Brandon Thomas

Easter: More Than High Attendance

2012-04-04T15:29:37Z

How do you view the relationship between EASTER and the CHURCH? It occurred to me recently that many Christians might consider Easter no more than a high attendance weekend.

That thought made me sick to my stomach.

Do we gather to boast big numbers? After all, it is common for us to celebrate our attendance after a huge day.

Do we gather to SEE and BE SEEN? My family will definitely take it up a notch fashion-wise on Easter weekend.

Why do we gather on Easter? Why not scatter and mobilize into the community?

Because as Christians… We WORSHIP TOGETHER.

What is more natural than to gather together to celebrate and remember our risen Christ? Also, Easter is one of a few opportunities to see MASSIVE life-change. We see more family trees transformed on Easter than perhaps any other weekend during the year.

If you are new to Keystone, we are ADDICTED to life-change! Easter is a major celebration of life-change and an opportunity to SEE LIVES CHANGED!

Don’t force an EITHER/OR mentality regarding worship and mission… They swim in the same pool!

Inviting someone to church with you on Easter IS MISSION! Helping people find life in Christ is not secondary to meeting their physical need.

This Easter we will have literally hundreds of volunteers who will help thousands this weekend by serving their kids, parking their car, or warmly greeting them. THIS IS MISSION!

Serve it up! Bring your best worship! I’ll see you this weekend!!!

What are you in the MOOD for?

2012-03-25T20:44:24Z

So often, when it’s time to eat, we ask the question: Well, What are you in the MOOD for? I’ve learned that can be a very, very dangerous question.

I’m in the MOOD for…
one can of Pringles
homemade cheeseburger
one tub of B&R Winter white chocolate
and… I think you get the picture.

Following our APPETITES is a recipe for mediocrity at best and destruction at worst.

In my pursuit of healthy eating, I have boldly eaten things I thought I would never like. To experience a higher goal of health I was forced to sacrifice a lesser goal of comfort food (I’m still a work in progress, by the way).

This is true in life as well.

Following your appetites in your career leads to discontent at best and failure at worst.

Following your appetites in your marriage leads to conflict at best and divorce at worst.

Following your appetites in your parenting leads to grumpiness at best and neglect or abuse at worst.

It takes a CHOICE to set up an outdoor lunch for the family. It’s inconvenient… and it will lead to a WEALTH of experiences.

It requires a CHOICE to set aside time alone in your marriage. Relational isolation sneaks up on you.

Disconnection from God is a SLOW FADE. Make the choice to ask God to RENEW your appetites… Go to God for your pleasure and you will find MORE than happiness – you’ll experience TRUE JOY!

What Does the Bible Teach About Giving?

2011-11-03T20:27:46Z

The countdown the Launch Finale Celebration is drawing near, anticipation is building, and we are PUMPED for this coming weekend at Keystone Church. This weekend, we will conclude our Launch journey with a big celebration, and I want you to know that we are praying for you as you prepare to finish strong and bring your best gift.

I love it when we journey together as a spiritual family to do the impossible. And with everyone going ALL IN, the impossible inches closer to becoming reality. As we each tap into the sacrificial pocket of giving, we are setting the stage for God to do amazing things in and through our church.

Check out this brief synopsis of the 3 pockets of giving that we see modeled throughout the pages of the bible…

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT GIVING?

In the early days of Keystone Church, I was most tense and uptight when I taught giving. I was petrified that our unchurched friends would brand me a ‘money-grubbin preacher’ and never give Jesus a chance. Yet, the more I dove into what God taught on money the bolder I became.

Now, I love talking about obeying God with our money.

As I have studied Scripture, I am struck by 3 types of giving:

The FIRST… and the 10

POCKET #1: FAITHFUL GIVING:
Often known as the tithe, this type of giving is RETURNING to God a FIRST PORTION of our income. The Old Testament refers to the 10%… In the New Testament, Jesus is quick to affirm the tithe, not as a means to get to God but as a good obedience en route to weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23-24). For more examples, check out Genesis 14:17-20; 28:20-22; Deuteronomy 26; Leviticus 27:30-33; 1 Corinthians 16. For a stern warning against violating this simple teaching, see Malachi 3:8-10.

The FIRST… and THEN

POCKET #2: GENEROUS GIVING:
Generosity is a thread woven throughout the Bible. We must manage our money in such a way that we are able to be generous at all times. The direct application back then was mainly directed to slaves, foreigners, widows and orphans. In our case, we must always have room to help a family member in need, a single mom, a friend who has lost their job, etc. This also includes spontaneous offerings for children in need or other great opportunities. Some samples of generosity: Deuteronomy 15:13ff; 24:19; James 1:27.

The FIRST… and the WIN

POCKET #3: SACRIFICIAL GIVING
At Keystone, we believe with all our hearts that it is God’s design for every believer to either be preparing for, participating in, or recovering from a sacrificial gift. It is in our spiritual DNA to give until it hurts. These are the types of gifts you can’t just budget… once you give it, you have to financially recover from it! For example, in the New Testament you see Barnabas sell a portion of his land as a sacrificial gift… that’s a gift you can’t replenish! That is a true sacrifice. God does not desire his children to WHINE about financial projects… if your church is constantly raising big sums of money, it means there’s a big vision driving it! That’s a GREAT CHURCH. We’re LAUNCHING a 2-year journey of sacrificial giving next weekend and WE’RE PUMPED! See Mark 10:21; Luke 19; Acts 2:42-46; 4:32; 11:29-30; Romans 15:26-27; 1 Chronicles 29:3.

It is crucial to be healthy in all three areas of giving… it’s how you’re designed! It moves you closer & closer to your God-given potential! Those Keystoners I know who give out of all three pockets are VERY, VERY happy people… they have sacrificed boats, ranch houses, new cars, and high-def plasmas to see God’s mission spread… that’s living on THE EDGE!!!

My fast is over!

2011-10-31T21:11:56Z

Very few people know that for the past 21 days I’ve been fasting. Specifically, my diet has been governed by what many call a ‘Daniel fast.’

Basically, I’ve eaten most like a vegan for three weeks. It was TOUGH!

WHY would I put myself through this? What would possess me to resist dairy, meat, sugar, yeast, and other ingredients?

This was a spiritual, physical, and emotional journey between me and God.

Spiritually…

I prayed for a deepening in my own spiritual life.
I pled on behalf of Keystone as we finish our LAUNCH journey this weekend.
I asked God for clarity regarding our next bold vision.

Emotionally…

I asked God to clean out any errant appetites or tendencies that I’m not even aware of.
I prayed for discipline mentally and a growing sense of focus

Physically…

I anticipated a healthy re-boot to my metabolism
I asked God to take me to another level of healthy living
I prayed for some new patterns that would emerge even after the fast

For me, a fast is a way to experience all the BENEFITS of a crisis without its HARMFUL side effects.

Benefits…

Greater dependence on God
Growing sensitivity to his Spirit
A heightened hunger for the holy Scriptures
Intense appreciation for the good gifts God gives us

Without the harmful side effects…

Someone I love sick or dying
Broken relationship
Financial devastation…

My fast ended today! I am so thankful for the past 21 days. I am eager to see how God uses it to further his agenda and his church, specifically Keystone!

I am also READY to enjoy some of God’s good gifts! Amen!!!

LAUNCH

2011-10-27T14:27:49Z

2 years ago we began a spiritual journey at Keystone Church. We named it LAUNCH.

I love it when we journey together as a spiritual family to do the impossible. I remember well the stress and uncertainty two years ago as we saw our campus limitations. It was easy to imagine turning people away.

Usually, a journey like this will include a very specific vision: build a building, buy some land, or start an additional location. We didn’t have a clear direction in any of these options.

Instead, God wanted us to strengthen our faith by funding the VISION itself! Our vision is to lead everyone to experience a passionate life in Christ.

I preached through every element of that vision and we all committed to bring over $1 million over and above our normal giving.

In just 2 weeks, we will complete this journey of faith. We are almost 80% there!

More importantly, it’s been SO ENCOURAGING to SCOREBOARD the results:

November 5/6 we will finish this awesome journey. How we finish LAUNCH will impact how we begin the next great Keystone chapter.

Don’t miss it! It’s going to be A-MAZING!

My Dunkin’ Donuts Epiphany

2011-10-25T18:59:53Z

I’m sitting here sippin’ on a cup o’ decaf.

DUNKIN’ DONUTS DECAF.

I’ve had a re-discovery of this delightful place. DUNKIN’ DONUTS ROCKS!

When I was a kid, every Saturday was DUNKIN’ DONUTS day. My favorite: Blueberry. My close second favorite: Double Chocolate donut. Sooooo good.

Through the years, I’ve dabbled with the CRISPY, CREAMY varieties. I was on that bandwagon. I confess it!

When in Boston, Susan and I rediscovered DUNKIN’ DONUTS. Same donuts – same great taste. I also stumbled on their COFFEE. Incredible.

So, I’m back. I’m in.

What’s my point?

It’s all about the CONTENT.

Bandwagons come and go… It’s all about THE PRODUCT.

If you’re a preacher like me: Keep your heart in the product! The same good news that’s been preached for over 2,000 years is still relevant today.

Music styles can and should change.

Fashion styles will ebb and flow.

Leadership styles will rise and fall.

Keep your head in the game – It’s ALL about the good news of Jesus Christ!

About the BLOGS I’ve never published…

2011-10-04T20:09:30Z

There are a few blog articles that I’ve not published. I want to tell you why.

They were funny.
They were true.
They were a major window into my world.
They were helpful.
They were constructive toward leadership.

YET, with all these GOOD REASONS, I didn’t pull the trigger.

Why? Because they had the potential to hurt someone.

Did you know you can be RIGHT and still be WRONG?

I had some wonderful people in my life who encouraged me to think twice before posting.

I vetted some of these through various filters…

I read them out loud and repeated the process.
Susan is my #1 filter.
I prayed about it… If I couldn’t shake the reservation, I don’t pull the trigger

I’m more interested in UNITY than ATTENTION.

I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity to make the same points at some time in my leadership life. I’m also sure this was not the time or the place.

I WILL get it wrong from time to time… but not today!

Why we ate GUACAMOLE at Keystone

2011-10-04T19:54:15Z

This weekend we had a huge GUACAMOLE BAR at Keystone. It was a blast!

You may wonder: “What does that have to do with church?”

You may ask: “Are you resorting to gimmicks to score cool points?”

Here it is. We took a creative edge on an essential core belief: We are SOFT on the edges and STRONG in the center.

It’s like an AVOCADO!

A ripe avocado is SOFT ON THE EDGES & STRONG IN THE CENTER!

The Aztecs called the avocado ‘God’s fertility fruit.’

If you are walking in a FRUITFUL relationship with God you will be soft on the edges & strong in the center!

Here is an overview:

SOFT ON THE EDGES:

Jesus had a SOFT HEART toward those who were FAR from God!

See:

Zaccheus (Luke 19)
Woman caught in adultery (John 8 )
Woman at the well (John 4)
Calling of Matthew (Aka, Levi… Matthew 9)

Jesus himself said:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28 NLT)
Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds,“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! (John 7:37,78 NLT)

STRONG IN THE CENTER

Jesus leads us into a PASSIONATE relationship with God.

This relationship CHALLENGES US to die to our sin & find new life daily in Christ! (Matthew 10:39)

The STRONGER we move into a passionate walk with Jesus, the more we SACRIFICE… not out of DUTY, but DEVOTION! (Luke 14:27)

This ever-strengthening walk with Jesus is a DELIGHT, not DRUDGERY. It literally produces an increasing obedience AND joy! (John 15:9-13)

In other words…

Come as you are!

But DON’T STAY THAT WAY!

Do you really want an IMMACULATE church?

2011-10-04T19:44:32Z

I have a long grudge with some notions associated with a ‘healthy church.’

Sometimes people think a healthy church:

Has 100% of its weekend attendance participating in small groups
Is saturated with people carrying their bibles to church
Is dominated by the biblically literate

And so on…

What if we surveyed Keystone, and it was determined that 95-100% of our attendance was:

Tithing
Reading their bibles regularly
Inviting people to church
Serving on the weekend?

I would consider that an UNHEALTHY CHURCH.

Consider the avocado… You want SOFT EDGES as well as a STRONG CENTER. If all you have is a STRONG CENTER, then that’s a DYSFUNCTIONAL AVOCADO!!!

Check this out:

Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. (Proverbs 14:4 NLT)

If the stable is IMMACULATE, then you aren’t HARVESTING.

It’s important that we remember that God desires that a good portion of our church be the ‘not yet or the recently converted.’

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:34-38 NLT)

Churches that have God’s tender heart for the lost can’t help but bring people to Jesus. They can’t help but bring people to church.

That complicates things. Perhaps as much as 1/3 of the weekend attendance won’t bring the bible they don’t have. We recently had someone bring their huge family King James bible (coffee table size) because it was the only one they had.

The lost aren’t in community groups… yet.

The lost aren’t memorizing scriptures… yet.

The lost don’t have a vibrant prayer life… yet!

Things get messy when you are harvesting the crop God has already planted!

Ministries LUVIN’ the LOCAL CHURCH…

2011-09-22T15:56:41Z

Months ago I was with a prominent spiritual leader and their entourage. He is a big personality in the Christian evangelical movement. I asked one of his crew where they all went to church. It’s a common question for me as I engage in small talk with ministry peeps.

The answer went something like this:

Well, it’s difficult for us to really connect to a church. It’s been impossible. Every church he (the leader) attends ends up disappointing him.

I wonder if they could read the shock and disappointment on my face.

Recently, I asked about another Christian service company: “Where do those guys go to church?” Again, small talk – no big deal… no agenda.

The answer:

WHEN they go, it’s ___________.

I LOVE PARTNERSHIPS. At Keystone, we have found great value in para-church partnerships. The ones I love the most have a heart for the local church.

Most grieving to me are those para-church ministries that espouse biblical acumen, yet do not even GO TO CHURCH. It’s astounding to me.

Listen, THE CHURCH IS GOD’S BRIDE!

Technology is not God’s bride.
The BIBLE is not God’s bride.
Media is not God’s bride.
Awesome soup kitchens? Not God’s bride!

THE LOCAL CHURCH IS GOD’S BRIDE.

When God speaks of the church it is dominantly LOCAL. It is ALWAYS PERSONAL.

Let’s embrace & love the bride!