Last week I began my sixth year of ministry (and mayhem) here at Brand New Church. Cindy and I are passionate about this fellowship and the need for healthy church in rural America. I want to share my preconceived successes and obvious failures during this short amount of time.
- Failure – Took down the Sunday School Record board from the “vestibule”.
- Success – Established Community Groups.
- Failure – Believed that everybody loved me, my messages, my vision and my family.
- Success – Stopped trying to make everyone happy.
- Failure – Almost built a 425 seat auditorium.
- Success – Now 5 campuses, 3 Satellite House Churches, hundreds attending and more campuses coming.
- Failure – Believed it was God’s will for everyone to stay at our church.
- Success – 12 families left and God began to grow His work.
- Failure – Listened to “seemed to be leaders”
- Success – Listen to God’s vision and leaders passionate for His church!
- Failure – Sought out “hired guns” for staff positions.
- Success – Sought after the gifts God gave so many within BNC to fill needed staff positions.
- Failure – Believed what others were saying about me around town.
- Success – Learning that when they stop saying stuff we aren’t doing big enough stuff.
- Failure – Looked to build at each location.
- Success – Learning leasing is the way to go.
- Failure – Thought I was too dumb to write a book.
- Success – In four months you can purchase a copy of my first book “Transforming Church in Rural America…Breaking All the Rurals”
Thank you for letting Cindy and I serve with you. I can’t wait to watch what all God has in store!!!!
Sharon Evans says,
Shannon,
You have been a blessing to my family and my marriage. Without you and God, James and I would not have made it!
Thank you for being the God centered man that you are!
We love you and your family!
The Evans Family
on 11 February 2009 / 4:51 PM
Aleshia Wallace says,
Thank you for all you do at BNC. I support your vision and can’t wait to see what all God has instore for us in 2009! Be true to Gods word and you will make it through anything.
God bless you and your family.
on 11 February 2009 / 9:16 PM
Virginia Riggs says,
I have never been to a church anywhere like BNC. I have never seen people so fired up for Jesus and it is contagious. This church is changing our lifes for the better everyday.
on 11 February 2009 / 9:50 PM
Jessica says,
Love that you’ve started a blog, and want to say thank you to you and your family for all that you do. You guys have been such a blessing in our lives & we are so grateful to be part of the BNC family.
on 11 February 2009 / 10:28 PM
Andy Chy says,
Think of all you have done in six years. What will the next six bring for you? Thank you for all the help you may not know you have given to me and the one’s closest to me. Looking for a signed copy in June!
on 13 February 2009 / 8:44 AM
Dawn Wright says,
It is so obvious that GOD is working through you. You have made us understand in ways that we never did before. Thank you so much. Dont stop!
on 15 February 2009 / 12:04 PM
Nathan Henry says,
Shannon, your leadership has inspired my wife and I to kick our walk out of cruise control and into high gear for Christ and His church. Thank you
on 16 February 2009 / 11:48 PM
BOYER says,
Shannon,
Although I always believed you to be ahead of ur own time and one of the great visionaries of our time, I am delighted to see that you got a majority of that stuff in ur head and written on you’re heart out into a tangible people reaching project. It totally seems like a fully functional beast in the world of reaching people for Christ, and I still rejoice that God even blessed me to even know you.
Take Care and Personify Him,
Jacob Boyer
on 22 February 2009 / 3:39 AM
Heel Pain says,
Have you ever considered about being a contributor on other sites? You have some excellent content here and I’m sure you could gain some great exposure if you wrote some content throughout other sites. There are actually a great deal of connected sites to check out. Only something to consider. I’m glad I know about it at least.
on 21 May 2010 / 7:28 PM