Bad Blogger

OK, so last night on Atlanta Live, Shelley called me out for not updating my blog enough. I think there are two kinds of bloggers out there...people that have something to say that is helpful, and people that love to be critical of everybody and everything. Well, there are probably more than just those two categories, but those seem to be the most prevalent.

I guess moving forward, I am going to try and be a better blogger. Or, let me say that, moving forward, I am going to try and write more about what we are doing at Watermarke and what I am learning as a leader.

Thanks for the call out, Shelley...

God, Me, and Patience - Part 2

As I thought about the idea of patience, I began digging into the concept of God's patience. What I noticed pretty quickly is that, when it comes to God, we are quick to focus on His grace, mercy, love, strength, but not really His patience. Why is that? Is God's patience even on the same playing field as His grace and mercy? Is God even patient?

Here is what I ultimately concluded. I believe God IS patient. He is ridiculously patient. But God's patience is not noticeable until we understand His grace and mercy. When we begin to grasp what we, as His creation, deserve for our behavior and sin, God's grace and mercy enter into a new perspective. In fact, God's patience is ultimately seen in His grace and mercy with us.

I know that if I created you and a world for you to exist and then watched my creation constantly deny me and ignore my love and provision for their own selfish ambition, the results would be pretty predictable. I would just head back to the drawing board and start over. "I brought you into my world, and I'll take you out," would be my mantra.

But instead of showing wrath, God chose to display grace and mercy. Mercy by not giving us what we deserve (eternal death and separation from Him). And grace by giving us a free gift that we in no way deserve (forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ, for all who believe). And God's grace and mercy is ultimately founded in His unbelievable patience. Jesus Christ is the results of God's patience. God's power is not best seen in His creation, but with His creation.

"God, thank you for your patience with me and your deep desire to be personally connected to me. Thank you for your mighty display of patience found in the innocent death and resurrection of your one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for displaying how truly powerful you are through your enduring patience with me. I love you, Heavenly Father."

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church

God, Me, and Patience - Part 1

On Sunday, we spent some time looking at patience, and we announced that we were going to delay our move to American Heritage Academy for two reasons:

1. Funding - To make this move, we need to have $110,000 in disposable margin. To date, we have raised $60,000. And while we are so excited that we have make this progress, it is clear we hvae a ways to go.

2. Lease - After the financial terms were decided, some ancillary items came to the surface that will require some additional information to ensure we create a situation that provides stability and more permanence in our next location.

And as disappointing as this is for all of us, I am please to hear the feedback I have already received about our decision and our display of faith in and patience with God. Over the next few days and weeks, we will keep everyone at Watermarke updated on our progress (giving and lease), and continue to learn and grow in our patience with God's timing.

For today, here is the thought that I continue to come back to:
Isaiah 64:4; Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

God is extremely involved in what is happening daily at Watermarke Church, and we are going to continue to allow Him to stay involved through our patience with His timing.

If you missed the message, I highly encourage you to go to www.watermarkechurch.com and click "Message Archive" to listen. And please let me know how this idea of patience is being displayed in your life.

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church

It Is Well With My Soul

So at the North Point DRIVE09 Conference this year, Todd Fields led worship for a set or two or three (I lost count, but it doesn't matter), and one song just immediately jumped out to me. I remember leaning down to one of my staff members saying, "This is a song that will be in our regular rotation soon..."

What I loved about this song is that it reminded me of where I am at right now, and it took me back in time to the church days of my youth. I remember holding a hymnal (some of you have never seen these books, I know), and there was always that guy behind me that would sing the chorus echo.
High - It is well,
Low echo - It is well,
High - With my soul,
Low echo With my soul...
I think at one point we may have sang it in the round. Nevertheless, when the crazy echo guy was at the lake instead of sitting behind me on a Sunday morning, I realized how unbelievably beautiful these lyrics really are.

And as Todd led us at DRIVE09 and as we sang it with all our hearts, I was overcome with the message behind these awesome lyrics:

Here is the chorus we sang:
It is well, It is well, Through the storm, I am held, It is well, It is well with my soul
It is well, It is well, God has won, Christ prevailed, It is well, It is well with my soul.

It's too fast and rock'n for any echo dudes, but man - this song freaking rocks. We are singing this for the first time at Watermarke on Sunday, and I am going to be backstage during this song preparing to come out for a welcome and announcement time, but I bet it will be tough, because there will be tears in my eyes as I reflect on what these lyrics mean to me. What they mean to all those I know. What they mean to everyone standing and worshipping along with us on Sunday. I'll be worshipping backstage through the blaring amps and insanely loud drum kit.

It is well with my soul, because I am held by my God and His Son has prevailed. Powerful message.

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church

WATERMARKE MOVES TO AMERICAN HERITAGE ACADEMY!

If you missed Sunday, you missed an announcement that is going to change the future of Watermarke Church. On August 2nd, we will be moving to American Heritage Academy on Sixes Road in Canton. This move will provide us many, many opportunities to lead people into a growing relationships with Jesus Christ.

Here is a preview of what we can expect from this move:

• Permanence: We are signing a long-term lease at this location, and the facilities will allow for significant growth. Just the same, as a church, this move allows for us to plant some deep roots in a community and city.
• Better Environments: At American Heritage Academy, we have the opportunity to create environments that are more relevant and irresistible.
  
• New Environments and Events: In addition, we now have the opportunity to add new environments like Night of Worship, Christmas Eve service, KidStuf Live, MarriedLife Live, and more.
  

Of course, to get there, it will require some involvement on our part. There is a huge story taking shape at our church, and we hope that each person at Watermarke can engage in the story and have a front row seat for what God is doing in our community. Here is how we invite you to participate:

1. Invite Others: We create relevant and irresistible environments for a reason, and you are not the only reason. Our church is created for everyone in our communities, and we need to find ways to engage others at Watermarke.
2. Serve Together: Relevant and irresistible environments need to be fully staffed, and we need each of you to work together with us as we create environments.
3. Give Generously: Environments require funding, and we are going to raise $175,000 to make this move, make some initial capital improvents, and make dramatic improvements in our environments.

This is a wonderful time to be a part of Watermarke Church, and there is a lot to be excited about. Please let us know if you have any questions about our move, the funding needs...anything. We will be using our blog site and other communication mediums to keep you informed, so be sure to check back frequently and pass along what's happening. And thank you in advance for being involved in what is next for our church.

Your Life Design

If you could design your perfect life, what would you draw up? If you were just given a blank slate, what would you create? When you look at your life today, is it all you ever hoped for? These are great question to ask, because I think it really shows what you value and what's important to you. And these questions are telling about our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Here is what I am learning - when you are right in the center of where God wants you, then there is no better design for your life. It is just that simple. Ten years ago, if God would have given me a blank canvas to draw up the next decade of my life, I have no idea what I would have created. I don't really know what I would have designed. Here is what I do know...there is no way it would be as great as what I have today. Maybe I would have included more money, or more toys, or more vacations (or vacation homes), but there is just no way that my design would be better than God's design.

I think this is a great recognition for each of us. We need to seek God first and fall under this direction to ensure our life is being lived with THE best design. And the best design is not always the easiest, wealthiest, or most fun design. But it is always the best.

So what is God calling you to do? What is the life-design God has planted in your heart? Are you living it? Maybe this is too simple, but I believe that when we are following God's direction and have absolute trust in Him, our life can be all it was ever intended to be. I think its that simple.

Gavin Adams
Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church

Keeping Priorities in Check

This week has been interesting. I have a friend that has decided to take a break from church staff to spend more time with her family. And as I was listening to Andy Stanley's message from Catalyst and thinking about the idea of cheating on my family (not with another family, but with work), I just felt convicted. And I don't think I am cheating my family right now...although I certainly have in the past at times. But here is what I concluded: My perception of cheating on my family may be different than my families perception. And my families perception is the one that matters.

It is easy for me to rationally look at my work-life and believe that my family is a priority, but that is far less important that what my family perceives. I was so convicted about this yesterday and I made Chantel look me directly in the eyes and asked her one simple question, "Do you feel that my work-life, or anything else in my life, is taking precedent over you and our family?" That is a scary question to ask, and with it comes a potentially scary answer.

How many others need to ask this same question? I have NEVER met a person at the end of their life who just wished they had spent more time in the office, on the road, or at their job. Doesn't happen. I have, though, met many, many people (especially men) that wish they had spent more time with their family. My hope is that I will not be one of those guys, and that I will not only try to keep my family a higher priority than work, but that I will continually check in with my family to be sure they believe I am holding up my end of the bargain.

Gavin Adams, Lead Pastor, Watermarke Church