Planetshakers is leading worship this week at the National Youth Conference that accompanies the Fine Arts Festival. 12,000 students and adults pack into the Bobcats Arena in Downtown Charlotte each night for the services.

If you are not familiar with them, you have to check them out. Amazing musicians, great leaders, sensitive to God’s spirit. I had a chance to have dinner with the band and their pastor – Russell Evans – on Monday night. Pastor Russell planted the Planetshakers church in Australia 5 years ago and they are currently running 4,500 people. Some thoughts from our conversation:

– His observation is that the western church has shied away from letting the genuine power of God be on display because they are afraid of what people think.

– His desire is to see pastors operate in true authority. When we realize the authority that God has placed on us as pastors and the authority we have in Christ (as Christ followers in general) our perspective will change and the power of God will be at work in our lives.

Two very interesting things to chew on and think through.

I believe with all my heart that I don’t have to water anything down. The gospel has been true for thousands of years and I am willing to let God do anything he pleases at Hope. I find myself very emotional as I think about the lives that are about to be changed by the power of God at Hope Church, and I tremble at the thought of doing anything to get in the way of that.

Do a great think at Hope Church, Lord. Let it be all You…