This is Perry Noble from NewSpring Church, Anderson, SC. Perry is one of my favorite preachers these days. Our church staff team and volunteers spend a lot of time learning from the folks there.

Anyway, I think his points about tithing are right. Thought you might enjoy (or get ticked off). :)

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Hey Rocky River Church (and fans). I just wanted to ask you to please be in prayer for the church, me and our staff team this week. It is a really BIG week for us! Probably the biggest part of it is that our bids will be coming in from subcontractors and our General Contractor. By the end of this week we should be under contract with Choate Construction for our building project. And, we will have a closing date for our loan.

Anyway, please be in prayer for us and that God's will be done. HE is in control.

Thank you and I Love you guys! God's best!
Jimmy

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Hey Rocky River Church family. I just wanted to give you a quick building/construction update as of 3/5/10.

Our general contractor, Choate Construction, has re-posted our project for bids. We hope this will help us get numbers tighter because right now we have about a $55,000 difference between the amount we are borrowing from the bank and the project costs. Bids should be in Tuesday so we should know how the numbers are going to shake out then.

We should have a contract with Choate by this time next Friday. That will free us up to set a closing date on the construction loan and close out our current loan on the land. Tentatively we have set March 17 as the closing date.

We have applied for a usage permit on the land and that will not be approved until late in April. So as of now, we are looking at some time in early Mary for our groundbreaking day. Be looking forward to that because it is going to be truly awesome!

Many of you have been asking what you can do to help. Here are a few things we need ASAP.

1. PRAY! Be in continual prayer for the church, Choate, the subcontractors that are bidding on the project, the usage permit, and the $55,000 (approximately) we need to get this done.

2. Walk with us! Serve, attend services, GIVE, stay positive and upbeat and do everything you can to help us keep momentum going at R2C. You can make more of a difference than you know.

3. Invite! Invite everyone you know to Rocky River Church. Building or not, every Sunday we are preaching and teaching the Word of God in practical, meaning ways to the regular, everyday needs of people.

4. Remember! Remember why we exist. It is not to build buildings, but to build people. Rocky River Church exists to give people the best opportunity possible to become fully committed, growing followers of Jesus Christ.

God bless you! And thank you so much for helping us build a great church in our community.
-Jimmy

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I know it is time for Jake to go, but I love that guy!

Jake, you will always be one of my favorite football players! My favorite memories of the Panthers thus far include you. I will never forget that great run we had to the Super Bowl and your leadership that helped us get there. You were a HUGE reason why we were called the Cardiac Cats! Good luck in the future! WHO DAT? YOU DAT!

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Have you noticed that the church is more about coffee houses and being slick today than the Gospel? As a pastor, I'm really over cool. I'd rather be effective that spectacular.

-J

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You have to watch it to the end....

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This Sunday @ Rocky River Church I am continuing with our series "Sizzle" with a message called "Affair Proof My Marriage." The message is going to be as helpful as it is needful. I really hope you are making plans to be at the 9:30 or 11:00 service.

WARNING - This Sunday is going to be rated PG-13. I will be talking about some sexual matters. They won't be graphic, but for sure to the point. I promise not to go any further than the Scriptures in dealing with these sexual matters. But there is no way to talk about adultery without talking about sex. I just want you to be warned. I would not recommend that young children be in the services.

But parents, YOU should make this a "must attend Sunday" at Rocky River Church. Even if your spouse won't come with you. You should be at the service for the both of you. And for goodness sakes, invite everyone you know! This is a message your friends and family NEED to hear too.

See ya'll then! :)

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I was thinking today about the folks who come to church week in and week out with no real intention of letting God change them. So why bother coming? If you're not going to let God change your life at Church, why bother showing up? If you already know you're going to leave church basically the same way you came in, then why bother coming at all? If you don't plan to open up your life to God and His Word so He can make the changes in your life that need to be made, why bother? If you never plan to take Next Steps to grow in your faith and understanding of how to follow Christ, why bother showing up? If you're just going to grumble and complain and gripe and sulk and gossip, there must be somewhere better to do it than church. If you're just listening to the messages each week for inspiration, with no intention of life transformation, why bother? If you're going to spend your time worrying about me, or someone else on the staff and what we're doing or not doing, but never examine you're own life and what's wrong with you, why bother being in the Lord's House? If Christ and His Church are never going to be your family's priority, then why bother? Go ahead and really commit to AAU, Cheer, the racetrack, a football field, a golf course or whatever. Just be real about it. If you only plan to "tip" God the rest of your life, rather than tithe and store up your treasures in Heaven, then why bother? Invest in something else - the truth is, you already are. Why bother?

We are on the verge of losing the "lost generation" (our children). And when I say "losing them" I mean to Hell. Their eternity is at stake!!! And never in my life have I seen parents more apathetic to the things that are most important (like their eternity and that of their children), and absorbed with things that aren't. It's time to get busy living for Christ, or not at all. Because if you're not willing to life "all or nothing for Christ," then why bother?

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It is true that "all leaders are readers." Now, not all readers are leaders. But all leaders are readers. If you're not learning you're not leading. For some of us, the reason our churches aren't growing like they could is because we're not reading like we should. Grow up pastor and learn to read.

Okay, THE MOST READ PERSON I KNOW ON THE PLANET is Nelson Searcy, the Lead Pastor of Journey, Church of the City in New York, NY. He's is doing a webinar next Tuesday called "How To Read More." Here's a blurb from Church Leader Insights about the webinar and what you'll learn.

[From The Website]
- How to find time to read (without robbing time from the more important things)
- How to know what to read (and what NOT to read)
- How to increase your reading speed (hint: its not by becoming a speed reader)
- How to retain what you read
- How to get everything you can from a book
- How to stay motivated to read (and not to feel guilty if you aren't)
- Plus much more.

All leaders are readers but did you know that Nelson never completed a book from start to finish prior to age 17? Yet today he (conservatively) reads five to seven non-fiction books a week.

He likes to say "God just gave me a passion to read" and while that's true, he's also developed a system (imagine that!) for reading that improves recall and keeps him focused on what is most beneficial and helpful to his ministry as a pastor and leader of leaders.

[Me again]
This webinar is required for all of my staff at Rocky River Church. It should be required for yours too! Here's the link to register today for only $23.95! Enjoy....

https://nelsonsearcy.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=p1067&navi...

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Hey guys. I'm really excited about our 2nd Annual Marriage Retreat to Charleston, SC. We have a great group of folks going. However, we've had four couples that have had to cancel. That means we have four spots open. We have to give a final list of couples going next week! If you'd like to go with us we HAVE TO KNOW NOW! So shoot me an email and I'll get you registered - or get you more information.

-Here's some of the basic information:
-Dates: March 19-21 (Friday through Sunday)
-Cost per couple: $325 / This includes two nights hotel, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Saturday.
-Deposit required by next Monday - $100.

My email address is jimmy@rockyriverchurch.com. I hope you can make it. Again, if you just want more of the details shoot me an email.

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This is the video trailer for Sizzle, a new sermon series we are kicking off this Sunday @ Rocky River Church.

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This is why NASCAR - no matter what they do to the cars or anything else - will just never be the same for me. I admit that I don't even get cranked up for the Daytona 500 anymore. I miss that black #3...

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- Just because you "believe" something doesn't make it true. Many people build their life upon lies. Instead, be a truth seeker.

- It doesn't matter that you are sincere because you can be sincerely wrong.

- The grass is greener wherever you water it. Stop looking over the fence at your neighbors yard and water your own.

- How can you expect the blessings, power and help of God if you live like you don't believe in Him? Your life and actions should demonstrate that you believe in God.

- Don't just live your life watching other people live theirs. Life is a participatory sport. Go live it!

- You will never know the mind and will of God until you get into the Word of God.

That's about it for now....

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Hey Rocky River Church! We've made a decision about tomorrow's services. We are going to have ONE service at 11AM. It will be a "family style" service which means we will not have age-graded ministry's (nursery, students, etc.). It will be like our Christmas Eve service in that everyone will be in the worship center together. It will be great! We'll worship as one big family tomorrow. :)

If you are planning to come, please be safe and allow yourself extra time for travel and don't take any unnecessary risks.

Hope to see you at 11!
R2C Staff

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About my post yesterday, "Snow and Junk," I was not trying to suggest that folks who don't try and brave the snow to come to church tomorrow don't love God, or aren't faithful, or anything like that. I was just being one of "those pastors" freaking out because we might lose some momentum in the building campaign and also that it will hurt us to not receive tithes and offerings. Of course, the most important thing is that we won't be able to preach the Gospel. My point was to say that all of that is out of my hands and I am trusting God with it. So I'm not worrying about it anymore...

Hear me when I say that if we're able to have a service tomorrow morning, DO NOT venture out if you are uncomfortable about driving on the roads. Seriously, missing church one Sunday is NOT worth you getting hurt. So just use your best judgment. Anyway, check back here later tonight or early in the morning and I'll give you the word about church.

Love you guys. Enjoy the snow! We are here at the Britt house! :)

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Okay. I love the snow! But, why Friday, Saturday and Sunday?! That's what I've been saying all day long. Lord, why now? Of course, I realize that many of you are thinking the weekend is perfect for snow (if it has to) because you don't have to drive to work (or miss work). You don't have to worry about childcare. The timing is great for most folks, I realize. But it STINKS for pastors and churches. :)

Why? Because we (we pastors) know that most people are already looking for a reason - any reason - to stay home on Sundays and snow makes it a "lock" for those folks. So we (pastors) worry about canceling services and losing momentum. We worry about the offerings because some folks make their offering up the following week - but most do not. And a church like Rocky River (while we don't
"do it" for the money) depends on those weekly tithes and offerings to keep the bills paid and the doors open. It would be kind of like you missing a paycheck this week and how that would hurt your family's finances.

So, I've been worrying all afternoon about not being able to have services this Sunday. We have NOT cancelled as yet but it is already looking like we'll at least drop back to one service this week (the 11AM service). On top of that we've been planning all week to give out info packets on the UNLEASH campaign that are "date specific." So that is going to be a washout. UGH!

But, here's the way I'm feeling right now. I'm not going to worry about it either way. I sure hope we're able to have at least one Sunday service, but again, I'm not worried about it. I have a good sermon this week but if I don't get to preach it this week then I'll already have next week's message prepared (which is nice). My lack of worry is not a lack of caring. I CARE GREATLY! But, God has reminded me today that He is bigger than one Sunday of canceled services. He's bigger than one week's offerings. He's going to provide for the UNLEASH building campaign whether folks get the information this week or the next or at all. He's got the whole world in His hands and that includes Rocky River Church. And for sure, remember that he has you in His hands as well.

So, to our pastors and leaders at Rocky River Church. don't sweat it! God's got it covered. To my buddies out there sweating it because missing an offering might cripple their church, don't sweat it. God's got it covered!

RRC, stay tuned to our blogs, emails, facebook, the website and WBTV for service information. I hope I get to see you this weekend, but if I don't, I love you! Stay faithful!

God bless...
Jimmy

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I am so jacked up for the weekend coming. I'm preaching (what I think) is the best and most important sermon of my life. I'm serious when I say that too. I'm teaching about spiritual markers. Spiritual markers are references points; places you can look back to and remember how God changed your life there. I have many spiritual markers in my life and it is interesting that some of the most important ones are "places." Berryhill Baptist Church (my home church) is one such place. Paw Creek Christian Academy (where I went to school) is another. God changed my life in those places. I think it will be a timely sermon since we (Rocky River Church) are about to begin building a "place." A "place" that will be a spiritual marker for hundreds, if not thousands of people in the years to come.

I hope to see you at Rocky River Church this week. Again, it will be an awesome Sunday. Don't let ANYTHING - or ANYONE - keep you away!

See ya.
Jimmy

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In Romans 9:1-3 Paul says, "I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel."

In these verses Paul expresses an incredible love for his people - Israel. He was willing to give up his own eternity if it would save his people. Of course, he couldn't give his life for his people; Jesus has already done that. But still, the point is that he was willing to give everything for his people. I'm wondering what you might be willing to give/sacrifice for your people (your kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends, colleagues, etc.) to come to faith in Christ. Are you willing to give your time, money, energy, comfort and safety? That's what it takes. And folks, it is worth it. You realize that when you watch them being baptized. You realize in that moment that a spiritual life is worth sacrificing everything we have.

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We have two dates for our next Membership Class, which we we call Church 101. Here are the dates and times. This Sunday (January 24, 1-4) and Thursday night (January 28, 6:30-9). The location for both classes is our church office located at 5323 Roberta Road in Concord (the church office is located directly across the street from our land). We are not providing childcare for these classes.

Here's a short description of Church 101:
[Church 101 is the Membership Class of Rocky River Church. It is taught by our Lead Pastor Jimmy Britt and is designed to explain the beliefs, practices, vision and values of Rocky River Church. This class is for folks who are ready to become members as well as those who just want to know more about Rocky River. At the end of this class you will have the opportunity to become a member.]

We have a few spots left for each class. If you would like us to hold a spot for you, send an email to Teresa@rockyriverchurch.com.

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I guess I have church leaders on my brain this morning. Anyway, here are two resources you need to check out ASAP. Both at Church Leader Insights (www.churchleaderinsights.com).

1. The free e-book by Nelson Searcy on healthy Church Systems. Most churches drop the ball when it comes to systems and processes. Nelson (and The Journey) do as good a job on this as any church in the country. And that is a fact. Get this material and let these guys help you with systems. If you need a personal testimony about their systems and how to use them in your church, email me at pastor@rockyriverchurch.com.

2. Check "Managing Stress out of Ministry." It's an audio download. It only takes about 10 minutes for it to ship via email. The product description speaks for itself. Enjoy! And for goodness sakes, learn something today! :) If you're not learning, you're not leading.

www.churchleaderinsights.com

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