My Mom is coming to TX
As many of you know, my mom has ALS disease. I found out about 4 months ago and ever since then I have been trying to find a way for her to come spend time with us here in TX. Well – good news on Nov 13th my Mom will be coming to visit us. I thank God that our kids will be get the opportunity to spend quality time with their Grandma.
Looking back – I know that a major reason that I am a Christ Follower and in ministry today is because of my mom’s faithfulness to God. She showed me what faith looked like in good and bad times. She’s an amazing women. Looking forward to bringing her to THRIVE soon.
Sunday Recap
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, General, Thrive, Wrapup on November 3, 2010
WOW – what a day at Thrive Church….So in awe about what God is doing! Here are a couple thoughts….
* Sunday we kicked off our new series “Faith, Hope and Luck”….I feel like we are headed into a “right now” series for our church. I am pumped for this Sunday.
* Just became Jesus can or we think he should does not mean that he will – not our job to put our expectations on God but to learn how to follow Him fully.
* We learned together that circumstantial faith is fragile and can be easily derailed by life’s pressures and pleasures.
* Jez Barbacy, Jessica Caldwell our band did a great job leading everyone into worship – Let me say it – our band ROCKS!
* Brought the winner of the Kidz costume contest on stage for the closing of the 11 am service. She was Dorthy from the Wizard of OZ..love it!
* Our Road Crew Team reported that they set up our entire facility in 53 minutes flat!
* Had dozens of people ask me “what happened to my head” – all I can say is that I am learning the price tag of laying on the beach without sunscreen – lesson learned (hopefully)
* Our ONE youth team had it’s first annual “Pumpkin Smash” night. Imagine….100′s of Pumpkins – baseball bats , food and teenagers – It was a Big messy WIN for everyone.
Three more things… Read the rest of this entry »
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.
Seven things that made me smile (this week)
Posted by tomelmore in Everything Else, Family, Next Right Step, Philosophy, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive on October 16, 2010
I thought I would give you a recap of some of the beset moments of my week.
1. Last Sunday and our worship night at Thrive Church – Baptizing the 12 people that said “YES -I’m going public for Christ”….amazing stuff!
2. Slipping out mid day to see the movie ” Secretariat” with my wife…the movie was good – spending time with my wife was better!
3 Sitting in our Parenting 101 Growth group and learning that real parenting should happen between the conflicts – not during them.
4. Talking to my Mom on the phone about her coming down as soon as she gets her new “wheel chair friendly” van – so excited, love her so much.
5. Having the privilege of praying with Tina Martin as she continues to battle with cancer on the brain. You never know how much faith you have until you need it…she has TONS!
6. Seeing my in-laws arrive on Wednesday. It’s a gift to have family in our house (and help with the kids)
7. Thinking about our vacation that starts this Sunday after church, come this Sunday it could be the shortest message yet – Going to be on a boat in the ocean….ready to relax and refresh.
Smiling right now
Tom
Why Men Hate Going To Church
Posted by tomelmore in General, Thoughts from the Week, Thrive on October 15, 2010
We just had our first Tuesday night growth group a couple days ago. It is made up of a bunch of guys trying to figure out life and faith…and I loved every second of it.
I must say our group this week came out of the gate strong. As we sat around and smoked cigars and drank IBC cream sodas (the best soda ever made) we also shared our family background and talked about how we ended up at Thrive. We made a commitment to explore a book called “Why men hate going to church” by David Murrow. Growing up in too many churches the only man that actually practices his faith is the pastor. Lately this has really bothered me because the circle I sat in last week was filled with men ready to conquer something – ready to live out their purpose and asking God ”how can you use me”? It was stinking amazing!
As I dig through our book and reflect on last Tuesday night …Here are a few thoughts
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What I’m Learning as a Parent!
During our current series at Thrive Church called “Help I’m a Parent” I asked God to show me where I’m “hitting and missing” as a parent. All I can say is be careful what you pray for…
In reading and studying for Sundays, God has spoken to me on more than one occasion about my parenting habits. I’ve come back to center that the greatest gifts I have in my life are God’s love, my wife and kids…
Here are some of the things I’m learning during this series….
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Scream Free Parenting
Posted by tomelmore in Next Right Step, Thrive on October 8, 2010
I honestly thought parenting would be easier. When my first child Molly was younger I used to think that when she was older she would listen to every word I say. She would obey fully without ever talking back. She would do what I asked the first time she heard it.
I have since come to realize I was living in a place called “Fantasy Island for Parents.”
Parenting is as much work as it is pleasure. Setting your child up for success takes intentionality, a team and some good ol’fashion strategy. I’m excited that we have a church that can talk about these types of practical things.
I am truly looking forward to this Sunday at Thrive Church. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
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Values Need Heat
Posted by tomelmore in Leadership, Next Right Step, Philosophy, Thrive on October 6, 2010
Values Need Heat. It’s true…and it’s also a phrase that I learned from a pastor in Chicago named Bill Hybels. The things that we value need someone to excentuate, highlight or magnify them in order for them to be truly felt.
How many times have you heard a pastor say “we value this…” only to look around the church and not find a trace of it anywhere in the culture? The truth is we are better at talking about values than living them out. Here are some of ways that we are putting our values into practice at THRIVE.
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Recap from Sunday 10/3/10
Last Sunday at Thrive was a lot of fun. It was week one of our new series “Help I’m a Parent”….so glad we are taking time and talking about this topic. Being a parent myself, I often feel ill equippedi and behind the 8-ball when it comes to leading my kids. The truth is I think a lot of us feel that way….luckily God is in parenting business and wants to help. That gives me some hope -excited about sharing it with ya.
Recap from Sunday
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