Access Church

Double the Change

2008-07-17T16:25:00.000-04:00

Since Access began, we've had the privilege of seeing God work in amazing ways in the lives of those we love. That's prompted us to ask the question, "Could we double it?"

Could we double the change we've seen in the lives of men, women, and children who are coming to know God in a new way?

What if you could double your opportunities to introduce family and friends to the God who loves them?

What if you had twice as many chances to leverage your influence in someone's life and lead them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ?

Beginning in September, Access Church will meet every Sunday to provide exactly that kind of possibility in the lives of those you love.

This is a huge step for us as a church! We were determined not to take this step until we had 100 volunteers working together to create relevant, excellent, and engaging environments. We could still use a few more (contact Zoie today to sign up!), but we feel confident God will bring us the right people in the next few weeks. We are so excited for all that's ahead!

I want to say thanks to all the volunteers who've worked so hard to bring us to this point. The first 18 months have been amazing. I can't wait to see what God's going to do next!!

Who will you invite this fall?

Prayin'

2008-07-09T07:21:00.000-04:00

Access Church has simple roots. Before there were Sunday morning services, before there was a staff, before we even had a name or a bank account, there was a small group of people meeting...to pray.

Their prayers were pretty simple.

"God, this isn't our thing, it's your thing."

At the exact same time Stephanie and I were being challenged to plant a church. Something we'd never done. Yet, we felt strongly called to this city and this movement. We began to constantly pray, "God, this is your idea, not ours, so it's up to you to make this work."

I'm so grateful for the foundation of this church. I'm so grateful for all of you who join us in praying that God would use this church in the lives of those we love.

More than 50 of you have committed to regularly pray for Access Church. Here's why that is so exciting!

Prayer aligns our hearts with God's. We begin to see people the way he sees them.
It's an exercise in submitting our will to his will.
It's an opportunity to acknowledge our dependence on his wisdom and provision.

When we pray, we see the mission through his lens, not ours. It means that when I drive past a great piece of land on Gate Parkway I've stopped praying, "Lord, give that to Access," but rather,"Use that for your glory, Lord."

Here are some specific ways you can pray for Access Church:

Moral integrity for our leadership
Unity in our community
Wisdom and clarity in leadership
Continued focus on reaching people
Simplicity in our model
Partnership with area churches
Influence in our city

What are some other ways you can think of praying for Access?

Go Orange!

2008-07-06T12:00:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday at Access, we announced an intense competition!

The family that goes ORANGE in the biggest way between now and August 17 will win an amazing prize. Here is Adam Flynt with a representative from the City of Jacksonville introducing the Go Orange campaign:

So, here's the deal:

1. Come up with a family strategy.
2. Go Orange in a huge way. Kind of like Zach. But not.
3. Send us a video of your family going orange.
3. Win the coolest prize ever.

The family that amazes us with their Orange Spirit will win the Orange Machine. Which is a lot like this Huffy Green Machine, only we've painted it orange. Sweet!

For official contest rules, download this PDF.

Have a super-orange summer!

YouVersion Mobile

2008-07-04T09:24:00.001-04:00

One week from today, Apple and AT&T will begin selling the new iPhone at 8:00am. In addition to GPS and 3G technologies, the new iPhone will ship with the 2.0 software that supports third-party applications.

Older iPhones can run the 2.0 software as well, which allows the installation of all kinds of cool apps.

The one I'm most excited about?

YouVersion.

Which third-party app are you most excited about?

GroupLink

2008-07-02T06:56:00.001-04:00

If you've been attending Access for a while, but have yet to jump into a Community Group, your time is here!

Community Groups are the heartbeat of Access Church. You see, we believe that no matter how big a church gets, it can still stay "small" in the most important ways if we gather around the kitchen table, look each other in the eye, and do life together.

Sunday mornings are great, but they are such a small slice of what we believe the church should be. Groups are where it all comes to life!

GroupLink is your chance to get into a group this fall. Don't miss it!

August 17, 4:30pm, UNF.

Summer Giving Opportunity

2008-06-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

This summer brings a great opportunity for you to really make a difference at Access Church.

We're so excited that 22 of you who have not been giving regularly have decided to jump IN with your finances!

Here's the opportunity:

The Access family gave in very strong ways through the spring. But, May was pretty rough.

Our year-to-date giving total is now about $14,000 below what we have budgeted. As a result, our cash reserve is dangerously low.

Heading into the summer with a low cash reserve is pretty risky. We understand that it's easy to forget about giving during the summer months, but if that were to happen with the Access family, the results could be severe—even meaning that our staff would be left unpaid.

Here's why we're not panicked:

First, this church is God's—it's been his idea from the beginning, and we're confident of our future in Him.

Second, we're excited about all that fall will bring! An every-Sunday schedule will increase our momentum and double the opportunities we have to invite more of our friends, family, and classmates to Access Church.

Third, more and more of you are joining the mission all the time, and those of you who've jumped "IN" represent about a 40% increase in the number of priority-percentage givers at Access Church. That is so encouraging!

Here's what you can do today to help with this situation:

1. Go to this page on our web site to set up a recurring, automatic gift to Access Church. Giving on a weekly or monthly basis really helps add consistency to our budget. Or, if you prefer, you can use your own bank's online bill payment system.

2. Consider a retroactive gift to help cover the shortfall in May. You can send it in this week or drop it in the bucket on Sunday.

I can't possibly tell you in words how encouraging your generosity is to this ministry! There is no way we could do this without you! Thank you.

The Ride of Your Life

2008-06-26T11:18:00.003-04:00

We asked the question, "Are you IN?"

And 17 of you, who have not previously served, said, "YES!"

That's ridiculously encouraging!

You've increased our volunteer force by 20%!

You are equipping us to begin the fall healthy and strong!

You have become a part of something bigger than yourself—something that God wants to do in this city. You will create environments that are irresistible. You will make it possible for your friends, family members, and co-workers to experience God in a new way. And when God starts using you like that, well...it's a rush!

This summer we're going to buckle our seatbelts. We're going to position you, train you, and prepare you. You might be a little nervous. But we're going to make sure you're ready.

This summer, you're going to begin the ride of your life! Hang on tight!

Baptism, What's the Big Deal?

2008-06-25T14:39:00.006-04:00

Last time Access met, Andy Stanley gave one of the best explanations of baptism I've ever heard. Some of you missed it and have asked to see it, so here you go!

If, after watching the video, you would like to be baptized, give us a shout. We're planning a baptism service at the beach on August 24. We'd love to help you celebrate God's work in your life in front of family and friends.

Laughter

2008-06-19T11:42:00.001-04:00

I thought you might enjoy this post from Stephanie, who spends most Sundays answering questions at the information table:

During the service this past Sunday I was sitting at the information table watching Andy on the hall monitor, and I confess, I got distracted.

In my view, past the monitor and outside, there was a game going on. Kickball. Hot, sweaty grown-ups and teenagers playing guys-against-the-girls. The ball was flying and there was a lot of running. I mean all-out, no-one-makes-it-to-another-base kind of running going on—by the teenagers, too. There was arm-waving, jostling at the bases, and laughing. Lots of laughing across the grass.

I could barely hear it, though, for all the noise from upstairs. More kids—elementary-aged—on a scavenger hunt. There was excited, raucous, we-love-this-stuff kind of laughing echoing down the hallway. There was running, jostling,boisterousness—by the grown-ups, too.

Then there was host team, opening up the doors, getting ready for the flow of people to come. talking, laughing. There was a muted conversation down the hallway, punctuated with laughter.

News came that Waumba was brimming with a record number of babies. There was no-one-cries-on-my-watch kind of rocking going on. There was gurgling and bouncing and laughing—by babies, too.

I thought of what Peyton (10) had asked the night before. “What are we going to do at Access on Sunday?”

“Have a party for God!” Cutler (4) answered.

I sat there and listened to the joy of the party—all of it—rising, mingling and ringing all around me

I mean, we-are-here-to-give-our-hearts kind of joy.

Irresistible.

How-could -I-help-but-want-to-be-here kind of inviting.

I know He enjoyed every minute of it.

IN

2008-06-18T09:06:00.002-04:00

Recently we spent some time on a Sunday morning asking the question, "Are you IN?"

The premise is simple. Access church began with a group of people praying that God would do something amazing in Jacksonville. Then, that group of people began to give from their income—to a church that didn't even have a name or a staff, yet! Then, they volunteered to create environments that would introduce people to God. Finally, they invited friends and loved ones to experience Access Church.

Those four elements aren't just our history—they are our future as well! They are the foundation of our church, and if we took any one of them away, we would cease to be the same.

So, we're inviting those of you who've joined the mission of Access Church in the last year or so to jump IN, as well. Here is the commitment we're asking for:

Pray regularly (you decide how often) for the leadership, ministries, and impact of Access Church.
Give a priority percentage (you decide what that is) of your 2008 income to Access Church.
Jump in at the point of greatest need on a strategic service team at Access Church.
Invite people in your life who might benefit from developing intimacy with God and community with others to Access Church sometime this summer.

Are you in? If so, you can download a pledge card here and turn in on a Sunday or drop it in the mail. We'd love to know we can count on you!

Consumerism in the Church

2008-06-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been in some discussions about our particular model of church with a few really bright critics. It's good to allow others to ask challenging questions, and to ask them of ourselves.

Some people just don't like big churches. Others really resist the idea of one church having multiple campuses. And the idea of having a communicator appear via video is pretty "outside the box" for many.

The cool thing is that there is room in the body of Christ for all of these thoughts. I'm not going to knock your model of reaching people. There are very few things worth arguing about, and if you are encouraging people to love God and love people in stronger and more authentic ways, them I'm going to cheer you on!

But there is something I need to rant about today, for just a little bit.

"Consumerism" in the church.

Some are clearly against it. Me? I'm all for it! But the key question is, which consumers?

The consumers inside the church? The ones that walk past a pastor and say, "Great message?" Or, the one who says, "I just can't imagine church without small groups." The sentiments might be the same as yours, but they are still consumer-mindset sentiments.

So, the real question becomes, "Which consumers are you going to listen to?" Will you listen to the consumers inside the church, or the consumers outside the church?

When you listen to consumers inside the church, you end up with multiple services, each with a different style of music. Or you have 87 ministries to meet every potential need. Except that next month you'll have to add more to meet new needs.

When you listen to consumers outside the church, you start to look like Jesus. I'm definitely for that.

Spanish Andy

2008-06-12T20:09:00.001-04:00

Thought you might be encouraged to see how North Point is continuing to look for innovative ways to reach the community of Atlanta.

A bunch of people are loving the fact that they can invite unbelieving friends to an environment like North Point. But, what happens when those people have friends who don't speak English?

A Letter from Shane

2008-06-11T11:04:00.000-04:00

If you wonder what we mean when we talk about creating "irresistible environments" on Sundays, the following letter from one of our attenders should help answer that question. As you read this, keep in mind that Shane, like you and I, is on a spiritual journey, and we're all at different points on our journey.

All of my life, church seemed to be one of those curious places that people attended, either out of tradition or, when they needed guidance in their lives. For various reasons, I never thought that I needed church or for that matter to believe in God or a higher power.

Because of my background, the idea of attending church regularly seemed strange and foreign.

Then, one day Kelly, my wife, straight-up asked me to go to Access Church with her.

Needless to say, I had some very real apprehensions about the idea of attending church. As we approached the doors to Access, I felt like a wolf among the sheep, a non-believer infiltrating a club where I wasn't sure I would be welcomed. But, as we entered those thoughts immediately went away. A few guys at the door greeted us with smiles and a cheerful, "Good morning.” I made it in unscathed. We made our way to the auditorium and I heard the sounds of a rock band. I asked Kelly, “Are we in the right place?” She smiled and we continued inside.

I prepared myself for a lot of kneeling, standing, sitting and benches. Nope, comfy theater seats welcomed us as the music got louder. After a few minutes Rich greeted everyone, wearing jeans. Wow, I thought, no formal procession, no robes, no altar boys. I kinda liked it.

After Rich made some informal announcements the stage was set for “Verdict.” Actors portrayed a scene of putting the gospels on trial and at first I thought, “This is cute.” Then, as I watched, I had a thought, for the very first time, that I might be wrong about God being a work of fiction. From then on I was hooked. I continued attending in the following weeks, if nothing more than to satisfy my curiosity.

It's hard to put into words, but Access has really changed the way I think about attending church. Listening to “Verdict,” then “iMarriage” and the other subjects that Andy Stanley has touched on really make it easy for a guy like me to relate.

To my surprise, the experience wasn't uncomfortable, and I found that I actually had the wrong idea about church all along. At Access, it wasn't all about surrendering yourself, asking forgiveness for your sins, or being judged, but it was just about being closer to everyone around you and to God...all while listening to some great music and down-to-Earth communicators.

Now, a regular attender at Access, I can safely say that I'm "comfortable" with church. I not only attend church but my wife and I are also part of a weekly small group where we really connect on a personal level with other couples. While I'm still getting used to the idea that there might be a higher power, Access has allowed me to become better educated about Christianity while making some great friends along the way. What more could you ask for?

Wow. He's right. What more could you ask for?

Always Learning

2008-06-10T22:07:00.003-04:00

One of the things I love about the culture of our staff is that they are always seeking to learn from the best.

Vernon Rainwater is an old friend of mine, and last week he and his staff graciously hosted our team at Northland Community Church. When I say, "graciously"... Wow! You can't imagine how kind and hospitable this mega-church was to a scrappy church-planting crew like ours.

It was a great chance to reconnect with Vernon, talk about the future of multi-site worship, and see their new auditorium. Holy Smokes! If you are a gear freak you have got to see this place. The center screen is 75-feet wide and is amazing how they pair that with DL2s to create an immersive environment.

And the lighting! I don't know if I've ever seen a better job of lighting in the church.

We learned a ton, ate some great food (thanks, Vernon!), and were reminded how cool it is to be a part of the body of Christ, all trying different things to reach our culture for Christ.

If you're in Orlando, you should stop in at one of their five weekend services and check 'em out!

Beach Fun

2008-06-09T13:24:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure if there's a group of people I'd rather hang out with than the Access volunteers. What a cool group of folks!

Intense "ladder ball" competition, surfing lessons, hunting for shark teeth, catching sand sharks, and just hanging out, enjoying the fine company—these consumed our day.

Kevin & Darin made a little gift for everyone—an Access Church Live worship CD. Just for our volunteers.

Several new volunteers joined the fun, and you could tell right away they fit right in—ready to serve in any position necessary. They've joined the mission!

Pictures from the day can be found here. Email me if you'd like a full-res photo.

Thanks again, Access volunteers! You are the greatest!

Access Goes to the Beach

2008-06-06T08:37:00.001-04:00

Access Volunteers! (Yes, that includes those who've just signed up to serve at the point of greatest need.)

Summer's here, and there are only eight remaining off-Sundays. Spend this one with us at Sawgrass Beach Club!

It's a simple, casual beach day. Bring your own footballs, frisbees, sand toys, and beach chairs. We're just going to hang out from 3pm—Sunset. Come as early as you like, stay as late as you like.

Pack a cooler for your family with your own food & beverages. Eat what you like, when you like.

We'll have a special gift for our volunteers. We'll introduce you to each other. We'll look for shark's teeth. Very simple.

Got a friend who's not a volunteer? Bring them, too! (Zoie Morales can be very persuasive!)

It's not every day you get to go to the beach with this crowd!

This Sunday, June 8
3pm—Sunset
Sawgrass Beach Club
Bring Your Own Cooler

Click here for directions to Sawgrass Beach Club.
(At the gate, mention that you are with Access Church to gain entry.)

Baptism

2008-06-03T08:15:00.000-04:00

Baptism is an incredible step in the life of a believer. It's a symbolic time to identify with Jesus Christ and publicly acknowledge that we place all of our hope in him alone.

Some are intimidated by the idea. Maybe it's the thought of being in front of a group of people dripping wet. Maybe it's the public confession of faith. Some hesitate because they aren't sure what they will say.

Andy Stanley will be giving a special message on baptism on June 15 at Access Church. He'll answer your questions and hopefully encourage you to consider this step as a follower of Christ.

Later this summer we'll enjoy a baptism service together at the beach.

Click here to shoot me an email if you are interested in being baptized.

A History of Access Church

2008-06-01T14:31:00.002-04:00

We had a great morning at Access today! We talked about our DNA, and where we are headed. But first we had to remember how we got here. If you've ever wanted a fairly succinct version of the Access story, look no further...

In the spring of 2005, a few Jacksonville natives began to discuss the possibility of starting a new kind of church—not for church people, but for those far from God.

By the fall of 2005, a group of six couples and one single woman had formed. They were not church planters. They were not pastors. With no idea where to start, they began to pray. They began to ask God what He might do if they leveraged their time, their resources, and their relationships for His glory.

Ready for the next step, they contacted North Point Community Church and began to ask questions. As the enormity of the task before them became clear, they realized achieving their goal would take tremendous financial resources.

With a desire to see their loved ones enter into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, they began to give money to a church with no name and no staff—a church that would not even be designed for them.

For a year, this group continued to meet, pray, and give to the project. Meanwhile, a staff was being developed at North Point, and a launch date was set. On March 4, 2007, Access Church would launch its first service.

Excited about the prospect of a church designed for people that don’t really like church, more than 50 volunteers signed on to teach children in UpStreet, love pre-schoolers in Waumba Land, and create excellent, engaging environments for adults.

Confidence grew that the environments would be ready for the people of Jacksonville to experience. But, how would they learn about this new church? And what would motivate them to come?

Each volunteer began to think about people in their lives who had never clearly understood how real God could be in their lives.

Each volunteer extended a personal invitation to a co-worker, friend, or family member. Some invited a handful of people. Others invited dozens.

When launch day came, what began as a prayer came to life as those who had prayed, given, served, and invited were able to host hundreds of guests and introduce them to new kinds of environments for developing intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders.

The prologue had been written. It was time for the story to begin.

Proximity to Pain

2008-05-27T09:39:00.001-04:00

Do you read Seth Godin? If you are in business (for profit or not), you should read Godin.

The other day he posted a very simple piece titled, "Proximity to Pain."

The closer you are to the point of need, the more you can charge.

Pizza at the airport costs five times more than pizza on the way to the airport.

Tax audit services in the middle of an SEC investigation cost triple what they cost before one.

Scalped tickets cost more than ones bought in advance, by mail.

Emergency towing in a strange town costs more too.

The single easiest way to increase your fees is to get closer to the pain. It's interesting to note that no large-scale advertising ventures are closer to the pain than the Yellow Pages or Google. Both of which are insanely successful.

Do you see any parallels to our faith? To the role of the Church in the world?

Don't Be Late

2008-05-26T06:53:00.002-04:00

Beginning this Sunday, June 1, Access Church will be meeting at 9:00 & 10:30am.

That's right, at your request, we're moving our services earlier in the day. Church in the morning and still time to hit the beach or the lake in the afternoon!

Waumba Land will be open for pre-schoolers at both 9:00 & 10:30am. UpStreet (K—Grade 5) and xtreme (Grades 6-12) will meet during the 10:30am hour only.

And as a little incentive, Starbucks Coffee will be served for those attending at 9:00am.

Don't miss it!

So Very Proud

2008-05-25T20:45:00.002-04:00

You can tell the difference, can't you?

You see someone at the store, or the restaurant, or the playground, and they seem kind of annoyed with the whole parenting thing. Like, they want to have kids, they just don't want to have them 24-hours-a-day!

Then you see another parent, and you think, "She/He absolutely loves being a parent. Loves their kids. Loves the whole experience." And it's not something they work at, it's just the way God made them. They really love kids.

Well, I really love being a pastor. Love this baby church called Access. Love the people who give so much of themselves to demonstrate God's great love. And today made me really proud of this group who decided that it's not enough to go to church—they wanted to be the church as well.

Here's a little clip of our day:

Strong Foundations

2008-05-21T21:12:00.000-04:00

This weekend Stephanie and I are taking the kids down south to spend some time with extended family. We're even going to spend a day out on the swamp buggy on some family property near Hobe Sound.

It's good to remember where you're from.

In the next couple of weeks, we're going to talk about some big plans for the future of Access Church.

But before we look too far ahead, we're also going to spend some time reflecting on the history of Access Church. It's good to remember how far God has brought us.

Just one year ago, there were less than 10 families supporting Access Church financially. Today there are more than 40 couples and singles giving on a regular basis.

Just one year ago, there were less than 20 people meeting in Access Community Groups. Today there are almost 100.

Just one year ago, there were 51 volunteers serving at Access Church. Today more than 80 of you have chosen to give of your precious time.

One way to express this growth would be to compare April 2007 and April 2008.

Volunteerism? Up 15%
Attendance? Up 47%
Giving? Up 298%
Groups? Up 400%

These are significant numbers for us because they indicate that more and more are buying in to the mission that is behind Access Church. More and more understand that we are here to reach the city of Jacksonville, not keep a bunch of church-folk happy.

This is building a strong foundation for a church that, I believe, is poised to significantly impact this city.

Thank you for all you are doing to position this church for great things! Our giving in April was the best it's ever been. Each month we get closer to becoming financially independent. Each month we have more volunteers to help us go faster, further. Each month you support us with your prayers and invite those who don't like church to come and experience God in a new way.

Thank you!

We're Meeting This Sunday

2008-05-20T20:37:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I know, you didn't think we had church on the fourth Sunday of the month. Well, we don't. Yet. But we can still be the church!

As a part of the landscape of the Jacksonville community, we want to be more than just another gathering. We want to move out from these walls and into the streets and serve the needs of our community. We have created the Intersect Project as our vehicle to serve Jacksonville.

JT Townsend was paralyzed while playing high school football in Jacksonville on October 4, 2005. He and his family will be moving into a home that is fully accessible to JT with his disabilities. To make this move possible, they need to make repairs to their current home and put it on the market.

This Sunday, May 25, we will be partnering with the Townsend family to paint, landscape, install flooring and appliances, and perform general repairs. Our hope is to share the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way and help them sell their home.

Space on this Intersect Project Team is limited. You can register by contacting Adam. There is a $10 registration fee to help cover costs of supplies and lunch while serving. We'll start at 9:00am sharp on Sunday and work through lunch (or stay as long as you like!). Directions will be emailed to you once you've registered.

You might also want to invite a friend to join us as we see where God, our community, and our church intersect on May 25.

Family Exercise

2008-05-15T08:26:00.001-04:00

Last night was Chase's final soccer practice of the season.

A favorite last-practice tradition is for the kids (6 & 7 years old) to scrimmage against the parents.

It was hilarious, actually, as the kids skillfully dribbled the ball right past much bigger and faster adults. We lost track of the score, but I think the kids beat us 8-7.

Getting the parents in the game was a brilliant move on the coach's part, for one important reason:

One hour of soccer practice each week isn't enough.

In order for kids to really develop their soccer skills, they need to be playing every day. They need to be playing with their siblings and neighbors and, ideally, their parents. When mom and dad get involved, a child's enjoyment and skill level both increase.

This same principle is at work when it comes to teaching our children about God. One hour of church isn't going to properly equip a child for all that life is going throw at them. They need for mom and dad to get involved in their spiritual life. They need to have daily conversations about spiritual things.

And, just like they need to see mom and dad having fun and laughing while playing soccer, they need to witness their parents enjoying a vibrant relationship with God.

We believe this so strongly at Access Church that we make "Virtue Packs" available for families to spend time together focusing on each month's virtue. This month our virtue is Joy, and virtue packs are available at the Resource Center. Each virtue pack includes an audio CD with a radio drama for the kids that teaches the virtue, and a roundtable of real-life parents discussing how to teach the virtue at home. There are also notecards you can use to encourage your children, and great discussion questions for talking about the virtue with your kids at various times through the day.

Don't just sit on the sidelines and hope your kids will learn to love the game. Get in there and play it with them! They'll learn a lot more, and you might even get a little exercise.

Never Too Late

2008-05-13T22:51:00.000-04:00

If my dad were still alive, yesterday would have been his 93rd birthday.

That surprises a lot of people. When I first tell them, I can see them trying to do the math in their head. I'll save you the trouble: My dad was 53 years old when I was born. Yeah. "Surprise!"

The point is, it's never too late to do something great with your life. :-)

Moses was eighty years old when I AM told him to lead his people out of 400 years of slavery. He thought he'd blown his chance 40 years before. But God wanted to use an eighty-year-old guy for something amazing.

Some of us, as we age, begin to grow more and more fond of the past. We've got some great stories to tell. But what about the future? What might God have out in front of you? How might God want to use you for His glory?

Andy shared a quote last week at DRIVE that he heard while serving at Crown Financial, "When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near."

Put that in the context of a conference where some attendees were from a 250-year-old church. They came to DRIVE because they aren't focused on the past—they want to transition their church to have tremendous impact in the future!

How's your future? What might God do with your life if you let him?

And if you're a 53-year-old guy, well... Be careful out there.