Many of you know I made a list a few years ago of people I wanted to meet who I felt could really add value to me & the leadership God has allowed me to be a steward of…they were Ed Young, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, and Bill Hybels.
(The meeting with Hybles is looking more and more like a possibility—pray hard!)
I said I would not make another list until I was able to meet with all the men on my original list…but that has changed…because I would love to sit down with Erwin McManus and pick his brain.
For those who are unaware of who Erwin is…he pastors this church in Los Angeles. However, I would say that Erwin has had the most impact on my life personally through his writing…THIS BOOK is one of the top books of all time…it’s the only book that I’ve read & then had to read it again immediately. (And this book will cause you to want to charge hell with a water pistol!)
Erwin was at the A2 conference that Willow just put on but was not listed to speak…until Bill asked him on Thursday to speak on Friday…and he proceeded to get up and BRING IT! I want to share some of the thoughts that he shared with us…these will not be exact quotes…but nonetheless…they are challenging.
There are more people on the planet today that need Christ than ever before, over 300 million in the US alone, with experts saying that the US will have 400 million by the year 2040, and our churches are concerned with “incremental growth?” No wonder we are having problems!
How are we going to reach people across the world when we won’t even change our style of music to reach our own kids?
The opposite of a “come as you are” church is a “don’t come at all” church!
Most of the time the people who have not met Christ are way more honest than those who have met Christ.
Many times if you lead the attack for the cause of Christ…the spears thrown at you will come from behind you. (AMEN!)
It’s a tragic thing when Christianity exists without Christ.
The churches that look perfect—they’re dead!
Many churches have an “intimate” feel—but not in a good way. it’s sort of like when you walk in on someone making out…it’s intimate, but you just feel like you’re not supposed to be there.
DANG! Those are just some of the things he said…my hand about fell off because I was trying to write everything he said down.
So there it is—some Erwin quotes that are bound to be said at NewSpring in the future.
AND…if anyone can make the connection…if anyone can set it up to where I could meet this guy…you would be my hero!!! I know there are some readers in blog world that could pull this off for me…help a brotha out!!!
One more thing—NewSpringers…
#1 - Don’t forget tomorrow night is First Wednesday—be here at 6:30. (Remind everyone that you can!!!)
#2 - The service structure for this coming Sunday is going to be a little different…I would not be late!!! The title of the message is going to be, “How To Have An Affair.” Yes, it will be tense!!!
#3 - Yes, I will be tricker treating tonight…I love candy…and this does not mean that I worship the devil and am going to sacrifice kittens!!! (Bob has some awesome stuff to say about that here!)