Church Planting... A Great Joy!

As I sit down and begin to think about the journey that the Lord has brought me through over the last few years, it is hard to stay seated. Reflection for me brings about a desire to run around my house like a crazy man screaming the praises of God. There's no doubt that ministry is one of the hardest adventures anybody can ever endeavor themselves in. Interestingly enough, it is also by far the most honorable and rewarding work imaginable.

There's nothing more difficult than trying to deal with the unbalances that come with church planting. The random phone calls, the untimely meetings that are necessary, the family needs, the financial stresses and the burning desire to fulfill what God has called you too. All of those things have the ability to bring upon great amounts of stress. Yet the rewards of seeing just one person having their life absolutely transformed by the grace found in the Gospel of Jesus, trumps any amount of difficulties.

This past weekend I had the privilege of baptizing 11 people in our service, as the rest of Netcast sang loudly their praises to our King. Some of those baptized were very close friends of mine, while others I didn't really know well. Nonetheless, the beauty and power that is found in a life transformed by Jesus continues to fascinate me. When service ended, I rushed into the city of Boston and performed a wedding for two friends of mine, which was beautiful. It was small, intimate and fun. In addition to that, I was able to walk this couple through pre-marital counseling and saw incredible growth in their relationship and walk with Jesus over the past few months.

When I eventually came home that night and laid down in my bed, absolutely exhausted, it occurred to me that in the course 10 hours I witnessed 11 people outwardly demonstrate their identification with Christ in his death burial and resurrection and then I visibly witnessed two people becoming one flesh through the covenant of marriage.

 Honestly, can you think of anything in all of the world that you would rather be doing? I feel like I am literally living a dream.

Season of Sowing (Netcast Update)

The past 4 weeks at Netcast have been very eye opening for me. For one, I am more aware than ever that ministry is a calling and not a job. I am not a professional (although I need to be professional) or the CEO of an organization (although I need to be organized), but rather a simple man of God who has been anointed with the weight and calling of leadership within the Bride of Christ.

Because of that, the tension between family life, work life, play, and being a normal disciple who is deeply in love with his Savior, is not something that I am able to balance with a schedule. Over the past month I see so clearly that ministry is seasonal; some seasons have storms, some seasons are relaxed and beautiful, seasons vary in length and some seasons are busy and not extremely productive while others are full of busyness with lots of fruit. The goal is to faithfully endure each season with joy and worship.

Right now, Netcast is in a sowing season. It seems that with all the people who have coming through the doors and all the stories of God's grace, we need to continue to sow more than ever. We need to sow into leaders, processes, organizing, structuring, etc. We need to evaluate the areas where we are unhealthy and need to mature. We need to get better at the things we are good at and improve upon our weaknesses. We need to sow into relationships and call each other to holiness and repentance. We need love the gospel by serving together, giving together, gathering together, and being on mission together.

When Netcast first got started, we saw a quick harvest. People were getting saved every week, the church was growing at an untamed rate and we were able to manage much of the workload. Today, God is still at work. This weekend we will be baptizing a number of new believers, the Holy Spirit has been so powerful as we gather and communities are getting deeper. Yet, we are operating with the leadership and resources of a church ½ our size with the expectations of a church with 10 times more tenure. That said, I passionately believer what we are experiencing is minimal compared to the harvest ahead.

Rest assure another massive reaping season is around the corner. Thousands will know Jesus because of God's grace on us. Thousands will be influences by our faithful hands and feet. Thousands will benefit from our generosity and love for Greater Boston. But for now, it is vital that we labor well, that we work together, stay unified, continue to walk in authenticity and press into the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength.

GALATIANS 6:7-9  For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

15 Hopes for the women at Netcast Church

This past weekend we talked about what it looks like to pursue biblical woman. At the end of the message I listed my 15 hopes for the women at Netcast. Those, as well as a quote inspired by the writings of Pastor John Piper is below.


“True womanhood is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of his Son in ways that would not be displayed if there was no womanhood.” There are certain ways that man cannot display God's glory. When God described the work of his Son as the sacrifice of a husband for his bride, he was telling us why he made us male and female. He made us this way so this relationship would describe more fully the relationship of his son and his son’s blood-brought bride. If you reduce woman to biological features you not only reduce the value of womanhood but reduce the glory given to God in his beautiful creation. Whether a woman is married or single. Do not waste your God-Given womanhood, for it was made by and made for the glory of Christ.”

15 Hopes that I have for the women at Netcast. 

1. That all of your life, you'll be devoted to finding hope and beauty in Jesus.

2. That you won't stop modeling gentleness & compassion to us hard-hearted men at Netcast.

3. That you be women of the bible and not blame your church or a man for your lack of discipline.

4. That Jesus and the meditation on biblical truth be the source of your hope and faith; not a man.

5. That you fight to be heard at Netcast and in the community. Never letting fear quite your voice.

6. That you be women of prayer and faith; and grow in your influence at home and Netcast.

7. That you work to understand the deep mysteries of the gospel.

8. That you be totally committed to ministry within Netcast, whatever your role.

9. That you not waste God-given time on pointless TV shows, social media stalking or gossiping.

10. That, if you're married, you lovingly support the servant leadership of your husband and help him to die to himself as the Lord has called him to.

11. That you encourage, not belittle your husband when he is wrong and you are right.

12. That you develop a fearless war mentality when it comes to worshiping your King Jesus.

13. That you fight for transparency and authenticity, yet be honorable and respectful to others.

14. That you mentor and raise up the younger women at Netcast so they might love Jesus well.

15. That your motivation for the discipleship of others not be your own perfection, but rather your humility. Because young women need to know that imperfect women are loved by a perfect God.

Help Netcast; Help Amirah. Join the movement!!

When I mention the word "SLAVERY", what images come to mind?  Perhaps southern plantations in the 18th and early 19th centuries?  Or more recently, forced labor in Southeast Asia making designer clothes, sneakers, and handbags?  Or maybe child soldiers wielding machetes and automatic rifles in Uganda?

Unfortunately, the problem is much larger and closer to home than you may have thought possible.  Yes, slavery is alive and thriving today, right here in the land of the free and home of the brave.  Recent statistics indicate that more than 300,000 human beings are trafficked in the U.S. each year.  Upwards of 10% (THIRTY THOUSAND people) are trafficked right here through Greater Boston!

I am so excited that Netcast has a community group that refuses to stand idly by while this activity goes on around us. We have partnered with a safe house for women who have been rescued from the bonds of sexual slavery.  These women are in dire need of physical and psychological healing, which experts will provide.  The community group is sponsoring a room at the safe house to provide a comfortable and safe environment for such healing to occur.  The room will accommodate two women (for six to 18 months, depending on the extent of rehabilitation required).  We are supplying everything for a room, including but not limited to: beds, dressers, nightstands, lamps, alarm clocks, clothes hangers, bed linens, blankets, pillows, window treatments, and wall coverings. In order to organize the contributions and avoid duplication, we have developed a registry for items that will be donated to the safe house, much like a wedding or baby registry.

This registry also affords an opportunity to those who may want to participate at arms length.  Once an item has been obtained, it will be removed from the list, so that only those items still needed will be listed. This is an ambitious effort that will have untold impacts on some very hurting women.  Please be in prayer for these women, the safe house, and this project.

If you feel moved to participate in this initiative, we would welcome any additional assistance that God sends our way. Here's the link to the registry: http://www.myregistry.com/visitors/GiftList.aspx?param=1&sid=95109dd7-d5d3-45f7-8dbb-ef034986e85d 

Financial Contributions can be made as a "Special Designation" at https://netcastchurch.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift 

I challenge anyone reading this, to pray about how God may invite you to participate in this effort.

Blog written with assistance from Alan Day and the Wednesday Night Danvers Community Group.

Netcast was in the Boston Globe.

Netcast was noticed in the Boston Globe!!!! See Below.

Beverly's New Year 2012 celebration

January 10, 2012|Susannah Blair, Globe Staff

Beverly’s New Year 2012 was a fabulous night! We were lucky to have great weather and a big turnout — about 2,000 people. Now that we’ve all celebrated and the costumes and beach balls are put away for another year, we’d like to thank the folks that brought the event to life.

The Beverly’s New Year Committee worked for six months on the event and included: Don MacQuarrie, Bruce Doig, Larry Ralph, Jo Broderick, Joscelyn Ruelle-Kersker, Gin Wallace and Mary Ellen Mayo.

Thank you to the many dedicated volunteers that make this event a success: Allyse Femino, Bob and Pat Murphy, Bob Monahan, Carol Schroeder, Colleen Michaels and family, Haley Alwardi, Hannah Theriault, Holly Nahabedian, Jan and Don Preston, Jeff Moses, Jill Hathaway, Heidi DeFranko, Karin Croucher, Kate Norton, Kathy Siska and family, Kim and Lars Nelson, Margo Jones, Matt Chewning and the Netcast Church and Paulette Frazier.

Extravagant Worship

One thing that I am pretty passionate about is that, as a church, we are on the cutting edge of modern day worship music. Lately, I have fallen in love with some older hymns and I don't mind playing older style music, as long as it has flavor that is conducive to the people at our church. I envision Netcast Music to be Christ saturated and focused on the Gospel. With me as the senior pastor, we will be mostly reaching people between the ages of 17-37 years old. The rule of thumb is about 10 years older and younger than the lead guy. Unless God does something very unusual, statistics show that will be the case. Because of that, we will want our music to be engaging to that demographic. Some may disagree and that is OK.

Honestly, in my sin, I am pretty critical of worship sets. I hate bad transitions, a worship leader who feels the need to crack jokes or preach, and the worse is when a leader is more interested in doing a concert than he is of leading God's people. The worship leader is a key player during the corporate gathering. He's responsible for leading the group into an engaging experience with the Lord. That takes preparation and a gifted team. I honestly long for the day at Netcast, where unbelievers come into a worship set and God saves them without a preacher ever saying anything. Where people are healed and set free during a worship set. I long for the day where the presence of God in worship is so thick and real that even the unbelievers wont want to stop. Things like this are happening overseas everyday; why not now?

This is just my opinion and what God has placed on my heart pertaining to corporate worship. I am not saying that it is right, I am only saying that this is my heart. I thank Christ for the churches who are different than what I described above and in no way am I trying to put my preference above anyone else's. You're open to disagree.

"Confessions of a Pastor" Q&A Video Series

So Far we have 11 video's online at http://www.netcastchurch.org/#/video-and-media

In this video series called "Confessions of a Pastor" we take some of the top questions that we have been asked from people in Greater Boston, and seek to answer them. The questions are:

1. Can you trust the bible?
2. Why are Christians such hypocrites?
3. Is sex a bad thing?
4. What is sin?
5. What do I do to become a Christian?
6. Why do churches want my money?
7. Why another church in the Boston area?
8. What? No sex outside of marriage?
9. Who is this dude, Jesus?
10. Does God hate some of us?
11. Why do Christians think they're better than everyone else

Check it out. http://www.netcastchurch.org/#/video-and-media

Thank You Netcast Partners

I just wanted to drop you a note and say Thank You for helping us move forward.

This past year has been an incredible journey for Beth and I. We have finished up our internship at 1.21 Church in Winston Salem and are in the process of moving to North Shore Boston to plant Netcast Church. Of all that we learned and been through this year, none of it would have been possible without you. You believed enough in what Christ was doing in us and financially supported us in a generous way so that we would be most prepared for this challenge. Thank you for that.

As we move forward to the future I am sure that there will be more needs. Currently, for the next year, we already have over 50% of our budget committed by some of our financial partners, so we are off to a great start. Right now, I am not asking for anything specific until we actually move and have more of an idea what our needs are. Most church plants take 2-3 years before they are able to support themselves without any outside income.

Thank you for all that you have sacrificed to help us. I will share with you a great section of scripture that Paul wrote to those who financially supported him.

Philippians 4:18-19 "I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Thank you for being a partner with us in this journey. You may not feel as much of a part of our progress as you are, but let me assure you that without you, none of this would be possible. We love you dearly.

Matt and Beth

Final Update from Greensboro, NC

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give an update to everyone on what the latest news is with Netcast Church. This is probably the last email that I will be sending out from Greensboro, as we are all set to move in the beginning of August. The past month we have seen some unbelievable things pertaining to the church plant. We have had an amazing family commit to fund 1/2 of our 1st years budget and we have found a home on the North Shore of Boston. Beth and I spent a week in Boston last month, preaching and finishing up the assessment with the North American Mission Board.

In all, Beth and I are doing well emotionally. We are excited to get moved and settled in. Beth is excited to get the kids all set up for school as this is Abby's first year in public school and Daniel will be in 1st grade.

Please keep us in yoru prayers as we give our lives to spreading the wonderful news of Christ to the Greater Boston area. I would recommend that you check out www.netcastchurch.org/#/video-and-media where we have 9 video's in which we answer some of the main questions that Bostonians are asking us. The questions were polled from non-church people on the North Shore. Enjoy.

To Christ be all credit and glory.
Matt
-------------------------
Matt Chewning
Lead Pastor of Netcast Church
www.netcastchurch.org matt@netcastchurch.org
336-362-5662

Newest Netcast News!!

Here we are at the beginning of 2010 and we have been 100% donation supported since the end of August 09'. I still remember the day that God clearly spoke to us about leaving my job and trusting that he would provide. We were terrified to say the least! However, here's the deal; our family still has health-care, our kids haven't missed a meal yet, and although we're tighter than ever, Christ has shown us favor and grace.

This past year we have gained some incredible new friends who are passionate about seeing our family love Jesus more and do community better. By our generous partners giving to the church plant, it has allowed me to intern with 1.21 Church and be in a much stronger position to plant in Greater Boston aka "The preachers graveyard".

The newest development in our efforts to move and plant is that we will be putting our home up for sale the second week of January. The average home in Guilford county takes 5 1/2 - 6 months to sell. The selling of our home will determine a lot. We believe that if we are to be in Boston sooner than June, than our home will sell and things will move along faster than originally anticipated. We are currently working through our 2010 budget and praying that Christ will lead people to support us monthly after we move. 2010 is set out to be both one of the most exciting and terrifying years in the life of me and my family. We plan to move a family of 6 to an area of the country that historically has not be successful in the world of church planting. We are leaving just about every bit of security this world has to offer. What a way to start out a new decade. Christ, be with us.

Please pray for our finances, family, and the souls of those who we will interact with as we move. Most importantly I pray that we will define our success not by people and money, but by obedience to Christ who is is calling and leading us. Let the results be of Christ. Thank you dearly for being a part of our lives.

****Important Note**** Netcast Church has officially become a legal non-profit entity. We now have our own EIN and Bank Account. All checks need to be made out to "Netcast Church" and sent to 4604 Ridegfall Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410 or to the PO Box below.

Romans 15:20,

Matt and Beth

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving this year and didn't eat to much food. This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. For starters, I am thankful that Jesus has saved me and forgiven me of my sin. This past year, I have realized just how wicked of a man I can be. It is amazing to me how easily I overlook my own selfishness, pride, and sin; but yet it is so easy to see it in other people. So, that being said, I am thankful that Christ has both saved me from my sin and by his grace He is daily conforming me to be more like Him. For that I am so grateful.

My family and friends are such a blessing to me. I am thankful that God has given me an incredible bride. She is not just my wife, but my Gospel partner. We work hand in hand making disciples of one another, loving people, and raising our kids in a God fearing home. It is a daily joy to wake up every morning next to my best friend.

Netcast Church is another thing that I am so thankful for. I am literally living a dream. I am so thankful that people have believed in us and have been so generous in helping us run after our dream of planting a Jesus-Centered church in Greater Boston. I am currently interning at 121 Church in Winston Salem, NC which already has been catalyst in helping me be better prepared for when we move. The elders have been so generous in sharing their lives with me and for that I am extremely grateful.

I want to thank all of those who have funded us thus far. We did extremely well in our matching donations which is currently allowing me to intern and be in the best position possible to pastor and plant Netcast Church next year. I want to thank everyone who has encouraged me in my journey. I am thankful for every email, phone call, and letter we have received. They mean more to us than you will ever know.

We are still working on our budget for 2010 and trying and get a jump start on our funding for next year. If you're interested in blessing us with an end of the year donation, our address is below. All checks can be made out to Daystar Christian Fellowship; who is handling all of our accounting. We do not waste money here. Every dollar helps prepare us to plant Netcast Church and spread the message of the Gospel.

Thank you for being a dear friend and staying up to date on how Netcast Church is progressing.

Matt

-------------------------
Matt Chewning
Netcast Church / Pastor
P.O. Box 3347 BEVERLY, MA 01915
www.netcastchurch.org matt@netcastchurch.org
336-362-5662

Netcast Church Update

Hi Everyone,

Wow, God is moving in an awesome way. I will say that raising money during the recession is a little crazy. While I would have never planned to do fund raising during the worst economy since the depression; God thought it would be a good idea. Here are a couple of updates.

1. We received our first check as a church plant over $5,000. It actually came from a team member who will be moving with us. The faithfulness and maturity of this individual is mind blowing, especially at barely over 20 years old. It was actually a total of $7,600. Praise God for providing.

2. I got an e-mail from Joe Polson who is a young man from Charlotte hat found us on the web. We have never met and had only 1 phone conversation together. He feels called to church planting and is praying about moving to Boston with Netcast Church. Only a huge God brings a random unity like that. Just recently he felt the Lord encouraging him to give part of his tithe to Netcast Church. Again, this young man's maturity at 23 years old is crazy.

3. Last month I had an opportunity to go to an event in Raleigh. It was an after hours gathering of the leaders and speakers from the Advance 09 Conference with guys like Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Danny Akin, Eric Mason, and many others. I was able to rub shoulders with some giants of the faith and learned a ton from my conversations with them. You can get the podcasted sessions from the conference at the Resurgence link on Itunes.

If you would be willing to send us a 1 time gift that will be put towards the matching contribution of a local businessman, please reply to this post with with your address. I will send you a pre-stamped return envelope so all you have to do is throw in a check and pop it in the mail. As long as the check is over $1 it would be a profit for us. We will take a gift of ANY amount. Remember it is all tax deductible. I really need your help in raising $20K in order to receive the full amount of the contribution.

Thank you all for being a friend to us and partnering with us as we are in this journey. Be praying for me, Beth, our kids, and the Netcast Team. Satan wants to steal our joy, kill our dreams and destroy God's work in us. Pray that we will stand like Ephesians 6 tells us to.

Check out http://www.netcastchurch.org/ if you haven't yet.

Matt C
336.362.5662

Netcast Update (Showing off the Lord Jesus)

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to show off the Lord Jesus Christ real quick. I have become a firm believer that the Lord is telling the truth when he says "I will build my church." As most of you know, we have been going through the Acts 29 assessment process which we have passed through and are now being coached by a pastor in the New England area. The next phase of our church plant has been fundraising and building a team. Let me update you with a couple of financial miracles that has just stirred my soul.

1. I was given an incentive by the CEO of my company to raise money. He has offered to do a matching grant of up to $10K. He is willing to match 50% (up to $500) per family, church, or organization. The person can not be a relative and money has to be raised by October 31st. In essence I need 20 people / organizations to give $1000 in order to receive the full amount.

2. My brother-in-law has offered to purchase and design our website $1000 minimum gift not including the labor and expertise.

3. I had coffee with a local pastor in town today who told me that he was prompted to give me $1000 towards the church plant. It was the first time that I met him and I never asked him for money. He is sending a check shortly.

4. A team member who will be moving with us to plant was just given a large inheritance and will be tithing that income to our church plant. Are you kidding me? The person who passed away was a believer. Praise God.

5. I received an e-mail from a believer in NC who I have never met before. Someone who I occasionally work with mentioned that she knew some crazy young man who was moving his family to Boston to plant a church (that would be us). She literally asked me about what we are doing, if she could be a prayer partner, where she could send a check, and who to make it out to. I never asked her for a dime. Jesus just moved on our behalf. When I told her about some of the things that have happened recently this was her response. Remember that we never met before, however she is a part of the Body of Christ and we are united by the Gospel.

Matt,

I have been praying for your ministry, on a daily basis. When Wanda first told me about your ministry I felt led to start praying for you and your family. I have asked all of my siblings to do the same - there are 7 of us all together. They live from Jersey to Florida. What a blessing! God is so very good to us. He always throws in a couple of surprises. Don't really know why we are surprised because we know he does these things all of the time. You could write a book on the past three years that would be a great inspiration to many individuals that are struggling with a church or starting a church. Can't wait to read it.

God Richly Bless you and your family,

Delores

6. I am meeting with a pastor in town who leads an Evangelical Covenant church in Greensboro. The meeting is on Wednesday and he wants to talk about supporting us.

Just thought I would share; these are major miracles, especially in today's economy. If I had to chose a time to try and raise money, it would not be during the recession of 2009. However, God is faithful and will build his church. Pray that we will continue to never get ahead of what the Lord is doing and instead, follow his lead. If you would like to financially support us; please ask the Lord to give you the courage to have the generosity that it takes. I fully understand that it would be a huge sacrifice. I really love all of you and are so thankful to be able to show off what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing in the life of our church plant in Greater Boston. I am literally in tears today while writing this to you.

Matt
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/n/netcastchurch/
http://www.chewningjourney.blogspot.com/
336.362.5662

Road Trip (Boston Friends - Please Read!!)

Beth and I are planning a trip to Boston the weekend of February 20-22. During this trip we would like to have some of our friends visit the area with us to see what we are getting ourselves into. This will be a time of prayer for our ministry, a time to connect with each other, and a time to seek God about our roles (if any) in this church plant.

If you are in Greensboro, we will look to get a 15 passenger van to drive. We'll leave Friday somewhere between 3 and 5pm. We will drive through the night taking turns in the cockpit and sleeping. We'll spend some time in the city and on the North Shore. Then on Saturday night, I would like to all get together at a church to just spend some time praying together. I am inviting some people who are in the Boston area and will be supporting us in some way or form to join us.

We have friends and family in the area so sleeping arrangements will not be much of a problem. I am sure there will be an aspect of Ghettoness to it, but ain't nothing wrong with a little ghetto. Remember Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and Birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. We're just tryin to be Christ Like!!

Get excited. It's gonna be fun!!!

If your interested in going with us, please let me know. Also, if you can be there on Saturday night, let me know. I would love it if you could!! Just leave me a comment on this blog or shoot me an e-mail at mwchewning@yahoo.com I will update the details as I work them out.

Boston is at a Crossroads!!

Boston is at a Crossroads
Founded on Puritan ideals, Boston has largely turned away from its roots in Christian faith. Today it is considered a bastion of humanist ideals. The evangelical community that exists there is largely viewed as irrelevant and checked out of mainstream culture.

But consider the opportunity! Statistics show there are hundreds of thousands of individuals here who have never truly heard the life-changing message of Jesus. And Boston is home to one of the most vibrant college populations to be found anywhere — currently over 300,000 students are in the area. This is a place literally exploding with potential revival!

We believe that God is calling us to reach out to Boston and we are ready to respond to that call.

Romans 15:20 says,

“I want nothing more than to preach the Gospel where Christ has not yet been preached.”

Boston is a place that desperately needs this preaching. And we’d like
you to consider partnering with us in this effort.

Netcast Church Logo

Our Logo is complete!!!

Calling all potential team member (Please Read)

I wanted to write a quick blog to anyone who may read this and considers themselves someone who may be interested in being a part of our church plant in Greater Boston. You can be a part in 3 ways that I will list below.

1. Core Team Member
2. Prayer Support
3. Financial Support

As we get closer to the move to Boston I would like to gather those who may fall into 1 of those 3 categories so I can keep you personally updated on our direction as a church plant. I will rely on this group for feedback of things like Logo, Website, Time frame, Planning, Direction, and anything else that will help in our efforts to move forward. Also, I will write monthly e-mail updates on the latest of God's work in our Church Plant. There is already a lot to tell, but the Blog is not the right setting.

If you feel like you would like to be a part of this group, please e-mail me your personal e-mail address at mwchewning@yahoo.com, hit me up at Facebook, or just leave a comment on the blog.

I look forward to working together to do massive things in Boston and impacting the world with the power of teh gospel of Jesus.

Factors For A Successful Race

Several common ingredients can be found in the lives of godly, effective leaders. Here are a few.

1. Learning Attitude. Effective leaders are coachable. It is hard to imagine that we have it all figured out. I was just having a conversation with my brother who is looking to land a new job. He just received an offer letter from a company with a contract and I asked him to review it. His initial reaction was that I didn't feel he was smart enough to make a decision on his own. However, that was not the case at all. Instead I wanted to help put him in the best possible position to make the best possible decision. The same is true in our ministry. I think it is important to always have an attitude of humility and coachability. As believers, we should lean on each other to put ourselves in the best possible position to be used for the Glory of Christ.

The most successful Christian leaders continue to grow, right to the very end of their lives. Hebrews writes, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (13:7,8) The growing leader will carefully observe how other spiritual leaders have overcome and will then equip himself to run in a similar fashion. I do things like this by studying Biblical leaders, by reading biographies (John Edwards, Calvin, Lewis, Spurgeoun, have been some of my favorites and articles on these guys can be found at desiringgod.com) or by drawing near to godly leaders around me. Utilize the Godly people that God has surrounded you with, he hasn't put them there by mistake.

2. Spiritual Renewal. Jesus modeled the importance of pulling away from ministry activity in order to seek fresh intimacy and direction from the Father. In order to finish well, leaders need repeated times of inner renewal. The alternative is a drift toward complacency and a plateauing of growth. I love to go to things like Catalyst Conference, where thousands of church leaders get together to renew their mind on culture, leadership and ministry. For the past 3 years God has used that conference to fuel my soul and stir my affections for Christ. I also love to get away from work, family, and friends to just get alone with the Father. While in NJ for my grandfathers funeral, I spent hours in airports, in hotels, etc just alone with Jesus. He used those times to grow my faith, encourage my heart and increase my passion.

3. Disciplines. Leaders who finish well have learned the value of the spiritual disciplines. The basic disciplines involving the devotional life and the study of the Bible, along with such practices as solitude and fasting can deeply shape character and increase the probability of a good finish. After he had been in ministry for about 21 years, Paul wrote, "I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Cor. 9:27) Some 15 years later, when he was probably between 65 and 70, Paul shared time-tested advice with Pastor Timothy, "Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." Lifelong spiritual training made it possible for Paul to finish strongly.

Lets be honest, discipline at times totally sucks. However, if as leaders we will not discipline ourselves for Godliness, than we have no business leading. We NEED to be in his word, Everyday! We should desire his word more than our food. We need to be feeding ourselves. I hear Christians all over say that their not being fed; that is a maturity issue. Babies can cry because they are not being fed; however, adults need to get up and go make food. Feed Yourself. Their are a ton of ways to do this. Podcasts, Worship Music, Bible Study, Books, Bible on audio, etc. Discipline yourself and make this a priority.

4. Accountability. The issue of accountability is critically important anywhere you go, and probably what I am most passionate about. No one can survive all by himself. We need one another. If I'm going to overcome moral problems, there has to be a group of people that I confide in. A group that I can be open with. We all face our own struggles, these struggles are overcome, not only because we read our Bibles and talk to God, but also because we talk to other Christians about our problems. And we know that they will minister to us in these areas. A lone ranger is a dead ranger! You will die; scripture confirms that.

Here is the real freakin deal on accountability. You've got to want it. If you don't want it than it wont matter. As leaders, we should want to protect our freedom so bad that accountability is something that is natural. If you are a leader and do not have several people who you have confessed your struggles to and have given them an open line to say anything and everything that may concern them about you; than you have missed it. YOU WILL FAIL!!! Just two days ago, Beth called me and said, "We're not moving to Boston." I was like what? She said, "Yeah, you have no accountability out there." She is right, however here is the key. If I want accountability, it is not hard to find. However, if I am passive about this area, accountability will never find me. When I move, my #1 priority before anything is to grow an accountability group. That comes before a core launch team or anything else that comes with planting a church.

A top Zimbabwean church planter reflects, "When God called me to ministry, the first thing I needed was to surround myself with godly men. I gave them permission to counsel and rebuke me. These are my mentors. As busy as I am, I try to get time with these men to pray with them and share my problems and successes. They are the secret to my effectiveness. Wherever there is a successful man, there are good mentors behind him."

Research has revealed that most leaders who have finished well have had ten to 15 significant people who came alongside to help them at various stages in life. Dr. Richard Clinton advises, "Simply put, if you are serious about finishing well, you need to find mentors who can hold you accountable in every area of your life and ministry and who will help you avoid the pitfalls that will arise as you move through life. An effective mentor will ensure that you continue to grow and develop." (R. Clinton, p.24)

God's Desire
How do you want to finish your ministry?

Are you encouraged by the trends in your life or are crucial changes needed?

What practices and safeguards are being built into your leadership now that will make for a good finish later?

Take heart! God wants you to finish well! He is earnestly committed to develop you toward maximum potential as a godly leader. And if you fully cooperate with His shaping wok, you will join those who run successfully to the finish. May Paul's passion as a leader burn within our hearts, "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Church Plant Info

Church Name: Netcast Church
Website: http://www.netcastchurch.org/

Blog: ww.chewningjourney.blogspot.com

Mission Statement:

“Whatever it takes to see people transformed by Jesus and empowered to change their world.”

Acts 29 Network candidate
www.acts29network.com

Timeline:
Pre-Move: Build a team of at least 3 people/families that will move with us for the purpose of planting a church.
Move to Boston (North Shore): Summer 2009
6 Bi-weekly Interest Meetings: Winter 2009
3 Monthly Services: Spring 2010
Public Launch: September 2010

Facts about Greater Boston Area: Taken from Boston Area Connect website.
1. 4th most densely populated city in the country
2. Public school system is the oldest in the country
3. 22nd most populated city in country in 2007
4. 20% of Boston City population live below poverty level
5. Irish Americans are a major influence on Boston's politics and religious institutions and consequently on the rest of Massachusetts.
6. Forbes.com listed Boston as the #5 best city for young business professionals.
7. Colleges and Universities: Over 100 schools and 300,000 students.

We're moving forward! Very cool!!

It is beginning.
I just got finished our first draft of the information that we need to put together for Fundraising. It is now in the hands of some very respectable pastors who I trust to critique and offer advise about it. I am beginning to get very excited about how far God seems to be bring us. So far I have 2 guys working on a logo for me. They already have done 2 templates for us to begin to work on. (You will get to see that shortly) Also, I have a guy who is committed to helping us get free professional copy right and editing work for us when we are ready for the official brochure. I have thus far but together our budget, beliefs, mission statement, time frame, etc. I have also passed all of the Acts 29 testing that they have put me though. Wow. It is exciting.

Also, let me share 1 quick story.

For about 2 years I have had my eye on someone who I believed that God specifically said was going to be our worship leader. There was only 1 problem, he was running from God for the past 2 years. (FYI, running away from God and leading worship, don't work well together) Well about 3 weeks ago, I was talking with this guy and he starts telling em how God supernaturally has worked in his life and how he has fully dedicated his life to Christ and feels this calling on his life to use music as a means to reach people. I almost fell out of my chair!!! Seriously. After some more conversation I tell him about how I am planning to move to Boston to plant a church. About the next day, I get a text from him and it says this. "Guess what college is in Boston?" in my stupidity I type something brilliant back, "Gordon" he replies back, "no, your an idiot, Berklee!!" Interesting enough, he wants to go to Berklee and major in song writing. Now I already have a call in b/c we have a connection wit that school through our network of people out there. In our last conversation, he has committed to talking the idea over with his spiritual fathers and get their input and guidance. CRAZY!!"

Now, I am not naive enough to jump to the conclusion that "this guy" (No names mentioned yet) is totally on board with this idea. However, the mere fact that it is even a possibility and I thought that God told me something about him 2 years ago, is a freakin miracle in itself.

Just join me to "TYPE" 1 quick prayer as a comment to this blog. I say type, so that I can join in with what you aer asking. Please, Ask God to confirm to this person whether or not it is his will for him to join us. I want nothing more than to do the will of God. If it is not his will, I do not want him, however, if it is his will, I want nothing more than to do ministry with this young man for as long as God would allow. Maybe even for the rest of our lives.

(John 14:14 "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." Jesus.)

Thanks for reading and keeping up with me.