Worship Leader Magazine  to share about her journey as a worship leader and what God is doing at LowCountry. I highly encourage you to download the article here. We're proud of you, Cynthia!

- Later this week, Todd Cullen and I are headed up to NewSpring Church for their one-day leadership event. I'm going to sit back, take reams of notes in my Moleskine, listen, and learn from Rick Warren, Francis Chan, Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, Jud Wilhite, Mark Driscoll, and Judah Smith. It will be like getting a drink from a fire hydrant, but I am pumped!

- Have a great day!

Monday Morning Reflections

I could tell you about..

- the new series on the Beatitudes called Happily Ever After...
- the Bible Institute of the Lowcountry which kicks off tonight with 44 adult learners...
- that about 120 LCCers participated in our core classes yesterday afternoon, which we call Do the Five...
- that the spirit of worship was off the hook as Brandon, Kim, and three of our teenage guys led us...you can check out some of Brandon's video's here...
- that our worship center is packed out (we return to three services on September 12th: 8.30, 10.00 & 11.30 a.m.)...
- that our elders and staff had a terrific four-hour Leadership Advance on Saturday morning talking and praying about God's future for LCC...

But what really matters is that 41 people received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour yesterday in both Bluffton campus services!!!!!

NOTHING is better than that!