Rob pastors a church in South Charlotte called Southbrook. It’s an amazing church and I love Rob a lot. It’s great to have a pastor in town who prays for me, encourages me, likes to eat Mexican with me, and never talks junk about me.
We decided to swap blogs today to reinforce to our city that we’re in this together.
I guess some people would think it’s weird that 2 pastors of large contemporary churches within 10 miles of each other would openly and publicly promote each other’s ministries.
Aren’t we afraid of losing members to each other?
Nope. We’re afraid of losing lost people to the kingdom of darkness.

Guest Blog: Rob Singleton

A little over 1 year ago I started receiving phone calls from what I thought was just, ‘another church planter.’

That doesn’t sound nice, I know, but hear me out before you start throwing stones.

You see, we get a lot of men (and women) coming through here who want to start a church. They usually come to the Saturday evening service and then talk to me afterwards. I’ve seen 3 or 4 from different groups on a single Saturday. Like I said, we get a lot.

Most of the time it’s just awesome, but, sadly, sometimes it’s not.

I like to meet with these folks for lunch or breakfast because I have a little more time to hear their heart. Right after the service, with hundreds of people fellowshipping and catching up, just doesn’t work.

But sometimes (rarely, thank God) the ‘heart’ is never heard.

The heart doesn’t even show up in the conversation. Those times feel more like an Amway presentation than a fired up man or woman of God sharing their passion about reaching a lost and confused world.

I’m talking about the times when someone sits across the table from me at lunch and shares their excitement about being good at marketing and speaking and how they just know they could make a career out of church planting. They’re usually a little bit more couth at how they say it, but that’s the gist nevertheless.

Whenever I pick up on the church planting as a career angle, my heart just sinks.

It’s not a good ‘career.’

Let me rephrase that…

It’s a horrible ‘career.’

However, it’s an awesome calling!

And there is a difference, but that’s another blog for another time.

Maybe now, you’ll understand why I’m a little hesitant when it comes to giving your life to this very challenging but important calling.

Then along comes a guy like Steven Furtick. I still remember when I got the message that he called a couple of times.

Deanna (my ministry assistant): “A guy named Steven Furtick called. He’s planting a church and would love to grab lunch with you sometime… soon.”

Pastor Rob (me): “Did you test him? Run him through the gauntlet?”

Deanna: “Yes, but he keeps calling anyway.”

Rob: “Hot coals?”

Deanna: “Check.”

Rob: “Broken glass?”

Deanna: “Check.”

He’s young, probably didn’t know any better.

The long and short of it is that I did have lunch with Steven Furtick and you need to hear me when I say this…

He’s the real deal.

An anointed man of God.

I’ve really grown to love this brother in Christ and admire his boldness and tenacity for reaching the lost. He came to me (and many others) to learn. I’m sure those ‘others’ would agree when I say that, if you spend time with Steven Furtick you’ll get more than you give.

You’ll learn as much as you teach.

You’ll be stretched.

You’ll be fired up.

Your passion will be renewed.

Amazing from one so young.

How young?

Just put it this way. We have lunch together once a month because his mom won’t let him stay out past 9:00 pm on a school night, so dinner is out of the question.

Seriously?

Keep your eyes on this young man of God.

And Charlotte?

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.

In a good way.