BillSimmonsLive

Meet KidzQuest Pastor – David Pearson

I am so excited to announce that SpringWell is welcoming David Pearson as our new KidzQuest Pastor. David brings with him 10 years of experience serving as a Children's Pastor. He has spent these 10 years in one church. David also has history with SpringWell because he came to our church as a teen. David is a much sought after speaker for Children Camps and Ministry Training Events. His passion for volunteers and parents makes him a very effective leader. David loves kids and really knows how to have fun.

David will be introduced to our church on Sunday morning August 28^th. His first official day in the office will be Tuesday, September 6^th. You can find David on Facebook here.

I want to also publically thank Suzanne Higginbotham and Kristine Burgeson for serving during the interim as we interviewed candidates. Their commitment to children and SpringWell has been outstanding. The GREAT news is that both have agreed to stay on the team for an additional 6 months as David learns his way around SpringWell. Making this commitment demonstrates how Suzanne and Kristine are both team players. Make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them.

We have big dreams for KidzQuest and I am confident we are assembling the right team that God will use. If you are not volunteering….this is the best time to get on board. You can let us know about your interest to serve by filling out this form.

I am very excited…..are you?

I’m MAD…Are You?

I wish more people were MAD. I wish more members of SpringWell were MAD. I wish more students, parents, and whole families were MAD. I think if we were all MAD, our community and world would be a better place.

Are you MAD? I'm committed to MAD. It's why I do what I do. The purpose of my life is to Make A Difference.

Do you want to Make a Difference? Awesome…I knew you did. Here are some immediate ways you can Make A Difference:

• Join us Saturday morning for Servolution Saturday
• Invite Friends and Family to the Easter Service
• Sign Up to serve at the Brook Glenn Elementary Spring Carnival

We could just talk about MAD…..or we could actually go MAD.

I'm ready….Are You?

Facebook Code of Conduct

Yesterday, I talked about understanding why we are on Facebook. Today, I want to share my Personal Code of Conduct on Facebook. It is as follows:

1. Be real…but be positive
2. Don't comment on everything I read
3. Hide comments from people I do not interact with on a regular basis
4. Affirm people when time allows
5. Delete people who openly speaks passive- aggressive lies about the church and its leaders

I believe it is easy to be lured by negativity. This is why it is important to determine how we plan to communicate and conduct ourselves on Facebook.

How to intentionally, remain positive when lured by negativity?

Why I Facebook

Facebook is a verb. It is more than a company…it has become an action. It's what we do.

The question is: Why?

I recently preached a message about Taming the Tongue. I suggested one place we have lacked wisdom is in how we use Facebook. I submit Facebook has become a passive aggressive playground. This is why I've learned to have a personal purpose for why I Facebook and why I blog.    

1. To share life with Family and Friends
2. To influence people at SpringWell by communicating what God is doing
3. To influence Church Leaders around the country

Facebook is not a place for me to vent about people without actually mentioning who they are or playing the victim. We should avoid negativity and downright mean-spirited comments. This includes what we say about the Church and government. Tomorrow, I will share my Facebook Code of Conduct.

Chime in: Why do you Facebook?

Chip Joiner Resigns

It is with great sadness I must inform you Chip Joiner has resigned as Family/Children's Pastor effective Sunday, January 16^th. Chip has taken the position of Children's Pastor at Care Free Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Chip spent four years from 2000-2004 in Phoenix planting a church. Chip feels the opportunity to go back to Phoenix is God inspired. We support Chip and trust in his decision.

We will miss Chip. It has been a pleasure to have him on staff for the past two years. Please pray for Chip and his family as they transition back to Phoenix.

To replace Chip's full-time position, we will hire 2 part-time staff for the short-term (one as Preschool Director and one as Elementary Director). This will provide us time to make the best long-term decisions. Suzanne Higginbotham has already accepted the position of Preschool Director. We will be meeting with potential Elementary Directors in the coming days and will keep you posted.

Please pray for our church. Staff transitions are always followed by many questions. Please remain positive and encourage others to pray for Chip and our children's ministry.

Join the Servolution

ARE YOU READY TO BE PART OF A SERVING REVOLUTION?

On Saturday, September 18^th we will unleash an army into Greer and Taylors to simply SERVE.

The army will arrive at SpringWell by 8:30 AM and will then head out into the community from 9:00 AM until Noon.

We will share God's love through simple acts of service. These opportunities to serve could include passing out water, cleaning up properties and schools, cleaning windshields, providing a free car wash, bagging groceries, pumping gas, providing coins for the laundry mat; and so much more.

In the coming weeks, we will provide online registration and much more information.

I am also in the process of recruiting a team to plan the day.

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE SERVOLUTION PLANNING TEAM?

Email me at bill.simmons@springwell.org and I will follow up.

How to Ruin Your Marriage (Bonus)

I have received a lot of feedback over the last week regarding this blog series. I thought it might be helpful to put the list in one post.

How to Ruin Your Marriage:

1. Be Selfish
2. Don't Listen
3. Don't Forgive
4. Don't Dream
5. Let Your Children Come Before Your Spouse
6. Let Parents Come Before Your Spouse
7. Never Talk About Money
8. Live in the Past
9. Stop Learning
10. Leave God Out

 

SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

Sign up today!

NCAA Group Winner

My longtime friend, Tom Sipling, has won our NCAA Tournament group on ESPN. I came in third and my wife (Renee) beat me with her second place finish.

Here are the final results:

How to Ruin Your Marriage 5 of 5

The more I learn…the more I learn there is to learn. Here are two more ways marriages are ruined:

1. Stop Learning

   You cannot teach someone who knows it all. Marriage is no place to act as if you have it all figured out. Your marriage should be about constant discovery and learning. There is a lifetime of learning waiting for you in your marriage relationship. I think when we stop learning…we stop loving. Don't fall into the trap that you have your spouse all figured out. Instead, pay attention and listen. You just might learn something.

2. Leave God Out

   God does not need to be first in your marriage…He needs to be the center of it. When you leave God out, you miss the cord that binds you together. The ultimate act of selfishness is trying to live in a marriage that is absent of Gods involvement. You cannot leave God out and expect to have healthy productive marriage. Invite God into the good times and the bad times. His presence in your marriage makes the difference.

SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

Sign up today!

How to Ruin Your Marriage 4 of 5

Money is a big deal in marriage. Healthy communication about finances is critical to a healthy marriage. Here are two more ways marriages are ruined:

1. Never Talk About Money

   Arguing about money is NOT talking about money. Money can be a hot button topic in a marriage. A great way to ruin your marriage is to keep secrets about spending. When this happens, it shows a lack of trust. I believe if a couple can talk about money, they can talk about anything. One spouse may be better at paying the bills and managing the budget but this does not mean they are on their own. The budget should be discussed and agreed upon before the one spouse proceeds to manage it. Couples should consider a yearly planning meeting. This is best done at the beginning of the year. They can plan their calendar and spending. Also, if money is managed well in a marriage…the sex life improves. I'm just sayin!

2. Live in the Past

   If you bring past hurts in your marriage…this baggage will weigh you down. Whether it was parents who treated you badly or a boyfriend/girlfriend who hurt you, if these issues have not been dealt with you will bring them into your marriage. Christ has set us free and we must walk in that freedom. Hurt people…hurt people. Changed people…change people. I have seen firsthand how people who lived in their past and constantly played the victim ruined their marriage instead of dealing with their stuff. You must stop living in the past if you expect to have a healthy future with your spouse.

SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

Sign up today!

How to Ruin Your Marriage 3 of 5

Often times, marriages fail because they allow children or parents to have an inappropriate influence. Here are two more ways marriages are ruined:

1. Let You Children Come Before Your Spouse

I have seen way too many marriages crumble because one spouse put their children before their spouse. Now don't get mad at me. I am not suggesting we neglect our children. Quite the contrary. I am suggesting that God gives us our children expecting us to let them go someday. What happens when the someday comes and the children where the primary focus of the marriage? The marriage crumbles. Never allow your children to come before your relationship with your spouse. Too many husbands and wives feel neglected in their marriage because of an unhealthy focus on the children. Raise your children but be married to your spouse.

1. Let Parents Come Before Your Spouse

The principle here is the same as with children. Your marriage cannot have the proper attention it deserves when our priorities are all screwed up. When you get married, you are supposed to leave home. Your dependence on parents should not disrupt your marriage. Neither should you allow your parents to be more involved in your marriage than they should be. I am not saying that families should not help when help is needed. We should be there for each other. What I am saying is that for your marriage to be healthy, it cannot have over involved parents.

SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

Sign up today!

How to Ruin Your Marriage 2 of 5

I have seen too many marriages needlessly fail when it could have been prevented. Here are two more ways marriages are ruined:

1. Don't Forgive

   Unforgiveness is rooted in selfishness. When things don't go our way, we get mad and manipulate others with our anger. This has no place in a marriage. Instead of looking for your "right" to hold things against your spouse, recognize the opportunity you have to extend grace. I recognize there are appropriate times when a marriage needs to end. No spouse should feel unsafe or live with abuse. Too many marriages end when forgiveness and grace could have saved the marriage. I've seen hurt spouses cling to biblical loopholes to end their marriage rather than allow the beauty of grace and forgiveness to launch the marriage to new and healthy places. I honestly believe this disappoints God.

    

2. Don't Dream

   Dreams and fantasies are two different things. Most couples live in a fantasy world rather than a dream world. Fantasies are always disappointing. We fantasize about better jobs, bigger homes, social status, wealth, pleasure, and much more. The problem is that fantasies never satisfy. Couples need to learn to dream together. Dreams of a preferred future based on shared values. Dreams based on Godly contentment. Couples who can learn to dream about how they will raise their children; how they will serve the community; how they will prepare for the future; and how they will leave their legacy have a great future.

SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

Sign up today!

How to Ruin Your Marriage 1 of 5

I am so excited SpringWell is participating in A Weekend to Remember from April 30 – May 2, 2010 here in Greenville, SC. This is one of the premier Marriage Retreats in the country. If you register now using "springwell" as the group code, the cost is only $129 per couple.

As we prepare for the retreat, I thought I would do a blog serious on how to ruin your marriage. Hopefully in the process, we will learn how to be more successful.

1. Be Selfish

   Selfishness is a guaranteed way to ruin your marriage. When we are only concerned about getting things our way it alienates our spouse. Selfishness must be replaced with selflessness. We must learn to decrease so our spouse increases. Sex is one of the best issues to help determine if you are selfish or selfless. If every encounter is about what you get out of it…SELFISH! Marriage is about selflessness and seeing to it that your spouse has their needs met. This goes both ways. When both are considering the needs of the other before their own, everyone gets what they want.

    

2. Don't Listen

   If you prefer to be heard then to listen, you are heading toward a destructive end. Relationships require two-way communication. If one person feels they are never heard, the day will come when they've had enough. Most of us are terrible at listening. To listen well so requires intention. Learning to listen is worth the rewards. Our spouse should provide a safe place to vent. When we vent, we just want to be heard. We are not asking our spouse to fix the problem. So take time to listen to each other and guard yourself from trying to fix everything.

Sign up today!

Dominican Republic Mission Trip Announcement

 I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to the Dominican Republic October 16-23, 2010 for our foreign mission trip.

We will be partnering with Missionaries Danny and Denise Stone who lovely lead Restoration Ranch. The Ranch is a residential home for abandoned or orphaned children.

We will serve this awesome ministry through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Construction Projects

· Prayer Walking

· Children’s Ministry

· And much more

The trip will be open to all those 18 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team…. Download Dominican Republic Mission Trip Packet 2010

New Orleans Mission Trip Announcement

 
I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to New Orleans July 18-24, 2010 for our stateside summer mission trip.

We will be partnering with several ministries to impact the lives of those still devastated by the aftermath of Katrina.

We will serve this great city through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Children’s Ministry

· Work a Day Camp

· Music Ministry

· Construction Projects

· And much more

We will be coming alongside Vintage Church (a church plant in the heart of New Orleans) and MissionLab as our primary partners.

The trip will be open to all those 12 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team….

Download New Orleans Mission Trip Packet 2010

Rest & Reflection

Our office has limited hours this week and next due to the holidays. I was also able to use the last of my vacation days for some extra rest and reflection. I normally use vacation time to disconnect and decompress. I try to avoid emails and phone calls related to ministry to recharge my personal batteries.

Instead of traveling this vacation, we are staying home for the holidays. I am spending these two weeks mixing personal pleasure and ministry preparation. This is a detour from my normal routine of total disconnection. I am excited about resting, reading, and reflecting at a slower pace.

I have learned true rest is not recovery from what we have been through; but preparation for the future.

Here are a few things I believe about the future:

In regards to SpringWell:

• God is up to something at SpringWell. You want to be there when it happens
• Whatever God is up to will require BIG faith!
• Empowering Leaders must be a front burner issue
• Unity around our vision and values cannot be compromised
• Prayer and Fasting will play a major role in tapping into the unexplainable

In regards to my family:

• This will be a year of healing from the pain of the last few years. (Our son's divorce took us through a grief like I've never known)
• Greenville will be cemented in our hearts as we establish this as our home for the long term future
• Renee and I will commit to sharing our marriage (along with its joys and struggles) with others to help them find grace, forgiveness, and health
• We will do everything we can to spoil our grandson, TJ!

In regards to Legacy Coaching:

• Coming along side Pastors and Church Leaders will remain our focus
• We will implement some new and creative ways to influence Church Health
• New doors for networking will open based on relationships (Because…it's all about relationships!)
• We will beat the drum that each church is unique and should focus on its own DNA without apology
• We will free pastors and churches from the frustration of imitating the models of other churches and leaders

Enough reflecting….I need to rest some more….thanks for reading.

What are your thoughts?

Duke @ Clemson

As you know, college hoops is my favorite sport. I love the rivalries, intensity, and competition.

I think the ACC is hands down the best conference in basketball. Duke rises to the top as my team of choice but I am happy to watch any team in the ACC.

I am hoping to go to the ACC tournament again in March. Last year was my first time and without a doubt the best sporting experience I have ever been to.

Duke is @ Clemson on Saturday, January 23^rd. If anyone at SpringWell can get me 2, 3, or 4 tickets, I will be your new best friend. I am easily bought. (Is that wrong of me?) J

 

SpringWell Kidz Choir

Check out our children on YouTube.

My Anniversary

Today is my Blog Anniversary. I wrote my first blog 2 years ago on October 12, 2007. Since then, I have blogged about 150 times. My topics have covered issues regarding life, leadership, and church health. I have been honored and humbled by the influence blogging provides. As I have reflected today, here are some thoughts I have about blogging:

• When I don't blog….I am too busy
• When I blog….it's a sign I am reflecting
• Reflection is a sign of spiritual health
• People have visited my blog from 43 different countries in 2009
• I need to consider more video blogs
• I need to blog more often
• Never underestimate the influence you have
• Despite your intentions, some people will misunderstand you
• I love it when I receive a comment on my blog
• People like bullet lists

It’s All About Love

Yesterday we launched a new series called 40 Days of Love. Life is all about learning to love. It sounds simple but it's not always easy. Life can be so confusing and full of distractions. So many things can demand our focus. We must be extremely intentional if love is going to be our greatest aim (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Here are a few reminders from the message (you can also checkout the podcast):

• We love because God loves us
• Love is a choice and a commitment
• Love is an action not emotion
• Love is a skill I can learn
• Love is a habit I can develop

At SpringWell, Growth Groups are labs where we learn to love. They are a place where relationships and discipleship collide. This is why we are re-opening registration for you to get involved.

If you are not in a group…it's not too late. You can register here.

It's all about love!!

Will You Partner with SpringWell Kidz?

We are so excited at SpringWell about the future of our Family Ministry. We have spent months praying about how to intentionally impact families. We have integrated all ages (nursery through 12^th grade) under one strategic effort.

On Sunday, August 16^th, Chip Joiner shared many of the things we are hoping to accomplish soon. I highly recommend you listen to the podcast. Also, checkout the SpringWell Kidz Facebook page to stay updated with happenings.

It is our goal in 2010, to totally renovate the Family Ministry Center and making it a place where Preschoolers, Elementary, Middle and High School Students can develop as fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

In the mean time, we have 5 small projects that need to be accomplished over the next month. They are:

1. Paint Building A (now the Family Ministry Center) – we are going to make this colorful. Can you say CRAYOLA!!
2. Signage – We want to place a large 20' x 11' sign on the front of the building with the new SW Kidz logo (Above)
3. Lighting – We need to brighten the large auditorium for preschool students on Sunday
4. Portable Walls – We are building portable walls to create a better environment for preschoolers
5. Update Audio/Video – The small auditorium needs updated for audio, video, and computer.

I would like to encourage you to partner with us in making this a reality. Here is how:

1. Pray – Pray for the families in our church. Our staff is committed to praying with you.
2. Serve – If you are not serving in a ministry consider serving in the nursery, preschool, elementary, or student ministry.
3. Give – Will you consider giving (above your tithe) an offering toward the above projects? The estimated cost is $5,000.

You can give here. Please put "Family Ministry" in the memo.

These are exciting time in our church. Let's partner together to impact a new generation of Christ followers.

Proud of Our Staff

Today was a great day at SpringWell. Our staff shined.

Chip Joiner, our Family Pastor, spoke and shared the new strategy we are implementing in our Family Ministry. Chip did a great job. It was clear he was well prepared and shared a strategy he has spent months praying and reflecting upon.

Todd Carpenter, our Pastor of Connection & Discipleship, led a Growth Group Leaders training event this afternoon. It was great to hear so many Growth Group Leaders share their experiences and prepare for our next semester. Todd provided the team of leaders with a great resource to help them be the best leader they can be. Todd has invested a great deal of energy to the success our Growth Groups and it is paying off.

Tracey Daniel, our Director of Communication & Information, shared during the Growth Group training as well. She updated the leaders on how to use the online tools we have available to register groups and organize them throughout the semester. Tracey has worked very hard behind the scenes to help us be much efficient and effective. We are definitely seeing the fruit of her labor.

I am blessed to have such great men and women on our team. It's great to have a front row seat when they shine.

Make sure you let them know how much YOU appreciate them.

TJ Goes Fishing

We sat by the fish tank at Stax during breakfast. TJ is having a blast.

Fall for Greenville

This afternoon we are having a great time downtown. This weekend is Fall For Greenville.

We just finished judging the Chili Cookoff. Now TJ is enjoying the rides.

Decompression Vacation

Today is my first day back in the office since going on vacation. This past week was great for so many reasons. First, I spent the entire week with Renee. I love getting away when it is just the two of us.

I realized the second day that I was on a Decompression Vacation. Most of this year has been stressful and we really needed some time to blow off some steam.

Life is full of rhythms and I am finding it very important to disconnect from time to time. We need to just get away and focus on other things. It does not always need to be an expensive vacation. Just disrupt the routine.

The Simmons home is like many of yours. We face struggles and trials that bring stress. Some days I feel like we are good examples of how to handle stress and other days, I feel like we fail at it. One thing I do know is we all reach our pressure point. Before you blow….decompress.

I was able to decompress on my vacation by:

• Finishing two books
• Watching Heroes Season Two
• Laying on a tube at the Lazy River
• Hanging out pool side for 3 days
• Sleeping in everyday
• Taking walks with Renee

I felt God bring new energy to me as I decompressed.

How do you decompress? (Click "comments" below to share)