CreativePastors Blog & Podcast

Podcast > Multiple Choice > Is It?

Our lives are the sum total of all the decisions we have made in the past, we are making today and we will make in the future. That’s why we need to understand three foundational decision-making questions used by the greatest decision maker of all time.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 38:18

Multiple Choice

Choices. You are faced with them every day. Some are mundane and others meaningful, but each choice leads somewhere. In this series of talks for the New Year, Ed Young issues a "multiple choice" challenge to make better decisions toward better living.

Multiple Choice

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

Creative Leader: Getting the Most out of a Conference

Here's the latest edition of Ed's Creative Leader Newsletter. Want it to come directly to your inbox next month? Sign up here for free.

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When you head out to a conference, what do you hope to accomplish? Rest and refreshment? Problem-solving? Breaking out of a rut? Or do you set out with no particular goal, just ready to enjoy a new experience?

After hosting twelve year's worth of Creative Church Conferences, I've seen attendees completely transformed by their experience, whether they've learned something that changes the trajectory of their ministry, made a slew of new friends, or heard from God in a way they never had before. Whatever your approach, here are some strategic steps you can take to get the most out of these precious opportunities:

• Bring your team. You are going to be buzzing with new ideas during the conference. And taking notes is a great way to capture them, but those ideas need a chance to get some fresh air, flex their muscles, and make new friends. Attending with your team will allow you to process your thoughts collectively and build on each other's perspectives. When you put your ideas together, you're likely to come up with something fresh and relevant to your church!
• Set out with some goals. Make a list of questions beforehand—think of it like an information scavenger hunt. Once you get in the conference environment, you can be intentional in your efforts instead of getting overwhelmed.
• Break up for breakouts. Divide and conquer by planning for your team to attend different breakout sessions. Not only will you capitalize on the available learning opportunities, but you'll also have a better chance to meet new people. Afterwards, re-join your team and compare notes.
• Approach the conference with an open mind and a willing heart. I can't understand it, but some people attend conferences in armchair-critic mode, ready to thumbs-up or thumbs-down each element of their experience. Let's just get this out of the way up front: you will not like every single aspect of any conference. Set that aside. Now, what can you learn? Who can you meet? Which ideas can you build on? What does God want to do through this time for you and your church?
• Don't leave early. At our Creative Church Conferences, some of our best sessions ever have been the last ones!
• Organize a meetup. Find some other pastors around the country who'll be attending the same conference and schedule a group dinner at a local restaurant. You'll be able to meet some outstanding leaders and invest in relationships that can be a valuable source of support, ideas and encouragement in the future.
• Worship freely. As church leaders with many weekend responsibilities, it's rare that we can immerse ourselves entirely in worship. Make it a point to be present for worship and soak up that time with God.
• Take advantage of the resources. Were you moved powerfully by a conference session? Order a copy so you can refresh your insight later in the year. Perpetual learning requires frequent input, so take a look at the packets, manuals, and other materials that are available. For this year's C3 Conference, our team has spent the last several months working on a magazine resource designed give you as much behind-the-scenes information as possible. Don't miss it!
• Speak less, listen more. Pastors, we love to hear ourselves talk! But if we want to learn as much as we possibly can, we have to tame our tongues. Ask questions of everyone you meet and then listen intently. And don't limit your focus to speakers. Get input from staff members, volunteers and fellow attendees. The people at your lunch table just might solve your fund-raising dilemma. Now that's getting your money's worth!

There's no doubt that attending a conference requires a commitment of time and resources. So we owe it to ourselves and our churches to be good stewards of these opportunities and make the most of our time there. And at Fellowship Church, we're doing our part to make this year's Creative Church Conference a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, with a phenomenal mix of speakers, learning opportunities and worship gatherings. Our current rates are only available through February 8th and they include special pricing for Senior Pastors' spouses as well as group rates. It's an honor to host the thousands of church leaders who attend C3 each year—we hope you'll be able to join us on February 21-22!

Podcast > Multiple Choice > In Tense - Part 2

This message continues to examine the dividing line of In Tense decision-making. Ed Young expands on the discerning question: Against the backdrop of my past, how do my present day decisions square with my future dreams and aspirations?

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 30:23

Multiple Choice

Choices. You are faced with them every day. Some are mundane and others meaningful, but each choice leads somewhere. In this series of talks for the New Year, Ed Young issues a "multiple choice" challenge to make better decisions toward better living.

Multiple Choice

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

Outrageous, Contagious Joy Now in Paperback!

Ed's recent book, Outrageous, Contagious Joy, is now available in paperback! Examining Five Great Questions to Help You Discover One Great Life, this book is a helpful resource for anyone looking to move beyond quick fixes and happiness-chasing to the deeper, richer experience of joy that God wants for our lives.

What to expect at C3 Kids Conference

We just released a new C3 Kids website to give you a good idea of what you can expect at the upcoming C3 Kids Conference on February 20-22. You can look forward to:

• A tour of the Grapevine campus, featuring an out-of-this-world children's environment.
• Dinner with the FC Kids staff—a great opportunity for real dialogue.
• Five general sessions on topics as diverse as our "3-D"model of leadership, core values for children's ministry, and the importance of our personal spiritual life.
• Three breakouts covering the nuts and bolts of children's ministry, brought to you with a fun and interactive approach.
• Much more! Get the whole scoop here.

Our FC Kids team is incredibly hard-working and creative. You won't believe what they're planning for this conference until you see it!

Podcast > Multiple Choice > In Tense - Part 1

Sometimes the little choices we make seem insignificant. But this message reminds us that even the micro decisions we make every day, when added together, reflect who we are and where we’re headed.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 29:57

Multiple Choice

Choices. You are faced with them every day. Some are mundane and others meaningful, but each choice leads somewhere. In this series of talks for the New Year, Ed Young issues a "multiple choice" challenge to make better decisions toward better living.

Multiple Choice

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

Podcast > Betrayal > The Pit

Whether we’ve experienced a broken marriage, been cheated by a business partner, or had a friend turn their back on us, we’re all familiar with the pit of betrayal. We may have even been the one to push someone else into it. And so often, the feelings we have once we’ve hit the bottom can break us. But life doesn’t have to end in the pit.

In this message, Ed Young begins to look at the life of a man who experienced a literal pit of betrayal. And as we discover what led Joseph there, we also learn what it takes to get out of the pit and experience the breakthroughs that God has for each of us.

To listen now, click on the podcast icon below.

Length: 20:41

Betrayal

The sting of betrayal. It's something we're all familiar with. We know all too well the feeling it leaves in our lives and on our souls. It's a bitter feeling full of resentment and hurt. But is it possible to overcome the devastating effects of betrayal and experience phenomenal outcomes?

In this series, Ed Young uncovers the dangerous secrets and God's powerful truth about this potent topic. And through the lives of some men who dealt with the harshest betrayal from those closest to them, we discover how God's amazing love, grace and forgiveness can lead us through betrayal and help us experience the life we were always meant to have.

Betrayal

CreativePastors

If you have iTunes 7, click the link below to subscribe to our podcast. Twenty-four hours after Ed delivers his weekend message at Fellowship Church, it will be downloaded to your computer automatically. You can listen at your computer or take the MP3 with you on your iPod or other MP3 player.

If you don't have iTunes, you can get it here free for Mac or Windows. You can also subscribe to the podcast using other podcasting tools and RSS newsreaders. The feed address is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cpblog.

A Clean Slate for 2008

As we welcome a new year, many of us are excited about a renewed sense of possibility and opportunities for a fresh start. We're excited to share the journey of ministry with you and look forward to a great year ahead! This weekend, Ed will be kicking off a brand new series at Fellowship Church called Betrayal - check out the promo video here. It will be interesting to see what God does with these messages as we dig deep into the power of his love, grace and forgiveness. Stay tuned!