Feb 15th 10 Posted by Arnold in Grace Place, On church planting

Breaking the rules

Breaking the rules — not the moral or the civil laws of the land — but the rules that dictate the way we do things. The box where we are all in. Craig Groeschel, in his book “It”, page 98,99, says:

Most of the greatest spiritual innovators throughout history were people who broke the rules… When you try something new in ministry most people will tell you that your idea will never work… Innovation by definition will not be accepted at first. It takes repeat attempts, endless demonstrations, monotonous rehearsals before innovation can be accepted and internalized by an organization. This requires courageous patience. If you have a God idea, you must be brave enough to go with it. Break some rules.

This Sunday marks the start of “breaking rules” for LifeChurch Makati. We’re going to break some rules in doing church here in the Philippines. If you’re interested to know what it is, check us out on our first preview service at Glorieta 4, Cinema 4 this Sunday, February 21. You’re invited to observe and experience.

Nov 9th 09 Posted by Arnold in On church planting

Global Leadership Summit notes: Wayne Cordeiro

I knew Wayne Cordeiro from his sermon podcasts from his church at Hawaii — New Hope. I know he was down-to-earth funny yet speaks from the heart and very good at challenging his audience to act out what was learned. That’s what I expected, and I received even more.

I just feel that what he talked about is exactly what I need as one of the leaders at Grace Place — at this very moment, in this season of my life. He talked from his experience as pioneering leader at his church and how burnout has almost robbed him of the joy of continuos service to God. I believe he has a corresponding book about this talk — Leading on Empty.

Here’s my talk notes of Wayne Cordeiro’s talk at the Leadership Summit:

Wayne Cordeiro – session 2

- teach what you know, but ultimately you reproduce what you are

- we don’t forget that we’re pastors and leaders. we forget we’re humans

- there will be time that you will hit the wall

- suffering will change you, but not necessary for the better. you must choose that

- you can suffer incorrectly

- or, you can suffer according to the will of god.

- when everything is going right, we feel invincible

- you can’t keep burning a lamp and not refuel it

- 85% of what you do, anybody can do

- 10% of what you do, someone can be trained to do

- 5% of what you do, nobody else can do

- only I can be a husband to my wife

- only i can be a dad to my children

- only i can grow my relationship with God

- only i can keep myself healthy

- in the end God will not hold you accountable for what you have done. He will hold you accountable for how much of what you have to do you have done

- you might be doing the wrong assignment

- what’s your 5%?

- when you’re clear headed and close to God, write down your 5%

- when you are down in the valley, look at those list.

- Jer. 17:16

- greatness does not happen in a day, but it happens daily

- if you don’t feed your soul, you can be doing the work of God and starve yourself.

- you can be a dead leader running

- rest can give you traction in life

- you can do ministry without a soul

- your attitude is your barometer if you soul is present

- your first most important decision in life is to follow Jesus. The second most important decision in your life is your attitude when you follow Jesus.

Nov 9th 09 Posted by Arnold in On church planting

Global Leadership Summit notes: Bill Hybels

Last Saturday, Kuya Prudy and I was able to catch Bill Hybels and Wayne Cordiero live at CCF for the Manila leg of the Global Leadership Summit. To say that it’s inspiring to hear these two great leaders is an understatement.

I’m going to share my talk notes, beginning with Bill Hybels:

Bill Hybels – session 1

- Act 2:42

-there was a time in history that there was a community of believers radically devoted to God, so devoted to one another that they call themselves brothers and sisters and will die in each others arms during persecution

- they prayed bold prayers, God did amazing things

- people wanted inside that community because of what’s happening IN that community

- what happened in the 1st century can happen in the 20th century. The holy spirit hasn’t weaken over the centuries

- build a biblically functioning community or DIE TRYING.

- when we’re starting Willow Creek Community Church, we don’t have money, so we sold tomatoes

- we planned, and thought they will come by the hundreds, but then came in 10s or 20s and 30s

- we cleaned the theater for other people’s vomit

- I have doubts, and thought of the other life (as a businessman) that I should have.

- if we stick out with the acts 2 dream, we can change the community

- leaders have to believe it in their core

- the local church is the hope of the world

- be willing to set aside your career plans

- be fully surrendered into the acts 2 dream

- if the church will function like acts 2, it should be well led

Nov 27th 07 Posted by Arnold in On church planting

Misrepresenting Willow Creek

I’m disrupting the regular Life 2.0 programming to give way to a very important official statement from Willow Creek Association
. If you are a church planter or an evangelical, you probably have heard of “seeker sensitive model” in doing church. Recently, Willow Creek released their REVEAL project that summarizes the failures of churches (not just those of the seeker-sensitive model) to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Unfortunately, misrepresentations and misinterpretations of Bill Hybel’s statements are circulating in print and the blogsphere. They use these statements and the survey to prove that the seeker-sensitive model is a failure. Here’s the complete statement: (more…)

Feb 7th 06 Posted by Arnold in On church planting

Thanks for coming to GRACE PLACE church planting team launching

For those who came, to say that I’m blessed with your presence is an understatement. I cannot describe the kind of fun I experienced last Sunday seeing people who don’t know each other yet enjoying each other’s company considering that most of you met just for the first time.

I’m very impressed by the kind of energy all you guys have shown. Passion for Jesus — I think that’s the key phrase. The kind of passion that will make a dent in the lives of people around us — yuppies in particular, right? :D And that’s what Grace Place is all about. We’re going to love Jesus more and as a result, we’re going to love people more so they can also love Jesus in return. We’ll use extraordinary ways — radical ways if needed — just for them to get a glimpse of the grace of God.

For those who missed it, you missed a lot — big time! :D

But don’t worry, last Sunday was just the start of it. This Sunday, we’re starting a series we call “What GRACE PLACE Values”. We will start to immerse ourselves with God’s grace and learn how we can apply these when we do our public launch after 3 months. Please do come — you won’t be left out, I promise.

Some of you asked me if they can start bringing in guests. The quick answer is “yes”. While the themes for the next 3 months would be building up the team, the messages will be on a general tone and the Bible truths applied to our daily lives. They will be blessed too.

For those who brought their Christian friends who later on signed up as volunteers, thank you, thank you! If you still have some Christian friends who you think would like to enjoy this exciting ride, bring them in.

Till next Sunday.