After being a church planter and hanging out with church planters over the past decade I'm convinced it takes three things to make a church plant succeed.  This is just my opinion and we are all allowed to it.  So if you disagree don't go off on me.  So here they are:
1. A God given Vision
So many church plants begin because one group of people got mad at the other so off they go.  There is no vision, only bitterness towards other Christian brothers and sisters.  That never spells success.  A man of God must have a vision from God.
2. Adequate speaking skills
If you know me at all you know I never claim to be a good public teacher.  But what I am is very simple.  I'm not smart enough to say big words.  heck, I can't pronounce easy words correct.  I shock people when I use a three syllable word.  Four syllable and people are wondering what is wrong with me.  I know great men of God but they are awful teachers.  A church planter must be able to open God's Word and teach in such a way that people can apply it to their life. 
3.  Leadership Skills
This one is just as important as the other two.  Every time you see a man used in a great way in scripture he is leading people.  Moses could lead.  He wasn't scared to make the tough calls.  He never allowed anyone to sway his opinion.  He listened to God and led according to what God wanted.

I believe all three are very important and all have great value.  Pastors must try and improve with each one.  Here is how I try to make myself better in each area.

Vision - this comes from my time with God.  I don't want 5 Point to be another church.  I want us to be exactly what God wants and to know that I must spend countless hours with Him.  I do read books on vision and love hearing other Pastors vision, but ultimately my main source is form God.

Better speaking skills - I listen to other speakers who i believe are good and I listen to myself.  I allow others to evaluate me and give me helpful suggestions. 

Leadership - I hang out with great leaders.  Had lunch with Perry Noble yesterday.  Why?  Because he is one of the greatest leaders I've ever met.  I read books on how to lead.  I surround myself with good leaders.  Everyone of our staff lead. 

Random thoughts:
* Sunday is going to be amazing.  I promise.
* College football starts tonight and I can't wait.
* Please pray for me.  Can't sleep.  I am literally exhausted.
* See you Sunday

Facebook Series Promo from Corey Miller on Vimeo.

Not sure how to explain what God did at 5 Point yesterday morning but will try my best:
* Worship was incredible.  The band just flat our brought it.  Saw a lot of people with hands raised worshiping the King.
* Met a BUNCH of first time visitors.  Blown away by how many visitors we're seeing.  And they keep coming back.
* Kid Zone was packed today.  Kids were everywhere.  Special thanks to those who love and teach all these kids.
* Spent time in parking lot meeting new people and watching all of our incredible volunteers.  You guys rock.  Every time someone gives their life to Jesus you took part in it.
* And we saw a bunch of people stand up, take that first step (which is always the hardest) towards the aisle and to meet a counselor who introduced them to Jesus Christ.  That is what we're all about. 
* One sad note, numerous churched people (people who attend church yet do not know Christ) raised their hands admitting they did not know Christ and never budged.  Continuing to pray for these individuals. 
* The invitation during the second service was one of the most powerful we've had in a long time.  Have no clue how many came forward to repent from not loving and serving others while numerous went back to meet Jesus.  WOW!
* Finished "In the Name of Love."  I believe it was our best series EVER! 
* Finished with Loving is doing. 
* Love is an action word.  John 14:15 says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  Christ said the greatest commandment was to love him with everything you got and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 
*Being honest, the church stinks at this. 
* Saved people serve people!  Just how many people who attend church are really serving and loving others?
* I am 110% convinced if the church would begin to love people as Christ did we would become a bridge to the cross and not a barrier.  Churches would be full instead of empty. 
* Our momentum right now is sky high.  Let's continue to ride this wave into September.
* Met with the teens again last night and had a blast.  Great crowd and incredible response.  Young people are admitting they are beautiful on the outside yet miserable on the inside.  In the middle of a series called, "If you Really Knew me."  A great one for adults also.  Saw numerous students respond last night to the invitation.  Several gave life to Jesus. 
* Can't believe what god is doing right now.
* So thankful to be part of a church that God is using to grow His Kingdom.
* And the best news of all, we've only scratched the surface for what God has in store for us.

Wanted everyone to know Richard is doing great.  Speak with him once or twice a week and we text or e-mail daily.  Couple of people went in together and bought him some transportation.




Richard was very thankful for his new bike.  He can get to town in five to ten minutes now. 

The church building is coming along great.  Windows and doors almost done and they will be starting on the roof next week.  I will be sharing a lot of what is going on in Africa the Sunday of September 5th.  We have a very special day planned.  For those who will be out of town due to the long weekend, your loss!

Some random thoughts:
* We have incredible momentum right now.  As we finish, "In the Name of Love" this Sunday I can promise you its gonna rock.  Could be one of the most powerful services we've ever had.  NO KIDDING!
* Bring a friend with you.  Great Sunday for them to see what were all about.
* Don't forget about the car wash this Saturday morning.  We'll get started at 7:30 and go until......
All funds raised will be sent to Africa for finishing the roof.  Plus, you can have the Pastor wash your vehicle if you get there early. 

The staff and I are about to meet with Jason Wilson (Executive Pastor of New Spring).  Why?    Several reasons:

1. Jason understands the growing pains were going through and knows how to grow through them.  He has been with New Spring since day one when they started as a college Bible study.  Now they are a church with four campuses and running 10,000 per weekend.  I want to listen to every word he has to say. 

2.  Jason has a heart for smaller churches and helping them reach more people.

3.  We as the staff of 5 Point understand that leading a church of 1,000 is different than leading a church of 500. 

4.  We want to be challenged and pushed by better leaders than ourselves.

5.  I love reading church growth books and attending conferences but there is nothing better than sitting at a table and asking questions with someone who has been there and done that with great success.

Thank you Jason and New Spring for loving Christ enough to help smaller churches become more effective in reaching others.  I hope were able to help other churches one day also.

On September 12th we've challenged our people to invite as many "Unchurched People" as they possibly can.  We have set the goal of having 1,000 people in attendance.  I know from personal experience and from others sharing with me that inviting the unchurced can be difficult.  So let me give you some helpful suggestions to encourage others:

1.  Actually invite them. 
2. Pray for them everyday.
I have my list that I'm praying through daily.  These people haven't been in church for years or ever. 
3. Take them to lunch
We are actually supplying lunch for those who bring a guest and the guest.  But just in case some don't feel comfortable staying, take them out and pay for it. 
4. Offer to give them a ride on Sunday morning.
Many people don't have a vehicle, especially teens and college students.  Pick them up.
5.  Offer to meet them at the door or in the parking lot so you can help them know where to go, get their kids checked-in, and, if you’re not volunteering sit with them.
6. Send them a link to our website and highlight a few areas that might specifically interest them.
7. Let them know they don't have to get dressed up.  In fact, we encourage casual dress.
8.  And make sure they know our church is full of messed up people starting with the Pastor.

You probably have some more suggestions.  If so, please share with me so we can help each other

We have incredible momentum right now.  We will see over 1,000 people on September 12th, only question is will you help make it happen?

Another awesome day at 5 Point.  Some quick thoughts:
* The Curtis Band led us in worship and did an incredible job. 
* Really enjoyed hanging out with these guys during the weekend.\
* Taught on subject of loving unlovebales.  Something tough to do for all of us. 
* Incredible response during invitation.
* Set attendance high for month of august. 
* Great momentum going into fall.
* Ton of first time visitors.  Really enjoy getting to meet a lot of new people.
* Blown away by some of their encouraging comments about our church.  And most all of them discuss how friendly we are.  \
* Seeing more people getting involved and serving.
* I am so proud of our staff.  They are doing a fantastic job.

Last night we had our Back to School Bash.  Had no idea what to expect.  Was hoping we would see 100 teens.  Was blown away by the number of teens that showed up.  Had students from Pickens, Liberty and Easley High.  Even had a few frome Wren.  Close to 150 teens in all.  A bunch of adults showed up to serve the teens also.  Great evening of fun, fellowship and worship.  Here are a few pictures form the night.





Jousting match.  Teens loved this.  Some brutal battles took place.



Jacob is trying to dunk Mr. Merck (principal of Easley High) in the dunking booth.



Worship with the Curtis Band.  Everyone really enjoyed these guys.



A powerful time of worship. 

Can't wait to see what God is going to do with our youth ministry in the upcoming months.

During our current series, "In the Name of Love" I have really been concentrating on how people feel and think about those of us who attend church.  I know I've said this before but I am 110% the church itself is it's own worst enemy.  We have become a barrier to the cross instead of a bridge.  One of the main problems unchurched people have with churched people is that were judgmental and I agree. I usually call it the sin meter.  Its when we look at others sin as being worse than our own.

 As I was praying this morning God really spoke into my heart about something.  If I want to reach more people with the love of Jesus I need to concentrate on my own sin and quit looking down upon others.  Christ said it this way:  

Matthew 7:1-5
¹ "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ³ "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

I'm convinced that Dean Herman has a full time job in Dean Herman.  I am a sinful person and have no reason to look down upon others and their sin.  I'm also convinced that if the people inside the walls of the church would look in the mirror they would find plenty to do rather than judging and putting down those who don't go to church.

What if all of us began giving the grace we so desire and need from Christ.  What if we all began to understand OUR sin is just as ugly and dirty to Christ as the other guys.  Yes the church has its fair share of problems but I think it is worth fighting for.  I think it can be changed if just a few will begin to love others as Christ did. 

5 Point, let's be that church!

Few random thoughts:
* Really excited about this coming Sunday.  Message for all of us.
* Sunday night is our Back to School Bash and its going to rock.  Myself and the Vice Principal of Liberty High will be talking smack to all you limp armed Middle and High Schoolers.
* Starts at 5:00.
* Garry Renner is putting on a car wash Saturday, August 28th to help raise funds to complete the roof for 5 Point Tabora.  Make plans now to help and bring ALL your vehicles.  Have a good time as we help our church in Africa.
* September 12th is almost here.  Who are you bringing with you?  Remember, don't ask other churched people.  We want those who don't attend a church.
* High School and College football is almost here.  Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* See you Sunday.

This Sunday night at 5 Point were having our first annual Back to School Bash and we're going all out.  Here are a few of the things we'll be doing:
* Bringing in the Curtis band to lead worship.  This is the band that led worship at the camp I spoke at this summer.  AWESOME!
* Dunking booth in which the Vice principal of Liberty High and myself will be talking some serious smack to teens.
* Three inflatables.  These are the ones for the BIG BOYS!
* FOOD and lots of it.
* Free give aways
* Free other stuff

I can promise you its going to be a lot of fun. 
All the fun starts at 5:00 so bring a bunch of friends and come hang out with us.
This is for grades 6th - 12th.

Really excited about the new series we'll start called, "If you really knew me."  Check out this video and it will help you understand better.  Can't wait to see you there!

If You Really Knew Me: Series Promo from Corey Miller on Vimeo.

As many of you know I have started facebooking because of our upcoming series.  Hate to admit this, but I actually like it.  And one of the reasons is the messages I'm getting from some of the 5 Point people.

If you attend 5 Point you know were trying to do something we've come oh so close to doing on September 12th.  We've never had 1,000 people on one Sunday.  970 is our highest attendance.  And we're trying to reach this goal by inviting unchurched people, not stealing other churches people.  I don't want a traditional friend day where church people invite all their church friends.  5 Point is about reaching the unchurched and were doing this by loving on them in ways most wont do. 

Here is a good example of how were reaching so many unchurched people.  Received this on facebook couple weeks ago.

Hope u r having a great day! If not.. Maybe this will cheer u up... I am working today and something awesome happened all at one time... I was talking to an employee about church and he was saying how he didn't go but was looking for a church because he tried THAT church on .................... And in his words... They were very stuck up.. I invited him and his wife to 5 Point.  Gave him the invitation card and told him about our church! He had a look of relief... It wasn't within minutes... 2 other employees overheard me talking and they got to asking about this church... And I gave them the cards and they seem anxious to come find out about this church that I love... Yay. Just wanted u to know that it is usually not this easy getting people interested in coming to church... But something different happened today.... I am excited to share with others and being able to make a diffrence! Thanks for the awesome service and for all u do!! It gets me excited to think that I could be bringing people to christ))))) !!!!!

There it is.  Someone getting out of their box to discuss what their church is doing in their life.  People are hungry for these types of discussions because the normal discussion about church is usually negative.  

Get out of your safety zone and help us reach this city.  Talk about Jesus and your church in a positive way.