Passion (Part 2)

I know the word passion has been on my mind lately.  But back at it again.

Shared a meal yesterday with Gary Lamb.  Almost four years ago, Gary planted a church called Revolution Church, and they've seen over 1000 people begin to attend their weekend services in that period. They thought about opening a second campus a few months ago.  It opens in like six weeks.  Ka-yikes.  That's fast. And it's fueled by raw enthusiasm.

Gary's funny, controversial and deeply engaging.  But the thing I loved most about meeting him finally (we've blogged and messaged back and forth for months) was his passion.  He's just red hot about ministry, vision, reaching people, changing communities and being used by Christ.  It was contagious.  This guy wants to win whole communities for Christ, and it just inspired me deeply.

Just before meeting Gary, I was in on a one hour session on building relationships through social networking by Carlos Whittaker. Loswhit, as he's called, was so passionate about how new media builds relationships that he was contagious. He just oozes enthusiasm for what he does. 

Earlier in the day the lead pastors from the partnership churches spent a couple hours with Andy Stanley as we dreamed about what church in the next five years might look like.  Andy just turned 50 this year (he went public with that - no news here), but what I love about the guy is he's thinking like a 20 year old church planter who's dreaming about what to change to reach the next generation, not a guy whose leading on the most successful churches in North America and resting on his laurels. It was great to dream, plan and imagine with a room full of great leaders.

The week before I hung out all week with Reggie Joiner, who pioneered North Point's traiblazing kids' ministries and then went on to pioneer new ways of partnering church leaders with parents to help make the next generation fully alive.  He's always trying to think of new and better ways to make a difference in kids lives.  Again, I guy who will do anything but quit.  The best, for him, is yet to come.

I love being around passionate people.  I want to be more passionate.  I want to be more excited about the Kingdom at 80 than I am at 40.

I'll remember this trip for a while.  Great leaders. Great people.  Great ideas.  Great cause.  Great Saviour.  What's NOT to be passionate about? 

Now home, where we I pray we can unleash some incredible passion in the name of Jesus into our communities that will leave them spinning and transformed.  Ready?  What are you passionate about that you think could transform your community?

Comments

[Dave Mc]

It's great that Connexus leaders are part of a rich leadership communities like North Point and Orange!
You guys are kept sharp, and in-turn help encourage and build up other Christian leaders that are building Christ's Kingdom in North America.
Glad you're able to get to these events.

[Laurie McNair]

I am excited by all that is happening in your community and in mine! There are some exciting times ahead and after talking with some friends and praying through some things with God I am ready to get back in the game after a time of solace to recover from a very turbulant time in my life. The passion has been re-kindled and I am more excited than ever to engage in God's plan. It is going to take some scary faith-leaps but I am ready and willing (yikes)!