Thanks for your feedback on what makes a place home. I’ll use some of it in the series we are kicking off this weekend “Home For The Holidays.”

Have you ever felt lost?

There are people in our neighborhoods and in our offices and in our worksites and in our schools and even in our families who are wandering aimlessly through life without hope, without direction, without purpose, without meaning, without God, without His forgiveness, without His grace, without the security of knowing that they have an eternal home in heaven some day.

I don’t know of a worse feeling. Sometimes in life, we all can lose our way. How do you find your way back home?

Just curious how many of you prefer a fake or real Christmas tree? Historically I have been a die hard Clark W. Griswold type of guy…with the whole tradition of cutting our own tree. But I don’t know if I’m feeling that vibe this year.  Might break tradition. Please correct me if I’m on the wrong path???

I wish I could have had a hidden camera in our staff meeting yesterday. There is a private struggle inside of ministry that is hard to grasp outside of ministry. A friend of mine, Craig Groeschel, put it this way…it’s easy to become a full time minister and a part time Christ follower.

I don’t know of a greater honor than getting to do what we do…but you have to be extremely careful not to allow the ministry to consume you instead of allowing Christ to consume you. We talked openly around the horn as a team on how it’s so stinking easy to compartmentalize your relationship with Jesus to your job.

I wish you could have seen and heard what I did yesterday. You would have heard a group of people who love Jesus and want MORE of Him. You would have seen a group of people who are uncomfortable with playing the church thing. You would have heard a group of people that want to ask the hard questions…why do we do what we do?

Bottom line…talent is important in any team, but talent will only take you so far.  Talent will never take you further than your heart for God. I’m proud of my team and my church…they want more.

Do you desire Jesus more and pursue Him more today than you did yesterday?

Rain, fog, traffic…after 6 hours of driving on the road…it’s ALWAYS the coolest feeling returning HOME. My heart skips a beat when I see the unique Albany Sky line! I remember when we first moved here, and I didn’t think we would ever feel at home. Today, it’s my favorite place to be! I love the Capital Region and the Northeast!

Yes, it’s true…Philly has better food. Yes, it’s true that they have professional sports, and we don’t. Yes, it’s true that our winters here are more intense. But, let me tell you one thing they don’t have…YOU!

I’ve been thinking a lot about what truly makes a place home. I’m kicking off a new series this weekend called HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS that will lead up to our 9 Christmas Weekend services.  I would love your feedback on this question:

What makes a place home?

• Got to be at my bro’s…in Philly!
• Ate a bunch of turkey and cheese steaks!
• Got to hang out with my 5 favorite nephews and nieces!
• Preached at my bro’s church in Philly
• Think I needed stretchy pants to speak in…too many cheese steaks
• Time to get back in the gym
• Love my bro’s church!
• John is doing a phenomenal job!
• Really proud of him
• Great to be away with the fam!
• Looking forward to being back home!
• Can’t wait to hear Brian’s message on confession!
• So true that revealing brings healing! 
• Getting pumped for our 9 Christmas Eve services
• Should I get a real or fake Christmas tree this year?
• Can’t believe the Eagles almost beat the Patriots

When I got the opportunity and privilege of being a part of the team at Northway three years ago, I was shocked and awed by a lot of things.  I was shocked and awed that a place like this existed…a place that used culture and creativity to communicate the greatest message ever…that God had placed such a limitless vision in such a passionate guy as Pastor Buddy…and most of all I was shocked and awed that such a phenomenal group of people rally around one vision and are unapologetic about reaching people who are far from God.

Week in and week out, over the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving with a group of over 400 VIPs who love and honor God with their time, talent, and treasure.  They serve selflessly with hearts after God.  These are people whose attitudes are ground-breaking…whose passion to make a difference is extraordinary and whose obedience in chasing after the things of Jesus Christ is revolutionary.

Three years later I am still truly shocked and awed that God has sent such a group of people to the Northeast…to Upstate New York…to Northway Church.

 ”We will serve and obey the Lord our God.” – Joshua 24:24

During this time of year I really get to thinking about all of the blessings God has given me.  The way God has blessed me with my family and career and what God has done in my life to get me here is a miracle.  I love being able to work at Northway Church.  One aspect that drives NC is our constant pursuit of being our best for the Best – God.  We’re constantly asking the hard questions:

• What needs to change?
• What do we need to quit?
• How do we reach our community?
• What are we doing to take the Northeast for God?

Even 6 months ago, who knew we’d be here taking the risks we’re taking for God…that’s what I love!  Nothing is sacred.  Nothing is off limits.  In a recent message, Pastor Buddy said this, “if it ain’t broke, break it.�  Then proceeded to impale himself with a broomstick while trying to break a piñata on stage.  The piñata won. Sure, change is tough and to be honest I hate it at first, but I’ve discovered that I can only grow outside of my comfort zone.  As a result of flexing our faith muscle and not being afraid of change, our church is changing…growing.  I can feel it and see it.  I’m changing.  Growing things change.

The one thing I appreciate the most about Northway Church is the VIP’s. I feel so honored to be working side by side with such a loving and giving group of human beings. It is so easy to see that their hearts are on fire for Christ! Their tireless effort to get the job done is amazing – from our weekend services to the opening of our Clifton Park campus. These people truly have servant’s hearts! Their love for Christ shines through in everything they do.

I would also like to add how honored I am to be a staff member at Northway Church. Never in my life have I had the privilege to work with such an intelligent and creative group of individuals. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these amazing people towards the vision of Northway Church. I thank God everyday that I am able to be part of something this amazing!

When I was asked to answer the question, “What’s the best thing about NC,” I immediately thought of the people!  Yes, I know Buddy wrote the same thing, but it’s true!  Since NC began, I’ve had the opportunity to serve with VIPs – Very Important People – in several different ministries.  Our VIPs are just the best!  They get it!  They get that it’s all about others.  These people go the extra mile on a continual basis and with a great attitude!  NC would not exist without these dedicated people!

I’ve also had the chance to work with an incredible staff!  This team loves God!  Buddy leads with an intense passion for Christ and for those who don’t know Him yet, and the entire team works hard every day so that the love of Christ will be shared with others!  They encourage and inspire me!

Nine weeks ago, I was skeptical about this whole “Connection Group thing”…but I believed God was telling me that our church needed it. I’m in community every day with my team and I’m around people all the time …so I don’t need more, but maybe our church does.

It has been so refreshing to see our church grow thru our Connection Groups. Every week somebody is telling me an exciting story of life change that happened in their group or how they have served the outside community. The stories are amazing, and we will try to get them to you.

Last night was the wrap up of 9 weeks with an amazing group of people! All I can tell you is my view and belief of Connection Groups was wrong. Being with this group and doing life together, sharing our homes, our struggles and growing has been one of the greatest experiences of my Christian life.

Thanks to my group and a special shout out and thank you to all of our Connection Groups!