Wow, I never intended to take a month off from Blogging. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy it quite a bit. And I think about it all the time, “That would make a good blog post.” However, for whatever reason, it’s been a little over a month since my last post. A lot has happened:

• Wes, Sean, and I went to Catalyst Leadership Conference in Atlanta. Had a great time! Learned a lot. Had fun with our team. Stayed with some great friends!
• Finished up our “UFC” series – probably one of the most well received series we’ve ever done. Great “look” to introduce new lights!
• We’re still learning our new lights, but I absolutely love the look in our auditorium.
• We added a third service! Sunday nights 6PM – same great music, message, and ministry. The third service is going surprisingly well. Still trying to get in a groove physically. But the cool thing is that we have people coming who would not otherwise come to church.
• Started a new series, “Voices.” Lots of cool creative elements during this series. Built a “shack” in the auditorium to represent poverty. Worship Artist. Guest speakers from Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, Water Missions International, Samaritan’s Purse, and Habitat for Humanity.
• LIFE Groups are going great. My LIFE group (Servolution) has done a lot of great things: made dinner for a kids football team and their parents, fed the faculty, teachers, and staff at Oakland Elementary School, collecting clothes for an Orphanage, cleaned the church, and more.
• Beginning the process of planning out the next year of message series, outreach, special events, etc. Very excited about the new year.
• We really need an Administrative Assistant! At the very minimum we need someone to come in on Mondays and do FellowshipOne database entry and contact work. And then to come in on Fridays for the Bulletin and Connect Card. That is the BARE MINIMUM, but that’s what we need. Let me know if you’re interested.
• Our music is simply getting better and better and better. Sunday was off the hook!
• For me personally 2009 has been all about systems and leadership. 2010 will be more of the same. We will break through the 300 barrier soon. I need to be talking to Pastors of churches of 500 and start figuring out next steps for Coastal. Reading. Reading. Reading.
• Very excited about the next couple of series at Coastal. Christmas is going to be amazing! We’re going to unveil some exciting stuff for the New Year.
• Lydia came home for Fall Break! It was too short, but glad to see her.
• We went to Liberty to see Lydia for Parent’s Weekend! Longer visit. Had fun seeing Lydia in her new environment. She’s adjusting well. As always, very proud of her.
• Got sick late last week and was losing my voice on Sunday, which is difficult when you have 3 services. Trying to rest and talk less this week – very difficult for Pastors.

Okay, maybe that’s why I didn’t blog in October. Whatever the reason, it’s good to be back!