Pastor Craig Groeschel is a great man of God and a good friend. He is simply the most kingdom-minded, humble person I’ve ever met. And his church is phenomenal. LifeChurch.tv is leading the way for all of us by providing more resources and creating more opportunities for partnership than any other church out there. There truly is no one like him.

That’s why when he told me that the topic of his next book, Weird, was on living a life beyond the norm, I couldn’t imagine a person better suited to write it. Pastor Craig’s passion for God, his integrity, and his wisdom are abnormal in comparison to most of the people I know. And that puts him in the perfect position to speak into your life as much as he has spoken into mine.

This book is the real deal. I believe it has the potential to radically change your life. As Pastor Craig brilliantly argues, while most of us are simply trying to live a normal life, normal isn’t working. For most people, normal means they’re exhausted. Their relationships are strained. Their family is dysfunctional. Their relationship with God is on life support. And they’re simply trying to survive.

If that’s normal, count me out.

Weird is where it’s at. Weird is what is going to change the world. Weird is what is going to change your life.

The book released today and although Pastor Craig didn’t ask me to do this, I really felt I needed to take a day on my blog and help get the word out.

I strongly encourage you to order a copy for yourself and anyone you know who needs to hear this message. If you’re a pastor or are on staff at a church, buy a few dozen or maybe even a couple hundred copies for key leaders in your church. Plan a series around the book or use it for your small group curriculum.

I really believe in Pastor Craig Groeschel, LifeChurch.tv, and the truth in this book. In a day when our world is drowning in a sea of its own normalcy, we need a message that presents a compelling alternative. Weird gives us just that.

So don’t hesitate. Go buy a bunch of copies right now at any of these distributors:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
CBD

We just wrapped up an incredibly special weekend at Elevation that’s hard to put into words. Simply put, we made a movie.

To conclude our five-year anniversary celebration, we premiered our first feature-length film, This is How We Change the World. It covers the first five years of Elevation’s story. How God has blessed us. What it took to get where we are. The stories behind the numbers. Pretty much everything that we could say in 65 minutes.

And I want all of you to see it. Not to glorify ourselves. Or to say that our story is the only story worth telling.

Just the opposite. This film isn’t only about us and our story. It’s about what God stands ready to do for and through every person. Including you. As I said in Sun Stand Still, I believe our story hints at a God-sized transformation that is available to every follower of Christ. And every church.

What you’re not going to get is a formula. The five easy steps to church growth. The seven-point plan to changing the world. What you’re going to get is a story of how God has shaken a city. And through that story you’re going to see what God has always and will always use to change the world.

His favor. Sacrifice. Love. Hard work. Unity. Audacious faith. Risk.

And none of these are owned by us.

These elements can be a part of your life. Whether you’re a church planter or an entrepreneur. A retiree that just got finished or a college graduate that’s just getting started.

You can change the world.

We’ve put the documentary up on the Elevation Experience for this week only. Catch it while you can. If you’d like a copy for yourself or your team to watch after this week, you can buy one here. We’ve got a special price going right now for those who pre-order, so don’t wait too long.

What has happened here can happen there. Where your church is. Where you are.

I hope that our story inspires you.
To not give up on your dreams.
To sacrifice whatever it takes to be a part of a move of God that leaves you breathless.
To live a story worth telling.
To change the world.

Watch This is How We Change the World
Buy the documentary

As you’re looking at 2011 and thinking about the endless amount of conferences you could attend, let me give you one that needs to be at the top of your list: C3.

Year after year, Ed Young and the folks at Fellowship put on top-notch events that inspire and empower you to dream bigger and accomplish more. And this year is no exception. The lineup he has put together for this event is unbelievable.

Bishop T.D. Jakes. Brian Houston. Judah Smith. Joyce Meyer. And that’s just half of who you’ll hear from.

Some of the most important moments in the development of our church leadership culture have happened at C3. Its potential to expand your conception of what the church is capable of in the world is immeasurable. Ed Young has been a model of leadership for me, but even more than that he and Lisa’s investment into Holly and me has been unbelievable. He’s the real the deal.

Don’t hesitate. February 16-18. An event you don’t want to miss.

It’s always an honor to get to preach for C3.
I hope to see you there!

Register here.

And while you’re at it, take a few minutes today and check out C3 Global and its vision.

As I announced last week on Twitter, Holly and I have the honor of partnering with Ed and Lisa Young on a very exciting initiative: C3 Global. Ed Young has been a model of leadership for me and challenged me to expand my vision of what the church is capable of in this world. And now through C3 Global, we want to partner together to see the same thing happen for ministries all over the world.

Take a few minutes today and check out C3 Global and its vision.

C3 Global
Ed Young