It's hard to describe the emotions that race through my head as I am typing this blog entry while sitting at Ebenezers Coffeehouse in Washington DC. God put a dream in our hearts six years ago to partner with Mark Batterson and his team at National Community Church to open the first franchise of Ebenezers - a non-profit coffeehouse and multiple-use venue. All profits go toward local and global humanitarian projects.I had a great meeting with Mark today regarding the next steps of our dream to see this come to life in Charlotte. We are working out the final details of an affiliation agreement...

This is a copy of an email I sent today to everyone that we have in our email database at Center City Church. If you did not receive this email (and you would like to receive stuff like this in the future) shoot me your email address: [email protected]. For those that didn't get it...here you go: Center City family... I have had you on my heart lately. Not a strange admission considering I'm a pastor, but something is different. Something is deeper. I am sensing a new season upon us as a church family. I am excited about what I see coming. God is taking what he has done...

I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days last week with a group of church planters from across the country. While we were kicking around some conversation about vision, one of the guys said, "the problems arise when you run out of ideas before you run out of money." The point of this story was that we, as leaders, always need to carry the vision. And we need to be getting that fresh vision from God on a regular basis. One of my mentors always pounded this into me: resources follow vision. It's never the other way around. Get a big dream from God and watch him provide.When we run...

While reading Psalm 133 this morning, I came across this beautiful prayer from Charles Spurgeon. I was so moved by this plea for unity within the body.O for more of this rare virtue! Not the love which comes and goes, but that which dwells; not that spirit which separates and secludes, but that which dwells together; not that mind which is all for debate and difference, but that which dwells together in unity. Never shall we know the full power of the anointing till we are of one heart and of one spirit; never will the sacred dew of the Spirit descend in all its fulness till we are...

There are so many incredible testimonies across our community of what God has been doing recently at Center City Church. If God has done something powerful in your life recently, shifted your perspective or set you on a new course, I want to hear your story. Sharing your story has a way of solidifying a new thing that God has done and helps you to process it on another level. If you have a story to tell, shoot me an email at [email protected]. Don't be shy...brag on God and let me hear your story!!

One of the great themes of the Bible are the men and women that found the resolve to place their hope in God when all hope was lost in their circumstances. In 1 Samuel, we find the story of a shepherd named David that has been called and anointed to rise to the most powerful position in the world during this time period - the King of Israel. But his time had not yet come and the current king, Saul, was paranoid, afraid and breathing murderous threats against David. So this king-to-be is forced to run into the wilderness, sleeping in caves and constantly live in survival mode as he tries to...

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/40837571 w=450&h=253] James 2:14-26 - Show Me Your Faith from Center City Church on Vimeo. True faith naturally results in love and service to others in our community and around the world.

I guess a month of non-blogging is long enough. Time to jump back into a rhythm of blogging. I like to view my blog as a digital journal that everyone can see. I have another journal that includes lots of personal, intimate, moments along with some griping, complaining and screaming in all caps. You don't get to see that one. But this blog is a way for me to share our journey.I also think it's fun a few times a year to look back on the previous years of things I have shared on the blog. It's like mile markers along the way. Pretty cool. All that to say this: I'm back in the blogosphere....

Our church is growing. That's a great reality. But it also changes things. We are seeing new people every single week come into our church family. That's amazing. But will it change the church that you've come to know and love? The answer is a resounding YES. Change will come. And I believe that change is upon us right now. And this is incredibly exciting. Let me explain...Our church is known for being a loving, accepting and genuine place to explore and grow deeper in our faith. Now that lots of people have heard about this, there are lots more that want to check it out. But that means that...

I had the great privilege of being back on campus at my alma mater, Southeastern University yesterday for a series of meetings and to teach two classes for undergraduate students. Really memorable day. I was able to meet the new administration for our university and was so impressed with their passion for excellence, commitment to the student experience and their unashamed love for Jesus. Great feeling knowing that this institution is in great hands moving forward. I had the really unique privilege of teaching in two classes today: Sport & Ministry and Pastoral Theology. Two very...