BillSimmonsLive

Why I am Fasting

I am hearing so many people from SpringWell talk about how our church-wide fast is affecting them.

Several have shared how they are being stretched by the discipline and encouraged by prayers being answered.

During the first week of our fast, I wrote down several things where I am praying for a breakthrough.

• Teddy (our son) to find a job - He lost his in the fall and like many have struggled replacing it.
• Conquered Addictions – I desire every personal impulsive choice I make be disciplined and for our church to reach as many as we can through Celebrate Recovery. We will be launching this ministry in the fall or early 2011.
• Financial Breakthrough for SpringWell – We are seeking God on behalf of those who are not tithing and asking Him to stretch their faith and give them consistency in giving. This would radically influence our effectiveness as a church to reach our community.
• Expand Legacy Coaching – I am asking God to open up doors locally for churches and pastors to partner with our Leadership Coaching and Church Health Consulting ministry. Local clients would help decrease my travel and expand our networking. This would also empower us to give more to the Kingdom.
• Greater Physical Discipline – I have personally struggled with my physical weight and health more over the last 2 years then I ever have. I am learning that I really need God's help to renew this discipline in my life.

If you were at SpringWell on Sunday, you certainly experienced how prayer and fasting produced an incredible sense of expectation during the service. God showed up in a big way. Lives were changed! We also received our biggest weekend offering in over a year.

You tell me….does prayer and fasting work?

This is just the beginning….get ready for your breakthrough!

Why are you fasting?

Do Not Miss Sunday

This Sunday will be an incredible day at SpringWell. We start a new series: The Face of God.

YOU WANT TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

If you have put someone's name on the prayer boards, now is the time to get them to a service.

Why?

• We have been praying for this specific service for months
• Our church-wide fast started this week…this has raised the level of expectation
• A special guest will join us to help illustrate the message
• Lives are going to be changed

Do not miss this opportunity.

Who will you bring?

Internship Announcement

 
I am very excited to announce SpringWell Churchwill begin an Internship starting August 1, 2010.

 

This intentional leadership development program focuses on helping interns discover their own call as a church leader, acquire specific skills relating to ministry, and form habits that will carry them into a lifetime of ministry service.

 

Interns will have the opportunity to receive practical training through one of two different internship tracks: General and Specific. Our hope is to give our interns a 30,000 foot view of the church in the General Track or detailed training in the Specific ministry related Track.

 

Interns will be fully immersed in ministry alongside a staff pastor who leads a specific area. That staff pastor will serve as your immediate supervisor and coach. Mentorship in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership development will be provided by the Executive Pastor. Your involvement will span everything from service tasks that are critical to the running of the ministry, to significant leadership opportunities designed to stretch and grow you, and then everything else in-between. While your focus will likely be on a particular ministry area, you will need to see yourself as a team player who is able to serve wherever needed. 

 

If you sense God calling you to an adventure that requires huge faith, this might be just what you are looking for.

 

Interns will raise funds as a missionary to our community. You will receive training and personal coaching to help develop partners and raise funds.

 Download SpringWell Internship Application

Check This Out!

Todd Carpenter is our Pastor of Connection & Discipleship at SpringWell.

He has written a couple of great posts this week about Fasting.

Check them out:

21 Days of Fasting…

Fasting and the Face of God

Prepare for Your Breakthrough

Are you ready for a God-Sized breakthrough?

As you prepare for Sunday's message, take time to read Isaiah 58:1-12.

You don't want to miss this weekend, invite someone to join you!

The Daniel Fast

As we prepare for our church-wide 21-day fast, I wanted to share the basic guidelines for a Daniel Fast. This is based the experience of Daniel in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

SpringWell is fasting from February 1-21, 2010. Each person is asked to fast something of his or her choice. Some will be fasting food altogether, others will be fasting technology such as TV, texting, internet, or Facebook, while some will do different types of food fasts.

If you choose to do a Daniel Fast, the following will be helpful:

Foods You May Eat

• Whole Grains
  Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
• Beans
  Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
• Fruits
  Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
• Vegatables
  Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini. Veggie burgers are also an option if you're not allergic to soy.
• Liquids
  Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices. You may also drink protein drinks.
• Others
  Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Foods To Avoid

• Meat
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
• Refined Sugar
• Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products Using It
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

 

12 Reasons to Fast

1. Jesus told us to
2. Jesus fasted and modeled it
3. To get closer to God
4. To understand God's purpose and direction
5. To receive greater spiritual power
6. To receive health and healing
7. To receive financial breakthrough
8. To experience deliverance in your life
9. For mountains to be removed in your life
10. For unity and blessing
11. For Revival in the Church
12. For faith to be increased

 

 

The Future of Spiritual Formation

I am so excited to announce that SpringWell Church is partnering with Monvee to be on the forefront of The Future of Spiritual Formation.

We will unveil this exciting web-based tool on Saturday during our CORE Leadership Retreat.

Monvee will assist those who desire to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ by developing a handcrafted personalized spiritual growth plan.

John Ortberg says, "Assembly line approaches to discipleship don't work, because everyone is uniquely wired. Monvee will help people own and design the way of life where they can experience maximum growth. People have a crying need to find a way to follow Jesus that is not mechanical or legalistic and that is concrete. Disciples of Jesus cannot be mass produced they have to be handcrafted."

One of our Core Values at SpringWell is Personal Growth. We believe every disciple of Jesus Christ must take personal responsibility for growing in character, emotional wholeness, and relational authenticity. This is why we feel providing such an innovative resource as Monvee meshes with who we are as a church. You are unique and God created you that way. Therefore, a cookie cutter approach to discipleship must be replaced with unique personalized plan, based on how you were created.

Monvee will be the perfect partner with our Growth Groups. Monvee will challenge you as an individual to take personal responsibility and Growth Groups will provide a relational environment for support, encouragement, and accountability. This is a powerful combination.

Monvee will be available to those not attending the retreat for a cost of $40.00. This will give you lifetime access to developing your personalized spiritual growth plan. You will be able to update your plan periodically based on the stages and seasons of your life.

You will hear much more in the coming weeks and months. We are thrilled to be ahead of the curve as we partner with the exciting innovation that is going to take the church and discipleship into a completely new level.

Types of Fasts

As we prepare for our church-wide 21 Day Fast from February 1-21, I wanted to share 6 types of fasts:

1. Normal - abstaining from all food, but not water.
Example: Jesus "ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them was hungry" (Luke 4:2).

2. Absolute - abstaining from food and water; normally no more than 3 days. The body can only go a very short time without water. This is an exceptional fast for an exceptional situation.
Examples: For three days Paul was blind, and did not eat or drink anything" (Acts 9:9), Moses (Deut. 9:9), Israel (Ezra 10:6), Israel (Esther 4:16).

3. Partial - restricting diet of certain foods or a meal a day rather than complete abstention. This allows for many variations.
Examples: Daniel "so the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead" (Daniel 1:16), (Daniel 10:3).

4. Regular - fast days that commemorate an event or weekly fasts on a regular day.
Examples: Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27; Ps. 35:13; Is. 58:5), a fast day (Jer. 36:6); four separate festivals (Zech 8:19); twice a week (Luke 18:11-12).

5. Public - fasts called to times of special need and emergency. Almost all regular fasts were public fasts, but all public fasts are not necessarily regular ones.
Examples: King Jehoshaphat when Judah was invaded (2 Chron. 20:1-4), Ezra returning the exiles (Ezra 8:21-23) Ninevah, as a result of Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5,10).

6. Involuntary -no desire for food because of anxiety, sorrow, or mental distress (Dan. 6:18), and where a person finds themselves in a situation where no food is available (Matt. 15:32; 2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27)

Fasting is effective because the man or woman who can conquer self-denial can be entrusted with spiritual power. The hard thing is conquering self. The way God trains us is through fasting.

Are you praying about how God wants you to fast?

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

Fasting

The purpose of fasting is to increase our appetite for God. As a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, there is an expectation we will include this spiritual discipline as part of our lives. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "When you fast"; He had an assumption we would be fasting.

Fasting is all about removing something from our lives so we can get closer to God. Most often fasting involves food but we can fast other things as well. We can fast entertainment, data (i.e. texting, Facebook, the internet), caffeine, or much more.

SpringWell is asking our entire church family to join us in a group fast from February 1-21, 2010. Yes….a 21 day fast! This fast will end on Sunday, February 21^st during our Sunday morning services as we share communion and an extended time of worship.

Throughout the month of January, I plan to blog about fasting to help us prepare. Later this week, I will share the benefits of fasting for breakthroughs in your life.

I would love to hear your experiences with fasting. Click the Comments link below so others can learn from you as well.

SpringWell Retreat

You do not want to miss SpringWell's CORE Leadership Retreat planned for January 22-23, 2010!

You can register here and save $15.00 per person. The current cost is only $60.00. The retreat is for ALL Volunteers and Leaders at SpringWell. However, ANYONE who seeks spiritual growth and is interested in developing a personalized plan is welcome to join us. Friday night will be a time of outstanding worship and a message from Scott. Saturday will include a live simulcast with John Ortberg and Dallas Willard along with a catered lunch. You also get your very own SpringWell T-shirt and registration to a new Web-based Spiritual Growth Tool. Don't forget…we are providing childcare at no cost when you request it during registration. Sign up today and spread the word!

Fasting, Faith, and Finances

Several weeks ago, we had a combined meeting with our Elders and Management Team at SpringWell. The purpose of our discussion was to assess church health and financial need. Scott asked the question, "What are you hearing from God? It did not take long to recognize our unity. One by one, we all basically said the same thing: "God is obviously at work through SpringWell. Lives are being changed and growth is taking place in every area of our church. We just cannot seem to experience a financial breakthrough."

We all agreed whatever God is up to will require a greater measure of faith from our leaders and church. This led us to recognize the value of fasting to increase our faith. We all agreed to pray about how God would stretch our faith to believe for big things for our future.

This challenged me to read the Elmer Towns book Fasting for Financial Breakthrough. It is a quick read and inspired me to share some principles with our staff during a recent staff meeting.

I believe our biggest challenge for experiencing a financial breakthrough is not getting more money but more faith.

After sharing my thoughts from this book to our staff, several have committed to various types of fasts. One staff member shared their journey with me about how they were praying for a specific $3,000 need within our Family Ministry. The first day they were preparing to fast, they received a phone call from a member of SpringWell who asked, "How could the children's ministry use $3,000? I would like to make such a donation."

Do you see the connection?

Fasting increases our faith. Faith and faithfulness are needed if we expect a financial breakthrough.

To listen to the lesson I shared with our staff visit this link.

Please keep in mind, I was sharing with our staff and certainly said some things I would not say on a Sunday morning. Leaders must address reality and I certainly did so in the context of this meeting.

God is so clearly at work at SpringWell and we desperately desire the faith required to experience all He has in store for us.

I'd love to hear about how God is stretching your faith.

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.

Prayer: You’ve Been Acquitted…Pass It On

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week three of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We focused on Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Unforgiveness blocks the effectiveness of our prayers

We all stand in need of forgiveness of our sins and the Good News is WE ARE! Jesus paid the price for our sins and the debt has been cancelled. You've been acquitted.

Once forgiven, we are called to PASS IT ON!

If you have someone in your life with whom you are withholding forgiveness, don't allow this to block the effectiveness of your prayers.

We must use our freedom to free others. Self-centeredness causes short-sightedness. Reconciliation must be our ultimate goal.

I know this is easier said than done. Not everyone you are in conflict with wants to truly reconcile. I have experienced this recently in my life. I have struggled learning to forgive a person who will not take responsibility for their role in the situation. But despite this, Jesus teaches us to forgive over and over if needed. Though the relationship doesn't fully reconcile, your willingness to forgive, removes the blockades between you and God through prayer.

Is Unforgiveness blocking the effectiveness of your prayers?

Who are you harboring bitterness toward?

You are forgiven…Pass it on! Always make relationship the priority.

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about forgiveness and the power of prayer.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Your Agenda or His?

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week two of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We looked at two phrases: You kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. AND Give us this day our daily bread.

When we pray, we must learn to pray according to God's agenda not ours.

It is very tempting, when we pray, to come to God with our list of things we want done. This is ineffective and frustrating.

Effective prayer is prayed according to God's agenda. His will and not ours.

What is the focus of your prayers? Is it His agenda or yours?

Are you asking God to make your will happen or His?

Are you seeking His provision or giving Him your list of wants?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about praying God's agenda.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Know Who You Approach!

The past four weeks have been a blast as I've preached at SpringWell. We have been discussing the topic of Prayer.

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

The Lord's Prayer has been the model we have investigated.

The opening statement is Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name

When we pray, we must know who we are approaching.

God is Jehovah. He is the God who has always been, He is the God who IS, and He is the God who will always be.

Jehovah God is our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, our Peace, our Healer, our Provider, and our Shepherd.

WOW! When you pray….do you really know who you are approaching?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about approaching God.

I would love to hear about the difference pray is making in your life.

Memories or Vision?

Yesterday, I heard Andy Stanley make the following comment: If your memories outweigh your vision....the end is near.

I found myself thinking about it most of the day. It caused me to pray and ask God to open my eyes to the grander vision he has for my life.

What is the grander vision God has for my…Marriage…Family…Ministry?

My blessing is my challenge. I am blessed to have great memories in each of these areas of my life. God has done some incredible things in my marriage, in my family, and through my ministry. The challenge is to not allow these memories to outweigh the grander vision God has for my future.

I plan to take some time over the next couple of weeks to seek God's grander vision. I am confident He has great plans for Renee and I, for my family, for SpringWell, and Legacy Coaching.

I look forward to sharing.

How about you? Do you memories outweigh your vision?

Preschool Director Job Posting

SpringWell Church is currently accepting resumes for the position of Preschool Director. Responsibilities include oversight of all Sunday ministries to children, Nursery through 5K. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who relates well to children and adults.

We seek a leader with a caring heart and strong administrative abilities. Hours are as follows: Monday-Wednesday 9 AM-1 PM; Thursday 9 AM-12 PM; and Sunday 7:30 AM-12:30 PM. Please submit resume to chip.joiner@springwell.org or contact Chip Joiner at 864-268-2299 ext. 26. Job Description is available upon request.