http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/ Follow along on the journey as we discover more about what it means to be a Matthew 5:16 church and the importance of IMAGINATION and MISSION for us at New Life...     Authors: Steve Lingenfelter, Patrick McCalla and Heath Bottomly Wed, 18 Dec 2013 19:26:46 GMT en-us Copyright 2013 New Life Community Church http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/lets-get-real/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/lets-get-real/ Wed, 04 Dec 2013 19:25:48 GMT You’ve heard it said, “Let’s get real!”  It typically means that it’s time to get past the props that we throw up to create a façade that hides what’s truly real behind it.  It’s easy to ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/whats-your-mood/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/whats-your-mood/ Wed, 27 Nov 2013 19:16:21 GMT Our mood plays a big role in our general wellbeing.  Our emotional wellbeing can boost us over almost any hill or bury us before it’s time. It’s not just you who is affected by your mood.  Others are affected, as well. ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/communication-why-is-it-so-hard/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/communication-why-is-it-so-hard/ Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:26:42 GMT Have you ever, maybe in a moment of frustration, asked that question:  “Why is it so hard to communicate?  I feel so misunderstood!”  This seems to be especially true in marriage.  Men and women really do seem to ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/are-you-a-person-of-faith/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/are-you-a-person-of-faith/ Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:24:07 GMT Have you ever had anyone ask you if you are a person of faith?  I always get a smile out of that.  It’s assumed that if you go to church you are a person of faith.  You may not have realized this before, but we all live our ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/does-god-seem-far-off/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/does-god-seem-far-off/ Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:34:55 GMT One of the pitfalls of organized religion is that some people get the idea that God is distant and certainly not personal.  We’re left believing that the best we can hope for is a distant connection with a far-away God through some ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-a-way-to-live/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-a-way-to-live/ Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:22:56 GMT Let’s be honest, we all want the best of what this life has to offer, right?  Unfortunately, that drive oftentimes causes us to head in the wrong direction. We aim our energies and focus down the lane of self-centeredness.  This ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/does-membership-really-matter/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/does-membership-really-matter/ Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:21:48 GMT There was a day when people used to reference what church they were a member of.  Today, you seldom hear that.  Instead, people simply reference the church they attend.  Have things changed?  Does being an actual member of a ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/living-large/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/living-large/ Sun, 18 Aug 2013 19:18:18 GMT I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to live their life to the fullest.  We might even call it “living large.”  To live large doesn’t necessarily mean riches and fame.  Living large is more about ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/trading-in-our-worries/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/trading-in-our-worries/ Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:51:22 GMT Worry seems to be something that most of us are pretty good at.  Nobody has to tell us to worry.  We seem to do it pretty well without anyone’s help.  Did you know that most of the time we spend worrying is just a waste of ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/leadership-jesus-way/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/leadership-jesus-way/ Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:20:27 GMT There is a lot of talk in church circles these days about leadership.  In decades past, it seems that the church rarely focused on developing leaders. With that came a leadership void, and the church suffered from lack of leadership.  ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/ministry-is-not-manipulation/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/ministry-is-not-manipulation/ Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:00:02 GMT I’ve said for several years now that there is a fine line between ministry and manipulation.  The leader that crosses that line disqualifies himself or herself from being a ministry leader.  Although the line may be ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/why-so-much-resistance/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/why-so-much-resistance/ Mon, 13 May 2013 22:09:41 GMT Why does it seem that there is so much resistance to change in churches?  Ask many pastors and they’ll say that it is one of their biggest frustrations.  I remember hearing a story about a pastor who lost his job because he tried ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-motivates-god/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-motivates-god/ Sun, 05 May 2013 07:00:02 GMT Have you ever thought about that?  What is it that truly motivates God?  I asked some people that very question recently, and you would have thought that I was asking them a question that was unanswerable.  I watched as their ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/are-you-looking-up-or-down/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/are-you-looking-up-or-down/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:41:28 GMT I remember, as a boy, seeing a total eclipse of the moon.  I remember standing there and watching the moon as it got darker and darker.  The earth was between the moon and the sun and so the earth’s shadow was cast upon the ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/moving-to-the-front-of-the-line/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/moving-to-the-front-of-the-line/ Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:53:15 GMT The mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, respectfully approached Jesus. She had a small request for Jesus. "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” It sounds ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/tips-to-developing-patience/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/tips-to-developing-patience/ Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:40:53 GMT I have a confession to make.  Okay, here goes…patience is very difficult for me.  There, I said it.  I like things to move quickly, I don’t like delays, and I really don’t like to wait.  You’ll seldom ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/standing-up-to-negativism/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/standing-up-to-negativism/ Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:41:25 GMT Are you one of those half-full kinds of people or does your glass leak?  Dealing with negativism and negative people is something we all have to manage in life.  We’d like to avoid it, but negativity is part of life.  ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-comes-after-easter/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-comes-after-easter/ Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:40:08 GMT Easter 2013 has come and gone. For a lot of us, we do our typical Easter ritual and move on.  You know what I mean:  We treat Easter like a lot of holidays—we pause for a day to acknowledge something of value and then move on as ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/faith-takes-exercise/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/faith-takes-exercise/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:01 GMT In the physical world, we know that exercise is good for us.  I know…we don’t like to admit it, but it is true.  To be in shape physically, you have to exercise.  The same is true when it comes to our faith.  God ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-bible-is-a-hit/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-bible-is-a-hit/ Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:57:41 GMT It turns out that the television show “The Bible” is a hit.  The Bible comes to life in this epic new series. From Genesis to Revelation, these unforgettable stories unfold through live action and cutting-edge computer-generated ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-new-kind-of-missionary/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-new-kind-of-missionary/ Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:28:15 GMT For many, many years now, U.S. churches have been a major financial contributor to supporting missionary efforts on the foreign mission field.  A close evaluation of what has been accomplished from the stream of money flowing from the U.S. ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/easter-is-coming/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/easter-is-coming/ Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:41:49 GMT Easter is coming.  I know…it seems a bit early this year.  That’s because Easter is a holiday celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox.  Have I confused you yet?  ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/shadows-of-religious-performance/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/shadows-of-religious-performance/ Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:40:41 GMT Can a person “practice Christianity” without experiencing the real thing?  Is it possible for a person to dabble in the shadows of Christianity without ever truly experiencing it?  Famous philosopher Socrates tells us a ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-kind-of-leaders-should-we-be/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-kind-of-leaders-should-we-be/ Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:55:59 GMT I always find it interesting when you bring up leadership in a conversation.  Everyone has an opinion.  I get a kick out of asking people to define leadership for me.  It seems simple, but most people struggle at trying to ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/social-media-and-the-church/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/social-media-and-the-church/ Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:08:53 GMT Although ever-changing, social media has arrived.  No matter what you may think of it, social media is fast becoming an effective tool of communication that many church leaders use to connect with their congregation and the greater ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/believing-the-lie/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/believing-the-lie/ Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:02:22 GMT Lying just seems to be part of our society.  Who do think of first when you think about a liar?  Is it a politician, a car salesman, or maybe someone you know personally who has earned that title?  Being deceived by lies plays a ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/fewer-people-are-calling-themselves-christians/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/fewer-people-are-calling-themselves-christians/ Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:28:55 GMT Did you know that fewer people today are identifying themselves as “Christian”?  Does that surprise you?  Does it scare you?  In a recent “Christianity Today” magazine, they reported the results from a ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-ever-happened-to-evangelism/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/what-ever-happened-to-evangelism/ Sun, 13 Jan 2013 23:26:28 GMT One of the many magazines I love to read is “Outreach” magazine.  In a recent edition, they asked the question: “What Ever Happened to Evangelism?”  Most Christ-followers would acknowledge that evangelism is the ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/its-the-heart-of-the-matter/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/its-the-heart-of-the-matter/ Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:30:58 GMT At New Life, where I serve as the Lead Pastor, we are really excited about what God is doing in the lives of the people of New Life and the impact being made in our surrounding community. We have just recently entered into a major initiative ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/christmas-in-the-rearview-mirror/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/christmas-in-the-rearview-mirror/ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:10:26 GMT Christmas is past and things have started to get back to normal—whatever normal is for you anyway.  So what’s the big deal about Christmas anyway?  It comes once a year, production in the workplace grinds to a halt, we ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-prayer-for-our-nation/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-prayer-for-our-nation/ Sat, 15 Dec 2012 20:17:02 GMT Many prayers have been offered.  In light of our nation’s latest tragedy, it seems that we just don’t know what else to do.  This nation has been rocked by enemies from abroad, scandals from within, crazy people with crazy ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-passion-for-life/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/a-passion-for-life/ Wed, 28 Nov 2012 02:40:15 GMT We were created with a passion for life.  God’s desire for us is that we discover the richness of life.  When people lose their passion for life, it essentially begins the first stage of dying.  This is why some people live ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/experiencing-god/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/experiencing-god/ Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:58:31 GMT What would it be like to wake up in the morning and be able to say that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing in life?  In other words, to be able to say, “I believe that I am at the center of God’s will for my ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/lost-in-america/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/lost-in-america/ Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:00:01 GMT The title of this article comes from the title of a great book authored by Tom Clegg and Warren Bird.  This book is full of shocking statistics and facts that should concern us.  Did you know that the unchurched population in the ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/when-church-and-economy-collide/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/when-church-and-economy-collide/ Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:00:02 GMT Normally, a collision is considered a bad thing.  When cars collide or people—it usually ends very badly.  We’ve all been living in what economists are considering to be the worst economic crisis of our lifetime.  Our ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/its-time-for-a-break-from-the-heat/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/its-time-for-a-break-from-the-heat/ Wed, 19 Sep 2012 07:00:02 GMT It’s been several years ago now—I think back in the late 1990s—I attended a conference in Chicago.  As soon as I stepped outside the airport, I was hit with heat and humidity like I have never felt.  Having been ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/gods-hands-are-in-the-mud/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/gods-hands-are-in-the-mud/ Sat, 15 Sep 2012 07:00:02 GMT Jesus is not just our MESSAGE; He is our MODEL.  Christ waded into the muck and mire of this world.  He was known as a friend of sinners.  Not in title, but in His daily interaction with the least, last and lost. ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/great-expectations/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/great-expectations/ Wed, 12 Sep 2012 07:00:01 GMT Everyone has them.  Sometimes they are so basic that we don’t even recognize them.  What am I talking about?  Expectations.  Expectations can influence our daily behavior—how we treat people, how we react to a ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/mirror-mirror/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/mirror-mirror/ Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:00:03 GMT I heard a story about a famous teacher in Greece.  He was asked an important question:  "Dr. Papaderos, what is the meaning of life?"  This is what happened, as told by the student. “Taking his wallet out of his hip pocket, ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/blockbuster-and-the-modern-church/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/blockbuster-and-the-modern-church/ Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:08:01 GMT I’m not sure exactly how it went down, but in my imagination it was something like this: The board room was buzzing with energy, guys high-fiving each other and talking about the bargain they got on a Stone Temple Pilots cassette they ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/have-you-discovered-it-yet/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/have-you-discovered-it-yet/ Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:02 GMT I remember years ago struggling with an intense drive to understand my purpose on this earth.  I think I’ve always felt that there could be more to my life if I could just discover my purpose.  I read as many books as I could ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/hope-springs/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/hope-springs/ Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:13:16 GMT As I write this, I just finished watching the movie, Hope Springs.  It’s a movie starring Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep as an aging empty-nester couple who have lost the passion of being happily married.  Don’t worry--I ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/dreams-can-come-true/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/dreams-can-come-true/ Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:00:01 GMT Ever awake from a dream and wonder if it was real?  Let’s be honest, dreams can be bizarre.  Everyone dreams while they sleep.  We usually remember the bizarre ones--but not everyone dreams while awake.  Dreaming allows ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/hd-vision/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/hd-vision/ Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:29:18 GMT Remember back before Blu-Ray? Back before Netflix, wi-fi and 1080p? Before there was a DVD player, it seems, in every home? Before flat screens and On-Demand? Remember a simpler time,… when there was wood grain on the TV box and the ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/intentions-are-meaningless/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/intentions-are-meaningless/ Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:47:07 GMT “If 5 birds are perched on a dock and one of them decides to fly away how many birds are left sitting on the pier?”  The answer, of course, is “5” –Deciding to do something and actually doing it are two ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-atrophy-of-belief/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-atrophy-of-belief/ Mon, 16 Jul 2012 07:00:01 GMT Mark 10:17-22 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/pastors-and-politicians/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/pastors-and-politicians/ Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:30:59 GMT No matter whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent, I think we all agree that America is polarized by the lack of cooperation between political parties.  Whatever happened to being first committed to what is best for America ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/516-disciples/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/516-disciples/ Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:00:43 GMT Our “Eyes Wide Open” series has kicked off and the excitement is building.  It’s been great to talk to people about what it means to be a 5:16 disciple of Christ and feel like we are speaking a common language that moves ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-bigger-picture/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/the-bigger-picture/ Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:00:02 GMT The situation was dire... If we had been there, we might've been questioning God on where He went wrong, what we missed or why bad things happen to good people. We'd be replaying every seminar we had attended and every self-help book we'd read ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/fishers-of-men-or-keepers-of-aquariums/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/fishers-of-men-or-keepers-of-aquariums/ Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:58:53 GMT Few would argue with the statement, “We have quit being fishers of men and have become keepers of aquariums.” One of the first men I met upon our move to Phoenix was a Pastor from the central corridor. I will not soon forget this ... http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/mission-516/ http://newlifeonline.com/mission-516-blog/mission-516/ Mon, 28 May 2012 23:00:12 GMT Welcome to New Life’s Mission 5:16 blog.  We are excited to share some of the incredible works of God happening through New Life, as well as talk about things important to missional traction.  Each week blogs will be posted for ...