As my Dad and I were walking through the Atlanta Airport, we were reminded of a valuable life lesson. My dad and I were at gate B26 about to board a flight to Denver, Colorado. He was telling me his version of civil rights when an obviously annoyed white traveler tried to get through the breezeway. The only thing that stood in his way was a black Delta representative. The traveler’s ticket didn’t work. It was for a different flight.

In an angry tone, the white man said, “Its your fault! Your plane was late!”

“Sir, I don’t have a plane.” The black man responded.  As soon as I heard him say “I don’t have a plane” & his tone I knew we were about to see a show…  They exchanged words and the white man continued to hassle him.

He almost missed his flight and got bumped from 1st class to the back of the plane.

Don’t hassle black people or anyone for that matter. This is the life lesson my dad taught me long ago. This situation could have been totally different.  Instead of getting mad, the white traveler could have kept a cool head. If he would have shown the man in control a little respect he may have kept his 1st class seat.  Instead he look like a fool.

Just get along with people. Most of the time they just want to do their job and help you.  Many great men have said this including my dad.

This last Sunday, Valentine’s Day, I got to visit the Courageous Church.

The night before I had a dream of what the service might be like.  This is weird but my dream was:

• That the worship leader was a Harlem Globetrotter. Some how he was able to play basketball and sing at the same time. ‘
• The service was three hours long.
• & Shaun King spoke via Skype.

Ok I made up the last point, but the other 2 were really in my dream.

Ready to visit my first urban church, I started early leaving my house @ 6:30am.  Arrived early and a few people showed me around.

I had a conversation with an Evolutionist during the free breakfast.  We talked about the bible.  He said a smart man wrote it.  Just before the service started Shaun (the Black Pastor) came over to greet me.  I was impressed. I think he greeted everyone in the room.  A very approachable guy!

The service:

I forgot what it is like to got to church as a new visitor.  It is like a first date. You really put yourself out there as a new visitor. Not knowing what to expect made me nervousness.

The 10 piece band was cool.  They had Rap music for the intro (Several rapper’s attend the church.) Shaun even opened by having a conversation with the crowd about their favorite Love song’s { Conversational Style.}

He talked about How to share your love.  Used some great examples from his life and Grey’s Anatomy.

Biggest take away:  “Love makes the small things better.”

If your ever in Atlanta stop and visit The Courageous Church.  It is a great diverse real community.

All Access Twenty Ten was born out of a heart to connect church leaders, encourage church planters and champion the cause of Christ through healthy local churches. It’s a place for church leaders to connect, church planters to be encouraged, and where all who attend will be inspired and equipped to serve their cities effectively. Join us in these strategic days for this high-impact conference! stay connected with us:

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]]> http://www.planterguy.com/2009/12/arcs-all-access-twenty-ten/feed/ 0 http://www.planterguy.com/2009/11/church-signs-kissed-a-gir/ http://www.planterguy.com/2009/11/church-signs-kissed-a-gir/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:11:28 +0000 Guy http://www.planterguy.com/?p=1223 Here is another church sign!

I kissed a girl and Liked it… Then I went to Hell..

Shortly after getting off the plane in DC, I realized this place ain’t like the town I grew up. After walking around, touring the Capitol Building, it became obvious that a country boy (myself) would see a few things as unique or different.

Here 17 interesting things on how Washington DC ain’t quite like small town Clay, Alabama.

1.  Church is a little different  The Church of Christ, Scientist.

2. The buildings are bigger.

3. The mayor… well he is actually the mayor.

4. Mark Batterson lives here.

5. Politics!

6. No John Deere tractors were  driving down the road.

7. Tourist.

8. People ride the Metro.

9. People dress metro.

10.  Politics…

11. Men work in suits (without their name  printed across the chest.)

12. There are Democrats here.

13. After raking the leaves they don’t burn them. I saw a dump-truck-vacuum-cleaner sucking them up.

14. Bums still have something to say. (Except they blog about it.)

15. “I couldn’t find a parking spot” is a valid excuse for everything.

16. People like Obama. (Ok I know people like him at home too.)

17. The biggest issue in DC  is… I cannot pack heat. (aka carry my pistol.)

Have you been to a new city? How was it different than the town you grew up in?

“God Loves all His creation, Dogs included.”“Dogs don’t have souls. This is not open for debate.”“Catholic dogs go to heaven. Presbyterian dogs can talk to their pastor.”

These church signs are right across from my friends work. The don’t seem to agree on their theology & they have been going back and forth for a few weeks now.  They just can’t seem to agree on where their pets go after they die. Click here to see last week.

My friend sent these to me. These two churches are right across the street from each other.

If you have any great church signs, send them to me!

1.Their worship leader Kris Allen won American Idol.

2. They were named the fastest growing church last year by Outreach Magazine.

We will be there for a week. The church planters will sit down with Rick Bezet and his team to pick their brain and talk about church.

It will be a blast.

Topics we will cover:

Six High Levels of a Life Giving Church

The WHO and the WHAT of a Launch Team

Volunteers: Dream Team Concept

Government/ By- Laws/Finance(least fun, but most important)

Missions/Outreach

Matt Keller will be talking about:

Planning your Communication

Resource Scarce to Abundant

Decision Making

Marketing (My Favorite part)

We will be sitting in on the Staff Meetings, Creative Team Meeting

Interviewing the department heads of Children’s Ministry,Student’s/College/Internship, Growth Track/ Life Groups.

Rocking with the band as they do Worship Practice

Hitting up several of the Weekend Experience and learning about Mobile Church.

And of course hanging-out with Neil Greathouse {picture above} and learning about the Creative Process & Production

There are tons of other great things we are going to cover, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise for those already going.

This is our last BT of the year. If you are interested in going to our next one in February email me (guy at arcchurches dot com)  we can save you a spot.

Greg Surratt- Church planting is the R&D for the body of Christ.

Joel Hunter- Don’t Push! (This is what the doctors said to his wife while she was in labor. Pushing too early would cause her and the baby problems. Same goes for your church plant.)

Rob Ketterling- Church Planters make mistakes. There are too many to make in one lifetime so learn from others.

Hugh Halter- Find the balance between scattering and gathering.

Herbert Cooper-Structure for growth.

Gene Apple- Shifting Winds= Anxiety + Exhilaration.

Jon Furguson- Have your brother do the grunt work of your church plant. {He and Geoff Surratt}

Billy Hornsby-  Why would you plant a church that wouldn’t reaching people?

Win Souls. Go make Disciples. Worship. Ministry. Fellowship.

Scott Thomas- Church signs make him throw up.

Joe Champion-  Aren’t you glad that God saved the last message for a Champion! ok 1 mo BITE!

I may post bits and pieces from my notes over the next few weeks…

Any thoughts?