I thought it might be cool to post the text from an email I sent to our staff today. Just a kind of behind the scenes look at how we think. Some of the stuff is inside humor. Enjoy!

Hey staff,
I want to stretch you for a minute w/ a thought I had today.
Those of you who were on board from day one will remember what it was like when nobody knew who did what job.
We all did things in each area of ministry, and we all had our hands in everything.
In some ways, I’m so glad those days are over.
In some other ways, I never want them to end.
While it’s good for us to have clearly defined roles and assignments, it’s never good for us make the following statements or think the following thoughts:
1. “That’s not my job”-you figure it out.
2. “That’s not your job”-don’t stick your nose in my business.
I am so proud of how non territorial each of you are. I’m so proud of how we all pitch in and help each other and share ownership in each other’s areas of ministry.
So here’s the next challenge I want to pose to you (us):
Who’s going to come up with the next innovation to move the gospel forward and advance the Kingdom faster and further?
Which one of us will have the next breakthrough, hair brain idea (for examples see http://www.elevationeggdrop.com/ J) that propels Elevation into greater effectiveness?
I just felt compelled to remind us that we all need to be thinking about the next way to create buzz. The next way to improve the worship service. The next way to streamline our assimilation. The next killer concept (like 3 Gs, via Larry Brey, or Breaking News with Tonia B. via Chunks Corbett) that will send us over the top.
Let’s never get so busy just doing the day to day stuff in our own areas that we stop setting aside mind time to be creative and pray bold prayers and take big risks. That’s how we got to where we are. Audacious, cutting edge faith in Jesus.
The next Purple Cow is in somebody’s field right now!
And remember, once we get �em there, we’ve got �em there! (Talk about breakthrough concepts!
Love you guys! Keep it up!
Pastor Steven

My idea of a good sermon includes the following components: intensity, candor, plot, controversy, belligerence, focus, and transcendence. These are admittedly non-definitive and definitely in no particular order. But I try to position my mind and my heart during the week so that come Sunday, I have something to say that will set the people of God on fire and leave no doubt that Jesus is real and strong.

To me, the most important component of a sermon is hope. And for the next 5 weeks at Elevation, I’m setting out on a crusade to inspire radical hope with this new series: What Should I Do With My Life?

Read more

Sad but true: My 1990 Jeep Cherokee is going to find a new home. We’ve had great times together. We’ve traveled to preach to a lot of people in a lot of places. And she’s been a reliable mode of transportation and a downright fine vehicle for about 160,000 miles now (not all incurred by me).

But the case against her is building (from now on, I’ll call it it instead of her. I think you’re supposed to call your car she/her, but I just can’t do it. Feels kinda fruity. Besides, it’s a freakin’ Jeep, quite the manly vehicle.)

Read more

Today was phenomenal! The worship service this morning was outstanding, especially the E-Kidz video and the testimonies. Wow!

And the day only got better after service. At our Newcomers Lunch, I had the privilege of leading my new friend Mark to Christ. Nothing compares to that!
 

Read more