Archive for category Leadership
A letter to thrive church…
Posted by tomelmore in General, Leadership, Thrive on September 21, 2011
Hello TC
Here’s 4 things on my heart for YOU, US and our FUTURE
1. We had nearly 600 people show up last weekend and plus….people gave their life to Christ! I love what God is doing in families at TC. It’s mind-blowing – we still a new church and God is working through us!!!! I love it. We can’t forget that the church exists to help people FIND and FOLLOW Christ…and when it happens – it’s worth celebrating!
2. Last Weekend was one of the most FUN and EYEOPENING services yet! As we jumped into week two of our “Perfect Family” series we talked about the end game with our kids…..it’s not getting them to leave the house or go to college…it’s having a life-long FRIENDSHIP with them. In order to get one we have to engage in a healthy behaviors during the earlier 3 phases – NURSE, KING / QUEEN and COACH. You can’t jump phases and you have to ask God for help – especially if you came from rough home life yourself. God has great plans for your family – believe it.
3. This weekends message is titled…”Survival Guide to a Blended Home”. Coming from a blended home myself, I understand how over 50% of our population feels. Can God heal, change and help homes that are blended? Does God meet single parents with an additional grace for their situation…YES! Can’t wait to share what God has helped me live through and put in my heart for this huge topic!
4. People have coming up to me every week and introducing them self to me. One Question I have begun to ask every time is “have you signed up for a Growth Group”? Groups are more than a program or a calender filler – they are the life blood of what our church is about. Church doesn’t begin when you walk in the doors- rather when you walk out….that means we should be more about relationships than facilities and programs. That’s where Groups step in -they are the best place to grow your faith, make friendships and get encouraged and supported…all the things a church should do… I am beyond pumped for this seasons groups…..Zumba, study groups, basketball, cooking….I think we have it all….except you – click www.thrivechurch.cc for a group list / sign up. Groups start the week of Oct 3
That’s it – loving you, our church and our future….bring a friend to church this weekend….seriously!
Tom
Here’s what I am learning….how about you?
Posted by tomelmore in Family, Leadership on February 9, 2011
Here’s some of the random lessons that God is allowing me to learn..some are small – some are huge. It’s good to look back and see whats growing inside of you….I recommend you do this for yourself.
Here ya go…
* The loudest boos come from the cheapest seats – quit trying to please people – please God…the rest will come.
* Margin means getting the project accomplished and having the time to celebrate it before you move on to the next thing.
* Big Vision often scares people – give it out with wisdom and with a strategy to reach it.
* God is more interested in my heart before he ever is my success – and all real success comes from truly knowing His heart, so ask yourself – “who am I fooling anyway”?
* Staying authentically connected to God results in an inward confidence and courage to lead – with out it…fear and chaos grows
* Embrace the beginnings! It makes your story that much more compelling.
* When your tired – don’t make big decisions
* You can’t differentiate what you can’t define
* Slow down and enjoy the people you are on the journey with – the goal :they will enjoy you!
* Take the time to encourage others that are about to go down the road you traveled – they will need it like you did!
* Treat your church like a family – period!
* Planning ahead allows everyone time and space to get on board with the plan.
* People grow at different paces – learn to celebrate everyone as they take their next step- whatever it is.
* Continue to Go Public – people need to hear about your church 5-10 times before they even think about coming.
* Be different – Be better – Be original….there are way to many carbon copies out there doing the same thing expecting different results. That’s insanity!
* Let people go that aren’t a fit for your culture – saves both of you future pain…
* Laugh at your mess ups – hand off credit for your wins.
go enjoy your day….
PS – here’s a pic of my Boy the “rock star”
Tom
Where we are going as a church (part 1)
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Thrive on December 21, 2010
I took some time a few months ago and prayed about how we should kick off the new year at thrive. Let me start by saying sometimes when I pray -I hear nada – zero, nothing and sometimes….God gets really loud. This was one of those instances.
When we started this church 19 months ago we had a vision to make church irresistible again. To introduce people to God that were distant or damaged. We wanted to create an environment where people don’t feel pushed but inspired to move toward God. Our dream was to create a place that actually gives life to people. When a church gives life to people..when it helps people understand how Grace works in our lives…when it makes you smile every time you walk in the front door….when the people and the message help transform your life….that church becomes irresistible. To who? To your friends, co-workers, family and neighbors.
I believe that Thrive is becoming one of those churches. I can’t wait to share with you all the vivid details about it in January. We are calling the series “Irresistible”.
I’m beyond excited. Would you start praying with me right now for it!
thrive – love going on the journey with you.
Tom
PS -Here’s the latest family pic. of the Elmore’s
3 Things I am Praying for…
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Philosophy, Thrive on November 23, 2010
I recently sat down with a bunch of pastors and the topic of prayer came up. It was refreshing to hear that I wasn’t the only one that struggled with this spiritual discipline. Over the last few weeks I’ve been attempting to be more focused on prayer. It’s helped me recognize and respond to God during my daily routine.
Here are the 3 things that I’m praying the most for.
1. My wife and kids!
I realize that the area that the enemy would love to destroy is my family. Right now more than ever, I’m asking God to protect, reveal and strengthen my family.
2. Our Church
As we build community my prayer is that we also build deeper connections to Jesus. A church that puts others first and cares about the lost world around them becomes a powerful church. My prayer is that our community at THRIVE becomes more powerful as a result of our prayerfulness
3. My Mom
As many of you know my Mom has ALS. Its a disease that I’m praying God supernaturally shows up in. My Mom is staying with us right now and every day we spend time talking and sharing stories but I am desperately asking God to heal my mom.
What are you praying about right now?
PS – this Sunday kicks off our new series at Thrive we are calling “Your Story…in six words or less” It’s going to be strong – see you there!
Tom
7 reasons your church plant won’t make it
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, Family, General, Leadership, Philosophy, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive, Wrapup on October 27, 2010

Just came across this blog and thought you would enjoy it. By the way – all the reasons are 100% true….
Tom
Here are seven reasons your church plant won’t make it.
1. You imported your vision, mission and strategy from another church because you really don’t have a vision, mission or strategy.
2. You’re drunk with vision but haven’t developed healthy systems.
3. You sacrifice your family in the name of ministry.
4. You don’t talk about money.
5. You’re a cheap church planter who won’t spend money on leadership development for you or your staff.
6. You download all your sermons from the Internet because you don’t study, pray or read your Bible.
7. You started a church because, deep down, you have a problem with authority and don’t want a boss.
Michael Lukaszewski is the lead planter of Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, Georgia.
Still Growing…
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Thrive on October 8, 2010

Last Sunday at Thrive Church was one of our what I would call “GROWTH” Sundays. Looking back on it – It wasn’t perfect from beginning to end but it was a great opportunity-to get better and grow. The result of last Sunday is I have had no less than 4 conversations this week with leaders in our church about building people and systems. What kind of systems are we talking about…
* Celebrating our teams – volunteers are the people that are invested and are committed to moving our church forward, I believe that they deserve the “red carpet” treatment from time to time – we have some exciting plans in store -looking forward to blowing the minds of our Dream Team this fall.
Read the rest of this entry »
Speaking to some crazy kids in Mississippi
Posted by tomelmore in General, Leadership on August 26, 2010
Last night I had the pleasure of speaking in Picayune, MS at Resurrection Life church for some great friends of mine. Check it out.
I love hanging out with emerging leaders and getting to speak to kids!
Tom
10 Things I’ve Learned about Visioning
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership on June 25, 2010
This a Blog post from a friend and leadership guru WIll Mancini…..it’s all extremely TRUE stuff – enjoy!
The 10 Things I’ve Learned in Ten Years of Visioning
* God still speaks
* If your vision is not stunningly unique, you probably don’t have one
* However clear the leader is, a surprising gap exists between the leader’s vision and the team’s clarity
* Leaders emotionally substitute two things for real vision: 1) simplistic answers (copycat vision) or 2) busyness (more is more)
* The easiest measure of sustained clarity is the ability to say “no” repeatedly, and feel good about it
* Followers need vision because the future is not here yet and their activity today lacks meaning
* The best way to know “what should be” is to do a better job knowing “what was,” “what is,” and “what could be”
* Vision moves through people not paper
* With a little training anyone can be an everyday visionary
* Vision dripping is more important than vision casting (#visiondrip)
Tom












