My Weblog

What I Learned From My Ministers Retreat

This week was the annual FWB ministers conference in the mountains. I love going up and spending this week with pastor friends, hearing some preaching, and eating all the good food in Asheville! This years conference was very good for the most part and I can take some things and apply to my life. This week spoke not about church work, but about the pastors life. What are those things we were reminded to do?

1. Look after yourself... no one else will. (that's the truth. people can turn on you in a heartbeat)

2. Be there for your family. (I have made this commitment since day 1)

3. Have personal friends you can be real with. (I already have those)

4. Take time off for relaxation, vacation, spiritual retreats, etc. (check!)

5. Take care of your body: eat right, sleep good, exercise. (I WILL work on this!)

6. Remember your call when things get tough and remember why you started the ministry to begin with.

7. Take extra time to spend with God, so you can know him a little better today than you did yesterday. (THAT'S powerful)

8. Don't sweat it!!

The biggest thing I will take away from this week is... 

... I don't want to fall into the trap of ACCEPTING an ordinary and mediocre life and ministry. I want my life and the church I pastor to make a kingdom impact on our community and city in a huge way!!!

I want us to have a bigger vision and know that there are NO LIMITATIONS IN GOD!! All things are possible to us if we just BELIEVE!

A Challenging Blog Entry By Pastor Ed Young Jr.

I read this and have to repost it. Change (especially in churches) is the hardest thing to do, but if we ever want to do anything GREAT for God... change is a MUST

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Change. Change. Change.

If it ain't broke, break it.

In other words, change. Just to change. That may sound like an odd statement, but it's vital. Why? Because change is the guts of creativity.

We all want to be creative. But to do that, in any venue of life, we have to be willing to change. Something. Anything. And we have to do it before we needto do it. 

One of the biggest pitfalls we find ourselves in is the inability, or unwillingness, to change. We lock ourselves into a style, a look, a time zone. And after a while, everything we do and say looks and sounds like circa 2002.

When you drill it down, the lack of change is all about fear. Many people and leaders resist the need to change because of the resistance of change. But there's a spin cycle of success when it comes to change.

Change. Conflict. Growth.

If you want your life and your leadership to reach the level God wants it to, you have to change. 

At Fellowship Church, we change all the time. There's a running joke that FC stands for "frequent change." But it's true. We've discovered over the past 18 years that when we change, yes, we face conflict. Yes, people do the push back. Yes, some people even leave the church! But as we stick through the changes, we also discover tremendous growth on the other side. 

So what does change really look like here?

Change Your Preparation
I don't always prepare my messages the same way. I vary the books I read, the articles I research and the people who help me craft the weekend messages. I even change the places I study. 

If I stick to doing things the same way, I fall into a rut. And there's no less effective place to be than in a rut.

Change Your Worship
Over the years, we've blown up the entire dynamic of our worship department. And not just once. 

This is one of those areas that, when it's "working," people are afraid to change. But it's one of the greatest ways to keep the church on its feet with its arms raised in worship rather than folded in familiarity.

Change Your Style
I'm not talking about just your clothes (though, yes, please change those as the years go by). I'm talking about the style of your leadership. In other words, change the people you have in leadership positions.

Even as I write this, we're in the process of changing the entire leadership scheme of Fellowship Church. Because we've discovered that new perspectives, new viewpoints help elevate our church to heights we never dreamed possible. 

Don't be afraid of change. Instead, be afraid of what could happen if you don'tchange. Be willing to face the conflict change will bring. And get ready to experience the growth on the other side!

If it ain't broke, break it.

In other words, change. Just to change. That may sound like an odd statement, but it's vital. Why? Because change is the guts of creativity.

We all want to be creative. But to do that, in any venue of life, we have to be willing to change. Something. Anything. And we have to do it before we needto do it. 

One of the biggest pitfalls we find ourselves in is the inability, or unwillingness, to change. We lock ourselves into a style, a look, a time zone. And after a while, everything we do and say looks and sounds like circa 2002.

When you drill it down, the lack of change is all about fear. Many people and leaders resist the need to change because of the resistance of change. But there's a spin cycle of success when it comes to change.

Change. Conflict. Growth.

If you want your life and your leadership to reach the level God wants it to, you have to change. 

At Fellowship Church, we change all the time. There's a running joke that FC stands for "frequent change." But it's true. We've discovered over the past 18 years that when we change, yes, we face conflict. Yes, people do the push back. Yes, some people even leave the church! But as we stick through the changes, we also discover tremendous growth on the other side. 

So what does change really look like here?

Change Your Preparation
I don't always prepare my messages the same way. I vary the books I read, the articles I research and the people who help me craft the weekend messages. I even change the places I study. 

If I stick to doing things the same way, I fall into a rut. And there's no less effective place to be than in a rut.

Change Your Worship
Over the years, we've blown up the entire dynamic of our worship department. And not just once. 

This is one of those areas that, when it's "working," people are afraid to change. But it's one of the greatest ways to keep the church on its feet with its arms raised in worship rather than folded in familiarity.

Change Your Style
I'm not talking about just your clothes (though, yes, please change those as the years go by). I'm talking about the style of your leadership. In other words, change the people you have in leadership positions.

Even as I write this, we're in the process of changing the entire leadership scheme of Fellowship Church. Because we've discovered that new perspectives, new viewpoints help elevate our church to heights we never dreamed possible. 

Don't be afraid of change. Instead, be afraid of what could happen if you don'tchange. Be willing to face the conflict change will bring. And get ready to experience the growth on the other side!

Being An Overcomer - Jerry, Kelvin, & Michael

I hope you enjoy this roundtable discussion on 'Being An Overcomer' that was aired on Pastor Jerry Evans TV program, 'Exploring The Word.' It's always I great time when Jerry, Kelvin and myself get together. I'm thankful for good friends in the ministry!

Also, I hope you enjoy Kelvin's song, 'I Feel A Little Song Comin' On', at the beginning of the video.

Jerry, Kelvin, & Michael - Being Overcomers from michael crocker on Vimeo.

Join The Antioch Online Community!

Technology is an ever changing thing, and I believe we have to seize every opportunity to minister and connect. Because of this, there are several ways that you can connect with the Antioch Online Community. You can make connections with others at Antioch, watch messages and church announcements, and keep up with current events. Below are the various ways you can get Connected.

(To connect via Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes; you have to sign up with each one individually) 

Check Out The Antioch FWB Church Website

 Join The Antioch Facebook Group

 

Follow Antioch Updates On Twitter

Download Messages On iTunes

Easter Reflections

• What a weekend! I love Easter!
• I'm thankful that I serve a RISEN Jesus and I'm not one of those sad Christians! 
• First off, thanks to all those who help make this Easter special!!! You guys are awesome! 
• The Easter Egg Hunt was great, thanks to all the volunteers and kids (even the big kids) who were involved. 
• Thanks also to the parents and kids who helped do some planting/landscaping at the church. 
• What a moving time it was on Friday night at the healing service. Many lives were touched and that's what it's about. There was a great Spirit in the place and I felt the freedom to pray and speak into people's lives... it was great!
• Thanks to the ladies for putting everything together and delivering food to those who couldn't get out. 
• Then there was all you who came out for the 12 hours of prayer! It's great that people will come out at all hours of the night to cover our church and people in prayer. Big thanks for those who planned, and made that possible. 
• Then there's the great breakfast at sunrise service! Our men always do a great job cooking.  
• I like grits  
• And what can I say about Sundays service!! 
• We had somewhere between 210-220 people in church Sunday!!! Awesome!!
• I know of one church who had 200 on Easter then 1 year later they had 2000... ANYTHING is possible! Just believe Antioch... Just Believe....
• .... and Duck tape the Devils mouth when he starts causing trouble! 
• I thought the countdown and the video announcements were a great addition to the service... something different! I love it! 
• Proud of Keith for braving the hot lights to film the announcements. 
• You can check out the video announcements on www.antiochnewbern.com 
• Communion was real special in the morning service. Good job to the deacons for getting everyone served the first time around. 
• Loved how Brad sang Mighty To Save while communion was being passed out, then going into Because He Lives was really powerful!! 
• The choir did a GREAT job on 'At The Cross'. That is one of my favorite songs! All the hard work paid off... good job guys! 
• I didn't get to really preach... but that's ok because it's not about me, it's ALL ABOUT JESUS! 
• I'm sure I missed something or someone.... so if I did, please don't get mad, God knows who you are and what you did to make everything possible! 
• There are so many 'behind the scenes' things that go on to make church services possible. The decorating, ushers, sound guys, those that just show up... everyone! 
• So, thanks again to everyone for everything you did this Easter season. 
• Sunday afternoon, I absolutely CRASHED!! I was so give out (more mentally than anything). Glad we didn't have a Sunday night service. I probably would have slept through it!  :)

Which Christian Are You?

Are you a 'Crucifixion' Christian, or a 'Resurrection' Christian?

A 'Crucifixion' Christian still has Jesus on the cross. Yes, they believe he died for our sins and we can go to Heaven one day, but they don't experience the abundant life here on earth. They have a partial concept of 'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' They don't experience the power of God, don't believe God will heal when they pray, don't experience victory over temptations and circumstances, don't live with purpose, don't have a passion for God, and they 'go to' church out of a moral obligation.

On the other hand....

A 'Resurrection' Christian knows Jesus had to go to the cross to die for our sins, but also lives with the reality of a RISEN, VICTORIOUS SAVIOR! They know that their enemy will not be defeated when he's cast into the lake of fire, but he WAS defeated on that resurrection morning. A resurrection Christian knows that there is a living God on the inside of them and that's where they draw their life from. They know they are partakers of the divine nature, and knows that 'as Jesus is, so are we in this world,' (1 John 4:17). A resurrection Christian lives with excitement and passion about what God is going to do today. A resurrection Christian knows that it's not about 'going' to church, knows that it's not about 'playing' church, but knows that it's about BEING the church!

So, this Easter, take Jesus OFF the cross and OUT of the tomb and INTO your life!

New Message Series Starting This Week - iAm!

Don't miss out in the month of April as we talk about the names of God in the message series: iAm, 'Powerful Truths Revealed In The Names of God'

Question and Answer Online Edition

On Sunday Night March 15th and 22nd, I will be doing a Q&A session at Antioch. These questions can be any biblically related question you can think of. In addition to what is going on at the church, I also want to do an online edition. If you have any question you would like to ask, just email it to crocker002@suddenlink.net and in the upcoming weeks I will be answering those questions on the blog. Please put 'Q&A' in the subject line.

This Weekend: Back To The Basics

What Is The Gospel?

What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?

Is Repentance Crying At A Church Alter?

Is The Church Here To Change The World or Just Get People Saved?

This Message Could Redefine What The Gospel Means To You!

Quote of the Day

Sometimes people point out things that you knew but never put together. It then becomes so simple and easy to understand. I credit this quote to my good friend Demaurice who spoke it yesterday as we were talking about the purpose and place of worship and preaching in our church services. So, the quote of the day is...

'Worship is us talking to God, and preaching is God talking to us.'

Wow! So simple, but yet so profound.

Psalm 66:4, 'All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.'

1 Corinthians 1:21, 'For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.'

Titus 1:3, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,'