So I’m in the back of my friend Dave’s new Acura SUV somewhere between Atlanta and Valdosta. Mike and Dave are in the front, we’re having discussions about church life, church growth, and how to take the next steps as a church. We all got a lot from the Unleash conference at Newspring Church outside of Greenville, S.C. In our estimation, this is one of the hottest places we’ve ever been to. Props to Perry Noble and the rest of the staff for an awesome ministry they have built. We’ve spent two nights in a hotel, two days on the road, and it has been totally worth it for the community building time as a staff and for the many good ideas we got and areas in which we were challenged specifically in our ministry areas. Perry’s heart for us was that a fire would be rekindled in us to take our next steps, and I think God accomplished it.

God has a call on our lives. Our Father doesn’t want us just going through life, getting by, trying to reduce stress to live comfortable little lives. I loved a point I heard a while back from somewhere, that seemed to come up again yesterday—Jesus had a mission from his Father, and it cost him everything he had, every ounce of energy, every thought, word and deed He did was toward His mission. He never quit. He gave his best and we have the privilege of giving Him our best. I remember where I heard it first—Bill Hybels’ message on the Acts 2 church. I highly recommend it. Here are some of the highlights from Perry’s first talk:

1. What is it that God wants to do in my church (or my life)?

Whatever he wants, it is going to require time and effort from you, nothing less than the best.
2. What are the barriers that stand in our way? Three common ones among church leaders are:

a. Refusal to change
b. Jealousy
c. Lack of understanding.

3. What do we want to celebrate?

By the way, this was all picked up out of the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Jesus told that story just as much about the prodigal as he did about the elder brother who thought he was in line with what God wanted. He was working very, very hard for the father but got so caught up in it that he didn’t remember what his father’s heart was for anymore. Have you lost sight of God’s heart and where you fit in that story? I encourage you to seek Him. And seeking him may not be easy, it takes time and effort, but it will be well worth it. You’re worth it. He’s worth it.