It was 3 years ago this month that my long time friend& ministry mate, Scott Drummond, decided to resign his position as Senior Pastor of a church in Columbus, OH and to join the staff of Next Level Church as our Executive Pastor. Scott grew up in that church and had served as the senior pastor for 11 years before resigning to join the NLC Leadership Team.
What you need to know is that this is an Extremely Uncommon thing in the church world today. In fact, the exact opposite logic is usually what is heard. Associate Pastors resign to become senior pastors. Rarely ever does it go the other way.
And yet, over the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of watching Scott get in his sweet spot and find greater fulfillment in his life and ministry than he ever had as the senior leader of a church. He is perfectly gifted to do what he does at Next Level Church and his influence is making an impact not just within NLC, but in churches across the country as well.
Sometimes the best promotions are the ones that run counter-cultural, even to the church world. I'm so thankful that Scott was willing to obey the call to join the NLC team. The Kingdom of God is better for it.
I love serving with you, Scotty,
Matt
(Follow Scott on Twitter at @ScottDrummond1)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
What Summer Slump?!?
For 8 years now, we have refused to buy into the whole Summer Slump theory at Next Level Church. Instead, we've worked under the theory that if people are home, then why not give them a reason to come to church & bring someone else w/ them? (After all, in this economy, stay-cations are becoming more popular & people are looking for something fun to do.)
This year we declared May & June "A Season of Sabbath" but then, on July 11th, we launched 1 of our big 3 series that we do all year (Easter & October being the other two) called "Who Do You Think You Are?"
We went with a 70's theme complete w/ an NLC Staff 70's photo shoot for the internal mailer that went out to our entire mailing list (1600 homes) of people that have attended at least once in the last 12 months.
In the first 3 weeks of the series, we've seen 50 1st time families!!! In the middle of summer, baby! We know that if we can grow now, we'll have some crazy momentum heading into fall.
To see some of what we did, go to: http://nextlevelchurch.com/video
Additionally, I know of several other churches that we coach who did a big summer series & have literally broken attendance records this summer!
I'm so glad we don't give in to the Summer Slump theory.
...just something to think about...
Matt
This year we declared May & June "A Season of Sabbath" but then, on July 11th, we launched 1 of our big 3 series that we do all year (Easter & October being the other two) called "Who Do You Think You Are?"
We went with a 70's theme complete w/ an NLC Staff 70's photo shoot for the internal mailer that went out to our entire mailing list (1600 homes) of people that have attended at least once in the last 12 months.
In the first 3 weeks of the series, we've seen 50 1st time families!!! In the middle of summer, baby! We know that if we can grow now, we'll have some crazy momentum heading into fall.
To see some of what we did, go to: http://nextlevelchurch.com/video
Additionally, I know of several other churches that we coach who did a big summer series & have literally broken attendance records this summer!
I'm so glad we don't give in to the Summer Slump theory.
...just something to think about...
Matt
The Up the Middle Church is Digital!!!
I wanted to let all of you know that The Up the Middle Church has officially been released on e-book and Kindle.
AND...
(& this is a big AND!)
They made a mistake on pricing which is GREAT NEWS FOR YOU!!!
Right Now you can get a digital copy of The Up the Middle Church for just $2.95! The Hardback edition is $19.99 and the paperback is $13.99. So this is a steal of a deal! Feel free to tell everyone about this Ridiculously Great Deal on the book! (Don't worry I'll still make my $.88 per copy... haha)
Here are all the Links:
E-Book: http://bit.ly/UTMebook
Kindle: (Remember, you can use the Kindle Reader on iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Mac, & Android) http://amzn.to/9e6U4P
Hardback: $19.99 & Paperback: $13.99: http://bit.ly/UTMhardback
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Everything is Beautiful in its Time
I thought I would share my SOAP with you today...
S: Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything..." v. 11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time..."
O: I couldn't help but be reminded of how God has set the time in place for everything. Every promotion, every job change, every opportunity, every relationship, every child, every calling, every provision, every miracle... God has appointed a time for everything.
But verse 11 was the one that really hit me this morning... "Everything is beautiful in its time." Outside of it's time, not so beautiful.
A: I can think of so many times in my life where I have wanted something; an opportunity, an open door, a chance, a blessing & in my own heart, I thought that having it now would be the best thing. But for whatever reason, God decided to not allow me to have it right then. Only in hindsight have I been able to see that God's timing is always better than my time, every time. No exceptions. "Everything is beautiful in its time."
P: "God, help me to trust Your timing on so many things that I desire in my life. I have such a limited view of the bigger picture that You're up to in my life. Help me to keep trusting you, because what I want more than what I want is what You want. You truly do make everything beautiful in the right time. Thanks for that, Amen."
S: Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything..." v. 11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time..."
O: I couldn't help but be reminded of how God has set the time in place for everything. Every promotion, every job change, every opportunity, every relationship, every child, every calling, every provision, every miracle... God has appointed a time for everything.
But verse 11 was the one that really hit me this morning... "Everything is beautiful in its time." Outside of it's time, not so beautiful.
A: I can think of so many times in my life where I have wanted something; an opportunity, an open door, a chance, a blessing & in my own heart, I thought that having it now would be the best thing. But for whatever reason, God decided to not allow me to have it right then. Only in hindsight have I been able to see that God's timing is always better than my time, every time. No exceptions. "Everything is beautiful in its time."
P: "God, help me to trust Your timing on so many things that I desire in my life. I have such a limited view of the bigger picture that You're up to in my life. Help me to keep trusting you, because what I want more than what I want is what You want. You truly do make everything beautiful in the right time. Thanks for that, Amen."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Time to Chase some Lions
I just finished reading @MarkBatterson's Best-Selling Book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day for the 2nd time. I gotta be honest with ya, it's just flat out inspiring. Here are a few thoughts:
1. If you haven't read it, you need to. Click here to get it. It will inspire, challenge and motivate you to chase your lion like never before.
2. It is only those who face their fears and chase their lions that truly live.
3. We all face obstacles. Only we can determine if those obstacles will stop us from pursuing our dreams, or motivate us to achieve them.
4. I have 3 Major Areas of my life where I'm chasing my lions. One is for Next Level Church, another has to do with the pastors and leaders we're coaching across the USA, and the third has to do with writing. I'm excited to chase my lions, take my next step, and not give up.
What lion are you called to chase? What's your next step to getting there?
Matt
1. If you haven't read it, you need to. Click here to get it. It will inspire, challenge and motivate you to chase your lion like never before.
2. It is only those who face their fears and chase their lions that truly live.
3. We all face obstacles. Only we can determine if those obstacles will stop us from pursuing our dreams, or motivate us to achieve them.
4. I have 3 Major Areas of my life where I'm chasing my lions. One is for Next Level Church, another has to do with the pastors and leaders we're coaching across the USA, and the third has to do with writing. I'm excited to chase my lions, take my next step, and not give up.
What lion are you called to chase? What's your next step to getting there?
Matt
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Who Do You Think You Are - Video Link - http://bit.ly/aUad9M
If you missed Part 1 of our Who Do You Think You Are Series that began last week, just click here to watch it. (You can also subscribe to our Audio or Video Podcasts through iTunes as well)
Just between you and me... the 1st 40 seconds are worth watching the entire thing!!!
Just between you and me... the 1st 40 seconds are worth watching the entire thing!!!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Not Willing to Forget the Forgotten - 3rd Saturday Serve Day Reflections
I gotta be honest w/ ya, every time we go downtown to the communities we've adopted, it just pumps me up on a lot of levels.
First, God wrecks me for the kids. I had a little girl, probably 8 years old, run up to me and give me the biggest hug today! You could just see the joy on her face because we were there. We have no idea what these kids go home to when they leave our activities. My heart breaks for them.
Another little boy, probably 7 or 8 years old again, came up to me and when I asked him his name, he said, "You know my name!" to which I replied, "Why don't you remind me..." and he said, "My name is ROARRRRR!!!"
So from then on I called him "Roar" all day. (He finally told me his name but it was useless after that!)
Second, God wrecks me every time we go downtown, for the parents and adults. There are so many moms and so few dads. Men are clearly absent in the lives of their kids and the mothers of their kids. Additionally, so many of the moms are clueless about the stuff of life. Like love & acceptance & worth. It is absolutely heart-breaking to me because I want to be able to tell them there is a better way to live and have life.
Third, God fires me up for our people. I absolutely get tears in my eyes when I see the people of Next Level Church serving and loving and praying and smiling and hugging the kids and residents of our communities! NLC, you gotta know that I am so proud of you & God is pouring out His blessing on us because we're willing to not forget the forgotten ones that are so precious to Our Heavenly Father!
First, God wrecks me for the kids. I had a little girl, probably 8 years old, run up to me and give me the biggest hug today! You could just see the joy on her face because we were there. We have no idea what these kids go home to when they leave our activities. My heart breaks for them.
Another little boy, probably 7 or 8 years old again, came up to me and when I asked him his name, he said, "You know my name!" to which I replied, "Why don't you remind me..." and he said, "My name is ROARRRRR!!!"
So from then on I called him "Roar" all day. (He finally told me his name but it was useless after that!)
Second, God wrecks me every time we go downtown, for the parents and adults. There are so many moms and so few dads. Men are clearly absent in the lives of their kids and the mothers of their kids. Additionally, so many of the moms are clueless about the stuff of life. Like love & acceptance & worth. It is absolutely heart-breaking to me because I want to be able to tell them there is a better way to live and have life.
Third, God fires me up for our people. I absolutely get tears in my eyes when I see the people of Next Level Church serving and loving and praying and smiling and hugging the kids and residents of our communities! NLC, you gotta know that I am so proud of you & God is pouring out His blessing on us because we're willing to not forget the forgotten ones that are so precious to Our Heavenly Father!
Friday, July 16, 2010
If you didn't see this video... you gotta see this!
Hey everyone,
The infamous "Matt & Sarah's Dancing Heads" video is crazy. If you haven't seen it yet, click here. It's worth the 40 seconds or whatever.
What we won't do to promote a series, I guess...
The infamous "Matt & Sarah's Dancing Heads" video is crazy. If you haven't seen it yet, click here. It's worth the 40 seconds or whatever.
What we won't do to promote a series, I guess...
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Up the Middle Church - Team Packs Available at a Discount
Hey Pastors / Church Planters,
Just wanted to let you know that The Up the Middle Church is available at a discount when you buy a 5 or 10 pack. A lot of leadership teams have went through it as a team & it's been beneficial. You can get all the info at www.UptheMiddle.com.
Just wanted to let you know that The Up the Middle Church is available at a discount when you buy a 5 or 10 pack. A lot of leadership teams have went through it as a team & it's been beneficial. You can get all the info at www.UptheMiddle.com.
Who Do You Think You Are - Part 1 Addendum
Man, have we gotten the feedback from Sunday's message in our "Who do you Think You are" series.
If you missed it, you can click on the link to the left on this page and watch/listen online. Also, you can subscribe through iTunes and watch or listen directly on your iPhone, iPod, or mp3 player.
This Sunday is Part 2, & it's gonna be equally Hard Hitting. You don't want to miss it.
If you missed it, you can click on the link to the left on this page and watch/listen online. Also, you can subscribe through iTunes and watch or listen directly on your iPhone, iPod, or mp3 player.
This Sunday is Part 2, & it's gonna be equally Hard Hitting. You don't want to miss it.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The MLB All-Star Break
For me the MLB All-Star Break is a mixed bag. I like that all the best players come together in one place and hang out. I like that they are all real guys having a good time together, not taking themselves too seriously.
On the other hand, I miss my team & I miss the everyday action that baseball provides. 4 days feels like an eternity for me around the All-Star Game. Friday's Rays vs. Yankees game can't come soon enough... at least not for me.
On the other hand, I miss my team & I miss the everyday action that baseball provides. 4 days feels like an eternity for me around the All-Star Game. Friday's Rays vs. Yankees game can't come soon enough... at least not for me.
The Dryness Test
Once a month, I have the privilege of meeting w/ 4 young leaders who are future world changers at Next Level Church. Well, today was that day & I challenged them w/ the Dryness test in Exodus 17.
After the children of Israel are led out of Egypt (A Season of The Miraculous) they are faced w/ a water shortage (A Season of Dryness). Seasons of Dryness are normal & should be expected. Unfortunately, most of us, most of the time, never see it coming & therefore get blind-sided by it.
Learning to expect & then knowing how to navigate through them is essential to serving God long-term. Verse 5 tells us how:
1. Get alone w/ God. Nothing can take the place of that.
2. Don't Isolate. Isolation is the trick of the devil to get us to compromise. Nothing can substitute for for accountability. God told Moses to take the Elders w/ him.
3. Remember what God has done in the past. God told Moses to take his staff along w/ him. His staff was a powerful reminder of what God had done for Moses in the past.
4. Strike the Rock. Go boldly before the Lord & expect the water to flow.
Dry Seasons are inevitable. Allowing them to crush us, is not.
After the children of Israel are led out of Egypt (A Season of The Miraculous) they are faced w/ a water shortage (A Season of Dryness). Seasons of Dryness are normal & should be expected. Unfortunately, most of us, most of the time, never see it coming & therefore get blind-sided by it.
Learning to expect & then knowing how to navigate through them is essential to serving God long-term. Verse 5 tells us how:
1. Get alone w/ God. Nothing can take the place of that.
2. Don't Isolate. Isolation is the trick of the devil to get us to compromise. Nothing can substitute for for accountability. God told Moses to take the Elders w/ him.
3. Remember what God has done in the past. God told Moses to take his staff along w/ him. His staff was a powerful reminder of what God had done for Moses in the past.
4. Strike the Rock. Go boldly before the Lord & expect the water to flow.
Dry Seasons are inevitable. Allowing them to crush us, is not.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The SOAP Guides are in!
I'm so fired up about the new #NextLevelChurch SOAP guides that came out yesterday. If you didn't get one, they'll be available next Sunday or at the Warehouse this week too. If you've gotten out of the habit of spending time in God's Word, today's a great day to get back into it!
Today's Chapter is I Peter 1 and it's full of amazing stuff. Why not recommit right now to SOAPing today? Trust me, you'll never regret the time you spend with God on a daily basis.
www.NextLevelChurch.com/SOAP
Today's Chapter is I Peter 1 and it's full of amazing stuff. Why not recommit right now to SOAPing today? Trust me, you'll never regret the time you spend with God on a daily basis.
www.NextLevelChurch.com/SOAP
My Time with Mark Batterson
On Thursday afternoon, I had a chance to spend 90 minutes with Mark Batterson, best-selling author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, & Primal. We talked alot about what it means to feel called to write. Mark is one of the only other people I've ever known who has said that, "He feels as called to write as he does to pastor." That's the same thing I've felt in my heart for years.
Mark has been a long distance mentor for me for the last few years, and it was great to spend some up close time with him.
Top Take Aways from our Time:
Thursday's meeting with Mark Batterson will definitely go down as a life-changing day in terms of my calling to write. Thanks Mark for being a friend, mentor & example for me to follow.
Matt Keller
www.UptheMiddle.com
Mark has been a long distance mentor for me for the last few years, and it was great to spend some up close time with him.
Top Take Aways from our Time:
- Mark is refreshingly down to earth. Talk about a guy with no pretense. Mark made it easy to just jump into a life-changing conversation for me about what it means to be an author.
- Mark has a childlike excitement about him that is contagious & infectious. You get the feeling that "Wherever Mark is, he's definitely all there!" And I love that about him. He never once looked over his shoulder or made me feel like he had something better to do. He was totally into what we were talking about and I could feel that!
- Mark didn't hesitate to believe the best in me & leverage himself for my benefit. It's not everyday that you find someone who understands the calling to write. Most people just roll their eyes and give you a blank stare when you tell them that. But Mark got it on a level that very few other people I've talked to can.
- Mark is passionate about making God's Word relevant to a new generation. I definitely walked about with a true sense that Mark Batterson is serious about being a cultural translator for the next generation.
Thursday's meeting with Mark Batterson will definitely go down as a life-changing day in terms of my calling to write. Thanks Mark for being a friend, mentor & example for me to follow.
Matt Keller
www.UptheMiddle.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
My 35th Birthday:: Reflections
Today is my 35th Birthday. I am officially in my mid-30's and I gotta be honest... I am having the time of my life.
If there is one word that I would use to describe my life at this point, it would definitely be GRATEFUL! I just feel so grateful that I get to live this life God has given me.
When I look across my life, there's really nothing else that I want. So today, on my 35th Birthday, I am so aware that there are very few people who ever reach the place that I find myself today.
"What a privilege, Lord, to get to do this. Thanks for giving me the courage to stay the course, even in the hard and difficult times. Thanks for shaping me in those seasons. And thanks for allowing me to experience where I am today. I am truly GRATEFUL."
Matt Keller
If there is one word that I would use to describe my life at this point, it would definitely be GRATEFUL! I just feel so grateful that I get to live this life God has given me.
- I have a great wife. Sarah, I couldn't ask for more. You are more than I could have ever imagined 18 years ago when we got together as teenagers.
- I have 2 great boys! They really are amazing. They have such sensitive spirits and know right & wrong. Amazing.
- I have a great church! NLC, you truly are a great group of people who get the vision and heart that God put inside of us so many years ago. I can't believe we get to impact Southwest Florida like this!!!
- I go to work everyday with my best friends! Not too many guys get to do life with the group I get to. I seriously couldn't ask for a better team. Thanks NLC Staff for getting me and being willing to work with me and around me, at times, to make the dream of my life come true everyday.
- I have my family close. I'm so thankful that my family lives near me and is apart of our lives like they are. We seriously couldn't do it without you! I love you mom & dad!!!
- I get to influence other pastors & leaders across the country which is a dream come true. What a privilege to serve the Body of Christ like we get to do on a regular basis.
When I look across my life, there's really nothing else that I want. So today, on my 35th Birthday, I am so aware that there are very few people who ever reach the place that I find myself today.
"What a privilege, Lord, to get to do this. Thanks for giving me the courage to stay the course, even in the hard and difficult times. Thanks for shaping me in those seasons. And thanks for allowing me to experience where I am today. I am truly GRATEFUL."
Matt Keller
Sunday, June 6, 2010
NLC 1st Monday Fasting & Prayer Guide
Hey everybody,
Thanks for praying today! Here’s how you can pray specifically today & all month…
1. Pray for NLC’s Future Facility. There are two areas where we need to pray specifically in terms of NLC’s 1st Permanent Facility:
First, pray for Financing. We have officially approached several banks with our proposal and there are 3 that are reviewing it, literally as we speak!!!
Second, we need to continue to pray for the 25% down-payment. ($1.2 Million).
- Pray for everyone who has made a 6 month commitment. It's hard to believe we're already 3 months in. Pray that God will provide for them to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings.
- Pray for the miraculous to keep happening remaining $283,000 (as of last week) that is still needed for us to reach the 25% mark! We're making it, you guys! It's happening! Let's keep believing!
For all the latest information, & to pray even more specifically go to: www.ThisIsOurTime.org.
2. Pray for our NLC Staff. Many of the staff are taking some much needed downtime with their families this month. Pray for protection over staff families as they travel this month. Pray for marriages to be strengthened. Pray for strength & wisdom as we continue to walk through this season of growth, opportunity and influence as a church.
Also, be sure to pray for our Youth Pastors, Will & Arianne Hutcherson, who just had their 1st child, Liam, over Memorial Day Weekend. They're doing great and adjusting well to parenthood!!!
3. Pray for “Our Communities” downtown. Palmetto Courts & Sabal Palms. Pray for single moms and children specifically to be lifted! We’re making a difference one family at a time! Pray for our 3rd Saturday Serve Day, June 19th! This month we're doing a special Children's Outreach. Go here for more informaiton: www.BeOrange.me
4. Pray for our Missionaries.
- Christ for India; Jameson, Johnson and Mary Titus. Pray for pastors in their seminary, pray for the Children in their school, pray for the pastors they’re sending out to plant churches.
- Kelly and Kathy Johnson in Kenya, Africa as they train pastors and plant churches.
- Mark & Stephanie Pyles in the Dominican Republic as they plant “Next Generation” Churches in Santiago.
- Luke & Sandy Walters in Sri Lanka. They are working to gain influence among the next generation of business leaders in that nation.
- Paul & Mary Triller. They are working to plant churches across Europe, one of the darkest mission fields on earth today.
5. The People of NLC. For provision and jobs. For promotions and miracles. Pray for marriages to be strong & kids to be wise. Pray for favor with neighbors and family they have influenced through our Feeding Fort Myers campaign.
6. Pray for the Following Church Planters we are Coaching right now:
- Maurice Stargell in McDonough, GA. I was just with Maurice last month. They are doing great and are about 4 months old now! Pray for momentum and strength as they impact their city for Christ. www.hope-church.tv
- Tory & Elizabeth Farina in St. Paul, MN. HighPoint Church is a 4 year old church meeting in a Movie Theater. Pray for wisdom as they launch into the next level God has for them. www.highpointchurch.tv
- Shane & Rachel Frasier in Lebanon, IN. Freedom Church is about a year old & God is doing an amazing thing there. Pray for continued strength as they grow. They are getting ready to launch 2 services in the movie theater where they have church in July. Pray for wisdom for their leadership team as well. www.freedom-church.org
Thanks again for Fasting and Praying today. For more info on fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting
Pastor Matt
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sabbath Talk Follow-Up
Hey everyone,
I wanted to take a minute and give you 1 additional resource from the talk yesterday at Next Level Church on the Sabbath.
A couple of months ago, I was referred to a book about the Sabbath that was hugely instrumental in how I developed the thoughts for yesterday's talk.
The book is called, "The Rest of God" by Mark Buchanan. Mark pastors a church in Vancouver, BC, Canada and some of his language is kind of advanced, but his content is Amazing!!!
If you are someone who struggles with giving yourself Permission to Rest, then you really need to read this book. Here's the link:
The Rest of God
Have a great week... & oh yeah, don't forget to Rest!!!
Matt Keller
I wanted to take a minute and give you 1 additional resource from the talk yesterday at Next Level Church on the Sabbath.
A couple of months ago, I was referred to a book about the Sabbath that was hugely instrumental in how I developed the thoughts for yesterday's talk.
The book is called, "The Rest of God" by Mark Buchanan. Mark pastors a church in Vancouver, BC, Canada and some of his language is kind of advanced, but his content is Amazing!!!
If you are someone who struggles with giving yourself Permission to Rest, then you really need to read this book. Here's the link:
The Rest of God
Have a great week... & oh yeah, don't forget to Rest!!!
Matt Keller
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Exponential Conference - Session Attendees:
Here is the link to the Next Level Church Constitution. Thanks for being apart of the training!
If there's anything else we can do for you, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at: www.NextLevelChurch.com
NLCConstitution & Bylaws
If there's anything else we can do for you, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at: www.NextLevelChurch.com
NLCConstitution & Bylaws
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Who I'm Rooting for in the MLB 2010 Season
Rather than making my predictions on who will win each of the 6 divisions in Major League Baseball this year, I'm going to tell you who I'm rooting for and why. It's just better that way, I think...
American League East: Tampa Bay Rays.
These are my boys! I have officially shifted my allegiance from my childhood team, the Cubs, to the Rays. Their local, their close by, my boys love them, & I just love the way the new owner has put the team together.
American League Central: Minnesota Twins.
1. They spring train across the street from our church, so we kinda have to be fans!
2. We vacation in MN every June & have tons of friends in the Twin Cities.
3. They just got a new ballpark and I can't wait to see how she plays...
4. Joe Mauer is just sick!
American League West: Texas Rangers.
Let's be honest, this probably has more to do with Josh Hamilton than I think any of us would like to admit, but they have a cool ball park, and I just think someone should put a hurtin' on the Angels this year.
National League East: Washington Nationals.
I love a good underdog story. They have a brand new ballpark that is sweet. They have a ton of young pitchers and they got Pudge Rodriguez to train all those young pitchers. Well played Nationals Front Office, well-played.
National League Central: Chicago Cubs.
My loyalty stands. There's nothing quite like Cubby Blue. Maybe I need a trip back to Ole' Wrigley this summer to revive my Cubbie Juices. We'll see...
National League West: Who Cares.
The Dodgers are arrogant.
The Padres stink, but have a cool ballpark.
The Giants have Tim Lincecum which my kids like.
The Diamondbacks are still trying to figure out who they are since they changed their colors a few years back.
The Rockies are probably the best team, but are purple, need I say more.
Gonna have a tough time watching anything from the NL West this year.
So there you have it. Who I'll be watching this year!
Now, for all of you out there going, "I can't believe Keller's too big of a chicken to actually makes some predictions," here you go. All be it, without explanation.
AL East: Rays
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Mariners
AL Wild Card: Red Sox
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Rockies
NL Wild Card: Dodgers
World Series: Rays vs. Phillies
Rays = World Series Champs, baby!!!
By the Way, I'll be at Opening Night at Tropicana Field later this evening! It has become a tradition, & I like it!
Keller
American League East: Tampa Bay Rays.
These are my boys! I have officially shifted my allegiance from my childhood team, the Cubs, to the Rays. Their local, their close by, my boys love them, & I just love the way the new owner has put the team together.
American League Central: Minnesota Twins.
1. They spring train across the street from our church, so we kinda have to be fans!
2. We vacation in MN every June & have tons of friends in the Twin Cities.
3. They just got a new ballpark and I can't wait to see how she plays...
4. Joe Mauer is just sick!
American League West: Texas Rangers.
Let's be honest, this probably has more to do with Josh Hamilton than I think any of us would like to admit, but they have a cool ball park, and I just think someone should put a hurtin' on the Angels this year.
National League East: Washington Nationals.
I love a good underdog story. They have a brand new ballpark that is sweet. They have a ton of young pitchers and they got Pudge Rodriguez to train all those young pitchers. Well played Nationals Front Office, well-played.
National League Central: Chicago Cubs.
My loyalty stands. There's nothing quite like Cubby Blue. Maybe I need a trip back to Ole' Wrigley this summer to revive my Cubbie Juices. We'll see...
National League West: Who Cares.
The Dodgers are arrogant.
The Padres stink, but have a cool ballpark.
The Giants have Tim Lincecum which my kids like.
The Diamondbacks are still trying to figure out who they are since they changed their colors a few years back.
The Rockies are probably the best team, but are purple, need I say more.
Gonna have a tough time watching anything from the NL West this year.
So there you have it. Who I'll be watching this year!
Now, for all of you out there going, "I can't believe Keller's too big of a chicken to actually makes some predictions," here you go. All be it, without explanation.
AL East: Rays
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Mariners
AL Wild Card: Red Sox
NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Rockies
NL Wild Card: Dodgers
World Series: Rays vs. Phillies
Rays = World Series Champs, baby!!!
By the Way, I'll be at Opening Night at Tropicana Field later this evening! It has become a tradition, & I like it!
Keller
Monday, April 5, 2010
NLC's Prayer & Fasting Day - April
Hey everybody,
Thanks for praying today! Here’s how you can pray specifically today & all month…
1. Pray for NLC’s Future Facility. There are two areas where we need to pray specifically in terms of NLC's 1st Permanent Facility:
First, we need to pray for God's wisdom with the right financing package. Banks are obviously skittish in this economy and we need God to reveal to us the right bank with the right terms, etc. Pray for wisdom for our Leadership Team & our Board of Directors.
Second, we need to pray for the 25% down-payment. ($1.2 Million).
- Pray for everyone who has made a pledge that God will provide for them to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offerings. April is Month #1 of the 6 month commitment.
- Pray for those who haven't made a commitment yet, but will be receiving information in the mail about how they can.
- Pray for the remaining $338,000 (as of last week) that is still needed for us to reach the 25% mark!
For all the latest information, & to pray even more specifically go to: www.ThisIsOurTime.org.
2. Pray for our NLC Staff. Pray for protection over staff families and marriages as we continue to walk through this season of growth, opportunity and influence as a church. Pray for wisdom in leadership decisions.
3. Pray for “Our Communities” downtown. Palmetto Courts, Sabal Palms and Southward Village. Pray for single moms and children specifically to be lifted! We’re making a difference one family at a time! Pray for our 3rd Saturday Serve Day, April 17th! Go here for more informaiton: www.BeOrange.me
4. Pray for our Missionaries.
- Christ for India; Jameson, Johnson and Mary Titus. Pray for pastors in their seminary, pray for the Children in their school, pray for the pastors they're sending out to plant churches.
- Kelly and Kathy Johnson in Kenya, Africa as they train pastors and plant churches.
- Mark & Stephanie Pyles in the Dominican Republic as they plant “Next Generation” Churches in Santiago.
- Luke & Sandy Walters in Sri Lanka. They are working to gain influence among the next generation of business leaders in that nation.
5. The People of NLC. For provision and jobs. For promotions and miracles. Pray for marriages to be strong & kids to be wise. Pray for favor with neighbors and family they have influenced through our Feeding Fort Myers campaign.
6. Pray for the Following Church Planters we are Coaching right now:
- Ashley & Jamie Wilson in Lexington, KY. Sarah & I were just there for a weekend on-site. They have had a trying first year, but are surrounded by a great leadership team & are turning a corner. Pray for momentum and strength as they impact their city for Christ. www.LifeGateChurch.tv
- Taitem & Jessica Kretz in Youngstown, OH. Lifeway Community Church is 1 1/2 years old and has been growing steadily every month. Pray for Taitem as he is working full-time & pastoring the church. www.LifeWayCommunity.com
- Shane & Rachel Frasier in Lebanon, IN. Freedom Church is about a year old & God is doing an amazing thing there. Pray for continued strength as they grow. Pray for wisdom for their leadership team as well. www.freedom-church.org
Thanks again for Fasting and Praying today. For more info on fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting
Pastor Matt
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Great Pre-Requisite to Leadership
How does one earn the right to lead in the next generation? Is it a birthright? The Luck of the Draw? The right education? Or is there a greater pre-requisite to leadership? I believe there is one factor necessary in order to earn the right to lead and influence the lives of others that far outweighs any other...Pain.
Here are a few of my Most Current Thoughts on a not-too-popular-but-all-too-necessary topic for leaders... pain.
I know it might sound cliche, but the truth is, there is no reward without pain. Ask an Olympic Athlete. You don't get to stand on the podium, or even compete in the games, if you aren't willing to endure the pain of training. That's why there are millions of us at home watching and only a select few on the course competing.
The same is true in our lives as well. If we want to reach a greater place of influence or promotion or leadership, we must be willing to endure the measure of pain congruent with the level of achievement we seek. If we want our lives to count, then we must resolve that there will be pain. As Seth Godin says in his new book, "Linchpin," "You can't fit in and stand out at the same time." So if we decide to stand out, we must be willing to endure a measure of pain to be exceptional.
One of my favorite leadership sayings is, "Your Pain is your Platform." Unfortunately, too few leaders like to admit this. It's often hard for many of us to look back on the most painful places in our leadership life, learn from those moments and allow vulnerability to trump pride and fear to the degree that others actually profit from our pain.
Some of the darkest and hardest days of my life are now some of the most powerful teaching points of my life story. We don't lead from what we know, we lead from what we've endured. Our pain IS our platform.
At the end of the day, our last day is not the end of our days. In other words, eternity awaits. This world has a way of temporizing our vision to only see that which is immediately in front of us. Going through painful situations positions us for perspective. In our moments of greatest pain, we are acutely aware that this world is not all there is.
There is a hope filled eternity that awaits on the other side of our pain. There is a cloudless sky at the other end of our flooded path. There is a promise of redemption hiding behind the shackles of our momentary pain. A redemption that out weighs any earthly heartache or emotional wound. A redemption that allows us the perspective of eternity.
I have become convinced that pain is the admission price of leadership. You can't learn the experience of leadership from a book anymore than you can learn the experience of a roller coaster from the ground. In order to have the privilege of influence on the life of another, each of us must first walk through the fiery threshold of pain.
I recognize the disappointment this may be for some of us who are new to all this, however, I have never been more convinced that any leader worth following is a leader who has taken a few arrows in the back, a few shots at the heart and a few blows to the ego.
In conclusion, I give us, the leaders of the next generation, a challenge to dare to lead this generation, to be courageous enough to endure this inevitable weigh of pain, that we might be trusted with the influence of the lives of those who would choose to follow us.
Enduring with you,
Matt Keller
Here are a few of my Most Current Thoughts on a not-too-popular-but-all-too-necessary topic for leaders... pain.
1. We Endure Pain for the Prize.
I know it might sound cliche, but the truth is, there is no reward without pain. Ask an Olympic Athlete. You don't get to stand on the podium, or even compete in the games, if you aren't willing to endure the pain of training. That's why there are millions of us at home watching and only a select few on the course competing.
The same is true in our lives as well. If we want to reach a greater place of influence or promotion or leadership, we must be willing to endure the measure of pain congruent with the level of achievement we seek. If we want our lives to count, then we must resolve that there will be pain. As Seth Godin says in his new book, "Linchpin," "You can't fit in and stand out at the same time." So if we decide to stand out, we must be willing to endure a measure of pain to be exceptional.
2. We Endure Pain for the Platform.
One of my favorite leadership sayings is, "Your Pain is your Platform." Unfortunately, too few leaders like to admit this. It's often hard for many of us to look back on the most painful places in our leadership life, learn from those moments and allow vulnerability to trump pride and fear to the degree that others actually profit from our pain.
Some of the darkest and hardest days of my life are now some of the most powerful teaching points of my life story. We don't lead from what we know, we lead from what we've endured. Our pain IS our platform.
3. We Endure Pain for the Promise.
At the end of the day, our last day is not the end of our days. In other words, eternity awaits. This world has a way of temporizing our vision to only see that which is immediately in front of us. Going through painful situations positions us for perspective. In our moments of greatest pain, we are acutely aware that this world is not all there is.
There is a hope filled eternity that awaits on the other side of our pain. There is a cloudless sky at the other end of our flooded path. There is a promise of redemption hiding behind the shackles of our momentary pain. A redemption that out weighs any earthly heartache or emotional wound. A redemption that allows us the perspective of eternity.
4. We Endure Pain for the Privilege.
I have become convinced that pain is the admission price of leadership. You can't learn the experience of leadership from a book anymore than you can learn the experience of a roller coaster from the ground. In order to have the privilege of influence on the life of another, each of us must first walk through the fiery threshold of pain.
I recognize the disappointment this may be for some of us who are new to all this, however, I have never been more convinced that any leader worth following is a leader who has taken a few arrows in the back, a few shots at the heart and a few blows to the ego.
In conclusion, I give us, the leaders of the next generation, a challenge to dare to lead this generation, to be courageous enough to endure this inevitable weigh of pain, that we might be trusted with the influence of the lives of those who would choose to follow us.
Enduring with you,
Matt Keller
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sarah Keller's Life-Change Plan
Guest Entry: by Sarah Keller
Sarah:
Alot of people ask me now what exactly I did to lose my weight and change my life. Of course, now that I have lost the weight, what I do in terms of maintenance is a little different than this, but in a nut shell here's what I did...
One of the most important aspects of changing my life physically had to do with the food I ate on a daily basis. Food is fuel to our bodies, and if we're not fueling our bodies correctly, then we're not setting ourselves up for maximum life-change. Here's what I did...
Breakfast: Egg Whites w/ Broccoli and Whole Wheat Toast
Snack: Chobani yogurt w/ Koshi Cereal
Lunch: Lettuce, Carrots, Chicken Breast, Fat Free Balsamic Dressing, & Kashi Crackers
Snack: Smart Balance Peanut Butter, Apple and a few Sun Chips
Dinner: Salmon, Mixed Vegetables
Breakfast: High Fiber Oatmeal, Grapes
Snack: Cottage Doubles & Kashi Cereal
Lunch: Turkey on Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins w/ Mustard & an apple
Snack: Hummus & Kashi Crackers, Carrots
Dinner: Mahi Mahi, Salad with lots of vegetables in it, w/ fat free dressing (no msg)
A Great NLC Couple actually owns a health food store and has made themselves available to help anyone who's willing. Their website is:
Over the course of the 16 weeks that I was hitting it hard, obviously keeping myself motivated was a big deal. I had a great support group around me with the NLC Staff and family, but I also had a couple of key statements that I would tell myself probably at least once a day, if not more! They were...
Obviously, there are others methods and ideas on how to change your life physically and I would highly recommend enlisting the help of a trainer and other health care professionals. This is just my story. Thanks for allowing me to share it with you...
Sarah Keller
@SarahKeller
www.Facebook.com/SarahKeller
To hear her entire story of Life-Change, be sure to watch her message from Healthy Life 2010 - Part 4
"Physical Health" - Click Here to Watch Now!
Sarah:
Alot of people ask me now what exactly I did to lose my weight and change my life. Of course, now that I have lost the weight, what I do in terms of maintenance is a little different than this, but in a nut shell here's what I did...
Physical Fitness and Exercise:
- Exercised 6 times / week - Took Sundays Off. In order to see the results I knew I wanted, I had to get aggressive and serious about it. This was definitely a lifestyle change for me, but once I got over the initial hump, I was able to settle into a rhythm that served me well. Today, in terms of maintenance, my goal is to exercise 5 times / week.
- 45 minutes of Cardio, keeping my heart rate between 70 - 75% of my maximum heart rate. (To calculate your maximum heart rate take 220 - age. Then simply multiply it by 70 or 75%) For me my target fat burning range is 131-141.
- 30 minutes of strength training. Each day I would concentrate on a different area of the body and challenge myself constantly to keep pushing myself beyond what was comfortable. (Some examples of that would be: arms one day, legs another day, etc.) I was always increasing the weight when it got too easy.
Here's What I Did Concerning Food:
One of the most important aspects of changing my life physically had to do with the food I ate on a daily basis. Food is fuel to our bodies, and if we're not fueling our bodies correctly, then we're not setting ourselves up for maximum life-change. Here's what I did...
- Cut out ALL soda. (including Diet Soda because of the aspartame) and switched to water.
- One cup of coffee / day. No cream or sugar. This was a big deal for me, but after a few weeks, my body settled in.
- Cut out salt. Again, this was huge for me. I never added salt to any food and I watched my sodium intake big time.
- I ate 5 times / day. I had to get in the habit of eating every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, whether I was hungry or not. 6 am, 9 am, 12 Noon, 3 pm, 6 pm. This kept my body metabolizing all day long, & helped me to not have that "starved" feeling. When you feel "starved," you tend to overeat or want to eat the wrong things.
- I did not eat anything after 7 pm. On the few occasions that I would, I would have a simple lean protein (ie... Cottage Cheese).
- I ate low-fat or good-fat foods. Every meal consisted of a lean protein, a complex carb and a fruit or vegetable. The only exception to that would be for my last meal of the day. I would not have any carbs at all. (ie... dinner would be: large piece of salmon and tons of veggies).
- I enjoyed a cheat night every Friday. On my cheat night I would eat whatever (& I mean whatever) I wanted. This helped me to not feel like I had deprived myself of everything forever. If I craved something during the week, I would tell myself I could have it on Friday night.
- I kept my calories at 1700 or less everyday. This requires a bit of work to keep it all straight but once you become familiar with the foods you're eating, it gets much easier.
Some of my favorite proteins:
- Natural Almonds
- Egg Whites
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
- Salmon
- Jennie-O Turkey
- Hummus
- Smart Balance Peanut Butter
- Cottage Cheese
- Chobani Yogurt
Some of my favorite Complex Carbs:
- Original Sun Chips
- 100% Whole Wheat Bread
- Brown Rice
- Whole Wheat Pasta
- 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins
- Kashi Crackers / Kashi Cereal
A Sample Day:
Breakfast: Egg Whites w/ Broccoli and Whole Wheat Toast
Snack: Chobani yogurt w/ Koshi Cereal
Lunch: Lettuce, Carrots, Chicken Breast, Fat Free Balsamic Dressing, & Kashi Crackers
Snack: Smart Balance Peanut Butter, Apple and a few Sun Chips
Dinner: Salmon, Mixed Vegetables
Another Sample:
Breakfast: High Fiber Oatmeal, Grapes
Snack: Cottage Doubles & Kashi Cereal
Lunch: Turkey on Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins w/ Mustard & an apple
Snack: Hummus & Kashi Crackers, Carrots
Dinner: Mahi Mahi, Salad with lots of vegetables in it, w/ fat free dressing (no msg)
A Great NLC Couple actually owns a health food store and has made themselves available to help anyone who's willing. Their website is:
Some of the things I would tell myself:
Over the course of the 16 weeks that I was hitting it hard, obviously keeping myself motivated was a big deal. I had a great support group around me with the NLC Staff and family, but I also had a couple of key statements that I would tell myself probably at least once a day, if not more! They were...
"It's going to feel better to be thin, then to eat this fatty food right now."
"Food is not an event or a reward. It is fuel that my body needs, so lets fuel it correctly."
A Few Pieces of Advice:
If I could give someone a few simple pieces of advice concerning really turning a corner and changing their life, I think they would be:
- Eat the minute you get up. Breakfast is important not to skip.
- When going to the gym, make sure you feel good about what you're wearing.
- Listen to music that inspires you.
- Make sure you have a good pair of shoes. It will make all the difference on your joints and your body.
Obviously, there are others methods and ideas on how to change your life physically and I would highly recommend enlisting the help of a trainer and other health care professionals. This is just my story. Thanks for allowing me to share it with you...
Sarah Keller
@SarahKeller
www.Facebook.com/SarahKeller
Sunday, January 10, 2010
SOAP Recap from Healthy Life 2010 - Part 1
On Sunday, we talked about how we put God first in our daily lives and we introduced the concept of SOAP. I originally came across the concept of SOAP in the book, The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro.
Ever since discovering this guilt-free, way of reading and applying the Bible daily, I have to admit my personal time with God has been revolutionized. If you missed the message be sure to go to www.NextLevelChurch.com/video on Wednesday to watch or listen to the podcast. I am firmly convinced that if you and I will make spending time with God a priority this year, the health of our spiritual lives will go through the roof.
Remember, this is a no-condemnation, gulit-free way of spending time with God.
Here's what you need:
1. Bible. Be sure to get a translation you can understand. Remember, there are no bonus points for "Thee's" and "Thou's."
2. Journal. This is your Spiritual DVR. It helps you capture and record all of the good stuff God wants to speak into your life.
3. Pen. Obviously, so you can write stuff down.
4. Reading Guide. You can download the newest reading guide for Spring 2010 here 2010 Reading Guide or pick one up on Sunday.
5. Scratch Pad. This is to write down all those little annoying things that creep in while you're trying to focus on hearing God speak to you.
Here's what you do:
1. Read a chapter of the Bible.
2. Underline what sticks out to you.
3. Pick one verse and then S-O-A-P.
S: Scripture. Write out the 1 verse you chose, long hand in your journal.
O: Observation. Simply write what you observed in the verse that made you want to write it down. Remember, you don't have to be a theologian, just write what you saw.
A: Application. Write down how this verse applies to your life? Nothing fancy, just apply it.
P: Prayer. This is where you turn your Observation and Application into a Dedication. Once again, don't try and be over-spiritual, just simply write a prayer to God of how your life will be different today because of what He's spoken to your heart through this verse.
That's it! SOAP. It's as simple or deep as you want it to be. The goal of our Spiritual Life from God's perspective is that you and I learn to be Self-Feeders and SOAP is an amazing way to do that.
I strongly recommend you read The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro. That book truly did change my life and I'm confident it will do the same for yours as well.
2010 is a year devoted to a Healthy Life. Relationally, Financially, Physically and Spiritually.
Thanks for SOAPing in 2010,
Pastor Matt
Ever since discovering this guilt-free, way of reading and applying the Bible daily, I have to admit my personal time with God has been revolutionized. If you missed the message be sure to go to www.NextLevelChurch.com/video on Wednesday to watch or listen to the podcast. I am firmly convinced that if you and I will make spending time with God a priority this year, the health of our spiritual lives will go through the roof.
Remember, this is a no-condemnation, gulit-free way of spending time with God.
Here's what you need:
1. Bible. Be sure to get a translation you can understand. Remember, there are no bonus points for "Thee's" and "Thou's."
2. Journal. This is your Spiritual DVR. It helps you capture and record all of the good stuff God wants to speak into your life.
3. Pen. Obviously, so you can write stuff down.
4. Reading Guide. You can download the newest reading guide for Spring 2010 here 2010 Reading Guide or pick one up on Sunday.
5. Scratch Pad. This is to write down all those little annoying things that creep in while you're trying to focus on hearing God speak to you.
Here's what you do:
1. Read a chapter of the Bible.
2. Underline what sticks out to you.
3. Pick one verse and then S-O-A-P.
S: Scripture. Write out the 1 verse you chose, long hand in your journal.
O: Observation. Simply write what you observed in the verse that made you want to write it down. Remember, you don't have to be a theologian, just write what you saw.
A: Application. Write down how this verse applies to your life? Nothing fancy, just apply it.
P: Prayer. This is where you turn your Observation and Application into a Dedication. Once again, don't try and be over-spiritual, just simply write a prayer to God of how your life will be different today because of what He's spoken to your heart through this verse.
That's it! SOAP. It's as simple or deep as you want it to be. The goal of our Spiritual Life from God's perspective is that you and I learn to be Self-Feeders and SOAP is an amazing way to do that.
I strongly recommend you read The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro. That book truly did change my life and I'm confident it will do the same for yours as well.
2010 is a year devoted to a Healthy Life. Relationally, Financially, Physically and Spiritually.
Thanks for SOAPing in 2010,
Pastor Matt
Sunday, December 6, 2009
NLC's Day of Prayer and Fasting - January
Hey everybody,
Thanks for praying today! Here's how you can pray specifically today & all month...
1. Pray for NLC's Future Facility. We're excited to be getting closer on what NLC's future home could look like. In fact, we're going to be making some big announcements on Sunday, February 7th!!! Pray for God's continued favor as we plan and prepare through the month of January.
2. Pray for our NLC Staff. Pray for protection over staff families and marriages as we enter into a new season of growth, opportunity and influence as a church. Pray for wisdom in leadership decisions.
3. Pray for "Our Communities" downtown. Palmetto Courts, Sabal Palms and Southward Village. Pray for single moms and children specifically to be lifted! We're making a difference one family at a time! Pray for our 3rd Saturday Serve Day, January 16th!
4. Pray for our Missionaries. Specifically for Luke Walter's daughter, Katie who was in a horrible car accidentin November and continues to be in recovery. It's a miracle that she's alive!!! Pray for Luke and Sandi and their other children that the peace of God would surround them!
5. The People of NLC. For provision and jobs. For promotions and miracles. Pray for marriages to be strong & kids to be wise. Pray for favor with neighbors and family they are trying to serve with the love of Christ.
6. Pray for Health in the New Year for the People of NLC. This Sunday, January 10th, we're launching our Healthy Life 2010 Series. Pray that hearts will be open to the messages on moving toward greater health in the areas of our spiritual life, our relationships, our finances, and our physical bodies as well.
Thanks again for Fasting and Praying today. For more info on fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting
Pastor Matt
Thanks for praying today! Here's how you can pray specifically today & all month...
1. Pray for NLC's Future Facility. We're excited to be getting closer on what NLC's future home could look like. In fact, we're going to be making some big announcements on Sunday, February 7th!!! Pray for God's continued favor as we plan and prepare through the month of January.
2. Pray for our NLC Staff. Pray for protection over staff families and marriages as we enter into a new season of growth, opportunity and influence as a church. Pray for wisdom in leadership decisions.
3. Pray for "Our Communities" downtown. Palmetto Courts, Sabal Palms and Southward Village. Pray for single moms and children specifically to be lifted! We're making a difference one family at a time! Pray for our 3rd Saturday Serve Day, January 16th!
4. Pray for our Missionaries. Specifically for Luke Walter's daughter, Katie who was in a horrible car accidentin November and continues to be in recovery. It's a miracle that she's alive!!! Pray for Luke and Sandi and their other children that the peace of God would surround them!
- Also for Christ for India; Jameson, Johnson and Mary Titus.
- Kelly and Kathy Johnson in Kenya, Africa as they train pastors and plant churches.
- Mark & Stephanie Pyles in the Dominican Republic as they plant "Next Generation" Churches in Santiago.
5. The People of NLC. For provision and jobs. For promotions and miracles. Pray for marriages to be strong & kids to be wise. Pray for favor with neighbors and family they are trying to serve with the love of Christ.
6. Pray for Health in the New Year for the People of NLC. This Sunday, January 10th, we're launching our Healthy Life 2010 Series. Pray that hearts will be open to the messages on moving toward greater health in the areas of our spiritual life, our relationships, our finances, and our physical bodies as well.
Thanks again for Fasting and Praying today. For more info on fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting
Pastor Matt
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Dealing with "The Pride Inside"
I’ve been doing a lot studying on “The Insecure Leader” for a book I’m hoping to write in the future, and I would love your feedback on the particular issue of “Pride.” Let me set it up…
One of the three great issues leaders (& particularly male leaders) struggle with is Pride. If that’s one of the top 3, then, it’s obviously a HUGE deal for a whole lot of us, if not all of us on some level.
So, since the Bible says in Proverbs that, “Pride comes before a fall,” then this issue is a Paramount one we must deal with in order to lead successfully in our lives, our families, our ministries and our careers.
Here are a couple of pieces of clarity I uncovered recently, weigh in and help me process this:
When we allow Pride to fog our vision as a leader, we begin to make decisions with a belief that says, “I can’t lose.” What a dangerous place to be, especially when you think that there are people involved; namely, those who work for us, follow us and are watching us.
Sooner or later a pride-filled leader will take one step too far because of this Invincibility thinking and will ultimately end up “falling” as the Bible says.
A second danger of pride in the life of a leader is the illusion of a strong foundation when in reality the foundation of our organization may be unhealthy or weak. Pride causes us to believe the foundation is more solid than it actually is in reality.
The end result is a leader who builds a structure too tall for the foundation to hold and eventually the building caves in on itself.
Perhaps the greatest revelation about pride I’ve seen lately is that it’s one of the hardest things to see in the mirror of a leader’s life, which makes it one of the most dangerous vices of all! Pride is a self-insulator. In other words, pride has a self-protecting mechanism built right in to itself, so that if and when someone tries to point it out, it will instantly pushback and not allow any sort of idea in.
Secure leaders proactively invite accountability into the reality of their leadership. They invite those closest to them to be on constant lookout for prideful things that may emerge in the vocabulary or actions of a leader. If we don’t invite that type of accountability, those around us who are most able to see prideful areas in us will not feel comfortable to draw our attention to them, thus perpetuating pride’s ugly existence in our life.
If we’re going to be Secure Leaders, then we must deal proactively with Pride in our lives.
Matt Keller
One of the three great issues leaders (& particularly male leaders) struggle with is Pride. If that’s one of the top 3, then, it’s obviously a HUGE deal for a whole lot of us, if not all of us on some level.
So, since the Bible says in Proverbs that, “Pride comes before a fall,” then this issue is a Paramount one we must deal with in order to lead successfully in our lives, our families, our ministries and our careers.
Here are a couple of pieces of clarity I uncovered recently, weigh in and help me process this:
1. Pride creates a False Sense of Invincibility in the heart of a Leader.
When we allow Pride to fog our vision as a leader, we begin to make decisions with a belief that says, “I can’t lose.” What a dangerous place to be, especially when you think that there are people involved; namely, those who work for us, follow us and are watching us.
Sooner or later a pride-filled leader will take one step too far because of this Invincibility thinking and will ultimately end up “falling” as the Bible says.
2. Pride creates a False Sense of Foundation.
A second danger of pride in the life of a leader is the illusion of a strong foundation when in reality the foundation of our organization may be unhealthy or weak. Pride causes us to believe the foundation is more solid than it actually is in reality.
The end result is a leader who builds a structure too tall for the foundation to hold and eventually the building caves in on itself.
3. Pride is one of the hardest things to see in the mirror.
Perhaps the greatest revelation about pride I’ve seen lately is that it’s one of the hardest things to see in the mirror of a leader’s life, which makes it one of the most dangerous vices of all! Pride is a self-insulator. In other words, pride has a self-protecting mechanism built right in to itself, so that if and when someone tries to point it out, it will instantly pushback and not allow any sort of idea in.
So what do we do about Pride in our Lives?
Secure leaders proactively invite accountability into the reality of their leadership. They invite those closest to them to be on constant lookout for prideful things that may emerge in the vocabulary or actions of a leader. If we don’t invite that type of accountability, those around us who are most able to see prideful areas in us will not feel comfortable to draw our attention to them, thus perpetuating pride’s ugly existence in our life.
If we’re going to be Secure Leaders, then we must deal proactively with Pride in our lives.
Matt Keller
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Death by Bullpen
As many of you know, I’m a huge baseball fan. Since I was a kid I have really only truly loved two teams: The Chicago Cubs and more recently, the Tampa Bay Rays. (I can already hear many of you with your shouts of, “No man can love two teams, Matt…” All I can say is that they are in two different leagues and the chances of both teams ever making it to the World Series in the same year is, well, shall we agree, NON-EXISTANT!)
Anyway… As the season comes to a close, my Cubbies have found a way to let their 102nd straight year slip away, and as for my beloved Rays, it would appear that a theme I know all too well from my childhood Cubs teams has crept up on them, namely: Death by Bullpen.
The Starting Pitching for the Rays this year has been pretty good. In fact, it was the lion’s share of their starting rotation that got them to the World Series a year ago. Some new, young faces have stepped up as starters and that has been great to see. However, the problem with the Rays pitching this year is not with their starters, it’s with their Relievers. Too often, what the starters get going, the bullpen can’t finish.
Now before all the non-baseball leaders begin to check out, I’ll give you the Leadership Challenge:
1. Starting Lineup Leaders can only take us so far.
In the game of baseball, you play 9 innings or 27 outs. If your starting pitching can get you 21 of those outs, you’re doing well, but the game’s not over until the last 6 outs are recorded. Leading in business, non-profit or ministry is the same way. The project or goal isn’t achieved until you get all 27 outs. We can’t record a “Win” for our team until we finish the project 100%.
Rare is the organization who has a Starter who can go all 27 outs for them consistently. In fact, if the growth strategy of an organization is dependent on their starter doing that over and over, their setting themselves up for disappointment and defeat. I would go so far as to say that God hasn’t designed leaders to do that. We need a strong, vibrant bullpen to carry our organizations through to achieving their goals.
What about us? Are we consistently looking to our “Super-Starters” to carry us on their shoulders? If so, then we’ve got some work to do.
2. We must Develop our Bullpen.
Moses got into trouble with this one in the book of Genesis in the Bible. He was trying to do too much and it took his father-in-law Jethro pointing it out to him before he was able to see the unhealth in his leadership strategy. (See Exodus 18).
As I work with leaders across the country, one of the areas most overlooked is the leadership development of their bullpen. Here’s why: Because there is So Much to Do! The daily demands and pressures of running an organization are tough and most leaders are so IN their organizations that they can’t seem to rise ABOVE them long enough to see the forest for the trees.
Building in consistent blocks of time, energy and strategy to develop the leaders around us seems, on the surface, to be almost counter-productive. It can feel like we’re taking time away from doing work to talk about doing work. However, it has been my experience that placing a priority on developing the bullpen of your organization yields long-term benefits in huge ways.
3. Our bullpen has the ability to give us a Winning Advantage like nothing else can.
So how do we create a sustainable system for leadership development within our organizations?
* Carve out time well in advance. If we’re waiting for time to just appear in our calendar where we can all stop and learn together, it will never happen. We must get way ahead by strategically placing time in our weekly, monthly, and yearly calendar to intentionally grow together. Jack Welch, former head of GE, said that in the height of his career, he would spend between 30 – 35% of his work week developing the leaders around him.
Here’s how that might look for us:
Start small, but do something. Remember, you need them to get those last 6 outs for you and your team.
* Don’t give in to the Temptation to Compromise on it. One of the biggest reasons we don’t develop our bullpens is because we have to focus so much on the first 7 innings. When it comes to leadership development, there will always be things that suddenly come up. Avoid the temptation to schedule over these growth times. They may seem like a hassle in the present, but remember these are precisely the people who are going to be called upon in the late innings of the game to keep the Win alive!
* Make it Personal. Finally, the best way to develop your bullpen is by recognizing that each team member is an individual. No two pitchers are alike. Each one has their own strengths they bring to your team. As the leader, it’s your job to know your team well enough to grow them in the areas where they add the most value to your organization.
So as I watch another long season slip between the cracks for both of my teams, I hope that this off-season, I’ll remember a valuable lesson in leadership: My chances of winning are only as good as my bullpen. I think my teams have got some work to do.
Matt Keller
Anyway… As the season comes to a close, my Cubbies have found a way to let their 102nd straight year slip away, and as for my beloved Rays, it would appear that a theme I know all too well from my childhood Cubs teams has crept up on them, namely: Death by Bullpen.
The Starting Pitching for the Rays this year has been pretty good. In fact, it was the lion’s share of their starting rotation that got them to the World Series a year ago. Some new, young faces have stepped up as starters and that has been great to see. However, the problem with the Rays pitching this year is not with their starters, it’s with their Relievers. Too often, what the starters get going, the bullpen can’t finish.
Now before all the non-baseball leaders begin to check out, I’ll give you the Leadership Challenge:
If the Bench of our Organization can’t sustain what our
Starting Leaders can begin, we’re in trouble!
1. Starting Lineup Leaders can only take us so far.
In the game of baseball, you play 9 innings or 27 outs. If your starting pitching can get you 21 of those outs, you’re doing well, but the game’s not over until the last 6 outs are recorded. Leading in business, non-profit or ministry is the same way. The project or goal isn’t achieved until you get all 27 outs. We can’t record a “Win” for our team until we finish the project 100%.
Rare is the organization who has a Starter who can go all 27 outs for them consistently. In fact, if the growth strategy of an organization is dependent on their starter doing that over and over, their setting themselves up for disappointment and defeat. I would go so far as to say that God hasn’t designed leaders to do that. We need a strong, vibrant bullpen to carry our organizations through to achieving their goals.
What about us? Are we consistently looking to our “Super-Starters” to carry us on their shoulders? If so, then we’ve got some work to do.
2. We must Develop our Bullpen.
Moses got into trouble with this one in the book of Genesis in the Bible. He was trying to do too much and it took his father-in-law Jethro pointing it out to him before he was able to see the unhealth in his leadership strategy. (See Exodus 18).
As I work with leaders across the country, one of the areas most overlooked is the leadership development of their bullpen. Here’s why: Because there is So Much to Do! The daily demands and pressures of running an organization are tough and most leaders are so IN their organizations that they can’t seem to rise ABOVE them long enough to see the forest for the trees.
Building in consistent blocks of time, energy and strategy to develop the leaders around us seems, on the surface, to be almost counter-productive. It can feel like we’re taking time away from doing work to talk about doing work. However, it has been my experience that placing a priority on developing the bullpen of your organization yields long-term benefits in huge ways.
3. Our bullpen has the ability to give us a Winning Advantage like nothing else can.
So how do we create a sustainable system for leadership development within our organizations?
* Carve out time well in advance. If we’re waiting for time to just appear in our calendar where we can all stop and learn together, it will never happen. We must get way ahead by strategically placing time in our weekly, monthly, and yearly calendar to intentionally grow together. Jack Welch, former head of GE, said that in the height of his career, he would spend between 30 – 35% of his work week developing the leaders around him.
Here’s how that might look for us:
- Systematically place a 60 minute standing appointment on your calendar with your direct reports each week?
- Zoom out 60 days and block off an entire morning for leadership development.
- Go on a 2 day retreat out of the city to watch DVD’s and talk about leadership.
- Read a chapter of a book each week and discuss it together.
Start small, but do something. Remember, you need them to get those last 6 outs for you and your team.
* Don’t give in to the Temptation to Compromise on it. One of the biggest reasons we don’t develop our bullpens is because we have to focus so much on the first 7 innings. When it comes to leadership development, there will always be things that suddenly come up. Avoid the temptation to schedule over these growth times. They may seem like a hassle in the present, but remember these are precisely the people who are going to be called upon in the late innings of the game to keep the Win alive!
* Make it Personal. Finally, the best way to develop your bullpen is by recognizing that each team member is an individual. No two pitchers are alike. Each one has their own strengths they bring to your team. As the leader, it’s your job to know your team well enough to grow them in the areas where they add the most value to your organization.
So as I watch another long season slip between the cracks for both of my teams, I hope that this off-season, I’ll remember a valuable lesson in leadership: My chances of winning are only as good as my bullpen. I think my teams have got some work to do.
Matt Keller
Monday, October 5, 2009
Prayer and Fasting Day - Prayer Points
1. The Future Facility of NLC. - We are continuing the search and need God's favor and wisdom to know the next step for NLC!
2. The Fall Semester of Connection Groups! - Over 75 groups have launched in the last month with several hundred Next Levelites connecting! Pray for Divine Connections as people continue building community together!
3. The People of NLC:
4. NLC Missionaries:
5. The Communities of Palmetto Courts & Sabal Palms. - God has given us tremendous favor downtown and we're praying about what a more permanent presence there could look like.
6. NLC's Influence Nationally. - God continues to open doors for our church to influence dozens of churches across the US and around the world. Pray for wisdom to know how to coach these pastors and leaders most effectively.
Thanks for praying everybody,
Pastor Matt & the NLC Team!
2. The Fall Semester of Connection Groups! - Over 75 groups have launched in the last month with several hundred Next Levelites connecting! Pray for Divine Connections as people continue building community together!
3. The People of NLC:
- Favor in the Workplace.
- Courage to serve those in need around them.
- Strengthen Marriages.
- Wisdom in Financial Decisions.
4. NLC Missionaries:
- Luke Walters in Sri Lanka and the 10/40 Window.
- Christ for India - Jameson & Johnson Titus - Children's School, Seminary, Church Planting across India.
- Kelly and Kathy Johnson - Kenya - Their Pastor's Training Schools.
- Mark and Stephanie Pyles - Domincan Republic - They are starting a "Youth Church" to reach the next generation in Santiago, the 2nd largest city in the entire country!
5. The Communities of Palmetto Courts & Sabal Palms. - God has given us tremendous favor downtown and we're praying about what a more permanent presence there could look like.
6. NLC's Influence Nationally. - God continues to open doors for our church to influence dozens of churches across the US and around the world. Pray for wisdom to know how to coach these pastors and leaders most effectively.
Thanks for praying everybody,
Pastor Matt & the NLC Team!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Kenya Team Updates (from Mike Ash)
Hey everyone!
Our time here in Kenya has been AMAZING! The first full day in Kenya after arriving in Nairobi was spent flying to a town called Malindi, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. There, we were able to experience one of the classes of 30 pastors that NLC regularly helps to make happen. It was amazing to see them being challenged and learning so much. A lot of them have never received any training at all, so this was an amazing blessing to them!
On our last day there, we did an outreach where we purchased food and candy and then split up into 3 separate teams and went into a very rough area with a large Islam population. That was amazing and 6 people said yes to a relationship with Jesus. It was challenging for all of us to see the level of hunger and poverty that this section of the Kenyan people experienced and we're all still processing how we can help in even greater ways.
We then traveled to Kilifi:
For 2 days where we taught close to 30 pastors and church leaders some of the curriculum that we teach church planters in America. Also, one of our team members, Ajay, is a surgeon, and he got to teach some of the pastors about basic first aid, which is so amazing for these people to know.
On Sunday:
We were at a local church with close to 100 people and the whole team taught, worked with kids or teenagers, and invested into the lives of Kenyan people. It was an amazing sight to see how each team member was used in a HUGE way! I preached on Sunday morning and it was an awesome experience, unlike any other. The challenge at the end of the message was met with a lot of enthusiasm.
In the afternoon, we had lunch with the pastors from that church and then went down to the Indian Ocean (which was beautiful), and while we were there, one of our team members, Danielle, asked me to baptize here for the first time. So, I baptized Danielle in the Indian Ocean, which was a powerful experience.
Today (Monday):
We flew back to Nairobi and we leave early tomorrow for a few days in Kitui. We are teaching local pastors there for 3 days straight and then we are doing revival meetings at night. We are also teaching a lot of medical information and will probably have an impromptu clinic set up. The team will also work with kids and students and will most likely be able to speak in schools as well.
So, that's our trip so far! We miss everyone at home so much!
Continue to pray for us and that God would move in the heart of these pastors. The missionaries here, Kelly and Kathy, are telling me that what we're teaching is EXACTLY what they need, which is awesome!
We love you guys! Thanks for praying for us during this time!
Mike Ash
Our time here in Kenya has been AMAZING! The first full day in Kenya after arriving in Nairobi was spent flying to a town called Malindi, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. There, we were able to experience one of the classes of 30 pastors that NLC regularly helps to make happen. It was amazing to see them being challenged and learning so much. A lot of them have never received any training at all, so this was an amazing blessing to them!
On our last day there, we did an outreach where we purchased food and candy and then split up into 3 separate teams and went into a very rough area with a large Islam population. That was amazing and 6 people said yes to a relationship with Jesus. It was challenging for all of us to see the level of hunger and poverty that this section of the Kenyan people experienced and we're all still processing how we can help in even greater ways.
We then traveled to Kilifi:
For 2 days where we taught close to 30 pastors and church leaders some of the curriculum that we teach church planters in America. Also, one of our team members, Ajay, is a surgeon, and he got to teach some of the pastors about basic first aid, which is so amazing for these people to know.
On Sunday:
We were at a local church with close to 100 people and the whole team taught, worked with kids or teenagers, and invested into the lives of Kenyan people. It was an amazing sight to see how each team member was used in a HUGE way! I preached on Sunday morning and it was an awesome experience, unlike any other. The challenge at the end of the message was met with a lot of enthusiasm.
In the afternoon, we had lunch with the pastors from that church and then went down to the Indian Ocean (which was beautiful), and while we were there, one of our team members, Danielle, asked me to baptize here for the first time. So, I baptized Danielle in the Indian Ocean, which was a powerful experience.
Today (Monday):
We flew back to Nairobi and we leave early tomorrow for a few days in Kitui. We are teaching local pastors there for 3 days straight and then we are doing revival meetings at night. We are also teaching a lot of medical information and will probably have an impromptu clinic set up. The team will also work with kids and students and will most likely be able to speak in schools as well.
So, that's our trip so far! We miss everyone at home so much!
Continue to pray for us and that God would move in the heart of these pastors. The missionaries here, Kelly and Kathy, are telling me that what we're teaching is EXACTLY what they need, which is awesome!
We love you guys! Thanks for praying for us during this time!
Mike Ash
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The 3 Hardest Things about Ministry
I had the privilege of meeting with a young leader in our church who is about to relocate out west and become a youth pastor for the 1st time! I always love my time with young leaders who are hungry to learn. Toward the end of our time together, he asked me, "What is the hardest thing about ministry?" I paused for a moment and then proceeded to say, "I'm going to tell you this, not as a member of my church, but as a fellow pastor now." Then I proceeded to answer his question in 3 ways:
For those of you in ministry, I hope this will be an encouragement. For those of you who are apart of a local church, I hope this will be insightful for the leadership you serve. Here are 3 things, they'll probably never tell you, but wish you knew...
Ever since Sarah and I were teenagers my in-laws, who were in the ministry, told us repeatedly that, "The hardest thing about ministry is knowing what is right for someone and watching them do the opposite." In the last 16 years of doing ministry, I have discovered that their assessment is right.
More than judgment, it's about perception. As a leader, there is an anointing God gives you through the direction of Scriptures to be able to see from a far, what many people are unable to see up close in their lives. Down through the years, one of the most gut wrenching things about being in the "People Business" is dealing with this reality. People are what we do. We love them, care for them, pray for them, counsel them, teach them and coach them, but at the end of the day, what they do is ultimately their decision.
It never gets easier watching people make unwise choices that will lead to regret. But we have learned over the years that the best we can do is keep the relationship open through unconditional love and no judgment. As it says in the New Testament, "Mercy triumphs over Judgment." We've found this to be true, everytime...
I'm not an "Overly-Spiritual" kind of guy who finds a demon under every rock, but I do know that the Bible is clear that, "We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers in high places." We can never forget that what we do is unlike any other enterprise on the planet for it is both natural and spiritual. At the end of the day, we are not dealing with natural forces at play only. We are in a spiritual war.
Learning to discern as a leader what is natural, living-on-planet-earth stuff and what is spiritual battle is definitely an art, not a science.
The larger our church has gotten and the more influence God gives us on a national level, the more I'm learning that "Everyday I make decisions that effect lots of people." And not everyone is going to agree with the decisions I make. By far the hardest thing about ministry and leading at this level is being misunderstood in the decision making process and yet not having the ability for people to understand your heart.
When a leader makes a decision, it fleshes itself out in black and white. Checks get written, policies get made, people move forward with the details. Unfortunately, the part that often gets lost in the implementation of the decision is the heart behind it. This is inevitably where misunderstanding comes into play. I'm convinced that the vast majority of leaders make decisions that effect the lives of the people they serve with extremely pure hearts. However, the distance from their pure heart to how it effects people individually is often a long one that is laden with opportunities for the heart behind it all to get lost.
As a leader, you have to learn to place it in God's hands and allow Him to sort it all out in people's minds. Too often, that's easier said than done. Too often, it's the lone dissenting voice that rings the loudest in your ear. It's the voice of disagreement that keeps you up at night. Processing through being misunderstood is by far the Hardest thing about leading at this level.
Just a bloggish thought,
Matt Keller
twitter: @matthewkeller
facebook: www.FaceBook.com/matthewwkeller
booksite: www.UptheMiddle.com
- The Hardest thing in Dealing with People
- The Hardest thing Personally and
- The Hardest thing about Leadership at this level.
For those of you in ministry, I hope this will be an encouragement. For those of you who are apart of a local church, I hope this will be insightful for the leadership you serve. Here are 3 things, they'll probably never tell you, but wish you knew...
1. The Hardest Thing in Dealing with People:
Knowing what's right and watching people do the opposite.
Ever since Sarah and I were teenagers my in-laws, who were in the ministry, told us repeatedly that, "The hardest thing about ministry is knowing what is right for someone and watching them do the opposite." In the last 16 years of doing ministry, I have discovered that their assessment is right.
More than judgment, it's about perception. As a leader, there is an anointing God gives you through the direction of Scriptures to be able to see from a far, what many people are unable to see up close in their lives. Down through the years, one of the most gut wrenching things about being in the "People Business" is dealing with this reality. People are what we do. We love them, care for them, pray for them, counsel them, teach them and coach them, but at the end of the day, what they do is ultimately their decision.
It never gets easier watching people make unwise choices that will lead to regret. But we have learned over the years that the best we can do is keep the relationship open through unconditional love and no judgment. As it says in the New Testament, "Mercy triumphs over Judgment." We've found this to be true, everytime...
2. The Hardest Thing about Ministry Personally:
The Spiritual Attack.
For leaders who follow me and listen to me frequently, they know I'm prone to say often that, "There is only one guy in this organization who ultimately wears the target on his chest... and it's me." When people take shots, they're aimed at me. When the devil takes shots, they're aimed at me. I have a great team who takes tons of bullets for me on a regular basis, but the reality that hits you hard in ministry is recognizing that though the team may have taken the bullet, the gun was ultimately aimed at you.
I'm not an "Overly-Spiritual" kind of guy who finds a demon under every rock, but I do know that the Bible is clear that, "We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers in high places." We can never forget that what we do is unlike any other enterprise on the planet for it is both natural and spiritual. At the end of the day, we are not dealing with natural forces at play only. We are in a spiritual war.
Learning to discern as a leader what is natural, living-on-planet-earth stuff and what is spiritual battle is definitely an art, not a science.
3. The hardest Thing about Leadership at this Level:
Being Misunderstood.
The larger our church has gotten and the more influence God gives us on a national level, the more I'm learning that "Everyday I make decisions that effect lots of people." And not everyone is going to agree with the decisions I make. By far the hardest thing about ministry and leading at this level is being misunderstood in the decision making process and yet not having the ability for people to understand your heart.
When a leader makes a decision, it fleshes itself out in black and white. Checks get written, policies get made, people move forward with the details. Unfortunately, the part that often gets lost in the implementation of the decision is the heart behind it. This is inevitably where misunderstanding comes into play. I'm convinced that the vast majority of leaders make decisions that effect the lives of the people they serve with extremely pure hearts. However, the distance from their pure heart to how it effects people individually is often a long one that is laden with opportunities for the heart behind it all to get lost.
As a leader, you have to learn to place it in God's hands and allow Him to sort it all out in people's minds. Too often, that's easier said than done. Too often, it's the lone dissenting voice that rings the loudest in your ear. It's the voice of disagreement that keeps you up at night. Processing through being misunderstood is by far the Hardest thing about leading at this level.
Just a bloggish thought,
Matt Keller
twitter: @matthewkeller
facebook: www.FaceBook.com/matthewwkeller
booksite: www.UptheMiddle.com
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Prayer & Fasting "Let's Get it Rockin"
Alright Next Levelites... Here we go! It's Prayer-Time! I'm so thankful that so many of us are stepping out in faith and fasting for breakthroughs across the NLC World!
For more info on Fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting.
Here are a list of Prayer Points to be sure to lift up to God throughout the day:
I have never felt so strong that God wants to do Great Things this fall across our church, our community and our nation!
Thanks again for praying, together we’re making a difference!
Pastor Matt
For more info on Fasting go to: www.NextLevelChurch.com/fasting.
Here are a list of Prayer Points to be sure to lift up to God throughout the day:
- The Future Facility for Next Level Church. We are in a Season of Preparation as a church. Our crew that's searching for a future facility for NLC are working like dogs! Keep praying that God will show us exactly what He has for us!
- Also pray for the next Future Facility Offering we will be receiving on Sunday, September 27th! Pray that God will continue to bless the people of NLC and continue to prompt their hearts to give above and beyond the normal Tithe.
- The Peopel of NLC:
- Jobs - Every week we hear the stories of how God is opening doors miraculously for people in their careers!
- Promotions - Keep believing for God's favor on people in the marketplace!
- Breakthroughs - There are so many families across NLC that need Jesus to bring a big ole' breakthrough in some area of their lives. Let's believe for that together!
- To Get out of Debt - So many across the NLC World are working to get their financial houses in order. Pray for God's blessing, favor and discipline to be upon them as they seek to do money God's way!
- Miracles in Relationships - Pray for marriages that are hurting, dating relationships to be God-honoring and families to be restored!
- To Continue to Engage SOAP-ing on a Daily Basis. - When people spend time with Jesus they become more like Him. Pray that the people of NLC will become more like Jesus in the next month than they ever have been.
- NLC’s Fall Semester of Connection Groups. On September 13th, we are launching 100 Connection Groups all across Southwest Florida! These CG’s are small group environments for people to connect and go deeper in their relationship with God and with others. Pray for the dozens of new and existing Leaders to lead diligently and do the work of seeking out people to fill their groups.
- Pray for every person within NLC to join at least 1 Connection Group this fall. We believe that if people will connect to one another, they'll connect to life.
- Our NLC Missionaries:
- Luke Walters – In Sri Lanka right now holding crusades, evangelizing and training leaders for the Gospel.
- Christ for India – Jameson, Johnson and Mary (their mother) Titus. Pray for the Seminary, Children’s School with 800 children, Medical Clinics and Church Planting across India.
- Kelly and Kathy Johnson – Kenya. Pray for favor as they continue to train dozens of pastors across the nation of Kenya. Pray for our team as we prepare to go in September.
- Mark and Stephanie Pyles – Dominican Republic. Pray for their “Youth Church” that is reaching teenagers and 20-somethings in Santiago, DR. The 2nd largest city in the entire nation.
- The Communities of Palmetto Courts, Sabal Palms & Southwinds. God has given us favor with these 3 struggling communities of people who are trying to find hope in the midst of some very dark surroundings. Pray that God will give us a presence in these communities this fall that can see hope brought to so many who are hopeless.
- Our Influence Nationally. God continues to give us favor with dozens of church planters across the country who are planting Life-Giving Churches in their communities. Pray that these Churches will stay encouraged as they pursue God's heart and vision for their communities.
I have never felt so strong that God wants to do Great Things this fall across our church, our community and our nation!
Thanks again for praying, together we’re making a difference!
Pastor Matt
