This will be my last post on Blogger
I began my "Vertical Journey" Blogger site in the spring of 2005. Blogger has served me well. Now I want the little extras that come with WordPress. I will be directing all my traffic from www.verticaljourney.blogspot.com to www.rosswiseman.com
www.rosswiseman.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I Love My Staff
Momentum Church Lead Team and Spouses
(Left to Right: Jared & Charla Hager Worship/Creative arts : Ross & Amie Wiseman Lead Pastor : Robby & Jamie Nichols Momentum Students : Brantley & Hannah Johnson Momentum Kids)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
"My" Family at "Our" New Home
It was an extremely sunny day. Aubrynn and I are squinting pretty bad (we always are). Our Photographer friend Karen knew it wasn't the best setting, but I really wanted a Brady Bunch picture on our stairs.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thoughts on the Balance Between Worship and Performance
Every Sunday men and women all over the nation step onto to church stages. They are equipped with guitars, mics, drums and hearts ready to lead those gathered in worship to God. The number one goal obviously is to engage with God in a reciprocating moment of praise,thanksgiving and encouragement. This is the number one goal, but also there should be a sense that those on stage are engaged with the audience. That could fall under the category of performance.
We have all been to concerts before where the band was engaged with the audience. It wasn't just an "us" watching "them" thing. It was an "us", a part of it all thing. Great concerts feel that way. Like you are on the stage with the band, and the band is enjoying the experience as much as if they were in row 3 seat 2. This all culminates in a swirl of emotions and exclamations of life impacting memories. How trivial all I'm talking about is just a performance by your favorite band. Think how amazing the Coldplay concert was just last week here in Atlanta.(I didn't make it to the concert, but everybody said it was off the chain) Shouldn't our worship experiences be just as engaging?
I think a quality worship experience at church should have a similar and engaging vibe.
We're dealing with this right now at Momentum. On one hand you want to be sure that what is done on stage comes across as worship to God not performance to an audience. On the other hand there should be a sense that the band is engaged with each other and the audience as well as with God. This produces an "experiencing this together" vibe that only comes when those on stage are engaged with those in the seats. If that doesn't happen it comes off a little 2-dimensional.
I pray that as we grow our band's passion to connect with God will increase. Also I pray that our bands ability to engage they're environment will become palpable. Why? Not so we can leave having just a cool memory or swirl of emotions, but so that we can leave forever impacted by our connection together with God in a slice of time.
We have all been to concerts before where the band was engaged with the audience. It wasn't just an "us" watching "them" thing. It was an "us", a part of it all thing. Great concerts feel that way. Like you are on the stage with the band, and the band is enjoying the experience as much as if they were in row 3 seat 2. This all culminates in a swirl of emotions and exclamations of life impacting memories. How trivial all I'm talking about is just a performance by your favorite band. Think how amazing the Coldplay concert was just last week here in Atlanta.(I didn't make it to the concert, but everybody said it was off the chain) Shouldn't our worship experiences be just as engaging?
I think a quality worship experience at church should have a similar and engaging vibe.
We're dealing with this right now at Momentum. On one hand you want to be sure that what is done on stage comes across as worship to God not performance to an audience. On the other hand there should be a sense that the band is engaged with each other and the audience as well as with God. This produces an "experiencing this together" vibe that only comes when those on stage are engaged with those in the seats. If that doesn't happen it comes off a little 2-dimensional.
I pray that as we grow our band's passion to connect with God will increase. Also I pray that our bands ability to engage they're environment will become palpable. Why? Not so we can leave having just a cool memory or swirl of emotions, but so that we can leave forever impacted by our connection together with God in a slice of time.
Sunday Remix 11-16-08
-Amie & I Started the day off by going to the 9am service at my friend Gary Lamb's church in Canton. Revolution was great. Seems like every time I have visited, Gary's been preaching on sex. Great teaching bro, but what's with the preaching barefoot thing. Gary my friend, you are one of a kind.
-I didn't preach this Sunday. Our Jump Start (K-5th grade) Team Leader brought the teaching for the day. Great job Brantley! With Brantley speaking I was able to visit Revolution and then come back to Momentum as a spectator.
-Some thoughts I had as I came back to Momentum Church from Revolution: Revolution is an amazing ministry held in high esteem by just about every serious student of church planting in the nation. Obviously they are doing a great deal right. As Gary says they do "the little things" right.
To pat Momentum on the back I will say this. When I left Revolution Church I wondered how I would feel walking back into Momentum Church. Just a few minutes later. Would there be a huge contrast in quality, vibe, excellence. etc...I was so freakin proud of our teams and what we have put together in Woodstock. Although each ministry is very unique to itself, I didn't feel a huge contrast between the ministries. Obviously we have a lot of little things to step up. On the other hand it was good for me to realize in such a vivid way that our grass is pretty dang green on this side of the fence. The experience deepened my appreciation for Gary, Revolution, but mostly for Momentum Church and what those who call MC home have accomplished! Great Job team!!
-I am always looking to learn from others a few steps ahead of us. This weekend made me realize no wonder we get calls weekly for advice and insight from those whom we are a few steps ahead of. Isn't that how it should be. We are all on the same team. I know I will continue to look, listen, and learn from other ministries. If we can be of help to anyone else we are at your disposal.
-I didn't preach this Sunday. Our Jump Start (K-5th grade) Team Leader brought the teaching for the day. Great job Brantley! With Brantley speaking I was able to visit Revolution and then come back to Momentum as a spectator.
-Some thoughts I had as I came back to Momentum Church from Revolution: Revolution is an amazing ministry held in high esteem by just about every serious student of church planting in the nation. Obviously they are doing a great deal right. As Gary says they do "the little things" right.
To pat Momentum on the back I will say this. When I left Revolution Church I wondered how I would feel walking back into Momentum Church. Just a few minutes later. Would there be a huge contrast in quality, vibe, excellence. etc...I was so freakin proud of our teams and what we have put together in Woodstock. Although each ministry is very unique to itself, I didn't feel a huge contrast between the ministries. Obviously we have a lot of little things to step up. On the other hand it was good for me to realize in such a vivid way that our grass is pretty dang green on this side of the fence. The experience deepened my appreciation for Gary, Revolution, but mostly for Momentum Church and what those who call MC home have accomplished! Great Job team!!
-I am always looking to learn from others a few steps ahead of us. This weekend made me realize no wonder we get calls weekly for advice and insight from those whom we are a few steps ahead of. Isn't that how it should be. We are all on the same team. I know I will continue to look, listen, and learn from other ministries. If we can be of help to anyone else we are at your disposal.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Christmas in Woodstock
I can't wait until Sunday to let Momentum Church know what are plans are for Christmas Eve.
We have never done a Christmas Eve event. We are strong proponents that just because everyone else is doing something doesn't mean we have to.
There are a lot of great churches in Woodstock doing a lot of great events on Dec. 24th So we have always pushed the need to offer yet another similar event onto the back burner.
This year as we talked about reaching our community during the Christmas
Season an incredible idea came and yes the 24th will be a perfect opportunity for it.
On Sunday I will let you in on what we believe will be one of the greatest events we have ever done for the people of Woodstock.
...before you start trying to guess, NO we are not throwing elves out of a helicopter.
We have never done a Christmas Eve event. We are strong proponents that just because everyone else is doing something doesn't mean we have to.
There are a lot of great churches in Woodstock doing a lot of great events on Dec. 24th So we have always pushed the need to offer yet another similar event onto the back burner.
This year as we talked about reaching our community during the Christmas
Season an incredible idea came and yes the 24th will be a perfect opportunity for it.
On Sunday I will let you in on what we believe will be one of the greatest events we have ever done for the people of Woodstock.
...before you start trying to guess, NO we are not throwing elves out of a helicopter.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday Remix 11-9-08
-I can't believe the second Sunday of November has already passed. This has been the fastest year of my life.
-This Sunday went great. Jimmy's set up crew was operating at Mach 2 and did a great job with everything. Nice work gentlemen.
-Jared was leading worship and doing some mentoring at a church in Savannah. I heard he did an awesome job. Josh and the band did a great job with leading worship here at home. It feels good to know that a major contributor to the success of our Sundays can be gone and his teams (sound/tech/music)can still pull out a win for the day.
-Speaking of a win, we saw 4 adults and several children chose to follow Christ today! I know several of their stories and it is awesome to see God moving in their lives.
-I preached on the subject of striving for spiritual maturity. We have been and will always be a great place for the unchurched to connect with God. I am also glad that we are becoming a place passionate about personal & spiritual growth.
-Gas is down to 1.99! My gas sucking Dodge truck is much happier.
-We are seeing our church finances getting better. Mad props to everyone who has stepped up in giving. I know it is a challenge, but God's promises regarding finances are true. God will bless the generous heart and He will bless the generous church.
-We are planning on doing our first Christmas Eve event. We still have a few details to work out. If all goes as planned it should be an incredible night for the city of Woodstock. Start praying for this night...right now.
-This Sunday went great. Jimmy's set up crew was operating at Mach 2 and did a great job with everything. Nice work gentlemen.
-Jared was leading worship and doing some mentoring at a church in Savannah. I heard he did an awesome job. Josh and the band did a great job with leading worship here at home. It feels good to know that a major contributor to the success of our Sundays can be gone and his teams (sound/tech/music)can still pull out a win for the day.
-Speaking of a win, we saw 4 adults and several children chose to follow Christ today! I know several of their stories and it is awesome to see God moving in their lives.
-I preached on the subject of striving for spiritual maturity. We have been and will always be a great place for the unchurched to connect with God. I am also glad that we are becoming a place passionate about personal & spiritual growth.
-Gas is down to 1.99! My gas sucking Dodge truck is much happier.
-We are seeing our church finances getting better. Mad props to everyone who has stepped up in giving. I know it is a challenge, but God's promises regarding finances are true. God will bless the generous heart and He will bless the generous church.
-We are planning on doing our first Christmas Eve event. We still have a few details to work out. If all goes as planned it should be an incredible night for the city of Woodstock. Start praying for this night...right now.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
McCain Concession Speech
Senator McCain just gave the classiest concession speech ever. God bless you John McCain.
President Elect Obama
Many of my political opinions differ from President Elect Obama, but I can't help but be proud of our country this night. 4 decades after the civil rights act a black man is elected to the highest office in the land. Amazing.
I have many close Black American friends and tonight I celebrate with you a cultural victory for our country. I trust President Obama will live up to his political rhetoric of bridging the aisle and establishing change together with those of us with more conservative views and those who hold liberal views.
Culturally we have bridged a huge milestone. For that America let's celebrate. Politically let's pray that conservative values and policies are not lost altogether during the next four years.
I have many close Black American friends and tonight I celebrate with you a cultural victory for our country. I trust President Obama will live up to his political rhetoric of bridging the aisle and establishing change together with those of us with more conservative views and those who hold liberal views.
Culturally we have bridged a huge milestone. For that America let's celebrate. Politically let's pray that conservative values and policies are not lost altogether during the next four years.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Awesome Season of Ministry
I always look at what we are doing as a church in seasons. The past two years we have laid out a pretty extreme plan for August-October. I am glad to say that we have seen great success the past two years during this season.
This year during this season we did our God at the Movies series in August which was awesome. This was a great series to invite our unchurched friends to. One of my closest friends started coming to Momentum with his family during this series. Also many of your friends did too. We finished August with an Adopt a Block event at Noonday Mobile Home Park as we brought Christmas in August to that community.
We then did the whole "God of this City" series and introduced the "Momentum Church" name. Man that unleashed a firestorm of enthusiasm and growth. I never imagined our church being so amped about our new name and ease of relating to the new name.
It's like this is who we have always been we just needed to say it. Once it was said something shifted...Ya'll are crazy now! I love it. Keep bringing it as you help people journey forward through life with God, purpose, and friends.
Oct. 5th brought us our annual tailgate party and the launch of what has turned out to be an amazing series (Pirates) We finished this season and the series up with Kid's Fest and a Pirate Party.
Everyone's faithful work has made for a truly memorable and impactful three months. I can't wait to see what God does in and through you the next 3 months. You're getting some serious kingdom stuff accomplished. Know that God is pleased and your pastor couldn't be more happy. May God continue to use all of us together to accomplish His agenda in Woodstock and the surrounding area.
This year during this season we did our God at the Movies series in August which was awesome. This was a great series to invite our unchurched friends to. One of my closest friends started coming to Momentum with his family during this series. Also many of your friends did too. We finished August with an Adopt a Block event at Noonday Mobile Home Park as we brought Christmas in August to that community.
We then did the whole "God of this City" series and introduced the "Momentum Church" name. Man that unleashed a firestorm of enthusiasm and growth. I never imagined our church being so amped about our new name and ease of relating to the new name.
It's like this is who we have always been we just needed to say it. Once it was said something shifted...Ya'll are crazy now! I love it. Keep bringing it as you help people journey forward through life with God, purpose, and friends.
Oct. 5th brought us our annual tailgate party and the launch of what has turned out to be an amazing series (Pirates) We finished this season and the series up with Kid's Fest and a Pirate Party.
Everyone's faithful work has made for a truly memorable and impactful three months. I can't wait to see what God does in and through you the next 3 months. You're getting some serious kingdom stuff accomplished. Know that God is pleased and your pastor couldn't be more happy. May God continue to use all of us together to accomplish His agenda in Woodstock and the surrounding area.
Great Weekend at Momentum Church
-The Woodstock Kid's Fest went great. Barbara Graves did a fantastic job leading this event.She also did a great job with leading our Kid's Pirate event on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to everyone for serving at these two kid's events.
-I was stoked that a boy from my soccer team visited Momentum with his grandmother. By the way the Blue Rockets were awesome on Saturday winning their last game 4-1! Great job team see you in the spring.
-This Sunday we finished our Pirates: Reclaiming my stolen treasure series. I finished with a teaching on finances and the peace we can achieve even in the face of economic uncertainties. I loved what we titled the teaching. We called it "get your hands off my booty" (think pirates ok) Ha! That's funny I don't care who you are.
-Our finances are turning around. For about 7 weeks our giving was way down. No I mean wwwwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy doooooooowwwwwwwwwnnn. I am so excited to say that in the past 2 weeks we have seen our giving getting back to where it should be. Thanks to all those at Momentum who are being faithful in the face of current economic conditions.
-We had two adults make the decision to follow Christ on Sunday. They have been coming a couple of months and were guests of guests who came as a guests of a couple who came to Christ this time last year. I hope you followed that...that's what I'm talking about. People reaching people who are reaching people. That's better than any billboard or mailer. Thanks Momentum for allowing God to use you to reach the world you do life with.
Thanks to everyone for serving at these two kid's events.
-I was stoked that a boy from my soccer team visited Momentum with his grandmother. By the way the Blue Rockets were awesome on Saturday winning their last game 4-1! Great job team see you in the spring.
-This Sunday we finished our Pirates: Reclaiming my stolen treasure series. I finished with a teaching on finances and the peace we can achieve even in the face of economic uncertainties. I loved what we titled the teaching. We called it "get your hands off my booty" (think pirates ok) Ha! That's funny I don't care who you are.
-Our finances are turning around. For about 7 weeks our giving was way down. No I mean wwwwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy doooooooowwwwwwwwwnnn. I am so excited to say that in the past 2 weeks we have seen our giving getting back to where it should be. Thanks to all those at Momentum who are being faithful in the face of current economic conditions.
-We had two adults make the decision to follow Christ on Sunday. They have been coming a couple of months and were guests of guests who came as a guests of a couple who came to Christ this time last year. I hope you followed that...that's what I'm talking about. People reaching people who are reaching people. That's better than any billboard or mailer. Thanks Momentum for allowing God to use you to reach the world you do life with.
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